Waste not, want not
Bin collections go fortnightly
Good morning Patchers — here is your Friday briefing.
A radical shake-up in waste collection has been on the cards since council cuts were undertaken earlier this year. Yesterday, the council finally revealed the plans (although not before a fair few arguments between Labour members, The Dispatch understands). Bin collections are set to go to a fortnightly schedule, with waste and recycling picked up every other week from next Spring. More details on that below.
There are also updates on the Rep’s new production and cast lineup, a contentious decision in policing, a Selly Park pub that has had a fresh lick of paint and the Barber’s new season programme.
Enjoy and look out for the second of our Digbeth stories in your inboxes tomorrow.
Brum in brief
🚮Bin service transformation: Birmingham’s bin collections are moving to a fortnightly schedule from April next year, the city council announced yesterday. The new measures mean waste and recycling will be picked up on alternate weeks with an additional food waste collection added. The transformation — which council insiders say has been fiercely debated within the Labour Group — is part of cost-cutting measures to save more than £300m over the next two years. The council will be investing in a new fleet of recycling and food waste vehicles and will introduce the new timetable in phases. There are also plans to run small pilots across the city to increase paper and card recycling, with a second bin provided to residents. Cllr Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment and transport, called the change an “improvement” that would bring Birmingham’s waste service in line with other councils. Read the full council report here.
🎭Becoming Nancy: The Birmingham Rep has announced the cast for its next major production, the UK premiere of the musical Becoming Nancy. Following bright teenager David Starr as he comes of age in East Dulwich in 1979, while singing to his idols Blondie and Kate Bush, the story unfolds around his shock casting as Nancy in the school production of Oliver. West End star Joseph Peacock, known for The Osmonds and Bat out of Hell, will play Starr alongside a cast of young actors. Director Jerry Mitchell said: “This beautiful story about finding your true self and the spotlight each of us deserves is going to be a joy to share with audiences of all ages.” More details here.
👮Location, location, location: Sutton Coldfield Police Station has gone up for sale and is currently listed on Rightmove’s website. The decision to sell the site to save money was made as far back as 2018 and has been carried forward by recently re-elected, Labour Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster. A new, smaller Public Contact Office will replace the station before a sale goes through, the PCC office has confirmed. The news has angered local Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell, who has previously argued the building should be saved. In a letter to Foster, posted on X on Tuesday, he wrote that he was “particularly irritated” that the PCC hadn’t notified him the station was going on the market. Read more at the BBC.
🍺Pub makeover: The Selly Park Tavern has had a face-lift and its doors are open again after a three-week hiatus. The pub now has a bigger dining area, an improved bar and new soft furnishings. There’s also a new menu featuring an intriguing rainbow lasagne. Collette Quinn, general manager said: “We’re thrilled to welcome guests, both familiar faces and new friends.”
🎶Autumn sounds: The Barber Institute of Fine Arts has announced its autumn programme of performances, featuring World-class musicians and singers and something for lovers of classical music, right the way through to experimental sounds. Tickets go on sale from 1 August and there are plenty of free events to choose from too. Plus, a space-themed concert especially created for kids called Groove onto the Moon. See the full schedule here.
They could do with a cloth nappy scheme alongside this, as fortnightly collections for families with children in nappies will be a bit grim.
Given the reduction in the size of the fleet and the move to fortnightly collections it’s curious that the business case says there are no staffing implications?