WEEK END STORM CAUSES REAL PROBLEMS IN OSCOTT

Sadly the storm at the weekend has caused a lost of damage and flooding across the city. Having looked at parts of the South of the city it is clear it is going to take some time to put right.

Oscott did not escape the storm either with a number of homes flooded and some trees coming down ( as in Shady Lane) or being hit by lightning. ( Oscott School Lane entrance to the Aldridge Recreation Ground)

I have yet again been calling on senior Council officials and Amey Highways to ensure our Oscott drains in are correctly maintained and have asked the Housing department and Leisure Service department to inspect trees on their land to check for their safety following the storm and flooding.

ALDI OLD HORN PLANNING APPEAL HAS BEEN DISMISSED

 Ref The ALDI Planning appeal to the Government inspectorate  regarding their proposed development at the Old Horns site next to the Queslett Nature Reserve,

A decision has been made and the appeal has been dismissed. The appeal was dismissed for the two reasons the City Council planning team sought to defend the refusal of the scheme at appeal namely the loss of the protected trees and the unacceptable design of the proposed development.

This is a victory for those wishing to protect the trees and wild life in the area and although I was not part of the Birmingham Planning Committee ( due to a conflict of interest) when it refused to support the ALDI proposals I welcome they did reject them.

I also support the decision of the Inspector who I met as part of a site meeting.

I have always informed everyone that I am the Founder and Chair of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve which would have been negatively effected by the proposed development.

 I also have also made it clear  in my view any 106 funding given to the reserve as part of any agreement would not have been acceptable. This battle was about keeping the environment and wild life secure not about any money.

I was sorry ALDI could not make any compromises with there plans and hope they can find a more suitable site which would not mean such harm to the environment as soon as possible. They may wish to consider the Kingstanding shopping precinct for example.

I would finally like to thank all those who fought so hard for the local environment including
Brenda, John, Bob, Linda, from the FQNR, Members of the public, Councillor Barbara Dring and many others for they efforts.

PLEASE DO NOT INTRODUCE NEW PLANTS TO THE QUESTLETT NATURE RESERVE WITHOUT SEEKING ADVISE

The Councils Leisure Services department has a constant battle to rid the reserve of Japanese Knot weed

The FQNR and the Birmingham City Council would ask residents not to donate and plant flowers and bushes in the Queslett Reserve.
We appreciate the gesture but due to issues of spreading soil contamination , pests and introduction of invasive none native plants to the reserve decease it is not advisable to plant any wild life species without seeking permission.
Japanese knot weed is an example where planting in the reserve can cause soil contamination which costs a lot of money to try and eradicate.

OUT AND ABOUT IN THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE IN THE SUNSHINE

I was pleased to be able to spend a bit of time doing some light pruning and litter picking in the Queslett Nature Reserve today I even managed to get a couple walking past to have a go at litter picking.
It was good to see the Council have been out mowing the desire line paths as this helps create fire breaks in case there are any grass fires.

I spoke to a number of residents using the reserve today (I may consider holding a surgery there at this rate?)
On a more negative note a number of these resident are unhappy at what they see as a lack of Police presence in the reserve ( sadly they are short in Police numbers these days) and the life ring has disappeared again. I have informed the department.

GREAT BARR ACADEMY PLANNING APPLICATION RE DROP OFF ZONE

As I informed reader of this blog previously the Great Barr Academy are putting together a planning application for a drop of zone for parents and buses in their school grounds. ( the grass frontage Aldridge Road)

It is very much hoped that this action will help ease the continued parking problems caused by parent parking close to the school in large numbers.

There is not east solution to the problem of congestion caused by parents picking up and dropping off their children near this school ( which also effect the other schools near by) but I hope this application may help ease the problems and is a step in the right direction.

I have been pleased to try and help with this project by giving advise and helping to give advise.

Councillor Barbara Dring and I are only to aware of the problems caused to residents living near schools and we will do what we can to try and help.

If you have any comments or concerns about this Planning application there is a chance to have your say until 7th June just try the Planning departments Planning internet portal for information.

LOCAL OSCOTT GROUPS ELECT THEIR CHAIR PERSONS

I was pleased to see at the AGM of the Oscott Residents association Bob Wild has been elected to become Chair of the ORA.
He will be taking over from the long serving Nigel Quinn.

Mean while the Oscott Elderly Residents Group re elected un opposed long time serving Maureen Byrne who has done such an excellent job over the years.

Both Councillor Barbara Dring and I look forward to work with these group Chairs.

DESFORD AVENUE FLY TIPPING MUST STOP.

The Local Scout Group based at Desford Avenue spent many hours carrying out a clean up of their area only to find within day some shameful fly tippers once again dumped rubbish near the Scout Groups HQ.

Like these hard working Scouts I am calling for action to help stop this fly tipping and other acts of ASB near by.

I have been calling for more Police monitoring of the area and for cameras to be considered.

In the mean time I have been out to day discussing the situation with the Clean up squad.

Councillor Barbra Dring and I will continue to call for action.

If you can help provide evidence against fly tippers the Council will take action and fine them

DONT FLY TIP AT THE OLD UNDERGROUND BOTTLE BANK SITE

As most residents are aware the underground bottle banks located at the junction of Old Oscott Hill and Oscott School Lane are no longer in use and have been capped.
Sadly this is becoming a dumping ground for fly tippers using the I did not know they were not in use excuse.
Fly tipping at this location can cause issues not only of being unsightly but also to passing school children.

With this in mind I have asked the site to be monitored and that signs warning against fly tipping be put up. anyone found fly tipping can now receive a hefty fine.

Councillor Barbara Dring and I will continue our battle against fly tipping in Oscott

OSCOTT GROUPS MEET TODAY

I will attending a joint meeting of the Oscott Residents Association and the Oscott Elderly Residents Group today.
Both groups to a good job for local residents, lobbying the Council on residents behalf and looking after their welfare.

I also enjoy their tough Questions during their Q and A sessions.

These meeting are open to Oscott Ward residents.

PARKING NEAR THE GREAT BARR ACAEDEMY A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AT LAST

I have been pleased to see that a planning application has been presented to the Councils Planning department from the Great Barr Academy.

This application is looking for the approval of a drop of zone within the front of the schools grounds.

As someone who has been involved in a advisory capacity to this project clearly I welcome this application and the schools ongoing efforts to deal with a parking and road safety issue.

The application which if agreed would mean cars and buses entering the Aldridge Road grounds of the school for the means of dropping off and picking up school children.

Although there are no magic solutions to problems regarding congestion and parking around schools in Oscott this is a step in the right direction and should help ease problems not just near the Great Barr academy but even further afield.

A BIG THANKS TO OSCOTT RESIDENTS

I would like to thank my fellow Oscott residents who came out and voted for me and my excellent colleague Councillor Barbara Dring.

We cannot offer you magic solutions and an endless money tree full of pretend goodies, but we will work hard for our neighbours and fellow residents of Ocott.

Times will be tough until this Government end their failed austerity policies ( or another government does). WE will fight for Oscott we will battle to get the basics right and we will not pretend we can resolve all the issues we hear about.

I would also like to thank our Oscott Labour Team those in the picture above and others who were not but helped so much during our campaign.