Ward Meeting Magic in Balsall Heath
If you’ve ever been to a local ward meeting (and let’s face it, not many people have) you probably won’t be counting the days to the next one. Not so in Balsall Heath West as newly elected Councillor Duncan Ali injected some hope, enthusiasm, discussion and plans for action.
I was expecting a drafty community hall, broken plastic chairs, and hours watching a couple of dull, old men dominate the microphone, designed to exhaust and depress. I didn’t expect a packed room, fabulous food, chat with old friends and meeting people I had seen before, and now I can say hello to on Moseley Road.
Why Ward Meetings Matter
Birmingham City Council state ward meetings are a local gathering focused entirely on topics important to the people in a specific area. It’s designed to give residents a direct way to help shape their immediate community through Ward Action Plans. Our last Action Plan (Be Bold, Be Balsall Heath West) breaks down ‘Priorities’ into ‘Actions’ using a spreadsheet matrix (not completely unreadable).
It’s a semi-formal chat which should in theory give residents a say in the budgets, policies, and changes impacting our daily lives. The problem has always been how it happens.
Warm, Welcoming, Well fed
Early on there was a promise of food – a waft of curry from the next room, while a series of local organisations were given three minute slots to introduce themselves. Then it was time for food and informal chat. Tables were set out with QR codes and ‘Priority Areas’ like Youth, Housing, Bins… You were encouraged to chat with each other and to continue the chat later on the WhatsApp groups linked on the tables. For those from an ‘education’ background from 1990s, you might recognise ‘Unconference’, ‘Teachmeet’ or ‘Open space’ type structure. There were no long, agonizing slideshows or exclusive podiums. Instead, the room was broken down into smaller, breakout groups.
Everyone was made welcome, and free delicious food on offer helped a relaxed atmosphere where we could discuss important issues, not least the Balsall Heathan and Balsall Heath Community Festival.
Voices from the Floor
First of all, Duncan gave quick quote from an American President about ‘Asking what you can do for Balsall Heath’, and explained the delay in forming a BCC Administration (announcement soon!), then there were some quick intros – here’s some of them:
‘We’ve got a team of people, volunteers, passionate about what we do…any parents want to get involved, you’re more than welcome, we’re just down the road, based in Clifton…’
Nasim, Founder of Bright Future Football Association
‘We’ve got twenty odd sites across Balsall Heath East and West…We run regular volunteer sessions, three or four a week…Growing plants that provide food for nature, and for us, for you guys.’
‘By creating a planting, my plan is to convince people of the value to raise money and organisation…for planting’
‘My first hat is basically I am a human being. We all share this. We are human beings that…he [Duncan] has the moral compass, wiht others of course, supporting the innocent people in Gaza.’
Dr. Ahmed Helmy, West Midlands Palestinian Solidarity
‘I’d like to quote another great American President, President Roosevelt in the Great Depression in America in the 1930s…’What on earth can we do?’ and Roosevelt would say to them, ‘Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.’
‘I want to say thank you, normally when someone gets elected we cdon’t see them again until they’re knocking on our doors four years later…we need to work together to close the gap of inequality.’
For more details about what was discussed, have your say and how you can join in, contact Councillor Duncan Ali:
Contact details
- Council House
Victoria Square
Birmingham
B1 1BB - Email: du********@************ov.uk
