Sutton Coldfield Suffocated by City Council
“Free Sutton Coldfield: Birmingham’s Cash Cow, Held Back by Spite?
Sutton Coldfield, the ‘Royal Town’ of Birmingham, is a beautiful, affluent suburb brimming with history, community spirit, and a strong sense of identity. This is mostly down to the people living here who are overall hard-working tax paying citizens. Despite its contributions, it often feels like a neglected stepchild of Birmingham City Council—expected to bankroll the broken city while receiving far less in return. Our Policy at REFORM UK is to win back the Town and bring it under the control of Sutton Coldfield completely.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Sutton Coldfield residents pay some of the highest council taxes in the region yet see disproportionately little investment in local services. Whether it's road maintenance, public amenities, or investment in local businesses, the Royal Town seems to be at the bottom of the priority list.
Year after year, Birmingham City Council drains money from Sutton Coldfield’s taxpayers but gives back little in the way of infrastructure improvements, community projects, or even basic maintenance. It’s a one-way financial relationship, and not in Sutton’s favour.
A History of Underspending
Look around Sutton Coldfield, and you’ll see evidence of this disparity. Potholes, uncollected bins, graffiti, Sutton Park—the town’s crown jewel—lacks the funding for proper upkeep, and community facilities are underfunded compared to other parts of Birmingham.
Meanwhile, other areas of the city receive substantial investment and contribute less. Of course, Birmingham deserves investment, but why does Sutton Coldfield keep getting the short end of the stick despite paying more into the system per capita? We would like a FULL and TRANSPARENT audit on Brimingham City Council Finances which we would share with the people of the City to show the waste. Right now almost a quarter of your council tax goes into propping up Council pensions.
A Council with a Grudge?
It sometimes feels like Birmingham City Council holds a grudge against Sutton Coldfield. The town overwhelmingly voted to have its own town council in 2016, sending a clear message that it wanted more local control. While this gave Sutton some autonomy, it created a paper tiger, its was a fake appeasement, it didn’t sever the financial ties that keep millions flowing into Birmingham’s central budget—with little coming back.
Is it political payback? Is Sutton Coldfield being punished for wanting independence? Is there evey at the heart of city councillors and workers from other parts of the city? It wouldn’t be the first time a local authority has been accused of prioritising areas based on political leanings rather than need.
What Needs to Change?
The people of Sutton Coldfield deserve better. If the Royal Town is going to continue propping up Birmingham’s finances, it’s only fair that it sees a proportional return on that investment.
Control of Commercial: Setting of residential rates & business rates by Sutton Coldfield,
Local Spending Control: The town council should have power over the money it generates.
Planning: Sutton Coldfield Councillors and people should decide on any further planning and development
Sutton Coldfield continues to be treated as a financial resource rather than a valued part of the city, the Royal Town and its people have had enough.
What Do You Think?
Are you a Sutton Coldfield resident feeling short-changed? Have you noticed the lack of investment in your area? You think Birmingham City Council and the rest of the City is falling apart Let’s hear your thoughts—drop us an email
It is our commitment at REFORM UK to try and win ALL seats in Sutton Coldfield Town Council and take the control of Sutton Town Council back for the people of Sutton Coldfielde