ErdingtonLocal

COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Celebrating Linda and those who hold our communities together Perry Common Community Hall was recently filled with warmth, laughter, and togetherness to mark Linda Hine's 75th birthday. Many of us know that Linda Hines MBE (to give her full title), as Chair, has been the heart and backbone of Witton Lodge Community Association for over three decades. Linda is among those committed people who work tirelessly to improve their neighbourhoods and bring communities together. Linda's remarkable journey began with her standing with neighbours to keep their community together during the demolition and redevelopment of their homes; and helping to establish Witton Lodge Community Association. It is powerful reminder of what is possible when local people unite behind a shared purpose… For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/community-anch… Support independent LOCAL media & SUBSCRIBE LOCAL: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com @wittonlodge @BhamCityCouncil

COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Building affordable homes across Erdington and Minworth As a community-focussed organisation, Castle Vale will always be at the heart of everything we do. Our roots are here, and with the vast majority of our homes based on the Vale, our commitment to both our tenants and local residents remains as strong as ever. You may have seen that we’re beginning work on two new housing developments nearby, in Erdington and Minworth... For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/community-anch… Support independent LOCAL media & SUBSCRIBE LOCAL: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com @pioneergroup_ @BhamCityCouncil

COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Why do we take young people on residentials? The WHY of Youth Work Let me take you back to your first school residential... mounting nerves about a night away from your mom, brewing excitement about the quantity of Haribo you’re going to eat at 11pm and the all-nighter with your dorm room buddies, anticipation of the ‘leap of faith’ which your older brother told you is a death wish, all whilst wondering if you have as much pocket money as your friend, Michael, for the gift shop, where you hope to buy a massive pencil with the camp logo on. I’ve been running residentials for the last four years and I must tell you, they haven’t changed much! At UDB, it is a crucial part of our work in the community to give our children and young people the opportunity to go away… For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/community-anch… @urbandevotion @BhamCityCouncil Support independent LOCAL media & SUBSCRIBE LOCAL: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com

COMMUNITY ANCHORS: The Pioneer Group announces two new housing developments in Erdington and Minworth The Pioneer Group has announced plans to develop two new housing sites at Burcote Road and Lindridge Drive, delivering 36 new social rent homes as part of its wider commitment to providing high‑quality, affordable housing across North Birmingham. Work on both sites has begun, marking an important step in Pioneer’s ambition to build the right homes in the right locations. Simon Wilson, Chief Executive at The Pioneer Group, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing forward these two new developments, which represent another positive step in our long‑term commitment to delivering high‑quality social rent homes.” He added: “By investing in the right sites, working with trusted partners and securing strong financial foundations, we can continue to meet housing need and support communities now and, in the years, ahead…” For the full story read Castle Vale/Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/community-anch… @yourseddon @Morro_PS @pioneergroup_ @BhamCityCouncil

LOCAL POLITICS: “We need change” - Erdington MP calls for Keir Starmer to step down following Labour’s Council election losses Erdington’s MP Paulette Hamilton has called for Sir Keir Starmer to step down as Labour Party leader, telling the BBC’s Sarah Montague “we need change” in an interview on Radio 4’s World at One programme. Appearing on Monday 11 May, a few days after Labour suffered drastic loses in the recent Council elections - and where Reform UK and independent candidates took eight of the twelve local seats across the Erdington constituency - Ms Hamilton told the broadcaster there was a need for an “orderly transition” of power at the top of the Labour Party. “They’re telling you, ‘I have voted Labour all my life but I am not voting for Keir Starmer,’” she continued, “if you know the Brummie way of doing things, [the general public] have made it clear they are not voting for Keir Starmer…” For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/local-politics… Be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and SUBSCRIBE LOCAL at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com @PauletteHamilto @brumlabour @ErdingtonCLP @BhamCityCouncil

9:40pm / Stockland Green amongst last wards to be called after Labour lose by one vote to Reform UK The battle for Stockland Green went until the bitter end as the political ward became one of the last to be called in the 2026 Council elections, with Labour demanding a recount. After tables and chairs had been packed away across the Utilita Arena, with most people already celebrating or commiserating, the two councillor ward could only confirm one outright winner - sitting local councillor Amar Khan, who was deselected by Birmingham Labour and stood for re-election as an independent. But the second seat came to the wire with Reform UK’s candidate winning by just one vote - prompting Labours Derek Douglas to request a recount. After tensions and frustrations grew, the votes were totalled up again and confirmed that Reform UK’s Mansoor Butt had indeed take the seat. For the full story ready Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/940pm-stocklan…

7:20pm / Reform UK clean up across the Erdington constituency, winning all the seat in both Kingstanding and Oscott wards Reform UK have continued to clean up across the Erdington constituency, with wins across the board in both Kingstanding Ward and Oscott Ward - taking all the seats being contested and strengthening Nigel Farage’s party’s increasing domination of the Council election’s results. Standing in Kingstanding, John Lambert and Jex Parkin beat ten other candidates from both mainstream parties and standing as independents - comfortably taking the two pole positions. Standing in Oscott, Graham Green and Martin McAuley were voted also into office, with Reform UK again representing the entire ward and marking another resounding win for Reform UK. For the full story read Kingstanding/Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/reform-uk-clea…

7:50pm / Councillors Robert Alden and Gareth Moore retain their Erdington Ward seats for Local Conservatives after Reform threat does not transpire Popular Councillors Robert Alden and Gareth Moore have retained their Erdington Ward seats for the Local Conservatives, after the forecasted threat of Reform did not transpire in the heart of Erdington. Taking a comfortable lead as the final votes were counted, the longstanding Erdington representatives managed to fight off the wave of wins from Nigel Farage’s party - who have taken the majority of seats across the constituency. Speaking to Erdington Local after the announcement, Cllr Robert Alden told: “We (Robert Alden and Gareth Moore) both try and be in the local area, working with local people because for us, that’s what being a councillor is. “We are so proud and honoured to represent the people of Erdington. We are so grateful them for putting their faith in us to continue doing that in the next 4 years.” For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/750pm-councill…

4:20pm / Castle Vale Councillor Ray Goodwin secures a narrow victory for Labour against Reform UK Castle Vale Councillor Ray Goodwin (Labour) has secured a narrow victory against Reform UK, retaining his seat by 44 votes. In a razor thin contest, the locally popular politician took pole position with 899 votes - nudging ahead of the Reform candidate, Ross Copeland, who secured 855 votes. Elsewhere, Margaret Okole won 124 votes for the Green Party, Roman Chapman won 107 votes for the Local Conservatives, Trevor Sword saw 30 votes cast for the Liberal Democrats, and Lousie Scrivens landed in last place with 11 for the Workers Party. Speaking to Castle Vale/Erdington Local after the announcement, Cllr Ray Goodwin told: “I’m really pleased to have been re-elected; I fought this on a local level, listening to local people and directly engaging with our residents on Castle Vale. “We’re a community, and I’m a representative of that community - their voices and their concerns had to lead this campaign. And we, as a community, won.” For the full story read Castle Vale/Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/castle-vale-co…

3:35pm / Catch up with Stockland Green independent candidate Sam Richards With all single councillor words being called first, the room is starting to empty as the focus turns to wards with two seats being contested. And in the Erdington constituency, Stockland Green will be one of the most fiercely fought. Ahead of any more results coming in, Nicola Murray caught up with Sam Richards - one of three independent candidates contesting Stockland Green, and the only non-party affiliated name on the ballot paper that is not currently in office. For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/352pm-catch-up…

3pm / Reform UK’s Danny Carter takes Pype Hayes away from Birmingham Labour Reform UK’s Danny Carter (aka DJ Paris) has taken Pype Hayes Ward for Farage’s party, securing another seat away from Birmingham Labour. As half of the seats in the Erdington constituency have now been returned, this marks the second scalp for Reform UK - proving the national pollsters right in their predictions that these local elections would see a significant number of seats go their way. Carter secured Pype Hayes Ward for Reform UK with 1073 votes, pushing him leagues ahead of Labour’s Fayaz Khuhro who secured under half that number with only 513 votes. For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/3pm-reform-uks…

2:45pm / Councillor Mick Green retains Gravelly Hill ward for Labour Councillor Mick Green has officially retained his seat in Gravelly Hill, with Labour’s longstanding local official beating off some fierce competition from the Liberal Democrats and Green Party candidates. Cllr Brown secured 620 votes, beating Mohammad Amin (Lib Dems, 417 votes) and Imran Khan (Green Party, 360 votes) holding onto his seat with an over 220 vote majority. Coming in a very close third was Reform UK’s Maise Wilton, winning 344 votes, with the Local Conservatives candidate Julia Mackay securing 123. erdingtonlocal.com/councillor-mic…

1:20pm / Reform UK’s Sue Willets takes Perry Common in landslide victory As the first handful of results come in, the Erdington constituency has seen its first councillor lost to the predicted rising wave of populism - with Labour’s Jilly Bermingham knocked off her Perry Common perch by Reform UK’s Sue Willets. As the final votes were counted and returned, Bermingham came in with 487 - nearly half of the 892 votes she secured the win with back in 2022.

12:20pm / Counting is underway and results could be starting to come in.... Counting is underway and results could be starting to come in at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham today, as we wait to find out the results of the Birmingham Council elections - and who will be sitting in the 101 seats across all of the city's 69 political wards. Big changes are expected on the political landscape both regionally and nationally today, with Reform UK, the Green Party, and independent candidates predicted to win big and gain seats. For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/122-counting-i…

LOCAL POLITICS: Live updates from the Council elections official count On Thursday 7 May, people across the city headed to their nearest polling station – putting thier mark next to candidates contesting all 101 local Council seats in Birmingham’s 69 political wards. Within the Erdington constituency, these elections will decide the official representatives for Castle Vale, Pype Hayes, Erdington, Gravelly Hill, Stockland Green, Perry Common, Kingstanding, and Oscott. Now all the votes have been cast, Nicola Murray and Ed King are reporting from the offical election count – bringing you live updates as we wait and find out who will be running the city.... For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/local-politics…

LOCAL POLITICS INTERVIEW: Sam Richards - standing as an independent candidate in Stockland Green Sam Richards, a local campaigner with no formal political background, is standing as an independent candidate for the Stockland Green ward in the upcoming Council elections - where the full 101 local councillor seats will be contested across Birmingham. But Richards is resolute, and argues “people, not politics” should shape decision-making at a local level… For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/local-politics… Be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and SUBSCRIBE LOCAL at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com

LOCAL POLITICS: Campaign for statue of King Charles I at Kingstanding Circle gets support from Council election candidates A campaign to commemorate King Charles I's reputed visit to Kingstanding during the English Civil War with a major statue has been drumming up support from candidates at the upcoming Council elections. Kingstanding local Sean Keatley has launched an online petition to ‘Install a statue of King Charles I on Kingstanding Circle’ through the Change.org website - which at the time of writing has 331 verified signatures... For the full story read Kingstanding/Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/local-politics… Be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and SUBSCRIBE LOCAL at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com

LOCAL POLITICS: Local Conservatives propose “transformation” of Erdington High Street by relocating Birmingham Museums Collection Centre to near Six Ways Island Birmingham’s Local Conservatives have published an ambitious plan they claim would see the “transformation” of Erdington High Street if they win a majority in the upcoming Council elections on 7 May. The proposal is to relocate the Birmingham Museum Collections Centre, currently in Nechells, to nearby Six Ways Island, and to open up the storage centre of rare antiquities to the general public as a tourist attraction. This drastic development would help “unleash Erdington’s full potential” and encourage outside investment into the area - according to Erdington Ward Councillor Robert Alden, who is also Leader of the Birmingham Local Conservatives group. For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/local-politics… Be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and SUBSCRIBE LOCAL at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com

LOCAL POLITICS: Meet the candidates - find out who is standing where across the Erdington constituency, ahead of the upcoming Council elections On 7 May, all 69 political wards across Birmingham will be contested in the upcoming City Council local elections, with candidates asking for your trust and your vote to empower them as your area’s elected representative. And with a political landscape that is as levelled as it has ever been, with no such thing as safe seat, these Council elections could see significant changes to who holds the keys of power across Birmingham. It would be good to know who they are and what they stand for, right...? For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/local-politics… Support independent LOCAL media & SUBSCRIBE LOCAL: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com @raymondg1969 @asifbratlvi @MickBrown3 @Jane4SG @desjaddoo @brumlabour @ErdingtonCLP @brumlibdems @brumtusc @bobby_alden @BCCTories @ErdingtonTories @BhamCityCouncil