VISIT TO GOODWAY NURSERY

I had the pleasure last week of carrying out a Governors visit to the Goodway Nursery recently.
As usual I found the children happy and well behaved, doing a number of interesting things.
 The staff were as ever a pleasure to meet and very helpful. In Beth O,Neil they have an excellent leader and Head.
It was also good to see so much time devoted to playing out side and the use of bikes like that in the picture. It is never to early for children to learn to ride a bike.
I will be trying to arrange for the Lord Mayor of Birmingham to pay a visit later in the year.

THE COUNCILS ON LINE WHEELIE BIN DEBATE

Anyone with questions about Birmingham City Council’s plan to modernise refuse collections is being invited to take part in a webchat on May 8.


Cllr James McKay, Cabinet Member for a Green, Safe and Smart City, will be on hand between 6pm and 7pm to field enquiries on the council’s plan to roll out wheelie bins across the city.



 If you are unable to get online for the chat, you can submit questions in advance by email to press.office@birmingham.gov.uk


Dont forget I have been passing on residents comments about Wheelie bins what ever they may have been since August but if you can why not get involved in the Councils Webbchat on May the 8th.

EXTRA LITTER BINS FOR BEECHES ROAD THANKS TO THE JAMES WAT CAMPUS

The Metropolitan College James Watt Campus have as they agreed to when I attended a meeting with them earlier this year, located 2 extra litter bins on their beeches road boundary including on near the bus stop on that road.
beeches Road has long had problems with litter and this should go some way to help ease the problem. The college also empty these bins

76 BUS ROUTE TO BE WITH DRAWN

As you may be aware it has been announced that the current 76 bus service is being removed by the private operator for commercial reasons during the summer.
However I have made sure this is not the end of the matter and I am working closely with Centro to try and sure there is at least a partial cover for this route.
In the mean time as I regularly do I would call on those who want buses to use this route to use it or lose it.

BIG CAT SIGHTING AT KINGSTANDING CIRCLE SAT 27TH

I was called to a sighting of a mystery big cat at the Kingstanding Circle today 12 noon.
On approaching the shopping area I saw a huge cat however it was blue and turned out to be a friendly volunteer charity worker collecting with a friend,  for the Cats Protection charity
Amongst other things they help people to adopt cats and kittens and look after the welfare of cats.

If you would like to support this charity and would like more information please ring 0845 2601 503

COUNCILLOR BARBARA DRING SELECTED AGAIN TO FIGHT FOR THE OSCOTT SEAT IN 2014

Councillor Barbara Dring has been selected by the Oscott Labour party for fight again at the Birmingham Local Elections which take place in May 2014.
Barbara,s track record stands for its self in the Oscott area where her battling for local residents is well known
In these tough times when government cut backs are so hard to deal with and the Council is having to manage with less and less funding, residents need a Councillor like Barbara who will fight for them despite the odds.
Barbara is also the Chair of the Licensing/public health committee.
I look forward to working with Barbara with the aim of seeing her re elected by by the residents of Oscott in 2014.

IT IS STILL NOT TO LATE TO FILL IN A WHEELIE BIN CONSULTATION FORM

If you have not yet filled in and sent off a Wheelie bin consultation form it is not to late.
Forms can still be obtained from the Perry Common and Kingstanding Libraries and there is until 31st May send them in. (It is a free post service)

Some residents may be concerned about the "about you" section if you do not wish to complete that section simply leave it blank.

A number of of residents have been contacting me on the subject since I first started passing on residents concerns and views about the subject in August last year and if you would like me to pass on your views please Email me on Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk or leave me a message on 303 2039.

I will ensure your views are passed to those considering the matter.

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ALDRIDGE RECREATION GROUND

A a recent site meeting between Oscott Councillors and Leisure Service chiefs on the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground, it was decided to try and improve security around the site and upgrade the main path.
Over a number of years parameter fencing has been upgraded section by section with palisade style fencing. During this financial year the last stretch needed (on Oscott School Lane) will be done. Barriers will also be put in place on the entrances to the recreation ground which will help prevent Motor bikes being used on the field. Finally as phase 2 of the work the main path between Randwick Grove and Shady lane will be upgraded having trios taken out and a better surface laid to help disabled users.

ANOTHER BURFORD ROAD PLAYING FIELD UPDATE

As many residents may be aware early last year wild promises were made about improving the Burford Road Playing Field fencing.
To try and sort out fact from fiction with the help of my ward councillor Colleagues I held a  site meeting with residents and Council officers only to find out that there was no funding for any such work.

Since that time my colleagues and I have battled with Council officials to find funding for new fencing for the site.
I am pleased to announce at a site meting between Councillor Barbara Dring , Council Officers and my self, last week, it was agreed some of the work the work will now be done during this financial  year.
Fencing on parts of the Melverly Grove and Burford Road Boundary will be under taken and any part of the fencing which can not be completed will be added to a priority list for when further funding becomes available in years to come. The gap in the Burford Road fence will be left in order that members of the public can still use the site
It is now expected that large section of the boundary fencing will be upgraded.

If you would like more details please contact me.

BATTLING AGAINS A TIDE OF POT HOLES

I am still having to report a large number of Pot holes and the poor state of a lot of the carriage ways in Oscott.
The winter period this year has certainly done some real damage. Amey the private company who were given the long term contract to repair our roads by the previous Council Administration are battling to get many roads repaired but they need to do much many and more quickly.
If you have any concerns about pot holes in Oscott please let me know and I will ensure Amey are alerted to them.

Ring 303 2039 Messages or email Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov

AUBREY LONGE'S FUNERAL SERVICE WAS HELD TODAY.

To Aubrey Longe was laid to rest today when
Aubrey's family and hundreds of friends and acquaintances including Khalid Mahmood MP gathered for his funeral at Saint MMathews Church.
I had the honour of being asked to say a few words about Aubrey and how his life had made a difference to so many. It was difficult to find the appropriate words as Aubrey was such a kind ,helpful and caring man. may he R.I.P

AMBLECOTE AVENUE RIGHT OF WAY STEPS IN NEED OF REPAIR

I have had to report broken and missing slabs in the right of way Amblecote Avenue to Shady Lane. These ccould cause a nasty accident if not repaired asap.
Amey need to start getting these sorts of steps and pavements monitored better and take action to make them safe.

PERRY BEECHES SCHOOL THE ACADEMY HOLDS POLICE TASKING GROUP MEETING

It is good to see that Perry Beeches (academy School) still has youngsters interested in a youth Police Neighbourhood Tasking Group meeting. The youngsters gave their views to the local Police team and myself and these will be passed on to the regular monthly Neigbourhood Police Tasking meeting.
We need to remember children's concerns about crime and anti social behaviour are just as important as those of adults and in some ways mirror them.
The youngsters expressed concerns about anticial behavior on buses and in parks. They are als0 concerned that drugs and smoking need to be prevented.
The Police who were present were able to give some tips about keeping away from anti socail behavior.

THE DEBATE ABOUT WHEELIE BINS STILL GOES ON.

I am still being asked questions about Wheelie bins.
 Sadly the finale answers to many questions will still have to wait for a short time until the consultation period is finished however.

Like everyone else at the moment I can only make speculative replies to may of the questions I receive.



I have asked a number of questions and concerns regarding the subject and a number of these questions are still being considered as part of the consultation process.

That said  if you want more information please look at my blog posted on the 13th of February which includes the answers to some of the questions still being put about the introduction of wheelie bins.
These were made available by the Council.

It is still not to late and if you would like me to pass on your questions or comments about the introduction of Wheelie bins please leave me a message on 303 2039 or email me Keith.Linnecor@yahoo.com

For more about my posts on this subject please use the search function.

DONT GIVE IN TO THE TREE VANDALS

Amey the Private Company given the job of maintaining our streets for the next 20 plus years by the last Council administration have been catching up with their tree replacement program recently.
As you will have seen many new trees have been planted in the Oscott ward over the last few months.
These were trees were replacements for the many that have either died or been removed for other reasons.
Sadly a few mindless vandals have been damaging some of these new trees. There would have been even more damaged but some residents have managed to stop some of the vandals.
I am calling on the Police to give some attention to this problem when out on patrol and i have also called on Amey as it is in their contract to replace any damaged trees.

We must not give in to vandals and try and keep our area a decent place to live. If you see any trees being damaged  please report it.

BIRMINGHAMS CYCLING AND WALKING MAP

For those interested there has been a Cycling and walking map in circulation since August 2012.
To obtain a copy or more details ring 303 1873


Also for anyone interested  the Police are  holding a Cycle surgery on 18/04/13 at Bhm New Street from 3-6pm.There will be free security marking and cheap locks!

AUBREY LONGE',S FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Aubrey Longe's funeral service will take place on Thursday 18th April at Saint Mathew's Church Aldridge Road.The service will start at 11am

I am sure many of those who remember Aubrey with such fondness and respect will do their best to be there and those who can not will spend time remembering Aubrey who was such a nice man.

Aubrey's family have requested no flowers be sent but those wishing to may donate to the Birmingham Children's hospital.

I RARLEY USE FACE BOOK

For information to those who may try to contact me via Face Book sorry I very rarely if ever use it.
You would do better if you wish to contact me either email me, ring me, write to me, or possibly use Twitter.

HOW TO LET ME KNOW YOUR VIEWS OR CONCERNS

Although I can not promise to solve all the concerns I hear about I am always willing to try to do what I can to help residents who contact me.

I am also always interested to hear about the views of local Oscott residents and while I may not always agree with some residents views I do note them all and if requested I am happy to pass them on as appropriate.

If you have a problem and would like me to try and help you with or if you would just like to let me know what you think about an issue please contact me by

Tel 303 2039 Message service

Email Keith.Linnecor@yahoo.co.uk

Or write to me c/o The Birmingham City Council, Birmingham. B1 1BR

(Don't forget to let me have your contact details)

CARRIAGE WAYS IN OSCOTT ARE BECOMING POT HOLE RIDDEN AGAIN

While I can accept we have had a lot of ice and snow recently I do feel the Contractor Amey who the last Council administration gave the contract to repair our roads to, needs to do more to repair our roads.

During the first year or so of their contract they got off to a cracking pace but now seem to have slowed down their pace leaving many roads pot hole filled or with crumbling carriage ways.

Boswell Road is an example that comes to mind. It is now full of pot holes and the surfacing in breaking up badly.

Amey need to get their act together in my opinion and get many of our roads in Oscott inspected and repaired. I will be doing what I can to get them to take action.

If you are aware of any bad pot holes or crumbling carriage ways in the Oscott area either leave me a message on 303 2039 or email me on Keith.Linnecor@ birmingham.gov.uk

SWITCHING OFF SPEED CAMERA'S IN OSCOTT AND ELSWHERE IS A MAJOR MISTAKE

Police in the West Midlands have this week switched off the last of its 304 fixed speed cameras - because they are too expensive to run.
This is partly due to government cuts to policing and the £489,000 cost of converting old-fashioned film mechanisms to digital technology.
The last 73 cameras are being turned off pending a strategic review of how to deal with speeding in one of the UK's most populated areas.
The West Midlands police pay to run the sites, while local councils stump up for maintenance. The conversion cost would be 600k
The Police however claim speeding motorist may still be court by extra mobile camera patrols which are being introduced.
Frankly like many other residents who have campaigned to have speed Cameras installed in Oscott Locations like the Queslett Road and College Road over the years, I am far from convinced.
I am calling on those who have made this decision to review it and have asked our Perry Barr MP to put pressure on the government to find the funding and to look again at the matter.

MORE ITA DUTIES

I had more ITA duties yesterday on another chilly day.
Along with colleagues and some officers I was looking at issues at Birmingham Airport,New Street railway station, Coventry railway station the Coventry bus station and also bus interchanges in Solihull, Birminghams , Colemore Road and High Street (997 terminus and so on)
Centro (ITA) will only get things better if they investigate problems and listen to Public Transport users.

CONGRATULATIONS TRISTAN AND MEL

Mel and Tristan Chatfield became the proud parents of Bethony Polly Chatfield in the early hours of this morning.
 Mother and daughter are doing well.
Congratulations and best wishes.

DOG CONTROL ORDERS FOR BIRMINGHAM

 Birmingham Councils  bid for funding for more dog controls has been approved and and a committee led by Councillor Barbara Dring secured the £50, 000 for LPPC to bring in Dog control orders for Birmingham.

Key benefits will be additional means for controlling the following matters:

·                     Fouling of land by dogs and the requirement for dog faeces to be removed.
·                     The keeping of dogs on leads.
·                     Dogs to be put on a lead when directed to do so.
·                     The exclusion of dogs from specified land.
·                     The number of dogs which a person may take onto land.

This is good news and something I have been pushing for in Oscott for a number of years. I hope these measures will be put in place sooner rather than later.
I am sure no dog owner who cares about their dog will have any issues with the bringing in of dog contol orders..

EASTER EGG HUNT CONFUSION

There appears to have been some confusion regarding a Easter Egg Hunt even which took place on Easter Saturday.
Sadly the Friends of the Quslett Nature Reserve who's name I understand was added to the list of organisers where not informed about it, like my self, until a few day before It took place and were also told it would be cancelled later still.!
The event which was organised by the Birmingham Park Rangers Service did take place in the end but some residents and their children may have missed out due to confused messages being given.
I hope those who did take part enjoyed the event and I understand a Ranger did attend to try and organise it.
The FONR have requested any events using their name in the future must be reported to the group well before an event takes place.