The go-ahead for the redevelopment of Solihull’s town centre is set for approval at its planning committee meeting on Friday 6 February. It is important to recognise at the outset this has only been achieved through the decision we made to purchase Mell Square a few years ago. Different owners in the past 15 years … More SOLIHULL TOWN CENTRE REDEVELOPMENT
‘Solihull has a business base where there is high value growth potential widely present in the local business base.’ Solihull has been recognised as one of the UK’s top ten locations for high‑growth business potential, according to new data released today by Growth Flag. The findings highlight the borough’s continued emergence as a leading centre … More Solihull named one of the UK’s strongest business growth hotspots
The government has announced it is consulting on its road safety strategy. The link to the Dept of Transport webpage that highlights potential new changes is shown here: Proposed changes to penalties for motoring offences – GOV.UK This is the first government road safety strategy in over a decade and plans to reduce deaths and serious … More GOVERNMENT – ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY
Two developers were recently given permission for the development of some 1200 houses on Dog Kennel Lane, Solihull, This is within Blythe ward. I have provided links to the planning application below (also my original 2019 petition objecting to the site being in the councils local plan!) The site navigated the Planning Inspectors ‘Examination in … More Section 106 Funding from Developments
The government has now responded to the 2020 consultation and this can be read via this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/managing-pavement-parking Essentially this is what the all-party Local Government Authority has called for and I am grateful the government has proceeded with its recommendations. I wrote about the original consultation in 2020 and this can be found here: … More PAVEMENT/VERGE PARKING – Government Responds.
Petition to object link shown in the text. Fellow ward Councillor Keith Green and I met with the promoters of this site a couple of weeks ago and we can now inform residents that a formal planning application has been submitted. PL/2025/02373/PPOL refers to: Outline development for residential development of up to 120 dwellings, open space, landscaping, … More LAND EAST OF JOSEPH HOUSE, STRATFORD ROAD, SHIRLEY, SOLIHULL
The Council’s Urban Forestry Strategy 2019-2029 was developed and approved to promote, sustain and enhance the urban forest within Solihull. It recognises the contribution trees make towards the character, appearance and economy for all who live, work and visit Solihull. It also sets out the wider context around the value of trees, and the Urban … More FORESTRY – the Solihull approach
Residents of Solihull have a range of options for financial support for those at the end-of-life. A range of support is available from the Council which is detailed below. Any resident who may require support with the above can contact our Financial Inclusion Team on 0121 704 6202 or via email at financialinclusion@solihull.gov.uk. Our Community Advice Hubs … More Help with Council Tax for residents with a terminal illness
If you glance on social media, wherever you are in the UK, you may find complaints that ‘their’ own council has an exorbitant rate of council tax. I read similar statements here in Solihull, but the truth is, we have one of the lowest in the UK. I have compared Solihull’s council tax with others … More COUNCIL TAX – comparisons
Solihull has a vibrant town centre, with both Touchwood and Mell Square being an important part of the boroughs economic success. The development of Mell Square will ensure the town centre remains one of the very best places to visit in the UK. The planning application for the development of Mell Square is now on-line … More MELL SQUARE
Ken Hawkins 