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.

A BUSY SURGERY TONIGHT

There was a good turn out at the Oscott Councillors surgery tonight.
I am dealing with a number of issues including Housing, Speeding, A.S.B,  fly tipping and drains.
I always make it clear that I never promise I can resolve all the issues I hear about but I am willing to try and help if I can. I have already been contacting the various department about the complains I have heard about today.
Many thanks to those who came along.

MORE FLY TIPPING IN OSCOTT IT HAS TO BE STOPPED.

There has been more disgusting fly tipping in the Oscott area.
This time a lorry load of rubbish including bedding has been dumped in the public ( but privately owned right of way between Templeton Road and Old Oscott Hill.
Scores of young child with their parents will now have to walk past this rubbish on their way to school.

I hope anyone who may have seen anything will report it to the Council and if proved who ever did it should be heavily named and shamed or if it is a second office put in prison.
There is no excuse a further 5 minute drive would have taken them to the Holford Drive Salvage department.

MY NEXT COUNCILLORS SURGERY TODAY WED 5TH SEPT 7PM AT THE 610 COMMUNITY CENTRE

I will be attending the next Oscott Councillors surgery this evening at 7pm.
The venue is the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road and the time will be 7pm.

This venue is disabled friendly

TRYING TO GET A COUNCIL HOUSE IN OSCOTT FIT TO LET

I have been concerned in the delay in getting a void Council Property in Darleydale Avenue back into the Council Housing system in order for a family to have a home.
For some weeks now since it was vacated there have been acts of vandalism and dumping as a result of this property being empty. I have managed to help get it boarded up and now those working inside the building have told me although there have been some hold ups work to get it fit to let is now well underway.

SCHOOL SECURITY NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED

I am still chasing up getting better security for the Manor Valley School. There have been a number of break ins at the school and youngster are made vulnerable by a damaged gate which I have been told will be repaired soon. I have also asked the Local Police team to continue to work with the school in regards to its security.
I will also be in touch again with all the schools in Oscott reminding them to contact me if they feel I can be of any assistance to the,.
Clearly I cannot resolve all the issues I hear about but I am willing to try and help if I can.

IT IS SAD HOW DIRTY SOME PEOPLE CAN BE

You would hardly believe how dirty some people can be. A dog owner has tied a bag containing his dogs mess to a bush on the Oscott Manor  school boundary. This is a school which looks after some very vulnerable school youngsters.
There are 3 litter bins

within 100 yards.



Bin near the Age Concern Centre just around the corner

MORE FLY TIPPING IN OSCOTT IT HAS TO STOP

Sadly there has been yet more dirty people fly tipping near the Old Oscott Hill / Oscott School Lane junction despite signs saying the recycling bank was not in use.
If rubbish can be transported to this site it can be taken easily to the Halford Road salvage department minutes down the road.
Councillor Barbara Dring and I are calling for action to stop this fly tipping