A confidential report leaked to ITV journalist Lewis Warner has exposed a secret plan by senior Birmingham city council officials to sack striking refuse workers, timing the move to avoid political accountability. The report, prepared by unelected officials, acknowledges that dismissing the workers would be 'unfair' but presents it as the 'only certain mechanism' to end the industrial action that began in March 2025.
Secret Proposal to Bypass Councillors
The bombshell document recommends that any sackings should occur without the permission of councillors and immediately after local elections, 'before a new administration formally takes office.' This would allow the new council to 'disown responsibility for the decision, while nonetheless benefiting from the resolution of the strike,' the report states. The proposal has drawn comparisons to Machiavellian tactics.
New Council Leader Responds
In his first full day as council leader, Liberal Democrat Roger Harmer addressed the controversy. He described sacking the striking workers as a sign of 'failure' and said it is 'absolutely not what we're aiming to do.' However, he notably did not rule out the option entirely, leaving the door open for potential action by the coalition of Greens, Lib Dems, and independents.
Birmingham Flag Group Distances Itself from Oxfordshire Figure
Separately, the Birmingham-based flag enthusiasts group Raise the Colours has distanced itself from Ben Cullen, a prominent figure in its Oxfordshire branch. Cullen has been charged with making indecent images of children, facing three counts involving over 70 indecent images, including 22 in category A, the most severe category. The group's tagline is 'Saving our women and children.'
Call for Memories of Birmingham's Lidos
As Birmingham faces extreme heat, new staff writer Olivia is investigating the city's lack of open-air swimming spots. She invites readers to share memories of former lidos in Birmingham and the Black Country, such as Bournville and Solihull, by emailing olivia@birminghamdispatch.co.uk.
