Solihull Council

Karen’s Column – Friday 12 June

It might not feel like it right now, but recent hot weather (and the promise of more to come) has shown us that summer is well and truly on the way. One of the many wonderful things about this time of year is seeing so many flowers in full bloom, and you’ll see even more of that around the borough thanks to the excellent work of everyone at Newlands Bishop Farm. They support people with learning difficulties and mental health conditions and give them the opportunity to learn work based skills.

Over the past few months their seedlings have grown into fully fledged plants which have now been put into hanging baskets to be placed around Solihull. They’ve worked with us at The Council and our environmental contractors Veolia to brighten up the borough for all our residents and visitors this summer. Thank you to everyone involved for all their hard work.

This week is Carers Week, when we recognise the incredible contribution of all the unpaid carers across the country. It’s thought that nearly 6 million people across the UK have some kind of unpaid care responsibility, and around 27,000 of those are in Solihull. They provide essential care and support, sometimes to the detriment of their own health and wellbeing. Solihull Council provides a range of support, from respite breaks to helping with benefits, information and advice. Many people who do not even consider themselves to be carers could be missing out on this support, so if you or someone you know does things to help a loved one or friend then please take a look at our website to see what support might be available for them - https://www.solihull.gov.uk/adult-social-care/help-and-advice-carers/am-i-carer

On the subject of people giving up their time to help others, it was Volunteers Week last week. We have an incredible voluntary sector here in Solihull, and I’m really proud of the fact that so many people choose to help in their community, whether it’s informal like helping elderly neighbours with shopping or as part of an organisation like the excellent Love Solihull supported litter pickers. Everyone who chooses to use their time to help others deserves our thanks. If you think you’d like to volunteer but aren’t sure where to start, our Community Development Team regularly share opportunities: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1213460246950320

Whilst I’m thinking about looking after our community, I’d like to make a small request to parents and carers. We, like the rest of the country are seeing more large gatherings of young people being organised through social media platforms. Most young people spend time with their friends responsibly, whether that’s meeting in the park, going shopping, grabbing something to eat or simply hanging out together. That’s a normal and important part of growing up.

However, it’s always worth checking in to make sure they are safe, making sensible choices and not feeling pressured into joining activities that could put them or others at risk. A quick conversation about where they’re going, who they’re with and what their plans are, can make a real difference.

While the police will respond to incidents, when necessary, prevention starts with all of us. By keeping communication open and taking an interest in what young people are doing, how they are using social media etc. we can help them enjoy their independence safely and responsibly.

Finally, the World Cup is now underway. There are some late kick offs for England but I’m sure people will still be watching. Pubs can stay open late for the England matches, so support our hospitality venues. Good luck to England – Let’s bring it home!

Thanks for reading,

Karen

Caring can be hugely rewarding, but it’s important to support your own health and wellbeing too ❤️‍🩹

This , find out how respite care such as community support groups and day opportunities can help you recharge your batteries ✅

Find out more by clicking this link - https://loom.ly/MpJzZew

Update on Solihull Police Station, Homer Road

Councillor Karen Grinsell, Leader of Solihull Council, has shared the following statement:

“Solihull Council has received a planning application for the demolition of all existing buildings, and the construction of an 8,937m2 office building at the site of the West Midlands Police Station, Homer Road, Solihull.

“The Council is in advanced discussions with West Midlands Police for a new site for their public contact office and neighbourhood policing teams in a central town centre location.”

Link to the website release - https://www.solihull.gov.uk/news/2026/update-solihull-police-station-homer-road

If you care for someone aged 18 or over without being paid, did you know you are entitled to a free carer’s assessment? ❓

This , find out how we can help make your life easier and what support is available ✅

Find out more by clicking the link here: https://loom.ly/C1mvMAo

Hanging baskets are brightening up the borough thanks to service users at Newlands Bishop Farm! 🌻

They include a number of different plants, including begonia, verbena and lysimachia nummularia, and they can be seen decorating areas such as Solihull town centre, Chelmsley Wood, Knowle, Dorridge and Balsall Common!

The project is a partnership between Solihull Council, our environmental contractor Veolia - UK and Newlands Bishop Farm, helping adults at the farm develop horticulture skills as well as providing more green spaces across the borough 🌼

Read more about this story here - https://loom.ly/KP94BoA

Did you meet our waste and recycling team and Veolia at the Knowle Green Fair over the weekend? ♻️

They’re visiting communities across the borough to help residents learn more about changes to your bin collections and the new food waste service.

The next event is today at Olton Library, 11am to 1pm.

Find out more about the changes and events near you ➡️ https://loom.ly/Iuow768

14 - 18 years old and want to boost your CV this summer? We are partnering with University of Warwick to launch a work experience programme to improve your research skills.

There are two placements, both lasting five days, for any young person who lives or goes to school in Solihull. Both placements will run from 10:00am to 2:30pm each day.

Dates:
· Youth Unemployment Project - Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July
· North Solihull Youth Offer - from Monday 20 to Friday 24 July.

Work experience details:
· Develop peer research and consultation plan
· Work in the community asking people’s views and opinions
· Bring findings together and present them to the team
· Session from a Professor of Warwick University on Peer Research

To book a place and find out more, email [email protected]. Limited spaces are available so sign up ASAP.

Are you an unpaid carer? This , discover how you can access free 24/7 online support through a new digital tool, Bridgit Care, including:

❤️ personalised support

🖱️access to practical tools

📍local events and services

📅help planning for emergencies

Find out more about Bridgit ➡️ https://loom.ly/T1nX2W4

See what events our partners Carers Trust Solihull are hosting near you ➡️ https://loom.ly/zSDTSms

Karen’s Column - Friday 5 June

Some good news this week – we have been given confirmation that the first plots of land around the HS2 interchange station will be available for development from 2030. We’ve been pushing for a long time for this confirmation, going back to before I took over as leader, so I’m really pleased we can finally put some timescales on the exciting Arden Cross development.

We will work with our partners on a masterplan which will contain all the details. We already know that this site will be home to thousands of new homes in a well-connected location, with the major new station and the airport close by. It will also lead to the creation of thousands of good quality jobs, particularly at the HealthTech campus, which will be a hub for research and development to improve healthcare.

There’s still a lot of work to be done of course, but this will be great for our economy in Solihull and for the whole of the West Midlands region, bringing good quality housing in the right place and the jobs and infrastructure to go with it. We’ll keep you updated with developments on this, and we’re determined to make the most of the opportunity for our borough.

More exciting news about investment in Solihull, and specifically Chelmsley Wood, as we move forward with the Pride in Place scheme which will bring £20m of government funding to the area across the next ten years. Reverend Neil Roberts BEM has been appointed to chair the Neighbourhood Board which will oversee where that money goes. We’re now looking for people to join him on the board. They need to live or work in Chelmsley Wood and have a strong commitment to improving the lives of local people, but they don’t need any particular experience. This is the great thing about Pride in Place – local people are at the heart of it, making decisions about what is best for their own community. Put yourself forward if you’re passionate about making a difference in Chelmsley Wood.

Last week, we announced details of a new weekly food waste recycling collection which will begin in October. The average UK family throws away up to £1,000-worth of edible food each year. This new service gives everyone the chance to cut down on the amount of food thrown away, save money, and contribute to a cleaner, greener Solihull. As residents will be recycling more and putting less waste into their rubbish bin, most households will have their rubbish collected fortnightly instead of weekly too. We’ll be delivering leaflets to residents on the changes in the coming months. You can also read our media release and website for more information, alongside details of upcoming information events across the borough.

Finally, we’re celebrating a record year for The Core Theatre as the 12 months since it reopened saw over 60,000 people come to a show. This is great news and I think it shows just how much people missed The Core when it was closed for essential maintenance. I’m also proud of the fact that the performances which shifted to Artrix in Bromsgrove helped bring that theatre back to life, so when one theatre closed for a while, two reopened afterwards. That’s a great thing for our residents and those in Bromsgrove. If you’ve not been down to The Core since it reopened, there’s a bumper year ahead so let’s see if we can break that record again!

Thanks for reading,

Karen