BOOTHS LANE NEW DEVELOPEMENT WORKING PARTY TO BE SET UP

Working with the Oscott Residents Association I am looking for residents in the Booths Lane/Sandy Lane Caddick Road and Bowman Road area,s who would like to be part of a small residents working party. The aim of the working party  will be meeting from time to time with representatives of the Taylor Wimpey developers of the Booths Lane site to discuss issues of concern during the construction of the new housing a carriage way.
The developers have now obtained planning permission (I informed the Planning Committee of my doubts about the scheme) and to try and ensure any problems that may occur during the development are discussed with local residents and hopefully be ironed out I have called for a working party to be set up.

The working party will be made up of the ORA (residents) Oscott Councillors when needed and the developers)

If you would like to be involved or know more about this development (on Booths Road the former Golf range site) please email me Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk.

LISIEUX TRUST HELPING TO ADVISE THE DISABLED

 I recently met with Representatives from the Lisieux Trust who explained that they were trust which supported disabled residents and their careers. They have a shop in Erdington and help out with Disability Information giving a wide range of support and information.They also offer free Internet facilities for the disabled.

There shop is located on Sutton New Road Erdington and for further information you can ring 0121 382 6660

COUNCILLOR BARBARA DRING RE ELECTED COUNCILLOR FOR OSCOTT.

Thank you to all those who voted to re elect Councillor Barbara Dring yesterday.
Barbara is a very hard worker and you will not regret your choice.

I would also like to thank those candidates who stood in Oscott and did not resort to unpleasant tactics and leaflets.

The Oscott Labour team is still committed to battling on behalf of residents and to fight to get the best we can for our residents despite the many cuts in services we will have to endure thanks to record cuts in funding to the Birmingham City Council by Central government. It will be no easy task but with the team in still tact we will do our best.

Our work never stops and if there are any issues or concerns you have please contact me by emailing Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk. As ever I make no promises but I will do what I can to help.

QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE UPGRADE AND PATH NAMES

As you may already be aware there is to be some upgrading of the paths and fencing on the Queslett nature Reserve this year.
Some of the fencing is in need of replacement and some paths are in need of having drainage improvements. The Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve are involved in consultations regarding these issues.
Some of the paths in question are to have simple signs with their names on them and this is in order that visors can get to know the reserve better. It is also an aid to the emergency services who may be called to an incidence in the reserve.
When the work is carried out in the summer the grassed area in front of the Ashworth Entrance may be used on a temporary basis to store materials.
If you have any suggestions for names for any of the paths in the reserve please Email me Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk.

RE ELECT COUNCILLOR BARBARA DRING 22ND MAY

Don't forget tomorrow is polling day.
If you are a Oscott resident you have a choice either re elect Councillor Barbara Dring who has a track record of working hard all year around for Oscott residents or for  some others you rarely see.

The work Barbara has put in over the years is second to none.
Don't take the risk, times are tough and may get tougher keep Councillor Barbara Dring as your Local  Councillor, you can rely on her to work for you all year around.

If you live in Oscott and need a lift to a polling station on election day tomorrow 22nd May ring 360 7565

GOODWAY NURSERY FATE WENT WELL.

I was pleased to open the Goodway Nursery fare on Saturday. When done to all the organisers and helpers.
Goodway Nursery is working hard to promote there 2 and 3 year old available places and to promote their links with the Local Community.
Those attending this event all seemed to be having a good time.

BURFORD ROAD PLAYING FIELDS UPDATE

The Birmingham City Council Planning Committee agreed to the Burford Road playing fields Boundary fencing Planning application (Thursday 15.05.2015. This means the funding has been found, Planning permission has been given and all that now needs to be done is the fence to be put up (expected during the summer. The Police have in the mean time prioritised Burford Road as one of their patrol sites for the summer to ensure any youngsters causing anti social behaviour will be identified. (if you have an issue with this and it is not an emergency ring 101,) Residents will still be able to access the fields. Dog walkers are asked to act responsibly and take away their dogs mess. There are now increased on the spot fines. Please see Post 25h March 2015

COOKSEY LANE PROGRAM OF PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENTS SET FOR NOV 2014

Following months of pressure and with the Help of Mrs Berry and other residents Amey have confirmed that footway resurfacing works along Cooksey Lane are included in their program of works to be carried out in November 2014. All Oscott ward Councillors ( who have also helped to bring forward this work to this financial year)and residents affected by this will be notified prior to any work commencing nearer the time.

GOODWAY NURSERY SCHOOL SPRING FAYRE SAT 17th MAY 12-4pm

                                           

Spring Fayre

Saturday 17th May 2014

12—4pm

At Goodway Nursery School

Goodway Rd, Great Barr

Lots of fun to be had by all!

Bouncy Castle, Face Painter, Raffle, Tombola

lots of stalls including Craft, Gift, Food and Prize.

Refreshments will be available

 As a Oscott Local Councillor and Governor of the Goodway Nursery school I was delighted to be asked to open the Goodway Nursery School Spring fare this year.

Goodway has an Excellent Head Teacher (see above) hard working staff, interested governors, caring parents and simply smashing pupils.

TEMPLETON ROAD 89 BUS ROUTE STOP ON REQUEST FOR ELDERLY

 Following my campaign to keep the 89 bus route 2 bus stops have been put in Templeton Road. However due to their location and issues with local residents concerned about having  their drop curbs obstructed and so on it has been agreed by Centro no further bus stops will be installed in the road which will be a relief to a number of residents.. The distance between these stops is sadly quite long. 

After further discussions with Centro on behalf of elderly residents in Templeton Road it has been decided however to ask Central bus drivers to drop of elderly residents between these bus stops when and where it is safe to do so.This should help reduce the amount of walking older residents will have to do with their shopping.Passenger will need to give the drivers as much notice as possible.
I think this goes to show Centro have done their best to listen on this occasion.

TREHURST YOUTH CLUB

The Trehurst Youth Club Duxford Road although situated just outside the Oscott Ward does cater for a number of Oscott youngsters (mainly from the Beeches Estate area.
The youth club operate on a Friday night and offer a rage of activities for young people.
The Oscott Ward Advisory Board have decided to recommend the Oscott Ward Committee (made up of the 3 Oscott Councillors) £1.000 to help finance their activities. This should be agreed at the next Oscott Ward Committee.

For further details about this club please ring 675 2349

UPDATE ON CARRIAGE WAY RESURFACING ALDRIDGE ROAD AND ELMBRIDGE ROAD

Resurfacing – Aldridge Road and Elmbridge Road

Following a number of complaints regarding the time it is taking for Amey (The private Contractor given the 25 year contract to upgrade our streets by the previous Council administration) I can confirm that carriageway resurfacing works on Aldridge Road and Elmbridge Road are due to recommence on the 19th May 2014 and all outstanding works will be completed as soon as possible.
 I will be continuing to monitor their progress and demand the work is fully inspected before it is signed off.

Although frankly the situation is not good enough the following reasons have been given for the delays in both roads.

Wrong notice boards were put up it was never going to be 2 weeks to complete the work.

Elmbridge Road work has been delayed due to problems with materials and machinery.

Aldridge Road delays have been due to Amey trying to work with local businesses and bus companies to ensure they could keep running.

Amey have asked me to pass on their apology for these delays

DISABLED DRIVERS NEED AN EXTRA PARKING BAY NEAR THE KINGS STANDING CIRCLE.

I am currently leading the campaign to back calls from the Oscott Disability Group for more disabled bay markings near the Kingstanding Circle.
I have called on the Transportation department to look at establishing one for example on the Kingstanding Central Reservation car park near the pedestrian crossing.
This would enable a disabled driver simply to cross the Kingstanding Road to the near by shops.

COURTENAY ROAD TO HAVE CARRIAGE WAY RESURFACED BERFORE THE END OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR?

Carriageway Concerns – Courtenay Road/Goodway Road

Following my requests on behalf of a number of residents that the carriage way in  Courtenay Road and Goodway Road.be looked at due to pot holes appearing, Highway inspectors have agreed to have Courtney Roads carriage way resurfaced before the end of this financial year.(Given Amy's recent history of delays I am loath to accept a more detailed date off them.)

 I can also confirm that jobs have been raised to repair the potholes on Courtenay Road and Goodway Road at the moment and works are expected to be completed over the next 28 days or so..

Goodway Road should be assessed next year.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE OSCOTT ELDERLY RESIDENTS GROUP

The Oscott Elderly Resident Group have asked me to remind Oscott resident over the age of 55 are welcome to join their group and attend their meetings. Chair Maureen Byrne is always on hand to ensure a warm welcome.

It is the aim of this group to help older Oscott Residents meet and socialise with each other.
To help do this they hold a morning social get together over tea and biscuits every 3rd Wednesday in the month at 11.15am**. The venue is the 610 Community Centre Centre Kingstanding Road.
There is a £1.50 charge which included a free go on their raffle and Tea/Coffee and biscuits cost just 40p
The room used is accessible for those in wheel Chairs and Oscott Disability Group members are often at these meetings to.
From time to time at these events there may be light exercise sessions (for fun) quizzes and guest speakers (including myself occasionally)
The group also organise occasional Coach trips to places of interest.


Members can also usually meet on the first and 4 Saturdays in the Month at the 610 Community Centre (10.30am) where discussions regarding concerns about the area take place.

Like other similar Groups in the Oscott Ward this group receive a small amount of funding to help them operate from the Oscott Community Chest.

For further information on how to become a member please ring 675 2349 or pop into the 610 Community Centre as above**

ANTI SKID CARRIAGE WAY SUFACING WILL BE RETAINED ON THE ALDRIDGE ROAD

 The time being taken by Amey to finish of the Aldridge Road resurfacing is just not good enough and I am continuing to put pressure on them to get it done. They had originally promised the wok would take a couple of weeks.

While I can accept they are working closely with local traders and the bus companies to cause them as little

 in convenience as possible, which is part of the reason for the delay, other  road users must be considered also.

*I have also requested and been assured, that  the carriage way will have the same anti skid residence as it had before in the same areas ( you may recall I had requested this when it was put down some time ago).

Finally I have insisted that the whole length of the Aldridge Road carriage way is inspected for any faults before the work is signed off.

*See also  Aug 13th  2013 post

MEET THE OSCOTT LABOUR TEAM AT KINGSTANDING CIRCLE TODAY

The Oscott Labour Team are meeting residents at the Kingstanding Circle today 12noon (Wed).
Regardless of your political allegiances why not pop along and ask what is really happening in Oscott. We welcome meeting residents face to face and hold surgeries which is why we are out and about so much and look forward to seeing you on the Circle later.
Find out
What is really happening to the Burford Road Playing Field fencing.
Are the street lights in Oscott being dimmed and if so why?
Learn more about Wheelie bins and when they are expected to be introduced in Oscott
Find out the current situation regarding Oscott Libraries
Ask if it is true Local Oscott  community Groups are not being funding (there will be some members present)
Will you be fined for driving at 21 MPH?
Find out when the Oscott Councillors hold their surgeries

There are lots more questions we are happy to answer for you and if we don't have all the answers we will do what we can to try and get them for you.

Come along and sign the petition calling for GP surgeries to be kept free

WARREN HILL ROAD PAVEMENT REPAIRS TO TAKE PLACE

Following a recent walk about with myself Highways engineers have agreed to my requests to repair the pavement in Warren Hill Road in a number of locations. This work is now expected to be completed shortly
The carriage way has recently been resurfaced following a number of complaints from myself and the other Oscott Councillors.

QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE OVER THE SUMMER.

Following a number of site visits it has been agreed that drainage improvements are to take place to a number of paths in the Queslett Nature Reserve. There are other improvements which will also go ahead during the summer/Autumn. These include new boundary fencing to protect garages on the Queslett Road Boundary. A safety fence near the lake overflow culvert and improved signage.
There will have to be times when machinery and plant will have to be stored near the Ashworth Road entrance but inconvenience to local residents and reserve users will be kept to a minimum.

 NAMING PATHS IN THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

Given that the work to maintain the reserve by the FQNR has helped increase the reserves popularity and use by many people it has been decided to name some of the paths in the reserve. This will also help those using the reserve to get around it easier.
Some of the paths in the reserve will now be named. (The Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve will be helping in this process by gathering the opinions of those using the reserve. (If you have any suggestions please email me on Keith.;Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk.)

There will be FQNR activity days taking place in July further notice will be given on this blog nearer the time .

GEORGE HOUGH R.I.P

It was with great sadness I heard of the passing of George Hough on 04.05.2014.

George was the founder member and the Chair of the Oscott Disability Group for many years.
He was dedicated to helping disabled Oscott residents and even when he was very poorly indeed he never stopped working on his members behalf.
I had a number meetings with George over the years and we worked together where he explained the concerns he and other disabled residents had in regards to pavements roads,disabled bay and so on. George and his mobile scooter were well known in the area.

George was 85 when he passed away and although he had no children but was much loved by family and friends.

George will be sadly missed and my condolences go out to his family and friends.

COUNCILLOR BARBARA DRING UPDATE

Councillor Barbara Dring has again asked me to pass on her thanks to all her well wishers.
Barbara is now well on the mend following her fall and is eager to get on with her task of getting re elected on the 22nd of May.
Barbara has not stopped taking on case work and can be contacted on  0121 360 7535.

It takes more than a nasty fall to stop Barbara from representing her constituents many of whom are facing tough times due to all the cuts being made to things like benefits and Council funding.

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE MAY 22nd 2014

Who ever you vote for don't forget to vote on Thursday May 22nd.

Many have given their lives to give you the right to vote so please do so.

On the 22nd there will be 2 Election to vote at one is the European Election and the other is the local elections so don't be confused. Polling stations are ope 7am to 10pm.

I am not trying to write a party political broadcast but I would just remind you to think carefully about the party and the candidates they put forward.
Who puts in the effort
who makes the makes the most sense realistically.
If you are not sure you can find out more by reading the news papers, contacting the candidates, reading leaflets or talking to others in your area.

MALTHOUSE LANE PAVEMENTS TO BE RESURFACED

The pavement in Malthouse Lane is to be  resurfaced and I will be asking Amey to get the work done as promptly as possible

         The work entails   Malthouse Lane from Booths Lane to Aldridge Road

            Expected start during week ending 16^th May 2014

            Approx. 1 week between the hours of 8.00am and 6.00pm

(for updated start / finish dates see yellow signs at either end of the road)

Parking and Property Access

Access to your property will be restricted. Amey must ask that vehicles are not parked on the pavement during the works. Vehicles obstructing our works will be removed by the City Council and a charge levied for release.  Amey do understand that vehicle access may be essential for some medical / personal reasons.  If you need to get a vehicle to your property during these works please ask Amey personnel on site or call 0121 303 6644 (Option 2).  Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

Works Information

The condition of the existing pavement has been assessed and an inlay treatment is being used which involves the excavation of the pavement and replacement with a new material.

The opening description say where the works will be taking place as they do not always include the whole pavement length.

Amey apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of this necessary highway maintenance and will endeavour to complete the work with as little disruption as possible. They wish to thank you for your patience.