Dear Birmingham

As we begin the New Year, I would like to wish everyone across our city a happy, healthy and prosperous 2024.

I also want to promise you all - residents, communities, businesses and partners - that I will do everything in my power over the next 12 months to address Birmingham City Council's major challenges and deliver the services and support that you all deserve.

We all know that 2023 was a tough year for the Council and the wider city, and I'm truly sorry for that. But I vowed when I became leader in May that I would be upfront and honest about the challenges we face, and I will do what it takes to transform your council for the better.

Work is well underway to ensure that we return to good financial health, and while I can't pretend that the New Year won't be hard, my team and I will do everything possible to get us firmly back on track.

In the short term, we face some very painful moments, but Birmingham still has a bright future, and we will continue to attract investment to create job and opportunities. We will continue to tackle climate change and air pollution. And we will still work with investors and developers to provide the quality homes needed for a growing city.

I was born in Birmingham, and I've lived here for 50 years. I love this city and I'm determined to work with our many brilliant partners to ensure that we bounce back from a very difficult 2023.

I promise I will work around the clock to lead the recovery and I want to thank every community group, every business, every volunteer and every single person who is joining us on this vital journey.

Happy New Year

John Cotton

This blog was posted on 2 January 2024.