QUESLETT ROAD JUNCTION ACCIDENT CAUSES DELAYS AGAIN

Although the creation of an extra lane leading from the Queslet Road to the Queslett Road slip road near the Nova Court Junction has helped the recent accident at the week end has show more needs to be done.
Every time there is an accident near this junction residents living in Booth Lane, Caddick Road and Bowman Road are trapped on that estate due to the fact that junction is the only exit.

Along with local residents as part of a working party I am working with Taylor Wimpey and the Transportation department to get the Booths Lane made into a through road again. There are still major problems however due to Taylor Wimpy and their Health and safety department.
The road is a private one currently  owned by the developer Taylor Wimpy.

I am also still calling for traffic lights to be placed at the Nova Court to Queslett Road junction.

TRISTAN CHATFIELD RE SELECTED TO FIGHT FOR OSCOTT

The Oscott Branch Labour Party re selected Councillor Tristan Chatfield to stand for the Labour Party at the Local Elections next year.
Tristan has done a great job since his election 3 and a half years ago fighting along side Councillor Barbara Dring and myself on behalf of Oscott residents.
Like Birmingham Oscott has had to deal with unprecedented cuts due to Centrals governments decision to cut so much from the funds they give to the BCC.
There has been nothing like it before and things will only get worse. This is the reason we need an effective Oscott Labour Team to help mitigated the worst of the effect's of these cuts.

Things will be tough and there can be no promises other than we the Oscott Councillors will do what we can to help residents.

CHRISTMAS WASTE COLLECTION DETAILS

Christmas waste collections

Residents in OSCOTT are being reminded of this year’s Christmas waste collection arrangements with one month until festivities begin.

As is normally the case, the council’s crews, who work on all other Bank Holidays, will not operate on Christmas Day, Boxing Day (or any Bank Holidays staged when either of those two days are at the weekend).

This year that means there will be no collections of refuse or recycling of Friday 25th December and Monday 28th December.

Anyone due collections of general household waste on those two days are scheduled to next have a collection on Friday 1st January or Monday 4th January.

Anyone due recycling collections on Friday 25th December and Monday 28th December are therefore scheduled to next have a collection on Friday 8th January or Monday 11th January.

PLEASE LET YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS KNOW

MY EARLY BIRD COUNCILLORS SURGERY

I will be attending my early bird surgery today at 9.30am. The venue will be the 610 Community Centre, Kingstanding Road.
If you cannot make this surgery and have a Council issues you would like me yo look into please email me Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk or telephone (messages) 303 2019.

COUNCILLOR JOHN CLANCY TO BECOME LEADER OF THE BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL

 

After an interesting night Councillor John Clancy was narrowly elected as the Birmingham City Labour Councillors Group Leader. This should mean he becomes leader of the BCC at its next full meeting.
John beat off some excellent opposition to Win on the night.
John knows the Oscott area and my ward colleagues and I will be lobbying him on behalf of Oscott residents.
Sadly as most of us know due to the unprecedented cuts being made to the BCC funding by Central government, we are all about to find life much tougher.
 I know John will do what he can to mitigate the worst effect of these horrendous government cuts but he wont be able to create miracles.

PERRY BARR MP SUPPORTS OSCOTT CAMPAIGN FOR BETTER TREE PRUNING.

Khalid Mahmood MP for Perry Barr has assured me he is still keeping the pressure on the government department responsible for tree pruning policy's, with regards to having what appear to be a very poor policy and set of standards changed.

Khalid fully understands the concerns of Oscott residents when it comes to the problems they have with old , over sized trees in their road. he is fully backing my campaign for more to be done about the problems conacted with trees in the Oscott area.

Problems such as the need for more  large tree replacement, falling branches, poor light and roots issues which all need to be addressed better.

As part of my campaign Councillor Tristan Chatfield is organising a further pubic meeting on the subject of trees in the new year. The meeting will be chaired by Councillor Barbara Dring.

All of your 3 Oscott Councillor are regularly out and about in the Oscott Ward discussing with t residents the problems they face due to trees not being pruned enough.
 Getting something done is not going to be easy but we will be giving it a go.

WELL DONE TO THE FRIENDS OF THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE.

Despite the rain and wind the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve were out and about (Saturday 14th) as part of an activity day, litter picking and pruning.
I would like to thank all those involved for their hard work despite the weather. There work is certainly making a difference.

HAWTHORN/ KINGSTANDING ROAD TRAFFIC LIGHTS TO GET OVERHAUL BUT DELAYS MAY BE EXPECTED

Following an investigation at my request to the contractor Amey high ways  Signals Repair Team on 3^rd November, I can confirm that temporary repair works are now complete.

However, Amey have been aware for some time that there is an ongoing problem with this set of lights. Therefore they have instructed their subcontractors to strip and replace a number of cables and reconfigure the controller.  Plans are in place to undertake this work within the next three months and It is anticipated that the work may take up to 4 weeks to complete.  Amey have indicated they would like to thank residents for their patience whilst they  undertake this essential work.

There have been so many problems with these traffic lights the work needs to be done ASAP.

DONT LOSE YOUR VOTE

Who ever you vote for it is important you do.

 On this day 11th November we remember all those who fought for our right to vote.
 Those hero's who have been, killed or injured and those who cared so much about them.
We wear our Poppy with pride and should not forget their sacrifice to allow us to have the freedom of chose for  who we vote for.
By voting you can make a difference, It is the only way we can hope to change things.

Due to various rule changes many residents in the Oscott area have not registered to vote and will need to do so before the 23rd of November.

You can register to vote by phoning 0121 303 2731

Out and about reminding residents to register to vote

ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER GRIT BIN PATROL IN OSCOTT

I was joined on one of my my regular grit bin patrols today by my ward Colueage Councillor Tristan Chatfield as we made sure there was grit in the bins and they were free of litter.

It is important to ensure there is grit in these bins because if there was a sudden burst of icy weather we would need to be prepared for it.

If you are aware of any grit bins in the Oscott area which have for any reason have little or no grit in them please leave me a message on 303 2039

THE LABOUR PARTY IN BIRMINGHAM TO ELECT NEW LEADER

The Birmingham City Council Labour Councillors are to elect a new leader.

 The candidates are.

In no particular order.

Penny Holbrook.       Stockland Green Ward
John Clancy              Quinton Ward
Barry Henley             Brandwood Ward
Ian Ward                   Shardend Ward
Mike Leddy               Brandwood Ward

The winner will then have the opportunity to be elected as the Leader of the Birmingham City Council at the next full Council meeting. Other parties may put in their own nominations.

The Labour party working with others in arranging a meeting where the public may hear the above candidates answer questions.
 Details have not yet been finalised. I will report the date when known.
 This is meeting is expected to be live streamed in order that anyone with an interest can watch.

Also NewsInBrum @NewsinBrum

news@newsinbrum.com NEWS and POLITICS in Birmingham are arranging a meeting (to find out more contact them via Twitter)

I have already asked Oscott residents via Twitter AND WHEN OUT AND ABOUT if they have any questions for the candidates which I will pass on.

 If you are an Oscott resident and have a question please email me on. Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk.

The Birmingham Labour Party Councillors Group will have the finale say in the election of their leader process but I would hope they would all welcome your interest and views.

HAWTHORN ROAD TRAFFIC LIGHTS ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS AGAIN

 
Yet again the traffic lights at the Hawthorn Road/ Kingstandingg Road. Dyas Road junction are causing problems. They appear to be sticking on red to often.
I have again called in engineers to inspect and rectify these lights.
They need a complete overhaul

THE BEECHES GOLD CENTRE BEECHES ROAD A LITTLE GEM

As part of my council duties I have the privilege to be the section 33 visits (to Social service establishments) Perry Barr District champion.
In this role I carry out occasional visits and do a report of my observations.

One such visit I undertake is to the Beeches Gold Centre 174 Beeches Road Great Barr and while I will not divulge the contents of my report  I can say how well and active those who attend this centre appear.
Those who attend have multiple issues to face from dementia to learning difficulties. They all have smiles on their faces and get really involved in the many activities on offer at the centre.
 It is wonderful to meet them.

Some of these activities include at this centre include.

Sports, Football, bowling,snooker, badminton and more.
Games like dominoes and bingo are held.
There are visits to the cinema, day trips arranged and tea dances amongst other things,
Those who use the centre have the choice of which activities they do.
 There is a well stocked canteen where at little cost food and drink can be obtained
I nearly forgot Flower arranging, painting,sewing and so many other things are also carried out.

The Centres hard working, qualified,  caring staff help ensure the facility runs well and help ensure the users are cared for and help many of the users of the facility enjoy themselves.

For more details regarding the Beeches Gold Centre ring 464 3123

HELPING THE OSCOTT COMMUNITY GET RID OF THOSE LEAVES

If you are picking up leaves for your neighbours and local community in Oscott, working with the Oscott Residents Association, the Salvage department and my Ward Colleagues (Councillor's Barbara Dring and Tristan Chatfield) a free bag delivery and collection service can be set up for you.

If you email on Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk I can give you more details.

Your Oscott ward Councillors will needless to say keep the pressure on to have our roads in Oscott cleared of leaves as often as possible in the normal way.

COUNCILLOR BARBARA DRING'S NEXT COUNCILLOR SURGERY.

Councillor Barbara Dring (Oscott) will be holding her next surgery tomorrow (Wed) at the 610 Community Centre.
The start time will be 7pm.
 Barbara Holds her surgeries on the first Wednesday of the month.

SANDY LANE / BOOTHS LANE HIDY HOLE CORNER CLEANED UP AND CLEARED.

A long last I have managed to get a Council department to cut back the tree and undergrowth at the corner of Booths Lane and Sandy Lane.
The work has nearly been completed, the trees and bushes have been well cut back and up lifted.
There is now much better visibility and those with anti social or criminal intent have no where to hide.
Younger children will now be able to play on the site more safely.
The site has also been cleaned up of drug material and litter.
The Police will be able to monitor the site easily when passing. Many thanks to all those involved in the clearance and clear up.

HELP LOOK AFTER THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

Sadly however much residents care about our open spaces in Oscott there will always be those who do not.
The Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve collectively and in many cases singly carry our small jobs ( recently some palisade fencing was repaired) on the reserve such as litter picking. All this helps make the site more welcoming and attractive as well as more desirable for wild life.

It is a shame however although it appears a sign of the times others carry out acts of petty vandalism on the site from cutting down trees , damaging fencing and yes allowing their dogs to foul the site without removing the dogs mess.( sometimes even leaving their dogs mess in bags tied to bushes!!)

The FQNR do what we can to improve the site new heavy litter bins have for example been requested and placed on the site but we would ask all to come along to the site enjoy the peace and quite, enjoy taking some exercise and importantly leave the wild life to also enjoy the site.

The FQNR also work with various agency,s the Police, the Local Landfill site officers and the Parks department in cooperation to help improve the reserve. 
We do however need more active volunteers to help look after the site.

For more details please email me Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk