West Midlands council accused of 'overlooking British heritage'

City leaders in Birmingham have hit back after a Reform councillor accused a new council strategy of not properly recognise ‘British heritage’

Cabinet members at the city council, run by a minority coalition including the Liberal Democrats and Green Party, agreed to adopt a new heritage strategy at a meeting earlier today, November 10.

Lib Dem Cllr Deborah Harries, who oversees culture, said the document would provide a framework for how the council will “conserve, celebrate and engage with Birmingham’s heritage” over the next five years.

“This strategy recognises that Birmingham’s heritage is one our greatest strengths,” she said.

But Cllr Jex Parkin, Reform group leader, told the meeting that he had “concerns” about the strategy and argued the report makes little mention of ‘British and Christian heritage’.

“In the report, it rightly identifies the heritage of numerous other communities and their contributions to Birmingham,” he said. “But in 48 pages, do we know how many times the word ‘British’ was mentioned? I do and it’s zero.

“Zero times was the word British mentioned in a report which repeatedly emphasises diversity.

“The report [doesn’t seem to] recognise the contributions of the British people, the English people, the Christian heritage of this city which candidly is largely what this city was built on.”

He continued: “We’ve got to be full, we’ve got to be fair – that’s what the report said it was going to do.

“I feel there are fundamental parts of Birmingham’s history and heritage that genuinely deserve recognition that aren’t being recognised currently in this report.

“I’d just ask for some real assurance that […] we’re not going to erase the history of this city while we’re trying to do something else.”

Green Party Cllr Julien Pritchard, deputy leader of the council, then challenged “the implication that you’re [Cllr Parkin] alluding to there, that saying that by referencing diverse communities, they’re not British”.

“I think that’s a dangerous line to get into,” he said.

Cllr Parkin later challenged this challenge, saying: “I was certainly not suggesting that by recognising other communities, that is inherently a problem.

“I actually said that we rightly recognise the other communities.

“My concern was around the lack of demonstration of recognition for the British, English, Christian heritage of this city. That is what I didn’t see in the report.”

Cllr Deborah Harries, in response to Cllr Parkin’s comments, argued that the new heritage strategy “represents all of Birmingham”.

“I’m not going to be led down that route really,” she said. “We have reviewed it in different lenses.

“I take your comment and I will look at it with some of that lens but the fact of the matter is, it’s to represent all of the city.”

Referencing a church in Birmingham which has ties to Henry VIII being recognised for its historical value, she continued: “I think it’s a little unfair – these sights and themes are being recognised as they represent Birmingham and all of its history.”

Cllr Robert Alden, Conservative group leader, contributed to the debate by saying children in the city should be taught “to be proud of both Britain and Birmingham and our shared history”.

“I don’t think that should be considered a controversial statement,” he said.

‘Emphasis on local heritage’

Cllr Harries said the new strategy was “not limited” to the most well-known landmarks and buildings in the city.

She said: “It includes the historic streets, parks, waterways, archives, industrial sites and cultural traditions that give every neighbourhood its distinct identity and sense of place.”

“A particular strength of this strategy is its emphasis on local heritage sites,” she continued.

“We know the buildings, places and landmarks that matter most to residents are not always nationally designated.

“This strategy commits us to strengthening and expanding Birmingham’s local heritage list.”