HomeMessage from the Leader
Message from the Cabinet Member -
Local Services
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Message from theChief Executive
Message from the
Strategic Director -
Local Services
Structure of the
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Summary of the
City's Main Priorities
Principal
Conditions of Service
Birmingham Tomorrow
and Europe’s largest public library’
There are 3 Universities - Birmingham, Aston and the University of Central England - and over 450 schools in the City.
Birmingham’s Central Library is the City’s busiest building and Europe’s largest public library, lending 8 million books each year.
Birmingham is home to many past and present rock bands, including Ocean Colour Scene, Duran Duran, ELO, Dodgy, UB40 and Black Sabbath. Soul singer Ruby Turner hails from the City and made her debut at the Crescent Theatre. The City boasts a vibrant nightlife, centred around the boulevard-style Broad Street.
There are four first class theatres in the City, and innumerable cinemas. (Incidentally the first of
the Odeon chain of cinemas opened in the City in 1930). Other attractions include the National
Indoor Arena, a huge covered space where sporting events, massive theatrical productions,
concerts and shows are held -and where TV’s ‘Gladiators’ was filmed - and the National Sea Life
Centre. It’s difficult to get further away from the sea than Birmingham!
The Art Gallery houses one of the finest collections of pre-Raphaelite paintings in the world. A few hundred yards away, the Ikon Gallery caters for more modern tastes in Art, whilst the Thinktank at the recently opened Millennium Point is a fascinating source of ‘hands on’ learning for young and old alike.
Birmingham is a great place for sport - home to two famous football clubs (Aston Villa and
Birmingham City), a top basketball team (the Bullets), a leading County Cricket side
(Warwickshire, based at Edgbaston, where Test Matches are also held each summer) - and one
of the most renowned and longest-established athletics clubs, Birchfield Harriers, where Olympic
champion Denise Lewis is a member.
Birmingham’s International Partner Cities include Chicago (USA), Frankfurt (Germany), Johannesburg (South Africa), Leipzig (Germany), Lyon (France) and Milan (Italy).
There are 30 other Birminghams around the world and one crater on the moon called Birmingham. Our City was named before any of the others.
