THE MARYVALE ELDERLY GROUP ARE GOING STRONG

It was good to be able to pop into the Maryvale project elderly residents meeting yesterday to meet up and chat to a number of residents.
They were having a good time and the volunteers were as usual helping out and arranging a good meal for everyone.
They certainly have a good range of activities to look forward to during the year.

THE OSCOTT FOOD BANK IS STILL NEEDED

Sadly there seems to be more need then ever for the Oscott Food Bank where residents who are struggling through no fault of their own, need help. The volunteers are still doing a great job. Sadly you cannot say the same for the Government.
I was pleased today to be able to pop in and iffer some advice to some of the banks users.

DONT FORGET TO RETURN YOUR WHEELIE BINS TO THEIR STORAGE POINT AFTER COLLECTION

A number of residents have contacted me concerning wheelie bins being left on the pavement by other residents long after they have been emptied.
I would remind every to put them back after they have been emptied ( on the property where they have come from.
Bins left on the pavement after they have been emptied can obstruct pedesrians and can even be stolen. There is a charge for replacements.

BOOTHS LANE DEVELOPEMENT WORK STILL ON SCEDULE

I have been checking out the progress of the joining up of the Booths Lane  and cycle path. Work is still progressing and the time schedule is still to join up both ends of the carriage way in the New year as was indicated at the recent working party meeting.
When that happens residents should be able to use the road and the independent assessor team will be then looking to get the road adopted by the Council 12 months later after making sure things are up to standard.

THE OSCOTT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION ARE LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS

 

                        BOB WILD RECENTLY RE ELECTED CHAIR OF THE O..R.A

 

I would like to thank the Oscott Residents Association for letting me know about a number of concerns they have about issues in the area.
They are looking for new member for info Email oscottresassoc@gmail.com.

 

They also hold informal meetings with residents on the first Saturday of each month at the 610 Community Centre at 10.30am

BOOTHS LANE TEMPORARY PATH HAS BEEN STRIMMED

Have been out  checking Tayl0r Wimpy did cut back and strimmed the temporary diversion path from their section of Booths Lane to the main section ( via the Queslett Nature Reserve boundary fence walk and they have.
They expect the official pedestrian cycle way to be connected up by the end of the year.

PLANS FOR THE REBUILDING OF A NEW TEACHING BLOCK FOR THE GREAT BARR ACEDEMY ARE ANNOUNCED

Please note the following Planning application ( no   2019/06871/PA)

Site: Great Barr Academy School, Aldridge Road, Great Barr, Birmingham, B44 8NU

Proposal: Demolition of existing building along Delhurst Road and the erection of a new build teaching block further into the site together with associated ground works. The above application was accepted by the Council on 15/08/2019.  The Planning department and( I  ) are interested in your comments on the application, preferably before 18 September 2019. 
Please refer to the internet for more details or to let the Planning department know your views.

I did meet a number of local resident at the Great Barr Academy during a presentation about the plans earlier this year but I am still interested in residents views.

COUNCILLOR BARBARA DRING AND I OUT AND ABOUT IN OSCOTT RECENTLY

Councillor Barbara Dring and I are out and about on a regular basis looking into matters that concern Oscott residents young or old and do our best to help when we can.

If you live in Oscott and think we may be able to help you with an issue please let us know and we will do what we can to help

TEMPLETON ROAD TO SEVITE HOUSE PUBLIC R.O.W CLEANED UP

I have been pleased to see the public right of way Servite House to Templeton Road following requests has also now been cleaned and strimmed.


Please note public right of ways are not the same as rear access ways which are the responsibility of those who own the land  usually as part of an access agreement with others ( neighbours) with a right of use. The information regarding this is usually on the house deeds?

BIRKENSHAW ROAD TO BIRDBROOK ROAD CLEANED UP

I have ben pleased to see after a number of requests the Public right of way between Birdbrook Road and Burkenshaw Road has been strimmed and litter picked and the Public Right of way between Eliston Avenue and Meadthorpe Road has been litter picked.
Councillor Barbara Dring and I are currently working to get other Right of ways cleaned up to.

PHONE PROBLEMS

Have issues with home land line to contact me please either email me or leave message ( if council related) on 0121 303 2039 until further notice

THE NEXT OSCOTT COUNCILLORS SURGERY

If you missed Councillor Barbara Dring and my last Councillors surgery the next one will be on the first Wednesday of the months ( in September) at 7pm at the 610 Community or you can always drop us an email. We will do what we can to help

I AM HAPPY TO DISCUSS THE ENVIRONMENT WITH OSCOTT RESIDENTs

I do not pretend to be an expert on the subject but if there are any Oscott resident particularly younger ones who want to discuss the issue with me why not send me an email with your details.

Email
Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

ANOTHER BUSY COUNCILLORS SURGERY THIS WEEK

Councillor Barbara Dring and I held a busy Councillors surgery this week. Issues included school placements, disabled housing adaptions, ASB, Illegal working, Speeding, the Glenmead playing field and why has the Government allowed the over 75s to loose their free TV licence

EMPTY HOMES NEED TO BE PUT BACK INTO USE

Empty homes need to be brought back into use.

In this day and age when the Council are being forced to look at building 80.000 plus new homes in the coming years, they need to look at dealing with empty homes empty to try and get them occupied.

In Birmingham these are needed to ease the housing problem and they can be a target for squatters, vandals and burglars, when they could be providing homes for the many people who need one.

If you know of a long time  empty home please do report it to  the Birmingham Empty homes team .contact : Twitter address: https://twitter.com/bccemptyhomes Twitter handle: @bccemptyhomes email: emptyproperty@birmingham.gov.uk :.

Or let me know and I will report it.

Hopefully the more empty houses put back on the market the less green space will be needed to build homes on which would help our environment and even the climate

NEW TIME SCALE FOR DYAS ROAD ROAD WORKS

The work on Dyas Road which was to be carried out in July is now to commence on 23 October 2019 according to Amey. Further information about larger scale works will be provided to residents nearer the time via notices
 

I hope that this information is helpful to you, however, if you have any further queries please do not hesitate to visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/highways or call Amey Highways on 0121 303 6644.

I will try and ensure Amey Highways keep to this time scale

PROGRESS AT LAST ON THE RE OPENING OF BOOTHS LANE

A SUMMARY OF TODAYS BOOTH LANE DEVELOPMENT WORKING PARTY MEETING ( these are not the minutes or verbaton)

 

At a meeting of the Booths lane working party (made up of Taylor Wimpey representatives. Oscott Resident association member a representative from the Birmingham City Councils planning department and myself as Chair progress has been made regarding the Booth lane development road opening.

 

It was agreed the road should be ready to be opened and for use by residents in the New Year. ( earlier if possible?)

 

An independent Road safety audit will then be  carried out on the road  looking into the way the carriageway, foot paths , Drains and street lighting  had been build and other issues of concern.

 

These inspections are thought to take a further 12 months with some tweaks to the various works being made if needed and then by agreement of the various party’s the Birmingham City Council would be in a position to adopt the road formally.

 

During this time other issues may be considered as part of the audit such as the need for any road safety measure.

The Cycle track will be reinstated by the end of the year joining up the 2 ends of Booths Lane.( Possibly earlier?)

The new road is wide enough for a bus route to be considered in the future, but this would be up to the local bus companies to consider.

The small play area near the old golf course boundary should have work started on it soon which should also be finished in the new year. (possibly earlier)
Taylor Wimpey have agreed to look again at some street lighting issues and will fund some form of Neighbourhood Watch area signs for the Fore Meadows estate. They will also be circulating a letter asking residents to park responsibly.

In the mean time the Police should continue to be made aware of any anti-social behaviour or crime concerns on the estate.

Taylor Wimpey have also agreed Speed Watch volunteers may operate on the road and pass on any evidence of any  speeding they find. 

There will be an effort to liaise with the Oscott Problem parking, Road safety  and Air Quality, working party ( This includes the Police) regarding parking issues.

There are about 10 houses to complete

 Sadly the Local Police Team were unable to attend this meeting however I have informed the meeting of a number of Police related issues and will ensure the Police are kept informed.

Both Councillor Barbara Dring and I will continue to try to ensure these time scales are kept to.

Thank you to Bob Wild Chair of the ORA for helping to organise the meeting.