ALDRIDE ROAD SLIP ROAD NEEDS FURTHER WIDENING

Following a campaign by Oscott Councillors a few years ago the Aldridge Road Slip Road (near Burnham Road) was widened to allow better parking for those visiting the near by shops.
This has worked well but now more widening at this location needs to take place and more car parking spaces are needed.
Although I accept due to Government cuts in Council funding,  money is tight, I am still requesting that this issue be looked at and that at some time in the future this work is carried out.

NEW GREEN WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE NEEDS TO IMPROVE

I am still receiving complaints about the green waste collection service which has been introduced.
Collections are being missed both of bags and the emptying of bins and this is clearly not good enough.
There are also issues regarding the time it is taking for residents who have paid for a green waste wheelie bin to get one.again this is not good enough.

These problems need to be faced and I have been assured following my complaints on behalf of some Oscott residents they will be.
There can no longer be any hiding behind the fact that there are always teething problems with a new service. This service must improve and while I am receiving complaints I will do my best to get them resolved.
Having said that the amount of complaints I am receiving on these subjects is reducing (but still not quick enough for my liking.) We have to be up front about these problems and get on with resolving them.
 I am however on the other side of the coin also receiving comments from residents who are pleased with the service and now want to have their  refuge wheelie bins ASAP.
If you have a concern about the green waste collection service please email me on Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk and I will do what I can to help.*

(Note if it a dumping of bags on the street issue  or non collection I will need your details and the location )

NEW SUPPORT TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS AND FAMILIES GROUP

I met with a nice lady at my surgery the other day who is setting up a support group for those who are victims or family of road traffic accidents. This lady Mrs Childs has her head screwed on and I am sure she and her group will be a success and will help a number of people who are victims of traffic accidents..They will be using the 610 Community Centre as a meeting place soon.
The groups name will be Sort victims support our road traffic victims. the local aim is also to honour this lady's daughter Sarah who sadly was a victim of a dangerous driver.
I wish this group the very best of luck and have said I will help if I can.

ELMBRIDGE ROAD RE SURFACING DELAYS NOT GOOD ENOUGH

Amey the Private contractor given a 25 year contract to upgrade the streets of Birmingham, by the last Council administration, have informed me delays in finishing carriage way works in Elmbridge Road are due to damaged plant machinery
This is not good enough the work needs to be finished of and quickly. The potential for  damaged machinery should have been considered before work was undertaken.
I am continuing to request Amey get this work done and for that matter press on and finish of all the various roads which are being resurfaced in the Oscott area.

ALDRIDGE ROAD RESURFACING LEADS TO DIVERSIONS TO THE 997 AND 28 BUS ROUTES

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 I have received notification see below of the re routing on a temporary basis of the 997 bus service and also the 28. This is due to continued resurfacing work by Amey (the private contractor given the contract to upgrade our roads by the previous Council administration.)

I am continuing to press Amey to get on and finish the resurfacing work on the Aldridge Road asap the length of time being taken to complete this resurfacing is not good enough.

             

OPERATIONAL ORDER

Aldridge Road Phase 6

From Monday 12^th May 2014 to Friday 16^th May 2014, 20:00-06:00.

Aldridge Road from Greenholm Road to Beeches Road and Beeches Road to Dyas Road will be closed for Resurfacing works to be carried out

Junctions at Greenholm Road. Beeches Road and Dyas Road will be open

Diversion

Service 997 from Birmingham

Aldridge Road, right Greenholm Road, left Kingstanding Road, left Dyas Road, right Old Oscott Lane to join normal line of route.

Service 997 to  Birmingham

Reverse of above

Service 28 to Great Barr if required.

Dyas Road, right Aldridge Road, left Malthouse Lane, left Beeches Road, right Hassop Road to normal line of route

Service 28 from Great Barr if required.

Reverse of Above.

FRIENDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE GET THE JOB DONE

Many thanks to all those who helped out at the Friends of Queslett Nature Reserve on Saturday.26th April.
Under the guidance of Park rangers members help remove cloned tree roots to help stem the unwanted spread of some none native  trees in the reserve. It was hard work but those who came along rolled up their sleeves and got on with it.There was also some training involved.
Thank you also to those who carried out a litter pick.

If you have a genuine interest in wild life and the environment not only in the reserve but also the surrounding area and would like to become a member of the FQNR please email me on Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

COUNCILLOR BARBARA DRING UPDATE

 Your Oscott Councillors who work for you in the Council House and in the Oscott ward all year around





 Oscott Councillor Barbara Dring sadly had a nasty fall yesterday resulting in her  having to go to A&E at Goodhope Hospital.
Barbara tripped while out meeting Oscott residents with Councillor Tristan Chatfield and myself, listening to their concerns and problems.
The good news for Oscott resident is that Barbara is determined this set back will not effect her campaign to be re elected next month.
Oscott residents need Barbara who unlike some is on hand all year around meeting residents through out the ward.
She also holds advice surgeries where resident can meet her face to face to discuss issues if they so want.
 Like the rest of the Oscott Councillors she is only to aware that because of government cuts forcing the Council to make awful cuts in various services many resident are more than ever in need of some one reliable to help them with their concerns. It is no good just being around during the election period, residents often need help through out the year and problems need solving all year around in Oscott.
Barbara is on the mend and has asked me to thank all those who have contacted her with sympathy following her fall and for their offers of support.
Barbara will be out and about again next week meeting Oscott residents with the Oscott Labour Team which is the only team that is out and about keeping in touch with residents all year around.

AMEY NEED TO GET ON AND FINISH A NUMBER ROAD S LIKE THE ALDRIDGE ROAD (CARRIAGE WAY RESURFACING)

There have been a number of residents who have complained although they appreciate the work Amey are doing when it comes to re surfacing roads in the area, Amey are taking to long to get the work done.
The Aldridge Road is an example of this. Leaving the road in various stages of completion is causing a lot of problems for residents. I have had complaints about damaged car tyres as a result.

I am pressing Amey senior officers to ensure the work being carried out in Oscott is done ASAP.

WARREN HILL ROAD PAVEMENTS NEEDS URGENT REPAIRS

Following a number of complaints regarding the state of the pavement in Warren Hill Road Amey the contractor with the contract to upgrade our streets carried out a full walk about and agreed repairs were needed. This work has not been carried out and  i am calling upon Amey to stop making excuses and get the pavements repaired ASAP.

WIMPEY TAYLOR BOOTHS LANE UPDATE

At Thursdays Planning Committee (made up of Councillors from all parties) it was decided to allow the Planning application put forward by Wimpey Taylor.
Sadly in the circumstances I had to stand down form the Committee but Bob Wild (Oscott Residents Association) representing Oscott Residents gave a good account for himself objecting to the plans. Councillor Dring was in the audience.

Many Councillors felt there were issues that needed addressing and requested some further tweaks to the application but on a split decision the Planning application went through.It was also felt should the application be turned down at this stage an appeal would likely take place to government inspectors and in the current climate due to the Governments new policies the appeal would almost certainly be agreed.

After the meeting representatives again assured me they were will to take part in discussions with a residents working party I am setting up with residents and the developers to try and address any issues that crop up during the development such as trying to keep the road open when possible.
I was also assured the golf course at the side of the development would be left fellow for the fore see able future.

If you have any concerns you would like me to discuss with the developers please leave me a message on 303 2039 0r email me on Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk.

MY APRIL COUNCILLOR ADVICE SURGERIES

 This month my councillors surgeries will be held at at the Oscott Community Centre Birdbrook Road at 9.30am on Tuesday 22nd April and at the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road on Saturday 26th at 10.30am

FRIENDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE ACTIVITY DAY 26TH APRIL

The next Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve will be on the 26th April. We will be meeting at the Ashworth Road entrance at 11.30am.
There will be light pruning work and litter picking.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE NEEDS TO BE STOPPED

Domestic violence needs to be stopped.

 Domestic violence happens in Oscott like everywhere else and it needs to be stopped. All sorts of excuses are made, pressure of work, drinking and more often these days lack of work and poor pay leading to financial problems. However there is no excuse for domestic violence.

Victims of domestic violence suffer on many different levels and often live their lives constantly in fear.

Domestic violence is believed to be extremely under-reported. Statistics show that it accounts for a quarter of all violent crime and has more repeat victims than any other crime.

There is a wide range of services designed to help victims of domestic violence. A directory of domestic violence services is available on the Birmingham Violence Against Women Board website.

Victims of domestic violence should be encouraged to report the incident to their local police on 0845 113 5000. However it is recognised that many will suffer in silence on many occasions before they are prepared to make a formal complaint to the police. Some will never make a complaint to the police.

The National Helpline 0808 2000 247 (which was launched in December 2003) operates on a 24 hour free phone basis. It joins the existing help lines of Women's Aid and Refuge and now offers both women and children help in finding emergency accommodation, information, planning on safety issues as well a translation service.

If you are a victim or are a concerned relative or friend of a victim you can contact the national helpline for advice. This operates on a call back service.

MEN CAN ALSO SUFFER FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
For male victims of domestic violence support can be provided by Men's Aid. They can be contacted on 01334 474348 or by e-mail support@mensaid.org. Men's Aid is run by volunteers and is open Monday to Friday 10am-3pm.

For lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people experiencing domestic violence support is available from Broken Rainbow on 0300 999 5428 or by e-mail help@brokenrainbow.org.uk.

BIRMINGHAM SAINT GEORGES DAY CELEBRATIONS SAT 19TH APRIL

Expect to see St George and his Dragon along with Morris Dancers, knights, musicians and a mini farm as Birmingham celebrates St George’s Day on Saturday 19 April from 11am – 5pm in Victoria and Chamberlain Squares.

 

In Victoria Square there will be live music from ‘Like a Rolling Stone’, one of the UK’s premier tributes to one of the world’s biggest bands, along with Birmingham pianist and singer Jake Henry and Britain’s Got Talent singer Rosie O’Sulllivan.

There will also be Morris dancing displays by the Glorishears Morris Dancers, free face painting and craft making workshops, balloon modelling, a mini farm experience and a display of MG cars. An English food and drink area with a bar serving traditional English ales and ciders will ensure visitors are kept refreshed throughout the day.

Meanwhile Chamberlain Square will be taken over by a Norman Living History Encampment who will demonstrate crafts such as coin striking and give some combat displays with English knights.

Saint Georges day is on the 23^rd of April this year.

For more information tel: 0121 303 3008

DO NOT BE MISS LED 99% OF WHEELIE BINS COMING TO BIRMINGHAM ARE BRITISH MADE

I have been asked again by a few Oscott residents recently where the Wheelie bins they are going to receive will be made as they have heard the bins will all be foreign made.
 I have been informed by the Cabinet member responsible that 99.7% are to be made in this country in Doncaster or Hull.
I am afraid it would appear that miss information is still  deliberately being given to some Oscott residents.
I can only imagine why this should be?. Perhaps those miss leading Oscott resident need to apologise for their mistake?


Please also note my post 25th March.

OSCOTT RESIDENTS HELP PREVENT ROGUE TRADERS AND COLD CALLERS

For some time now I have been working with the Police and the Oscott Neighbourhood Police Initiative (N.P.I)  reminding Oscott residents not to encourage "Cold calling" by company Representatives.

This form of cold calling can be a real nuisance to local residents either by phone of at the door..
The NPI hand out free  on request stickers asking cold callers not to call and this can be displayed in residents front windows.
Resident receiving a lot of telephone calls from companies and traders can contact B.T for advice.

SOME ROGUE TRADERS MAY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF COLD CALLING SO BEWARE

If a cold caller does call and then does not leave following a polite request to do so close the door and call the Police. (It is aways best to use a door chain when answering the door.

Should you allow any company representative  even by appointment  into your house for any reason ensure you see their id. (ring the phone no on it if necessary). genuine callers will have no problems with you doing this.

AMEY NEED TO DO BETTER IN OSCOTT

I have had a number of complaints this week about targets not being met by Amey (the company who repair our streets).
While they are doing a lot of work in the Oscott area ( a lot of it very well)  they are on occasions not finishing on the arranged day and are marking pavement repairs and not doing the work.

If you have an issue of this nature please Em Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk or leave a message on 303 2039 (Don't forget your name and address and the location of concern)

SOME GOOD NEWS FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS

 Councillor Barbara Dring and my self with members of the Oscott Elderly residents group who will receive a small grant form the Oscott Community Chest.








At yesterdays Oscott Ward Advisory Board (made up of Local Resident group leaders, Local organisations Representatives and the 3 Oscott Councillors it was decided to recommend part of most of the Oscott community Chest Bids for funding that were received.

As we know following  drastic cuts in funding to the Council by Central Government, it was decided to reduce the amount of Community Chest Wards get to 40K.
As a result many organisation did not get all they requested but have or will receive something.

Those smaller Community groups which submitted bids have received funding to help pay for things like their paper work and room hire in order that they can carry on with their good work.

More details will be given later and the finale decisions will be made at the Oscott Ward Committee which is likely to take place in early July. TBC

Once again I would like to thank all those Ward Advisory Board members who took part in this gruelling meeting for their contributions.

A GREAT DAY OUT AT THE COSFORD MUSEUM HAD BY ALL

I was pleased to be able to help out the Oscott Elderly Residents Group when asked to go along with them to the Cosford Air force Museum.
A number of members had clubbed together to save for the trip and everyone was fascinated by the air planes and other vehicles on display.
Many of the old vehicles in particular were remembered with fondness but as a number of the group said did those planes really fly!!
It was really good to see how members of the group helped each other to get around the museum given some have poor mobility and so many had stories to tell about some of the things they saw there.

Following the interesting trip to the museum member had a lunch together on the way back along with a sing song and a few jokes to round off the trip.

Maureen Byrne the Chair and principle organiser of the OERG as ever did a great job organising the trip and many thanks to Panther Travel.


If you would like to become a member of the Oscott Elderly Resident Group ring 675 2349 for further information.

PERRY BEECHES POOL TEMPORARY CLOSURE ANNOUNCED

Unfortunately the Council have had to close Beeches Pool for emergency repairs due to a leaking sump pump to the pool which means that they cannot operate until it is sorted. This should take about 2 - 3 days or so.

User groups, Strokes users and clubs have been informed and I am continuing to press for the work to be carried out and the pool to be re opened as soon as possible