Picture Credit: Claude Novac
Birmingham’s new leaders know the biggest challenge isn’t ambition. It’s trust.
Following the Centre for the New Midlands’ Connections for Prosperity conference, STORY Account Director Sam Pollock shares some reflections on why rebuilding public confidence and delivering on the basics will define the success of Birmingham City Council’s new leadership.
Birmingham has no shortage of ambition. From major regeneration projects to world-class events, as well as growing creative and innovation economies, the city has plenty to shout about.
But ambition only gets you so far if residents don’t feel the difference on their doorstep.
That was the clearest message from Birmingham City Council’s new leadership following May’s local elections, as newly appointed Leader Roger Harmer and Deputy Leader Julien Pritchard set out the early priorities for the new administration at the Centre for the New Midlands’ Connections for Prosperity conference.
The headline? Before talking about transformation, the Council needs to restore confidence and demonstrate stability.
The basics matter
The issues highlighted weren’t flashy. They were litter, fly-tipping, potholes and anti-social behaviour. But that was the point.
The new leadership recognises that trust in public services is built through everyday experiences. Residents don’t judge a council by strategy documents, they judge it by what they see when they walk down the street.
Creating visible change will be crucial if the administration is to convince people that things are getting better.
Housing is the challenge that can’t wait
If there was one issue that dominated the discussion, it was housing.
Both leaders were clear that affordable and social housing must be a priority, while acknowledging the scale of the challenge ahead.
Improving existing council housing stock and ensuring homes meet the Decent Homes Standard will be an immediate focus, alongside the longer-term ambition to deliver more affordable housing at scale.
Harmer highlighted that more than 10,000 children are currently living in temporary accommodation In Birmingham, describing the situation as ‘a stain on society’, and argued that social housing should be a national priority.
But the underlying message from both leaders was that Birmingham needs the tools to get on and deliver.
They called for greater fiscal devolution and more local control, arguing that councils need the powers and resources to respond to the challenges facing their communities. Those calls are likely to resonate with the new government under Andy Burnham, where devolution and regional growth are expected to feature prominently in the national conversation.
The argument wasn’t simply about funding. It was about ensuring local leaders have the flexibility to tackle local challenges with solutions tailored to their communities. For housing in particular, the ambition is there but delivering at the scale needed will require a different relationship between central and local government.
Now is the time to walk the walk
Birmingham has never lacked ambition. As the new administration made clear, the bigger challenge is rebuilding trust.
That won’t come from new strategies or bold promises. It will come from visible progress, stronger partnerships and delivering on the basics. If the Council can turn ambition into action, it won’t just rebuild confidence in local government but help reshape perceptions of Birmingham itself.