These are the views of Ladywood Unite (LU) representatives who attended the meeting on 7 March 2024. We have been told we will receive BCC’s own minutes.
- Collette McCann has now taken over the Ladywood Regeneration instead of David Stevenson
- LU provides articles on Berkeley scandals to show how unethical they are
- LU is clear that we want this stopped in its current form
- LU rep gives a personal story about how he witnessed his house being built brick by brick and will not give that up
- LU mentions that LU asked the developers if THEY would be satisfied with shared equity – to which they responded no
- LU makes point that survey is absolutely appalling and cannot be used and must be stopped
- LU brings up local residents complaints regarding problems in flats
- LU reps all expand on the point that Ladywood is a brilliant community and is NOT the most deprived area like everyone makes it out to be. LU rep says why not focus on actual deprived areas instead of us?
- LU says they reported to the ICO that our freedom of information requests were not responded to and that either the masterplan is being hidden or the council documents referring to a masterplan are incorrect and require updating
- LU brings up BCC staff lies during the workshops regarding staff involvement with the regeneration – and how this staff member hasn’t been in touch since LU last saw this staff member, despite their promises to be in contact
- LU emphasises that we need a pledge from BCC that they can uphold the values in the BCC “Powered by People” document
- BCC mentions that the charter is an ever-changing document and will not be the be all and end all
- Q: Will the charter have legal standing? – LU
- A: I don’t know, it’s essentially a blueprint. – BCC
- Q: Is the developer in contract? – LU
- A: No they are not. – BCC
- Q: Is the red line fixed? – LU
- A: Red line is decided but what will happen inside is not decided yet. – BCC
- Q: Do you think there is much chance in stopping the regeneration? – LU
- A: (not verbatim) No, but we can help decide together what happens during it. – BCC
- Q: If we go with people deciding what is knocked down – doesn’t that mean there will be a ton of people who aren’t of a particular faith deciding if the churches get to stay? – LU
- A: Regardless of faith, most people want them up anyway. – BCC
- Response from LU: It should not be down to a popular vote.
- Response from BCC: What’s important to me is that everyone views are heard.
- Q: Your document (charter) won’t have an offer of shared equity? – LU
- A: We are still unsure of all the options available. – BCC
- BCC – the charter will not make a distinction between people living on council vs non-council land.
- LU says council should stop telling lies about building new schools because they do not have the authority to do so, only the DoE does.
- There is an indicative masterplan but not one that has yet been widely agreed, the council documents state it will be available once developer is in contract- (we think this is what BCC said)
- Q: Why are Berkeley not contracted yet? – LU
- A: Not able/allowed to answer. – BCC
- Q: Is there anything we can do to get Berkeley out of this as a developer? – LU
- A: This is incredibly conflicting for us and not something either of us can speak on. – BCC
- BCC states they will provide minutes and take time to answer the list of questions provided by LU (no timeframe given)
- Q: Is there a point producing a plan as a neighbourhood forum or will it be overridden by BCC? – LU
- A: No real response from BCC. It was also towards the end of the meeting so not much time to answer.
Ladywood Unite 
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