Are you concerned about the ‘proposed’ overnight closure of Thornhill Road Police Station and the opening hours of Handsworth Library?

Many local residents have over the past few weeks conveyed concern relating to two key facilities within the Lozells and East Handsworth Ward namely the Thornhill Road Police Station and the Handsworth Library. I would like to invite you to a Public Meeting on Saturday, 26th November 2pm-4pm at City College Birmingham, Handsworth Campus, Soho Road, Birmingham, B21 9DP (Soho Road Entrance). The meeting will allow local residents to raise their concerns on the two issues as well as gain a better understanding of the current plans from local elected members ...

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November 11, 2011 - waseemzaffar

UK to abstain in a UN vote on Palestine

The UK will abstain in a United Nations (UN) vote on Palestinian statehood, Foreign Secretary William Hague told the House of Commons during a statement on the Middle East. In response, Douglas Alexander MP, the Shadow Foreign Secretary said "Given the absence of any meaningful negotiations between the parties at present, a point which I am sure the Foreign Secretary will not dispute, can he tell the House how his position of having no position is likely to advance the peace ...

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November 11, 2011 - waseemzaffar

Home Fire Safety Checks in Lozells & East Handsworth Ward

Over the last six months, the West Midlands Fire Service has attended 165 incidents including 20 property fires in Lozells and East Handsworth Ward. That is almost 1 property fire a week. Don’t Let The Next Property Fire Be Yours! The West Midlands Fire Service could visit your home and offer a FREE Home Fire Safety Check. It only takes a few minutes of you time and includes-: Fire Safety Advice Fire Evacuation Procedures. If you have no smoke alarms, FREE alarms will be fitted. If ...

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November 11, 2011 - waseemzaffar

Message from West Midlands Police: “Staying Safe”

With the clocks recently going back and the darker nights firmly upon us, officers in Lozells and East Handsworth would like to encourage local residents to think about their home security. Statistics show that burglary offences traditionally rise during the winter months, with many people leaving their proprty insecure or failing to follow a few easy to apply crime prevention techniques. To help secure your home during the winter months, please consider the following advice. - Consider purchasing a timer switch for your ...

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- waseemzaffar

City Councillor in call to ban the EDL organisation – Birmingham Mail

City Leader Mike Whitby was called upon to lobby the Government to ban the English Defence League for inciting violence and racial hatred. Birmingham City Council's Tory chief was challenged by Labour councillor Waseem Zaffar following last weekend's protests in Centenary Square. Coun Zaffar (Lozells and East Handsworth) said: "There are a number of organisations which have been banned for inciting hatred and promoting terrorism. The EDL was applauded by those responsible for terrorist atrocities in Norway this year. Isn't it about ...

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November 11, 2011 - waseemzaffar

Cllr. Waseem Zaffar Addresses Birmingham City Council on EDL

I took the opportunity at full Council to question the Leader of the Council, Cllr. Mike Whitby, on the EDL following their demonstration last Saturday in Birmingham. To watch a video of this, please click on this link. Oral Question to the Leader of the Council: Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Police and the community have a lot to be proud of for their excellent united stance against the EDL over the weekend. The Police executed an outstanding operation. The EDL have indicated ...

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November 11, 2011 - waseemzaffar

Special Street Collection in Lozells & East Handsworth Ward

Special Street Collections are organised by the Councillors to give residents the chance to dispose of any unwanted items. The following roads will benefit from Special Street Collection during November 2011: Wednesday 2nd November 2011 - Upper Grosvenor Road, Kingsleigh Road, Grosvenor Road, Ludmer Way, Grosvenor Avenue, Lyndon Close, Old Mill Grove Thursday 4th November 2011 - Westminster Road, Westerings Friday 4th November 2011 - Stamford Road, Stamford Grove, Turville Road Monday 7th November 2011 - Putney Road, Livingstone Road, Apollo way, Putney Avenue Wednesday 9th ...

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October 10, 2011 - waseemzaffar

Launch of the Enterprise Catalyst Business Support Initiative

Last week, I was pleased to attend the launch of the Enterprise Catalyst Business Support Initiative and to learn of the services available from the project. The project is designed to help build an entrepreneurial culture amongst disadvantaged neighbourhoods and communities in the identified target area. It will support businesses to grow and prosper by engaging with potential entrepreneurs and fledging businesses, and will do this by: raising awareness of enterprise support and provision that is available; and providing intensive and integrated ...

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- waseemzaffar

Letter to Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council & Chief Constable of West Midlands Police Regarding Proposed EDL Demonstration

Dear Mr Hughes & Mr Sims, You may be aware that I wrote to the Home Secretary last week requesting her intervention to ban the proposed demonstration by the EDL in Birmingham this weekend. I have today had information to state that the Government doesn't have powers to ban a 'static' demonstration. In light of the fact that the demonstration is unfortunately going to take place with the venue identified by many being the Victoria Square in Birmingham City Centre, I am ...

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October 10, 2011 - waseemzaffar

Letter to the Home Secretary Calling for Ban of Proposed EDL Demonstration in Birmingham

Dear Rt Hon Home Secretary, I represent the Lozells & East Handsworth Ward of the City of Birmingham; one of the most ethnically diverse electoral wards in the country. Me and my constituents quite clearly remember the scenes of the 2005 Race Riots in Lozells when sections of the community were divided over racial identities. I write to you with reference to the proposed march of the English Defence League on 29th October in Birmingham and request that you ban this march. We have ...

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October 10, 2011 - waseemzaffar