Birmingham Live • 21st June 2023

Council assets may be sold off to fund £100 million cost in IT system

Council assets may be sold off and used to fund a £100 million blackhole in Birmingham city council's IT system, according to a new report, after whistleblowers revealed the system was overrun by delays, technical difficulties, and rising costs.

A report to be debated by senior councillors next week will ask to approve £46.53 million of taxpayers' money to fix the IT system.

Birmingham Live • 14th April 2023

Patrick Harley facing calls to quit as Dudley council leader after scandals

Labour’s opposition leader for Dudley council, Qadar Zada, has called on Patrick Harley, the leader of council, to resign over several scandals in the Black Country borough.

Councillor Zada spoke to the (LDRS) today after Dudley council made a self-referral to the regulator for social housing as council officers discovered there are no complete record of safety checks within the borough's housing stock - estimated to be 21,500.

Birmingham Live • 23rd June 2022

Dudley council leader was 'disrespectful' to police chief

The leader of Dudley council has been found to be ‘disrespectful’ to the commander of the town's police force, after an investigation into his behaviour upheld only one out of six points.

But Patrick Harley, the Conservative leader for the Black Country borough, claimed the complaints themselves were "a damp squib brought by an elite group of people".

Birmingham Live • 19th November 2021

Boris Johnson says investigation into Sandwell council 'may be needed'

Boris Johnson has said an investigation into the governance of Sandwell council "may be needed" after a multitude of fiascos for the troubled local authority.

Speaking at a media event on a train from Wolverhampton to Coventry last night, the Prime Minister said he was "very concerned" to hear about alleged corruption at Sandwell council.

Birmingham Live • 31st May 2023

Liam Byrne MP refuses to apologise for using taxpayers' money for mayor campaign

A Birmingham MP refused to apologise three times during his inaugural lecture for using taxpayers' money to help fund a failed mayoral campaign.

In a video filmed by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Liam Byrne MP, who represents Birmingham Hodge Hill, was asked three times to apologise to taxpayers' for the misuse of public money.

It comes after a parliamentary investigation upheld a complaint against Mr Byrne for using expenses on his failed bid to become West Midlands mayor.

Birmingham Live • 24th April 2023

Dudley councillor resigns Conservative whip over bullying allegations

A councillor has resigned from the Conservatives after allegations of bullying and harassment towards his wife and family by a local Conservative association, a council meeting heard.

Councillor Mark Westwood, who resigned the Conservative group whip at council last week (17 April), told councillors he was on his "third warning" from the association over speaking out about bullying.

Birmingham Live • 18th April 2023

£40 million spent on 'failing' IT system at Birmingham city council

An ambitious IT and HR system used by Birmingham city council has cost the taxpayer £40 million and has been overrun by years of delays, technical difficulties, and rising costs, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has learned.

A contract between the council and Oracle - the world's leading database management company specialising in cloud-based systems - was set to go live in April 2022 to help the council streamline payments across its public services.

Birmingham Live • 12th April 2023

Leaked report says Dudley council 'lost' £400,000 on French conference

Dudley council is found to have overspent its budget and could have lost as much as £400,000 of taxpayers' money to attend a global property conference in France, according to a leaked document seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) .

The 97-page document bundle titled: 'Review of arrangements for DMBC MIPM delegation 2019-23' suggests the council had calculated an initial budget of £85,000 for senior officers - including the chief executive, Kevin O'Keefe, and the leader of council Patrick Harley - to attend MIPM

Birmingham Live • 28th February 2023

Dudley councillor arrested on suspicion of sexual assault

A Conservative councillor in Dudley has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has learned.

Councillor Shaz Saleem, who represents Kingswinford North and Wall Heath, was arrested on February 15. He has not been charged and has been released on police bail.

Birmingham Live • 1st February 2023

Public apology for assault of blogger made by Sandwell councillor

A Labour councillor has apologised for his conduct after a committee found him to have brought Sandwell council into disrepute following an assault on a blogger.

But the victim of the assault - a citizen journalist - interrupted the apology and later said he would be making a further complaint.

Councillor Steve Melia, who represents with Yew Tree, made the four minute apology last night (January 31) as the last item to be discussed during Sandwell council's full council meeting.

Birmingham Live • 16th December 2022

Councillor brought Sandwell into disrepute with blogger assault

A councillor convicted of assault has been found to have brought his council into disrepute and it has been recommended he should be removed of any committee titles he holds.

The found Labour councillor Steve Melia, who represents with Yew Tree, had brought Sandwell council into disrepute.

Birmingham Live • 30th November 2022

£1.4bn housing contract has 'lack of transparency', say councillors

One of the biggest housing repair contracts in the country, estimated to be worth £1.4 billion, was slammed by Birmingham city councillors this week for a lack of transparency and voted in under a 'seriously flawed' report.

The contract to deliver responsive repairs, maintenance services, gas services, and capital improvement programmes - including major repairs to council housing stock - affects 60,000 council homes in Birmingham.

Birmingham Live • 25th November 2022

Keir Starmer 'concerned' about racism allegations in Birmingham Labour

Sir Keir Starmer said he was "concerned" about allegations of racism within Birmingham Labour, after a senior councillor resigned as black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) officer over an allegedly 'toxic culture' in the local group.

Councillor Saima Suleman, who represents North, coordinated an internal report into the treatment of black, or other ethnic minority heritage councillors, and the council wards they represent.

Birmingham Live • 27th October 2022

'Back devolution deal or lose next election', Mayor tells Rishi Sunak

Andy Street says the Conservatives will lose votes in the West Midlands unless the government backs the region's 'trailblazer devolution deal'.

The Mayor for West Midlands, one of the most prominent Tories outside of Westminster, claimed his party cannot take the support of voters in so-called 'red wall' seats for granted.

Birmingham Live • 4th October 2022

Social homes 'no different' to Cotswolds, Gove tells Tory party conference

A woman who looks after two disabled children told the Conservative party conference that political parties "do not speak" or represent Brummies living in temporary accommodation.

Clare Caudery, a member of Birmingham Fair Housing campaign, was forced to declare herself homeless and move into temporary accommodation after her landlord "used her position to not take responsibility for repairs".

Birmingham Live • 2nd October 2022

Anger and protests in Birmingham city centre on day one of tory party conference

Members of the public and left-wing organisations marched from Victoria Square to the ICC to demonstrate their anger toward the Conservative party at their conference in Birmingham today.

Around 1,000 people gathered to hear music and speeches from key political activists before converging on Centenary Square, where a crowd holding 'End Tigray Genocide' placards had already gathered.

Birmingham Live • 1st October 2022

Protests in Birmingham city centre ahead of Tory party conference

Thousands of people have flocked to Birmingham city centre today (Saturday) to vent their anger at the Government ahead of the Conservative party conference tomorrow. One protest has already taken place and more are planned in the coming days.

There is widespread anger over Prime Minister Liz Truss's first 'mini budget' which saw the value of the pound sterling and interest rates set to soar.

Birmingham Live • 23rd September 2022

By-election in Wednesbury after mystery resignation of councillor

A by-election to replace a councillor who was suspended by the Labour party is set to take place next month.

Residents will cast their vote on October 27 in the South ward. Campaigners in both the and will be door-knocking local residents to try and win the vacant seat.

The council ward holds three seats. Two seats are held by Labour councillors - Olwen Jones and Ian Chambers. Councillor Chambers was elected as a Conservative in May 2021, but defected to Labour in January this year.

Birmingham Live • 7th September 2022

Andy Street says new PM Liz Truss 'repeatedly' backs levelling up

The Mayor for West Midlands has said specific help for energy bills is needed this winter to help tackle the cost of living crisis.

Speaking to the at a meeting about the new interchange station in , which is said to create 1,000 jobs for the region, said tax cuts alone will not address the crisis in Birmingham.

Birmingham Live • 26th August 2022

'Drunk' Brum councillor took light fixture from pub and apologises

A Birmingham Labour councillor has spoken out for the first time and apologised after being accused of taking a light fitting out of a popular city centre pub.

Councillor Jack Deakin, who represents the Allen Cross ward, was allegedly seen on CCTV footage at the Colmore Tap last month - a popular pub for both councillors and staff - a short walk from itself.

Birmingham Live • 19th July 2022

Top councillors and leader miss visit to green space at risk of development

The leader of Sandwell council and a senior councillor responsible for regeneration have both missed a meeting with campaigners to not build on a much-loved green space.

Brandhall urban village, a controversial development proposed by Sandwell council, is part of their objective to build more affordable housing, a new school, and regeneration in the borough.

Birmingham Live • 1st June 2022

Birmingham councillor under investigation for social media posts

A newly-elected Labour councillor is under investigation for social media posts and her views regarding coronavirus. Councillor Shabina Bano, who represents the Small Heath ward, espoused sceptical views that lockdowns would not end until “a certain number of deaths” were recorded.

Birmingham Live • 28th March 2022

Dudley councillor suspended by Labour over anti-Semitic tweets

A Dudley councillor has been suspended after posting anti-Semitic tweets after claiming a ‘witch-hunt’ was taking place by against Labour politicians who criticised Israel. Councillor Zafar Islam, who represents the Brierley Hill ward and is deputy chair of Dudley North CLP, received a six month suspension from his Labour party membership on Thursday (March 24) following the conclusion of an internal disciplinary investigation.

Birmingham Live • 24th February 2022

Report reveals claims of institutional racism at Dudley council

Dudley council has been accused of trying to bury a damning race report into the treatment of its staff.

The council commissioned a review two years ago into long-running concerns, including claims ethnic minority staff were being singled out for disciplinary action.

Council bosses commissioned independent charity, Birmingham race action partnership, also known as brap, to conduct a full review in 2020.