John Clancy, the new Labour leader of Birmingham City Council, does not think Birmingham’s status as the country’s second city is in danger despite a damning report just over a year ago that said the council was failing on the provision of basic services.
A recent assessment saying that the city has made progress on all fronts has provided a boost, he said. He is looking at bringing in new investment, and said that housing and infrastructure investment needed to be looked at in a new way.
Housing is the biggest crisis facing Birmingham, he said. The city needs to build thousands of homes but is only building hundreds.
The Independent, p. 17
