Official Birmingham Thread 19

Erebus555 said:

^^It's a bit late now. Stage one was supposed to be finished by June 15th :|

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mahill said:

There are plans afoot you'll be pleased to hear Stephen. I visited the offices of Kinetic AIU last week, as part of http://www.architectureweek.org.uk/

I spied a model of a new building occupying that very site. I assume it's not been previewed here before, so this is an exclusive; It was a nice, slimline tower, between 10 & 20% taller than Beetham/HCT. I'm afraid i didn't get the chance to ask if it was a proposal or at what stage it was. Anyone know anymore?

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Erebus555 said:

That might be it but it doesn't seem to feature on the picture. Either way I'll see what we get!

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El Paulo said:

I'd love em to keep the sign (somewhere!). Even though it's tainted by Heinz, it still says something about a great brand that was born in Birmingham. By getting rid of it they're forgetting about the loyalty of the people of this area to something 'we' created and are still very proud of.

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Garcha said:

Dear Splop, nice name by the way...

... Companies are normally JUST companies whether they are British or non-British. The purchase of British companies by foreign based entities should occasionally be seen as an opportunity to change with the times and reinvigorate working communities, cities and regions.

The demolishing of an old building perhaps less fit for purpose in 2007, than in 1907, may have been a necessity in order to give that particular area a new opportunity to develop a new dynamic and capable business core to revive a faltering, stagnant, micro-economy. These foreign companies are sometimes needed to inject new money into such areas and the people/leaders investing this mostly hard-earned money are providing a massive vote of confidence for the area concerned.

Its misguided, ill-conceived myths of the fear of foreign investment that could significantly damage Birmingham's prospects of bringing in new wealth and investment in the same way other cities are having to reach beyond their boundaries and beyond their own shores to sustain the excellent growth that Urban UK is having at the moment. Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

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brum2003 said:

Liam Byrne (birmingham hidge hill) is the new 'West Midlands Minister' a new power position created to be the champion for the region, he is very close the Brown and worked for him at the treasury I believe

another powerful voice for the city at the heart of government, first time I can remember so many Birmingham people so high up

the only problem is he replaces the idea of city regions

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Project-D said:

NOOOOOOooo!
Is this official then? so there's gonna be no Mayor or Assembly for a Greater Birmingham? or has Gorden just appointed him to keep the seat warm for a mayor/assembly leader.

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Byrne to be most powerful politician in Midlands
Jul 4 2007


By Jonathan Walker, Political Editor


Birmingham MP Liam Byrne is to become the most powerful political figure in the West Midlands under radical plans unveiled by the Prime Minister yesterday.

Mr Byrne will be the public face of the region in dealing with central government while being answerable to MPs in regular parliamentary events dedicated to the region.

Describing his new role, the Birmingham Hodge Hill MP, who is already Immigration Minister, yesterday said: "Sometimes I will be the Minister for knocking heads together."

Under Gordon Brown's plan, as West Midlands Minister Mr Byrne will:

* Advise the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Affairs - the new name for Trade and Industry - who should chair and sit on the board of Advantage West Midlands, the quango responsible for economic development, skills and tourism which spends £400 million a year.

* Co-ordinate local services and Whitehall departments in times of crisis such as flooding or major job losses n Become accountable to MPs in regular Commons question and answer sessions.

* Be interrogated by a new West Midlands Select Committee made up of local backbench MPs, which will have the power to demand answers from Ministers.

* Represent the West Midlands to government departments in Whitehall when policy is being drawn up or implemented, and champion the region at high profile events.

The plans may spell the end for hopes of creating a powerful West Midlands "city region", which was favoured by Tony Blair.

Mr Byrne was given his role as West Midlands champion last week, but it was only yesterday that the full significance of the position became clear.

"We have to make sure the billions of pounds being spent in the West Midlands over the next few years is spent properly," he said.

"I started this week by meeting the Transport Secretary to explain the importance of getting on with rebuilding Birmingham's New Street station.

"This role means there is someone speaking for the West Midlands who is able to pick up the phone and talk to anyone in Government."

Mr Brown set out his plans for the regions as he announced a major consultation on the way Britain is governed.

Other possible changes include lowering the voting age to 16, holding General Elections at weekends and drawing up a British Bill of Rights.

Mr Brown said the Prime Minister would lose a number of powers, such as the ability to declare war or sign international treaties without the approval of Parliament.

There will also be a new National Security Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, bringing together politicians, the military and security services.

The proposals were a "route map" rather than a "final blueprint" and there would be a major public consultation before any changes were made, he said.

Mr Brown, in his first statement to Parliament, told MPs: "I propose that in 12 areas important to our national life, the Prime Minister and Executive should surrender or limit their powers - the exclusive exercise of which by the Government should have no place in a modern democracy."

He added: "I now propose to surrender or limit these powers to make for a more open 21st century democracy." Tory leader David Cameron said he agreed with much of Mr Brown's statement but added there was a need for "real and lasting change" in the British system of politics.

He told Mr Brown: "The country is too centralised, Parliament is too weak, ministers don't get straight answers and people feel shut out of decision-making."

The reforms of regional government are very similar to plans set out by three of Mr Brown's close allies 12 months ago, while he was Chancellor.

In a pamphlet published by a think tank, Ed Balls, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families; John Healey, a local government Minister, and Chris Leslie, a former MP who helped run Mr Brown's recent leadership election campaign, called for regional ministers and select committees.

But at the time, the three Brown allies presented the proposals explicitly as an alternative to the idea of a city region.

A city region would involve Birmingham, Coventry and Black Country councils making joint decisions on issues such as housing, planning and economic development.

The MPs warned that creating city regions could lead to "a return to the old local antagonism" between big centres such as Birmingham and neighbouring towns and cities.

The Prime Minister outlined his latest thinking on the day that council leaders from across the West Midlands joined forces to demand greater powers from the Government.

The West Midlands Local Government Association said councils could be trusted by Ministers to run services effectively and provide value for money. Burdensome Whitehall regulation and red tape was stifling local decision making.

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feltip said:

This is good for the mayoral debate:

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Flogging Molly said:

Yep. I started a thread named 'Liverpool Construction Forum' asking the simple question should we get our own as Liverpool has to help clear up the current Birmingham sub-forum and be more informative for others. Brum X - as per usual kicked up a fuss and was adamant the thread title should'nt be posted on a Birmingham forum. being as pathetic as that it was subsequently deleted thanks to he/she not bothering to realise what we were actually talking about.

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Brum X said:

Point made, now lets move on. Next story

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feltip said:

6 continents died ages ago with the hub hub of Intercontinental etc.
As for FTSE 100 etc, it depends where they list their business - some companies list in US and under different listings. As my friend says its legalised gambling the stock market.

Simon, yes National Express own TWM. Look at their website, they own a darn site more too.

:banana:

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