PERRY BARR MP SURGERY APRIL

The next M.P's Surgery will take place on Saturday the 6th April and will take place at the 610 Community Centre. Kingstanding Road
The time will be 10.30am.

GROUND IN THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE IS BEING PREPARED FOR WILD FLOWER SEEDS

I was pleased to be able to find time to visit the Queslett Nature Reserve again to look at an area being prepared for the seeding of wild flowers which will attract butterfly's and bees .
Both of which need all the help they can get.

  These wild flowers will be planted at Johns glen in the Queslett Nature Reserve following a short delay due to a technical hitch.

THANKS TO THE FQNR VOLUNTEERS

As any one who is on a committee knows it is the secretary who has to do a lot of the work.
The Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve Environmental group is no exception.
The group who are all volunteers look after not only the reserve but also many other open spaces in Oscott and they have a grot spot litter picking team

...

As Chair and founder of the group I cannot say enough good words about its members and Committee and especial our hard work secretary Brenda ( and her helper and group mascot Quill ( see photo above)

THE OSCOTT PROBLEM PARKING AROUND SCHOOLS AND ROAD SAFETY WORKING PARTY HAS PLENTTY TO GO AWAY TO CONSIDER

I was pleased to Chair the Oscott Problem Parking and Road safety working party meeting today.

This is where all the Schools in the Oscott area are invited to meet up with Council official, the Police Councillors and other concerned agency's.

A number of schools sent representatives and Bob Wild Chair of the Oscott Residents Association also attended.

All those who attended were able to express their concerns and although clearly there are  no magic solutions, particularly in these days of government Austerity where funding they used to give out has been severally cut.

The Police advised the meeting of their Park Safe initiative, we heard from Transport engineers and Road safety officers about some possible way forward. These include Modal shift, Safer Travel plans and some minor physical measures which may help the situation how to deal with air quality concerns and so on.

The meeting agreed to go away an look at a number of issues and work together on them. There was also an all round agreement in the idea of creating a village Green on the Glenmead Playing Field site which would help keep children off our busy roads.

A feed back to Oscott Residents will given at the next Ward Committee to be chaired by Councillor Barbara Dring.
 The working party agreed to meet again near the start of the next school year and I would like to thank all those who attended the meeting for giving their time and letting us know their concerns.

Finally I would like to thank the Great Barr academy for hosting the meeting.

I HAVE BEEN OUT AND ABOUT REMINDING RESIDEDENTS NOT TO DROP LITTER

Have been out and about today helping the FQNR Environmental Group and the Oscott Residents Association,  put stickers on lampposts reminding residents to think of the environment and not to drop litter.

Dropping litter is not just a dirty habit it can effect wild life ( tin can ring pulls for example) and it can cost us money having to have it picked up. Volunteers do their bit but every one can help by binning their litter or taking it home

KINGSTANDING PUBLIC HOUSE GUTTED BY FIRE

Spent time with fellow Oscott Councillor Barbara Dring looking into the results of the fire and the Kingstanding pub last nights. !2 appliance involved. The Fire inspection officer is still looking into the cause.The building is a complete right of..The Pub had been left empty for some time.

 Along with Barbara I have been asking all concerned to do something to put the Kingstanding shopping precint back into action. To many shops have gone and now this.
When Aldi wore looking to build a store on the Queslett Road I sugessted this sight to them and I have also called on the precint owners and Council to do more.

 Given what happend at the Hare and Hounds this fire at the Kinstanding pub may have been on the cards to?

tTOUGH QUESTIONS ANSWERED AT THE OSCOTT RESIDENTS PUBILC MEETING

I was pleased to be able to pop into the Oscott Residents and elderly Group's public meeting today with Councillor Barbara Dring.

There was a good question and answer session in which Barbara informed residents about plans to try and gain village green status for the Glenmead Playing field and plans for Localisation.
I was able to answer questions regarding the bin strike and the Council tax increase, the need for more Policing  and so on.

Well done to the organisers for the work they did.

I HAVE NOW COMPLETED MY STREET WATCH TRAINING

AS someone who has promoted the Police initiative Street Watch and helped a number of residents to join up I thought it was about time I did the same. With this in mind I did my training today today and have joined the growing ranks of Oscott residents who are willing to do their bit to try and deter crime and become helpful citizens. The idea is to help support with reassurance our hard working but low in number Police officers

The idea of Street Watch is not to try and become the Police but rather by a presence help deter crime. There is no confrontation but member inform the Police of problems they see and if possible reassure local residents while on patrol in high vis jackets.

For more details please email me.

OSCOTT MANOR SCHOOL TO CLOSE

During a visit today to the Manor  school I was formally notified that the school was to close and be re located as part of a brand new school in Reservoir Road in Erdington.

The education Department now feel that the current school building is beyond repair and the current site is to small to have a new modern school built on it given the increasing demand in pupil numbers.
 The new site is just under 3 miles away and the Education department believe the new school can be built without any disruption to the education of the present children using the Oscott Manor  site.
It would take about 2 years to build the new school. There have been a number of complaints about the state of the building and the parking arrangements for this school. However there are still a number of issues to be looked into such as travel arrangements for the children and so on.

Having looked at the school myself I have to say the building would take a lot of expense to repair.

There will be a formal consultation period between 28 March and 9th May 2019.

OSCOTT SCHOOLS PROBLEM PARKING AND ROAD SAFETY WORKING PARTY MEETING

If you are a parent with a child attending a School in Oscott or a resident concerned about parking near a school in Oscott please remind that school to send a representative to the Oscott Schools Problem Parking and Road safety meeting 27th March. They have all been invited.

This is a chance for all the schools in Oscott to get together to discuss problem parking and road safety concerns together at the same time with the Police and BCC Road safety officers.

There are no magic solutions but something needs to be done.

THE FQNR NEEDS YOUR HELP

It was great to see Birmingham's children campaigning for the climate in Birmingham today

If any of you would like to help in a small practical way and live in the Oscott area why not bring an adult along to the Friends of the Queslett Nature reserve on Saturday 23rd 11.15am. where we are carrying out litter picking, light pruning and so on

This is a roll up your sleeves and get on with it event meant to improve the reserve for the benefit of the wild life, the environment for those those who use the reserve.

There will be a ranger with us to give a talk about the reserve and then its all hands on deck doing the work needed.

we will be meeting at the Old Horns Crescent entrance please wear sensible footwear and clothes.

It is the aim of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve environmental group, to save, improve and care for the reserve and near by open spaces, now and for future

Please keep an eye on this blog and the FQNR blog for more details.

The meeting is dependant on the weather

OUT AND ABOUT MEETING OSCOTTS ELDERLY RESIDENTS

I have been able to meet up with a number of elderly Oscott residents this week they all have interesting stories to tell and we should never forget to listen to their concerns.

LISENING TO OSCOTT RESIDENTS PRIORITES

I attended the Oscott Ward Committee tonight ( Chaired by Councillor Barbara Dring.)
The Police gave a report and we listened as part of the Wards Localisation program to residents priorities for the ward.

If you live in the Oscott ward and would like us to know your pirates please Emaial Barbara or myself.

Priorities so far include

Protecting Open Spaces Glenmead Playing Field and others and others
Better Policing
Safe guarding children near schools effected by parking issues and parking issues in general.
Cleaner streets
Looking for more for the elderly and young people to do.

THE OSCOTT WARD COMMITTEE MEETS TONIGHT CHAIR BY COUNCILLOR BARBARA DRING

The Oscott Ward Committee meets tonight at 7pm at the 610 Community Centre. Chaired by Councillor Barbara Dring.

On the agenda Policing issues and the Council Local Governance. and idea's for the Oscott Ward.

Its time to have your say.

Thursday 14th March

CHANGE IN DATE OF FREINDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE ACTIVITY SESSION

16 TH MARCH FOQNR ACTIVITY SESSION CANCELLED

Due to a heavy rain weather forecast for the 16th March thi FQNR activity session due then has be cancelled and will now take place on Sat 23rd March. same time same meeting place.


Please check near the time for conformation due to the current weather changes.

If you know someone not on the internet who was thinking of coming please let them know

HELPING OUT AT THE TFWM CONSULATION EVENT

I was able to help out at the Transport for West Midlands event at the WestBromwich bus garage today. The are consulting with members of the public about the proposals to introduce tougher on bus bye laws against ASB
If you go on the internet you can still have you say and find out more.

ROAD SAFETY AND PROBLEM PARKING NEAR OSCOTT SCHOOLS WORKING PARTY SAVED

I am  so pleased that Councillor Waseem Zaffar Cabinet member responsible for Transportation has come to the rescue of the All Oscott Schools " Problem parking near schools and Road safety working party.

 

Thanks to his intervention there will be representation from the Transportation department at future meetings of the. All Oscott Schools Problem parking and Road safety working party which I Chair.

 

All the schools in Oscott, the Police and the Fire brigade have all been asked to send a representative. (if you have a connection with and Oscott School please remind them to send a representative) to this meeting which takes place on 27th March.

These meeting help all concerned about problem parking and road safety near schools to come around the table together at one time. 

There are no magic solutions, but something needs to be done to safe guard children near schools, relieve the problems caused by parking near schools,  encourage different ways other than cars to get children to and from schools and to consider the air quality near our schools in Oscott.

 

I would also like to thank My colleague Councillor Barbara Dring for all the support she has been giving in regard to these meeting and for her invaluable input.

HOW TO CONTACT ME

Oscott residents just a reminder if you have a concern you would like me to look into please do not send it to me via Face Book or Twitter as I could easily miss it.

Please use my Email

Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk
Leave me a message on 0121 303 2039
Or write to me via the Birmingham City Council house.

Always leave you full contact details.

Clearly I never promise I can resolve all the issues I hear about especially in these day of huge cuts in Government funding to the Council Police and other authorities but I am ready to try and help if I can

WATCH OUT THE FLY TIPPERS ARE ABOUT IN OSCOTT

Sadly I have spotted the work of some more simply dirty  people who have been fly tipping in the Oscott ward. It has been reported.
These people are disgusting and there are no excuses.

FREINDS OF THE QUESLETT NATURE RESEVE MEETINGS

FQNR

CHAIR

COUNCILLOR KEITH LINNECOR

TEL 360 6486

 Email Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

Secretary Brenda Wilson
Vice Chair Bob Wild
Joint organiser John Davis
Advisor James Harrison 

Dear FQNR Members and users of the Queslett Nature Reserve 

The FQNR organisers  would like to invite you to the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve’s next activity sessions where once more we will be carrying out litter picking, light pruning and other activities in the reserve 

Children as ever are welcome under the supervision of an adult and we would recommend stout shoes and sensible clothing be worn. 

The FQNR will provide gloves and any tools needed. 

There will be a Parks Ranger on hand to give a talk about the reserve and its wild life

 

There are 2 sessions for the diary and those are.

1.Saturday March 16^th at 11am

2.Wednesday April 24^th at 1.30pm.

We will be meeting at the Old Horns entrance to the reserve.

 

FQNR HELPING TO LOOK AFTER THE WILD LIFE AND ENVIRONMENT

IN THE OSCOTT AREA caring for our open spaces

 Help be the eyes and ears of the nature reserve please report any asb.

BARBARA DRING AND I MEETING YOUNGSTERS IN OSCOTT

Following a busy Oscott Councillors Surgery at the 610 Community Centre Councillor Barbara Dring and I took time out to meet some youngster from a busy youth club having fun in the same building. Its always good to see youngster off the streets enjoying them selves

WHY NOT TRY CAR SHARING TO REDUCE YOUR COSTS AND EASE REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CARS ON OUR ROADS

I am still asking the Birmingham City Council to do more to encourage car sharing.
This would in some small way help reduce the numbers of cars on our roads. They are looking into the subject and I have found http://carshare.liftshare.com/ on the internet who may help some who want to car share.
However the best and simplest way is to find a friend who will give you a lift from time to time and share their car with you.
Councillor Barbara Dring and I often share our cars and I often use the bus when possible.

YMCA YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN THE OSCOTT AND SURROUNDING AREA'S

YMCA clubs in Oscott and the surrounding area.

 

The Triple A Juniors (10-13 year olds) Youth Club is now 12:30pm - 2:30pm every Saturday at St Mark’s Centre, Bandywood Crescent, B44 9JX. The youth project is about raising aspirations, increasing ambition & gaining achievements. 

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT CLUB?

Date	Session
Fri 1st Mar	Interactive Workshop (5:30pm - 7:30pm): Triple Juniors will be taking part in a fun, interactive workshop which will involve team games, drama and quizzes.
Sat 2nd Mar	Youth Cafe (10am - 2pm): Young people can get involved with a free cooking workshop at Kingstanding Leisure. Young people would need to be at the leisure centre for 10am.
Mon 4th Mar	Youth Bus Session (3:30pm - 5:30pm): Come on the YMCA Youth Bus our very own Youth Club on wheels. Have fun, chilling and playing games. Look out for our Youth Bus by Mecca Bingo Car Park.
Sat 9th Mar	Pancake Special (12:30pm - 2:30pm): Since Pancake Day was on Tuesday. At Club we will be having even more pancakes to see who can make the best pancakes. I wonder who won’t drop theirs on the floor?
Sat 16th Mar	St Patrick’s Day Madness (12:30pm - 2:30pm): We are having a St Patrick’s Day session. (Wear something green)
Mon 18th Mar	Youth Bus Session (3:30pm - 5:30pm): Come on the YMCA Youth Bus our very own Youth Club on wheels. Have fun, chilling and playing games. Look out for our Youth Bus by Mecca Bingo Car Park.
Sat 23rd Mar	Youth Cafe (10am - 2pm): Young people can get involved with a free cooking workshop at Kingstanding Leisure. They get to make great dishes with a chef and then eat them. Young people would need to be at the leisure centre for 10am.
Sat 30th Mar	There is no Youth Club Session this week. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Sat 6th Apr	Youth Cafe (10am - 2pm): Young people can get involved with a free cooking workshop at Kingstanding Leisure. Young people would need to be at the leisure centre for 10am.
Mon 8th Apr	Youth Bus Session (3:30pm - 5:30pm): Come on the YMCA Youth Bus our very own Youth Club on wheels. Have fun, chilling and playing games. Look out for our Youth Bus by Mecca Bingo Car Park.
Sat 13th Apr	Easter Fun (12:30pm - 2:30pm): At club we will be making chocolate nest all ready for Easter. We will also be playing outdoor games
Easter Holidays	Information about the Easter Holidays will be handed out nearer the time.

 

POLICE ENFORCEMENT TEAM HAVE BEEN ON THE QUESLETT ROAD

It was good to see the Police Speed enforcement team out today on the Queslett Road where there have been a number of accidents.

 I have been calling for this foe some time.  This has become a real problem area.

THE 610 COMMUNITY CENTRE YOUTH CLUB TIMES

If you know a youngster in Oscott with time on their hand or if YOU are a youngster in Oscott with time on your hands why not check out the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road  to see what youth clubs there are there and what's on offer?

Here is a list of the activities and times young people access the Centre.

 Monday: Youth Club (6-9pm) Dance (6-8pm)

Tuesday: Youth Club (6-9pm)

Wednesday: Youth Club (6-8.30pm) Football training (6-8pm)

Friday: Youth Club (6-9pm)

 

Why not pop in and ask about these

 

The centre has a chill out area and Poole tables as well as other things to have a go at.

I WAS PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE OSCOTT POLICE NEIGHBOURHOOD TASKING GROUP MEETING

I was pleased to be able to attend the Oscott Neighbourhood Police Tasking meeting today. This is where the Police meet up with Local Community leaders other agencies and myself to discuss local policing issues.
Despite their lack of number due to the governments cut back in Police funding those who remain are doing the best they can given their lack of numbers.

A number of issues were raised and the Police will be looking into them.

It was also pleasing to see some of the local newly form Street Watch Team on hand to let us no their experiences.

If you want to know more about street Watch Please email me.

SOME OSCOTT GROT SPOTS CLESNED UP

I was pleased while out and about again in Oscott to note a couple of the litter traps I have reported have been given a clean up. One near the Library and the other at the edge of Forgers walk

I will keep reporting other sites where I see them.

There is not excuse for litter at either location as there are litter bins near by.

SHOULD NEW BI LAWS BE INTRODUCED FOR OUR BUSES

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA),is asking if new powers should be introduced on buses to tackle low level, anti-social behaviour. They would like your views.

They are particularly interested in hearing people’s views on:

·        Vaping on the bus and smoking/vaping at stops and around bus stations

·        Ticketless travel/unauthorised buying and selling of tickets/altering tickets

·        Travelling under the influence of alcohol and drugs where it has an effect on other passengers/unacceptable behaviour

·        Music, sound and advertising - for example leafleting and selling of goods.

Why not tell them your views at these events below

Saturd         Sat  9 March	10am-2pm	Birmingham High Street (near Marks & Spencer)
Wedn          wed  13 March	3-6pm	West Bromwich Bus Station, St Michaels Street, The Ringway, West Bromwich, B70 7N
Mond		Email: customerservices@tfwm.org.uk Tweet: @transportforWM or @networkwm For more details

OUT AND ABOUT IN THE COOKSEY LANE AREA WITH COUNCILLOR BARBARA DRING

It has been good to be out and about in the Oscott ward again

looking at various issues and concerns with Councillor Barbara Dring.

CHECKING OUT LITTER GROT SPOTS IN OSCOTT

Have been out and about again spotting litter grot spots and reporting them.
This time its by the Kingstanding Library a few yards away from an empty litter bin. No excuses