GREEN BAGS LEFT UNCOLLECTED IN OSCOTT

I have received a large number of complaints about green waste recycling sacks not being collected. These bags are on many of the roads side verges in Oscott and in some roads like Dyas Road bags have been split and their contents are all over the road. I am pressing the Council authorities to remedy the situation and just hope it does not turn into another fiasco like that we had with black bag and recycling box collections over the festive period earlier this year. The Council needs to sort this out and fast.

Motorised Diability Scooters (fold up) for loan

The Oscott residents Disability Group are now offering to lend out for a small charge fold up type disability scooters. The scooters can be placed in a car boot and are ideal to use on trips and so on. This could help a number of disabled residents with mobility problems who need a scooter if they go on a day trip or a holiday. For further details please ring 464 1869.

WE NEED BOTH KINGSTANDING AND PERRY COMMON LIBRARIES

Oscott are very lucky to have 2 Libraries with in its boarders one at each end. These Libraries Kingstanding and Perry Common are excellent facilities run by friendly and knowledge staff.

In these times of cutting front line services we need to be on guard to protect our libraries. Some changes are almost inevitable given the drastic cuts being imposed on our Council by the government, but here in Oscott Both Councillor Barbara Dring and I are known for our support for our libraries and we will fight for them.
Last year for example we helped through Community Chest funding, for the Perry Common Library to have a refit.

It should also be remembered that both our libraries are well used by residents from neigbouring wards. Everyone should in my view rally round and use our libraries as much as possible.

Libraries are not just about books for example

The Kingstanding Library, situated on the Kingstanding Road at the Circle will be hosting an arthritis information day this coming Monday March the 28th. The event will take place between 14:30 to 16:30 and is being hosted by the Birmingham Arthritis Resource Centre.
Please so pop by to learn more about arthritis.

STREET CONTRACTORS SHOULD ALL CLEAN UP THEIR MESS

After months of complaints the pavement near the Dormington Road/ Wandsworth Road which had damaged by contractors was finally repaired. Now however after weeks barriers and signs are still the pavement

Walking around the Oscott ward it is not difficult to come across discarded barriers and signs which have been left in some cases for many weeks cluttering up our pavements, by street contractors of one sort or another.
Surely there needs to be a clause but in place that says when a job is finished barriers, loose soil, sand bags and signs should be taken away and yes even the pavement of carriage way should be swept.
If there is such a clause it is being ignored but i get the feeling with the current Council Administration ( and other authorities the the power companies and so on to be fare) the concept may be a bit to complected. I would be happy to be proved wrong.

If you have seen streets cluttered with left over barriers, sand bags and the like please give me a ring on 360 6486

COOKSEY LANE PLAYING FIELD AGM.

Along with Councillor Barbara Dring I attended the Cooksey Lane Playing Fields AGM tonight.
It is good to see that a number of users of the site and local residents turned up to the meeting.
The association who run the activities on the field and in the pavilion are keen to look to the future and are trying to find funding for a number of youth based activities for the area. A boxing club for Oscott and Kingstanding youngsters is high up on their wish list. ( the Oscott ward gave the association £1000 last year from the oscott Community Chest)
If you would like to know more about this association please ring 464 1869

ASDA QUESLETT PHARMACY SERVICE TO BE LAUNCHED 4.30pm MONDAY 28TH MARCH

The ASDA super store on Queslett Road are to introduce a new pharmacy service. It is my understanding this will mean there will be a pharmacy in the Oscott area open later than most currently here. This has to be good news for all those unable to get to a pharmacy earlier in the day.
I hope this service will compliment the many excellent other pharmacies that there are in the Oscott area.

The new pharmacy will offer free consultations for everyone, including
blood pressure monitoring, full lipid cholesterol testing, BMI checking
and diabetes testing. As well as general health check-ups, the pharmacy is
also there to lend a helping hand to anyone looking to start a family, and
will offer ?not for profit? pricing on IVF prescriptions.
For further details pop into ASDA QUESLETT.

This new service will be launched on Monday 28th March at 4.30pm following a press announcement..

WARREN ROAD CARRIAGE WAY UPDATE

It would appear since my last blog complaining about the state of the carriage way in Warren Road contractors have filled some of the pot holes with Tar mac. What is really needed is the work carried out correctly and soon and not simple botch up jobs.

COUNCILLORS ADVICE BUREAU'S MAY BE NEEDED MORE THAN EVER?

I was pleased the other day when, I found out that Councillor Barbara Dring and I are, if not the most economical, then one of very best, when it comes to the cost of hiring rooms for out advice Bureau’s

We both firmly believe unlike some councillors it is very important to give residents the opportunity to meet on a one to one basis with their councillors.

Councillors should not hide away from hearing what their resident have to say and there are times when a one to one service is badly needed.

At a time when Neighbourhood Offices and even the CAB are under financial threat of closure because of the current Councils funding policies,(although we can not possibly replace their expertise,) a Councillor’s services may be needed more than ever.

Councillor Barbara Dring and my advice Bureau times are as follows.
(We may rotate and make every effort to get to our surgeries)

Most Saturday Mornings at the 610 Community Centre at 10.30am (Keith)
The first Wednesday in the month at the 610 Community Centre 7pm (Barbara)
The first Thursday in the month at the Perry Common Library 3pm (Barbara)

We also carry out home visits for those with genuine mobility problems.

Ring 360 6486 or 360 7565 for details

WHERE ARE OUR REPLACEMENT RECYCLING BOXES

Over the last few months I have had a number of resident come to me complaining about their recycling boxes either being stolen or damaged by the weather or the crews who empty them.

Having requested a number of these boxes for various residents, I now find there is considerable waiting time to receive them.
I have received a number of reasons for this but it seems strange that a city who do not have a great repetition for recycling, but never the less wish to promote recycling, can not put in place a system where boxes can be replaced quite quickly.

If you have been waiting for some time for a recycling box and would like me to chase it up, please ring 360 6486 and I will see what I can do.

BOOTHS LANE UPDATE MARCH

Cameron Homes have informed me they are to submit their proposals for the development of their section of the Booths Lane site shortly. They have assured me they have have taken on board a number of comments made by residents and myself during their consultations with them.
I hope this is indeed the case however residents will get the chance to see the latest plans when the Planning department have received and reviewed them. This should also include the plans on altering the Booths Lane carriage way.
I am led to believe the process will take between 8 and 12 weeks.?

In the mean time needless to say I am continuing to put on the current owners of Booths Lane (un-adopted private section) through the Council to make their road safe for motorists. The current state of the carriage way is as we all know completely unacceptable and the owner of the golf course really do need to take urgent action to sort it out.

WARREN ROAD CARRIAGE WAY ON THE WAY TO BECOMING ANOTHER BOOTHS LANE

I have received a large number of complaints about the state of the Carriage way in Warren Road and despite requests this road is still on the way to becoming another Booths Lane (un adopted section).

However this time the Council can make no excuses as they own and maintain this busy cut through road.
It has become more and more noticeable how the Council have let out carriage ways deteriorate over the last couple of years and the excuse that it is the bad weather we have had, does not wash with me. If our roads were maintained better the effects of the weather would be no ware near as bad.

OSCOTT OPEN SPACES ARE BECOMING COVERED IN DOG MESS

Some bins like the one at the entrance to the Queslett Nature Reserve need to be emptied more often and I have now been assured this will happen.





Dog mess on our open spaces is becoming a real nuisance. Having walked on the Burford Road playing Field, the Glenmead playing Field, the King George Playing Field, the Aldridge Recreation Ground and the Queslett Nature Reserve recently, one thing I found in common was the problems of dog mess. The entrances and grass areas are all have a problem with this dog mess.
I am far from being anti dog but I would appeal to dog owners to bag and bin your dogs mess. Also please keep your dogs off football pitches.
Oscott is suffering from thefts of the metal containers out of litter bins at the moment (14 at the last Count) and this is not helping the situation. If you suspect a bin is being stolen make a note of what is happening and inform the Police.
It would be helpful to responsible dog owner if bins were in place on our streets.
I am calling on the Council to replace these missing bins as soon as possible. They need to re think the design to.

OSCOTT ELDERLY RESIDENTS GROUP MEET WEDNESDAY

Maureen Byrne Chair of the Oscott Elderly Residents Group has reminded me that they will be meeting this Wednesday at the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road at 11am.
Amongst other things members of a theatre group will be writing down OERG member memories and expediences so they can be used in a play later this year.
I sure many of the group will be discussing their excellent trip to Birmingham's Sea Life Centre recently.
I hope to pope in to answers any questions group members have and to offer advice.
Tea and biscuits will be available.

UPGRADE PROBLEMS FOR OUR STREETS

I am still having a number of complaints regarding the Birmingham City Councils road upgrading Initiative. Templeton Road residents have again been sent miss leading letters regarding work to be carried out in their road. Amblecote residents are not happy with the work carried out in their road and to cap it all Blenhiem Way has been resurfaced but a parked car was not removed so they simply went around it.
If you have any concerns about Amey the contractor working for the City Council upgrading roads or the City Councils Transportation department please ring me on 360 6486 and I will try and help.

ANOTHER SUCESSFUL ACTION DAY ON THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

It was good to see a number of young cadets come along to work on the Queslett nature Reserve along with some regular members of the friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve.
These youngsters are very supportive of what we are trying to do on the reserve and work very hard to help us clean and maintain it.

I would like to thank all those who helped on the reserve today and for the organiser of the Cadet Force for allowing his Cadets to get so involved once again.
The last of the spring pruning took place and dozens of bags we filled with rubbish and removed from the site.

OSCOTT WARD COMMITTEE MEETING TONIGHT

There will be an Oscott Ward Committee meeting tonight where all 3 ward Councillors should be attending to list to officers reports about various issues including road safety in Kettlehouse Road and to hear the views of the public.
This meeting will start at 7pm (Chaired by Councillor Barbara Dring) and will be held at the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road

RING AND RIDE TRIPS TO COST 60P EACH

A 60p per trip fare will be introduced from next month to cover a £900,000 shortfall in funding it was decided at the Conservative/Liberal controlled Intergraded passager aurhthority meeting on Monday.
This will be looked at again in 6 months and the whole service in 12 months.
The idea to cut services has been turned down in favour of a 60p per trip fee in line with puplic consultation.
West Midlands Special Needs Transport, which operates Ring and Ride with a Centro grant, also backed the introduction of fares.
Members of the ruling Conservative group said the £12 million annual cost to the taxpayer was no longer value for money which is something I disagree with. There is room to look at how the system is working however and to improve it for those who genuinely need it.

TEMPLETON ROAD RESURFACING WORK TO START LATE APRIL EARLY MAY

I have just had it confirmed further work on the carriage way in Templeton Road is now expected to take place starting at the end of April and being finished by the end of May.
Mr Edie Fellows the senior Engineer for Amey the contractor carrying out the work has just confirmed this following me sending him a reminder about the subject.
I would like to thank Councillor Timothy Huxtable (Con) the Cabinet member for Street Services for looking into this situation.
There will have to be some inconvenience the road will have to be closed for example so lets hope they get it right this time.

SELECTED TO FIGHT FOR OSCOTT

I am pleased to announce that members of the Oscott Labour Party have selected me again to fight for the Ward Oscott seat.

I am conscious that only having lived in the Oscott Ward for 30 years or so I am still learning a lot about it and its people but what I have learnt has made me realise what a privileged it has been to represent Oscott.
Fighting for Oscott and its residents is what it is all about. It is a constant battle to remind the authorities we are here and we want what is best for this area. Whether you are young or old I will if re-elected in May carry on doing the best I can for you and Oscott without making any false claims or promises.

It Is also a great honour to represent all the people of the City I was born in.
I am at the moment a member of the Planning Committee where the challenge of making tough decisions which are not always popular is also a worth while expedience.
AS a member of the integrated Transport Authority my work trying to ensure Public Transport is the best it can be despite constant cut backs by the Privatised Transport companies, it is also a great challenge and although it is recognised by many as being one of the most difficult committees to deal with. I do enjoy the challange despite it being under the control like the Government and the Birmingham City Council, of the Conservative , Liberal Coalition AND IS BEING HIT BY FAR TO MANY CUTS TO FAST

I hope that you will go out and vote at the local elections and will remember if you need one to get your postal vote and send it in.

Needless to say I hope you will consider voting for me and asking your friends and family to do the same and if you would like to know more about what i have been trying to do in Oscott you will read some of my previous posts.

KETTLE HOUSE / BANDYWOOD ROADS, ROAD SAFETY TO BE REVIEWED

Councillor Timothy Huxtable (Con) the Councillor responsible for the Conservative led Council Administrations Highways department, has following representations from my self, now asked his senior Engineers to look again at the Kettle House Road / Bandywood Roads.
There have been a number of vehicle accidents in these roads of the last few years and despite having a speed indicator sign introduced recently there seems to be no end to the problem.
The Police are also going to be asked at a high level to look into the issues and to bring more Police speeding enforcement to the area.

DOUBLE KERBING INTRODUCED TO GREEN AREA BY KINGSLAND SCHOOL

Councillor Dring and I have managed to get the Councils Transportation department to introduce double curbing around the Bandywood crescent half island near the Kingsland school.
This should help safeguard children when they come out of school by stopping some of the inconsiderate parking near the entrance.
The new curbing will also help prevent the grass area on this half island from becoming a mud bath becuase of cars driving on it.

STOP LARGE VEHICLES USING RAT RUNS IN OSCOTT

Yet again there has been a problem with a large lorry of the Articulated kind using small roads which depute the rules of the highway are not suitable for such large vehicles.
One such articulated lorry snapped off a large branch from a tree in Dunedin Road. The branch particularly bocked the road and residents had to contact the Council (then myself) to get it moved. Luckily on one was injured.
These sorts of lorries should not use roads like Dunedin (and others near by like Templeton, Southgate and Weybourne Roads for example, as cut through rat runs. They should be made to use the larger roads in the area by the Council.

REPLACEMENT FENCING FOR THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

The recently stolen Queslett Road boundary fence on Booths Lane is being replaced this week.
Dozens of residents have been in touch with me since the fence was stolen a few weeks ago, concerned about the increase in motor bikes on the reserve (endangering those using the reserve)and the possibility Travelers may try to use the site.
After constant pressure the from the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve and myself a small amount of funding for fencing was found and now the fence is to be replaced.
I would ask residents to keep an eye on the wooden fencing on the reserve boundary and if you see anyone trying to take it down please ring the Police.

NEW RULES FOR TAKING RUBBISH TO OUR TIPS

From today those wishing to take rubbish to Holford drive in Vehicles of 3.5 tonnes gross weight, large vans, pick ups, or trailers of a certain size unless you have a permit.
If you do get a permit it will only be for the hours 8am to 2pm on week days.
You will have to fill in a permit which will last for 1 year.
You need to read the permit application very carefully as there are very Draconian measures of enforcement.
You will also only be able to use the permit 6 times in any one year and if you have a car as well as a van registered to your household you will not be able to have a permit although you may be able to apply for one off visits to the tip.
There are many more rules this whole thing may prove to be counter productive and to be a fly tippers charter.