IMPROVED AND NEW CYCLING PATHS AND LANES ARE NEED IN THE OSCOTT AREA

As some one trying to improve and create more cycling routes in Oscott and the North Birmingham area I was pleased to support in the Birmingham City Council Planning Committee, improved cycling paths on the common land between Perry Common Road and Witton Lodge Road. The new paths being laid down on this well known piece of land I am sure will be well used by cyclist from across the area.
In Oscott I am still trying to promote improved cycling lanes and joint use paths. I have for example asked for the Kingstanding Road and Kings Road to be considered for improved cycling management.
Booths Lane ( the new development will result in improved cycle paths in the long term)  and it is hoped something may be done in the Queslett Nature reserve to help cyclists use it in the future.

DUE TO CUTS IN POLICE FUNDING PARKING WILL GET WORSE AROUND OSCOTT SCHOOLS.

Sadly due to the amount of funding cuts made to the West Midland Police Force budget by the Central Government it looks highly likely there will be a drastic reduction in Police activity in the Oscott Ward. I am sure those left will as ever do their best for Oscott but there will be a difference to be seen.

I am particularly concerned about the issues of parking around schools in Oscott. The Great Barr School, the Perry Beeches Schools and Cardinale wiseman already have serious parking issues as do the all the local primary schools.
The Police with their current staffing levels do try to get around to these schools to deal with parking problems I have no doubt when there are less officers there will be even more problems.

Although I fully understand how vicious the Governments cuts have been to the West Midlands Police Service (as they have been to the Birmingham City Council) I have requested the Police Commisioner look again at the situation. I am also calling on other concerned parties to see what further measures can be taken to help ease the problems.

TRAVELLERS ON SITE NEAR QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE.

Travellers ( 5 caravans) are currently occupying the old Concrete firm site on the Queslett Road next to the Queslett Nature Reserve. Residents and users of the reserve are concerned about this.

I have been in contact with the Police regarding this matter and also the Parks department who a dealing with the issues including informing the land owner.
 Gates have recently had new locks fitted and these will be checked regularly by the Parks department, members of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve as well as concerned residents.
I would ask everyone to be vigilant.

There are times when Travellers go on a site for a sort time before  moving on without causing any issues we must hope this will be the case in this instance.

BOOTHS LANE WORKING PARTY MEETING AND UPDATE

I am currently trying to organise the next meeting of the Booths Lane development working party.
This is made up of the developer Taylor Wimpey ( a senior Director and his team), BCC  Planning Transport Engineers and Local Community Representatives. The date for the next meeting is due to be set for next month

The aim of the working party is try and iron out problems caused by the development on the Booths Lane site.
We have managed to help with issues like delivery details, the mud on the road and noise issues. We have also ensured walking access has been maintained from the Queslett Road side of the site to Sandy Lane.

However the big sticking point is as we all are aware the opening of the Booths Lane. I have been working closely with the Birmingham City Council who have been trying to sort out legal implications and progress has been made in that direction. However Taylor Wimpey are concerned about issues like the safety of road users and other health and safety concerns.
It must be remembered this development and the road within  it is PRIVATELY OWNED by Taylor Wimpy and although local residents representatives and myself may continually cajole them, they have the decision in their hands when to open up the road. Clearly this road needs to be re opened ASAP.

Taylor Wimpey have agreed to distribute an information leaflet regarding the up to date position on the development and road.

When the road is finished it will be handed to the BCC for adoption and it will become a part of the official road net work.

I would like to thank all those Community Representatives who have given their time to help the local community to try and resolve with Taylor Wimpey issues related to the Taylor Wimpey development. It is not an easy process.
 I also think there should be a big thank you to those who are effected by the current Booths Lane road closure for their patience in waiting for this matter to be sorted out.

If you have any concerns you wish me to pass on please email me. Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk.Or leave a message on 303 2039

YOUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT MATTERS BIRMINGHAM EVENT NOVEMBER

There will be a YOUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT MATTERS event in Birmingham on the 7th of November. It will be held in CORPORATION  Street between 11am and 1am.

This is an easy venue to get to for many Oscott residents given how many buses from the Oscott area terminate at the near by Bull Street.

These events are targeted at those who use public transport and have either an interest in the subject or have a concern they would like to raise.

Free bus time tables and guide maps are on offer and information can be obtained from the Police about safety issues on our public Transport. (see something say something). Centro and bus company representatives are on hand to offer help and advice.
 Information and news about what is happening regarding Public Transport is also available.

This is one of a series of events which take place across the West Midlands. Councillors meeting with Local Transport users to hear their views is one of the most important roles we have on the TDC it is your views and concerns that should be heard and your should views should help shape Public Transport Policy.

These events are very popular and I have attended many across the West Midland in my role as a Transport Delivery Committee  member. If you live in Oscott and cannot make this event you may still let me know of any concerns by Emailing me on Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk







Below YPTM events  held in Coventry, West bromwich, Wolverhampton and Solihull respectively

     

       

--            --        --       --           --       --    --    ---   ---       ----      -----    ----        ----        ---

 

Update the Birmingham YPTM see photo above Nov 2015

A VISIT TO THE CLOSED QUESLETT LANDFILL SITE

Today as part of my commitment to the interest of the Oscott residents I represent I have an interesting tour of the Queslett Closed Landfill site.
Guided by senior officers and accompanied by Brenda the |Secretary of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve  I had the opportunity of watching the very committed staff,  on the the site at work. The site is a large one and it is very well maintained and looked after.

In 30 years or when the gas has all been drained off,  it will be a welcomed open space in an area which is sadly steadily being built on.
The site Management team also have a healthy respect for the wild life which sometimes take shelter on the site. This clearly has a knock on effect for the Queslett Nature Reserve next door.

I was informed the is not dangerous to the public if they do not enter the site and a lot of continued work replacing or repairing a myriad of underground pipes is being done. In some areas near the Aldridge Road side, new pipes and vents  are being laid to help ensure local residents and schools are even safer than they all ready are.

The job of those working on the site is to ensure the safety of the site, creating wind breaks, checking for signs of vandalism, as well as working on pipes and other equipment.

I was as usual very impressed with the site and the staff working on it.

AND STILL THE CAMPAIGN FOR A SENSIBLE TREE REPLACEMENT POLICY FOR OSCOTT GOES ON

The campaign to have the large forest type trees in Oscott either pruned more heavily or when they are to close together causing issues of poor light and so on replaced with more suitable varieties goes on.

I am certainly not in favour of getting rid of all our street trees as they clearly have benefits to all of use but I am and have been for years calling on the Council and Amey Highways to introduce a sensible tree removal program which operates in a phased way over a reasonable time to replace over grown and in many cases elderly 60 year old large trees. Many of these trees cause problems such as falling branches, are to close together causing light issues for residents ,uneven pavements due to having roots which are far to large and so on.

Clearly they should not be and financially cannot be all be removed overnight but over a period of time the aim should be to replace these trees which in many cases were planted just before of after the second world war, with trees more suitable for our streets.

Following the start of my campaign Amey have agreed to look again into thinning some of the trees in roads where I have petitioned.

With this in mind along with my colleagues Councillors Barbara Dring and Tristan Chatfield (as well as local residents) I am continuing to gather names of Oscott residents for petitions calling for better tree maintenance in the Oscott ward.

This is not a short term, forgotten tomorrow campaign but a long term effort and I would like to thank all those Oscott residents who are helping with  petitions, those who are signing them and those who are letting me know what problems with street trees they have.

HOLFORD DRIVE HOUSEHOLD RECYLING CENTRE WINTER OPENING HOURS

Recycling centres: winter opening times

Winter opening hours at the Council’s five Household Recycling Centres come into effect from 1st November. This include Holford Drive (off Aldridge Road) B42 2TU just 5 minutes from most parts of Oscott by car.

Weekday opening hours until the week commencing February 29 will be 8am-6pm.
Weekend opening hours until the week commencing February 29 will be 8am-4.30pm.

It is like most things best to avoid peak times and Check press for Christmas arrangements.

There  are 4 other sites as well
– Tameside Drive, Castle Vale, B35 7AG–
– James Road, Tyseley, B11 2BA
– Lifford Lane, Kings Norton, B30 3JJ
– Norris Way, Sutton Coldfield, B75 7BB

These sites are free for most residents so there is no excuse for fly tipping.

REMEMBER YOUR PETS AT THE RUN UP TO BONFIRE NIGHT

Just a reminder with Bon Fire night fast approaching to remember to think about your pets.
Dogs and cats can get very distressed as Bonfire night approaches with all the sounds of fire works going off and the sight of burning bonfires.
Please keep an eye on them and try and keep them indoors in a quiet part of the house.

  Also if you are going to have a bonfire your self check it out before you light it to make sure there are no Hedge Hogs underneath.

PERRY BARR MP NEXT RESIDENTS SURGERY IN OSCOTT

I have been asked to remind Oscott Residents that Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood holds his next residents surgery in Oscott on NOVEMBER 7th at the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road. Start time 10.30am.
He will be available to listen to residents concerns and complaints.
Parking is available at the rear.



If this date is not convenient he also holds the following surgeries is the Perry Barr Constituency 

 1.30am at Trehurst Centre, Trehurst Avenue, Great Barr, B42 2JD

2nd Saturday of the month:

10.30am at Laurel Road Community Sports Centre, Laurel Road, Handsworth, B21 9PB
Constituency Office Telephone: (0121) 356 8268/8278

CONSULTING WITH OSCOTT COMMUNITY LEADERS

As part of my next Councillor Surgery to be held at the 610 Community Centre 9.30am 0n the 24th of this month I am asking Oscott Community leaders to come along.

I will be hold open discussion with them on what is happening in Oscott at the moment and asking them for any ideas or concerns they may have.
If you would like to come along please do and if you cannot make it please email me on Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

AMEY TOLD SOME OF THEIR WORK NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED

Amey Highway officers attending Oscott ward meeting yesterday were told although some of the work they are currently doing re carriage way and pavement upgrades is fine some of it leaves much to be desired.
As a former  Considerate Street lay assessor volunteer, I often still take a look at the work being carried out on our roads and I have picked up on a number of issues I have come across such as unevenness  poor edge bonding and signs being left behind. A number of other Oscott residents have also complained to me regarding issues they have picked up. This is all being passed on to Amey for their attention.

While as I say much of the work is fine and those doing the work are getting on with it in good fashion, unless the work is finished of properly there may be problems with it in the future.
Residents have asked for a better inspection of the work to be carried out before it is signed of and I fully support their request.

A PACKED ROOM HEARS OF SOME PROGRESS IN OSCOTTS TREE CAMPAIN

At a packed meeting of the Oscott Ward Committee residents heard from Senior Amey Highways and Council officers that at last, following years of pressure a serious phased approach for the removal and replacement of some of the larger trees in the ward, is being put together.

Residents were told work to investigate the thinning trees where they are most dense and causing the most issues  with would be looked at first following a number of petitions I have submitted on behalf of residents. Officers also announced although trees would not be subject to over pruning many in the same effected roads would at least be looked at again.

This is certainly some progress but more is needed and along with my ward Colleagues Councillor Tristan Chatfield and Barbara Dring I will be continuing to keep the Pressure on Amey to do as they say.

Khalid Mahmood MP has also assured me he will be meeting with senior Council officials to keep the momentum of the tree campaign for Oscott I have started moving.. He will also be taking the matter of the standards of tree pruning up with the Government department responsible.

I explained at the meting all the residents who have complained to me individually regarding tree problems have had their complaints forwarded to Amey Highways for further investigation and that along with my fellow Councillors, on request we will be collecting more names from different roads with a view to presenting further petitions. I have already presented over a dozen petitions to the Council on the subject of trees and I will be helping my colleagues Councillor Chatfield and Barbara Dring collect even more names over the next few weeks.

I have also made it quite clear I am in favour of trees being in our streets but they must be of a suitable size and variety. I have also insisted that trees removed must be replaced in a suitable location.

I would like to thank all those residents and officers who attended this meeting and Councillor Barbara Dring who did such a good job chairing the meeting.
 We hope to organise a further meeting sometime in the new year. In the mean time if you have any issues relating to trees please Email me Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk or phone me (messages) on 303 2039.

THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE DONE TO STOP THE SPREAD OF JAPANESE KNOW WEED

 Sadly there is a fair bit of Japanese Knotweed in the Queslett nature Reserve and as many gardeners will know it is very difficult to kill off. I am however continuing to request that the Parks department try and kill off this weed and to stop it spreading.

For your information

Japanese knotweed is a rapid growing weed which spreads and overwhelms other garden plants. How to identify:

• green shovel shaped leaves;
• stem is bamboo like in appearance;
• produces white flowers around September or October.

What you should know

• it is the landowner's responsibility to control these plants but they don't have to remove them;
• you should not try to remove or dispose of them as it could cause the plant to spread, which is an offence;
• you can't dispose of Japanese knotweed in your green bin (garden waste) or take it to the tip (household recycling centre) it must be disposed of as controlled waste; 
• refer to the Environment Agency  for further information.

If you are worried about Japanese Knotweed spreading from a neighbouring property, speak to the land owner in the first instance.

The Council will do what it can to contain the spread of Japanese knotweed on public land.

KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH OSCOTT RESIDENTS VIEWS

As an Oscott Councillor I am always interested in what resident have to say.

If you have any concerns or views about the Oscott Ward or Birmingham there are a number of ways you can contact me to let me know.

I hold a surgery on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 9.30am at the 610 Community Centre.
You can leave me a message by ringing 303 2039.
If you have one of my return cards which are widely circulated you can return it FOC. ( you can pick one up in an Oscott library also)
You can write a letter to me C/O The Birmingham City Council House B11 BR
You can Email on Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

I also regularly visit elderly residents complexes, carry out walk abouts, attend public meeting, meet with Community Group leaders,as a regular bus user meet residents using the bus, attend Police Neighbourhood Tasking meetings.

I am also on Twitter and naturally this blog in order to try and let residents know some of the things I am doing

I like to listen to what residents have to say I do not always agree but that does not mean I am not listening. I also do what I can to try and help without making any promises.

NO NEWS YET REGARDING THE SALE OF LAND NEAR THE OLD HORNS CRESCENT/ QUESLETT ROAD

 

Following rumours regarding the sale of the land near the corner of Old Horns Crescent next to ASDA Queslett  I have contact senior Manager from the Planning department. This was in regards to the position in relation to the possible development of this site.

I have been informed there has been some informal advice about the possibility of accommodating a food store on the site, but there has been no recent communication with food store operators or their advisers. 

 I have however further raised previous  issues  - dealing with storage and other operational requirements to minimise the likelihood of litter affecting the surrounding area and in particular the adjoining nature reserve. And taking in to account the impact of a scheme in particular on boundary trees, trees within the site and ecology. 

I have now been assured the Housing team  have  had a site meeting with property services colleagues to raise these and other issues and will continue to take them in to account in any ongoing

discussions and that the needs of the Queslett Nature Reserve are remembered.

NOTE THIS LAND IS NOT PART OF THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE.

HELP PREVENT CRIME IN OSCOTT

As many Oscott residents will be aware due to huge cuts in funding to the West midlands Police force by the Government, many changes are having to be made which will effect the Oscott area.

We have already seen the start of the effects of these cuts by the closure of the Kingstanding Police Station to the public and now it looks like their Perry Barr station may go to?

There are clearly going to be reductions in the numbers of local officers and this will become more noticeable as time goes by. We have already seen some types of crime rise for the first time in some years.
Our Local Police team despite less funding have been doing a great job!
  The Local Police Team leader  Sargent Glynis Tomlinson

bearing all this in mind Oscott residents need to help them selves and act together for their own security.
For example in Oscott there is a Neighbourhood Police Initiative and a number of Neighbourhood Watch schemes that residents can join.

Residents need to keep there eyes and ears open keep an eye on not only their own houses and cars but also neighbours.

Some simple tips are.

Leave a light on when you go out.
Lock all windows and doors when you go out (and when you go to bed.)
Lock sheds gates and rear access ways
Never let anyone in your house without checking their ID.
Keep your car doors locked and do not leave items or cash on display.
Keep an eye on your neighbours property as well as your own.
Avoid using dark alleyways at night.
Keep an eye on your purse or wallet when yo go shopping.
If in doubt sit down stairs on a double Decker bus. ( report anti social behaviour to the Safer Travel team)
Post code your property including Wheelie bins.
Keep an eye on elderly neighbours and remember these tips are for everyone not just the elderly.
When reporting a non emergency use to Police 101 number to help free up the emergency 999 number.
In the case of any emergency ( when something is happening) ring 999.

If you have a concern you would like me to raise with the Police Email me on Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk.

 

 I meet with the Police and local community leaders regularly as part of the Oscott Police Neighbourhood Tasking Group to raise general Policing concerns in the area.

For further details on the NPI and Neighbourhood Watch Ring 675 2349

NEW FENCING ERECTED AT THE CORNER OF OLD OSCOTT LANE

New green steel fencing has been erected near the corner of Dyas Road / Old Oscott Lane.
Although the replaced wooden fence (I had that  put there some years ago to help prevent youths sitting on the older trip rail one) was not in too bad a condition it was felt new fencing would look better and would not have the same high maintenance costs.
The funding was found from the H.L.B budget for this year.

MY NEXT COUNCILLORS SURGERY

My next Councillor surgery will be on Tuesday October 27th. The venue will be the 610 Community Centre, Kingstanding Road and the time 9.30am.
If you have a Council problem you would like to raise with me please come along.
Alternatively you can leave me a message on 303 2019 (messages please leave your full contact details.)

BETTER ROAD SIGNAGE AT THE SHADY LANE ALDRIDGE ROAD JUNCTION PROPOSED.

Following a number of road accidents at the Shady Lane/ Aldridge Road junction I have contacted the Transportation department about the situation. AS most of the accidents seem to be drivers going straight on from Shady Lane into the Aldridge Road without stopping, better signage has been agreed.

SATURDAY CEDAR YOUTH ACTIVITIES

The Saturday  Cedar Youth hold sessions for children  from 3 to 6 years old
on Saturdays 6pm to 7.30pm

They also hold sessions you youngsters from 7 years old onwards, including teenagers. These sessions are held on Saturdays 7.30pm to 9pm. They are a chance to chill out with friends , with music, stories and games. (Poole and so on)

The venue is the Cedar Church,  Lambeth Road on the Bandywood Estate


For information contact Andrew Kisumba.
Em   info@cedar.church
www.cedar.church

BEWARE WHEELIE BINS ARE BEING STOLEN IN OSCOTT

It has come to my notice that Wheelie bins are being stolen in the Oscott area.
I have spoken to the Police about this issue and they will be trying to keep an eye on it.

I find it strange given the hostility by some to wheelie bins that others are going round stealing them!

I would suggest to any residents with wheelie bins try marking them (the lid or side) with paint or a permanent marker. I used to that with my dust bins when I heard that a number of dustbins had been stolen in this area some years ago.
If you post code the bin (use the number of your house and the post code).
 If they are lost you will be charged for a replacement. Also report the loss to the Police on their 101 number and get a crime number.
 Don't forget to have a quick look around to see if the bin has just been pushed further down your road.

I have also suggested the Council  consider using the Forward to pass on this information AND THEY SHOULD ENSURE WHEELIE BINS ARE LEFT NEAR THE PROPERTY THEY HAVE COME FROM WHEN EMPTIED. !

DONT LEAVE YOUR DOGS MESS IN A BAG IN BUSHES

 Use a litter bin to put your dogs bagged dog mess or take it home

Very sadly some dog owners have taken to bagging their dogs mess which is excellent but then tying up the bags in trees and bushes which is frankly disgusting. There is simply no excuse for this type of behaviour and it gets the vast majority of dog owners, who do the right thing and care deeply about the environment a bad name.
There a a number of litter bins on our streets in Oscott and near most of our few open spaces so there is no need to put bags of dog mess in bushes it is disgusting and on a number of occasions children have run into bushes playing just to discover dog mess in bags. The mind boggles as to the reason some dog owners do this!!!

This year I have had over a dozen litter bins replaced or newly located in the Oscott area.

KEEP REAR ACCESSWAY GATES LOCKED TO HELP PREVENT FLY TIPPING

 By not locking your rear access way gate you can end up with rubbish like this at the back of your home.




Sadly a number of Oscott residents are being effected by fly tipper dumping rubbish in rear access ways. despite the fact that just 5 minutes down the road at the Holford Road recycling Centre (off Aldridge Road) rubbish will be taken in free of charge some insist in dumping their rubbish locally.

This anti social act is unacceptable the Council also offer a £25 rubbish removal service and to just dump behind someones property is not good enough.

One way residents can hep prevent this fly tipping is to ensure if they have them rear access way gates are kept locked. This also has the effect of keeping anti social groups of youths out of the drives and adds security to the rear of properties.

If  Oscott residents have genuine problems finding funds to pay for a pad lock for their rear access gates and if residents will use a new pad lock funding may be available to help. Ring me on 303 2039 and I will do what I can to help along with my fellow ward Councillors



Unlocked rear access way gates leves an easy target for fly tippers

ZERO HOUR CONTRACTS NEED TO GO

I am often contacted by Oscott residents who are forced to take on work which only offers Zero hour Contracts.
These contracts offer little or no security for those on them and many feel they are being forced to take this type of work by government rules on unemployment. Those on these contracts are at the whim of employers when it comes to what hours they are working and have few if any rights other workers in this day and age expect
There may be some advantage to some in the community such as students and those who have retired (in some cases) but surely in this day and age all workers should have far better rights. Zero Hour Contracts need to be phased out and I am happy to the support the campaign to do this.
I was pleased to find out following requesting information that the Birmingham City Council do not employ anyone on Zero Hour Contracts and are trying to dissuade others from doing so.

ITS TIME TO CHECK OUT GRIT BIN SALT LEVELS

As those of you who read this blog on a regular basis will be aware during the  winter  I regularly check that grit bins in the Oscott ward are topped up with salt. When I find a bin running low I contact Amey Highways with a top up request.

If you are aware of a grit bin which needs topping up please email me Keith. Linnecor@birmingham>gov.uk or leave me a massage (your details and the grit bin location) on 303 2039)

ALRIDGE ROAD RECREATION GROUND WALK ABOUT.

Along with Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve I carried out a walk about on the Aldridge Recreation ground today.
Some of the issues brought to my attention were. the amount of litter left after matches (FQNR members have done litter picks in the past).
The amount of trees cut down.
I will be raising these issues with the Parks Management Team.