Andrew Mitchell's Weekly Message: Week 220

Saturday, 29 June, 2024

Local News

Week 220 - My key objectives – we have the plans, and we have the money

Parliament has been dissolved, campaign lines are being drawn and it’s election time again! This week I am writing this column not as your Member of Parliament, but as your Conservative candidate for Royal Sutton Coldfield, in the up-coming General Election on July 4.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be telling you about my key objectives if I am re-elected, updating you on the campaign trail – but also sharing with you lots of interesting and useful stories from across our Sutton Coldfield community.

My key objectives – we have the plans, and we have the money

With the General Election only days away, we are now at the peak of the campaign – with hundreds of local volunteers having hit the streets to support the need for a strong, Conservative voice for Sutton Coldfield.

This week, I want to briefly re-iterate my four key objectives for the town – and then to urge you to use your vote wisely.

If re-elected, I will revive our Town Centre - and we already have the plans, and the funds, to make it happen. I secured £25million for transport and infrastructure, and we have £10 million to kick start the redevelopment of the Gracechurch. I also secured a £20million Towns Fund, to be administered here in Sutton Coldfield, not by bankrupt Birmingham Labour. We have all the told need to revive our Town Centre.

After years of working behind the scenes, I’m delighted that this summer will see the start of an £8.5 million project to turn our Cottage Hospital into a pioneering new hub to serve Sutton’s older residents. This will help older people live in their own homes for longer and ease pressure on the A&E department at Goo Hope. It’s a game changer for health in our town, and I’m excited to see it begin to take shape.

Our beloved Town Hall, which has been at the centre of the community for more than a century, is about to begin a £1million facelift, repairing the building but then adding a café and centre for local apprentices, securing its long-term future.

Finally, if re-elected I will fight to win local control of Sutton Park, which is falling into disrepair because of the neglect of bankrupt Labour Birmingham. That means creating a Sutton Park Trust, giving you a say in how your park is run. To put it simply, 500 years ago Henry VIII gave the Park to the people of Sutton. I think it’s time Birmingham gave it back.

I want to achieve all of these key objectives by 2028, when Sutton celebrates the 500th anniversary of its Royal Charter.

Why every vote matters

This is the most important election in Sutton Coldfield for generations. Residents here are already reeling from a Council Tax Increase of 21%. Three of our four libraries face closure. Bin collections are being cut to fortnightly. Streetlights are to be dimmed to save money. The Park Ranger service has been cut. Car parking charges are to be introduced in the Park.

Why? Because Birmingham Labour has bankrupted the city.

Why is this relevant to the General Election? Because the Labour candidate is a senior member of Labour Birmingham, a council cabinet member who voted through all of those cuts, tax rises and higher charges herein Sutton.

He also backs Labour plans to close our Police Station and rejects the Royal Town’s plan for a Sutton Park Trust as a ‘tin pot’ idea. Clearly, he is too close to his pals in Birmingham.

This is why your vote is crucial – we cannot let Sutton Coldfield fall into the hands of Birmingham Labour.

The fact is, you don’t even need to vote for Labour to do that. Only the Conservatives or Labour have a chance of winning in Sutton Coldfield, so your vote is vital to retain the strong Conservative voice we need to protect our town.

What does that mean? If you don’t bother to vote – that’s a vote for Labour.

Vote for one of the minor parties – that’s a vote for Labour too.

Please give me your vote on Thursday, July 4th, and ensure Sutton retains a strong, experienced Conservative voice, to deliver all of these important objectives – and protect our town during the difficult times ahead.

This week I had a… colourful… message of support from my good friend Bob Geldof, who urged voters to back me in his usual florid language.

I have known Bob for around 15 years, and have worked with him many times to try to help the poorer people of the world.

It appears, however, that he is less interested when I tell him about the wonders of the Royal Town.

You can find out what the Live Aid mastermind said about me here: https://fb.watch/sRm6Tei1VM/

Hustings

This Monday, (July 1st) you will be able to see all of the candidates in the General Election put to the test in a hustings at Sutton Coldfield College.

I am very grateful to BMet’s Sutton Coldfield College campus for hosting this event, as hustings are an important part of the UK’s democratic process.

The hustings will be held from 6.30-7.30pm in the lecture theatre at the college on Lichfield Road.

A glimpse inside our cinema

This week I was lucky enough to be allowed access to the newly-renamed Royal Cinema, to see how work to restore it to its former glory is progressing.

I am so happy to have played a part in securing the future of this much-loved landmark – and tomorrow I will be releasing a video that will share what is going on inside its art deco walls!

The progress being made is eye-opening – so keep a watch out on Social Media!

A week of campaigning

Above: Out with the team- a fantastic response in Vesey

An important video message about the future of Sutton Park

Last week I promised I would share an important video message about the future of our park. If you have not yet been able to view it and share it, you can do so here: https://fb.watch/s_m5mPTSvU/

If re-elected, I will fight to make the dream of a Sutton Park Trust a reality. Sutton residents have enjoyed the Park for centuries – for the sake of future generations, we must prevent Labour from damaging it further.

A message of support from our former Mayor

I am very grateful for a message of support from our brilliant former West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street. Andy recorded the message this week as he joined volunteers in Sutton Coldfield. His message is clear, don’t risk handing Sutton Coldfield to Birmingham Labour on July 4th. Every vote will count, so please give me your support, and keep a strong, experienced voice to fight for Sutton.

https://fb.watch/s_lqKKIjTh/

A brilliant sunny Boldmere Summer Festival

I was pleased to join the Boldmere Summer Festival last weekend! Beautiful weather and a great atmosphere, with lots of live entertainment, a funfair, and some delicious street food.

This really is a remarkable event, and everyone involved in its organisation deserves huge thanks.

The Hindu Manifesto

Many members of the Hindu community have reached out to me regarding the Hindu manifesto, including my good friend Councillor Nitish Raut of Mere Green. Please see below my response:

‘I hugely value the enormous contribution that Britain’s Hindu community makes to our country, in every walk of life – from sport to the arts, from business to the NHS, and of course through its wonderful, rich culture. Our Hindu community exemplifies the best of British values – like family, responsibility, enterprise and generosity.

In Britain everyone has the right to practise their religion freely. I want to be absolutely clear and unequivocal: we will not tolerate anti-Hindu hatred, in any form. And it is right that, for example, we protect places of worship. This Conservative Government has funded physical security measures at more than 20 Hindu temples.

It is important that our young people develop an understanding of different religions and cultures at school and I am pleased that they do have the opportunity to learn about Hinduism and dharmic traditions, including at GCSE level. I welcome that a number of Hindu faith schools have also opened in the UK in recent years. There is the potential for more to open too, for example through the free schools programme that this Conservative government has pioneered.

We believe in having a diverse network of schools and our manifesto commits to preserving the rights of grammar schools. In recent years our £50 million Selective School Expansion Fund has helped to expand the number of places at selective schools, and we have put in place measures to give more disadvantaged pupils the opportunity to attend these schools.

The UK is a multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-faith success story. We will continue to promote equality of opportunity for all, and our ‘Inclusive Britain Plan’ aims to advance opportunity and address unfair ethnic disparities in education, employment, health and the justice system. Our message is clear: whatever your background, whatever stage of life you are at, the Conservative Party wants to help you realise your ambitions and aspirations.

Specifically on the Hindu manifesto's point about health and care, since 2010 this Conservative government has invested more in the NHS than at any other point in its history. I am pleased that our manifesto commits to continue to increase NHS spending above inflation in each year of the next Parliament. We have put an additional£8.6 billion into social care over the last two years and we will implement our planned reforms to cap social care costs from October 2025.

It raises an important point about loneliness, and this has been a real area of focus in recent years, including during the pandemic. We’ve launched a number of initiatives and made some important progress to reduce stigma, drive a lasting shift in approach and improve the evidence base on loneliness.

Finally, on it's point about timely visa application processing, I understand that UKVI are currently within their service standards on the overwhelming majority of visa applications.

I hope this is helpful in clarifying my position and I am very proud of the work of the Hindu community here in the Royal Town. I am happy that this Conservative government has acknowledged many of the points of the Hindu manifesto and I look forward to continuing to support the Hindu community.’

Since the dissolution of parliament on Thursday 30th May, I am no longer an MP. However, I am still the Deputy Foreign Secretary and Minister for Development and Africa until the General Election on Thursday 4th July.

Further information

Upcoming Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID events

JUNE

1. Sunday 30th June 10am-3pm – FARMERS & CRAFT MARKET

JULY

1. Saturday13th July 10am-4pm – EURO FOOTBALL FUN

2. Sunday28th July 10am-3pm – FARMERS & CRAFT MARKET

3. FRIDAY19TH- Sunday 28TH JULY – JAZZ FESTIVAL:

19th The Duke Inn 20:00 Willy & The Poorboys

20th Simpson’s Gin Bar 19:00 Sheila Waterfield Trio

21st PattyFreaks 13:00 Calypso Moon

22nd Coffee#1 13:00 Roy Forbes

22nd Heavenly Desserts 16:00 Playing Django

22nd TheThree Tuns 19:30 The Shakedown Brothers

23rd TokinTea 13:00 Tenement Jazz Band

23rd Brewhouse & Kitchen 20:00 Big Al Nicholls Band

24th The Gate 19:30 Honey boy Hickling Band

25th Eleon 19:00 Swing Café

26th Caffe Botanico 13:00 The Washboard Resonators

26th Brewhouse & Kitchen 15:00 Hot Club of Halifax

28th PattyFreaks 13:00 The Upsiders

28th The Station 19:00 Warren James Skiffle Group

AUGUST

1. Saturday 10th August 10am-3pm – KID’S CARFEST

2. Sunday 25th August 10am-3pm – FARMERS & CRAFT MARKET

3. Tuesday 27th August 11am-4pm – KID’S MUSIC WORKSHOP

SEPTEMBER

1. Saturday 14th September 10am-8pm – FOOD FESTIVAL

2. Sunday 15th September 10am-5pm – FOOD FESTIVAL

3. Sunday 29th September 10am-3pm – FARMERS & CRAFT MARKET

OCTOBER

1. Sunday 27th October 10am-3pm – FARMERS & CRAFT MARKET

2. Halloween event TBC

NOVEMBER

3. Sunday17th November – VEGAN MARKET

4. Sunday24th November 10am-3pm – FARMERS & CRAFT MARKET

5. Christmasevents TBC

TOMORROW: Walk to read & support Sutton Coldfield’s libraries

Free Heart Test, by CRY UK

Get involved with UK Parliament Week this November

Over 2,000 organisations all over the country have already signed up for this year’s UK Parliament Week (18-24 November)!

Join in to explore UK Parliament. Find out what happens at Parliament and learn how your group can get involved. Sign up today to get your free kit!

https://www.ukparliamentweek.org/en/sign-up/?utm_campaign=0524-mar-ee-ukpw24-signup&utm_medium=email&utm_source=yourukparliamentb2c

Community games

I am looking forward to the Royal Town’s Community Games this summer, a jewel in our crown since 2012 and something very special that we all really enjoy. It is a great afternoon promoting health and happiness and something that I participate in every year with our annual tug-of-war challenge, a highlight in the Royal Town’s calendar!

Above: the tug-of-war at the community games between the town’s elected politicians and the youth of Sutton Coldfield. It will be held on Saturday this year.

Breast Friends, Make Up Workshops

Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System’s Fairer Futures Fund

This ringfenced £22.2m Fund first launched in 2022, with various funding streams awarded up until 2027 for projects which will improve the health and wellbeing of citizens across Birmingham and Solihull; reduce health inequalities and support communities to stay well.

Applications are now open for public and VCFSE sector organisations in Birmingham to bid for Citywide Small Grants being made available via the Fairer Futures Fund.

A total of £2.46million is available through the new Citywide Small Grants, with organisations in Birmingham able to bid for up to £15,000 per year, or up to a maximum of £45,000 for individual projects over a three-year delivery period.

The deadline for applications for the Citywide Small Grants scheme is 5pm on 12 July 2024. For more information on how to apply, visit the Heart of England Community Foundation website (https://www.heartofenglandcf.co.uk/ffcw-small-grants/)

Sutton Arts Theatre- what’s on

History at Holy Trinity

MMR immunisation and measles awareness

Measles is circulating in the West Midlands, and the MMR vaccination provides the best protection against measles.

Please be aware of measles symptoms: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/

If you think you or your child may have measles, contact your GP practice but do not visit unless instructed, as measles can spread to others easily, and 1 in 15 children can develop serious complications, such as meningitis and blindness.

For protection against measles, contact your GP practice to get your MMR immunisations.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/46QPPn1