OSCOTT TO RECIEVE FUNDING TO EASE GRASS VERGE DAMAGE AND PARKING PROBLEMS

As Local residents as well as Oscott Councillors living in Oscott , both Councillor Barbara Dring and I are only to aware many residents have issues with parking on grass verges.

Over the last few years for example we have helped a number of residents who have requested No Parking on the grass verge signs obtain one.
We have also managed in suitable spots like the Aldridge Road near the College, Bandywood Road near Kingsland Road school and near the Shady Lane junction with Kings Road, had double curbing introduced.

Parking on Grass verges is not an easy matter to deal with and can be expensive to sort out. However given the state of some of the grass verges in the area and the way some road junctions pavement areas for that matter are parked on we want to try and do something to ease the problem

However thanks partly to our constant requests the Transportation department have been given 1 Million pound to spend to help deal with the issue across Birmingham over the last few years and Oscott like all the other wards in the city will be given a small (considering the problem) pot of money to try and ease the problem. We are not pretending like some there is an easy way of dealing with the problem and we would like to hear from Oscott residents their views. We would like to know which roads possible other than you own are of concern.

You can let us know by leaving a message on 0121 303 2039 ( please leave your contact details)
or you can email me. Keith.Linnecor@Birmingham.gov.uk.

We cannot make any promises but every suggestion will be considered.



Also See April 10th post

OSCOTT WASTE TO BE COLLECTED MONDAY

Please note the letter I received today

 

Dear Councillor

 

As part of our contingency plan to respond to the industrial action, we established a three week cycle of collections and this remains in place.  We are visiting all Wards on a three week collection rotation to ensure we can provide the best possible service and clear the backlogs we have as a result of Unite’s industrial action.  

I am writing to let you know that your Ward is one of those that will be visited on Monday 21 August.  We endeavour to clear all waste presented in the Ward during the day. 

If that is not possible, please accept my apologies in advance. So we are able to tackle any areas where collections are missed, could you please encourage citizens to report missed collections the following day (Tuesday 22 August) via www.birmingham.gov.uk/missedcollections 

I hope our efforts in these extremely challenging times are making a difference. We are making every effort to keep the streets as clean as possible.

Kind regards.

Jacqui

Jacqui Kennedy
Corporate Director - Place

BIN STRIKE SUSPENDED

It is good news that the bin Strike has been called off, suspended as negotiations take place between Council Chiefs and UNITE. As many will know I have been calling for this from day one.

I now hope long term agreements can take place which all parties can accept and will improve out bin collection service at a reasonable.

 Councillor Barbara Dring and myself' who both live in Oscott and fully understand the frustration residents have had. We  are only too aware of the situation  and will be busy pressing to get Oscott cleaned up as quickly as possible, as we have already been doing.There is a lot to clean up.

It may take time to get back to normal but I hope we are  on the right road. We also need to lobby the Government to cut their cuts to the Councils funding which has done do much damage to or services across the board.

PERRY BARR POLICE BASE TO GO

I was sad to learn that the Perry Barr Police office is to be sold off. The official line is it is about Police officers rather that office s pace but we all know its own to the disgraceful cuts in Central Governments funding to the WestMidland Police

ANOTHER LITTER PICK FOR THE BIRDBROOK BIRKENSHAW ROAD RIGHT OF WAY

Along with Councillor Dring I recently arranged for a community organization to cut back public right of ways in the Oscott area. Today along with some of the Oscott Grot spot squad I helped litter pick the Birdbrook to Birkenshaw Road public right of way . Also many thanks to M.A)
I just wish some residents would take their litter home with them

A SUNNY DAY OF THE ALDRIDGE ROAD RECREATION GROUND

It is a shame that because of Government cuts to the Councils funding grass cutting has had to be reduced on many of our open spaces ( perhaps the Government can come up with another money tree like they have for others?)

It was nice to see on the Aldridge Recreation Ground today the play area was being well used and some youngsters were playing football. There is still a large area of the field cut suitable for football and so on..

It was interesting to see on the smaller section of the field which sadly has been left uncut for the moment at least they have cut some fire breaks which are not simply just around the edges. I noticed and spoke to a number of dog walker who seem fairly happy with this.
 Mind you I will continue to ask for more of the site to be cut when possible.

THERE WILL BE A FRIENDS OF THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE ACTIVITY SESSION AUG 12TH

There will be an Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve activity day on the 12th of August at 11.30am. We will be meeting at the Old Horns entrance.
There will be litter picking, some light pruning and some improvement work is to be undertaken.

Please where study shoes and be prepared for the weather. ( we may have to cancel due to heavy rain?)
Children are welcome under the strict supervision of an adult.

 Please keep an eye on the FQNR Face Book page for more details.
...
We are are volunteers trying to improve the reserve and would welcome any help you can give. Any equipment needed will be given out.

For further information please email before 10.00 on the day. <brendafoqnr@yahoo.ca>

THE OSCOTT POLICE TEAM NEEDS YOUR HELP

With Ken Smith Oscott N.W South and Brian Brookes NPI

Sadly due to government cuts in funding to the Police, the effects are beginning to show in Oscott.
For example the number of officers on the local Oscott Neighbourhood team has been cut by nearly half.
Although the remaining officers work hard and do a good job clearly they cannot do the work carried out when they had a larger compliment of officers.

The cuts can clearly be seen by an increase ( for the first time in years) in crime in the area and by a big reduction of visible policing in the area and it is not just the local police that have been effected the Traffic Police have been dramatically cut to. This does not help with issues like speeding in the area.

The Local Police Team needs local resident help more than ever. As a member of the Oscott Neighbourhood Police Tasking meeting which is where the Police and Oscott Community group leaders ( and other agencies)  meet bi monthly to discuss local Policing issues they are often calling for new members.

Residents can also help by calling either the 101 number for non emergencies or 999 if they see any acts of crime. Residents can also join the Neighbourhood Watch or the Oscott Neighbourhood Police Initiative. These groups do what they can to help residents work together to avoid crime or to link with the Police.

FURTHER DELAYS TO BIN COLLECTIONS IN OSCOTT

I have been informed a minor road accident ( no injuries) involving a salvage vehicle in Oscott on Saturday has caused further delays to waste collection for Darleydale Avenue and surrounding areas in Oscott.
 Councillor Barbara Dring and I are asking that the situation is sorted out ASAP
Please leave your bins out

I would continue to urge all parties involved in this dispute to get around the negotiating table and resolve it.

HAWTHORN ROAD PRAYER AND PEACE WALK SEPT 2ND

There will be a Prayer Peace walk on the Hawthorn Road on September 2nd.
Starting Elim Church Warren Hill Road 3pm .
All faiths welcome

THE BOOTHS LANE WORKING PARTY HELD A MEETING LAST WEEK

CHAIR OF THE BOOTHS LANE WORKING PARTY BOB WILD

The Booths Lane Working Party met last week to discuss issues of concern regarding the Taylor Wimpy development area.
The working party includes member of the Oscott Resident Association (Booths Lane section) senior officers from Taylor Wimpy, the Birmingham City Council Planning Transport engineer and myself.

We are all working to bring forward the re- opening of the Booths Lane and have been trying to get the numerous legal and health and safety issues dealt with as well as the housing building issues. There has been some slow but steady progress.
Other issues being addressed are mud on local road, parking and the amount of dust from the development.
These meetings only discuss general issues of concern to the community.and if you have anything you would like me to raise at the next one please email me Keith.Linnecor@Birmingham.gov.uk

GREAT BARR LEISURE CENTRE NEWS

Along with Councillor Barbara Dring I have been looking into the Great Barr Leisure Centre issue.

It appears to be closing for what hopefully will only be a short time on the 8th of August.
I have spoken to Council officials who are in confidential  discussions with the Great Barr Academy regarding possible different running arrangements when the school finally takes over the running of the site.

I cannot say too much at this stage but the Council officers responsible  are very hopeful that when the school returns from its break a reasonable conclusion to negotiations will take place.

I have also contacted the school urging them to consider the interest of the local community when negotiating the terms of the take over.

The Governments cuts in their funding to the Birmingham City Council are really starting to be noticeable now

I would like to thank Jane for the information below.

I use the Streetly Association centre on Foley Road ( Sutton Coldfield) Facilities for table tennis, squash, badminton, dance studio etc.. Not too expensive either. A good alternative to Great Barr.

MY VIEWS

Just to remind anyone who reads my blog the views on here and on my Face Book Page  are my own. If my words are altered in anyway at another locations I am not responsible.

MISSED WASTE IN OSCOTT SHOULD BE COLLECTED FRIDAY 4TH AUGUST

After intense representation from Councillor Barabara Dring and I,  we have been assured those roads in Oscott where waste was missed earlier this week will be collected tomorrow Aug 4th or on Saturday.
The message we have had is to remind residents to leave out their bins.

Thank you to all of you who are writing o me on the missed waste issue I can issue you YOUR comments are being passed on and I am urging all those dealing with this regrettable industrial action to get around the table and to come up with a solution.

Like many Oscott residents living in the Oscott Ward I to would like my bins emptied.

DYAS ROAD ZEBRA CROSSING IS BEING INSTALLED.

It is good to see work has started to install the Zebra Crossing on Dyas Road (near the Old Oscott Lane Junction). I know long time campaigner Briian Brookes will be particularly pleased.

We have been working on this for some time collecting names for a petition and so on.
 A number of residents including children who have to cross this road to get to bus stops and the local shops have asked us to get some form of crossing put in as the road can at times be so difficult to cross.
 The Transportation department have put in a lot of time (which is partially why it has taken so long to get this crossing) consulting with residents, bus companies and local traders before deciding on the best position of the crossing site. They have done their best not to interfere with resident wishing to park their cars near their homes.

Now and with the continued support of Councillor Barbara Dring we are seeing a result.

BUSHES OVER HANGING AND OBSTRUCTING PAVEMENT CAN BE A REAL PROBLEM

Hedges and bushes overhanging pavements and right of ways can be a real problem.

When it rains pedestrians have to put up with water dripping of the bushes and at the best of times it can be easy to be scratched by an overhanging branch when trying to get past. Children can find this a particular problem.

I have cut back part of the right of way near the Servite House Old Oscott Hill and with the support of Councillor Barbara Dring I am asking the Highways department to look at a section of overhanging bushes on Southgate Road which need to be cut back.

Home owners  need to cut back their hedges at this time of year away from pavements as they can be a real problem.
 In some cases the Highways department can send a warning note to residents but it is better if residents simply cut their trees and hedges back out of the way of pedestrians.

Stop Press
Have managed ( thanks to Manor House gardener for helping me) to make Southgate Road/ to Fairbourn Avenue  passable again.
I am still asking the Highways

department to contact owner of the bushes to sort them out.

ROADS IN OSCOTT STILL NOT HAVING THEIR WASTE COLLECTED UPDATE

Sadly only so many streets in the Oscott Ward have so far had their waste collected.
I am passing on to those responsible any individual complaints I receive and I am still calling all those responsible for negotiating the current industrial action to get round the table and resolve it.

Below is the latest responses to my emails of complaint.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Re Oscott Ward

Dear Councillor Linnecor

We aim to catch up on all outstanding waste on Friday following the targeted ward collections. Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience caused to your constituents during the industrial action. 

Kind regards

Place Directorate

Service Manager

Perry Bar Depot

Holford Drive

Over the last two weekends we had over 70 crews working across the city – with a focus on rubbish bags/side waste, and I hope you will have noticed the difference in Oscott. 

So far a third of the City (119,424 properties) has been cleared. We are removing all waste. This approach will stay in place for the next few weeks while we work through the backlog in every City Ward.  Due to the increased industrial action our progress may slow down a little. 

Of course the quickest way to end this disruption is to end the dispute with the trades unions.  We had another useful meeting with the unions on 31 July and we are continuing with talks. 

Over the last two weeks we have also invited the 106 impacted staff to Jobs Fairs, which took place last Friday and yesterday.  On offer are over 200 roles, some of which offer the opportunity of promotion, which is all part of our commitment to ensure that anyone who wants to stay working with the council can do so.

Yours sincerely

Jacqui Kennedy
Corporate Director - Place
Place Directorate



 

THE KINGSTANDING LBRARY LAUNCH WENT WELL

The re launch of the Kingstanding Library with joint working with the Witton Lodge Community Association went well earlier today.
Along with fellow Oscott Ward Councillors Barbara Dring and Tris

tan Chatfield ( also Kingstanding Councillor Des Hughes)  I was there to see for myself some of the activities and events being put on for the day. Toddler activities, stall with information and even a balloon shapers were amongst actives on offer.
I would like to say well done to all involved including the Library staff who made sure the Library ran smoothly.

It was nice to see the Library repainted and looking much more presentable.

Although I do not have a lot of time to read as a regular user of our public library's it is so pleasing that we Oscott Councillors managed to find the initial funding to help keep open the library.

I just hope residents will make the best use of it and lend books and so on as much as possible.

KINGSTANDING LIBRARY RE LAUNCH

Councillor Barbara Dring and I have been pleased to be asked to attend the Kingstanding Library re launch which will take place today between 2 and 5 O Clock at the Kingstanding Library, Kingstanding Circle B44 9ST.

AS Oscott Councillors we have been busy ensuring our libraries are being kept open and have fought hard to ensure that those who were just happy to say the libraries would shut are wrong.

We have met with the Witton Lodge Community Association who as an organisation really value their local services, and that’s why they have worked with Birmingham City Council Libraries Team and ourselves, to help keep our local libraries open for longer hours and provide extra services within them.

They have done some great work and have  been busy at Kingstanding Library; painting the outside of the building, so that the outside matches the recently refurbished interior – and  will be delivering lots of activities and services over the coming weeks.

Today there will be their second Family Arts & Crafts session (a free session for children of all ages), free housing advice (drop in sessions) and lots more.

It’s also a great opportunity to have a look around the library and see what’s coming up over the summer holidays for kids and adults alike,

We hope as many Oscott residents as possible attend today event and use our libraries.

SPEEDING PROBLEMS ARE NOT HELPED BY GOVERNMENT CUTS.

One of the regular issues I get in my correspondence from Oscott residents is the problem of speeding. Sadly this is not helped by the fact new figures have revealed that the number of dedicated police traffic officers in the West Midlands has fallen by more than half in the past decade from 384 in 2007 to 186 this year. The Government must look again at their funding reductions to the Police.

This is compounded by the fact that the number of Oscott Local Police officers has also reduced by half which it makes it difficult for them to lead on initiatives like Community Speed Watch.

Residents can still help however as the volunteers required to help the Police in their Local speed watch operations are needed.
 This is where a Police officer with the help of some local residents can operate small speed indicator guns out and about in the local area where speeding has been reported as a problem

If you have a concern about speeding let me know and if you can spare an hour now and again to become a Community Speed Watch volunteer please let me know and I will inform the Local Police team