New Director of Housing Research appointed at the Centre for the New Midlands
We are delighted to announce a new appointment for the Centre for the New Midlands. Dr Halima Sacranie takes up the position of Director of Housing Research at the Centre, starting her new role in February 2024. This marks the start of an exciting next phase in the growth of this thinktank from creating a […]
The Section 106 Standing Stock Scandal
“We are in the middle of an exponential housing crisis and people need homes right now. Having empty, brand-new, purpose-built homes they could be housed in is absolutely unforgiveable and unacceptable.” In this article, Liz Williams (Member of CNM’s Housing and Communities Leadership Board) puts the spotlight on a problem which “is not being openly […]
What next for Birmingham and its communities?
Following on from the announcement on Tuesday 5th September that Birmingham City Council has issued a Section 114 notice to the Government – and in effect, declared itself bankrupt – what next for Birmingham and its communities. In this article, Afzal Hussain DL (Chief Officer, Witton Lodge Community Association & Member of CNM Housing […]
Why the West Midlands has to consider green belt development
“Green belt development is a very hot topic and it’s one that is often overlooked by the government when it comes to addressing the housing crisis”. In this article, Matt Ford (trustee and director of Woods Hardwick) argues that “it’s time politicians take their heads out of the sand and give proper consideration to […]
The View from the Top – in case you missed it!
If you missed our ‘View from the Top’ event (held in partnership with RSM UK), here’s a recap of the conversations that we facilitated at 103 Colmore Row on 21st June 2023. Nichola Claessen (Consultant in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at RSM UK) shares some of the evening’s key discussions, which included an overview […]
Reflections on CNM’s Housing and Communities Annual Lecture 2023, delivered by Lisa Nandy MP
In this article, Alan Fraser (Member of CNM’s Housing and Communities Leadership Board and Proprietor, Alan Fraser Consultancy) provides some reflections on the Centre’s recent guest lecture from Lisa Nandy MP (Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, Communities & Local Government). On 16th June 2023, the Centre for the New Midlands Housing […]
Putting the Midlands at the centre of a new approach to tackling Anti-Social Behaviour
“Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) is a serious problem in our region and more widely. Those that make excessive noise, indulge in drunken behaviour, or attract criminality to neighbourhoods by drug dealing or other illegal acts make life miserable for the law-abiding majority”. In this article, Glenn Harris MBE (Chief Executive of Midland Heart, one of […]
Putting a safe, secure and affordable home for all at the heart of the region’s ambition
On 16 March 2023, the Centre for the New Midlands held an affordable housing roundtable at Eighteen, 103 Colmore Row in Birmingham. This was attended by 18 senior leaders representing the public, private and not-for-profit sectors all working to deliver affordable housing in the West Midlands region. In this article, Gary Fulford (Group Chief Executive, […]
The national skills shortage is limiting councils’ ability to meet their placemaking ambitions – so what’s the solution?
Local councils across England are highly ambitious and forward-thinking in their vision to have well-designed spaces that are socially and environmentally inclusive and sustainable. However, they are facing huge challenges across the board leading to unspent funding and a lack of staff capacity to engage and build meaningful relationships with businesses, organisations and the local […]
How do we deliver affordable housing across the West Midlands?
On 16 March 2023, the Centre for the New Midlands held an affordable housing roundtable at Eighteen, 103 Colmore Row in Birmingham and the report summarising our discussion is available to download here. The aim of this roundtable was not simply to agree on the extensive barriers preventing our region from delivering the affordable […]