Rogue landlord crackdown plan

THE Labour manifesto also contains pledges to increase regulation and enforcement of private landlords to raise standards across the housing market.

And after years of privatising council services with mixed and often expensive results the Labour council will offer in house staff and services preferred bidder status when new contracts are up for grabs.

The Labour leadership has already reduced its Service Birmingham IT deal with Capita and taken staff back in house to save £43 million over three years.

There is a pledge to finally create a council owned energy company, which has been discussed for several years now, and a water supply company.

It promises to ensure communities benefit from major investments like HS2 and the Commonwealth Games through training, business and job opportunities as well as new facilities and housing.

This includes a new skills fund to help small businesses invest in trading and apprenticeships.

On bins the Labour leadership has already pledged, under pressure from the opposition, to retain weekly collections for four years as well as deliver long awaited improvements in recycling.

There is a promise to work with others, such as the NHS and community groups, to tackle isolation and loneliness.

And a pledge that the Commonwealth Games will not impact on council services and will leave a legacy of facilities, sport and homes for people across Birmingham.

But apart from a broad promise to create a greener and cleaner city there is no detail on plans to cut air pollution in the city centre.