Wednesday 25 May 2016

THE FRIENDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE MEET ALDI



I have now met with Aldi as part of the friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve.
I found this to be a constructive meeting with a frank exchange of views.

A number of proposals and counter proposals regarding the wellbeing of the reserve were considered.

Aldi have still yet to put forward their formal planning application for the site on Queslett Road near the ASDA Supermarket. Parking and Transport issues were not discussed as part of this meeting.

Any local residents with concerns about the proposed Aldi Development on the Queslett Road site re can still contact them with those concerns. There will also be an opportunity to tell the Birmingham City Council your views about the development when formal proposals are submitted.

It should be remembered that the Aldi Store is not being built on any land belonging to the Queslett Nature Reserve.

LITTERING OUR STREETS MUST STOP





The littering of our streets needs to be stopped. It is all very well having large fines but there needs to be more enforcement.

Foe example cans of larger have been thrown all over the place in Old Horns crescent I will ensure they are picked up but those who just litter our streets willy nilly need to be caught and fined or they will simply litter again.

Tuesday 24 May 2016

QUESLETT LAND FILL SITE BREAK INS CAN BE DANGEROUS




During the weekend of the 21st/ 22nd  some people made a forced entry onto the Queslett Land fill site. They had attempted to cut off the high security lock on the gate to the rear of the site on Booths Lane. This failed due to the integrity of the locks  used.  
 

After this failed attempt they went into Queslett Nature Reserve and cut though our fencing  and got onto site. Luckily there is no damage on but I  can only think they wanted to get on site with dogs to chase down the foxes and new born cubs which has happened many times in the past.  The disturbance to the wild life is completely un- welcome there are for instance protected Sky Larks on the site.
 
What is very worrying is their determination to get on site and the tools they must have brought with them to do this. The site security team  still continue to get bolts removed along the whole perimeter of the fence line during the summer months which is a worry but this particular incident is of great concern. 

This site is a dangerous site in as much as there is methane control pipes and units on it and those damaging the site while on it could cause dangerous repercussions to the local community. I would ask that all residents in the area and those using the Queslett Nature Reserve keep their eyes open and report urgently to the Police anyone trying to break into the land fill site. These people must be stopped. I will be requesting the Police and the Local Council do all they can to prevent these break ins.

 

 

Monday 23 May 2016

MY NEXT COUNCILLORS SURGERY IS TOMORROW 9.30 AM AT THE 610 COMMUNITY CENTRE.



My next Councillors surgery will take place tomorrow at the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road.
The time will be 9.30am

If you have an issue you would like to raise with me or if you would like to know more about what is happening in the Oscott ward, please pop in and I will try and help you if I can.
 The venue is wheel, chair,mobility scooter , friendly.

If you cannot make it and would like my help please leave me a message on 303 2039.

LOCAL TODDLER GROUP NEEDS NEW ACCOMMODATION CAN YOU HELP?





Sadly the All Stars play group based at the Cedar Church Lambeth Road have to find new premises to operate from, after the 27th Of May.
For some time now  with the help of Council officers I have been trying to help by looking at vacant premises in the Oscott Ward. Sadly as yet to no avail and time has nearly run out for them.


Carol Rooney and her team of staff who run the group, as well as a number parents using this childcare service, now have to find a new centre  from where they can run their toddler group.

 They do not mind paying rent but need a room where they can use for storage and some out side area where the children can use.

It is a shame that this situation has arisen the Oscott Ward Committee have helped both the play group and the Church in the past with small amounts of funding but there is little the committee can do in this situation.

  Carol Rooney and her All Stars toddlers group can be contacted on 07531 022473 or via email, allstarsplaygroup@hotmail.co.uk. If you have suitable accommodation in the Oscott, Kingstanding Great Barr area, they can use and can help please contact them as soon as possible.

The group are also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Allstarsplaygroup/?fref=t...

AMEY HIGHWAYS APPOLOGIES FOR DELAY IN KINGSTANDING ROAD KINGSTANDING CIRCLE ROAD REPAIRS



Following my enquires Amey Highways have given their apologies  for delayed start to Kingstanding Road Kingstanding Circle Road maintenance which was due to have started a week ago.
This work will now be carried out in June.

I will be continuing to monitor the progress of this work

Saturday 21 May 2016

THE FREINDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE FUN DAY STALL





It was nice to be able to help out on the Friends on the Queslett Nature Reserve Stall  at the Kingstanding fun day.

The stall organised by Brenda and John operated a tombola and did very well in raising funds for the FQNR.
 They also displayed information about the group on the stall and a number of people became new members.
Thanks also to all those who donated gifts for the stall and to all those who paid to have a go on the Tombola.
It was also nice to see the Oscott Neighbourhood Police Initiative there helping out too.
The FQNR will make use all funds raised with go to help promote the reserve.

KING STANDING FUN DAY



I was pleased to attend  and show support for the Kingstanding fun day, today.

There are a number of worth while groups who try and raise badly needed funds at this event. The Queslett Nature Reserve, Air Ambulance, Dogs Trust, Kingstanding Scouts Group and Walsall RSPB Erdington Rotarians, just to name a few.

It was good to see the Fire Brigade, the Police  and Scouts there along with dancer strutting their stuff on stage. Other events and entertainment included A climbing wall, bouncy castles fun rides and a display of birds of prey.
It was also pleasing to see other Councils there showing none political support for the event



At todays event I met residents from Oscott, Kingstanding Erdington , SuttonColdfield and Walsall.

Well done to Keith Airey and the other organisors





Thursday 19 May 2016

DYAS ROAD PEDESTRIAN CROSS OVER REFUGE UPDATE




Earlier this year I presented a petition on behalf of hundreds of Oscott residents asking for some form of pedestrian  cross over refuge to be located on the Dyas Road carriage way near the Old Oscott Lane junction (Near the Coop).

The Transportation department have now marked out a refuge position  and are consulting with various orgnisations regarding its position.

I have spoken to pedestrians today who have all welcomed the idea and I have also spoken to some bus drivers and a representative of NX.

There may be some issues with the size of the refuge, near by parking  and its precise location but this is what the consultation is trying to find out. The proposed refuge is similar to the one near the Aldrisge Road junction.

Tuesday 17 May 2016

THE NEXT FREINDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE ACTIVITY DAY 28TH MAY





There is to be an activity session held at the Queslett nature Reserve on the 28th of May.
 Members and helper are asked to meet at the Ashworth Road entrance. ( Please do not obstruct residents drop curbs and park carefully) The session will start at 11.15.

At these sessions litter picking / clean ups take place along with some light pruning and planting work when required.

There will be an opportunity to meet with FQNR members and a Parks Ranger.

Any tools will be provided. Please come prepared for the weather and wear stout shoes or boots.

Children are welcome under the control of an adult.

The Friends of the Queslett nature Reserve are an activity based group and holds any discussions regarding the reserve or other Environmental issues within the Oscott Ward, on site.
 There is also a grot spot litter picking squad and we work closely with the Oscott Neighbourhood Police Initiative.

The Group is made up of volunteers who are interested not only in the Reserve but also other open spaces in the Oscott ward and the environment generally.

For further details please email me  Keith.Linnecor@Birmingham.gov.uk

PERRY BARR MP NEXT SURGERY





I have been asked to remind Oscott residents that Khalid Mahmood MP for Perry Barr  will be holding his next Oscott MP's Advice surgery on the 4th of June. The venue will be the 610 Community Centre at 10.30am.

No appointment is needed just pop in, he can help with a wide range of concerns.

Tuesday 10 May 2016

HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE OSCOTT WARD BOUNDARY CHANGES



As Oscott residents may know, at the instigation of the government, the Boundary Commission for England have been seeking views from, resident groups, political parties and local residents on proposals the commission have put forward to change local ward boundaries.

The aims of the review are to justify the reduction in the amount of locally elected Councillors in Birmingham by creating a hotch potch of newly drawn up double and single member wards to fit a new 101 number of Councillors.

The Commission have now put forward what is believed to be their finale recommendations for residents across the City including Oscott to comment on.

If you want further information on this process or to make comments on these latest Boundary Commission proposals you can find out more by going on the inter net https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/5688

It is sad in my view that Oscott has to be broken up in anyway, but the matter is out of the hands of your local councillors and  we will have to deal with what we are given
I can assure you however, whoever is an Oscott resident now and at the end of the process, will receive the best service we can give regardless, of the outcome of these changes.

THE THE BUILDING OF A MEDICAL CENTRE ON THE QUESLETT ROAD IS WELL UNDER WAY.

The work to build the medical centre on the Queslett Road ( BY Bask Health) is well underway.

 Given the increase in housing  development in the area more health facilities are needed, however I have asked that when built, the traffic flow generated, be well monitored given possible other developments which may take near by.

Traffic on this section of the Queslett Road is at times already very busy and all additional traffic flows need to be taken into account.

THORNBRIDGE AVENUE RESURFACING UPDATE.



Having been promised by Amey Highways that they would resurface the Thornbridge Avenue Carriageway. M6 bridge to Aldridge Road last year only to be let down I am keeping them to their word this year.

Having sent a number of correspondence to them I have now in my possession confirmation that the work will be done during this financial year. I will be keeping this corresponce tucked away safely and will be bringing it out to remind them on a regular basis.

This work needs to be done and Amey MUST NOT let Oscott residents down again.

Sunday 8 May 2016

OSCOTT RESIDENTS WHAT IS YOUR VIEW ON THE REFERENDUM



Now the Local Elections are over many Oscott residents thoughts will turn to the Euro Referendum.
This is going to be a major decision which will effect those who live in this country for a life time.

I am sure residents who have already been bombarded with leaflets telling them which way to vote will be receiving even more in the next few weeks.
When you receive them read them carefully and also listen carefully to all the experts who will appear on TV  or in the media, to give their " expert advice"

However at the end of the day it is your decision how you vote and I will fully respect what ever decision you come to.

As for me I will also read the leaflets I receive and listen carefully to all the so called experts. However I will also be listening  to what Oscott residents have to say.

If you would like to let me know what you think on this subject please Email me  Keith.Linnecor@Birmingham.go.uk.

I am interested in all points of view.

Friday 6 May 2016

WELL DONE COUNCILLOR TRISTAN CHATFIELD







I am very pleased that Councillor Chatfield has been re elected by Oscott residents as one of their Councillors.

I have enjoyed playing my small role in his successful  campaign and am very confident when he gets over it, he will come out shooting from the hip and help Councillor Barbara Dring and myself battle as hard as we can in the face of governments cuts, for Oscott residents.
Thanks to these cuts there will be tough times ahead but having 3 Oscott Labour Councillor, will be a big help in battling for Osoctt.

Well done Tristan.

Wednesday 4 May 2016

VOTE FOR TRISTAN CHATFIELD 5TH MAY OSCOTT





I have no reservations in asking Oscott residents to re elect Tristan Chatfield as an Oscott Councillor again tomorrow.

He has played an important part as in the Oscott Labour Team helping to mitigate some of the worst of the effects from the Government cuts in the Councils funding.

Oscott needs to keep its current Council Team together to try and help stop the effects of even more government cuts to the Birmingham City Councils funding. These cuts will effect Oscott and only the current team will tell you as it is and try and fight them.

Tristan has spent his time in office trying to help as many Oscott residents as possible. Not an easy job thanks to government cuts.
 He cares for the Oscott Community and works hard to bring residents concerns to the notice of the powers that be.

You can rely on Tristan to be there if you need him.

He needs your support tomorrow please vote for him  he can help make a difference.