Central to the Landlord’s Forum event, which is taking place on 25 March at the Cobden Hotel on the Hagley Road, will be the role of the council’s Accommodation Finding Team.

The Accommodation Finding Team matches private landlords with families on the housing register looking for a home, while providing support to help families transition into a tenancy in the private rented sector.

Private landlords can benefit by working with the team, which can help them find a tenant who offers long-term security and provide financial incentives tailored to a landlord’s needs. The team also provides tenant affordability assessments and free property compliance inspections.

The Landlord Forum is now into its fourth year. The event is free to attend, but places are limited, so those wishing to attend should book in advance.

Cllr Nicky Brennan, Cabinet for Housing and Homelessness, said:

“Since it was set up in 2022, the Accommodation Finding Team has saved £22million and provided 981 good-quality homes to families on the housing register seeking a home in Birmingham by working with private landlords.

“A priority for the team is to ensure that placements are right for both the tenant and the landlord. So, the team works to ensure that properties meet relevant housing standards, are in good repair, and have well-maintained heating systems.

“Providing families on the housing register with a long-term home gives them the bedrock of opportunity that allows families to flourish and grow.

“I would encourage Landlords to come and meet the team, to find out more about what they do, and how Landlords can benefit by working with them.”

Landlords can reserve a place at the Landlord Form by visiting the council website.

For more information, please contact: AFT@birmingham.gov.uk.

A total of 95 affordable homes, including some proposed for social rent and some in shared ownership, are to be built on site.

Keon Homes will work with housing association, Midland Heart, to build the 95-strong mix of apartments (1 and 2 beds) and family homes (2, 3 and 4 beds).

Under the plans, the site of the former Tower Ballroom will be transformed into a fully accessible public walkway and square.

Additionally, the development will feature an enhanced landscaping area of at least 25m on the water’s edge that could improve the local nature reserve provision.

Construction work is expected to start in early 2027, with the development forming part of a wider project set to create 3,000 new homes across key Birmingham sites.

Cllr Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said:

“The Tower Ballroom redevelopment aims to create a vibrant new community, offering high‑quality energy efficient affordable homes and attractive outdoor spaces. It will give residents the opportunity to enjoy all the benefits of waterside living while remaining just a short distance from the city centre.

“Delivering more decent affordable homes for Birmingham families is a key priority for this council. Every project like this helps us move closer to our goal of building 2,000 homes a year that create thriving communities and transform people’s lives.

“We have consulted extensively with the public over many years to regenerate the area – and we have listened to the feedback and made changes to the development to deliver a site.”

Cllr Nicky Brennan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, added:

“In the last year alone, the council has delivered 1,000 affordable homes. I am delighted to see that the plans for Tower Ballroom will continue that delivery by building 95 high-quality, affordable homes on such an attractive and historic site.”

An artist’s impression of what the development on the site of the former Tower Ballroom might look like.

In addition to creating much-needed affordable housing, Keon Homes is committed to creating a landmark scheme for one of Birmingham’s most iconic developments.

This will include two areas of attractive landscaping, which will enhance the biodiversity of the local area whilst creating green spaces that can be utilised by the local community.

Plans have also been lodged to refurbish the Grade II listed Reservoir Lodge into a new hub that will house communal areas and meeting spaces for local charities and community groups.

Oliver Thompson, Senior Land Manager at Keon Homes, said:

“We are delighted to have finally exchanged contracts on this historic and distinctive development site within Birmingham, adding to our growing portfolio of schemes across the Midlands.

“This milestone reflects the huge amount of work that has been undertaken by all parties, including months of collaboration between Birmingham City Council, Midland Heart and ourselves.

“The focus now is on submitting our planning application for the scheme, with the genuine hope of starting the development in early 2027, eventually delivering 95 high-quality homes alongside attractive landscaped areas and public open space to benefit the local community.”

The development forms part of Midland Heart’s wider £295 million investment programme in Birmingham, which will deliver 1,200 new affordable homes by 2028. The Tower Ballroom site is a particularly important milestone, as the organisation plans to build on the learnings from its low‑carbon Project 80 developments and create a net‑zero neighbourhood of scale, well ahead of incoming national sustainability standards.

Joe Reeves, Deputy Chief Executive at Midland Heart, said:

“We’re pleased to be working with Birmingham City Council and Keon Homes to bring forward plans for this landmark site. The former Tower Ballroom is an iconic location in the city’s landscape and transforming it into much‑needed affordable homes marks an important step for Birmingham.

“This is also where we plan to deliver our next generation of sustainable homes. The scheme is being designed to meet a new national net zero standard coming into force in 2026 and, to our knowledge, will be among the first in the country to adopt this standard.”

Joe Williams, Director at Avison Young, said:

“We’re proud to have supported Birmingham City Council Officers on this important disposal. The opportunity to redevelop a waterside location, overlooking Edgbaston Reservoir, is unique, and we are delighted to have secured Keon Homes alongside Midland Heart on behalf of the Council.

“The project will not only deliver 95 high-quality, affordable homes, but also promises to further activate the waterfront with the delivery of much-needed commercial and community use space, as well as improving the landscape, which serves to enhance the experience for all visitors to the Reservoir.”

This alliance between Aston University, Birmingham City Council, Birmingham City University, Bruntwood SciTech and Woodbourne Group, supported by West Midlands Combined Authority, signals the launch of a world-class innovation district and anchor site within the West Midlands Investment Zone – one designed to deliver global impact while creating tangible benefits for communities across Aston, Newtown, Nechells, and the wider city.

A Partnership for Progress

The Agreement establishes a robust foundation for joint governance, delivery, and investment in the heart of Birmingham. B-KQ will become a vibrant, globally connected hub for life sciences, digital health, fintech, and advanced manufacturing — delivering over 580,000sqm of new space commercial and innovation space, creating more than 22,000 highly skilled jobs, alongside new homes, public realm enhancements, green spaces and a vibrant cultural and community offer.

This partnership builds on significant momentum across the district, including Woodbourne Group’s newly announced collaboration with global real estate investment manager Hines — a deal that could unlock up to £400 million of additional investment into B‐KQ’s residential and innovation pipeline. Birmingham City University and Aston University are both major anchor institutions driving this growth. Birmingham City University has invested over £400 million to revitalise Birmingham and transform the Eastside district with flagship initiatives including the award-winning STEAMhouse: a landmark innovation hub fostering collaboration among businesses, creatives, students and researchers. Meanwhile, Aston University’s Birmingham Innovation Precinct (BIP), adjacent to its main campus, is nurturing groundbreaking ideas and enterprise creation, including the new Aston Business Hub at 10 Woodcock Street.

Together, both universities’ long‐standing work with local schools, colleges, and SMEs will ensure that residents in neighbouring communities can access training, apprenticeships, and enterprise support. Planned improvements to public spaces around Aston University Campus, Jennens Road, and Curzon Street will create safer, greener routes that better connect local neighbourhoods with the city centre and major transport hubs.

A map of the Birmingham Knowledge Quarter

Unlocking Opportunity and Inclusive Growth

B-KQ’s vision is not just about buildings, but about people. The district is designed to empower local communities, create pathways to high-value careers, and transform the city’s economic prospects. By bringing together world-leading universities, pioneering developers, and city leadership, B-KQ will act as a magnet for global talent, investment, and innovation while ensuring the region’s diverse communities benefit from new opportunities, upskilling, and improved wellbeing.

This partnership further strengthens that ambition, with the potential to significantly expand the district’s capacity for life sciences, AI, digital health, and advanced manufacturing—sectors identified as national priorities for growth. At the same time, new cultural and community facilities within B-KQ will reflect Birmingham’s identity as one of the UK’s most diverse cities, supporting local creatives, makers, and grassroots organisations.

World-Class Connectivity and Incentives

Strategically located alongside the new HS2 Curzon Street station and the “Innovation Line” rail corridor, B-KQ offers unmatched connectivity to London, Oxford, Cambridge, and beyond. As part of the West Midlands Investment Zone, B-KQ provides a unique package of government-backed incentives across multiple sites for businesses, investors, and developers, including:

• Five years of full business rates relief for new and expanding businesses on designated tax sites (available until March 2034)
• 100% first-year capital allowances for investment in plant and machinery
• Full Stamp Duty Land Tax relief on commercial land and building acquisitions (until September 2034)
• Enhanced structures and buildings allowances (10% p.a.)
• Increased Employer National Insurance threshold for eligible new employees

170,000 sqft of innovation and tech space is available now including at Bruntwood SciTech’s Enterprise Wharf, Aston Business Hub and Woodbourne Groups upcoming BioCity at Curzon Wharf with further opportunities for pre-lets and investment in the Northern Gateway mixed-use project.

A Shared Vision for City and Nation

The B-KQ Collaboration Agreement aligns with Birmingham’s “Our Future City – Central Birmingham Framework 2045” and advances national priorities for innovation and sustainable growth. The partners invite occupiers, investors, and community groups to join this once-in-a-generation transformation.

Partner Quotes

Councillor Sharon Thomspon, Deputy Leader, Birmingham City Council & Chair of the B-KQ Strategic Programme Board:

“Birmingham has always been a city of innovation, and with an emphasis on sectors like advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and Life Sciences, B-KQ continues our proud history of being at the cutting edge of technology.

“This is one of the most investable cities in the country, a city of unmatched potential and opportunity, and thanks to partnerships like this we are creating jobs, opportunities and prosperity for a young and growing population.”

Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University:

“This partnership empowers our world-class research and entrepreneurial talent to work hand-in-hand with businesses and community, co-creating solutions to the biggest regional challenges, and delivering socio-economic transformation. Within the B-KQ is the Birmingham Innovation Precinct (BIP) a 20-hectare area adjacent to Aston University which will nurture groundbreaking ideas and foster enterprise creation including the development of the new Aston Business Hub within the landmark 10 Woodcock Street building.”

Professor David Mba, Vice Chancellor, Birmingham City University:

“This collaboration is a statement of intent for Birmingham. Guided by BCU’s Strategy 2030 and our mission to be an exemplar anchor tenant, we will work with our partners – aligning talent, investment and ambition – to position Birmingham and the West Midlands as a globally recognised centre for innovation, while ensuring local communities share directly in the opportunities this growth creates.”

Chris Oglesby, Chief Executive, Bruntwood SciTech:

“B-KQ represents an exciting new blueprint for embedding innovation into the heart of a city. Through close partnership with the city’s academic, civic and commercial leaders, we’re helping shape this next chapter for Birmingham. From landmark investments like Centre City and the Birmingham Health Innovation Campus, to the development of Enterprise Wharf within the Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, Bruntwood SciTech is committed to delivering the world-class infrastructure, partnerships and support that innovation-led businesses need to scale, collaborate and innovate.”

Tani Dulay, Chief Executive, Woodbourne Group:

“This agreement represents a commitment to a once in a generation opportunity for the city. Woodbourne Group is committed to delivering B-KQ as an integrated district of inclusive residential living and internationally recognised innovation and life sciences environment that reinforce Birmingham’s global standing”

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands:

“The foundations are now in place for the Knowledge Quarter to become a vibrant innovation district where the next generation of trailblazers in life sciences, digital technologies, and advanced manufacturing will want to be. All three of my key Investment Zone sites are now rapidly moving towards spades in the ground, following this agreement. That means real benefits are coming for local people with thousands of new jobs, modern homes, fresh skills, and new investment flowing into communities across Birmingham Eastside, Aston, and the wider region.”

For more information, to download the B-KQ prospectus, or to enquire about opportunities, visit B-KQ Website Link, follow us on LinkedIn or contact West Midlands Growth Company for inbound investment enquiries.

Image caption, from left to right.

• Richard Lawrence, Executive Director of Place, Prosperity and Sustainability, Birmingham City Council
• Moe Ali – Associate Director, Bruntwood Sci-Tech
• Rooqia Malik – Programme Manager, West Midlands Investment Zone, WMCA
• Professor David Mba – Vice-Chancellor, BCU
• Cllr Sharon Thompson – B-KQ Strategic Partnership Board Chair, Deputy Leader of BCC and Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands
• Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University
• Catherine Hadfield – Strategic Lead, Birmingham Knowledge Quarter
• Tani Dulay – CEO, Woodbourne Grou

The new hub provides learners with access to practical, real-world training that’s delivered on-site, as well as guaranteed job interviews with employers including Sisk, Berkeley Homes, Fortel and MPB Structures.

The on-site training is being delivered at a new, innovative training facility within the Smithfield development, a £1.9bn regeneration project to transform the city centre – a joint venture undertaken by Birmingham City Council and Lendlease.

By gaining access to the on-site training, learners will learn practical skills and real world experience that will give them a competitive edge and confidence when starting their new roles.

The new hub is operated by the Skills Centre, supported by Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Combined Authority, Construction Industry Training Board, Department for Work and Pensions, Fortel, Hilti, On the Tools, and Sunbelt Rentals, as part of the Building Birmingham Skills Partnership.

The training and support into jobs is delivered by The Skills Centre, one of the UK’s leading construction training organisations, which has been developing young people and supporting them into jobs in construction across the West Midlands, since 2023.

The level of investment and demand for construction skills in Birmingham has driven demand for the scheme, as construction employers seek to recruit newly skilled workers for various developments in the city.

The new training hub will be well placed to support the regeneration of Digbeth, which is surrounded by up to around £11bn of planned investment in infrastructure and major development over the next decade, including Smithfield, the Sports Quarter, Birmingham Knowledge Quarter and HS2 Curzon Street Station.

 

 Councillor Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, said:

“I want to extend my warmest congratulations to all the young people taking their first steps into exciting careers in construction. Your hard work and determination are inspiring, and I wish you every success as you embark on this exciting new journey.

“This initiative is creating real skills and development opportunities for young people across Birmingham, helping them build sustainable, high-quality careers. With the incredible investment and development we are seeing across our city, we have a chance to reduce unemployment, support, and nurture local talent into rewarding and fulfilling careers. This partnership is instrumental in shaping our next generation of construction professionals.”

Cllr Mariam Khan Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care for Birmingham City Council presented the first cohort of graduates from the hub with a certificate at an event held on the site of the Smithfield Development. She said:

“It is essential that investment in the city is also an investment in the people of Birmingham and the West Midlands, and that’s why the launch of the skills hub here in the heart of the city centre is not only celebrating our commitment to partnership working to deliver more jobs and skills for the city but also a celebration of our first cohort of graduates ”

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:

“The Smithfield development provides a fantastic opportunity for people in the region to get involved in building the future.

“Initiatives like this show how we can tackle unemployment, support business and build vibrant new communities that people feel connected to and proud of – all key goals in my Growth Plan.

“By working together in this way, we can help people land quality jobs and rewarding careers, and these young people will be able to point to Smithfield in the years ahead and say ‘I built that’.”

Jon Howlin, CEO of The Skills Centre, said:

“This is a powerful, forward-thinking partnership, that is creating some terrific opportunities for many young, local people to undergo free training and gain access to exciting, sustainable and rewarding careers in construction.”

Lung Ly, a learner who had already received training at an on-site training hub spoke about how a scheme helped him:

“This is a good platform for any beginner who wants to get into construction, it has equipped me with all the fundamentals.

“Without this training I think I would have been a lost soul not knowing what direction I wanted to go in. it was an absolutely great experience and I would recommend it to anyone who’s looking to get into construction.”

Fortel is the largest supplier of agency labour to the UK construction industry and are one of the sponsors of the training hub. Tej Nijjer, Head of Major Infrastructure at Fortel, said:

“As a local employer, we recognise the importance of fostering opportunities for young people who are currently unemployed, providing them with both training opportunities and creating a pathway to meaningful careers. With numerous projects underway across Birmingham and the West Midlands, including HS2, we are committed to cultivating local talent and contributing to the region’s growth.

“We collaborate closely with the skills centre and industry partners to ensure more young people can access these programmes and embark on rewarding professional journeys.”

Backed by the UK Government’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, it includes £1.5 million in capital funding and £150,000 in revenue funding. This is to deliver improvements to community buildings, public squares, and local high streets across the city.

Cllr John Cotton, leader of Birmingham City Council, said:

“The Government’s new Pride in Place Impact Fund provides a huge boost for neighbourhoods right across Birmingham and we look forward to working with our residents, businesses and community groups to make the most of this opportunity and deliver a lasting impact.

“From safer and more welcoming high streets to better community facilities and greener, more accessible public spaces, these projects will deliver long term improvements that are shaped by the people who know their local area best.”

Transforming Local Spaces   

The fund is key to delivering the city’s vision of Shaping Birmingham’s Future Together. It focuses on four specific investment pillars designed to create immediate change:

• Community Spaces: Improving or refurbishing facilities and bringing underused local assets back into community use.
• Public Spaces: Funding for new green spaces, public art, play areas, and better street furniture.

• High Street Revitalisation: Enhancing shop frontages and market infrastructure to boost local footfall and economic activity.

• Local Partnerships: Supporting social enterprises and community investment districts to coordinate local action.

Who Can Apply?   

The Council is seeking proposals from the heart of Birmingham’s neighbourhoods. Applications are encouraged from:

• Community groups and charities

• Social enterprises

• Local businesses (or business partnerships)

• Resident associations

As stated in the initiative’s guidance, “You don’t need to have everything figured out… this is your chance to fund an idea or develop an existing service. We are here to support you.”

Visit BeHeard now to make your application or to find out more: https://www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/bcc/42a6d6f2/

Funding Details & Deadlines   

Groups can apply for capital grants of up to £125,000 for construction or refurbishment projects. Revenue funding is also available to support the operational side of these initiatives, with a preference for projects that strengthen community-led governance.

The application window is open now on the Be Heard platform and will close on Sunday 1st February 2026. To ensure the investment reaches the areas where it will have the most meaningful effect, Birmingham City Council is using cross-directorate panels to review bids. All funded projects must be completed and evidenced by 31st March 2027.

This funding will support Birmingham’s improvement journey within our city’s schools. This investment will significantly enhance our commitment ensuring SEND children receive the education they deserve and need. Birmingham’s aspiration is to ensure children with special educational needs are locally met.

Cllr Mick Brown, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Families, said “Our city is committed to ensuring every child, regardless of ability, can learn, belong, and thrive close to home.

“This £3 billion investment marks a transformative moment for Birmingham. It means families staying connected to local communities, and tailored support delivered in schools they know and trust. We’re looking forward to working closely with the Department for Education to bring these vital resources to our mainstream and special schools—helping every young person reach their potential.”

This new funding announcement builds on that achievement and reinforces Birmingham’s commitment to expanding inclusive provision across all communities. It highlights the city’s determination to ensure that every child receives the support they need to thrive, positioning Birmingham as a leader in SEND education.

BBSP will build a network of trusted employment and skills partners that will help to link employers in the construction industry with local people, ensuring that our communities benefit from the record levels of investment that the city continues to see.

Alongside contractors, education, community and voluntary sector partners will join the partnership, helping to connect local people and places to the opportunities arising from investment, ultimately supporting the delivery of the Economic and Place strategy.

Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, and Councillor Nicky Brennan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness at Birmingham City Council, launched the partnership through a visit to the Selly Oak Jobcentre and nearby site The Triangle, a £90 million scheme being delivered by contractors McAleer and Rushe which will deliver 836 student bedrooms along with retail and community space.

Cllr Brennan and the Mayor were joined by partners from the Building Birmingham Skills Partnership including colleagues from the Department of Work and Pensions, WMCA and the BCC Employment Access Team, to explore how major construction projects can create real opportunities for local people, particularly young people starting out in work.

Contractors McAleer and Rushe highlighted how their social value programme is helping people to gain skills and training, and move into good quality jobs in construction which can lead to lifelong and fulfilling careers.

Councillor Brennan said: “Initiatives like this are connecting local people with real opportunities, aligning skills development and training to the construction sector and helping them to launch sustainable, quality careers. Through the Building Birmingham Skills Partnership the council will work together with our partners across the city to make a tangible difference to the lives of our residents.”

Councillor Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “With the unprecedented scale of investment and development in Birmingham we have a once-in-a-generation chance to reduce the high levels of unemployment that our city has had for decades. We know that there are significant social and economic barriers to achieving inclusive growth across Birmingham, and through the Building Birmingham Skills Partnership we are working with our partners to break them down.”

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The West Midlands is heading into a construction boom that will power new jobs, new homes and new opportunities right across the West Midlands and I want local people to have the skills and access to jobs to deliver it. It’s why I recently announced £75m investment in training and apprenticeships in construction, engineering, design and all the supporting roles that keep our region building. Led by Birmingham City Council and partners, the newly launched Building Birmingham Skills Partnership will bring benefits to residents across the city and filter wider across the region – making it the best place to live, learn, work and visit.”

Notes to editors:

Why has BCC set up this new partnership?

With the unprecedented scale of investment and development in Birmingham, the growing skills crisis for the UK construction industry, and the significant social and economic barriers to achieving inclusive growth for Birmingham residents and communities, there has never been a greater need for the power of partnerships.

The BCC Employment Access Team sees employers, partners, and providers struggling to connect, let alone collaborate to deliver their S106 and social value commitments. The council cannot obligate its development partners to deliver outcomes for Birmingham residents without also supporting them and the regional construction sector, which is vital to driving economic growth across the West Midlands.

To date, there has not been a strategic plan for connecting employers with community-based partners who are able to identify local people suitable for jobs in the industry, and many of these community partners are not visible to contractors.

To address these challenges and achieve greater social impact, the council is inviting construction skills providers to come together as a single and identifiable partnership – the Building Birmingham Skills Partnership -  with a coherent and collaborative offer which can be promoted to contractors as they come through the planning system. From here, BBSP can negotiate targeted agreements, and start to prepare their social value delivery as well as those who are already live on site.

The council plans to promote the BBSP offer to the regional industry seeking supply chain opportunities through business support partners such as the Birmingham & Solihull Growth Hub, working top down and bottom up to address the skills gaps hampering economic growth and local employment across the West Midlands.

The council is also in the process of setting up four place-based social value forums focused on construction and development, new investment, and employers, which will connect to BBSP. These are –

• Digbeth Diggers – encompassing development in East Birmingham and North Solihull (EBNS) zone within the BCC Economy and Place Strategy including HS2 Curzon Street, Smithfield, Birmingham Knowledge Quarter and the Digbeth Prospectus area.
• North Birmingham Social Value Forum – launching in January 2026, this forum will be attached to the North Birmingham Economic Recovery Board (NBERB), encompassing Peddimore and Langley.
• Building South Birmingham – encompassing Longbridge, Druids Heath, and Selly Oak development, including the Birmingham Health Innovation Centre (BHIC), and development south side of the city centre including the Edgbaston Cricket Ground redevelopment.
• Ladywood and West – coalescing around the Ladywood Housing Regeneration Programme, bringing collaborative social value delivery from developments in and around the Ladywood constituency area.