Councillor David Barker

Residents across Birmingham have been asking for bike storage solutions, which could follow on from residents' parking schemes. Please fill out the survey to let me know if you would support a bike hangar on your road and I will present your views to Birmingham City Council. tinyurl.com/BrumBikes

PLANNING CONSULTATION (2025/06975/PA)
Site: 29 Ashfield Avenue, Kings Heath, B14 7AT
Proposal: Change of use from 3no.flats (Use Class C3) to a single dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) and erection of single storey rear extension
Send comments in here:
eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk/Northgate/Pl...

I had a lovely morning today digging holes and planting trees at Brandwood End Cemetery with other volunteers and students from St Alban's Primary School. The Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery do really fantastic work all year round - huge thanks to them for organising and Birmingham TreePeople.

Making sense of Birmingham’s transport funding Better Streets for Birmingham looks ahead to 2032 following new reports from local and regional authorities.

So... transport funding until 2032. What's what? It's still a bit blurry and complicated, but we've got a long list now. Further news to come in autumn.

Brilliant news! 👏 Removing free parking and widening pavements will make the High Street much more pleasant. The planters are especially welcome - anything that stops pavement parking (which blights the street) is a big win.
#PavementsforPeople

Brandwood and Kings Heath councillor advice centres are on the first Monday and third Wednesday of the month at Kings Heath Community Centre - except December and August. Please come along if you have any issues you need support with.

A woman and a man sitting on chairs angled towards each other in a room. They are doing an interview and a camera is angled towards them. There are plants around them on the floor and on the small table between them.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Councillor Waseem Zaffar. A stalwart advocate for clean air, social justice and children’s health, Waseem was a true supporter of us and our Birmingham work with Kirsten and Maya. Our thoughts are with his wife, children and family.

One of my favourites, for sure.

🚨 Update on the Kings Heath Local Centre Scheme.
The Council's appointed contractor, Parade Civil Engineering Ltd, will commence works on Monday 2nd February 2026, with construction expected to last up to 4 weeks.
You can read about the plans here: www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/economy/khea...

To be fair, Martin, I was paraphrasing you when I said that :)

Waseem Zaffar leaves behind an incredible legacy, a young family, a space next to me, and a hole in Birmingham City Council and the city's politics that won't be easily filled.
Rest in peace.

For four years, we sat next to each other in every Council meeting. He taught me so much, and his passing teaches me more. Politicians often see each other as rivals; he knew I had similar interests and ambitions, but he always encouraged and supported me.

All of us involved in transport, environment, and sustainability in Birmingham owe him an enormous debt. While his achievements speak for themselves, this was a life cut tragically short. The biggest shock is knowing he won't now go on to the bigger and greater things we expected.

From his time as Cabinet Member, during the launch of the Clean Air Zone, to becoming Associate Director of the Clean Air Justice Network, Waseem fought for the city - never losing sight of how big of an impact improving the environment would have on us all.

The son of a taxi driver, he saw first hand the impacts of air pollution when he lost his father at a young age, as his own children have now. Waseem could communicate why clean air matters to anyone because he could tell the story of why it mattered to him.

Waseem has been one of the most important and influential politicians in our city for over a decade. He was clever, driven, ambitious - and not just for himself but for the city and his home community in Lozells. He had convictions and he had courage.

Last night, I received the shocking news that my friend and colleague, Councillor Waseem Zaffar, passed away suddenly, aged only 44, leaving behind his wife and young children. He also leaves an incredibly political legacy, but he hadn't even peaked.
@waseemzaffar.bsky.social

I haven't had the breakdown but I have asked for this so I can see what I can do to help.

This month, I spoke at the City Council Executive Business Report, focusing on the work going on in the Transport team and what more needs to be done to get the Council delivering for residents.

Residents are now being informed that the Cabinet decision on the LTN won't be coming next week. I have asked that we get an updated timescale.
Help me understand your views about the LTN: www.tinyurl.com/2026LTN
Here's the letter the local councillors and commissioners received:

This month I handed in a petition on behalf of over 300 residents calling for more enforcement on the number 50 bus route. I will provide an update of their response when I receive it.
You can see the survey here: www.tinyurl.com/fixthe50

I am very grateful for your support and ideas!

PLANNING CONSULTATION 2025/06607/PA
Site: 157 Allens Croft Road, Birmingham, B14 6RP
Proposal: Erection of ancillary outbuilding to be used as community café
I have supported this and you can view the application and submit comments here: eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk/Northgate/Pl...

You can view the report and our 16 recommendations here: birmingham.cmis.uk.com/birmingham/M...

At this month's meeting of the City Council, I presented an inquiry report into clean air, which I chaired. We made 16 recommendations, which were agreed unanimously cross-party and approved at the meeting.
www.facebook.com/reel/1603751...

Meeting of the City Council - 27/01/2026 - Tuesday 27 January 2026, 2:00pm - Birmingham City Council Webcasting Meeting of the City Council - 27/01/2026 - Tuesday 27 January 2026, 2:00pm - Birmingham City Council Webcasting

Scheduled for ~3.30pm today (subject to change), item 9 on the agenda is the Scrutiny Inquiry – Breathless in Birmingham: Clean Air Inquiry. Listen here: birmingham.public-i.tv/core/portal/...

I'm handing it in on Tuesday - but I won't turn it off and can always update officers.

📣 No 50 users - please sign the petition ✍️

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Today I joined friends in the NEU striking over staff cuts at 20 schools across the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership Trust. I was extremely concerned to learn of many financial issues in the trust and will write to the Education Cabinet Member and Scrutiny Chair to ask they investigate.

🚨2 DAYS TO GO!🚨
The Kings Heath community is taking over Kings Heath Community Centre. We have already raised over £100,000! But we need your support to reach our fundraising target of £150,000. Have you invested yet? You can see details here:
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/kings-heat...