A 'humiliating climbdown'

Plus: Glad tidings at the Black Country Living Museum

Good morning readers — welcome to Friday’s Dispatch.

It’s the final Brum in Brief from us until Tuesday 2 January so we want to wish you a very merry Christmas and say another big thanks for your support since our launch. We are going into the new year feeling hugely pleased and warm — and admittedly a little tired — but excited for the road ahead.

I hope you enjoy our weekend read tomorrow and next Saturday. And don’t forget — our first paid members piece comes out next Wednesday. If you want to read that, you’ll need to join 194 others by hitting the green button. The more members we get, the faster we will be able to expand our team and build the local media operation the West Midlands really deserves. It’s just £8 a month — join the community!

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Brum in Brief

👮 Home Secretary James Cleverly has launched a public consultation on combining policing and mayoral powers in the West Midlands, two weeks after announcing the merger. Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, who is taking legal action against the decision, called the consultation a “humiliating climbdown”.

🌈 Glowing rainbow clouds have been spotted lighting up skies across the West Midlands, shown in these photographs published by the BBC.

🏎️ The Black Country ban on street racing has been extended following a high court judgement. The injunction prohibits meet-ups for racing and stunts and will be in place until February when further court hearings will go ahead.

🍃 A woman in her 70s has been treated for shock after a large tree fell on a bungalow in Longbridge during high winds. Thankfully, Storm Pia’s gusty winds are expected to ease tonight.

🛴 A survey of more than 150 e-scooter users in the West Midlands has found 25% admitted to riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Professor Zubair Ahmed became interested in e-scooters after noticing an increase in people arriving at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth A&E, having injured themselves while riding.

🎸 There are still tickets available to see local legends The Twang at the O2 Institute tonight from 7pm, or you can see them on Saturday instead. Prices from £11.35.

🎄 Enjoy a cosy evening singing carols around the open fires of the Black Country Living Museum at tonight’s Glad Tidings event, with tickets from £11.50. Saturday has now sold out.