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Council votes for an ethical procurement and investment policy

Last night the Birmingham Liberal Democrat group voted for a motion brought by Cllr Nosheen Khalid and Cllr Jamil Khan of the Better Birmingham Group and amended by the Green Group, which seeks to ensure the council has an ethical procurement and investment process. The amended motion passed with 54 votes for and 19 against.

We voted for it because we feel strongly that we don’t want to see the council we represent investing in, or entering into procurement with, any organisation that enables, supports or profits, from war crimes, murder of children, oppression against any nation, part of a nation or community within a nation, or from environmental crimes, anywhere across the world.

The motion in full can be read here:

Procurement motion finalDownload

We recognise that the proposers of the motion focused primarily on the Israeli governments actions in Gaza and the West Bank, whereas we felt the policy should not single out one country but also include Russia and any other regime across the world complicit in war crimes or oppression. We therefore helped amend the motion so it does that.

We acknowledge that the reaction to the motion has caused concern amongst the Jewish community as well as a rise in anti Muslim rhetoric on social media. Birmingham Liberal Democrats and our partners in the city’s administration remain totally committed to the Fairer Birmingham Partnership Agreement drawn up together. We have always been clear that antisemitism, racism, and all forms of hatred have no place in our society.

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Kings Heath and Moseley Places for People -renewed

The council has released an update on the Kings Heath and Moseley Places for People scheme.

Following feedback received through the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) consultation process, Birmingham City Council (BCC) reviewed the project and a revised delivery approach was agreed by Cabinet in April 2026.

Following the local elections in May 2026, the approach was subsequently endorsed by the new Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor Rob Grant.

Moving forward the project will consist of the following…

Revisions and upgrades to the existing Phase 1 measures, to the west of the Kings Heath High Street (A435)

20mph speed limits across the project area

New proposals to be developed to the east of the Kings Heath High Street (A435) and in South Moseley

In future, the project will be based on applying the Healthy Streets approach and seek to make changes that discourage through traffic and make streets feel safer for everyone.

It is important there is a clear justification and rationale for any proposed changes and further investigation and development work is required to ensure this, especially across the area to the east of the A435 (Kings Heath High Street).

The council remains committed to delivering the Kings Heath & Moseley Places for People project and the funding allocated for this remains available.

You can read the full update and sign up for regular updates here

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Stop the Fireworks Free for All

Following the devastating fires that have destroyed homes in Warstock and Kings Norton and numerous areas of parkland across Birmingham, including in Moseley Bog, Windermere Fields and Swanshurst Park we have received multiple messages from residents concerned about the continuing use of fireworks in this hot dry weather, even after a government national alert.

Izzy has sent a letter to the Chair of the Licensing and Public Protection Committee, Councillor Sam Forsyth, calling for the issue of fireworks to be added to the agenda of the next committee meeting on 9th September.

In her letter she refers to the petition submitted at full council in November 2025 by her colleague, Councillor Baber Baz.

The petition calls for Birmingham City Council to:

1.Tighten local licensing rules to restrict and better control the sale of fireworks.

2. Press the Government for stronger powers, so local councils can properly protect communities.

3. Work with the police and community groups to clamp down on illegal and antisocial use of fireworks.

She also refers to the government consultation launched in July on ‘Fireworks and Pyrotechnics in the UK‘

Izzy has asked if steps can urgently be taken to:
A: provide a response and any progress about the petition, especially around the request to tighten local licensing rules:

B: Ensure Birmingham City Council responds to the government consultation, considering the recent events and concerns of many residents across the area.

Fireworks letterDownload
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RECYCLING UPDATE

If you live in one of the two areas of Moseley that is currently taking part in the food waste pilot you will have been delivered a green lidded wheelie bin this week

The council is expanding the food waste pilot in these areas to include recycling.

By recycling more we can reduce waste – which is sent to the polluting incinerator – protect our environment and help keep our areas cleaner.

A letter will be delivered explaining the process but starting from 21st /28th August the included households will receive :

🗑 Weekly general waste collections

🫑Weekly food waste collections

â™»Fortnightly recycling collection of soft plastics, metal and glass (blue lidded bin)

â™»Fortnightly recycling collection of paper and card (green lidded bin)

The blue and green lidded bins will be emptied on the same day.

You will no longer need the paper pod and these can be returned to the depot, taken to a recycling centre or used in your own home.

We sadly do not yet have a date when the rest of Moseley will get recycling back but we are pressing the council to commit to rolling out the waste transformation programme sooner rather than later. If the bin strike is resolved (fingers crossed) in the meantime recycling should resume in any case.

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The Bordesley Chords by 2030 (fingers crossed)


A consultation is now open on the £1.75 billion Midlands Rail Hub, a major project designed to improve rail services across Birmingham and the wider region which will transform our rail network across the region.

Plans include more frequent trains, faster journeys and millions of additional seats at Birmingham Moor Street and New Street stations.
It will allow a full commuter service on the Camp Hill Line through Moseley Village station and would take it into Moor Street, easing congestion into New Street and eventually linking directly with HS2 at Curzon Street.

Residents, businesses and communities are invited to share their views on the proposals, which aim to boost connectivity, support economic growth and create better travel options across the West Midlands.

The consultation found here closes on Friday 28 August.

Header photo credit – Network Rail

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Parking Enforcement in Wake Green Road

Last week Izzy contacted Moseley Medical Centre and Secure Parking Solutions after receiving complaints about the parking enforcement measures put in place outside the new surgery in Wake Green Road.

She made representations about the markings, signage and area being enforced and asked for a review of PCNs issued so far. Penalties are being issued to drivers parked next to the centre and outside what appears to be the medical centre boundary. This is having a negative affect on nearby businesses and is not good for public relations.

We have asked for a meeting to discuss how the parking can be managed in a way that supports all the businesses in the parade.

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Sarehole Festival – Application for entertainment licence

The Tolkien Society have made an application for a ‘premises’ licence for Sarehole Mill and Recreation Ground. The licence application, which covers entertainment but not alcohol, can be viewed here:

Izzy has written to the Police Licensing Officer and the Safety Advisory Group and has also contacted both the licensing agent and a representative of the Tolkien Society to discuss the application and concerns raised by local residents.

The Police Licensing Officer has confirmed a meeting has been held with the organisers and the following conditions agreed:

All licensable activity events will be subject to a SAG (or group of any other name)

  • All licensable events will be subject to the premises licence holder producing an event safety manual (or any other name)
  • The event safety manual and any recommendations of the SAG will become the premises licence operating conditions for that event.
  • Licensable activity will be limited to 12 events per year. 2 of which may be events of no more than 3 days per event,  4 of which may be events of no more than 2 days per event. The other 6 will be 1 day only events.
  • Events will not take place within an 8-day period of the last event.

The officer also confirmed:

West Midlands Police believe, after meeting with the applicant and talking through their business / event model,  the above conditions will meet and promote the licensing objectives.

As we are still in the representation period residents are still able to make representations to the application if they still believe any of the licensing objectives will be undermined, if this licence were to be granted.

There may also still be other responsible authorities that may still wish to contact the applicant or make representation on the application. Although I have had no communication from them.

The representative from the Tolkien Society clarified to Izzy that the licence application is to hold the two day Sarehole Festival they are planning on the recreation ground on the weekend of 30th and 31st May.

The Tolkien Society is very keen for this to be a family friendly event and to not negatively impact residents. The representative confirmed:

  • The event will finish at 5pm each day
  • There will be no alcohol sold or allowed on site.
  • There will be no amplified music, it will be acoustic only
  • A parking area will be on the field opposite the mill entrance on Cole Bank Road (this area has been used for parking at previous festivals)
  • Stewards will to direct visitors on foot and to the car parking area. (Izzy has suggested some are stationed in Green Road and at the entrance to Millmead flats).
  • There will be two toilet trailers
  • There will be a skip for waste disposal and a litter pick at the end of each day.
  • Visitors will be encouraged to use public transport or walk /cycle to the event.

 Izzy asked about further events. The Tolkien Society may consider a second event in the August bank holiday, but that is not confirmed. They do not plan any other events on the field, but it was recommended they include up to 12 in the licence application should they later on wish to hold small events such as themed school visits for example, at the mill.

Objections can be made to the licence application until Thursday 7th May. Objections should be sent to licensing@birmingham.gov.uk and refer to the four licensing objectives.

You can also send us any questions or concerns and we will be happy to contact the organisers further on your behalf.

Councillors Izzy & Philip

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Parking Enforcement in Moseley

Cars parked on the pavement and central reservation at Park Road, Moseley

At the Moseley Forum meeting earlier this month anti -social parking was brought up, as it often is.

We have obtained data from the council of the number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued in Moseley ward in 2025/6.

A total of 3806 penalty tickets were issued across Moseley ward, 1564 of them were on Alcester Road, but only 4 on Oxford Rd. Looking at the list as a whole we feel too much emphasis is put on daytime patrols and not enough in the evening.

In December 2024, Izzy took part in a ‘task and finish’ scrutiny enquiry examining the council’s response to road safety, in particular traffic enforcement. One of the recommendations Izzy made, which was included in the final report, was that the council should re-instate it’s ‘annual parking report’, which was last published in 2018/2019.

We are pleased that the 2024/2025 report has now been published. It makes interesting reading, showing that Alcester Road was actually the road with the sixth most PCNs issued outside the city centre.
What is quite shocking is how few patrols have taken place outside schools, with zero PCNs issued in Moseley ward in the entire year. We plan to ask a lot more questions about how schools patrols are determined and managed.

Parking enforcement in Birmingham is contracted out to a private company NSL. This is the first confirmation we have had that income from penalty notices and parking fees is in excess of the cost of the contract. How the surplus is used is another topic for future questions.

You can read the report below:

Annual_parking_report_2024_to_2025___AFDownload

Currently obstruction of pavements or junctions, where there are no parking restrictions are the responsibility of the police to enforce. The government has stated it will issue powers to local authorities to enforce pavement parking, but as yet we do not know what these powers will look like.

In the meantime the best way to deal with dangerous parking like below, which Izzy came across recently whilst with her grandchildren, is to report it to the police via Operation Snap. Hopefully, they will issue a retrospective penalty to the owner of this car in Valentine Road.

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It’s time to talk!

Izzy and Philip have joined the other Lib Dem Councillors in calling for talks to be urgently resumed to end the bin strike.

The two sides have not met since July last year. They are clearly far apart, with conflicting legal advice, but the only way to work towards a resolution is to start talking now.

Recycling levels have plummeted to an all time low, whilst fly tipping has rocketed and contaminated recycling bins litter our streets, garden waste collections have been suspended for a second year and people in flats and HMO’s with communal container bins continue to suffer frequent missed collections and overflowing bins.

Despite this the council are ploughing ahead with food waste collections, redirecting agency crews from container collections to do so.

The Labour leadership of the council appear to be caught, like a rabbit in headlights, totally in denial and afraid of doing or saying anything.

Lib Dem Group Leader, Roger Harmer said:

“Residents feel like they’re being used as a pawn, in a battle between Unite and the Labour Party. It’s unfair on them and is tarnishing the reputation of our great city. It needs to come to an end“

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Moseley Ward to take part in a Food Waste Pilot.

Moseley Ward is one of six council wards chosen to take part in a Food Waste pilot, starting week commencing Monday 16th March 2026. (NB: Moseley collections are on Fridays – so the start date for us will be Friday 20th March 2026)

The pilot forms part of the Governments Simpler Recycling reforms under the Environment Act 2021, which aim to standardise waste and recycling collections and improve recycling rates across England.

The pilot will include approximately 1600 households in the Moseley Triangle / Oxford Road and Moor Green Lane/Reddings Road areas. It will not include flats or HMO’s that currently use communal container bins.

What happens next

  • Each participating household in the area will receive a letter informing them about the pilot at the beginning of March. This will be followed by a 7 litre indoor grey caddy and a 23 litre outdoor brown food waste caddy delivered from Monday 9th March 2026
  • Residents will be asked to place food waste into the indoor caddy and transfer it to the outdoor caddy for collection.
  • Details of the types of food residents can and cannot recycle will be provided (see below)
  • Outdoor food caddies must be presented kerbside by 6am on the day of household waste collections. The caddies will be emptied weekly.
  • A dedicated webpage http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/foodwastepilot (not yet live) will contain FAQs and further information.
  • Philip and Izzy will be available to answer questions and help sort out any issues. Officers will be attending our next ward meeting on Tuesday 3rd March 7pm at St Anne’s Church Hall, Park Hill, B13 8DX.

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Unity over Division Love over Hate – Moseley stands up to bullies.

On Wednesday 4th February a group called Raise the Colours descended on Moseley Village and fixed Union and National flags to 19 lamp posts in Alcester Road and St Mary’s Row.

Izzy went out and spoke to the group at the time, asked them to take the flags down and told them they were committing an offence under S132 Highways Act 1980.

Despite that they continued to put up flags through the village even though it was clear from the reception they were getting that the community did not welcome them here.

Later the same evening Izzy emailed the Cabinet member for Community Safety,Social Justice and Equalities, Cllr Tennant, the Director for Community Safety and the local Police Superintendent asking for the flags to be taken down as soon as possible and for some firm action to be taken, either a summons to court or an injunction.

Raise the Colours are not being patriotic, they are upsetting and frightening many people, causing division amongst communities, wasting police time and adding unnecessary cost to a council that is already struggling with managing its finances.

On Friday 6th February Izzy & Philip received confirmation from both the council and the police that they would support each other to facilitate the removal of the flags put up without permission on public lamp posts. They could not give us a timeline but assured us it was being treated as urgent.

On Saturday 7th February a community event was held, which Izzy attended and almost half of the flags were removed by local residents.

We would like to reassure the many residents who have contacted us about this that our’s and others representations are being taken very seriously.

We already have a flag for Birmingham. It’s the Birmingham Community flag celebrating our rich heritage as a city of a thousand trades, built on migration and welcoming to all.

Bullying tactics are not welcome here. If people have differences we talk and respect each other. We have so much more to unite us than to divide us.

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Further update on the delay to the LTN

A reply has been received to a letter sent by all four ward Councillors (for Moseley and & Brandwood & Kings Heath) and the WMCA Road Safety & Active Travel Commissioners to the Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport, Cllr Majid Mahmood. In the letter we had raised issues with the revised Places for People design presented to Cllrs at a meeting on 15th January. (See previous post) In the reply Cllr Mahmood confirms this design will not be progressed and further technical work and legal advice is required before the project can be taken to Cabinet for a decision.

Cllr Mahmood response to letter regarding Places for People dated 21.01.26Download

In addition Izzy has received clarification regarding the Billesley Lane traffic calming as follows:

Although the traffic calming on Billesley Lane formed part of the original TRO under a notice, we are not proceeding with that original TRO or the notices that sit within the order. This is necessary because the updated decision, the scope of the scheme, and the associated funding all apply to the entire project, not just selected elements.

Therefore the Billesley Lane traffic calming cannot go ahead as a stand alone element whilst it is part of this scheme.

Both Cllrs Izzy and Philip remain committed to working with officers and residents to facilitate the delivery of a Low Traffic Neighbourhood which will meet the councils Transport plan and Road Harm Reduction Strategy and lead to calmer and safer streets in Moseley.

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More delays to the LTN

Birmingham City Council have issued a statement regarding the Kings Heath and Moseley Places for People (LTN) Scheme:

“Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) Update

From Monday 15th September to Monday 6th October the traffic regulation order (TRO) consultation for the Kings Heath and Moseley Places for People scheme took place.

Over 900 responses were received via email, letter and the online response form on Be Heard – Birmingham City Council’s consultation platform. The consultation invited people to review the scheme designs and submit a formal objection including the grounds for the objection.

Each response has now been reviewed in detail by the project team.

Based on the mixed feedback and objections received, fundamental changes have been required. As a result, the scheme as originally advertised cannot go ahead and the current TRO cannot be approved.

The modified scheme will need to go to Birmingham City Council Cabinet for approval, following this the TRO will be readvertised to account for these changes.

We understand that this news will be received with mixed feelings across the community, and those who support the Places for People scheme will be disappointed.

We would like to reassure you that as a result of the detailed feedback received through the consultation process, we have gained a clear understanding of what aspects of the designs work and what needed amending. We have worked hard in the background to address the elements of the design to satisfy the needs of both those living in the area and those travelling through.

The revised TRO will be consulted on in March 2026 subject to governance, and this is the opportunity to engage with the consultation process.

Please note the Places for People scheme is a separate scheme to the Kings Heath Local Neighbourhood Scheme which received TRO approval in November and construction will commence in Summer 2026 subject to the statutory process.

If you have any questions regarding the scheme, please contact connected@birmingham.gov.uk.

We thank you for your continued patience and interest in the scheme”

https://www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/bcc/kheath-moseleytro

Having met with officers and the cabinet member yesterday I have expressed my deep disappointment in the delays in finalising this scheme. Whilst I accept some changes will have to be made following consultation, I believe these are issues that could and should have been resolved months or years ago.

A proposed alternative scheme that was presented to myself and other Councillors does not, in my view, comply with the councils Road Harm Reduction Strategy nor the Transport Plan. I have made representations that it will negatively impact residents in Moseley. I cannot support it in its current form and have made representations for additional revisions prior to further consultation.

I have also asked for clarification on the proposed traffic calming for Billesley Lane which was not part of the Traffic Regulation Order and was published as a Traffic Notice.

Councillor Izzy Knowles

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Edgbaston Road – dangerous potholes

We have received loads of complaints about the state of Edgbaston Road outside the cricket training ground. It was due to be resurfaced in December. We have written to the Highways Engineer to find out why it wasn’t done and get it back on the list as a matter of urgency.
This video shows how vehicles are having to negotiate the potholes, the broken grit from them is being spread across the cycle lane causing further danger.

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CCTV to be installed at Green Road ford

We are very pleased that the council has responded to requests to install CCTV in Green Road at the ford and the entrance to the recreation ground after numerous incidents of fly tipping, including in the river itself.

Flytipping costs the council thousands to clear up and is hugely damaging to the environment.

Let’s hope they catch someone

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Philip Mills elected as second Councillor for Moseley

Huge congratulations to Philip Mills for winning the Moseley by election tonight and becoming the second Lib Dem Councillor to represent Moseley ward alongside Councillor Izzy Knowles – and not forgetting now we have Councillor Dog Mason.

Lib Dems take Birmingham Council seat from Labour – BBC

Thank you to Stephen Pihlaja (Labour) for running a positive campaign and all the candidates who put themselves forward. It has been a long four weeks but it was great to speak to so many people across Moseley.

Philip and Izzy wish to say a huge thank you to everyone who came out to deliver, canvas and support our campaign and to the Moseley community for putting your faith in us.

We may take a day off but not before chasing some bin collections x

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Music Festival at Cannon Hill Park – but no local engagement

Update: 24th October

I’ve now been informed a U Turn decision has been made by the Head of Parks and this event will now go ahead on Sunday – but with reduced numbers, and moved to the redgra area.

Whilst I’m disappointed with the lack of engagement both by the council and the organisers I hope the event goes smoothly. I will go and check it out during the day and provide my feedback to the council SAG and Head of Parks.

Izzy

Subject: Update on Sunday’s Event

Dear Cllr Knowles,

Apologies for the delay in responding regarding this matter.

We’ve had several discussions with the event organisers this week and can now confirm that the revised event is approved to proceed on Sunday. This decision is based on the following key factors:

Reduced audience numbers, in line with the TENS licence conditions

Confirmed infrastructure, including toilets, stewarding, and first aid provision

Relocation of the event to the redgra area, due to waterlogged conditions on the original event field and further rain forecast

We appreciate that this has been a complex and challenging application. However, we are now confident that the event will run smoothly and without issue.

Following the event, we will review its delivery and consider how similar events can be managed more effectively in future.

Kind regards,

Eddie Curry

Head of Parks & Greenspaces

Update: 20th October

I’m pleased to hear today that following representations the Head of Parks has withdrawn approval for this event to go ahead this Sunday. The events organisers had tried to circumvent the licence conditions by obtaining a Temporary Event Notice (TENS) and they failed to engage with stakeholders, such as the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) would have been impacted by such a large event.

I’m not against events and festivals being held at Cannon Hill Park, far from it, but they need to be organised responsibly and with full engagement of other park users.

Original Post – 16th October

I have sent an email to the chair of Birmingham City Council Safety Advisory Group and the Head of Parks, raising concerns about an event that is being advertised to be held in Cannon Hill Park on Sunday 26th October.

I do not believe the organisers have complied with the conditions set by the police in an application they have made for an alcohol licence, which has not yet been approved.

There has been no attempt to correspond with other users of the park, such as the Midlands Arts Centre – MAC the Friends group or local residents.

I have not been given any evidence that a robust management plan of the event, including toilet facilities and parking management is in place.

Until I receive that assurance I cannot support such a large event in the park on a Sunday afternoon.

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Call for speed cameras on Alcester Road

Speed camera sign outside King David School

Following requests from residents on Alcester Road, myself & Philip Mills are calling for a re-introduction of speed cameras on Alcester Road outside Park Hill and King David schools.

There were Gatso cameras in both locations until approx 15 years ago, when they were switched off.

Since then speeding and racing has increased including through Moseley Village.

We are asking for Alcester Road to be included in the next round of average speed cameras to be installed in the city.

Please sign our petition which will be submitted at the next full council meeting:

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Highways Investment Programme for Moseley 2025/2026

We have received details of the road surfacing programme to take place in Moseley ward between now and March 2026. See the chart below for details and dates.
This is a welcome investment in our highways, especially as it includes Springfield Road, Wake Green Road (from Yardley Wood Road to Church Road) and Moor Green Lane (from Yew Tree Road to Dads Lane), but we are disappointed there are no footways included in Moseley for re-surfacing and neither have we been allocated any schemes for upgrade to LED streetlights.

One pedestrian crossing, Wake Green Road at Grove Avenue is also on the list to be upgraded.

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Making the case for traffic enforcement

This week Councillor Colin Green and I successfully took a motion to full council to urgently roll out Moving Traffic Enforcement cameras across the city.

This is the third motion on road safety I have taken since being elected. Some progress has been made, but it is no where near enough.

I outline in my speech how the failure to consistently enforce traffic rules is causing resentment and division.

At the same meeting my colleague Philip Mills asked a question to the Cabinet member about the councils poor response to enforcement of pavement parking. Philip is severely sight impaired so this is something that impacts him and other disabled people every single day.

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Brummies United Against Racism

Today at Birmingham City Council full council meeting I was proud to initiate councillors cross party to come together to endorse the Brummies United Against Racism campaign.

Now, more than ever we need to send the message Brummies stand united. There is no place for racism, hate or division in our city.

Posters are available from The Moseley Exchange or you can print your own. If you live in Moseley ward I can drop one through your door.

Screenshot
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Kings Heath and Moseley LTN – Traffic Regulation Orders

The Traffic Regulation Order consultation for Kings Heath & Moseley Places for People (PfP) aka Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scheme opens on Monday 15 September and runs until Monday 6th October 2025.

Following public consultation and engagement activities on the proposals for Kings Heath & Moseley PfP, and subsequent amendments to the plans based on this engagement, the council are now at the stage of formalising the proposals through a consultation on the Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO).

During this consultation, residents/businesses and organisations are invited to make comments on the proposals or submit a formal objection (which must include the grounds for the objection).

A letter outlining the TRO will be delivered to all residents and businesses within the area of the scheme.

Details of the measures can be found on the online consultation and sets of the TRO documents will also be available at Kings Heath Library and Kings Heath Community Centre. (Opening times of the venues will need to be checked before attending).

In addition, to the TRO’s the council are proposing the following changes which can be implemented with a Traffic Notice rather than a TRO:

  • Traffic calming measures on Billesley Lane, Springfield Road, Clarence Road and Gaddesby Road to reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety
  • Zebra crossing on Billesley Lane to improve pedestrian safety

The link to the online consultation and all the plans is: www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/bcc/kheath-moseleytro

If you have any questions about this consultation, or need help understanding the plans, please contact: KingsHeathandMoseleyTRO@birmingham.gov.uk

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Update to communal collections – is the council in denial?

Communal waste bin in a basement with a large pile of rubbish bags next to it on the ground.

On 8th August I wrote to the Director of City Operations and Cabinet Member concerning the appalling inconsistency of waste collections to flats and HMO’s with communal container bins.
Today I have received a response as follows:

Dear Councillor Knowles

Thank you for your email. Please see response below provided by Head of Service for Waste.

Thank you for your enquiry regarding the collection from communal properties.

As you note in your email the City Council has made a commitment to ensure all residents, regardless of property type, receives a minimum of one collection a week. Whilst this has been challenging to deliver we are pleased to report that circa 97.2% of all flats are receiving a weekly collection. However it should be noted that a lot of communal properties in the City are scheduled to usually receive more than one collection, and whilst we are taking excess in the short-term, this does not fix the problem long-term. With this in mind we are currently reviewing the operational resource we have available to us and trying to identify if there is a means whereby we can provide a more consistent, scheduled collection.

Once we have developed a solution we will share it with Elected Members through the Cabinet Member briefing process.

I hope to meet with the Director at a briefing next week, but in the meantime I have written back the following. It seems to me they are in total denial about what is happening on the ground:


Dear Cllr Mahmood and Richard

Thank you very much for the reply.

I am pleased to hear you are trying to find a way to provide a more consistent, scheduled collection for flats and HMO’s. I hope it will be treated as a priority.

I would really like to see the evidence that 97.2% of all flats are receiving a weekly collection and how that figure has been reached. 

I’m afraid it just does not add up in the experience of residents with communal containers in my ward and I expect other wards across the city. 

I have multiple properties that are being left 3 to 6 weeks between collections and that I am flagging up regularly on behalf of residents.

I also dispute that crews are routinely taking excess waste.  Some crews are doing this but more often the  containers are emptied and the excess piles of waste are left behind.  I attach a photo of one block of flats where this happened only today. It means residents are having to re-fill the bins with the excess, meaning they need another collection much sooner, or more often their management companies pay for the bins to be filled and the stores cleared, which is a charge to the residents.

Most of these properties would manage with one collection a week but that is simply not happening.

Best wishes

Izzy

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Waste collections from flats and HMO’s are not fit for purpose

I have today written to the Director of Operations at Birmingham City Council, Richard Brooks and the Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport, Councillor Majid Mahmood to ask that something be done to sort out the appalling inconsistency in collection of waste from communal containers of flats and HMO’s. See my email below.
I have received a reply from Richard Brooks office  to say the issue will be investigated and an update be provided as a priority.

Dear Richard and Majid

I have highlighted this before, but can anything be done please, whilst industrial action continues, to improve the appalling inconsistency in the collection of waste from communal flats and HMO’s that use large container bins?

At the beginning of the strike the council communicated that these properties would be prioritised for collections. In my experience the opposite has happened.

Residents in flats report their frustration at seeing a crew emptying their neighbours wheelie bins weekly whilst their communal bin store is overflowing with bags and hasn’t had a collection for weeks.

I am spending a huge amount of my time chasing these collections. This is time I should be allocating to other pressing casework. Many properties only get a collection when the residents contact me and I highlight it to the depot supervisors, despite them reporting the missed collections themselves, often multiple times.

In a growing number of cases management agents for flats are arranging private waste collections and cleaners to clear the bin stores. This is a cost that will be passed on to the residents in their service charge. This is not acceptable or fair, these are not luxury apartments and most residents are already paying high rents and council tax. They are less likely to own a car to be able to  visit a HRC or MHWC and they do not have the storage space to hoard waste and recycling.

I do not have any criticism of the depot service managers, who are excellent and very responsive – but surely some review of management of communal collections has to take place, as this is not sustainable.

Best wishes

Izzy