ENVIRONMENTAL WARDENS WITH LOCAL KNOWLEDGE SHOULD BE SAVED

The way some Environmental Wardens are used in Birmingham is now under threat, due to ill conceived ideas from the Council Administration.
Environmental Wardens like the one we have in Oscott, may be teamed up with others across the city to work as a team. These teams would travel to parts of the city where there are particular problems and blitz that area.
This is all very good but wards like Oscott, where we have probably the best warden! in the city for some years, will miss out. This is because her local knowledge and day to day hands on approach will disappear for much of the time. The area will get dirty as a result.

The only wards where the "Pan Birmingham" approach will be an advantage, is in my view, is where there is a poor history of Local Councillors, the Community and their wardens working closely together. This situation has occurred for a number of reasons, such as, poor or lazy Councillors and wardens not working together correctly, or in some cases, lack of strategic thought on how to use Environmental Wardens. I am sure in these areas the idea of the "Pan Birmingham" approach will be popular.
It also interesting to note where some wards in the past, have had the funding for more than one warden, they have not always been as successful as in Oscott, where we could only afford one. Why should a ward with a good track record like Oscott have to suffer to bring other parts of the up to standard? The Council is now consulting on their proposals lets hope they see the light and abandon them!

SLOW BUT SURE CLEAN UP IN BIRKENSHAW ROAD

I was pleased how well the clean up well in the access way between Birkenshaw Road and Birdbrook Road has gone. It is now looking (see picture above) how it should always be, clean, tidy and with the weeds removed from its edge.

It is always good to see one of your requests being carried out and lets hope the access way is kept clean in the future. I would not be surprised if it appeared on someone elses leaflets in the near future!

SPEED INDICATOR SIGNS NEEDED IN OSCOTT

Many residents will have noticed that recently the Transportation department, had speed indicator signs put in place on the Aldridge Road near the Wicks store, Perry Barr . While this was a worth while thing to do from a road safety point of view, why can they not do the same to some of the roads in Oscott.

The Kingstanding Road springs to mind for a start. On this road you have different speed limits and the stretch between the College Road and Hawthorn Road is one where speed indicators should be considered.

There is also the Queslett Road and even further up the Aldridge Road between the College Road and the Drakes Drum Public House. I will be calling on the Birmingham City Transportation department to consider these an other locations in the Oscott area.

SOMETHING ABOUT BUS SHELTERS

I am often asked by fellow bus users and local residents "what happens to the old and some times not so old bus shelters which are being replaced in the Oscott area."
Well despite what some may think , many of these bus shelter are recycled. That is to say they are taken away, cleaned up, resprayed and used in other areas of the West Midlands where they are still needed. So as you can see they are not all thrown away as waste scrap metal!.
Another question I am some times asked is "why do they keep putting in glass and not the plastic style windows."
The main reason for this is because the plastic windows are 5 times as expensive as the glass windows. There is usually an estimate on how many times the windows are broken and that is how they decide, which type of bus shelter window to put in.

If you have any similar questions about bus shelters please give me a ring -360 6486

NEW TREES NEEDED IN OSCOTT

Due to vandalism, decease and the need for drop curbs there have been a number of trees removed from the streets in Oscott recently. As a result some of our streets look bare of trees and they need to be replaced. The problem is there are only 150 new trees allotted to the whole of the Perry Barr Constituency every year and there is a waiting list for replacement trees.

It is sad that where trees are too large and need replacing, this is often not done and it is often the smaller type of tree which is prone to decease that have to be taken out. The smaller type of tree are often far more popular than the large forest type tree. There needs to be a replacement program for the larger type of tree.

I understand the Council do try and replace trees which are taken out when possible, but it seems to me the numbers of trees being replaced for what ever reason is growing.

BAT WALK AUGUST 1st

There will be an opportunity to discover more about bats, on Friday August 1st, when the next Bat walk takes place at the Queslett Nature Reserve.
Members of the public are welcome to come along and join with the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve to learn more about bats.
The Birmingham City Council's Bio Diversity Officer will be on hand, with bat detecting equipment, to tell us all about bats and how they live.
There will also be an oppotunity to speak to the cities leading wild life expert, about other wild life on the reserve.
The walk will start at 9pm, from the Ashworth Road entrance to the Queslett Nature Reserve.
It is advisable to wear a good pair of shoes, come prepared for the weather and to bring a torch.
Children are welcome but must be supervised by an adult.

For more information ring me on 360 6486

SKATE BOARD FACILITY FOR OSCOTT

It was announced at last nights Oscott Ward Committee, that funding had been found for a Skate Board facility, for the youngsters in Oscott.

Councillor Barbara Dring who has worked hard to find this funding and is a member of the 610 Community Centre Committee, explained the funding is of a Capital nature and a site which can maintain a Skate Board facities ongoing costs is needed. The 610 Community Centre is one of the sites being looked at and residents would be fully consulted over the project.

However residents were concerned about the behaviour of youths on the 610 site after hours and that the Skate Board site could make this worse.

I have called for the Police, staff at the 610 Centre and the 610 Committee to fully review security measures on the 610 site regardless of whether a the Skate Board facility is put there or not. Funding is also needed for this in my view!

Other locations are being looked at and if you have any suggestions please let me know.

NEW CHAIR FOR THE OSCOTT WARD COMMITTEE

Last night at the Oscott Ward Committee Councillor Barbara Dring was elected as the new Chair of the Oscott Ward Committee.
Much to his surprise, Councillor Green was offered nominations to represent the Oscott Ward, on the 610 and Old Oscott Community Centres committees. I am sure the Conservatives would not have done the same, if the shoe had been on the other foot and they had had the majority on the Ward Committee? (they certainly do not when they have control in other situations?)
I believe however we Councillors should work together for the good of the community.

Some of the items which came up at the committee, were issues like the concrete roads in Oscott, problems with the Booths Lane and the Nova Court Junction. Unfortunately as is becoming apparent, the Transportation department has so little interest in Oscott they could not find anyone to attend the meeting!

Centro however did send a speaker and a range of issues were discussed concerning public Transport. The infamous 376 and 655 bus route problems had an airing and the Centro representative left the meeting, with no doubt about how upsett residents were regarding what the Private bus companies had done about these routes.

Other issues discussed were the Community Chest funding which was agreed(see previous post 9th July) and consultation regarding a Skate Board facility (see next post)

SCHOOL CROSSING PATROLS

OLD OSCOTT HILL NEAR MARYVALE SCHOOL JUST ONE OF THE PLACES WHERE A NEW SCHOOL CROSSING PATROL AND A 20MPH ZONE WOULD BE WELCOMED.


Due to the pressure from the Council Administration, the Perry Barr Constituency Committee (Councillors from all parties) have reluctantly had to agree to a number of funding cuts forced on them to balance the books. (The technical term for these are efficiency savings.)
As part of a series of proposed cuts, the Constituency Committee have had to agree on, was not to fill vacant School Crossing Patrol vacancies in every instant.
It is hoped where there are currently School Crossing Patrols these will stay in place, but replacing a Lolly Pop Person, who has left or is about to leave. will be much more difficult. I hope this situation will be regularly reviewed and have called on the powers that be, to ensure it is.
This is one decision we need to reverse ans soon as we are able to do so.

I also hope that my campaign to get the Council to introduce 20mph zones near Schools in Oscott will also be heeded, as this would help the situation with regards to the safety of children when they are near their schools.

BOOTHS LANE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN

The condition of the carriage way on the un- adopted stretch of Booths Lane is simply a disgrace.

The amount of pot holes in this carriage way mean an accident is just waiting to happen.

I would have thought, that as the developer had won his argument and got his planning permission, to develope the site along side the un- adopted part of Booths Lane, he would have ensured the carriage way was made safe. This has still not happened and he needs to take action as soon as possible.

LESS PASSANGERS AND POORER SATISFACTION RATE

Having just read the latest Key Strategic indicators regarding bus use, I was not surprised to note that the amount of bus patronage has dropped again last year. I was also not exactly surprised to see the satisfaction level of those still using buses has also dropped, a full 5% from last year. It now indicates only 65% of passengers are satisfied with local bus services.
There will be no doubt, consultants employed, meetings held and new strategic "visions" seen, regarding how to improve the situation.
With any luck the powers that be, may even realise that reducing the amount of bus routes, disfranchising the elderly and children on less profitable routes and pumping money into already profitable routes may not be the answer.
Perhaps they may also recognise that taking off or drastically reducing the frequency of bus routes that pensioners and children really does matter.

376 BUS ROUTE NOT FORGOTTEN BY SOME

Strange that now the Local Elections are long over with, the issue of the 376 bus route has gone off the agenda for some?. I have not forgot the issue however and I will continue to press the bus companies and Centro to improve this service for the elderly residents in Oscott.

BURFORD ROAD TO GET POLICE TASKING GROUP SITE VISIT

Having spoken to members of the local Police Tasking Group ( This is where residents groups members, Council Officers and the Police meet to discus tactics to try and solve crime and anti social behavior in the area) I was informed that they are to pay a visit to the Burford Road Playing field at last, next Monday. I think this may be a useful way for them to see the problems there, for themselves.
Although I am unable to attend myself, I have briefed the Police on a number of issues they should be aware of. These I have picked up, from my visits to the site and from talking to local residents. Hopefully this may be a way of helping to resolve the problems residents face.

KINGSLAND SCHOOL SPORTS DAY

Councillor Barbara Dring and myself spent an enjoyable hour or so at the Kingsland J&I School sports Day 17th July. The event took place at the Cooksey Lane Playing Field and it was good to see so many Children , Parents and Teachers enjoying themselves.

GOOD NEWS FOR PERRY COMMON LIBRARY?

I have just heard that urgently needed repairs to the Perry Common Library might, all being well? start in November. I know this will particularly please my colleague Councillor Barbara Dring, who has also worked very hard on this issue with Council Officers.

This news comes on top of the announcement that the Oscott Ward are, to give 13K from the Community Chest, to help pay for modernisation of the interior of the library.

Lets all hope all goes well with the repairs and this first class library is put back to the standard it should be in.

AGE CONCERN PERRY BARR AGM

I managed to get along to the Age Concern Perry Barr,AGM this week.

It appears that at a national level Age Concern and Help the Aged may well be about to merge. I have been assured they this should not effect what happens locally at the sharp end.

However what is more of a concern is, the Current Council Administration has, put out a number of the services currently provided by Age Concern to tender.

This is part of a pilot scheme thought up by the current Council Administration. Lets hope Age Concern Perry Barr, do well in the tendering process, as it would be tragic for local elderly residents if all their good work was wasted. Age Concern Pery Barr certainly have my support for what it is worth.

FUNDING GIVEN FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY PROJECTS

JUST SOME OF THE THINGS FUNDING HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR

At today's Oscott Ward Advisory Board meeting (this comprises of the 3 Oscott Councillors, Local Residents Groups Reps and other agencies), the following bids were amongst those recommended to go forward to the Oscott Ward Committee for ratification.

19. 522 Over 2 years to help modernise the Perry Common Library

3.000 For the Tree Hurst Community Centre for provide activities for youngsters

6.000 For promoting Benefit take up for the over 60ies

1,500 Towards a Police scheme involving children and horse riding in the holidays.

1.000 The Sundridge Summer Shcool Scheme

2.900 Home start Kingtanding to help vulnerable families.

3.000 Hawthorn Road Christmas lights.

500 Kingsland School Sports day.

5.000 All stars Play Group set up costs

8.600 Base KS to help youngsters in the area.

25,500 Bandywood Project. Helping families in the area.

800 North Oscott Forum, a trip to the Black Country museum

500 Schools Environmental project.

15.000 Oscott Environmental Warden

500 Deers Leap Bowling club.

1.000 For Dyxlexia support

10.000 For youth activities is Oscott

1.600 shared between various community groups for their development. This included, the Oscott Residents Association, The Oscott Elderly Residents Group. The Kingstanding Pensioners Convention, The Oscott Disabilities Group, The Kingstanding Neighbourhood Police Initiative. The Oscott Neighbourhood Watch and the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve.

The Oscott Ward like others had major changes made to it funding abilities this year. We have only been allows 100K to spend we could have done so much more if funding had been available.

As you can see however this year a lot of the available funding has been given to helping our youngsters find things to do, let hope this will make a difference.

If you would like more details please ring me on 360 6486

NEW GROUP TO REPRESENT THE ELDERLY IN PERRY BARR

A new group (the Perry Barr Senior Citizens Forum) has be set up to represent the older citizens in the Perry Barr Constituency.
The meeting to elect a committee, took place on Saturday4th July. During the meeting Councillor Sue Anderson (Cabinet member) Councillor Mamood Hussain (Perry Barry Constituency Chair) Khalid Mamood MP and myself were all present, for a least part of the meeting.
The Forum will be able to send representatives to the Constituency Strategic Partnership, PCT meetings, GP practices and to the Adults and Communities department. This is where they can ensure the concerns of elderly residents in the Perry Barr Constituency can be heard.

All ward in the Perry Barr Constituency are represented and if you would like to get involved there are still places on the committee. Please ring 464 1869 for details.


O.E.R.G
If you are a pensioner who lives in Oscott and you would like to meet for a chat over a cup of tea and a biscuit with other elderly residents in the area, don't forget the Oscott Elderly Residents Group meet every Saturday morning !0.30 at the 610 Community Centre.

POST OFFICE CAMPAIGN GOES ON

The reaction to the save Greenholm Post office campaign has been overwhelming.

Councillor Barbara Dring and myself have received letters and cards galore from residents who are extremely anxious, regarding the future of the Greenholm Post Office, Kingstanding Road.

It is also very pleasing, that residents understand that Barbara and I are trying to steer clear of the petty politics which could surround this issue and are doing what we can to get the Post Office to re consider this closure.

We in fact would welcome Councillors from other parties getting involved and hopefully putting politics aside for a while on behalf of residents. If they can, it would be far more effective.

It is also time people realised how much money the government have put into the Post Office over the years and it is the Post Office who should show a Social responsibility. They need to consider, the effect their proposed closure of this Post Office, could have on the large amount of elderly residents in this area.

While some Post offices are genuinely in decline and may be not sustainable? it is certainly the case, that the one near Greenholm Road is not one of these. They have in fact improved there services to the elderly and deserve all our support.

It is also important that the Birmingham City Council and other large institutions do their bit to help the Post Office and return some of their custom to the Post office, much of which has been given to other companies.

SCHOOL FETE SEASON UNDERWAY

This is the time of year School Fete's abound but the problem is many of them are on the same day.

.Despite other commitments I managed to get to the Perry Beeches School fete. It was very well attended and was very lively, with numerous events taking place. There was a lot of support from various agencies and community groups. Khalid Mahmood MP was also a welcomed visitor.

The music events were particularly good this year and the display of vintage cars was excellent.

However as ever I managed not to win a thing on any of the lucky dips/raffles I had a go on, but I live in hope.

20MPH ZONES FOR OSCOTT SCHOOLS IS NEEDED

OUTSIDE SUNDRIDGE ROAD SCHOOL, JUST ONE OF THE ROADS WHERE A 20MPH ZONE COULD BE CONSIDERED.

I have called upon the Councils Transportation department to consider introducing 20MPH Zones around Oscott Schools. This would increase the safety of our children on the roads where they are most at risk and a study into the implications of these zones is long overdue.
I am awaiting the Councils response.

MORE DOOR STEP RECYCLING AT LAST FOR SOME

SANDWOOD DRIVE ONE OF THE ROADS PROMISED DOOR STEP RECYCLING BY THE END OF JULY.



Following weeks of haggling with the Birmingham City Council they have finally (it was to be June) agreed that Corbridge Avenue, Rodlington Avenue and Sandwood Drive, are to receive full door step recycling by the end of July.
While I welcome this commitment as a step in the right direction, you have to wonder how long it will take for all the streets in the City to have this service. As you might guess, I will keep monitoring the situation and expect to read about it in one of my opponents leaflets. No doubt they will claim the credit as usual?