Campaign Website Launched

On Friday the 25th August the Campaign Website - http://www.wheeliebins4bham.com/ - was launched...

The partners of the coalition want to open the campaign, bring others on board and build on successes to date. The developments and support we have enjoyed has been overwhelming, the public are on our side and it is now that we need make our voices heard so the council make the changes that their electorate are asking for...

To join your organisation up to the campaign coalition email: vphc@bugs.bham.ac.uk

The 4000+ Strong Petition is presented to the council...

After months of campaigning the Wheelie Bins for Birmingham coalition presented over 4000 postcards and emails to the Deputy Leader of the Labour Group, in July to present to Full Council just days later making clear our demands for wheelie bins, better recycling and local decision making.

There on the day, the campaign leaders (in the order they appear in the picture) said:

Richard Angell, President, University of Birmingham Guild of Students: "The numbers speak for themselves and the diversity of the campaign has no equivilant, I do hope the council listen."

Liz Edwards, WMANUS Convenor: "Students are seen as the problem, here we are clearly the proposers of the solution."

Rob, President, Newman Students' Union: "After getting 100 hundred supported in an hour, i knew we were on to something that we had genuine support for, this is so exciting that we are the people on the side of the public."

You can continue to contact the council by email by clicking here.

Student Wheelie Bin Campaign makes the Media!

This week the Campaign of Birmingham’s united Students’ Unions and Guilds calling on the City Council to implement Wheelie Bins for Birmingham has made the local news giving the campaign its rightful place. BBC Birmingham has covered it on local TV and the Birmingham Mail reported on it on Friday.

Press Release: We want wheelie bins website

We Want Wheelie Bins Website Launched

Today, The Wheelie Bins for Birmingham Coalition will launch its campaign website open to all in Birmingham to show their support for the vision that their city has wheelie bins and more recycling.

At 2pm at the West Midlands Area NUS (WMANUS) Housing Event, Sally Hinchley, Vice President (Housing and Community) of the University of Birmingham Guild of Students, will unveil the website – www.wheeliebins4bham.com – and encourage people from the wider community to, “Jump on board; we know we have their support, we just need to continue to demonstrate the support we have to make the Council listen.”

Continuing in her speech she will say, “We are campaigning for a clean, more sustainable city – nothing more than the citizens of Birmingham deserve. Why is it that we in the second city of the UK are expected to still leave our rubbish in the streets?”

The campaign is a vibrant coalition of students’ unions and trade unions wanting to make a difference to the people in Birmingham. Their support was displayed by the recent submission of a 5000 strong petition that went to the last Full Council meeting of Birmingham City Council, presented by Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Sir Albert Bore.

Gus Brown, President, UCE Birmingham Students’ Union will also say, “Students have to live with rats which is unacceptable. Given all this support it is about time the Council did something to help the near 100,000 students that live within its boarders and cleaned up the community for everyone.”

Ends.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Campaign website launched today at 2pm in the University of Birmingham Guild of Students, Edgbaston Park Road, is found at: www.wheeliebins4bham.com

2. The Wheelie Bins for Birmingham Coalition is made up of:
 Aston Students Guild
 BCFTCS Guild of Students
 Newman Students’ Union
 Trades Union Congress (TUC)
 Transport and General Workers Union (T&G)
 UCE Birmingham Students’ Union
 West Midlands Area NUS (WMANUS)
 University of Birmingham Guild of Students (Bugs)

3. The first piece of collective action was the, “It’s a rubbish problem” petition that got over 5000 signatories and can be found: www.bugs.bham.ac.uk/wheeliebins

4. Sally Hinchley, Vice President (Housing and Community), University of Birmingham Guild of Students (Bugs) and Gus Brown, President, UCE Birmingham Students’ Union are both available tommorrow to interview through Emily Badger, Press Office, Bugs on 0121 251 2525 or e.badger@bugs.bham.ac.uk.

5. The opportunity for a picture with a number of leaders of the campaign and a wheelie bin, can be arranged through Emily Badger on the above contact details.

Press Release: Its a Rubbish problem: Ian Ward

It’s a Rubbish Problem!

Today Ian Ward, Deputy Leader of the Birmingham City Council Labour Group signed up to the University of Birmingham Guild of Students (Bugs) “It’s a Rubbish Problem” Campaign, part of a wider Housing Campaign, calling for wheelie bins in local areas of Birmingham that want them and to improve recycling, to make a better Birmingham.

The current situation in Birmingham with refuse collections and rubbish storage is sad and one that leaves 23% of students living with rats and vermin. The lack of door step recycling is the biggest barrier to people taking responsibility for the recycling. Areas like Hampshire and Lichfield recycle through two wheelie bins and have respected levels of recycling.

The Bugs Housing Campaign is urging Birmingham City Council to: allow local district committees to use their devolved powers to decide on whether wheelie bins would be appropriate for their area; allow access to the £2m Investment Fund that was put aside for areas wishing to trail Wheelie Bins; and focus the City’s recycling efforts on door to door initiatives to compliment Wheelie Bins.

Cllr Ian Ward said, “The students are saying what a lot of their neighbours are, that Wheelie Bins would be ideal for some areas and that the people of Birmingham deserve better – better refuse collections, clearer streets and more recycling.”

The campaign is further supported by Aston Students Guild, UCE Students Union, the Birmingham College of Food, Tourism, and Creative Studies, Newman Student’s Union, West Midlands NUS, the Transport and General Workers Union, the TUC and the West Midlands NUS

Richard Angell, President, Guild of Students says, "The support of the Labour Group is very welcome, we wish to work with all of those that wish to see a cleaner, safe and environmental Birmingham. It is great that Cllr Ian Ward and his colleagues have put their names to the campaign."

Ends.


Notes to Editors:

1. The University of Birmingham Guild of Students (BUGS) is the recognised students’ union for over 28,000 students on all campuses. BUGS represents and involves a broad coalition of students both under and post graduate, home and international through their involvement as individuals or through their student reps, Guild Councillors or societies. BUGS brings students together to agree on issues of common concern and work to bring about positive change through taking collective action;

2. Photos of the Guild President, Richard Angell; Vice President (Welfare), Rhiannon Poulter and Cllr Ian Ward signing the pledge card and one of Cllr Ian Ward alone are attached.

3. The website for the campaign is www.bugs.bham.ac.uk/wheeliebins

4. The giant postcards reads:

“Dear Councillor Len Gregory,

“The current situation in Birmingham with refuse collections and rubbish storage is sad and one that leaves 23% of students living with rats and vermin. The lack of door step recycling is the biggest barrier to people taking responsibility for their recycling. Areas like Hampshire and Lichfield recycle through two wheelie bins and have nationally respected levels of recycling.

“I therefore support Wheelie Bins for the City of Birmingham and believe that Birmingham City Council should:
1. Allow local district committees to use their devolved powersto decide on whether Wheelie Bins would be appropriate for
their area;
2. Allow access to the £2m Investment Fund that was put aside for areas wishing to trial Wheelie Bins; and
3. Focus the City’s recycling efforts on door to door initiatives to compliment Wheelie Bins.

“If cities like Coventry and Wolverhampton can make wheelie bins work then so can Birmingham. It is your role to ensure that all residents live in a safe, secure and affordable home and we urge you to put refuse back to the top of the agenda and deliver the investment that Birmingham needs to continue to be a thriving city where students wish to stay and peoplewant to build their lives and futures.

“Yours,”

Further Information:

Emily Badger – Press Officer, University of Birmingham Guild of Students (Bugs)
Tel: 0121 251 2532; email: e.badger@bugs.bham.ac.uk

Press Release: Its a Rubbish Problem: 2

It’s a Rubbish Problem!

On Friday 7th July at 12 noon Birmingham City Councillors will be presented with approximately 5000 postcards at the Council House, Victoria Square in support of the University of Birmingham Guild of Students (Bugs) “It’s a Rubbish Problem” Campaign, calling for wheelie bins in local areas of Birmingham that want them, and to improve recycling, all to make a better Birmingham.

Representatives from Birmingham University Guild of Students, Aston Students Guild, UCE Birmingham Students Union, the Birmingham College of Food, Tourism, and Creative Studies Students’ Guild, Newman Student’s Union, West Midlands Area NUS, the West Midlands Transport and General Workers Union and the West Midlands TUC will be at the Council House to present the postcards.

The current situation in Birmingham with refuse collections and rubbish storage is sad and one that leaves 23% of students living with rats and vermin. The lack of door step recycling is the biggest barrier to people taking responsibility for the recycling. Areas like Hampshire and Lichfield recycle through two wheelie bins and have respected levels of recycling.

Richard Angell, President, Guild of Students says, "Students and their neighbours have called for action; it is time for the council to listen and take action. Wheelie bins are the logical investment that the City of Birmingham needs. Why is it in the second city in the country we still put our rubbish in the street?"

The Bugs Housing Campaign is urging Birmingham City Council to: allow local district committees to use their devolved powers to decide on whether wheelie bins would be appropriate for their area; allow access to the £2m Investment Fund that was put aside for areas wishing to trail Wheelie Bins; and focus the City’s recycling efforts on door to door initiatives to compliment Wheelie Bins.

Sally Hinchley, Vice President Housing and Community, Guild of Students says, “The current situation is unacceptable, students and local residents deserve better.”

Ends.


Notes to Editors:

1. The University of Birmingham Guild of Students (BUGS) is the recognised students’ union for over 28,000 students on all campuses. BUGS represents and involves a broad coalition of students both under and post graduate, home and international through their involvement as individuals or through their student reps, Guild Councillors or societies. BUGS brings students together to agree on issues of common concern and work to bring about positive change through taking collective action;

2. Photos of representatives from Birmingham University Guild of Students, Aston Students Guild, UCE Students Union, the Birmingham College of Food, Tourism, and Creative Studies, Newman Student’s Union, West Midlands NUS, the Transport and General Workers Union, the TUC and the West Midlands NUS with wheelie bins presenting the postcards will be available from noon on Friday.

3. The website for the campaign is www.bugs.bham.ac.uk/wheeliebins

4. The campaign is supported by Birmingham University Guild of Students, Aston Students Guild, UCE Birmingham Students Union, the Birmingham College of Food, Tourism, and Creative Studies Students’ Guild, Newman Student’s Union, West Midlands Area NUS, the West Midlands Transport and General Workers Union and the West Midlands TUC


5. The postcards read:

“Dear Councillor Len Gregory,

“The current situation in Birmingham with refuse collections and rubbish storage is sad and one that leaves 23% of students living with rats and vermin. The lack of door step recycling is the biggest barrier to people taking responsibility for their recycling. Areas like Hampshire and Lichfield recycle through two wheelie bins and have nationally respected levels of recycling.

“I therefore support Wheelie Bins for the City of Birmingham and believe that Birmingham City Council should:
1. Allow local district committees to use their devolved powers to decide on whether Wheelie Bins would be appropriate for
their area;
2. Allow access to the £2m Investment Fund that was put aside for areas wishing to trial Wheelie Bins; and
3. Focus the City’s recycling efforts on door to door initiatives to compliment Wheelie Bins.

“If cities like Coventry and Wolverhampton can make wheelie bins work then so can Birmingham. It is your role to ensure that all residents live in a safe, secure and affordable home and we urge you to put refuse back to the top of the agenda and deliver the investment that Birmingham needs to continue to be a thriving city where students wish to stay and people want to build their lives and futures.

“Yours,”



Further Information:

Emily Badger – Press Officer, University of Birmingham Guild of Students (Bugs)
Tel: 0121 251 2532; email: e.badger@bugs.bham.ac.uk

Press Release: Its a rubbish problem

It’s a Rubbish Problem!

Today at 2pm student and community leaders presented over 4000 postcards to Birmingham City Councillors at the Council House, Victoria Square in the run up to the Full Council meeting on Tuesday. The Councillors support of the University of Birmingham Guild of Students (Bugs) “It’s a Rubbish Problem” Campaign, calling for wheelie bins in local areas of Birmingham that want them, and to improve recycling, all to make a better Birmingham.

While there Richard Angell, President of The University of Birmingham Guild of Students; Rob Balding, President, Newman Students’ Union and Liz Edwards, Convenor, West Midlands Area NUS (WMANUS) got over 100 members of the public signed up to the campaign, supporting change in Birmingham.

Richard Angell, President, Guild of Students says, "Today we gave evidence of the diverse support for this campaign; it is time for the Council to listen and take action. Wheelie bins are the logical investment that the City of Birmingham needs. Why is it in the second city in the country we still put our rubbish in the street?"

The current situation in Birmingham with refuse collections and rubbish storage is sad and one that leaves 23% of students living with rats and vermin. The lack of door step recycling is the biggest barrier to people taking responsibility for the recycling. Areas like Hampshire and Lichfield recycle through two wheelie bins and have respected levels of recycling.

Liz Edwards, WMANUS Convenor said, “The current situation is unacceptable, students and local residents deserve better.”

The Bugs Housing Campaign is urging Birmingham City Council to: allow local district committees to use their devolved powers to decide on whether wheelie bins would be appropriate for their area; allow access to the £2m Investment Fund that was put aside for areas wishing to trail Wheelie Bins; and focus the City’s recycling efforts on door to door initiatives to compliment Wheelie Bins.


Ends.


Notes to Editors:

1. The University of Birmingham Guild of Students (BUGS) is the recognised students’ union for over 28,000 students on all campuses. BUGS represents and involves a broad coalition of students both under and post graduate, home and international through their involvement as individuals or through their student reps, Guild Councillors or societies. BUGS brings students together to agree on issues of common concern and work to bring about positive change through taking collective action;

2. Photos of representatives from Birmingham University Guild of Students, Newman Student’s Union and the West Midlands Area NUS (WMANUS) are available with this press release.

3. The website for the campaign is www.bugs.bham.ac.uk/wheeliebins

4. Liz Edwards, Convenor of the West Midlands Area NUS (WMANUS) can be contacted through www.wmanus.org.uk.

5. The campaign is supported by Birmingham University Guild of Students, Aston Students Guild, UCE Birmingham Students Union, the Birmingham College of Food, Tourism, and Creative Studies Students’ Guild, Newman Student’s Union, West Midlands Area NUS, the West Midlands Transport and General Workers Union and the West Midlands TUC

6. The postcards read:

“Dear Councillor Len Gregory,

“The current situation in Birmingham with refuse collections and rubbish storage is sad and one that leaves 23% of students living with rats and vermin. The lack of door step recycling is the biggest barrier to people taking responsibility for their recycling. Areas like Hampshire and Lichfield recycle through two wheelie bins and have nationally respected levels of recycling.

“I therefore support Wheelie Bins for the City of Birmingham and believe that Birmingham City Council should:
1. Allow local district committees to use their devolved powers to decide on whether Wheelie Bins would be appropriate for
their area;
2. Allow access to the £2m Investment Fund that was put aside for areas wishing to trial Wheelie Bins; and
3. Focus the City’s recycling efforts on door to door initiatives to compliment Wheelie Bins.

“If cities like Coventry and Wolverhampton can make wheelie bins work then so can Birmingham. It is your role to ensure that all residents live in a safe, secure and affordable home and we urge you to put refuse back to the top of the agenda and deliver the investment that Birmingham needs to continue to be a thriving city where students wish to stay and people want to build their lives and futures.

“Yours,”



Further Information:

Emily Badger – Press Officer, University of Birmingham Guild of Students (Bugs)
Tel: 0121 251 2532; email: e.badger@bugs.bham.ac.uk

Press Release - petition for bin day change

Student Petition for Change of Bournbrook Bin Day

This evening, Richard Angell, Guild President will present to the Selly Oak Ward Committee a 200 signature strong petition calling on the Bin Day for Bournbrook to be changed. It needs be changed from a Monday to another Mid Week Day to make the community tidy again and enable the service to fit round students and local residents. A fifth of all petitioners were permanent residents who support the call by students and want to work together for a better Selly Oak.

Richard Angell, President, Guild of Students said, “Fighting for a better community for students and residents is all that our campaign is about. We want to see services tailored to local people and appropriate for difference concerns – we know there are other areas happy to change and that in most areas changes happen very simply.

“We hope the council listens because for too long now students and our neighbours have had to live amongst rubbish in the streets and a high density of rats.”

The petition reads:
We the undersigned support the Bugs Campaign to change the local bin day from a Monday to another Mid Week Day because many students go home for the weekend, visit friends and have weekend jobs meaning often students that are not round to put bags out on a Monday. This means bags are left in the street or back/front gardens where they are exposed to rats, cats and pigeons – this ruins our community.

We call on Councillor Len Gregory, Member for Transportation and Street Services, to reconsider his decision to NOT change the local bin days this year (Birmingham Mail, 13.01.05: Pg 18) and put this at the top of his agenda for waste management improvement for Bournbrook.


Ends.


Notes to Editors:

1. The University of Birmingham Guild of Students (Bugs) is the recognised students' union for over 28,000 students. Bugs represents and provides opportunities for all students, under and postgraduate, home and international, on all campuses. Bugs listens to, supports and brings students together on issues they care about to create positive change and achieve equality for and within its membership;

2. Richard Angell, Guild President is available for interview or comment on the following number, 07966 161 444. Photos will be avail on request tomorrow or at 7pm at the Selly Oak Ward which takes place at the Neighbourhood Office.

Further Information:

Emily Badger – Press Officer, University of Birmingham Guild of Students (Bugs)
Tel: 0121 251 2532; email: e.badger@bugs.bham.ac.uk.

Press Release: All we want for Christmas

All Students want for Christmas is…a rat free house!

University of Birmingham Guild of Students will today present 2500 Christmas cards to the Cllr Lines, Birmingham City Council at the full council meeting. Student along side community and university leaders has signed the cards saying “All I want for Christmas is… a rat free house, my deposit returned, wheelie bins and a change to the local bin day.”

Richard Angell, President, Guild of Students said, “For too long the student housing of Selly Oak has been ignored and students has said enough is enough. The rats, damp and deposit’s not being returned has gone to far and it is about time that the council licensed HMOs in Birmingham, spend the £2m set aside for wheelie bins, changed the local bin day and establish a third party deposit scheme.”

The petition will be presented to council by Gary Hughes, Community Liaison Officer dress as Santa Clause demonstrating the need for action quickly.

Gary Hughes, Community Liaison Officer, Guild of Students said, “Although students have been ignored by city council for years this is the sign that we intend to put our needs at the centre of the administration’s agenda.”

Ends.


Notes to Editors:

1. The University of Birmingham Guild of Students (BUGS) is the recognised students’ union for over 28,000 students on all campuses. BUGS represents and involves a broad coalition of students both under and post graduate, home and international through their involvement as individuals or through their student reps, Guild Councillors or societies. BUGS brings students together to agree on issues of common concern and work to bring about positive change through taking collective action;

2. Gary Hughes, Community Liaison Officer, Guild of Students will be outside the Council House at 13.30 and will present at full council at 14.00.

3. A photo of Gary Hughes outside the council with the sack of Christmas Cards in his Santa outfit will be available from d.kerr@bugs.bham.ac.uk by 15.00.

Further Information:

Emily Badger – Press Officer, University of Birmingham Guild of Students (Bugs)
Tel: 0121 251 2532; email: e.badger@bugs.bham.ac.uk.

Send a message to the Council...

Have you signed out petition for wheelie bins in Birmingham?

The current situation in Birmingham with refuse collections and rubbish storage is sad and one that leaves 23% of students living with rats and vermin. The lack of door step recycling is the biggest barrier to people taking responsibility for their recycling. Areas like Hampshire and Lichfield recycle through two wheelie bins and have nationally respected levels of recycling.

We are calling on Birmingham City Council to:

1. Allow local district committees to use their devolved powers to decide on whether Wheelie Bins would be appropriate for their area;
2. Allow access to the £2m Investment Fund that was put aside for areas wishing to trial Wheelie Bins; and
3. Focus the City’s recycling efforts on door to door initiatives to compliment Wheelie Bins.

If cities like Coventry and Wolverhampton can make wheelie bins work then so can Birmingham. It is your role to ensure that all residents live in a safe, secure and affordable home and we urge you to put refuse back to the top of the agenda and deliver the investment that Birmingham needs to continue to be a thriving city where students wish to stay and people want to build their lives and futures.

Where is your name on these demands? Click here and give us your support!

Press releases

See below the press releases which have been released by the wheelie bins 4 Bham campaign. If you have any press queries relating to the campaign please contact;
Emily Badger – Press Officer, University of Birmingham Guild of Students (Bugs)
Tel: 0121 251 2532; email: e.badger@bugs.bham.ac.uk

All we want for Christmas

petition for bin day change

Its a rubbish problem

Its a rubbish problem: Ian Ward

Its a rubbish problem: 2

We want wheelie bins website launched

Join the coalition

We are looking to build the campaign coalition so it ever increasingly reflects the diversity of people in Birmingham and the support that this campaign has.

If you would like to join the coalition, or to add yourself to our list of supporters please contact the coalition on vphc@bugs.bham.ac.uk

Campaign Supporters

The campaign is lucky to enjoy the support of the following community leaders:

MPs:

• Liam Byrne, MP for Birmingham: Hodge Hill
• Richard Burden, MP for Birmingham: Northfield
• Gisela Stuart MP, MP for Birmingham: Edgbaston
• Kalid Mamood, MP for Birmingham:
• Steve McCabe, MP for Birmingham: Hall Green
• Sion Simon, MP for Birmingham: Erdington
• Roger Godsiff, MP for Birmingham: Sparkbrook

Councillors:

• Cllr Sir Albert Bore

Community Leaders:

• Lord Hunt of Kings Health

All MPs, MEPs, Councillor, leaders of Voluntary Sector and Community Groups are welcome to join our coalition. To sign up email: vphc@bugs.bham.ac.uk

The Campaign Partners

The Coaltition leading the fight for a better, cleaner and sustainable Birmingham with Wheelie Bins, recycling and local decision making are the following:



Aston Students' Guild




BCFTCS Guild of Students







Newman Students' Union



Trade Union Congress




Transport and General Workers Union



UCE Birmingam Students' Union


The University of Birmingham Guild of Students




West Midlands Area NUS (WMANUS)



If you would like to join the coalition email: vphc@bugs.bham.ac.uk

The Campaign Launched

The Campaign for Wheelie Bins for Birmingham was Launched in February 2006 to put better refuse, recycling and a clearer Birmingham on the agenda.

"The city needs investment, improvement and wheelie bins to clear up the area, it is obserd that the second city in the UK leaves its rubbish in the street each week." Richard Angell, President, The University of Birmingham Guild 0f Students

We are currently working on building a broad coaliton to be able to win for the people of Bimringham and deliver a really important local service disproporionately better.

For more info see: www.wheeliebins4bham.com