From the category archives:

Sports Village

Hodge Hill – Washwood Heath school cuts outrage.

July 6, 2010

in Bordesley Green, Bromford & Firs, Buckland End, Hodge Hill, Kitts Green, Lea Village, Local campaigns, Shard End, Small Heath, Sports Village, Ward End, Washwood Heath, Young people, glebe farm, schools

I’ve had confirmation today of huge cuts in funding for our young peoples’ future today as in a chaotic announcement, the Tory-Lib Dem council  announced the cancellation of plans to rebuild Hodge Hill Mixed and Washwood Heath Technology College.

Over £30 million of funding has been slashed – while the Tory-Lib Dem Council in Birmingham did not raise of finger of protest.

One of our greatest breakthroughs in the last Parliament was getting in place over £63 million pounds to rebuild our secondary schools. We want to see these are real hubs for the community, open not only to help our youngsters get a world-class education, but there to serve and enrich our quality of life all year round. One of the ideas I am working on is how a ‘Sports Village Trust’ run by the community could run some of these new buildings at weekends and in holidays.

The new Tory-Liberal government has now reviewed whether to actually write the cheques for the money agreed. We need these new schools – our kids deserve the best too. Just so you know what’s at stake, here is the list of how much many – and where – we got agreed.

School Value Start dates
Saltley £11,743,409 November 2010
Park View £8,960,867 November 2010
International £11,552,051 November 2010
Washwood Heath Technology College £16,852,066 August 2011
Hodge Hill Mixed £13,837,014 September 2011
Hodge Hill Girls Awaiting feasibility November 2012
Grand Total £63,945,097  

And here is the cold announcement I had from the Department for Education today;

Hodge Hill                                                     Stopped

Washwood Heath                                      Stopped

International School                                  Unaffected

Park View                                                  Unaffected

Saltley                                                       Unaffected

Waverley                                                   Unaffected                         PFI

The news comes five days after the Government sneaked out a report showing under Labour’s management last year, department’s came in £5 billion under budget.

We’ll be fighting this crass decision. Look out for our campaign in your area soon.

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Byrne Launches Sports Partnership

November 14, 2008

in News, Sports Village, Washwood Heath

The Rt. Hon. Liam Byrne, MP for Hodge Hill, today launched the sponsorship of Alum Rock Football Club by Birmingham East and North Primary Care Trust.

The Primary Care Trust will provide £7,500 per year to the local club to enable them to raise the profile of sports and keeping fit in the local community. They will also provide free football coaching sessions for boys and girls in Washwood Heath.

The Primary Care Trust is providing this sponsorship to increase the level of physical activity amongst young people in Washwood Heath. The population suffers from above average levels of health issues including chronic heart disease, diabetes and lung disease, which contributes to low life expectancy. Encouraging young people to stay healthy and active will reduce long term illness.

In addition to the sponsorship, a team of managers from Birmingham East and North PCT will play football against Alum Rock Football Club on Friday 14th November 2008 5pm-6pm at Parkview School, Naseby Road, Alum Rock.

Waheed Saleem, Locality Director for Birmingham East and North Primary Care Trust said

“This is a unique opportunity for the Primary Care Trust to encourage young people to stay active and healthy and ensure we prevent long term illnesses amongst a deprived community that would not have this opportunity otherwise. This is the first time an NHS body is sponsoring a football club, but hopefully won’t be the last”

Liam Byrne MP added:

“I am pleased to be launching this unique partnership in my constituency. I know Alum Rock Football Club have a long track record in undertaking community activities as well

as flying the flag for Alum Rock in local and national competitions. I would like to commend the Primary Care Trust in providing sponsorship to the club to enable them to

provide coaching sessions for young boys and girls to give them structured activities as well as keep them healthy and active”

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