Resident Steering Group | Who Really Speaks for Ladywood

Ladywood Unite understands that the council’s Ladywood Residents Steering Group has met twice. No announcement has been made about who is on it yet. It was described as a platform for residents to shape decisions about our community’s future. But many of us have begun to ask: who is on the group, who actually chose this group — and who gets left out?

Selection, not election

The steering group was selected, not elected. Members were chosen through an internal process rather than a public vote about who we wanted to represent us. Residents weren’t invited elect their representatives. That means decisions affecting our homes and neighbourhoods are being made by people we didn’t choose. This is different to other regenerations including those led by Berkeley Group in Woodberry Down, where residents got to vote. We are being treated less well than residents in other regenerations.

Questionable criteria and silence

The selection process appears to have been fundamentally unjust and discriminatory. Evidence indicates that certain demographic factors, potentially relating to protected characteristics, were used to determine eligibility for participation. While the aims of promoting diversity and inclusion are commendable, employing protected characteristics as filters for selection undermines these very principles and results in the unfair exclusion of community members. Participants at the TPAS in-person meeting were explicitly informed that protected characteristics would neither be requested nor used as part of the selection process. However, the available evidence strongly suggests otherwise. This discrepancy raises serious concerns regarding transparency, accountability, and compliance with equality legislation.

Adding to this, at least four residents say they applied to join the steering group but did not receive further communication about the selection processes. This should be rectified so they can re-apply and be elected.

Non-resident voices

Several non-residents hold seats on the resident steering group. A body claiming to speak for residents should, first and foremost, be made up of residents. But there is no fully resident group – despite the fact there is a fully stakeholder group. We also have no idea if the steering group members have any conflicts of interest, such as receiving funding or other investments from the council or developer.

The structure of the Steering Group, including the breakdown of how many residents should sit on it, the inclusion of non-residents, and the remit of its work, was defined by Birmingham City Council, raising concerns it is designed for the council – not for residents.

What we’re asking for:

•⁠  ⁠An immediate move toward open elections for resident seats.

•⁠  ⁠Assurance that all residents — regardless of age, background, or identity — have an equal right to participate.

•⁠  ⁠An investigation into residents who applied but did not hear back.

•⁠  ⁠Publication of conflicts of interest of all steering group members.

•⁠  ⁠A commitment that residents will determine the remit and terms of reference of the Steering Group’s work

•⁠  ⁠A commitment that the independent advisory organisation will provide a supportive rather than directive role

Representation without accountability is not representation at all. Ladywood deserves a process that’s democratic, transparent, and genuinely resident-focus-led.