PRE SCHOOL GROUP TO GET NEW HOME.

It is nice to have good news for a change and the news that the pre shool group who were to be evicted from the Emanuel Church Kettlehouse Road. have now been found a new home is excellent.
My fellow Oscott Councillor, Barbara Dring worked tirelessly to find the group a new home and I was glad to lend my support. The Pre group will now be using the Link Church off Lambeth Road from September.The new venue should be very suitable and the group should go from strength to strength.

COUNCIL RECYCLING TAGET NOW 98% THIS YEAR?

BOXES LIKE THESE SHOULD NOW BE LEFT ON YOUR FRONT GARDEN FOR COLLECTION NOT ON THE PAVEMENT


At a recent Perry Barr Constituency meeting we were informed, that the Councils target for door step recycling would be 98% collections by the end of the year.
I hope they meet this target, as in the Oscott Ward they are still some way off and I am making a number of requests for residents in roads where recycling is still not happening as it should.

I am also getting messages from confused residents, who want to know where to put their recycling boxes and black refuge bags for collection. For the record you should put them on the edge of your property and not on the pavement. (If you live in Perry Barr Constituency)
It is also a good idea to write you address on your recycling boxes.

GREENHOLM (KINGSTANDING ROAD) POST OFFICE SET TO CLOSE

It has been announced that the Post Office are set to close the Greenholm Post Office.
This is a very regretful action in my view and I will be doing what I can to get the Post Office to change its mind.
It will be a real uphill battle, but I have already joined forces with Khalid Mahmood Mp, fellow Oscott Councillor, Barbara Dring, other Local residents and the Birmingham Mail to campaign against Post office closures in Oscott.
Many pensioners still rely on the service the Greenholm Post office gives and there is a long way for them to travel to the next Post Office. The Shops near by will also have their Trade effected.
I hope other Councillors will get involved and join our campaign.
If you would like to join the campaign please give me a ring 360 6486

BURFORD ROAD PLAYING FIELDS WHAT NOW?

I was saddened to see in the Great Barr Observer that Building Futures are to vacate the Burford Road Playing Filed and re locate to Cardinal Wiseman School.

While this may be a good move when it comes to youngsters in the Old Oscott Hill area, it is a great shame for those in the Burford Road area. This also includes residents who will now have to put up with the problems of a completely empty field, ie even more anti social behaviour.

Building Futures claim the main reason they are moving is because they can not cope with the large gangs of youths that are using the field in the evening and the problems associated with drug taking. I have asked the Police what action they have been taking to deal with these problems and will be pressing, that now the field is empty, they ensure the site is patrolled regularly.

I have also urgently requested that, the Leisure Services Department, the Education, Department, the Local Police and the PCT get together to see what can be done to utilise this site.

There are very few open spaces in the area and this site should be used to promote fitness and a healthy living, by being used for sport by the community.

I have asked that the Constituency Director and the Council authorities, to look urgently into the funding of activities on this site.

I will keep you posted.

LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS NEED SUPPORT.

I was pleased to be asked to attend a meeting of the joint executive of a number of local residents groups today. They raised a number of local issues with me and I have agreed to help with a number of problems which they put forward.
It is really pleasing to see so many local residents who are willing to give up their time to help improve their local community.
If you would like to know more about various local residents groups in the Oscott Ward give me a ring 369 6486 or contact your local library.

DROP CURBS UPDATE

In the interest of fair play I have to point out since my post complaining about the length of time it has taken for a number of residents to have drop curbs installed, following their paying for the work to be done re post 13th June (and also an article in the Birmingham Mail recently), there seems to have been an improvement in the situation.
Lets hope lessons have now been learnt and the waiting time is kept down to a minimum from now on.

WILL LOCAL POST OFFICES HAVE TO CLOSE?

We should know soon if the Post Office intend to close any of the Post Offices in Oscott.
While I accept there is a need for some Post Office Closures, where they are not used well, I do not think this applies to Oscott.
Resident may rest assured Councillor Dring and myself will keep an eye on this issue and will campaign against any threat of Post Office Closures in the Oscott Ward with local residents.

Big institutions like the Birmingham City Council also need to see sense and return some of the custom they have taken away from the P.O to them.

AGE CONCERN NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS

AGE CONCERN PERRY BARR
7 HASSOP ROAD
PERRY BARR
B42 2SL


I popped in to see a number of elderly residents at the befriending session held in the Emanuel Church Kettlehouse Road, again yesterday.
Although I only intended to say half an hour or so for have a chat I ended up staying for the complete session, engrossed by the splendid entertainment provided by a due called Cherrywood. Their singing, light hearted poetry and humour, proved to me Britain really does have talent.
Well done to Age Concern for putting on such good entertainment for our elderly residents.
Unfortunately I was informed that Age Concern are struggling a little, to carry on with their befriending activities, because they need more volunteers. These sessions take place at 2pm every Thursday. If you can help please give them a ring on 358 0309.

TOP LEVEL VISIT TO SEE OSCOTT CONCRETE ROAD AGAIN

I have been informed that the Cabinet Member for Transportation has made a tour of the roads in Oscott with Concrete carriageways.
I am sure, if when he spoke to local residents, they would have reminded him that when he last visited, just before the local elections in 2006, he was very concerned about the problems they had.
Problems such as, the very poor state of the concrete carriage ways, which need urgent repair and eventual replacement. The problems caused by speeding traffic and the vibrations caused by heavy vehicles and so on.
I hope this time rather than just being concerned about these problems, he can get his department to take action, as Councillor Dring and I have continued to request for some years.
Just in case I will continue to remind his department on behalf of residents.

FLY TIPPING ON THE INCREASE IN BOOTHS LANE

Despite there now being a CCTV camera in the un- adoped section of Booths Lane, fly tipping is on the increase there. It is staggering to think when the Holford Drive Waste disposal site is only minutes away by car, that there are still those who fly tip. Then again in Birmingham we have the free bulky item service, which makes fly tipping even more objectionable.

As you may guess I have already been on to this current Council authority, calling for further and tougher action against these fly tippers. I would also like to see the land owner take more responsibility for his land. Perhaps he to could put up CCTV?
Unfortunately it is the poor old Council tax payer who has to pick up the tab to get this fly tipped rubbish removed and with this in mind, I would urge anyone seeing rubbish being fly tipped, ring 303 9900 and let the Council know.

KINGSTANDING PENSIONER CONVENTION MEETING

PERRY COMMON LIBARY WHERE THE K.P.C MEET
I attended a meeting of the Kingstanding Pensioners Convention today and was pleased to see the K.P.C, really seems to be taking off under the Chairmanship of Ken Smith.
There were a number of interesting issues on the agenda, including a report about a Pensioners Parliament in Blackpool, attended by delegates from the K.P.C. It would appear that a number of Westminster MPs were given a well deserved roasting, when they attended this Parliament.
There are now 11 million pensioners and they need to have their voices heard by politicians from all parties.

Issues of concern at the meeting today also included, the return to the index linked to average earning, pension. This was of great interest to those at the meeting and it was good to see a number of "younger" pensioners seem to be taking up the cudgel for pensioners rights. Many of those present, while welcoming this link being reintroduced in 2012, following the break in the link, by the last Concervative government, would like to see it reintroduced much earlier.

Heating bills were another issue of concern. Age Concern stated they can can help with advice on how to find cheaper options, by changing suppliers for example and this can certainly make a difference! (their number is 358 0309)

A number of those at the meeting also indicated they would like to see more of Khalid Mahmood MP, to discuss important issues with him and he agreed to arrange a meeting with the KPC, when I passed on their message.

The K.P.C meet on the 3rd Monday in the month at Perry Common Libary (11am.)

CATS MATTER TO

Following my post about the Birmingham dogs home,(May 30th) I have had a number of people ask can I promote the welfare of Cats as well!

There are a number of organisations who look after the welfare of cats, for example-

Cats in Care 140 Hawthorn Road Tell 382 0408

The Cats Protection League 429 Vicarage Road, Kingsheath Tel 444 4433

The North Birmingham Cats Protection Tel 377 6302

If you need help or information about cats give them a ring.

ALDRIDGE ROAD RECREATION GROUND LITTER PICK SUCCESS

Over a dozen Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve and local residents, had a successful day litter picking on the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground Saturday.
This litter pick was aimed as a complimentary service, to the week day, Council litter picking which is carried out.
Local residents were delighted, when told the FOQNR organisation have now Incorporated the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground into their sphere of influence and as a result a number of new members have signed up. It is hoped to do a week end litter pick a few times every year.

Every one did have one Message however "Please take your litter home with you "

If you would like more information about the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve (now incorporating the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground) please contact me 360 6484

BE VIGILANT

There is now a group of Travelers encamped on a site in the Perry Barr Constituency. Given the past cost of clearing up after travelers have left sites, I have requested that the relevant Council authorities and the Police monitor the situation. I have also asked they take any appropriate action needed to prevent travelers camping on other open spaces in the area.
Please be vigilant, if you suspect travelers may be trying to enter a site please contact the Police.

There is a much under used official travelers site in CastleBromwich which these travelers should be required to use.

WHY THE WAIT FOR DROP CURBS

Many resident are very angry that despite their having to pay very high prices, to have a drop curb installed, they are having to wait many weeks to have them put in place. As one resident said to me the other day "I feel as if I am paying under false pretence's and I think I am really being ripped off by this Council"

The Council are quick enough to demand full payment for these drop curbs and must be earning interest from the minute a resident pays. They need to be much quicker in getting the contractors to get the job done. I have now spoken to senior Transportation Managers who have assured me they are looking into this problems and hope that things will get better soon. I will continue to monitor this issue.

MORE TIME FOR BOOTHS LANE

A number of residents have been on to me recently' asking when the un-adopted carriage way in Booths Lane is, going to be replaced as promised, as it is in a very poor condition?.

When planning permission was granted for housing development in Booths Lane, it was agreed that as part of it, there would be a new road lay out for Booths Lane. It was certainly one of the main selling points by the developers, to appease local residents. Presumably it will be done soon, to prevent there being egg on the face of the developers and their supporters?.

I certainly understand, how most people never wanted this development, as it is thought to be inappropriate and not needed. I do think however in fairness, they should be given a little more time to replace the carriage way, before people become too critical. Some repair work needs doing urgently right now and I have asked the Transportation department to look into this.

KIDS CAN SWIM FOR FREE

I was speaking to a parent in my ward yesterday when I was asked "what can our kids do during the summer holidays to break up their boredom?".
Well one of the things youngsters can do is, "Swim for free".
Birmingham's youngsters who are under 16 can if they attend a LEA school, now go swimming free of charge in Birmingham.
For more information contact one of the Local Leisure Centres for example Beeches Pool and Fitness Centre, Beeches Road Tel 464 6928 or the Kingstanding Leisure Centre Tel 464 7890

ITS STILL NO TO REPAIRS TO CONCRETE CARRIAGE WAYS IN OSCOTT

COUNCILLOR DRING JOINS ME TO LOOK AT ANOTHER SECTION OF DAMAGED CONCRETE CARRIAGE WAY IN OSCOTT

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I am afraid the Current Council Administrations Transportation have responded to the latest of my many requests for repairs to a number of concrete carriageways in Oscott with a No.

There are still no "specific plans" to repair in a realistic way any of the many concrete Carriageways in Oscott. This is over a year after the Cabinet Member for Street Services announced his concerns about the issue in a letter to residents, following a surprise pre- election visit? to the Oscott ward just before the Local Elections in 2006.

This is, to me an ongoing situation, which I will not let drop and I will continue to call upon the Transportation department to look at developing a strategy to replace or significantly repair some of the worst effected carriageways in the Oscott area.

On a brighter note they have agreed to continue to assess the situation and I will keep you posted with regards to any developments.

NEW PUBLIC TOILETS ARE NEEDED

There are a large number of "elderly residents" in the Oscott area and many of them informed me, as they get older they are more in need of having a public toilet available, when they go out shopping, for example.

There are very few in this area. There is one near the Kingstanding Circle, but none on the Hawthorn Road shopping area. I think its time the Council replaced the one which was on the Kingstanding Road (near the Dyas Road junction) with a new one in the area and I will be asking the Council to consider this again.

OSCOTTS ENVIRONMENTAL WARDEN TO GO?

OSCOTT ENVIRONMENTAL WARDEN DEBI PARSONS AT WORK

It would appear that thanks to a new ill thought out change in Policy by the Current Council Administration, ward based Environmental Wardens may well be going to be moved into teams which travel across the city instead of working in individual wards.

Many residents will know in Oscott the Ward Committee have funded its own ward based Environmental Warden for some years and with her accumulation of local knowledge, she has done an excellent job. This knowledge is now, it would appear going to be wasted. Oscott can only suffer environmentally as a result and this I think it will be a disgrace if this idea goes ahead..

In my view only wards where their Environmental Wardens have not been used correctly have anything to gain by this change in policy, as they will be the ones know doubt, who will have first call on the new arrangements.

I have asked the Councillor who is making the decision Councillor Len Gregory to reconsider his new policy idea.

BURNHAM ROAD POT HOLES FILLED AT LAST

It was good to see that after a number of reminders from Councillor Dring and myself, the Transportation department have finally repaired a number of Pot Holes in Burnham Road. That 1 road down but still many other to go.

HAWTHORN ROAD ROAD SAFETY DISAPOINTMENT

COUNCILLOR DRING AND LOCAL RESIDENT ON HAWTHORN ROAD


It has been over 2 years since Councillor Dring and I presented a petition gathered by local residents,to the Council asking for Road Safety Measures for the Hawthorn Road. At long lat the Current Councils Administrations Transportation department have made a response to this petition. They have rejected residents request for Traffic Calming measures or a speed camera for the Hawthorn Road. They have indicated that in the last 3 years there have been 17 reported road accidents on the Hawthorn Road including 3 serious ones. Some of these accidents have not been caused by speeding.
This is very disappointing! however the Transportation department have now agreed to Councillor Dring and my request to continue monitoring the situation and they have called for any accidents in the future to be reported to them.

TAXI RANKS TO GO

It has finally been agreed that there will be a reduction in the amount of Taxi ranks in Kettlehouse Road (near the HSB).
This has been an ongoing bone of contention with a number of local residents for and my self for years. There will be a reduction from 3 Taxi Spaces to 1. This will mean extra parking spaces for shoppers and should reduce the amount of times vehicles cross the pavement to get to the HSB Cash point. The Taxi rank in question has rarely been used by taxis for years.
The Council have informed me this will happen later this year.