Brilliant news! 👏 Removing free parking and widening pavements will make the High Street much more pleasant. The planters are especially welcome - anything that stops pavement parking (which blights the street) is a big win. #PavementsforPeople

Brandwood and Kings Heath councillor advice centres are on the first Monday and third Wednesday of the month at Kings Heath Community Centre - except December and August. Please come along if you have any issues you need support with.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Councillor Waseem Zaffar. A stalwart advocate for clean air, social justice and children’s health, Waseem was a true supporter of us and our Birmingham work with Kirsten and Maya. Our thoughts are with his wife, children and family.

🚨 Update on the Kings Heath Local Centre Scheme. The Council's appointed contractor, Parade Civil Engineering Ltd, will commence works on Monday 2nd February 2026, with construction expected to last up to 4 weeks. You can read about the plans here: www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/economy/khea...

Last night, I received the shocking news that my friend and colleague, Councillor Waseem Zaffar, passed away suddenly, aged only 44, leaving behind his wife and young children. He also leaves an incredibly political legacy, but he hadn't even peaked. @waseemzaffar.bsky.social

This month, I spoke at the City Council Executive Business Report, focusing on the work going on in the Transport team and what more needs to be done to get the Council delivering for residents.

Residents are now being informed that the Cabinet decision on the LTN won't be coming next week. I have asked that we get an updated timescale. Help me understand your views about the LTN: www.tinyurl.com/2026LTN Here's the letter the local councillors and commissioners received:

This month I handed in a petition on behalf of over 300 residents calling for more enforcement on the number 50 bus route. I will provide an update of their response when I receive it. You can see the survey here: www.tinyurl.com/fixthe50

PLANNING CONSULTATION 2025/06607/PA Site: 157 Allens Croft Road, Birmingham, B14 6RP Proposal: Erection of ancillary outbuilding to be used as community café I have supported this and you can view the application and submit comments here: eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk/Northgate/Pl...

At this month's meeting of the City Council, I presented an inquiry report into clean air, which I chaired. We made 16 recommendations, which were agreed unanimously cross-party and approved at the meeting. www.facebook.com/reel/1603751...

Scheduled for ~3.30pm today (subject to change), item 9 on the agenda is the Scrutiny Inquiry – Breathless in Birmingham: Clean Air Inquiry. Listen here: birmingham.public-i.tv/core/portal/...

📣 No 50 users - please sign the petition ✍️ docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Today I joined friends in the NEU striking over staff cuts at 20 schools across the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership Trust. I was extremely concerned to learn of many financial issues in the trust and will write to the Education Cabinet Member and Scrutiny Chair to ask they investigate.

🚨2 DAYS TO GO!🚨 The Kings Heath community is taking over Kings Heath Community Centre. We have already raised over £100,000! But we need your support to reach our fundraising target of £150,000. Have you invested yet? You can see details here: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/kings-heat...

Fantastic to see my campaign to support more enforcement and improvements along the number 50 bus route today in the Birmingham Live www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

Next week, I will hand in a survey to Birmingham City Council calling for more enforcement along the number 50 bus route. There is still time to add your voice - please fill out and share the survey so we can make our journeys more reliable, particularly at rush hour. www.tinyurl.com/FixThe50

Over the next month, the Council will be removing trees at the following locations due to decay, disease, and structural issues. However, we are committed to replacing every tree. Our qualified planting officers will assess each area to establish whether it is suitable for a tree to be replanted.

Birmingham City Council has announced that the LTN will be delayed again with a redesign and consultation in March 2026 and delivery of the scheme after the May elections. Help me understand your views about the LTN by filling out this short survey: www.tinyurl.com/2026LTN

Today I had the privilege of being invited to an interfaith lunch to mark Epiphany, organised by the Dialogue Society, and hosted by All Saints Church in Kings Heath. Thank you so much to all those who organised this event to bring our community together.

🌬 Storm Goretti Update: ❄️ Snowfall overnight and colder temperatures has left roads across Birmingham blanketed (if you haven't already looked out of your window to see). 🚗 To quote a famous Irish weather presenter, 'Don't take risks on treacherous roads. Don't make unnecessary journeys.'

Great to see the government giving local councils the power to tackle pavement parking - an issue identified in the road safety inquiry I chaired. In my capacity as Chair of Sustainability and Transport Overview and Scrutiny, I will be asking for updates. www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

It was a pleasure to join Roifield on Brum Radio's Birmingham Midweek show to discuss Birmingham City Council, the biggest issues facing our local government, my work as a councillor and scrutiny chair, and much, much more. You can listen to Birmingham Midweek here: brumradio.com/birmingham-m...

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Simon Foster, is asking the public for their views on the level of investment they want to see in West Midlands Police. The deadline for submissions is January 30th 2026. survey123.arcgis.com/share/321f62...

Corporate and Finance is live now - featuring the lead commissioner... birmingham.public-i.tv/core/portal/...

Brandwood and Kings Heath councillor advice centres are on the first Monday and third Wednesday of the month at Kings Heath Community Centre - except December and August. Please come along if you have any issues you need support with.

Happy New Year! Great to start it with the first Kings Heath Farmer's Market of the year (just a mini market this time). Next one is February 7 from 9am to 2pm ❤️

I had a wonderful time at the Dawberry Corner Christmas party. It's always a pleasure to see this space used so well by the community. A huge thanks to Suze and OurSceneCIC for making all this happen! 🎄

Great news! Construction has finished on Kings Heath, Moseley and Pineapple Road stations on the Camp Hill line. Decent public transport remains one the main barriers in the city. Residents said they never thought it would happen, but services begin early next year. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

This has been refused!

Really proud to have delivered this letter from UK100 and Climate Emergency UK to 10 Downing Street today, calling on the UK government to put climate and nature in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, cosigned with over 500 local leaders, mayors, and councillors.

Polite notice: there are no Councillor advice centres in December for Brandwood and Kings Heath. If you have any issues at all, please email [email protected] or call 0121 303 2039 😊

The UK Government has announced the Pride in Place Impact Fund to provide immediate support for visible improvements to high streets, public places and spaces of community value that build strong, resilient, prosperous, and inclusive communities. Apply here: www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/bcc/42a6d6f2

It's the last Kings Heath Artisan Market before Christmas 🎄 Great to chat to volunteers about the campaign to save Kings Heath Community Centre. And so many stalls have incredible local products - including prints of Kings Heath I've got framed. They're open until 4pm today

I'm really excited to have joined the Education, Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee this week - and be elected Deputy Chair. The first agenda item was improving attendance in schools, so I brought in my 100% attendance trophy from Bournville School (I managed 7 years of it!)

Trainline is the UK's dominant rail ticket retailer. But are its advertising and pricing practices - which don't always list the cheapest ticket - fair? My questioning at the Transport Select Committee yesterday 👇

Birmingham City Council has written to residents about speed cushions on Brandwood Park Road. I am concerned Active Travel England guidance suggests they make roads riskier for cyclists - on a road where a cyclist was recently killed. Please send comments to [email protected]

Have you been to see Dawberry Corner yet? This incredible community garden has come to life in just over a year, turning a wasteland into something really special for us all. If you haven't visited yet, check it out at the Christmas garden party on 20 December from 2-4pm. 🎄

📱 Are you following the Brandwood and Kings Heath News Channel on WhatsApp? I'm not sure why, but followers have doubled in the past week! Check it out for regular updates from me about what's going on in the area 😊 whatsapp.com/channel/0029...

PLANNING CONSULTATION 2025/01556/PA Site: 33A High Street, Kings Heath, B14 7BB Proposal: Change of use from workshop (Use Class E) to 6no. self-contained residential apartments (Use Class C3) with associated external alterations Submit comments here: eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk/Northgate/Pl...

There will be changes to waste collections over Christmas and New Year. Check the table below for your rescheduled collection days. Collections on all other days not listed below will take place as normal. More information here: www.birmingham.gov.uk/christmascol...

We're so lucky to have amazing volunteers in Brandwood and Kings Heath litter picking to keep our streets clean. But I regularly have to report fly-tipping, like this fridge on Grange Road. If you see fly-tipping, you can report it directly to the council here: www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20140/e...

Lovely day at Kings Heath Farmer's Market today. It's on 9am to 2pm on the first Saturday of the month, but the Blue Moon Makers Market is open inside the All Saints Centre until 3pm. Check it out if you're out Christmas shopping 🎄

If you live in Kings Heath and want to have a chat with your local police team, Moseley & Kings Heath Police are hosting community drop-ins this month at Coffee#1 in Moseley from 11am to 1pm on Tuesday 9 December and Tuesday 16 December.

Last night I was invited to participate in a roundtable discussion about civic identity in Birmingham following widespread news stories of division in communities and a sudden wave of flags being put on lampposts. Thank you to Temper and Brown for hosting us and emceeing a lively debate.

At this month's City Council meeting I handed in a petition signed by over 100 residents calling for stronger protections of family housing in Kings Heath and Moseley. You can still fill out and share the survey here: www.tinyurl.com/MKHhousing

At this month's City Council meeting, I spoke on the new Executive Scrutiny Protocol, which brings in backbench and opposition councillors more. As Chair of Sustainability and Transport, I have worked hard to ensure all members' views and work are valued regardless of political party.

Like my residents, I rely on the number 50 bus service to run on time. However, people driving or parking dangerously on the route often causes significant delays. If you agree we need more enforcement along the route, please fill out this survey to let us know your views. www.tinyurl.com/FixThe50

Birmingham Museums Trust have launched their fundraising campaign, Your Museums Your Move, aiming to raise £2 million to protect and deliver bold ambitions for the city. Watch the video, help spread the word about the campaign, and lend your support here: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/support-us?u...

Residents have been asking about proposed road safety schemes on both Priory Road and Avenue Road. I can confirm that neither are progressing. However, if there is enough support, they could come in a future budget after the elections next year. I will provide further updates when I have them.

PLANNING CONSULTATION (2025/05507/PA) Site: 31 Brook Lane, B13 0AA Proposal: Change of use from dwelling house (Use Class C3) to Children's care home (Use Class C2) Please follow the link to leave any comments: eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk/Northgate/Pl...