Carla Charles and Birmingham Green Party campaigning to send a message on cuts to local services

Carla Charles has been selected as the Green Party’s candidate for the upcoming Bournbrook and Selly Park by-election.

Carla is an arts educator and runs a local non-profit arts space. She lives locally with her husband and daughter.

Carla wants to campaign to save local spaces and services from planned City Council cuts.

Carla says: “As someone who works to make arts accessible to all, and as a mother myself, I know just how valuable our community spaces and local services are to people.”

“I want to campaign to save as many of our services as possible, and send a message to our Labour-run Council and the Tory Government these cuts to local services is completely outrageous. Voting Green at this by-election is a way of sending that message and holding our Labour-run Council to account.”

“It’s utterly devastating that so many local services like our libraries are under threat. People across this city will potentially lose so many vital services through no fault of their own.”

“I am motivated from having worked with our existing Green Party councillors in standing up for residents and the services residents rely on. I know they have been at the forefront of highlighting the impact of these cruel cuts, with Julien Pritchard reading out letters from young people asking the council not to close their youth centre at the Budget Meeting of the City Council.”

Vote for Carla Charles, Birmingham Green Party candidate for the Bournbrook and Selly Oak ward for Birmingham City Council on Thursday 2 May.

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Green Party Group Leader Councillor Julien Pritchard said:

“The pain that Birmingham and its residents will have to endure is now finally laid bare and the complete lack of transparency for Birmingham residents makes it all the worse. The “consultation” was insulting, and the Labour administration waited until the last possible moment to publish this horrific budget.”

“This budget leaves residents of this city unsafe. It abandons young people and their families, hollows out our communities, and will cause our most forgotten communities to be left even further behind.”

“Not only will this scorched-earth budget cause pain now, but it will harm this city for years to come. Repairing the damage done and reinstating these vital services will cost even more in future, so it’s a completely false economy.”

“And for all of this Birmingham residents will be asked to pay more, for a whole lot less.”

“The Labour-run council has been dealt an awful hand by Tory government cuts, but they have kept on playing it terribly, with horrendous consequences for our city and its residents.”

“Green Party councillors and campaigners will keep on fighting for the vital service our residents and deserve, and work to tackle the consequences of these decisions.”

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They have submitted a request for the decision to be called in. The request will be heard by the Homes Scrutiny Committee tomorrow (Thursday 25th January 2024). 

The Councillors are requesting the call in because of concerns about the current performance of the housing contractors and the council’s management of the contract.

The Council’s appalling record on housing repairs are well documented. Green Party Councillors have serious concerns that re-appointing existing contractors in this way will make matters worse.

Councillor Rob Grant said:

“I’ve had countless cases of poor housing conditions, poor housing repairs and poor contractor performance for council tenants.”

“The poor condition of the council’s housing stock, and lack of investment by the council over the years, is obviously a big part of the problem. But there are also big issues with how repairs are done and managed and the quality of the repairs.”

“Residents in my ward will not understand why a contractor that’s not been doing the job, is simply given another contract for two years. It’ll be seen by residents as a reward for failure.”

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Green Group Leader Councillor Julien Pritchard said:

“It’s a real kick in the teeth for Brummies that on the day Idris Elba launches his campaign for more investment in youth services, we are hearing rumours that there could be virtually nothing left of ours.”

“I know from the excellent Maypole Youth Centre work does in my ward how vital youth clubs and youth services are. Birmingham’s Youth Services took the brunt of the cuts to council services 10 years ago, the fact that the Labour Administration is even considering another round of cuts to the Youth Service is simply outrageous. Are young people going to be cynically targeted again because they don’t vote?”

“Likewise cuts to Library Services will impact on some of our most vulnerable people and left behind communities in the city.  Libraries provide vital access to learning, advice, and online support.”

“Areas like Druids Heath are already forgotten, without losing what’s left like our Library and Youth Centre.”

“We were promised a values based framework when it came to making decisions to tackle Birmingham’s financial crisis. But what values is the Labour Administration following if it is slashing these services.”

Julien also challenged Birmingham City Council Leader John Cotton on the proposed cuts at the full council meeting this week. See their exchange here: https://birmingham.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/837436/start_time/4080000?force_language_code=en_GB

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The Green Party amendment condemned both the horrific Hamas attacks and taking of hostages and the disproportionate and indiscriminate Israeli response. 

Our amendment called for a ceasefire and return of hostages and asked Birmingham City Council to join calls for a ceasefire, and write to government to urge it to join international calls for a ceasefire.

Councillor Julien Pritchard said in his speech:

“We agree Birmingham should provide sanctuary for those fleeing conflict in our city, and are proud that ours is a city of sanctuary. 

However, ending the violence, through a ceasefire, and a long-term political settlement, is ultimately the only way to ensure the long-term safety and security of civilians on all sides of this conflict. The best way to make sure people have a home is to make sure those homes aren’t being destroyed. The best way to protect would be refugees is to end the violence that makes them refugees.”

“I shudder at the idea that the only way to stop violence for one side is to inflict yet more and more violence on the other side.”

“The aid that is currently being sent to Gaza is woefully insufficient. The only way to get in sufficient aid is for there to be a full ceasefire rather than short term pauses, which are being talked about as hours not even days, that’s not enough time to get in sufficient aid, and alleviate a humanitarian catastrophe.”

“We need a ceasefire to stop the violence and alleviate the suffering in the short term. And ultimately, Lord Mayor, there needs be a once and for all political settlement so all sides in Israel and Palestine can live in safety and security.”

Councillor Rob Grant said:

“As well as providing refuge, being a city of sanctuary also means supporting international efforts to promote peace and an end to violence in this conflict.”

The Green Party amendment was voted down by Labour councillors, but a weaker Labour amendment stating the need for a ceasefire, was passed with support from our Green Party councillors.

Councillor Julien Pritchard said after the meeting: 

“We’re pleased the Council voted to agree with the need for a ceasefire. However we’re disappointed Labour councillors voted down our stronger call for a ceasefire and release of hostages.”

You can see the original motion here under item 10B.

You can see the Green Party amendment here under 4 to 10B

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Green Party Group Leader Councillor Julien Pritchard said:

“What a shambles. This Labour Administration is collecting statutory notices like football stickers. A well-run council would not be hitting the headlines on a daily basis, but each new bombshell reveals just how badly the Labour Administration is still mis-managing the equal pay crisis.

It’s hard to imagine a worse situation than the one we currently have. Labour’s mis-management has opened the door to Tory appointed commissioners running our city, endangered vital public assets and public services, and affected the lives of residents in this city. 

The Labour Administration needs to get a grip and provide re-assurance to residents and staff that this will be resolved. Delivering a job evaluation programme, and actually implementing fair and equal pay across the Council, is crucial, not just to stop this crisis from getting any worse, but also as a matter of basic fairness and justice for Council staff.

We need a resolution on the equal pay issue so the liability doesn’t get any worse. We also need solutions to the existing liability and financial crisis that protects our vital services and public assets.”

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In response Green Party Group Leader Julien Pritchard said:

“Unlike the Council Leader, I find it hard to see the positives in this announcement. Previous government interventions in Birmingham, such as the Kerslake Review, failed to solve the Council’s problems. How can we be sure this is going to be any different?

“One of the biggest issues with Birmingham City Council has been a lack of transparency and accountability and the centralisation of power. It’s not clear how these Government appointed commissioners will be held to account by the people of Birmingham and its elected representatives.

“This is really important. Birmingham Residents shouldn’t be made to pay for this crisis. Nor should the city and its communities suffer a fire sale of public assets at knock-down prices. So it’s crucial Brummies have a say in what happens next. It’s also vital the most vulnerable residents and left-behind communities are protected.

“Birmingham Greens will continue to listen to residents, as well as stand up for our communities from the double whammy of cruelty from Tory austerity cuts and incompetent handling of this crisis by this Labour administration.”

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Responding to the effective bankruptcy of Labour-run Birmingham City Council, Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer said:

“This is just the tip of the iceberg. Over the next two years at least 26 councils in some of Britain’s most deprived areas are at risk of going the same way and the Local Government Association has warned councils in England face a funding gap of almost £3 billion just to keep services standing still.

“Thirteen years of Tory austerity has left day-to-day local services delivered by councils crumbling. This cannot be fixed without extra revenue.

“This should serve as a wakeup call to Labour. It’s time to tax the super rich who have seen their wealth mushroom in recent years, so as to provide extra money to maintain vital public services.

“Even millionaires themselves have joined economists and politicians from around the world in calling for extra taxes on the richest. Labour needs to play catch-up and pledge to tax the super-rich, or a future Labour government will drag the country into bankruptcy.”

The Green Party Group Leader on Birmingham City Council, Cllr Julien Pritchard, also blamed mismanagement from the local Labour Administration for the crisis.

He said:

“Our Labour-run Council has been dealt an awful hand by Tory cuts but they have also played it terribly. They have utterly mismanaged an equal pay crisis with dreadful consequences. Ordinary Brummies shouldn’t have to pay for Labour’s mess.

“The government will need to step in to ensure Birmingham residents don’t suffer – it’s vital this isn’t solved with a fire sale of the city’s assets at knock down prices.

“We need to see solutions that ensure the most in need in our city are protected. This includes tackling the Council’s appalling housing conditions, supporting residents through the cost-of-living crisis, and protecting the vital services our residents rely on. Parks, libraries, community spaces and buildings are all essential to achieving a better quality of life for Brummies.

“While Labour fail citizens locally, the Conservative government do the same nationally. Birmingham’s Green Party councillors continue to be strong advocates for the people of Birmingham.”

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“This news is utterly staggering. It will be absolutely gutting and extremely worrying for anyone reliant on vital Council services.

“The residents of Birmingham are now suffering a double whammy of cruelty from Tory austerity cuts and incompetent handling of this crisis by this Labour administration.

“The scale of this crisis is truly astounding. If the Council was being run properly then this would never have happened. Ordinary Brummies should not have to pay for this crisis.

“In future budget decisions, the Council must prioritise improving its appalling housing standards, protecting services for residents and communities who are most in need, and ensure it lives up to its commitments to tackling the climate emergency and cost-of-living crisis.”

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This was despite the Sustainability and Transport Scrutiny Committee’s decision to call-in Labour Executive’s original decision, following a challenge by Green Party Councillor Julien Pritchard and Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors.

Approving the contract means Birmingham City Council will keep burning household rubbish in its incinerator until 2034 or 2039.

Councillor Julien Pritchard said:

“Deciding to keep the incinerator going for another 10-15 years completely flies in the face of the City Council’s climate change declaration to be net zero by 2030.

“By refusing to rethink, the Labour Administration are clearly not listening to concerns, and shown that they are wedded to this polluting and climate trashing, out-of-date and inefficient burner.

“Despite running the Council for over 11 years, the Labour Administration has not seriously looked at alternatives to burning Brum’s waste and only worsened Birmingham’s recycling rates.

“Now that the Labour Administration has ploughed ahead and decided to keep the incinerator, we need to ensure that this is the last incinerator contractor, and Tyseley is turned off in 2034.

“To do this we need a Council waste strategy and plan that improves the city’s shameful recycling rates, increases the number of different materials the Council recycles, reduces the amount of waste produced, and most importantly introduces a food waste collection.

“We need bolder, greener council leadership to make sure this happens.”

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