MARY VALE PROJECT Q AND A SESSION

As requested I popped into to the Mary Vale Centre today to meet with the Mary Vale Project members, to do a little talk and Q and A session.
I was really pleased to see about 50 people were there and that at least half asked me a question.
It is wonderful to see the elderly residents in the Oscott area being looked after and enjoying them selves. I hope to be asked again at some point.

KINGSTANDING ROAD BUS STOP ALTERATION CONSULATION TO TAKE PLACE

As you may be aware from previous posts I have insisted that resident living on the Kingstanding Road near where proposed bus stop alterations are to take place are consulted about any proposed changes.
The Department have as a result set up a consultation at the Dulwich Road Leisure Centre 6.30pm onwards. on July 6th.

HEATWAVE ALERT

We do not get much hot weather in this country and when we do it often takes us by surprise.
Please note the advice given below and rember to kep an eye on any vulnerable people you know.


Heatwave Alert Issued
The Met Office, in conjunction with the Department of Health, has issued a 'Level 2 - Heatwave Alert'. This is based on there being a 60% probability that the threshold maximum temperature (30°C) and minimum night-time temperature (15°C) will be reached on at least 2 consecutive days and the intervening night.

Heatwave Advice
Heatwaves can be dangerous, especially for the very young, very old or those with chronic diseases.
You are advised to:
Stay out of the sun
Keep your home as cool as possible -shutting windows during the day may help
Open your windows when it is cooler at night
Keep drinking fluids
If there is anyone you know, for example an older person living on their own, who may be at special risk, make sure that they know what to do
For more heatwave advice, visit: Emergency Planning Heatwave Advice
People worried about their health during the heatwave are advised to talk to their GP or pharmacist, call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit the website www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk for more details.

LITTER PICK ON THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

The next litter pick of the Queslett Nature Reserve will take place on the 11th July at 11am.The meeting place will be the Ashgrove entrance. We will supply litter pickers, black bags and gloves.Many of the reserves users have told us they think the reserve is a lot cleaner and we want to keep it that way. Children are welcome under the supervision of an adult.

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

DANGEROUS JUNCTION HAS NEW PROBLEM

If the half island at the junction of Oscott School Lane and Old Oscott Lane/ Birdbrook Road, was not bad enough with a number of accidents happening there already, now the trees on it are really becoming a menace as they are obscuring the vision of motorists.
I have been in touch with the Tree section and will continue to press them to "uplift" the lower branches of the offending tree. If they do not do it soon there could well be another accident.

DATES WITH RESIDENTS IN OSCOTT

MILNES WAKER COURT

I have been asked to do a Question and answer session at the Mary Vale Centre on Tuesday the 30th of June and as ever I am delighted to go along.
I have a love hate relationship with these sorts of events. I love meeting the residents answing the questions, but hate the fact that they often catch me out.
I am also doing a roving Councillor surgery at the Milnes Walker Court this Friday morning.
Finally both Councillor Dring and I will be doing street walk abouts on Friday afternoon.

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

MORE THINGS TO DO FOR OSCOTT YOUNGSTERS.

At the recent Oscott Ward Committee it was decided that the 3 oscott Concillors agreed with the recommendations of the Oscott Ward Advisory Board and would give 2K of the Oscott Community funding to the Mary Vale Youth project.
The Mary Vale Youth Club based at the Mary Vale Centre now have an excellent track record in finding Oscott youngsters things to do. They have held football competitions and rides in the park events for example recently.
Those wanting to know more about this project can give me a ring on 360 6486.

COUNCIL REJECT RESIDENTS PLEAS YET AGAIN

Residents in Crestwood Drive and Wideacre Drive will be disappointed to know that the Transportation department do not feel the carriage way in their roads. merit any work being carried out on them. Yet again this administration has proved its lack of commitment for the Oscott area.
Residents and myself have put in a number of requests over the years to have these roads resurfaced but the Transportation depart despite these road clearly being in a poor state of repair refuse to take action apart from filling in the odd pot hole.

ISOLATED OUT BREAKE OF SWINE FLU AT GREAT BARR J& I SCHOOL

There appears to be what is an isolated out break of Swine Flu at the Great Barr Junior and Infant School. I have been assured there is only one case with only minor systems.
The school authorities have reacted wisely and followed all the guide lines laid gown They have certainly note overreacted in any way. As you would expect all those concerned have done a good job.

QUESLETT ROAD SPEED CAMERAS ARE NOW WORKING.

At long last the Police have activated the speed cameras on the Queslett Road ( between the Old Horns Island and the Scot Arms junction). They were put in place some months ago but they are now working and able to catch speeding motorists. Hopefully this will mean the Queslett Road will be safer in the future.

MY ROLE ON THE INTERGRATED TRANSPORT AUTHORITY.

I am a member of the Integrated Transport Authority (formally WMPTE) which basically oversees the operation of the WestMidland Public Transport system working with Centro.
The Councillors on this committee represent the various district like Birmingham and Coventry and so on. We are paid an allowance by the joint board. (THESE ARE PUBLISHED ON THE INTERNET)
As part of my duties on this committee I attend meetings of the full committee, the Business Improvement Committee and the Standards Committee. I am also my groups lead member shadowing communications.
As a Labour Group member I also attend pre authority group meetings. There are also a number of meetings to do with training and fact finding. Finally I meet with officers for updates on the communication portfolio and attend Birmingham Transportation users Forums.
However putting all this aside I most enjoy going round looking at issues across the WestMidland conurbation regarding public Transport.
If you have any issues related to Public Transport, Bus, Rail or Metro please contact me. 360 6486 and I will try and help.

IMPROVED RECYLING FOR THE OSCOTT AREA

At long last the Birmingham City Council are to operate a full door to door Recycling scheme in Sandwood Drive and Rodington Avenue. After months of delay a new vehicle has been purchased which means both of these roads can have there paper, plastic bottles and green waste collected.
On the same subject many resident on the Bandywood estate are to be sent a letter reminding them of the benefits of recycling. There has been a disappointing amount of recycling taking place on the estate and something needs to be done to improve it.
A lot of resident do not use the service and others have lost there recycle boxes. These boxes can be replaced.
If I can help with this please give me a ring 360 6486.

BURNHAM ROAD AND BIRDBROOK ROAD TO BE CONSIDERED FOR CARRIAGE WAY RESURFACING

Both Birdbrook Road (Dyas Road to Aldridge Road) and Burnham Road are being Considered for this years Road surfacing program. This does not mean that it will be done (that is to easy for this Council!) but it does mean the Transportation department recognise these road do meet the criteria for having resurface work done. This is the first step.
I am sure the many residents in these roads and those vehicle owners who use them will be pleased to hear this news as both roads are in a very poor state. I certainly think it is a step in the right direction as I have been working with local residents groups trying to get the Council to do something, for some time.
Foot note you will probably read about this in my opponents leaflets nearer the elections but you read it hear first as usual.

GIVE THE RED LETTERS THE RED CARD

I have now had a number of elderly residents who have received red letters from the Council Tax Office despite they and my self requesting new or replacement payment cards in order for them to pay their Council Tax.
This state of affairs is both wasteful by the Council Tax officer and very distressing to residents.
The Council Tax Office need to get their act together.