Attaching items to lamp columns, railings or other street furniture without permission is not allowed and will be removed.

The council has already removed flags from a number of areas of the city and will continue to do so. Where appropriate we will take enforcement action against perpetrators in line with our legal powers, such as where attachments cause obstruction, present a safety hazard or are repeatedly placed in the same locations.

Unfortunately, in some areas flags have been replaced as soon as they have been removed and residents who object to flags being placed in their neighbourhoods have reported abuse and intimidation.

This is not acceptable and the council has a responsibility to act where behaviour undermines community cohesion and the safe and inclusive use of public spaces. We are working with the police, will continue to gather evidence of potential unlawful behaviour, and will take action against where appropriate.

However, the council is engaging with communities to explore certain locations where an authorised display can be put in place with the support from the council.

We ask that our staff and contactors carrying out their work are treated with consideration and respect. Our priority is always the safety and wellbeing of residents, staff, contractors, and the wider community.

We are aware that recent flag‑related activity has contributed to increased tensions in some areas, and we encourage all residents to act responsibly and respectfully to help maintain calm, reduce the risk of intimidation and support community cohesion during this period.

Birmingham is a proud and welcoming city, and we continue to recognise the importance of national flags to many residents. The Union flag flies outside the Council House every day, reflecting both national pride and the diverse communities that make this city what it is.

Where it is appropriate the council will also work with communities and consider how a display could be supported and authorised.

The council’s approach is consistent with its policy of removing unauthorised items which happens throughout the year, which includes flags, bunting, posters and advertising materials. We ask residents, visitors and community groups to support this approach by ensuring any displays are placed only on private property where permission exists, and not on the public highway.

The JHNA highlights the significant health inequalities experienced by people in contact with the criminal justice system and calls for a more coordinated, preventative and trauma-informed response across the city. It identifies justice health as both a public health and health inequalities issue, shaped by wider factors including poverty, trauma, school exclusion, neurodivergence, homelessness, mental ill health and substance misuse. The report highlights that children entering into custody from Birmingham frequently have complex needs such as special educational needs and a history of contact with mental health services. It also shows that Birmingham imprisonment rate is around 75% higher than the national average and one of the highest rates of first-time entrants to the youth justice system in England and Wales.

Drawing on quantitative analysis, stakeholder engagement and peer-led lived experience research, the JHNA sets out 27 recommendations aimed at improving prevention, continuity of care, partnership working and support for people moving between custody and the community. The assessment calls for stronger cross-sector collaboration between health, education, housing, probation, prisons, youth justice, local government and community organisations, with a particular emphasis on early intervention, trauma-informed practice, neurodivergence-aware services, and addressing the wider determinants of health and reoffending.

The Public Health Team and the Birmingham Voluntary Service Council Research Directorate, supported by the University of Wolverhampton, hosted the report launch at the Council House, amongst key stakeholders who will work in partnership to implement the report recommendations. The launch event included creative work, personal reflections from people with lived experience of contact with the justice system and featured a thought-provoking interactive performance by Geese Theatre Company. It brought together system leaders, practitioners, researchers, and lived experience subject matter experts to begin discussions on translating the findings into coordinated action for Birmingham.

Sally Burns, Director of Public Health at Birmingham City Council, said: “This report makes clear just how serious the health inequalities are for people in contact with the justice system across Birmingham. Too many individuals are facing complex challenges like trauma, poor mental health and unmet needs, that existing services are not addressing consistently or early enough.

“The case for change is evidenced. It underlines the need to act now, working differently across services and focusing much more on prevention and early support. By coming together across organisations, we have a real chance to improve lives and reduce these inequalities for our residents.”

Sophie Wilson, Director of Research at BVSC, said: “This assessment is the result of a genuine collaboration – across research, public health, criminal justice and, most importantly, people with direct experience of the system. What comes through clearly in the data, and even more powerfully in people’s own words, is that the health needs of people in contact with the criminal justice system in Birmingham are substantial, interconnected, and too often unmet.

BVSC Research is proud to have supported this work alongside Birmingham City Council’s Public Health team and the University of Wolverhampton. The 27 recommendations provide a practical foundation for change, and the launch showed real appetite across the city to act on them together.”

Read the full report here and contact Birmingham City Council public health to get involved phinequalities@birmingham.gov.uk.

Born in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, and raised in a close‑knit rural community, Councillor Choudhry’s early life was shaped by strong family values of faith, service and integrity. Several generations of his family served in the armed forces, including his father, who was recognised by King George VI in 1945 for his contribution during the Second World War. These influences instilled in him a lasting sense of duty and civic responsibility.

Councillor Choudhry moved to Birmingham in 1969 at the age of fourteen, embracing the challenges of a new language, education system and culture. While studying, he worked in manufacturing and later progressed to senior operational roles, gaining extensive experience in workforce management and organisational leadership. Alongside his professional career, he developed successful business interests in property and local enterprises, becoming a respected figure within Birmingham’s business community.

His public service career began when he was first elected as a councillor in 2006. Since then, he has represented communities in Bordesley Green and South Yardley, building a reputation as a pragmatic and approachable local representative with a strong focus on neighbourhood wellbeing, infrastructure and public safety. His wider civic roles have included serving as a Lead Member of the West Midlands Police Authority, Vice Chair of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and membership of strategic transport and planning bodies.

Charitable and community engagement has been a defining feature of his public life. Councillor Choudhry has long supported food banks and local voluntary organisations across Birmingham and played an active role in coordinating community support during the COVID‑19 pandemic. As chairman of his local mosque, he has helped lead significant fundraising efforts for Birmingham‑based charities and has also contributed directly to international humanitarian relief, including following the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir.

He will be supported during his mayoral year by his Lady Mayoress, Zubeda Rashid, who was born and raised in Birmingham. Educated locally, the Lady Mayoress is widely admired for her resilience, compassion and dedication to family and community. She has consistently demonstrated courage and inner strength, qualities that have shaped her supportive role throughout her husband’s public service journey. Together, they share a strong commitment to hospitality, inclusion and service.

As Lord Mayor, Councillor Choudhry will act as an ambassador for Birmingham, presiding as ceremonial head for the Council over its civic functions and social occasions. He will also be acting as a focal point in times of crisis, tragedy or triumph. He will be championing the voluntary sector, celebrating the efforts of community groups and charities, and promoting unity across the city’s richly diverse communities.

Reflecting on his forthcoming appointment, he said: “It is a profound honour to serve Birmingham as Lord Mayor. This city welcomed me as a young teenager and gave me the opportunity to build a life rooted in service, hard work and community. I look forward to representing all our residents and celebrating the people and organisations who make Birmingham such a remarkable city.”

The awards were presented by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal MBE at the Council’s Annual General Meeting this afternoon, Tuesday 19 May.

Handsworth-born Tony Iommi has been honoured for his outstanding achievements as a world-renowned musician, writer, and producer.

As a founding member of Black Sabbath, Tony is widely recognised as a creator of heavy metal music and the award recognises the genre’s continued impact on the cultural landscape of Birmingham, enriching millions of people’s lives and enhancing Birmingham’s national and international reputation.

Tom Wagner’s award recognises his leadership and contributions to Birmingham’s sporting landscape as co-founder and co-managing member of Knighthead Capital Management, through investment and development in Birmingham City Football Club, Birmingham Panthers netball team, and Birmingham Phoenix cricket franchise.

The award recognises Tom’s strong commitment to investment, regeneration, and community advancement, including the development of Birmingham City Football Club’s new stadium and the wider Sports Quarter as well as enhancing the city’s transport infrastructure, further strengthening Birmingham’s national and international profile.

Also recognised by the Lord Mayor was historian and writer Carl Chinn MBE DL for his work championing Birmingham’s history and historical sites, community leader Maqbool Ahmed for his work with Birmingham Central Mosque and dedication to building bridges across the city’s communities; and entrepreneur Marawat Hussain for his work in creating the Balsall Health Community Hub and his role as Chair of the Iqbal Academy.

The Rigby Foundation working with young people aged 11 years to 25 years old in the West Midlands, was honoured for its work supporting Birmingham’s young people by expanding opportunities and improving outcomes.

Martin Burton MBE was recognised for 30 years of service raising funds for the Lord Mayor’s Charity, while Barry Toon was honoured for 50 years of service across the community safety and housing sectors, including his role in Birmingham’s ground-breaking Urban Renewal Programme.

John Dolphin, Chairman of the Federation of Birmingham Ex-Service Associations, and Peter Lloyd, Secretary of the National Service Association, were both recognised for their dedication to supporting the city’s veterans and the city’s armed forces events including Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day commemorations.

Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal MBE, said:

“The Lord Mayor’s Awards recognise the very best of Birmingham, individuals and organisations who have shown exceptional service to Birmingham and its people.

From global icons like Tony Iommi and Tom Wagner to those working tirelessly in our communities, each award winner has played a vital role in shaping the Birmingham we all love, strengthening our communities, and enhancing its reputation on the national and international stage.

It is wonderful to celebrate their achievements and thank them for the impact they continue to have on our great city.”