HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM YOUR OSCOTT COUNCILLORS

On behalf of your Oscott Councillors Barbara Dring and myself I would like to wish everyone a Happy, Prosperous and Peaceful New year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

SEASONS GREETING TO ALL

Happy Christmas and New Year To all Oscott residents and reader of my blog.

Lets all hope the next year we finally brings an end to all these years of pointless Government  Austerity policies we have had to put up with.

DONT GIVE AN ANIMAL FOR CHRISTMAS UNLESS IT WILL BE CARED FOR

Sadly there are still some who give animals as unexpected Christmas presents and many of these are unwanted animal, some of which  end up abandoned and living in misery.
Always check that the person receiving the animal wants one and can care for it. If in doubt find a none animal present to give.

ITS GOOD TO SEE THE BIRD LIFE IN THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE DOING WELL.

I was pleased to note when I popped in on one of my regular inspections of the Queslett Nature Reserve to see the swans and other wild life seem to be doing ok this winter so far. The lake was free of ice and the bird life seemed content.
If you wish to feed the bird in the reserve please do not feed them bread as it is not a healthy food for them.
I you are unlucky and see any ASB when in the reserve please report it to the Police.

ANOTHER EXCELLANT CHRISTMAS DINNER ORGANISED FOR MEMBERS OF THE OSCOTT ELDERLY GROUP.

Pleased to have popped in with Councillor Barbara Dring at the Oscott Elderly Groups Christmas Dinner.

These dinners are always well organised by the OERG Chair Maureen Byrne and her helpers well done again for such a luverly " do".

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

Below are some useful number you may need over the festive season

 USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS.

 

Housing repairs                                 0121 216 3300

Gas emergency                                  0800 111 999

Seven Trent Emergency                   0800 783 4444

Child  Line                                           0800 1111 

Drug Helpline ( Frank)                      0800 77 66 00   

NHS Direct  ( advice)                         1111

Crime Stoppers                                  0800 555 111

Police non urgent                              101    

OLD OSCOTT COMMUNITY CENTRE FACE AGE UK RESTRUCTURING

Sadly it would appear changes are afoot at the Age UK Old Oscott Community  Centre. It is to be confirmed but it appears Age UK may be restructuring and ceasing their activities at the Centre.
I have been informed they intend to still rent the building to those groups wishing to pay them rent.
Councillor Barbara Dring and I would like to offer our support to any of these groups who need representing.
It is hoped may of the groups using the Centre will carry on under their own steam.
 There are still more details needed.

CHRISTMAS BIN COLLECTION TIME TABLE

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING.

The Christmas and New Year holidays bring changes to many routine services and events, including when to put the rubbish out.

Birmingham City Council has confirmed the dates of its Christmas 2018 bin collections.

It says there will be no collections of refuse or recycling in Birmingham on Christmas Day (Tuesday, December 25) or Boxing Day (Wednesday, December 26).

Below you will find the dates when you need to put the bins out instead.

Read More

Usual collection day - next collection

Tuesday, December 25 - recycling (blue lid) - Saturday, December 29, 2018

Tuesday, December 25 - household waste (grey lid) - Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Wednesday, December 26 - recycling (blue lid) - Saturday, January 5. 2019

Wednesday, December 26 - household waste (grey lid) - Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Holford Drive, Perry Barr, B42 2TU WASTE CENTRE

OPENING TIMES

April to end of October

Mon to Fri: 8am to 8pm

Saturday: 8am to 6pm

Sunday: 8am to 6pm

November to end of March

Mon to Fri: 8am to 6pm

Saturday: 8am to 4.30pm

Sunday: 8am to 4.30pm

Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day

MARY VALE ELDERLY PROJECT RESIDENTS LOOK FORWARD TO THEIR CHRISTMAS DO

It was nice to be able to pop in again to meet residents at the Maryvale Elderly Residents project to see if I could help them with any issues. They are certainly looking forward to their Christmas do. The volunteers and helpers there do a great job

ELIM LIFE CHURCH FOOD BANK NEW LOCATION KETTLEHOUSE ROAD

I am sad to have to say that I popped into the Elim Church Foodbank today at its new location in Kettlehouse Road ( Emanual Church Building) Elim Life Church Community Hub.
I am sad because in 2018 there should be no need for food banks and those in power should be ashamed there is.
The Volunteers from both the Elim Life Church Warren road and some helpers from Nottingham were doing a great job.
...

As this location is fairly new I have made a note of its opening time which is on a Tuesday 11am to 2am. ( it will be closed from December 18th to January 15th.
If you need to go there will be refreshments but there will be a brief assessments of your needs. The organisers will give you the details.
For more details who can use the food bank and times when donations are received either pop in or use the internet http://www.elimlifechurch.co.uk/foodbank/

DONT FORGET THE ELDERLY AT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

Try and have a chat to an elderly resident, friend , Neighbour or relative< at this time of year especially if they live alone.

They may need a bit of company , help,  or even a bit of shopping done for the Christmas holidays ,which you could pick up for them?

If you are an elderly resident living in Oscott their are a number of elderly groups in the area looking for new members. For details give me a ring on 303 2039  ( messages) and leave your contact details.

JANAUARY OSCOTT COUNCILLORS Advice SURGERY CANCELLED.

Due to the holiday period the Oscott Councillors advice surgery at the 610 Community Centre in January has been cancelled.
If you need our help you can leave a message on 303 2039 or email us and we will try and help if we can.

BOTTLE BANKS REMOVED

The underground bottle banks which were located near the Kingstanding Library have recently been removed.
The banks were closed due to age related problems. Sadly this resulted in some individuals being unable to resist dumping rubbish at the location rather than simply taking it to the recycling centre just minutes away. I would encourage residents to do what they can to recycle as it improves our environment and altermatleey eases pressure on our fast warming climate

O.R.A, O.E.R.G AND N.P.I, DROP IS SESSIONS

BOB WILD CHAIR ORA

If you would like to know more about the Oscott Residents Association, The Oscott Elderly Residents group or the Oscott Neighbourhood Police Initiative, they hold informal pop in sessions at the 610 Community Centre, Kingstanding road. These are held on the first Saturday of the month at 10am.

PERRY BARR M.P OSCOTT SURGERY 1ST DECEMBER

Khalid Mahmood M.P for Perry Barr hold an Oscott Ward surgery on the first Saturday of each month, where you can discuss issues with him. His next meeting is surgery is on Saturday December 1st.
The venue is the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road and the time is 10.30am.

If you cannot make this time he has an office number where you can reach his team during the week. 356 8268.

OSCOTT WARD COUNCILLORS SURGERY DECEMBER 5TH.

The next Oscott Councillors surgery will take place on December Wednesday 5th at 7pm.
The location will be the 610 Community Centre, Kingstanding Road.

If you are unable to attend you can leave a message for use 303 2039 but please leave your full details and we will try and help if we can.

TRYING TO KEEP THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE SAFE.

Part of what members of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve Environment group do is carry out occasional unofficial patrols on the reserve.

Members report any ASB or vandalism (without  putting themselves at any risk) however sadly the reserve is a big place and we cannot be everywhere.

If you would like to get involved please let me know.

To report any issues you come across in the reserve, please use the Police none emergency number

 101 unless it is an emergency, email the Council or inform the Council by ringing 303 1111.

The Police do when possible patrol the reserve but they need more eyes and ears to keep it safe.

Together we can help look after the reserve and its wild life.

MORE POLICING IS NEEDED IN OSCOTT

Along with Councillor Barbara Dring I have called for a meeting with senior Local Police officers to discuss the spiralling increases in both violent and petty crime in the Oscott area. I have also called on our MP and the WMPCC to do more.
This Governments cuts to the Police funding for the West Midland Police is a disgrace don't let other issues which are hitting the head lines at the moment side track you from this issue.
Barbara and I are picking up more and more complaints about the lack of a Police presence in the area.

WELL KNOW UNKEMPT BIRDBROOK PROPERTY TO BE SOLD NEXT YEAR

I am please to hear that after all the efforts put in to try and deal with the well know unkempt empty Property in Birdbrook Road it is finally being sold next year. I am sure the neighbours who have suffered so long will be pleased.
The buyer will have plenty to do, however the site has plenty of potential  and I wish them luck.

REMIND YOUR LOCAL OSCOTT SCHOOL TO ATTEND the next parking and road safety meeting

The next meeting of the Oscott Schools Parking near schools and Road safety working party  meeting which takes place on the 28th November.At the Great Barr Academy Aldridge Road Great Barr (by invitation)

All the School in the Oscott area have again been invited to send a representative to this meeting where issues of concern regarding parking near schools and road safety are discussed.

Also invited are senior Local Police Officers, Fire brigade representatives and also officers from the Birmingham City Council who deal with road safety issues.

As chair and with the help of our Council organiser PB Act District Director Mr De Costa of these meetings (and who works so hard to do so despite a lack of resources) I do not pretend there are any easy solutions to the problems being discussed, but every school can meet with other Oscott schools to discuss how they deal with road safety issues near their school and learn from others what they do.

The Police, Council Officers and Fire brigade, offer their advice and listen to the concerns of the various Oscott schools and by all working together in this way we try and resolve some of the issues.

There is no magic wand and we still face the continued cuts in funding but just sometimes good practice and an opportunity to learn from others can help.

The Police who like the Council have faced awful cuts in their numbers can also meet with a  number of schools at one time which helps save their stretched man power and ensures they hear the issues faced by local schools, together in one place.

I would urge all parents or, to remind the school that their children go to in Oscott, to send someone to the meeting. (Local residents living near one of the schools could also remind the school?)  Details have been supplied to all the various schools.

Members of the public are given an update on these meetings at Oscott Ward Residents Committees Chaired by Councillor Barbara Dring. Residents are also encouraged at these ward meetings to discuss their concerns which are passed back to the Schools Parking and Road safety Committee.

VIOLENT CRIME MUST BE STOPPED

The growing national trend for violent crime including knife crime has sadly surfaced in and near the Oscott area.
Violent crime while not at epidemic proportions by any means in Oscott is simply not acceptable.

A year or so ago I suggested a knife amnesty for the area with a place ( Kingstanding Police Station) where weapons could be handed in. Sadly this was not taken up but with recent events in mind I have called for this again.

I understand the limitations on Police number due to Government cuts in their funding but I have appealed for more activity from them in places like ASDA and the Kingstanding Circle.

Both Councillor Barbara Dring and I are concerned about any rise in violent crime in the area and will do what we can to urge action be taken to prevent it.

YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE BIRMING CITY COUNCIL'S BUDGET PROPOSALS

Birmingham City Council has launched its budget consultation 2019+ and would like to hear your views on the proposals.
There will also be a chance to ask the co...uncil’s Cabinet questions during two live streamed meetings and a free public event.
The consultation runs until 31 December 2018. Find out more and have your say at http://bit.ly/brumbudget19. #brumbudget19

Don't forget most of the cuts which have or may take place are mainly due to the Governments failed austerity policy which has led to cuts in their funding to the Birmingham City Council.

WITTON LODGE COMMUNITY ASS AT KINGSTANDING LIBRARY

WITTON LODGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION AT KINGSTANDING LIBRARY

 

An update

 1.      They have have continued with our their  at Kingstanding Library, ( help by previous funding organised by Councillor Barbara Dring and my self, focusing on jobs and skills, inc;
 - Providing 1-1 support and CV writing
- Helping to write job applications and prepare for interviews.

2.      They have also been providing a lot of 1-1 IT Support, ranging from;
- How to use Microsoft Word

- Setting up and using emails

               -Creating and using universal accounts

              - Scanning and sending documents via email e.g. housing and council tax benefit documentation.

       3.  They still hold a monthly Housing Advice Surgery and have helped residents to complete other online forms e.g. Birmingham City Council Housing applications.

       4. They have also helped the library staff by answering the phone, helping the library staff with their tasks and answering general enquiries.

Councillor Barbara Dring and I are at hand to offer any further support we can if you need their help just pop into the Kingstanding Library when they are there.

We are having to fight Government cuts but we are trying to help our residents where we can.

OUT ON LAMPOST PATROL IN OSCOTT

I have been out and about this evening on patrol looking for faulty street lights in Oscott.
If I see any I make sure they are reported. Cannot see all the street lights in Oscott so if you do see one either report it your self or Email me on Keith Linnecor@birmingham.gov .uk and I will report it on your behalf. ( I would need the exact location.
Mind you there are plenty of fire works about.

OLD BOTTLE BANKS ARE BEING REMOVED

It is good to see the efforts of Councillor Barbara Dring and I are paying off and the Old underground bottle banks located at the junction of Old Oscott Hill and Oscott School Lane are being removed.

These banks were in their time very useful sadly however they have developed faults and damage and have been out of commission for some time.
Despite signs letting people know they were not in  use some people have decided to fly tip at this location which is why they are being removed.

I NEED YOUR FULL DETAILS IF YOU NEED MY HELP

I would like to remind Oscott residents if they would like me to try and help with a concern they have when contacting me by phone ( if I am unavailable) or Email.

Please leave your

 Name

Address

and( if contacting me by phone) your phone number

If you leave brief details of your concerns I may not have to contact you for them before trying  to help.



If you have one of my cards please fill in the details before send it to me ( it is Free Post)


If you are leaving me a mobile number please ensure it has the full 11 number in it!

DONT FORGET TO WEAR YOUR POPPY

Wear your Poppy with pride I know I will

RATS CAN BE A REAL PROBLEM

Rats can be a real problem I have received a number of complaints about them recently which I am trying to get addressed. I fully understand residents concerns.

It's estimated that rodents are responsible for depleting one-fifth of the global food supply every year. And rats communicate and mark their territory by urinating pretty much everywhere they go.

Rats are considered a public health pest because they:

·         contaminate food intended for human consumption

·         carry diseases such as Leptospirosis (Weils Disease), Salmonella and Typhus (which can be fatal to people)

·         cause damage by gnawing, burrowing and digging

Rats are found in properties where there is a food and water source (e.g. cupboards, waste bags on the floor or left out pet food/ leftovers). They can also be detected by droppings, evidence of fresh gnawing and tracks.

Some estimates put the annual financial cost of soiled or damaged goods caused by rats at over £11 billion

The[ rat  UK population of brown rats is peaking at 15 million… and rising.

You can deal with rats yourself but many rats due to the over use of poisons that are used by residents are becoming immune and professional treatment can be expensive (it is best to shop around and check out the internet.).

You can help keep rats away by

• Avoid leaving food lying around either inside or outside your home;

• Place all household rubbish in bins with tight fitting lid;

• Keep bird food off the ground (or invest in a rat proof bird feeder); Feed early and not after dark.

• Do not store pet food in garages and sheds (or ensure that they are in galvanised containers) and cover drain pipe ends with chicken wire to help prevent rats climbing into roof spaces;

• Clear up fallen fruit from trees, leftover bird food and pet mess in your garden;

• Check buildings for access holes and fix any broken air bricks or gaps round pipes;

• Make sure gaps in walls and around pipes are closed as rats can get through a space as small as 10 millimetres

Also do not leave waste food out over night or fly tip bags with waste food in them.

Rats impact on our wildlife too, preying on insects, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles and more. Ground-nesting birds make particularly easy targets. If you are using open spaces like the Queslett Nature Reserve, please put any litter or food waste in a litter bin for collection or take it home with you.

Rat infestation is a problem which changing weather patterns not helping. Rats should be taken seriously by all; the government also needs to do more with extra funding to help control the numbers of rats.

 

 

---

 [CKL1]

MR COOPER COTLEIGH GROVE WINS ANOTHER MEDAL FOR HIS GARDEN

I was pleased to meet up again with Mr Cooper of Cotleigh grove who yet again this year won a silver on the City in bloom event. I always like looking at his garden sadly however the blooms have begun to fade now.
Well done Mr Cooper

IT WAS NICE TO MEET AN OLD ENERMY TODAY

Pleased to meet up with former Oscott Councillor Margarete Sutton ne Sparry. Despite her being a Conservative! we always got on well and I like to think we had a mutual respect for each other. She certainly put residents first.

I have always had a lot of time for Margarete who like me knew how to put the political business found in the Council house to one side to concentrate on trying to help Oscott residents and enjoyed doing so,
She was a tough opponent but fair and never claimed the work of others like some have in the past.

reporting littering and flytipping in oscott

Councillor Barbara Dring and I have been out and about again reporting fly tipping and littering found  in Oscott

OSCOTT COUNCILLORS SURGERY

Councillor Barbara Dring and I will be holding our next Councillors surgery on November 7th at the 610 Community Centre. 7PM

JOYCE LEE R.I.P

It was with great sadness that I have learnt of the passing of Joyce Lee.

Joyce was a lovely caring person who was always will to help those she could. She was a good fried,
Joyce was also one of a dwindling amount of people who rather than just complain about things tried to do something instead. She cared deeply about her community.

My condolences go out to Jimmy and his family

WASTE RECYCLING CENTRE PERRY BARR NOV OPENING HOURS

THESE ARE THE WINTER OPENING HOURS THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR FLY TIPPING


Holford Drive, Perry Barr, B42 2TU
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View the queue

Operating times

November to end of March
Mon to Fri: 8am to 6pm
Sat to Sun: 8am to 4.30pm  (No vans after 4:00 pm)
(Except Christmas Day & Boxing Day)

April to end of October
Mon to Fri: 8am to 8pm
Sat to Sun: 8am to 6pm (No vans after 4:00 pm)

Recycling facilities

They are able to recycle/re-use the following items:
Green garden waste, Cardboard, Paper, Glass, Metal, Wood and wood-based products (MDF, chipboard etc), Engine Oil, Car Batteries, Fridges & Freezers, Textiles, Shoes, TVs & CRT Monitors, Fluorescent tubes, Gas bottles, Soil, Hardcore & Rubble.

Please do not put gas bottles (full or empty) into the metals skip.  Please use the special area provided for gas bottles.  If in doubt, please speak to the staff on site who can advise.

BENCH REPAIRED AT LAST

For some time now Councillor Barbara Dring and I have been requesting the bench on Kingstanding Road near the Norbury Road junction be repaired as we know it is well used by elderly residents.
I am pleased to announced this repair has been carried out and elderly resident can take a rest now when climbing the hill on Kingstanding Road.

MEETING WITH OSCOTT RESIDENTS WHO CARE ABOUT THE AREA

With, John, Brenda and Brian

It was good to meet up with Oscott Local resident's who have put in their time over the years to try and improve the Oscott area.

FLY TIPPING AND LITTERING NEEDS TO STOP

 

There is just no excuse to litter and fly tip our streets in Oscott.
Councillor Barbara Dring and I regulary report fly tipped rubbish or excess litter on our treets but sadly few of those dirty people who do it are deldom fined.

TREE VANDALS ARE OUT AND ABOUT AGAIN

Sadly tree vandals have been out and about again in Oscott.
When the Council allow street trees to be removed they have to be replaced somewhere in the area however these new tree seem to attract a certain type who simply cannot resist vandalising them.
We seem to be living in a society where many just do not understand the environmental and ethsetic value of trees. They would just like to live in an inner city type concrete jungle.

HEDGE HOGGS NEED HELP

Sadly this is the fate of many of our Hedge hoggs.
It is also why we must all try and do our bit to preseve them
Giving a Hedge hog a home, and room to rove beteeen gardens is important. ( leave a small gap in your fence).
Leave a little food out for them and check they are not sleeping under any bonfires you light.
Give them a fighting chance of survival before its to late.

WHEN LIGHTING A BONFIRE PLEASE CHECK FOR HEDGE HOGS BEFORE YOU DO

THE NEXT OSCOTT WARD COMMITTEE.

The next Oscott ward Committee meeting will take place on 3rd October at the 610 Community Centre at 7pm.
All Oscott residents are welcome to attend.
To be Chaired by Councillor Barbara Dring.

THE GOVERNMENT NEED TO GIVE MORE FUNDING TO THE POLICE AND COUNCIL TO HELP COMBAT DANGEROUS SPEEDING IN PLACES LIKE OSCOTT

I have been out and about looking at speeding issues in a number of Oscott roads all of which have been reported again to the Police and Transportation department. It is clear this government need to look again at the lack of funding to both the BC Council & the WM Police Force.

OSCOTT MANOR SCHOOL GATE TO BE REPAIRED

          

                                                    Now repaired


Despite the pouring rain I have been on site again checking on the state of the damaged Oscott Manor school gate Lingfield Road
The contractor are on site deciding how best to repair the gate.

TEMPLETON TOAD PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY CLEANED UP

I would like to thank the Clean up crew who have responded quIckly to my request for the awful fly tipping in the Templeton Road to Old Oscott Hill privately owned public right of way hey have done a great job.



See Wed 5th post

OSCOTT RESIDENTS THANK YOU FOR YOUR VEIWS ON PARISH COUNCILS

Many thanks to all those Oscott residents ( and others?) who when I have spoken to them have given me their views on Parish Councils (or emailed me with them).

I think it is important that I know the views of Oscott residents before coming to my own.
There are too many people who do not seek out the views of their residents on this sort of subject but please be assured both Councillor Dring and I care about what you think in Oscott.


Birmingham City Councils explanation.
see below

Parish Councils

Parish councils are the most local level in our system of local government. Like the City Council they are made up of local people elected by residents at regular local elections. Their role is to represent and give a voice to the local community and work on ways to improve the local neighbourhood. If they wish they may provide a number of local services as well. Local councils have a right to comment on planning applications and they can develop a Neighbourhood Plan setting policies for the development of their area.

Parish councils are nothing to do with the parishes of the Church of England and these days they can be called “neighbourhood” or “community” councils as well. Very large parish councils serving a whole town are called Town Councils.

Parish councils can set a “precept” or small additional Council Tax to be paid by the local residents, but this is not compulsory and councils will consider the views of local residents and how they propose to spend the money before setting a precept.

They are more common in rural areas, but any area can have a parish council. In Birmingham there are just two parish councils: Sutton Coldfield Town Council and Frankley in Birmingham parish council.

Examples of parish councils elsewhere

Shropshire has adopted a structure of local government consisting of a county council performing all local government functions (a “unitary council”) and a number of large parish or town councils. The parish councils provide a number of services, such as parks and gardens, allotments, bus shelters, public conveniences, snow clearance, sports facilities, youth services and markets.

Milton Keynes has set up parish councils across the city and they provide a variety of services such as street wardens, youth work, environmental clean ups, allotments, events and leisure facilities.

Lichfield, near Birmingham has a City Council which provides allotments, parks and open spaces, community centres and markets.

Queens Park Community Council in London is the first parish council in the capital. It provides grants for a range of community projects and organisations.

 

Other examples of Neighbourhood Organisations

It might be that a Parish Council is not the governance vehicle that you would like to see in your neighbourhood.

However there are many other alternative set ups that you might want to look at, ranging from very informal groups, friends of parks, resident associations, local partnerships etc. through to more formal ones such as those detailed below:-

·         Birmingham Neighbourhood Forums – a group of likeminded residents and other stakeholders in a defined neighbourhood. There are currently 25 active neighbourhood forums across the City and there are small grants available from the Council to support running costs.

·         Community Development Trusts – are a particular type of local partnership organisation concerned with the regeneration of an area, not for private gain, aiming for long term sustainability and community based and accountable. There are a number of Community Development Trusts (CDT)  in Birmingham – Moseley CDT, Soho First CDT and  St Pauls CDT

·         Community Land Trust – are a form of community led housing, set up and run by ordinary people to develop and manage homes as well as other assets important to that community, like community enterprises, food growing or workspaces. CLTs have been growing across the country over the last few years. There has been recent interest in Birmingham and there are ones in other urban areas such as  London, Bristol and Middlesbrough

·         Development of a Neighbourhood Plan – are community –led plans for guiding the future development and regeneration of an area, which are prepared by  a designated Neighbourhood Forums (as defined by Central Government) They can deal with a range of social, economic and environmental issues and need to be prepared in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations.  There is an approved Neighbourhood Plan in place in Balsall Heath and an emerging plan in Perry Barr (3Bs- Beeches, Booths and Barr)

 It is important if you want your views to be counted.

To find out more about Birminghams devolution consultation https://www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/.../working.../...

 

You can still contact me to let me have your views.

 

THE 1610 COMMUNITY CENTRE HAS A RANGE OF ACTIVIES FOR MOST PEOPLE

Popped into the 610 Community Centre. The staff there are doing a good job. Sadly however despite the range of activities they offer a lack of funding can be seen.
They do expect to have a new list of activities that take place in the centre soon.

Government cuts to the Police, Council, and so many other organisations are really having an effect.

The Government Austerity policies have failed.

AGE uk BIRDBROOK ROAD ARE KEEPING BUSY

I was please to be able to pop into the Age UK Centre on Birdbrook Road recently.
They do a splendid job there and do a lot for older residents in Oscott.

To find out about the range of services they have just pop in.

Age uk are looking for volunteers if you can help please ring 437 0033

AN ENJOYABLE VISIT TO OSCOTT MANNER SCHOOL

With Head Teacher Vicky Miller

I was pleased to visit the Oscott Manner  school today where I was introduced to young people who attend there and the staff.
I was nice to see such caring staff who have the interests of their charges at hart.

I had an enjoyable tour of the grounds and discussed a number of issues including the need for more site security.
The school management are doing what they can ( like most schools today sadly) with a very limited budget.

I have contacted the Education department explaining the need for more security for this site.

I am hoping they may be able to tour the Council House at sometime in the future.