BIRKENSHAW ROAD RIGHT OF WAY NEEDED A LITTER PICK AGAIN

Sadly despite there being a litter bin at one entrance litter louts have been out again in the pedestrian right of way between Birdbrook Road and Birkenshaw Road. I have helped ensure it has been dealt with by some FQNR local residents Grot Spot litter pickers.


It is a shame that this right of way seems to get more than its share of dropped litter. The Oscott Councillors have had it cleaned on a number of occasions over the year.
and I am calling again on the powers that be to start getting tougher with litter louts.

IT IS A JOY TO LOOK AT A TOP CLASS GARDEN IN OSCOTT

Its that Time of year again when keen gardeners get to work creating wonderful displays of flowers and eye catching arrangements in their garden.

One such Gardner and someone who has won competitions for his gardens is Ken Cooper. It is even more impressive when you consider he is disabled.

It is certainly enjoyable looking at such attractive gardens.

It is certainly impressive to think how many residents put so much work into their gardens. Well done all of them.

OUT AND ABOUT IN OSCOTT AS USUAL

As many of you may know I am regularly out and about in Oscott trying to deal with residents issues and checking up on what progress or not has been mad. here is another example from so far today.

Keeping the street of Oscott clean is like the forth bridge never ending.
recently for example I have managed to get some litter bins that have gone missing replaced.

I also work closely with Friends of the Queslett nature Reserve Environmental group Litter picker volunteers like the hard working Brenda.

I am chasing up getting the Glenmead Playing Field Grass cut.

I have been chasing up some of the pot holes I have reported recently.

IF YOU ARE ON THE COUNCILS WAITING LIST HAVE YOU REREGISTERED

 If you are on the Councils Housing Waiting List- don't forget to reregister on new system by 19th April see the BCC Web site for details.

NEW FLATS OSCOTT SCHOOL LANE ALREADY BEING LET

I met up with fellow Oscott Councillor Barbara Dring and Ashley from the Great Barr Observer yesterday to take a look again at the newly refurbished council properties 2 to 8 Oscott School Lane.
Since my last visit only the other day, 2 of the properties have been taken.

 These 4 properties which were until recently a medical centre will be much sort after by local residents.

They have been fully refurbished and have 2 bedrooms each.

HAVING A LOOK AT THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

I went to the Queslett Nature Reserve again yesterday  with Friends of Queslett Nature Reserve Environmental Group volunteers Brenda and John.

  We had a special guest  Ashley from the Great Barr Observer as we went round showing some of the work that had been carried out in the reserve

Having a look round the Queslett Nature Reserve with special guest Ashley a reporter from the Great Barr Observer

He was kind enough to say how much the reserve has improved over the years and was so much cleaner than he remembered.

Volunteers checking recently planted small sapling

Checking out a patch of troublesome Japanese Knot weed which need weed killing

 

Sadly there was some evidence of anti social behavior in regards to some rubbish dumping by frankly dirty people who have no excuse, but thankfully the decent users of the reserve are in the majority.
We all need to respect the reserve and its wild life.

BIRKENSHAW ROAD PEDESTRIAN RIGHT OF WAY GETS A SPRING CLEAN

I have been out checking the pedestrian right of way between Birkenshaw Road and Birdbrook Road has had  its spring clean  up.
I was pleased to note that since I contacted the Council last week and today the work has been done.
It is also nice to see various volunteer groups try to keep this right of way clear to.

I hope that those who use this right of way will try and keep it litter free and use the litter bin provided.

OSCOTT SCOOL LANE FLATS NEARLY READY FOR USE.

I have been taking a look at the newly refurbishes properties 2 to 8 Oscott School Lane.
Waites the contractor for the Councils Housing department have done some great work on these flats and viewing will take place shortly.

The old medical centre has been tuned back into 4 -2 bed family properties for Council tenants
The are new internal walls, new, boiler, windows and even the gardens have gone through a revamp.

Along with the Local Oscott Labour Team I am pleased at the progress that has been made to get these properties so far along their conversion program.

HELP FOR MUD BATH GRASS VERGES ON THE WAY

AS many Oscott residents will be  aware the Oscott Labour Team have been trying to help our residents to protect their grass verges for some considerable time.

Many grass verges in the area have been damaged by parked cars and have in some cases turned into mud baths.

Sadly this given the sheer amount of cars in the area is not an easy problem to solve despite what some may have you think. The Oscott team however have helped in a number of cases already but more needs to be done.

The is now help on the horizon in some cases as money is to be given to wards across the city by the Council, following representations from mainly back bench councilors,  to help deal with this issue.

It will not be a magic wand but hopefully some of the worst cases can be solved over the next year or 2.

If this is is a issue for you please email me Keith.Linnecor@Birmingham/gov.uk and I will try and help if I can

SORTING OUT A FEW ISSUES IN OSCOTT

I spent a typical day in Oscott checking out case work to see if any progress is being made.
The Guard Railing for the Central Reservation on the Queslett Road are have finally been replaced.

Fencing at the new Great Barr Medical Centre Queslett Road which residents had complained to me about ( it was obstructing the view of exiting cars) has been "pulled back"





Barrier left guarding a small hole near the Forger Walk tunnel have been reported to Amey Highways to be collected.

Small but irritating examples  of some of the issues which I have helped sort out for Oscott residents recently.

GIVING A HAND ON THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

Due to a couple of cancelled meetings  It was pleasing to be able to spend some time working with hard working Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve Environmental Group Brenda and John this week.

We have managed to get started on wet land feature number 2 in the reserve. It is the aim of the FQNR to improve conditions for amphibians frogs' Toads and hopefully newts in the reserve.

YMCA SUTTON STREET WISE IN OSCOTT HELPING OUR YOUNGSTERS

It is really pleasing to see that the YMCA SuttonColdField Street Wise Team are working with youngsters in the Oscott area. This out reach team are starting to do some really good work here in Oscott.
The team will for example be out and about on the Bandywood Estate on the 12th and 19th April with their youth bus. They will also be at the Cedar Church at their fun day on the 15th.

They hope to start working at the 610 Community Centre at some point in the future and to encourage youngsters to use our open spaces for sport and recreation.

I will certainly be supporting their efforts where I can.

 

 

CEDAR CHURCH LAMBETH ROAD EASTER FUN WEEK END

The Cedar Curch, Lambeth Road are putting on another of their not to be missed fun days on the 15th of April 11am to 5pm.

Events include

Donkey Rides
Roller Disco
A fun Zone
Mini Soccer
Food and much more

Pop in and enjoy yourselves.

THE OSCOTT NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE TASKING GROUP NEEDS NEW MEMBERS

I attended a meeting of the Oscott Neighbourhood Police Tasking Group yesterday.

It is at these meeting invited  representatives of the local community speak in confidence to the Police and other agencies about Policing concerns in the ward.


I raised issues of concern that residents have informed me about such as parking and speeding vehicles amongst other things.

Sadly we were informed that there has been a spike in criminal behaviour in the ward and it is still very important and that residents be reminded to lock all doors and windows when they go out and other basic deterrents should be followed such as.
Leave a light on if you go out, Lock sheds, garages and gates. Don't leave car keys in hall ways, don't leave sat navs on display. Report anything suspicious to the Police.

On a brighter note the representative from the Sutton YMCA young peoples out reach service informed us of their work with young people in the ward.

New members are needed for this Police organised group meeting. If you want to represent your road, a group or organisation at these meetings which are held on a Wednesday at the Kingstanding Police Station please let me know and I will pass on your details.

ISLAND AT KINGSTANDING CIRCLE BACK ON GRASS CUTTING PROGRAM

Sadly I had a number of complaints about the appearance of the island at the Kingstanding Circle last year regarding its appearance.

This year I have been assured that it will return to the standard grass cutting program ( the first cut has now taken place). This will help maintain the islands appearance and also help with observation for motorists using it.

COUNCIL TO LOOK AT PROBLEMS WITH TREES

It is good to see that the Council is to do a fast track scrutiny on trees. At the meeting today I reminded them pruning and tree replacement are important issues.

  It is still planned that the Planning Committee will set up a separate Bio diversity sub committee looking at trees amongst other thing's as they relate to Planning.

 I am pleased to say there are some taking up the subject of our trees which is something I have been calling for as long as I can remember. Lets hope progress is made.

As you will be aware I am campaigning for a better tree pruning and replacement program and Amey Highways are now carrying out a survey of all the street trees in Oscott. They aim to report to an Oscott residents Committee in the Autumn.

THANKS FOR THE THANKS

Over the last few days I have received a number of messages, emails and an odd letter thanking me for helping to save the Burford Playing fields from the developers.

Naturally I and I am sure my 2 fellow Oscott Ward Councillors Barbara Dring and Tristan Chatfield would be the first to admit we did not want to have to be in a situation where our help was needed.

But having said that without residents like Jeanette  Hart and Ken Brown ( and many others) I do not think there would have been a change of heart from the Council.
We have all been working for some time to try and secure the future of this site and just recently other councillors from different wards have come on board as well.

Its been a case of the more the merrier and I would also like to think the large petition I presented to the Council last year on behalf of residents helped.

KINGSTANDING ROAD CARRIAGE WAY HAS TOO MANY POT HOLES

Amey Highways need to get on and repair the pot holes on the Kingstanding Road carriage way.
There are too many appearing and they need to be repaired. This is especially noticeable in bound toward town on the Kingstanding side of the road.

I have been informing Amey of the problem for some time at the recent Oscott Committee meeting Kingstanding Councillors were also informed.

I will be continuing to keep Amey under pressure on the matter.

DO NOT SWIM IN THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE LAKE

Sadly despite all the good work that the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve do in the reserve there is always an element of thought less and even occasionally dangerous anti social behaviour that goes on in the reserve.

There has been a Spate of graffiti going on and more importantly a number of safety ring floats have been removed from their station and thrown in the lake.
luckily the inclement weather at the moment has put off anyone from risking their health ( the lake is not treated and has hidden underwater potential traps) by attempting to swim in the lake.
However with the summer fast approaching there will be some who despite notices to the contrary will try and swim in the lake and with this in mind for safety grounds we need to stamp out the practice of removing the safety float rings from their posts.

Residents who use the reserve can do their bit by being the eyes and ears of the reserve ( the Police do patrol it when they can but it is a large open space and due to government cuts over the years their numbers have been reduced). If you see anti social behaviour please report it to the Police.