A big thank you to our local media namely The Solihull Observer and Birmingham World who have highlighted one of the many challenges facing our rural communities in Blythe Ward (Dickens Heath, Cheswick Green and Tidbury Green) . We need a “masterplan “ to protect the green belt and to strengthen the local infrastructure before any consideration can be given to new developments. If you agree and would like to sign the petition , follow the link below https://www.change.org/p/call-for-development-masterplan?recruited_by_id=887fdcd0-78da-11f0-b21a-b322afbb4587&utm_source=share_petit...

Blythe ward Councillor, Keith Green, says ‘enough is enough’ and calls for a Master Plan for Dickens Heath, Tidbury Green and Cheswick Green before new, and prospective, development applications are determined. Blythe ward had three sites in the now withdrawn local plan successfully passing through the examination in public and are likely to be determined by Solihull’s planning committee in autumn this year. Keith said ‘There are issues with some of these sites so it is essential we establish a Master Plan for these communities before looking to determine any new applications.’ Recently...

Blythe ward Councillor, Keith Green, says ‘enough is enough’ and calls for a Master Plan for Dickens Heath, Tidbury Green and Cheswick Green before new, and prospective, development applications are determined. Recently there has been planning applications for: 200 homes on Arden Greem, off Tilehouse Lane, and 110 homes on land west of Rumbush Lane. In addition, waiting in the wings are proposals for: 850 homes at Fulford Green, Rumbush Lane, and 200 homes land off Dickens Heath Road. Keith says ‘It is realistic that before the end of this year we could have almost 2,000...

On a day where we have received notice that, planning Proposals for Arden Green (200 houses) and Land West of Rumbush lane (110 houses) have been submitted to Solihull Council, myself and Cllr Hawkins struggled through the congestion to talk about the lack of road infrastructure, and our worries looking forward.

One of our regualar updates from Cllr Ken Hawkins and myself The draft local plan looks as though it will be ready for scrutiny by all as we approach the end of 2025, and after consultation will move forward to Planning by Mid 2026, obviously this timeline is a guideline at present and subject to change. Its important to stress that there is a lot of ongoing work and discussions happening behind the scenes to help protect our Green belt wherever possible from over development. Social media is playing an ever increasing part in the way we communicate, and you will see from previous...

Councillor Ken Hawkins and myself have been asked to explain a bit more about precepts, something added to our council tax bills. Funding for the police comes both directly from a central government grant and from the police precept. The policing precept is the amount we contribute to local policing through our council tax bill. The precept varies across the UK. It is collected with the council tax and paid to the relevant police force. West Midlands residents pay £229.50 per annum (Band D properties) and when compared with other authorities this is the second lowest in the UK. Northumbria...

If you glance on social media, wherever you are in the UK, you may find complaints that ‘their’ own council has an exorbitant rate of council tax. I read similar statements here in Solihull, but the truth is, we have one of the lowest in the UK. I have compared Solihull’s council tax with others in the West Midlands Combined Authority area, with just one authority setting a lower amount. That authority is Dudley. I have compared the rate on Bands E, F and H. At Band D, you pay £432.94 more in Walsall, with £348.65 and £347.78 more in Wolverhampton and Coventry...