Secondary school places: decision time

Parents and their Year 6 children across Birmingham will learn today and tomorrow which secondary school will be offering them a place for September 2012. Emails confirming the offer go out today for those who applied on line, and letters by first class post should arrive by tomorrow morning, says the Council.
Parents have until 16th March to accept or decline the school place.

Grease is the word for manhole thieves

Thieves who steal manhole covers and grates from roads in Birmingham will find themselves under the ultra-violet spotlight in future.
The metal road covers in Birmingham are now being treated with a grease that leaves an indelible mark on people who handle them, visible under ultra-violet light.
Amey, the contractors who look after the City’s roads, are marking the covers with RedWeb grease, which has been approved by the Association of Chief Police Officers.
Amey are also trialling the use of manhole covers that are made from a cheap composite material with no resale value.The grate can be sealed in with silicon sealant to prevent theft or vandalism. The composite material is considerably lighter than traditional concrete or metal materials and can be fitted by one person.