Dear Patchers — Welcome to your Wednesday briefing.
Today’s briefing looks at political manoeuvrings in Birmingham. What next for Andy Street? MP? CEO? Back to the world of business? Elsewhere, Kingstanding is set for a byelection following the disgraced exit of Councillor Rick Payne amid a racism scandal.
Away from politics, we share the latest on Birmingham City’s footballing woes, how a Coventry researcher is highlighting the benefits of remote working for neurodivergent people and all that’s good in the world of Midlands film and theatre.
Stay dry, if you can. Dan
Brum in Brief
👨Return of Street? With Birmingham City Council looking for a new chief executive, rumours are circulating about who might fill the role. Described as being more business sector managing director-like, Jane Hayne, politics editor at BirminghamLive, has suggested the £295k-a-year role could be filled by ex-mayor Andy Street. He certainly has the business credentials, as ex-CEO of John Lewis. Street has also been tipped for a return to politics as a local MP or even a future Conservative Party leader. Haynes suggests he’s unsuited to these roles. “My honest take is that Street and Westminster would be very unhappy bedfellows,” she wrote. All the goss, here.
🗳️By-election in Birmingham: Kingstanding residents will go to the polls later this month after a councillor stood down over claims he sent offensive tweets. Rick Payne was suspended by the city council’s conservative group after it was alleged he posted offensive content from an anonymous Twitter/X account. The Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, Green Party, Workers Party and Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition will all stand candidates and the seat is expected to be hotly contested. More at a click.
⚽Mowbray bows out: Recently relegated Birmingham City are on the hunt for their next manager after Tony Mowbray resigned to focus on his health. The manager had been on sick leave since February and announced his resignation to enable to the club to rebuild for their next season in League One. “We are disappointed that Tony will not be coming back to lead the team forward but respect his decision to put his health and his family first,” said Blues co-owner Tom Wagner. Full story.
🖥️Cov in the community: A Coventry University researcher has appeared before MPs to explain the benefits of remote work for neurodivergent people. Dr Christine Grant, Associate Professor at the university’s Research Centre for Healthcare and Communities, told the Work and Pensions Select Committee that her research shows that non-office-based work benefits those with neurodivergence and disabilities. Her conclusions come after conducting research into these demographics. She said: “I think it’s really important to destigmatise remote working for this group of people.”
👨🎤Doc n Roll: The Birmingham premiere of Crass: The Sound of Free Speech hits the Mockingbird next month, with spaces still available at the second viewing. The film charts the rise and influence of punk band and art collective Crass, and their album Reality Asylum, as well as anarchy, class, and the Magdalene Laundries. Tickets here.
🎫Clary at The Alex: For those wanting to take full advantage of a bonus night on the town (thanks to the Bank Holiday) national treasure Julian Clary is at The Alexandra Theatre. Western-themed, the show is described as “unleashing a tsunami of smut” that will leave you giggling. Details here.
Oh I dunno, it worked in the closing series of West Wing! (The Republican presidential candidate, played by Alan Alda, was successfully recruited by the winning Democratic leadership, with boundaries defined). In the real world - hasn't Andy said, often, he is more about place than party? Couldn't the dynamic between a new Labour mayor and the former as CEO work well - if both were genuine about putting the City first? Worth considering, in my view.
Whoever is appointed, will they be able to lift the curse of the role and last more than two years?