TREES PLANTED IN THE ALDRIDGE ROAD RECREATION GROUND.

Along with sponsors Birmingham Trees for Life, the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve and some very hard working children from the Great Barr Junior school I had the pleasure to help plant some replacement trees in the Aldridge Recreation ground.

Sadly I could not stay to long but I was impressed with how much the children enjoyed planting trees especially on such a cold day.

THE OSCOTT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION, ELDERLY GROUP AND NPI ARE HOLDING A DROP IN SESSION ON SATURDAY

The Oscott Neigbourhood Police Initiative (N.P.I) are joining with the Oscott Residents Association and the Oscott Elderly Residents Group, to hold one of their Saturday morning informal drop in sessions. ( They meet informally most first Saturdays in the month same time and place)
Why not pop and  have a cup of tea with them. They can inform you of their groups activities and they can try and help you with your concerns,

Members from these voluntary groups will be on hand at the 610 Community Centre at 10.30am

PERRY BARR M.P IS HOLDING HIS OSCOTT SURGERY ON SATURDAY

Just a reminder that the Perry Barr M.P Khalid Mahmood holds his Oscott surgery this Saturday ( and every first Saturday in the month) at the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road. The time is 10.30am.

GREEN WASTE REDUCTIONS FOR THOSE WHO MISSED OUT THIS YEAR ON COLLECTIONS

I have been asking what is to happen about a number of Oscott residents who have missed out on green waste collections which they have paid for. Due to the bin dispute

Dear all, 

We are about to start the process for renewing garden waste subscriptions for 2018 and I wanted to brief you on the approach we are taking.   

As I have said on previous occasions, we want to recognise the disruption our paying customers have experienced this year as a result of the industrial action.  As a gesture of goodwill they will be offered a 30% reduction on their subscription for next year if they renew in January. This means they will pay only £28, a £12 reduction on the full price service, for 20 fortnightly collections running from early March to early December 2018.   

We are also offering to deliver a free service in 2018 to those customers who have logged three or more consecutive missed collections this year. 

Communications with our customers is starting now in preparation for sales opening on 1st January.  If you want to discuss the approach for garden waste please do get in touch.

 Regards
 

Lisa

Councillor Lisa Trickett
 

INFORMATION REGARDING RECORDED ACCIDENT INJURY INFORMATION AT THE GREENHOLM ALDIDGE ROAD JUNCTION IS STILL NEEDED.

Sadly there has not been a good response to requests to anyone who has been involved in a road accident which has resulted in a visit to a hospital. This information is urgently need in order for us to inform the Police.
The Police should record this information which can help with evidence to prove the need for junction safety measures.

This junction has had a number of injury accidents and in the past the Oscott Labour Team  managed to get some road safety measures put in place but there needs to be more.

If you have information dates and time when an accident at this junction has resulted in the emergencies being called out and an injury being reported can you please Email me with the information.
I will make sure this information is passed on urgently

My Email address is Keith.Linnecor@Birmingham.gov.uk

I am also hoping the Great Barr Observer will help pass on this request for information to a wider audience again

OUT ON OSCOTT STREET LIGHT PATROL

Just back from a street light patrol checking for faulty street light.  I have been pleased to see a couple I reported last week seem to have been done

Some street lights take longer to get fixed it depends on what is wrong with them.
I cannot check all the street lights in Oscott but if you let me know of any you are aware of. I need the lamppost number and nearest house number I am happy to report a faulty street light on your behalf.

Please ring 303 2039 (messages) or email me Keith.Linnecor@Birmingham.gov.uk and I will do what I can to get them to sort it out for you.

YMCA BANDYWOOD YOUTH CLUB

Triple A Project

Triple A stands for Aspiration, Ambition and Achievement, 3 values which underpin our youth work. The aim of the project is to raise the aspirations of young people, increase their ambition and help them to achieve their goals. Through this work, we hope to support and develop young people in fulfilling their dreams and becoming active members of the community. Our work includes:

• Centre-based youth clubs and youth work
• Detached youth work
• Life coaching
• Family Work
• Issue-based workshops
• Educational workshops

Our services are available to all young people aged 10-19 years old and we deliver in the following areas of North and East Birmingham:
North
How much: £0.50 entrance fee

Bandywood Youth Club
Where: Emmanuel Community Church Hall, Kingstanding Road
When: Saturdays
Time: 1-3pm

Why not pop in and find out more

CHECKING OUT THE KINGSTANDING POST OFFICE CHANGES PROPOSALS

The Oscott Labour Team and Local Residents Councillor Barbara Dring and I have been out checking that the Post Office  proposals ref the Kingstanding Circle consultations are being advertised and that the new location ( the old HSB bank building) in Kettlehouse Lane are disabled friendly. Both of which are positive.

If you have any views one way or another take a note of the cconsultation details as seen on the Post Office Door and let the Post Office know.

LOOKING AFTER THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

 

As the Chair and Founder of the Friends Of the Queslett nature Reserve Environmental Group I try and pop into the reserve at least a couple of times a week time permitting.
It is pleasing to see how tidy, star members of the FQNR like Brenda try and keep it.

I spent some solid time checking out the wooden fencing on the western boundary today for possible damage. I as pleased to say it looks ok.

If you use the reserve please keep your eyes pen for and ASB and if you see any contact the Police by using their 101 number.

GREEN HOLM ROAD SCHOOL NEAR BY JUNCTION TO GET YELLOW LINES AT LAST

Following representations from the Oscott Labour Team and the Oscott Schools Road Safety and parking Working Party (which I chair). The Local Transportation department have finally announced yellow lines are to be introduced near the Greenholm School.

A number of resident, parents  and even the School crossing Patrol attendant have been in touch with me and Barbara for some time now about this issue.

Yellow lines (TRO) do not come cheap and there has to be consultation which can take time.

However I have now been informed a contractor has be given the Ok and weather permitting they should be laid down at the junctions of roads near to the Greenhome Road School by the New Year

THE LONG TERM FUTURE OF THE KINGSTANDING SHOPPING PRECINT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED

 

Following the Oscott Labour Teams concerns about the Kingstanding Shopping area and precinct ,both

last year and this the City Council have now done  a survey of Kingstanding Circle, as well as all the other Local Centres in the City. The results showed that the overall vacancy levels in Kingstanding Circle were 13%, which is higher than the average for Centres in the City.

I have asked the Councils Development Planning Manager for the North West of Birmingham, to investigate this matter and to make contact with the Precincts owners so we can understand the issues and their intentions for the site.

 As Local residents  as well as being  Oscott Councillors  who use this site  Barbara and I will await their response with interest as we have more than a simple passing interest. We have the long term future to think of too.

 

FUTHER KINGSTANDING CIRCLE UPDATE

Following my further requests for more information the Post Office have confirmed thatservices  such as  car tax and passport check and send would still be available at Kingstanding Post Office.    The only service not available would be the Biometric Enrolment Service for the Home Office with the nearest alternative branches being Birmingham Post Office and Walsall Post Office.    DVLA Photocard Driving Licence renewal and Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence application services would still be available at Kingstanding Post Office. 

Your Oscott Labour Team will continue to keep you posted (no pun intended) as we live in the area and use this Post Office.

We are also asking for the wonderful staff who work at this Post office to be considered.

KING STANDING POST OFFICE IS LIKEY TO MOVE TO KETTLEHOUSE ROAD

Over the last few weeks I have been asked by a number of residents what is going to happen to the Post Office currently located in the Kingstanding Shopping prescient.
I have been making enquiries and along with the rest of the Oscott labour have been asking for the Post Office to be kept "Local"

This is the current update

From the Post Office

Dear  Cllrs,  further to our correspondence with the council in July 2016 regarding our search for a retail partner to take on the operation of Kingstanding Post Office.  This morning we briefed colleagues at Kingstanding Post Office that we are proposing to move the branch from its current location to the vacant retail premises, which was previously HSBC, at 7 Kettlehouse Road, Birmingham, B44 9JJ, where it would be run by our new retail partner.  Through this partnership we will maintain and modernise Post Office services in a location which is approximately 180 metres from the current Post Office branch.  

Our new retail partner, who already operates a Post Office branch elsewhere in the West Midlands, regards the Post Office network as a vital part of community services and has satisfied us that they would be able to deliver excellent standards of customer service in a modern environment, over extended opening hours and successfully operate Kingstanding Branch.  The new branch will be a bright, modern open-plan layout which will include a complete internal refurbishment and incorporate a retail offering of greeting cards, gifts and confectionery. 

We will be inviting customers and interested parties to give their comments on the proposed move in a public consultation, starting tomorrow, Wednesday 15 November 2017, closing on Monday 08 January 2018.  In this instance we have extended public consultation by 10 calendar days to allow for the Christmas and New Year period. 

 

I hope residents will have their say if they are concerned if you would like me to know of any concerns please leave me a message on 303 2039.
There are naturally concerns about the effect of this move on the prescient but the service will take place just across the Road?

HOW GOVRNMENT CUTS WILL EFFECT KINGSLAND SCHOOL

 

 

 

Kingsland Primary School (NC)

• -£84.7k

  Total loss by 2020

• -£291

  Per-pupil loss

• -2

  Teachers lost

HOW GOVERNMENT CUTS WILL EFFECT THE GREAT BARR JUNIOR SCHOOL

How Government cuts will effect Great Barr Junior and infant School

Great Barr Primary School

• -£43.4k

  Total loss by 2020
  The estimated reduction in the school's annual budget by 2020 in real terms. Find out more about our calculations.

• -£104

  Per-pupil loss
  Amount that would be lost for every pupil at Great Barr Primary School as a result of the reduced budget. The school has 413 pupils according to the Government's school census.

• -1

  Teachers lost

OUT AND ABOUT AGAIN CHECKING ON GRIT BINS IN OSCOTT

Now the weather is getting colder I have been out and about in Oscott again this week checking that grit bins have enough grit in them.

If you are aware of a bin with no grit in and you would like me to try and get it refilled either Email Keith.Linnecor@Birmingham.gov.uk or ring me and leave a message on 3032039.

THE BIRKENSHAW TO BIRDBROOK ROAD RIGHT OF WAY GETS A CLEAN UP.

Councillor Barbara Dring and I have managed to come to an agreement with a Voluntary group who give the Birdbrook to Birkenshaw Road public Right of way. a clean up and cut back.
Those who use this right of way will have noticed we have managed to get a late autumn clean up.

This is complemented by the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve who do occasional litter picks in the right of way. I always enjoy working with these volunteers to try and keep some of our local grot spots clear of litter.

THE KINGSTANDING SHOPPING PRECINCT NEEDS HELP

The governments Austerity measures and policies are really effecting Oscott residents. Sadly some of their politicians appear to be in self denial and think every thing is rosy?

Just look at the run down state of the Kingstanding shopping area for example.
 Resident are having to use larger shops further afield as in many cases due to the completion and the fact residents have less money in their pockets. They could afford in may cases to use the smaller shops in the precinct and this has not helped.

Luckily the Post Office is still there and shops like Farm Food and Greiggs are holding on.

Given many residents are really feeling the Governments cuts it is no surprise that Charity shops are slowly taking over the units in the area.

Councillor Barbara Dring and I are doing what we can to help ( I have been asking the Economic development section if they can help) but until the Government realise the damage they are causing with their cuts to Local Councils and suppressing residents pay and so on it will be a big job to see any major improvements.

We will carrying on try to help and would urge residents to use those shops that are still in the precinct.

POLICE CARRY OUR SPEED WATCH OPERATION IN OSCOTT

I would like to thank the Oscott Police Team for their Speed Watch operation in the Oscott Ward today.
Councillor Barbara  Dring and I have passed on a number of complaints about speeding in the area to the Police on behalf of local residents.

I hope the measures the Police have been making will be noted and driver will slow down when driving along our busy and often narrow Roads.

I understand where possible warnings will be given to residents seen speeding.

Burnham Road
Old Oscott Lane
Birdbrook Road
are just some of the roads that were looked at.

I will certainly be requesting for more of these operations.

YOUR OSCOTT TEAM ARE INTERESTED IN THE VIEWS OF OUR OLDER RESIDENTS

Both Councillor Barbara Dring and I visit elderly residents in the Oscott area when we can to find out what concerns they have.
If you miss us, or have difficulty getting to one of our surgeries, please leave us a message on 303 2039 ( remember 
 


to leave your full contact details.)

NEW TREES TO BE PLANTED IN THE ALDRIDGE ROAD RECREATION GROUND

Birmingham Trees For Life will be Planting a number of new trees (10) in the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground on Thursday 30th November.

This is a continuation of work carried out last year and should go some way to help replace a number of trees which have been lost for a number of reasons.

Pupils from the Great Barr Primary School have been invited to come along and help plant some of the trees.

The Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve which incorporate the Aldridge Recreation Ground within their remit have also been asked to attend.

The work will be carried out between 10.30am and 11.30am

We Oscott Councillors all support the planting of new trees in the area where appropriate

As the Chair of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve , a member of a scrutiny Committee looking into tree in the city, a Local Councillor for Oscott and as a Local resident I am pleased to see that the recreation ground is to have these new trees.

 

 

 

 

HAWTHORN SHOP KEEPERS ARE BATTLING AGAINS SHOP LIFTERS

As a member of the Hawthorn Road Traders association committee I have been pleased to see how well their Shop Watch initiative seem to be operating in some sections of the Hawthorn Road. It is just as well given the operations of a number of shop lifters in the area seem to be on the increase. Shop keepers are doing what they can by means of cctv and informing each other when seeing known shop lifter in the area but they have a tough battle on their hands.

These shop lifters have been targeting not just large shops in the Oscott area but also many who are only just keeping their heads above water and are by no means rich.

I have been asking the Local Police to do what they can but the reductions in the Oscott Police man/ women numbers cannot be helping but  they are doing what they can in the face of the cuts they have faced due to Central Government.

 

Shoppers can help by informing shop owners or ringing the Police 101 number if they see anyone shop lifting.

WEAR YOUR POPPY WITH PRIDE AND SADNESS

Wear your Poppy with pride and sadness

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.



For those who did so much we should have so much to thank. NEVER forget.

THE OSCOTT ELDERLY RESIDENTS HAD A NICE SOCIAL

It was nice to be asked to be quiz master at the Oscott Elderly residents group today as part of their pre -Christmas season fun afternoon

Along with quizzes there were raffles and chance to have a chat and a lovely buffet. All organised by Chair Maureen Byrne.

These events are a great opportunity for older Oscott resident to get out and socialise and make friends. Its a good way to get out of the house for a bit.

I was just please to be able to help out

DONT THROW LIFE RINGS IN THE QUESLETT RESERVE LAKE

It was good to be able to spend an hour or 2 in the Queslett Nature Reserve doing a little light pruning, checking for ASB and meeting some of the reserves users.

The reserve looked fine today nice and clean thanks to the efforts of members of the FQR like John and Brenda.

Sadly for some unknown reason some youths are continuing to put lives at risk by throwing life rings into the lake.

Should the worst happen these youths would have to live with their actions, the Council will not be to blame, the education system will not be to blame it will  down to the person who threw the ring into the lake.
I hope parents will remind their children of the folly of doing that. The Queslett Lake like all standing bodies of water can be very dangerous.