REGENERATING DIGBETH -

A WAY FORWARD

Report by Andy Munro December 2009

Forward

Both Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and the Digbeth Area have much in common not least the concentration of creative businesses and the fact that both areas are very historic and unique parts of Birmingham City albeit slightly rough at the edges – which is part of their charm.

On this basis, I was asked by Clive Dutton (former Director of Planning and Regeneration) to undertake a short Study to see whether the implementation structure and processes that we have developed in the Jewellery Quarter could partly be replicated in Digbeth and what were the current issues in moving forward the regeneration of Digbeth.

It should be pointed out that this was undertaken as extra curricular work and at no cost to BCC. Part of the reason for this was due to recognition that Digbeth has suffered from ‘Study’ overload and most people and organisations interviewed just want to see some action on the ground rather than further reviews!

Andy Munro

1

Operations DirectorJewellery Quarter Regeneration Partnership

2

Contents

1. Methodologypage 3

2. Digbeth Characteristics page 4

3. Structures and Organisationspage 5

4. Progress to datepage 6

5. SWOT Analysis page 7

6. Summary of responses from thepage 9

community and stakeholders

7. Recommendations page 12

Appendix 1. Bibliography page 15

Appendix 2. List of Organisations page 18

3

Appendix 3. Summary of Comments page 20

Appendix 4. Digbeth Map page 28

4

Methodology

There are almost 50 influential organisations in Digbeth ranging from umbrella groups such as the Birmingham Irish Community Forum to major landholders and players such as the Space Foundation.

These were charted through meetings with both Birmingham City Council officers and groups such as the Birmingham Irish Community. A list was then drawn up of organisations that warranted a face-to-face meeting or contact by phone. A full list of organisations is in the Appendices and a summary of responses is in Section 6 of the main part of this report.

It should be emphasised that, in many cases, phone calls were made and messages left which did not necessarily elicit a reply and whilst this is not meant to be a criticism of the organisations concerned, follow up procedure was not always possible due to the time constraints in delivering this report. Overall, contact has been made and feedback received from circa 20 organisations. In consequence I am confident that there has been enough dialogue with organisations to ensure a balanced view from those contacted.

Additionally, stakeholders such as Marketing Birmingham and Advantage West Midlands and various departments of the City Council were contacted and an audit was undertaken on available statistics which are in Section 2 of this report. A desk study of various documents was also undertaken and the full bibliography list is in the Appendices.

5

Digbeth Characteristics

For the purposes of this study the area of Digbeth is presumed to stretch from Moseley Street to Fazeley Street in the one direction and from Camp Hill to the Wholesale Markets boundary in the other. A map is in the Appendices and the area covered is approximately 69.79 hectares with 919 residential address points and 352 business address points. However, it should be noted that this information has been gleaned from ‘Address Point’, an Ordinance Survey Mapping Exercise which is not necessarily 100% accurate.

The City Council owns almost 200 buildings in the area and the number of listed buildings is 23 statutory and 48 local.

Incidentally, the area chosen to represent Digbeth is an area which most of those interviewed recognise as being the area that should be designated.

6

Structures and Organisations

With the demise of the Eastside Team which was City Council lead and were arguably the custodians of at least part of the Digbeth area, the only current ‘strategic’ structure operating consistently appears to be under the banner of the Birmingham Irish Community Forum, who are a charitable company limited by guarantee and have a team of 4½ (currently 3 in post) now funded by the Irish Government. The Birmingham Irish Community Forum (BICF) are members of an Irish Quarter Board (IQB) which is chaired by Pat O‘Neill and whose membership includes South Birmingham College, Tony Corbett (Developers representative), City Council Officers, and the Digbeth Business Association.

The IQB have a sub structure with committees relating to community, training, marketing and development although it would appear some have become moribund.

Certainly it is a vibrant picture of Digbeth in terms of people and groups with an active interest in the regeneration of Digbeth with almost 50 organisations listed in the Appendices. However, this can be probably split into Irish Organisations related to the Irish Community Forum in particular, the Space Foundation (Custard Factory), the main Residents and Business Groups, several large developers, South Birmingham College and the Arts, music and entertainment sector.

7

Progress to Date

There has been substantial progress to date although much of this has been private sector led. There are also more plans in the pipeline.

Se out below is a short summary of progress although the list is merely to give a flavour and is not meant to be exhaustive.

- Custard Factory- Devonshire House- The Bond- Rhubarb Rhubarb and other high profile media

locations e.g. Maverick TV- Fazeley Studios- Residential Developments, particularly in the

Bradford Street area- South Birmingham College Complex- St Patricks Parade- Bradford Street Improvements (funding

secured)- High Street/ Corridor Study (underway)- ‘Retention’ of ‘Irish Centre’- Birmingham (Digbeth) Coach Station- Marketing e.g. Website, Irish Quarter Leaflet

8

Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats

A SWOT analysis is worth undertaking although much of this is stating the obvious.

Strengths Weaknesses Vibrant Creative Community The Custard Factory

Complex The Irish Community and

Organisations The Irish Pub/ St Anne’s/

Heritage Available development sites Historic buildings and

architecture The heart of Birmingham’s

heritage – where it all started

Connected by location to Eastside

Close to the City Centre, Selfridges and the Bull Ring

St Patrick’s Day Parade Landmark buildings Birmingham Coach Station Main arterial route (Digbeth

High Street) Most organisations share

the same basic priorities Nearby flagship

regeneration proposals – Wholesale Markets and Boerma development

Comparative low cost of progressing priorities identified

Lack of Irish Heritage focal point

Lack of awareness of the area

Poor image Unattractive appearance of

the area Current Low Level of

Marketing/ Marketing Materials

Public transport links Car parking issues Lack of clear / branded

signage Difficulty of formulating a

successful BIDS initiative Digbeth High Street (traffic

flows and general appearance)

Lack of interesting retail opportunities – just entertainment sector

Lack of physically defined boundary for the area

Fine grain development with no flagship apart from the Custard Factory. Consequently lack of political profile

Lots of splinter groups not joined up

9

Lack of basic services

Opportunities Threats Raise awareness of the

area locally (particularly politically), regionally, nationally and globally

Improve the image of the area and change poor perception

Press and PR to gain greater awareness and improve the profile of the area

Exploit the Irish Quarter and Custard Factory

Increase the range of retail opportunities

Encourage additional business during quiet periods

Further improve access, signage, CCTV security and parking

Incorporate the area into the city’s tourism work

Progress the findings of the High Street/ Corridor study

Linking into the Boerma, Wholesale Markets, Custard Factory and Eastside Park proposals

Highways P.F. Initiative Eventual demolition of

Smithfield House ‘Triangle’ Improvements to Bradford

Larger flagship schemes in Birmingham taking up funding

Credit Crunch stalling movement on sites

Creatives Working from Home unless Environment is right

10

Street to galvanise the Irish Quarter

River Rea, the Railways and Warwick Bar

11

Responses from the Community and Stakeholders

More detail on the individual views are at Appendix 3 but the overall impression was that most organisations generally had the same vision and priorities which, in itself, was very heartening. The main questions asked were first of all to find out whether people’s idea of what area constitutes Digbeth was similar. Did people think there should be a Digbeth brand and how did that relate to the Irish Quarter, Custard Factory etc. Was there a shared vision and joined up working within the community and what were the top three things that people felt that could be done realistically within the next three years given the lack of available major public sector investment.

12

What area do you think is covered by Digbeth?

Most people settled on the area that is identified at Appendix 4 but there was the occasional plea for something slightly different. For example, one interviewee felt that the Deritend brand was still historically important and should remain separate to Digbeth. One or two others also felt that the area of Digbeth on the City Centre side should encroach a bit further into “Eastside” area by Curzon Street and Millennium Point.

Do you think there should be a Digbeth Brand, covering the Irish Quarter, Custard Factory etc?

One or two interviewees felt that the area was very organic and didn’t need a brand but the consensus seemed to favour a Digbeth brand possibly with a sub plot for areas such as the Irish Quarter and the Custard Factory/ Quarter.

Most respondents were comfortable with a Digbeth offer being around culture, music, heritage (i.e. where Birmingham first started) the Irish tradition – all with a sort of “Left Bank” feel particularly given the increasing student and creative population.

Is there a shared vision and joined up working in the community?

When questioned closely, most of those interviewed felt the majority of organisations had the same agenda but, on the other hand, it was felt that there was no real joined up working.

13

What are the top three things that you feel can be done in the next three years?

Undoubtedly improving the urban realm and in particular Digbeth High Street were most popular although Fazeley Street and Bradford Street were also mentioned.

Signage was seen as an integral part of improvements and assistance with marketing generally. In terms of better connectivity, the long term vision of demolishing the “Smithfield House Triangle” was seen as a major objective in opening up Digbeth to the city centre core. Improved services were also particularly mentioned and included a cash point and broadband although in the latter case I understand that Digital Birmingham are already looking at this aspect with providers.

On more general points, the need for flexible planning was mentioned with niche retail although there was also some concern about more residential development particularly given the tensions in the entertainment sector. In terms of bigger schemes, the idea of utilising the railway route for walkways either through or along the viaduct were mentioned together with raising the River Rea and proceeding with the Warwick Bar proposals.

Perhaps the most heartening aspect was that none of the priorities were particularly unrealistic in financial terms and, in some cases, could be tackled by bending existing main programmes creatively.

14

Recommendations

It is a major plus that there seems to be a real community ‘passion’ for Digbeth although it seems that this passion has yet to really transfer upwards. It is also quite obvious that most people have got Study/ Report ‘fatigue’ and are impatient about what they see as painfully slow progress on Digbeth issues. In my view there now has to be a plan to raise the game but in a structured and co-ordinated manner and it is recommended the following steps are taken.

Step 1. The City Council to take the lead on organising a Digbeth “Summit” Similar to the previously successful one held in the Jewellery Quarter.

Invites would include community representatives, public and private stakeholders and politicians. The event would therefore need to be planned well in advance to ensure there are no excuses for non attendance and could be a one day event including a tour of the area – and if time didn’t permit it would have to be undertaken virtually through a presentation.

Step 2. As a result of the Summit and as part of the Summit objectives, an Action Plan would be drawn up with some quick wins and with public sector stakeholders taking joint responsibility with the community for delivery.

15

Step 3. Subsequently set up a Digbeth Partnership ‘Board’ (which would incorporate the existing Irish Quarter Board) with a revised membership with a number of regalvanised sub groups to move things forward.

In my view, this also needs Birmingham City Council buy in, in terms of staffing and would be, initially, a City Council Officer assigned to work full time (or at least half of the week), on an ‘Animateur’ basis. This would need to be backed up by Administrator time, which could quite possibly be secured through a Graduate Placement Scheme.

I have also discussed with the Irish Community Forum the idea of at least one of their experienced members of team being loaned out for 50% of their time although currently they are funded by the Irish Government to deliver on Irish issues. This would utilise some of the experience already existing within the Irish Community Forum Team (although the counter argument might be that they would have some natural bias). Either way, I think a small but targeted resource would suffice to ensure with the right public sector commitment, there could be some real progress made in Digbeth.

Additionally, I would recommend that, still using the City Council’s Graduate Placement Scheme, a Graduate would also be employed to consider options for a Business Improvement District. My own initial view is that Digbeth may not be suitable simply because most successful bids are in areas where there are ‘front of house’ facing businesses

16

such as a retail area where image and marketing are particularly relevant to the businesses themselves. Alternatively areas like Colmore Row have heavy weight financial players albeit in the office and commercial areas.

However, I do think that the idea of a Business Improvement District scheme needs a bit more exploration even if it is to conclude that it is not appropriate.

17

Appendix 1

Bibliography

(1) Bullring / Markets Quarter Supplementary Planning Guidance (March 1998) This Supplementary Planning Guidance was meant to cover the period until 2006 and it covers the south side of Digbeth High Street. Predictably it majors on mixed use, city living, retaining historically important buildings, improving Digbeth High Street to make it more pedestrian friendly, improving the street scene (including trees) improving Highgate Park and opening up the river.

(2) (Axis) Concept study into the Irish Quarter (June 2000).Commissioned by the Birmingham Irish Community Forum, it puts forward the case for the Irish Quarter and includes ideas on specialist Irish retailing, an Irish Cultural Centre, the Kennedy Memorial Public Square, mixed use, an Irish Hotel, raising the River Rea and improving Digbeth High Street.

(3) Irish Quarter Marketing Plan (2006) A paper by the East Birmingham Regeneration Team and including a SWOT analysis suggesting activities including the Irish Quarter leaflet, Irish Quarter Guide, Irish Business Sponsorship, Branding with a strap line, Web site, City Dressing, In Bloom etc.

(4) Building an Irish Quarter (June 2006). This brochure relates to an exhibition which was held focussed on the areas architects, architecture and development proposals.

18

(5) Birmingham Irish Quarter Business Plan (2007 Draft). Development paper by the Birmingham Irish Community Forum.This covers the potential Irish Quarter offer - pubs, music and Irish culture history, potential tourism (apparently there are 1800 first and second generation Irish people in the West Midlands), improvements to Digbeth Coach Station, improved urban realm and connectivity, independent retail businesses, an Irish Cultural Centre, public spaces, trails and a redesigned and improved Digbeth High Street.

(6) Irish Quarter Student Study 2007. Mainly focussed on Section 106 potential and undertaken by students. It considers Section 106 policies, procedures and constraints with some suggestions on how they might be applied, new developments and planning approvals.

(7) Digbeth Business Survey 2007. This was triggered by the Irish Forum and was a collaborative study involving a number of stakeholders with Birmingham Chamber heavily involved in delivering the report.The findings are fairly predictable for an area with lots of small businesses with no knowledge of support that is available ranging from train to gain and computer training to rates relief. However, on the plus side, it showed that Digbeth businesses were generally stable and mainly of the micro variety. The Study covers a slightly wider area than the area suggested as Digbeth in this report but interestingly one of its main findings was that the major negative comment from businesses was about the Digbeth “image”.

19

(8) Warwick Bar Conservation Area (Character Appraisal and supplementary Planning Policies March 2008).

(9) A six page leaflet for tourists including a pub guide and map about the Irish Quarter (2008).

(10) Irish in Birmingham (2008) - A six page (A3 divided) leaflet sponsored by the Big City Plan which refers to the Irish Festival and BCP initiatives plus interesting” facts and figures.

(11) Digbeth, Deritend, Bordesley High Streets Conservation Area (Character Appraisal and Supplementary Planning Policies March 2009)

20

Appendix 2

List of Organisations

Adam & Eve - Katie Advantage West Midlands - Adrian Middleton – 0121 380 3508A J Mucklow - David Foulkes - 0121 504 2101Anchor Inn - Jerry KeaneBig Bull - Sue BevanBirmingham Connaught Club - Paul Owens 0777 8029786Birmingham Irish Community Forum Ltd - Michelle Aucott 0121 634 1543Birmingham St Patrick’s Day Parade - 0121 633 7241Birmingham Irish Heritage Group - Patsy Davis - 0121 7738928Bryant Priest Newman – Richard Newman – 0121 233 1818Cllr Yvonne Mosquito Country and Metropolitan Housing Department UB40 - Tony Corbett - 07532 053485DigbethDigbeth Business Association - Richard Trengrouse – 0121 694 6359Digbeth InstituteDigbeth is Good - Nicky GetgoodDigbeth Residents (Neighbourhood Manager) - Andy Sheppard - 0121 675 6542Digbeth Trust - Nigel Potter - 0121 753 0706EC Arts - Claire Farrel - 07804 507172Friction Art - Sandra Hall - 0121 772 6160Friends of the Earth - Chris CreanGigbethGlenn Howells Architects - Glenn Howells - 0121 666 7640

21

ICIS - Mike Finkill - 07710 175347 IKON Eastside - Helen Legge - 0121 248 0708International Stock - John Cullen - 0121 443 3111Irish Development Board - Mike Nangle - 0121 608 1864Irish Quarter Regeneration Board - Pat O’Neill - 0777 5420232Irish Welfare & Information – Bridie - 0121 604 6111Joe Holyoake – 0121 633 8918Keep Digbeth VibrantKinetic - Bob Ghosh - 0121 212 3424Locate in Birmingham - Mike Loftus - 0121 303 7822MADE - Julia Ellis - 0121 633 9333Marketing Birmingham - Tim Manson / Neil Rami - 0121 202 5115Mike Finkill - ICIS - 07710 175347Moseley ArtsNational ExpressNaus GroupNew Digbeth WhispererParagon HotelPolice - PC Phil Bates or Kate OllisRhubarb Rhubarb - LornaSandhar & Kang - Aftal Kang - 0121 622 2941Salhia Developments - Alistair Grills - 0208 9402284Selfridges - Steve Jones - 0121 600 6627South Birmingham College - M Hopkins 07802 380158Space Foundation - Bennie Gray - 07973 5777773Spotted Dog - John Tighe 772 30121 7723822St Ann’s Church The ArchesThe BondThe Chinese Community Centre

22

The Digbeth Landlords AssociationThe HarpThe Rainbow – Lee McDonaldVivid - Yasmin Clifford - 766 7876White Swan - Angela Rattigan 0779010 3228

23

Appendix 3

Summary of Comments

These summaries have been graded, wherever possible:-

1. What area do you think is covered by Digbeth?2. Do you think there should be a Digbeth Brand?3. Is there a shared vision and joined up

working in the community4. What are the top three things you feel could

be done in the next three years5. Any other issues

Advantage West Midlands (Adrian Middleton)

1. -2. -3. -4. Would like to see improvements to Digbeth

High Street implemented and hope to assist in progressing developments such as Typhoo Wharf, Warwick Bar, the Beorma and the Beorma Quarter amongst others. Would also like to see a Digbeth Animateur similar to that initially kick started the Jewellery Quarter

5. -

Birmingham Irish Community Forum (Michelle Aucott/ Yestine Williams)

1. From Moseley Street to Fazeley Street and from Camp Hill to Wholesale Markets

24

2. Yes to a Digbeth Brand as long as the Irish Quarter was branded as a discrete part of that

3. Generally a shared vision but not particularly good joined up working

4. Priorities would be marketing (including effective website), signage, urban realm and events

5. Need for niche retail

Bryan Priest Newman (Richard Newman)

1. From the Middle Ring Road to Moseley Street / McDonald Street and from Curzon Street to Camp Hill

2. No need for Digbeth Brand or for clear boundaries in view of the area’s unique character

3. No real shared vision or joined up working4. There needs to be both vision for the High

Street and some early implementation. Opening up the River Rea is a priority

5. Big City Plan should be key for Digbeth but its role and connections are not particularly clear

Community (Brendan O’Neil)

1. From the Wholesale Markets to Highgate and all of Deritend as far as Bordesley Bridge and Eastside as far as the Inner Ring / Watery Lane

2. Yes with cohesive signage and branding3. Shared Vision should be about positioning

Digbeth as Birmingham’s Left Bank4. Allow organic growth and let it be spikier and

unpredictable; flagship new build e.g. Irish Arts Centre

25

Concept Design Solutions Ltd (Tony Corbett)

1. Fazeley Street to Moseley Street and to Wholesale Markets and Camp Hill

2. Yes it should be Digbeth Brand with the Irish Quarter retaining an identity within that brand

3. The shared vision amongst the community and the city council officers but not the politicians

4. There needs to be political support and then therefore joined up thinking at Birmingham City Council Branding and Marketing of Digbeth and in particular reference to the High Street

5. Consider trails across the area to Highgate Park.

Digbeth Business Association (Richard Trengrouse)

1. -2. Digbeth should be Birmingham’s Left Bank3. -4. -5. Much more potential to bring out the heritage in the

area. Don’t forget Polish and Italian heritage

Digital Birmingham (Raj Mack)

1. -2. -3. –4. –5. Will be surveying businesses regarding the

introduction of 100 megabytes per second

26

bandwidth then ongoing discussion with providers

EC Arts (Claire Farrell)

1. From Selfridges to Camp Hill, from Fazeley Street to Highgate

2. Yes there should be a Digbeth Brand with sub plots such as the Irish Quarter, the Custard Factory, etc.

3. Instinctive vision and aspirations are shared but they are not really joined up

4. An Animateur / small Digbeth Team, Way finding and signage and improving Digbeth High Street

Friction Arts (Sandra Hall)

1. Camp Hill from the Wholesale Markets, Moseley Street to Fazeley Street

2. Keep the areas branded separately, i.e. Digbeth, Irish Quarter and Deritend

3. Generally there is a shared vision amongst the community

4. A green area / greening a safer area and better connectivity

Friction Arts (Lee Griffiths)

1. From Millennium Point along Watery Lane up to the Moseley Road and then past the Paragon to Pershore Road, Sherlock Street and then down to Curzon Street Station

2. Strong Branding but preferably that could be difficult given the various agendas and personalities

3. No shared vision

27

4. A cash point and other services, more support for small business and initiatives

IKON Eastside (Helen Legge)

1. Digbeth High Street and surrounding areas at both sides

2 No overall branding appropriate but signage would be good for individual attractions

3. Generally same views are shared4. Basic provision such as a cash point,

improving street lighting and improving top of Fazeley Street / Digbeth High street where it connects to the city centre

Joe Holyoake

1. Fazeley Street to Moor Street, Cheapside to the Ring Road

2. Any Digbeth Brand should be separate to Deritend and the Irish Quarter

3. It was generally a shared vision but the planning approach tends to be a bit rigid

4. Re-address the planning policy particularly focussing on issues on diversity and scale, improve urban realm public space and address issues on the River Rea

5. Involve the community and raise the profile of the area

Kinetic (Bob Gosh)

1. Bradford Street to Fazeley Street and from Trinity Street to the edge of Moat Lane

2. Yes it should be a Digbeth brand3. No real shared vision or joined up working currently

28

4. Improvements to the public realm particularly on Digbeth High Street and possibly Fazeley Street, the strength of the market, the brand and improved signage

MADE (Julia Ellis)

1. Fazeley Street to Moseley Street, Camp Hill to Wholesale Markets

2. Yes there should be a Digbeth Brand but without diluting it with sub plots

3. No real joined up thinking or working particularly at the BCC end since the demise of the Eastside team

4. Improve the urban realm, or incentives to creative industries to relocate in empty buildings and improve public transport e.g. the Big City (Cross City) Bus

5. Strong points for Digbeth Industrial Heritage, quality in canals and MADE would like to see a trail leaflet and a bike hire scheme

Marketing Birmingham (Neil Rami)

1. -2. Yes there should be a Digbeth Brand 3. There needs to be a joined up vision and

working which is not in place currently4. -5. Marketing Birmingham are very supportive of

Digbeth events such as Gigbeth, the Irish pubs, St. Patrick’s Festival etc.

However whilst they focus on marketing events, they also recognise the attraction of the Irish Quarter, Custard Factory / music, student “Left Bank” image and Birmingham’s heritage.

29

Mucklows (David Foulkes)

1. -2. -3. -4. More flexible use of planning policies and

encouragement of retail

Neighbourhood Team (Andy Sheppard)

1. -2. –3. Enthusiastic community4. Services e.g. supermarket, cashpoint, post

office; canal improvements/ living; digital district

Resident (Adam Crossley)

1. Curzon Street / Highgate Park2. Yes there should be a Digbeth Brand3. No shared vision or joined up working -

Politicians don’t want to know4. Top 3 priorities are the urban realm,

particularly Bradford Street, a free cash point and less large scale development

5. Organise residential community with formal status, such as a neighbourhood forum

Sandhar & Kang (Rob Kang)

1 -2 -3 -

30

4 Higher marketing profile for Digbeth, more use of ERDF and urban public resources and install the “next generation” Broadband

South Birmingham College (Mike Hopkins)

1. Highgate Park to Fazeley Street and Allison Street to Moseley Street

2. Generally a shared vision but needs to be more joined up

3. Yes it should be a Digbeth brand with the Irish Quarter as a sub brand (Area even has its own flag!)

4. Signage, improving Digbeth High street. Knock down the Smithfield House triangle

5. Recent survey showed creative business to increase from 18% to 25% of all businesses and this needs to be taken into account. Planning needs to be flexible and community safety perceptions improved although crime rate is generally low

Space Foundation (Dave Peebles)

1. Moseley Street to Fazeley Street and Camp Hill to Wholesale Markets

2. There should be a Digbeth Brand3. Generally a shared vision and joined up working 5. Top priorities Urban Realm, signage,

marketing and branding Raising the River Rea, and the viaduct walkway

Spotted Dog (John Tighe)

31

1. Camp Hill to the Wholesale Market and from Highgate border to the other side of Fazeley Street

2. Yes it should be a Digbeth Brand and John mentioned the “Free State Digbeth flag”

3. Yes generally a shared vision although there needs to be more joined up thinking at the City Council end because of the problem of mixed use

4. Some money on Highgate Park, improvements in services and revisit the abacus scenario with tighter controls on residential development

32

Footnote

This report has been undertaken mostly in my own time and has therefore been undertaken at very little cost to Birmingham City Council.

Attempts were made to contact as many organisations and people as possible but failing to do so was merely because of lack of time or lack of response.

If anybody has been misrepresented in the Comments section I can only apologise but the overall thrust of comments remain similar. Obviously there are differences in opinion but there ought to be plenty of potential for compromise at “the edges”.

I would like to thank all those who have bothered to respond or took time out to meet me or speak to me over the phone.

Andy Munro

33