Tuesday 27 February 2018

OSCOTT TREE PRUNING UPDATE




As local Oscott residents our selves Councillor Barbara Dring and I understand only to well many of our constituents and neighbours are concerned about the need to have the trees in their road pruned. We are both interested in trying to get this done as can be seen from all the campaigning we have done for to get so many trees pruned this year.

Despite delays caused by the storms over the New Year period and the current bad weather, a senior tree officer from Amey Highways has informed me his company is still on target to prune the 1700 trees agreed for this year in Oscott and to plant around 200 replacement trees. There will be some delays caused by the current bad weather however as may be expected. ( most roads in Oscott are due to have tree pruning carried out this year.)

PERRY BARR MP OSCOTT SURGERY DETAILS



The M.P for Perry Barr holds his Oscott Ward surgery on the first Saturday of the month at the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road at 10.30am.
The next one is on March 3rd.

DONT FORGET THE ELDERLY IN OSCOTT



Especially during this very cold weather check with any elderly neighbours of friends to see if they are ok and have their heating on. ( OR GIVE THEM A RING)

Monday 26 February 2018

STILL CHECKING ON GRIT BINS IN OSCOTT



Out and about again as part of the Oscott Labour Team ( a few snow flakes about)) checking on the level in grit bins in the Oscott area. We do this all the time during the winter.
If the one by you is low on grit let me know Email Keith.Linnecor@Birmingham.gov.uk

Thursday 22 February 2018

ALDI QUESLETT SITE UPDATE



Subject: Planning Inspectorate APP/P4605/W/17/3182279: Old Horns Crescent, B43


Sadly ALDI who are a large powerful company have decided to appeal the Councils decision to the Governments inspectorate, without agreeing any compromise.

   It has now been confirmed that the appeal will be a hearing, to start at 10:00 on Tuesday 1st May 2018 (and continue on 2nd May if necessary).  The venue will be the Dickens Conference Room at the Birmingham & Midland Institute, Margaret Street.

Both Councillor Barbara Dring and I have let our views be known and the Birmingham City Council is continuing to oppose this planning application. However we are now in the hands of the Government through its appeal process. There is still time to write in and ensure you views are known you can do this by writing to Ann Edmonds the Planning inspectorate 3 M Kite Wing, Temple Quay House, Bristol B1 6NP or email west2@pins.gls.gov.uk by 13th March. You may attend the meeting.

Tuesday 20 February 2018

GOVERNMENT PLANNING HEARING ALDI QUESLETT VENUE AND DATE ANNOUNCED





Subject: Planning Inspectorate APP/P4605/W/17/3182279: Old Horns Crescent, B43 7HA



  PINS have confirmed that the appeal will be a hearing, to start at 10:00 on Tuesday 1st May 2018 (and continue on 2nd May if necessary).  The venue will be the Dickens Conference Room at the Birmingham & Midland Institute, Margaret Street.

For any further details please contact the BCC Planning department

there IS STILL TIME TO WRITE IN WITH YOUR VEIWS

 

 


 



Regards

 

Pete

Friday 16 February 2018

KINGSTANDING POLICE STATION TO CLOSE



I have learnt today that the Kingstanding Police Station may be closing altogether.

For some time the station has been closed to the public but the back rooms have been manned by officers doing various work including the Local Police team meeting with local community groups..

This use has had at least helped keep a Police presence in the area.

Government cuts to Police funding are really creating a lot of problems, all around.  Oscotts Local Team neighbourhood team has bee reduced by half over the last few years. Residents are already saying they never see a Police Officer in their road. I have written to the Police Commisioner on this matter. We need more officers.

What makes things even worse is the proposed closure of the Sutton Coldfield Police Station.

The Government urgently need to rethink their cuts.

           Just for information
 Lloyd House is the HQ of WMP, not just the PCC. The work being carried out their at the moment allows WMP to exit other buildings and will pay for itself in 6 years. Reserves are not £100m and are planned to be spent by 2020 (apart from necessary reserves). And the Tories have cost us 2092 officers & 429 PCSOs.
 As ever be ware of fake information being put out by some for cheap political gain.

Tuesday 13 February 2018

KINGSTANDING POST OFFICE UPDATE









 Councillor Barbara Dring and I checking out the proposed new Kingstanding Post Office location



To day I have received the following from a senior Post Office representative this morning
 
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"we briefed colleagues at Kingstanding Post Office that we are to proceed with the proposal to move the branch from its current location to the vacant retail premises which was previously HSBC at 7 Kettlehouse Road, Birmingham, B44 9JJ to create a modern branch for customers where it will be run by our new retail partner.

Kingstanding branch is due to move to its new location on Thursday 10 May 2018.  The same wide range of products and services will still be available, with the exception of the Biometric Enrolment Service for the Home Office, however DVLA services will still be available. The Biometric service will relocate to Sutton Coldfield Post Office, WHSmith, 140-142 The Parade, Gracechurch Centre, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1PH. 

Our partner will incorporate a retail offer of greeting cards, gifts and confectionery to run alongside the Post Office and we’ll be working together to provide a new, modern Post Office with sufficient room for Post Office and shop customers.   The branch will have its own designated area to the right as you enter the store and customer access both into and within the store will meet Post Office Ltd’s own accessibility standards and all applicable legislation 

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.  We believe that franchising this branch will allow us to better secure Post Office services in this community for the longer term and help strengthen and secure the Post Office network as a whole.
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I have been saddened by the news that the Post Office formally in the Kingstanding precinct is being closed and I hope all those staff who have worked there can find other employment.

I am however pleased that the move will only be some 180 Metres away  to the former HSBC bank in Kettle House Road. This site is fully adaptable for disabled people and there is parking not to far away. I am also pleased that at least there will be still a post office in the local area offering most of the usual services.

I will continue to offer my services to the owners of the Kingstanding Precinct and will help them if I can if they require it.
 

Saturday 10 February 2018

DOG MESS LEFT ON PAVEMENTS AND OPEN SPACES IN OSCOTT NEEDS TO BE STOPPED





Dog mess on our pavements and open spaces like the Glenmead Field can be so unpleasant.
In this day and age the vast majority of dog owner do he decent thing and bag and remove their dogs mess.. Sadly some undercover of darkness often do not.

Dog mess can lead to children having infected eyes it can also be dragged into homes on the bottom of peoples homes. ( just because the odd dog owner does not do the right thing and get their dogs mess up.

There is really no excuse doggie bags are cheap and readily available and there are litter bins scattered around the Oscott Ward.

Over the next week or so I am along with Councillor Barbara Dring organizing a visit from the Dog ward team and hopefully they will help get the message  through Remove dog mess bag and bin it or take it home.

Friday 9 February 2018

HELP KEEP THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE LITTER FREE



I was pleased this week to be able to get the time to pop into the Queslett Nature Reserve to do a little litter picking.

It is a shame that some of those who use the reserve cannot simply put their litter ( and dogs mess bagged) in the litter bins provided or take it home with them. Luckily most do

I would like to thank all those residents like Brenda  and John who care so much for the reserve and help keep it tidy

If you would like to help keep the reserve and other Oscott Open spaces free of litter please Email me Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

Thursday 8 February 2018

NEW GATE FOR FORGER WALK TUNNEL




                     CHECKING WITH THE GATE  MAKER WIDEACRE FENCING

The Forgers Walk Tunnel ( which leads from Bowman Road to Turnbury Park)  has had a new gate fitted.
Councillor Barbara Dring and I managed to help find funding for this gate which will  help the mechanical Cleaner,  clean the tunnel better.
 Gaps have been left at the sides of the new gate for wheel chair users and pedestrians to use.

We have also found funding for an extra street light for Forgers walk which,  will be erected later this year. This should help make pedestrians  using the walk feel more secure during the darker times of the day.

I have also managed  to get a clean up of the area with a litter pick having taken place only recently.

Wednesday 7 February 2018

OSCOTT RESIDENTS WILL HAVE THEIR WASTE WHEELIE BINS COLLECTED EVERY WEEK.


WEEKLY HOUSE HOLD WASTE COLLECTION IS TO BE RETAINED IN OSCOTT
 



Once again at this months Full Council meeting the leader of the Birmingham City Council has had to point out that "Fake news" claiming the wheelie bin Household waste collection service is to move to a fortnightly collection is just that "Fake".

Once again residents in Oscott can be assured that  our Household waste bins will continue to be collected weekly.
 The current Labour Leadership are the only ones who will confirm that this will happen.

Oscott residents as they did when they were told by some," our libraries would shut"  before the last Local elections need to dismiss this constant pre election Fake news.

ELLISTON AVE RIGHT OF WAY HAS HAD ANOTHER CLEAN UP



For the second time in a few weeks I have had to call on the street cleaning clean up squad to have to come out and clean up the right of way between Elliston Avenue and Meadthorpe Road.
It was in a real mess today with bottles cans and all sorts of litter.
Luckily both Councillor Barabara Dring and I try and monitor these right of way and do what we can to get them cleaned up.

ALDI ARE APEALING OLD HORNS PLANNING DECISION 2016/09132/P



The Aldi super market chain are set to appeal the Birmingham City Councils Planning Departments refusal of their Old Horns application.
They are appealing to the Government inspectorate Department of Communities and Local Government who will make the decision
If you would like to let me know your concerns one way or another on this application please let me know.

For further information on the application and how to give your views please go on the BCC Planning portal and look for the Application Number  2016/09132/P