West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has vowed to fight for Sutton Coldfield to get more control over the future of Sutton Park, saying: ‘we can’t allow Birmingham council to neglect this beautiful place.”
Andy made the pledge as he met Member of Parliament Andrew Mitchell, local leaders and campaigners in the historic beauty spot – where he promised to back the MP’s plan to place the Park into a three-way trust run by Sutton Town Council, a national charity and Birmingham City Council.
Mr Mitchell’s plan for the Park – a much-loved 2400-acre National Nature Reserve which is one of the largest urban parks in Europe – was first drawn up in 2022 by Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, and submitted to city chiefs for consideration.
It called for the beauty spot to be run jointly by the two councils, with support from a suitable national charity who could offer expertise in sustaining heritage assets and accessing financial investment.
A detailed study into the proposal was put forward – however, last year the City Council rejected the idea.
Now, with Birmingham’s financial crisis leading to a 21% rise in Council Tax and slashed services, concerns are growing over the worsening state of the Park, as the cash-strapped city council struggles to maintain its upkeep.
Andy Street said:
“Sutton Park is one of the West Midlands’ true gems and the people of Sutton Coldfield care deeply about it. It’s part of the fabric of Sutton and has been used by local people for centuries.
“I know that right now residents are very concerned about how the financial crisis at Birmingham Council is going to impact on the Park.
“The City Council are now proposing a daily parking charge of £5, with no suggestion that the money from it will benefit the Park.
“Look at what has happened to the Sea Rangers, who were forced to leave their home of 40 years at the Park’s Boldmere Gate because Birmingham Council increased their rent from £1 to £6,000 – a 600,000% increase. This can’t be right.
“I believe it’s time for the Park to be placed in a Trust – it’s a simple idea that will share responsibility across the two councils and bring in much-needed outside expertise, and funding.
“Crucially, it will give Sutton people a say in what happens to their Park. Anyone who knows their Sutton Coldfield history knows that Henry VIII gave the Park to the people of the town centuries ago. It’s an intrinsic part of the place’s character.
“If I am re-elected, I will fight to push through this proposal, and give Sutton Coldfield people more control of this gem, so they have a direct say in protecting it. We can’t allow Birmingham council to neglect this beautiful place.”
Andrew Mitchell MP said:
“We are delighted to have the power and support of Andy. Our Park is deteriorating every day because of the continued lack of investment from Birmingham City Council.
“Having Andy on board is a huge boost because, if re-elected, he will work with me and Sutton’s Conservative councillors on the Town and City councils to make this Trust happen.
“The City Council has allowed the Park to fall into further rack and ruin, even after the report commissioned here in Sutton warned of the dangers of underinvestment.
“Water pollution is still a huge problem, and the infrastructure is collapsing with roads in the Park almost impassable with crater-sized potholes.
“Even when you drive around the outside of the Park you can see the deterioration – because the ‘temporary’ fencing covering the gaps in broken fences around the perimeter has become a permanent fixture.
“There are signs of decay and dilapidation everywhere. The Park is at the very heart of Sutton Coldfield – but right now it stands as a testament to broken Birmingham.”
The proposal for a Trust came about after a 179-page independent report into the condition of Sutton Park, commissioned in February 2021 by Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, came to damning conclusions about the state of the beauty spot.
The report found that more than 60% of the area of the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) within the Park was in ‘unfavourable declining’ condition, caused largely by water pollution. No part of the SSSI was classed as being in ‘favourable’ condition.
Infrastructure was lacking investment and the report warned that this work was ‘likely to become increasingly urgent as structures deteriorate’.
In 2022 Sutton Town Council presented the recommendation that the beauty spot be put into the new Trust model.
However, in May last year, Councillor Majid Mahmood, the city council’s Cabinet member of the Environment, rejected the proposal in a two-page letter.
Councillor Simon Ward, Leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, said Andy Street’s backing for the plan would be invaluable, as the battle to protect the Park would intensify because of Birmingham’s financial crisis.
Cllr Simon Ward said:
“Andy’s support in this will be welcomed by all Sutton Coldfield residents, who are fed up of seeing their Park fall into a sorrier and sorrier state.
“These proposals came out of an independent report which highlighted the worsening state of our park – but they were rejected in a two-page response.
“However, this isn’t about pointing a finger of blame, it’s about coming up with a structure that is best for the Park, that protects it from the impact of cuts caused by Birmingham’s financial issues and that safeguards its future.
“Having Andy throw his weight behind this campaign to get the Park put into a suitably structured and crucially well-funded Trust is a tremendous help going forward.”