2 to 10 OSCOTT SCHOOL LANE PLANNING APPLICATION

I am please to be able to say that I learnt today that a Planning application to change 2 to 10 Oscott School Lane from a medical facility to 4 self contacted properties is being submitted.
 This is the next step into bringing them back into the Housing market for tenants who badly need homes.

OSCOTT PUBLIC MEETING OCTOBER 5TH BURFORD PLAYING FIELD AND TREES ARE ON THE AGENDA

                                                     A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

NOTICE

 

THERE WILL BE A MEETING OF THE OSCOTT  WARD COMMITTEE ON THE 5^TH OCTOBER 2016.

THE VENUE WILL BE THE 610 COMMUNITY CENTRE KINGSTANDING ROAD. THE TIME 7PM.

 

ON THE AGENDA WILL BE

 

THE BURFORD ROAD -PLAYING FIELD.

TREES AND ROAD- MAINTAINANCE.

POLICE ISSUES.

HOUSING ISSUES.

 

Residents are welcome to attend.

WELL DONE LINDA FOR 100 DONATIONS OF BLOOD

Well done to Linda Griffiths an Oscott resident who has made 100 donations of blood.
It has taken forty years to reach this memorable target.

For more information

Birmingham Blood Donor Centre

2nd Floor, 65 New StreetBirminghamB2 4DU
For the latest opening hours and to book an appointment call them on 0300 123 23 23

ANOTHER FRIENDS OF THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE ACTIVITY DAY

Another busy Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve environmental group activity day.

Working with the agreement of the Park ranger we undertook tree managing and litter picking.
We have also identified a number of other issues which need resolving.

Many thanks to all evolved it was pleased they came out and we missed the rain.

ADVANCE NOTICE THE OSCOTT WARD COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON 5TH OCTOBER

There will be a meeting of the Oscott  Committee (Chaired by Councillor Barbara Dring) to be held on the 5th of October at 7pm. The venue will be the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road.

All 3 Oscott Councillors attend these meeting where member of the public can come along to listen to issues effecting the ward and have their say.

On the agenda will be Amey Highways (TREES and street repairs)

The Burford road playing field issues.

The Police with local news.

The Housing department.

Other local issues

Details can be found in the public libraries and the 610 near the time.

I WILL ALSO POST A REMINDER ON HERE AND TWITTER NEARER THE TIME.

WHY A SECOND ENTRANCE FOR THE BURFORD PLAYING FIELD IS BEING LOOKED AT

 

A couple of Burford Road residents have asked me why a new gap in the Burford Road playing field is being considered.

 

I have seen the issues for myself and received a number of calls and emails on the subject, which is why I  suggested and fully supported the closure of the gap for a trial period to see how it went. I would prefer to see it kept closed and look for other opening options.

 

However We now find that hundreds of people have been signing petitions ( including a number of resident who live in Burford Road) basically saying it was wrong to close the gap. Or would like us to open a gap further down the road.

 We have had reports of children climbing of the fence not wanting to walk to the other gap which could lead to an accident happening and some residents are threatening to re-open the gap or cut through the fence themselves. Some of the users of the field also have said they would feel safer with 2 entrances.

We are continuing to press the Police to be more proactive re the parking issues in the road but they are struggling to find enough officers due to cuts and so on.

The Kingstanding gates are opened by Council officials at the times when use of the field has been paid for and clubs can use that parking area during the time clubs have officially paid to use the pitches. Parents of the children are requested to use that entrance when picking up and dropping off their children.

 

There is no intention to close the field and those officers who manage the field, my fellow ward Councillor,s and I are seeking a compromise  which is currently being sort

I am fully aware there are no easy solutions.

EYESAW FRONT GARDENS TIDED UP

Following complaints from local residents that the form NHS buildings on the corners of Oscott School Lane and Old Oscott lane were being broken into and the state of the front gardens ( on the corner of 2 busy roads was awful an awful mess, I have managed to get the Housing department to tidy up the front gardens and the side secured.
( see my post Aug 10th)

It is the long term Housing department goal to bring these building 2 to 10 Oscott School Lane back into use for tenants. Sadly this will be an expensive job and funds are very tight partly thanks to the cuts made to the Birmingham Councils funding by Central  Government. ( lets hope this new government give some of the funding back?)
I will continue to press the Cabinet member responsible and his team to get on with refurbishing these council properties.

FREINDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE ACTIVITY DAY 27TH AUG

                                                  

There will be another Friends of Queslett Nature Reserve environmental  group ACTIVITY DAY on Saturday 27th August( weather permitting)

the time will be 11.15am and the meeting place THE OLD HORNS CRESCENT.

There will be litter picking, light pruning an update on the reserve and a ranger will be on hand to answer any questions.

Please come prepared for the weather and  wear stout foot ware.
Children are welcome under the supervision of an adult.

Ant tools will be provided.

The FQNR would like to thank Brenda who although not being very well has still helped to advertise this event to members


For further information

Em    brendafoqnr@yahoo.ca

BATTLING TO KEEP OUR STREETS WELL MAINTAINED IN OSCOTT

As I hope many Oscott residents are aware I do regular street walk about's all year around and as part of this I pick up a number of pavement and general street problems which I report.

Sadly Oscott is such a large area I cannot spot every thing which means I do also rely on residents to let me know if they have had trouble reporting a problem and would like me to try and get the issue dealt with.
I always TRY and do what I can to help.
If you have an issue with pavement, carriage ways, street lighting and dare I say it trees please email me Keith.Linnecor@Birmingham.gov.uk or leave ME a message on 303 2039 ( with your full contact details) and I will try and do what I can.

ITS GOOD TO SEE THE LOCAL POLICE DEALING WITH ANTI SOCIAL BIKERS IN THE AREA

It was good to see the PerryBarr/ Oscott local Police Team taking pro active action to deal with the problem of some anti social bikers on and around the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground area in Oscott recently. I understand a number have been dealt with and I hope we will have more action in the future.
Well done to the officers involved I am aware from my own case work  a number of residents have been very concerned about the problem.

 
See also my Sat 6th post

ALDI PLANNING PROPOSALS FOR OLD HORNS CRESCENT WITHDRAWN FOR THE MOMENT

The proposed Aldi Planning proposals for the Queslett / Old Horns site have been withdrawn from tomorrows Birmingham City Council Planning Committee.

Council officers had proposed not to recommend the current proposals and Aldi have decided to re look at them.

A LIVELY TIME AT THE OSCOTT ELDERLY RESIDENTS GROUP MEETING

I popped into see the member of the Oscott Elderly residents group today and received a lively grilling about what is going on council wise.
 Its clear that the cuts the council has been forced to make is becoming more noticeable. Thankfully most members realise that if the Central Government withdraw the amount if has from its Council funding it is bound to make a big difference.

Having survived the grilling and once more failed to win on the raffle it settled down and became as usual a place where friendly chat and entertainment takes place with light refreshments.

They are also planning a number of trips.

If you would like more details about this group please ring 675 2349

IMPROVEMENTS ON THE WAY FOR THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

I am pleased to be able to say that part of funding made available due to a 106 agreement following the Booths Lane development will be spent improving the Queslett Nature Reserve.

Improvements will include the creation of a new chipped path across the reserve linking ASDA Way with Booths Farm Way. (ant thoughts on a new name for the path would be welcome.)
There will also be a upgrade (chipping) on some of the existing paths, new signs, new notice boards,  litter bins and wooden log benches.
Land at the end of the lake will be cleared in order for a small pick nick area to be established.

The reserve will not be disturbed to much and the priority will definitely stay focused on the wild life. and I would very much like to thank my fellow Fiends of the Queslett nature Reserve environmental group for their behind the scenes work fund raising and coming up with imaginative wild life improvement proposals.

Further 106 funding will be used to upgrade Turnbury Park, additional litter bins and signs for the Aldridge Recreation Ground, to improve the skate board centre in Perry Bark and to help cut the grass on the Glenmead playing field.

KINGSTANDING LIBRARY LAUNCH

I Kingstanding Library are set  for the launch of their newly refurbished children’s library on Friday 19th August at 2pm.

Five Birmingham City Council children’s libraries have been updated with new equipment and furniture, after receiving grant funding of £250,000 to make improvements at the five sites. 

The funding boost – which enabled libraries in Balsall Heath, Druids Heath, Kings Norton, Small Heath and Kingstanding are to help make improvements and finance educational projects – and has been  awarded by the Wolfson Foundation, an independent charity that supports and promotes excellence in a wide range of fields, including education and the arts.  

Now that the most of the refurbishment work at Kingstanding Library is complete, they have organised a launch day for the library on Friday 19th August. There will be a craft activity and face painting from 10.30am- 12.30pm. Zoolabs will be visiting with some little critters at 2pm and there is a Wii fun session at 3.45pm.

Khalid Mahmood M.P. has kindly agreed to attend  and hopes to be there between 2pm-3pm.

 

All this sounds like fun so I hope Oscott residents will take the opportunity to go along if they get the chance.

This boost in funding for the Kingstanding Library is to be welcomed and along with my fellow Oscott Councillors,  I welcome anything that helps ease the pressure on our libraries.

 The opening hours for library are, 9am-1pm and 2pm-5pm on Fridays.

BURFORD ROAD PLAYING FIELDS GETS NEW SIGNS

With the help of Brian from the NPI I have put up some No dog fouling signs on the Burford Road  playing field fences.

I have also spoken to some of the residents concerning a possible new gap in the fencing. I hope a decision will be made soon by the Education department.

I would also like to make it clear there have been no discussions regarding closing off the field let alone selling it to developers.

THE HOUSES ON THE CORNER OF OLD OSCOTT LANE AND OSCOTT SCHOOL LANE NEED PROTECTING

I am keeping up the pressure on the City Housing department to get  6,  8 and 10 Old Oscott Lane secured against vandals and ultimately being re vamped and offered to tenants.

If the site is not protected ( I have asked the Local Police Team to keep any eye on the properties) soon it will cost the Housing department even more to put them right.
These properties also need to have their gardens tided up as soon as possible as where they are located on the corner of 2 busy roads they look disgraceful

NEW SIGNS FOR THE ALDRIDGE RECREATION GROUND

It was good to be out and about with others member of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve Environmental Group today. ( they also help look after other open spaces like the Aldridge Road recreation ground)
We have been busy putting up ( with the agreement of the Parks department) No Fly tipping litter and No dog fouling signs.
The Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve work closely with the Oscott Neighbourhood Police initiative and have donated funding for these signs.
We hope they will act as a reminder to any one with litter or a dog who use the site.
It is also hoped that new litter bins will be installed on the site in the coming weeks.

KEEPING UP THE PRESSURE ON NOISY QUAD BIKES IN OSCOTT

The WM Police Force Commissioner of Police has responded to a number of complaints I have made to his force regarding noisy Quad bike riders causing various issues.

FREE SIGNS FOR OSCOTT RESIDENTS

I was pleased to be able to help Brian and his Neighbour Police Initiative Team  put up some do not obstruct gates  and please do not litter here signs this wee. These signs which have been funded by the NPI and the Friends Of the Queslett Nature Reserve Environment groups may help.

The signs  will be put up on request FOC on Oscott residents fences or gates ( INCLUDING REAR ACCESS WAY GATES.

For more details please ring 360 6486

THE BATTLE FOR BETTER TREE PRUNNING AND A SENISBLE PROGRAM OF TREE REPLACEMENT FOR OSCOTT GOES ON

I am still trying to convince the Birmingham Council and Amey Highways  that a fresh look is needed in the way tree pruning and replacement is being done.

 Many more of our streets over grown large trees need to be steadily replaced with other more suitable species.

  There needs to be a plan to see a canopy of trees accross the city made up of trees of different types and stages of growth.

  I am sure 70 years ago when many of the now over grown elderly trees were planted they did not expect those same trees to be here now.

 There needs to be more out of the box thinking to deal with the problem. Those of us who welcome seeing tree lined streets need to keep up the pressure for change.

Replacing overgrown trees will be cost effective in the long run, issues like leaves blocking drains, large branches falling on people and cars, safety issues, the cost of repairing pavement due to excessive tree root problems, all lead to complaints which need answering.

There are also issues regarding residents not been able to enjoy the health  benefits of sun light in their gardens and feeling insecure when walking in the street due to over shadowing street trees.

Turning residents who mainly like having street trees against them due lack of action is not the answer.

As part of this effort and with the Help of my ward Councillor Colleagues I am asking that yet again Amey Highways be requested to come along and meet Oscott residents to discuss trees at the next ward public meeting date to be confirmed in October.

There have been some further pruning  and extra trees removed in the Oscott area this year but not enough.

I will continue to press all concerned ( Khalid Mahmood MP has said he would take the issue of tree pruning national standard to the relevant Government department in London) Also If the New Government was to take the issue seriously and give back  some of the funding they have taken away from councils  like Birmingham it would help the situation.

GLENMEAD PLAYING FIELD AUGUST UPDATE

With the help of Councillor Barbara Dring and Councillor Tristan Chatfield I have found funding to create a running track for the Glenmead Playing Field.

A running track will be marked off and the grass will finally cut on the Glenmead site.
We are currently awaiting for public liability issues to be ironed out by the Education department.

When the track has been cut to allow the track to be marked, there will also be space for ball games to go on in the field area.

We will continue to try and get the Council to get a move on with all the paper work  involved.

Dog walkers and others will still be able to take exercise on the field and with the help of the Neighbourhood Police Initiative I will be putting up some posters to remind dog walkers to take home their dogs mess.

HAWTHORN ROAD PAVEMENTS ARE FOR THE PEDESTION / SHOPPER

It has come to my attention that some motorists are driving on the pavements at the busy Hawthorn Road Shopping Centre to get as close to shops as they possibly can. They appear in a number of cases to be doing this regardless of pedestrians using using the some of the shops or to wait for the 28 bus.

The pavements are for the use of pedestrians, and while clearly there are occasions when shop keepers and others can park near a shop, pavements should not simply be used to save a few minutes when a motorist goes shopping.
It is an offence to drive along a pavement and I have asked the Police to monitor the situation on Hawthorn Road.

I am still trying to encourage traders on the Oscott side of the road to use their rear access ways but sadly an opportunity to have a pad lock and chain to secure some gates has been turned down. If more traders and their staff were to use their rear access way it would free up car parking space for shoppers.