CATS MATTER TO

Following my post about the Birmingham dogs home,(May 30th) I have had a number of people ask can I promote the welfare of Cats as well!

There are a number of organisations who look after the welfare of cats, for example-

Cats in Care 140 Hawthorn Road Tell 382 0408

The Cats Protection League 429 Vicarage Road, Kingsheath Tel 444 4433

The North Birmingham Cats Protection Tel 377 6302

If you need help or information about cats give them a ring.

ALDRIDGE ROAD RECREATION GROUND LITTER PICK SUCCESS

Over a dozen Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve and local residents, had a successful day litter picking on the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground Saturday.
This litter pick was aimed as a complimentary service, to the week day, Council litter picking which is carried out.
Local residents were delighted, when told the FOQNR organisation have now Incorporated the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground into their sphere of influence and as a result a number of new members have signed up. It is hoped to do a week end litter pick a few times every year.

Every one did have one Message however "Please take your litter home with you "

If you would like more information about the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve (now incorporating the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground) please contact me 360 6484

BE VIGILANT

There is now a group of Travelers encamped on a site in the Perry Barr Constituency. Given the past cost of clearing up after travelers have left sites, I have requested that the relevant Council authorities and the Police monitor the situation. I have also asked they take any appropriate action needed to prevent travelers camping on other open spaces in the area.
Please be vigilant, if you suspect travelers may be trying to enter a site please contact the Police.

There is a much under used official travelers site in CastleBromwich which these travelers should be required to use.

WHY THE WAIT FOR DROP CURBS

Many resident are very angry that despite their having to pay very high prices, to have a drop curb installed, they are having to wait many weeks to have them put in place. As one resident said to me the other day "I feel as if I am paying under false pretence's and I think I am really being ripped off by this Council"

The Council are quick enough to demand full payment for these drop curbs and must be earning interest from the minute a resident pays. They need to be much quicker in getting the contractors to get the job done. I have now spoken to senior Transportation Managers who have assured me they are looking into this problems and hope that things will get better soon. I will continue to monitor this issue.

MORE TIME FOR BOOTHS LANE

A number of residents have been on to me recently' asking when the un-adopted carriage way in Booths Lane is, going to be replaced as promised, as it is in a very poor condition?.

When planning permission was granted for housing development in Booths Lane, it was agreed that as part of it, there would be a new road lay out for Booths Lane. It was certainly one of the main selling points by the developers, to appease local residents. Presumably it will be done soon, to prevent there being egg on the face of the developers and their supporters?.

I certainly understand, how most people never wanted this development, as it is thought to be inappropriate and not needed. I do think however in fairness, they should be given a little more time to replace the carriage way, before people become too critical. Some repair work needs doing urgently right now and I have asked the Transportation department to look into this.

KIDS CAN SWIM FOR FREE

I was speaking to a parent in my ward yesterday when I was asked "what can our kids do during the summer holidays to break up their boredom?".
Well one of the things youngsters can do is, "Swim for free".
Birmingham's youngsters who are under 16 can if they attend a LEA school, now go swimming free of charge in Birmingham.
For more information contact one of the Local Leisure Centres for example Beeches Pool and Fitness Centre, Beeches Road Tel 464 6928 or the Kingstanding Leisure Centre Tel 464 7890

ITS STILL NO TO REPAIRS TO CONCRETE CARRIAGE WAYS IN OSCOTT

COUNCILLOR DRING JOINS ME TO LOOK AT ANOTHER SECTION OF DAMAGED CONCRETE CARRIAGE WAY IN OSCOTT

----

I am afraid the Current Council Administrations Transportation have responded to the latest of my many requests for repairs to a number of concrete carriageways in Oscott with a No.

There are still no "specific plans" to repair in a realistic way any of the many concrete Carriageways in Oscott. This is over a year after the Cabinet Member for Street Services announced his concerns about the issue in a letter to residents, following a surprise pre- election visit? to the Oscott ward just before the Local Elections in 2006.

This is, to me an ongoing situation, which I will not let drop and I will continue to call upon the Transportation department to look at developing a strategy to replace or significantly repair some of the worst effected carriageways in the Oscott area.

On a brighter note they have agreed to continue to assess the situation and I will keep you posted with regards to any developments.

NEW PUBLIC TOILETS ARE NEEDED

There are a large number of "elderly residents" in the Oscott area and many of them informed me, as they get older they are more in need of having a public toilet available, when they go out shopping, for example.

There are very few in this area. There is one near the Kingstanding Circle, but none on the Hawthorn Road shopping area. I think its time the Council replaced the one which was on the Kingstanding Road (near the Dyas Road junction) with a new one in the area and I will be asking the Council to consider this again.

OSCOTTS ENVIRONMENTAL WARDEN TO GO?

OSCOTT ENVIRONMENTAL WARDEN DEBI PARSONS AT WORK

It would appear that thanks to a new ill thought out change in Policy by the Current Council Administration, ward based Environmental Wardens may well be going to be moved into teams which travel across the city instead of working in individual wards.

Many residents will know in Oscott the Ward Committee have funded its own ward based Environmental Warden for some years and with her accumulation of local knowledge, she has done an excellent job. This knowledge is now, it would appear going to be wasted. Oscott can only suffer environmentally as a result and this I think it will be a disgrace if this idea goes ahead..

In my view only wards where their Environmental Wardens have not been used correctly have anything to gain by this change in policy, as they will be the ones know doubt, who will have first call on the new arrangements.

I have asked the Councillor who is making the decision Councillor Len Gregory to reconsider his new policy idea.

BURNHAM ROAD POT HOLES FILLED AT LAST

It was good to see that after a number of reminders from Councillor Dring and myself, the Transportation department have finally repaired a number of Pot Holes in Burnham Road. That 1 road down but still many other to go.

HAWTHORN ROAD ROAD SAFETY DISAPOINTMENT

COUNCILLOR DRING AND LOCAL RESIDENT ON HAWTHORN ROAD


It has been over 2 years since Councillor Dring and I presented a petition gathered by local residents,to the Council asking for Road Safety Measures for the Hawthorn Road. At long lat the Current Councils Administrations Transportation department have made a response to this petition. They have rejected residents request for Traffic Calming measures or a speed camera for the Hawthorn Road. They have indicated that in the last 3 years there have been 17 reported road accidents on the Hawthorn Road including 3 serious ones. Some of these accidents have not been caused by speeding.
This is very disappointing! however the Transportation department have now agreed to Councillor Dring and my request to continue monitoring the situation and they have called for any accidents in the future to be reported to them.

TAXI RANKS TO GO

It has finally been agreed that there will be a reduction in the amount of Taxi ranks in Kettlehouse Road (near the HSB).
This has been an ongoing bone of contention with a number of local residents for and my self for years. There will be a reduction from 3 Taxi Spaces to 1. This will mean extra parking spaces for shoppers and should reduce the amount of times vehicles cross the pavement to get to the HSB Cash point. The Taxi rank in question has rarely been used by taxis for years.
The Council have informed me this will happen later this year.

SUPPORT THE BIRMINGHAM DOGS HOME

I always feel very sad when I see a neglected abandoned dog on the street , like I did today.
There is no such thing as a bad dog only bad owners.
I am a great supporter of the Birmingham Dogs home and having had a dog from there my self some years ago(he lived with me for 19 years) I know the good work that they do looking after the stray dogs of Birmingham.
I would like to see it made harder, in a way, for people to have dogs. There should be much more awareness in the responsibility people should have when owning a dog. A dog licence should be reintroduced and the money from this licence should go towards protecting dogs and making sure dog owners are more responsible. Having a dog should really mean having it for life.

If you would like to support the Birmingham Dogs home their phone number is 643 5018

NEW TREES FOR KINGSTANDING ROAD CENTRAL RESERVATION

The Birmingham City Council Parks department have finally agreed to identify locations on the Kingstanding Road, Central Reservation which are suitable for having the appropriate specimen of trees planted on them. There are a number of such sites where new trees will make the road look much better and I welcome this happening at last.
However there needs to be much more done to identify and replace unsuitable trees in the Oscott ward, with trees which are more suitable, (usually smaller) for the urbane environment. I will continue pressing the Parks department to look into this issue more proactively.

TIME FOR A RETHINK ON STREET BULKY ITEM COLLECTIONS?

I still fail to see how when the Oscott Ward due to Boundary changes a few years ago, increased the amount of homes in its boundary by hundreds, it was fair that Oscott residents received no extra allocation, of Street Bulky Item Collections?.
Oscott still receive the same amount of collections annually as it did before the boundary changes and in fact the situation has been made worse, because the Council Administration has reduced the size, in house number terms of each collection. Is it just another of those hidden cuts in services?
There needs to be an urgent rethink in this regard and wards like Oscott should receive extra Street Bulky item clean ups to allow more streets to have Street Clean up collections.

ALDRIDGE ROAD LITTER PICK

The Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve team have agreed to hold a litter picking session on the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground at 11am Saturday 14th. They will meet at the Shady Lane entrance.
This has come about following discussions with the Leisure Services department regarding the FOQNR incorporation the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground into their sphere of influence.
The litter picking on the 14th is seen a a complimentary service to the Leisure Service departments own operation.
Keeping the Aldridge Road site clean is a help to the environment and should make the recreation ground more attractive to those who may wish use it.
If you would like to help or know more please ring me on 360 6486

TRY OUT THE 610 COMMUNITY CENTRE

I went to the 610 Car boot sale held Sat 24th and was pleased to see it was well supported.
There were a number of tables out and and you could even have your blood pressure checked. As usually the case I found myself entering various charity raffles. (I won a prize!).

The 610 Community Centre is a little gem in my view and I would recommend residents young and old to take a look at what it has to offer. For example they have drop in sessions for Community Groups, a number of youth clubs, indoor bowling, a gym, and a new all weather pitch.
This centre could well be an answer to those who think there is nothing to do in the area.
O' by the way I also hold a surgery there on a Saturday morning!

ACTIVITY DAY ON NATURE RESERVE SUC-SEEDS

Despite it being bank holiday and the local papers not publishing notice of it! the Queslett Nature Reserve, seed planting session went very well.

As usual a band of dedicated volunteers, helped remove bricks and rubble from semi prepared sites in the reserve and sowed the seeds of a number of different plants. There was also a number of potted plants which were planted. Just some of the plants seed sown were Fox Glove, Birdfoot Trefoil, Cornflower, Evening Primerose, Ox- Eyed Daisey, Toad Flax, Hedge Bedstraw and Quiner.
These plants and seeds, have been selected to help Butterflies, Bees, and Birds flourish on the reserve in years to come. Some members of the group carried out a litter pick, to ensure the reserve is kept as tidy as possible.

I would like to thank all those who attended the event for their hard work and also for the Leisure Service department for its contribution.

The Leisure Services department have now also agreed to place 2 or 3 log benches within the reserve for the comfort of those who use it. It is also hoped that another "Bat walk" will take place in late July.

If you would like to become a member of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve or if you have any concerns about the reserve please contact me: Tel 360 6486

A DAY IN THE LIFE.

Had a busy day yesterday meeting wise. I ended up attending the Planning Committee, a Great Barr J&I school Governors meeting, a Goodway Nursery School Governors meeting and the Oscott Housing Liaison Board meeting. I often wonder how all these groups manage to pick the same day for their meetings?
In between meetings I met a number of residents who are concerned about the way recycling boxes are still being left all over the place, rather then being put back on residents gardens. Although I think most residents support door step recycling there is still a lot of discontent about how the system is working.
During another impromptu walk about A number of residents let me know in no uncertain terms how dangerous they think the Aldridge Road / Greenholm Road junction is. Needless to say I totally agree with them and assured them I will continue to press this issue with the Transportation department.
When I am out and about I am still having a number of residents tell me how sorry they were when they heard John Cotton had not retained his seat, I am sure he would have got some satisfaction knowing in what high regard he is held by so may residents.

KINGSTANDING FUN DAY WENT WELL DESPITE THE RAIN

I attended the Kingstanding fun day Saturday (at the Wheldan Rec) and despite the rain it was estimated that around 1500 people came to the event from the surrounding area, over 500 rides were taken on the bouncy castles and the football cage also proved popular.
The general consensus of opinion is that the event should take place again next year, many of the small charities seemed quite well pleased with the amount of money that they raised, and agencies giving out details about their activities were also satisfied with the response.
Organisers will be approaching the Awards for all team for another £5,000.00 grant, but will also be looking around for additional funds. No doubt the community chests of both the local wards might be one such avenue, £2,000 would go along way to providing many more attractions. However due to the way grants are now given to wards for distribution, it will be difficult to find such amounts, as the purse strings may well have to be tightened next year.
I would like to thank all those who organised the event for their efforts and all those residents who attended.

WILD SEED PLANTING SESSION AT THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

I am now pleased to be able to announce, that there will be a Wild seed planting session on the Queslett Nature Reserve on Saturday (24th May). Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve and other volunteers are welcome to come along and help out. We will be meeting at 11am at the Ashworth Road entrance. (see picture above)
Tools will be provided but if you can bring a rake so much the better. Please come prepared for the weather and to get your hands dirty?
Council officers will be there to give advice on the planting of Hedge row and Meadow seed producing plants. It is hoped that many of these new plants will not only be colourful to look at, but will also help Bees, Butterfly's and Birds etc, increase their numbers in the future on the reserve. It may also go someway towards mitigating the negative effects to the wildlife the forth coming new housing development on Booths Lane may have. There will also be another opportunity to help clear litter from the site.
For further details please give me a ring on 360 6486.

PRE SCHOOL GROUP SHOWN THE DOOR

It is very sad to see that the Emmanuel Pre -School Group are being forced to leave their base at the Emanuel Church after so many years. Parents, children and volunteers are extremely upset about this as you can imagine. They have to be out by July. Unfortunately there apears to be no real answers to why they have to go?
I have been working with my colleague Councillor Dring and Council officers to see if there are any other suitable venues. Up to now we have had no luck. If you have any suggestions for a suitable venue please let us know.

GREEN BAGS HOPE IN SIGHT.

It looks like Salvage department senior offiers have had the go ahead from their big chief to do something to clear up the back log of Green Bags. ?
Perhaps they do listen to complaints after all which is hartening given how many times I have to complain to the Council on behalf of residents.
I have now been informed that Green bags will be picked up tomorrow and Saturday to catch up with the back log.

AGE CONCERN BEFRIENDING SCHEME GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

I popped into the Emanuel Church today as I often do, to see how the elderly residents who go there, every Thursday afternoon for a chat, are getting on. I could not help but notice how this group has taken off, since I helped Age Concern set it up at the orginal location, the Tea Pot Cafe, a few years ago now.

They are enjoying meeting each other and have the ocasional guest speaker (like me) coming along to give them a talk. The Age Concern voluteers as you can imagine are doing a great job looking after things.

If you or some one you know would like advice or would like to go along on a Thursday afternoon to the Emanuel Church hall, to make friends over a cup of tea, give Age Concern a ring 358 o309

NEW COUNCILLORS SURGERY TIME TABLE

`Councillor Barbara Dring and I now operate the following Councillors surgery time table.

Every Saturday morning 10.30 am at the 610 Community Centre.*

The First Wednesday in the month at 7pm at the 610 Community Centre.*

The first Thursday in the month at 3pm at the Kingstanding Libary.*

For those with genuine mobility problems home visits are available on request.

If you would like to contact us by phone please ring
Councillor Keith Linnecor 360 6486
Councillor Barbara Dring 360 7565

Alternatively you can email
Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk
or
Barbara.Dring@birmingham.gov.uk



To write to us it is C/o
The Birmingham City Council
Council House
Birmingham
B1 1BR

Don't forget you can leave a post on this blog for me.

* Operated on a rotor basis

Please note additional information.
The 610 Community Centre is on the Kingstanding Road.
It is on the 34a bus route and there is parking at the rear.

WHAT RESIDENTS THINK?

I was delighted to be asked along with the other Oscott Councillors, to attend a street walk about with members of the Oscott Housing Liaison Board and Housing officers yesterday. Both Councillor Dring and I were pleased to attend at least. During the walk about we met a number of residents and heard their concerns.
It is good to see that after years in the doldrums with the help of their new Chair Carole Dempster the Oscott HLB is getting its act together and is starting to bring residents on board.
In my view surveys and leaflets are useful but you can not beat meeting residents and hearing their views, even if they are not what you expect.
I hope to be out and about as usual over the coming year meeting residents all over the Oscott ward and if you would like to meet Councillor Dring or my self please take a look at the next post for our surgery details.

GREEN BAGS OVER STRETCH?

It looks like the Current Council has bitten off more than it can chew regarding the Green Bag collection service.?

I am getting more and more complaints about green bags not being collected on time and have been informed it is because of the unexpected additional use of residents re the service.

Perhaps the answer should be employing a few more staff to get the back logs sorted out.

A bit to simple for the Council leaders perhaps?

RING BUT DONT RIDE?

Its funny the difference a Local Election can make?. For example at an all party workshop carried out by the West Midland Passenger Transport Authority on March 18th members from all parties were supportive of introducing a plan to increase the fleet of Ring and Ride vehicles by an additional 39. The justification for improving the Ring and Ride Service and the benefits to the elderly and disabled were all accepted, if this was to be carried out. This was to be done as part of a 5 year plan.
This was option B, which was in contrast to option A (which was to add only 8 new vehicles and to maintain the current level of provision with some tinkering of the scheduling to allow more trips to be made.)
Now low and behold at the meeting of the WMPTA on Monday 12th May just days after the Local Elections, the Conservative majority and their Liberal partners agreed with a report which supports option A.
Now why am I surprised?. When you think of the elderly residents in Oscott who lost out because of the lack of active support from the Tory dominated WMPTA (Centro) , when it came to consulting and fighting for the retention of the 376 and 655 bus routes to stay on their old routes, the lack of sympathy for the needs of the travelling elderly, should not be that surprising.

If you would like to use Ring and Ride Tel 333 3114

TORIES HAVE FOUND MY BLOG?

It is good to see the Local Tories have found my blog as it may help them find out what is happening in the area and challenge them to do something positive?
I am sure there will be a few more comments from them (no names though as you might guess)

POT HOLE DISCRACE

BURNHAM ROAD

The current Council appear to have dramatically reduced the priority they give to repairing pot holes. This can be seen in places like Burnham Road, where pot holes have not been repaired, despite constant requests over a number of months.
There are rumours that now the election are over a number of pot hole repairs will suddenly be carried out and if this is the case you can only wonder if there was an ulterior motive?.

We will soon see, especially if there is a increase in jumping on on the band wagon by some claiming the credit? I suspect there may be with such issues as concrete road repairs and so on. Please note you read this concern here first.

NATIONAL EVENTS LOOSE LABOUR OSCOTT

It was very sad to see John Cotton who was undoubtedly one of the most able Councillors the Oscott Ward has ever had, loose his seat yesterday. His defeat clearly had far more to do with national rather than local issues. John has worked hard during his terms of office and has made his name sorting out issues for local residents.
While I congratulate his successor Councillor Graham Green on his victory I must warn him he has a very hard act to follow.
I wish John all the very best in what ever he does in the future as I am sure do the countless Oscott residents he has tried to help over the years.
I would also like to thank all those who voted for John on Thursday.

TREE'S SHOULD MATTER

The Birmingham City Planning Committee have now agreed following my proposals, to send representation, to the Local Government Committee asking them to look again at Planning policies related to tree replacement.
It is my argument that developers large and small should, if removing trees from a site, have to pay for their replacement, some where else.
Over the years there have been thousands of trees removed from the grounds of new developments all over the city of Birmingham and in the vast majority of cases the loss of these trees has never been made up for. I hope that the idea of a tree replacement policy, may take off you never know.?

TEMPORY CLOSURE OF THE HOLFORD DRIVE RECYCLING CENTRE

Just to let you know, Perry Barr Household Recycling Centre on Holford Drive will be closed between 8am and 11am this coming Sunday (27 April) to ensure the safety of runners taking part in the Macmillan Cancer Support Family Fun Run.Part of the route the runners for this extremely worthy cause will be taking runs alongside the Centre.Steve Mitchell of Veolia Environmental Services Birmingham Ltd, who manage the site on behalf of the City Council, has issued the following statement:

"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. We appreciate Sunday is a busy day but know everyone would wish to ensure the safety of those running for such a worthy cause. To avoid congestion when the site re-opens we would ask residents to either stagger their journeys, bring items down on the Saturday or use one of our other Household Recycling Centres - Castle Bromwich or Sutton Coldfield being the nearest. All other sites are open from 8am till 4.30pm at weekends and 8am till 8pm during the week".

I think we can all manage with a little inconvenience once in a while when it comes to a good cause and I wish all those taking part all the very best.

LOCAL ELECTIONS ARE JUST A WEEK AWAY

With a week to go before the Local Elections, I would like to call on Oscott residents to go out and vote for my colleague Councillor John Cotton. John has worked with me for the last 9 years in Oscott and has been as good a representative for the area as you can get.
I hope that residents will not fall for the trap of using this election as a protest about the Government for some reason and will realise that local issues are the ones that matter at Local Elections. Lets keep the Oscott team in place to fight for and ensure Oscott gets its fair share out of this Tory Council. We do not want to end up with even more of our money being spent in Sutton Coldfield!

ANOTHER ACCIDENT AT OSCOTT BLACK SPOT

I noticed today there has been yet another bad car accident at the Greenholm Road/ Aldridge Road junction. Most residents will be aware of this accident black spot, but our dithering Councils Transportation department, refuse to take action to deal with it. I will be contacting them again, but with little confidence that they will put the interests of those who use this junction first.

It makes you wonder how much time and money dealing with the constant stream of accidents at this junction the Police have to put in.

BAT WALK ON THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

Dr Stephan Bodnar the Bio diversity officer for Birmingham, has kindly agreed to lead another Bat walk on the Queslett Nature Reserve. During these walks bat detectors are used and Dr Bodnar gives a brief lecture on the types of bat that are located. The walk will take place on a date to be announced in July.
Over the next few weeks Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve hope to be putting up Bat and Bird boxes on the reserve and with any luck some of the bat boxes may being used by July.
As soon as there is a date fixed I will publish it on this site.
To join the FOQNR please ring 360 6486

SOUP KITCHEN IN OSCOTT?

With my colleagues Councillors Barbara Dring and John Cotton handing over a cheque for £200

Today I was invited to the Mary Vale Community Centre, where Councillor John Cotton presented a cheque for £200 pounds (a grant from the Oscott Ward NRF). This money will be spent on purchasing secure storage units for the centre.

During my visit I was offered soup and sandwiches (for a small donation) and learnt that every month or so local residents attended these "soup Kitchen" meetings. I was impressed not only with the quality of the soup, but also the friendly atmosphere generated at the meeting. I hope to be invited again and congratulate those volunteers who organise the event.

THERE COULD BE CCTV CAMERAS FOR ALL BUS SHELTERS ON THE WAY?

The introduction of CCTV cameras to all bus shelters in the West Midlands, has moved one step closer, following the recommendations of the WMPTA Business Improvement Committee today.
This followed a series of reports, showing that where CCTV cameras have already been installed in bus shelters, there has been Significant reductions in the cost of their repairs.
Recommendations to phase in over the next 5 years, fitting CCTV cameras to all bus shelters, in the West Midlands, starting with those shelters where there are known problems with anti social behaviour and vandalism, have now been passed on to the full WMPTA Committee for ratification. One word of warning however, the WMPTA main committee is led by the Conservatives who have reputation for dithering when making decisions?

SPEEDWAY ON THE RIGHT TRACK

The Brummies Speedway team have been given permission to carry on with their Speedway meetings thus ensuring their continued existence.
However there has been conditions put on them which will mean they will not be able to operate more than their agreed amount of races per session. The Brummies have also "toned down" their music and announcement system which will now not be as loud as last year.
Many residents/sports enthusiast love their speedway,' but we also need to understand the problems that some local residents have with regards to the Speedway operating near their homes. I hope what has been decided will go someway to bring together these different groups.
I have also been assured by the Brummies that should any residents have a concern about the way the Brummies are operating the Brummies organisers will listen to them.

BIKE RACKS IN PLACE AT LAST

Finally after months of dithering by the Transportation, bike racks have been put in place on the pavement near the HSB bank Kettlehouse Road. Hopefully cyclist in the area will make full use of these racks and there will be the bonus that they will help keep vehicles off the pavement at this busy shopping area.

We now wait to see how long the Transportation will take, to reduce the near by taxi rank from three spaces to one. This is needed to help relieve some of the parking problems in the area.

STILL WE WAIT FOR ACTION ON OSCOTT'S CONCRETE CARRIAGEWAYS

Well here we are almost exactly 12 months on since the Cabinet Member for Transportation in Birmingham and his local representative? did a walk about in Oscott. Following this walk about they sent out letters and leaflets, saying how bad the concrete carriageways were in Oscott and something would be done.

Except a few orange marks put round some pot holes which I reported, little seems to have been done to repair these carriageways. I suspect they have been conveniently forgotten by the Council, with the hope that resident's, will also have forgotten the promises made by those who suddenly arrive before local elections. Well you can be assured I will keep reminding them.

THE OSCOTT COMMUNITY WORKING TOGETHER

In Oscott there are a number of community groups which deal with a number of areas and issues across the ward. These groups cover issues concerning residents with Disabilities, Elderly residents, Environmental, Transport,, Housing issues and so on.
The interesting thing about the Oscott area is, many of these established groups work together, under the umbrella of the Oscott Residents Groups and remain free of Council influence.
They hold drop in sessions (offering a free cup of tea and a biscuit to those who come along) where they discuss all sorts of concerns and issues with local residents. On occasions they even ask me along to speak to them which of course time permitting I am delighted to do.
the ORG hold their drop in sessions every Saturday morning at 10.30am, at the 610 Community Centre. For more details ring 464 1869

FOR THOSE WHO CARE FOR SOMEONE WITH ALZHEIMER'S

I know from personal experience how distressing, tiring and emotional it can be when looking after a relative with dementia or Alzheimer's . For much of the time you may feel lonely, and without help. With that in mind I thought I would pass on, to those who are in that situation, or who know someone who is, the details of the Alzheimer's Society, In case they can be of help to you.
They can give guidance with regard to Alzheimer's/ dementia and can sometimes, put you in touch with local support groups.

Their address is.
Alzheimer's Society
210 High Street
Solihull Lodge
Solihull
B901JP
474 3800

ALCOHOL RESTICTED ZONES FOR ALL OUR STREETS ON THE WAY?

At long last the Birmingham City Council is considering applying the Alcohol Restricted Zone principle, to all the streets in Birmingham.
This would mean they are following the Oscott Ward who pioneered this idea along with the Police, a number of years ago. Other wards have also introduced A.R.Z. following Oscott's example.
A.R.Z.’s enable the Police, to remove alcohol more easily from those acting in an antisocial way on our streets.
In Oscott these Zones have worked fairly well. In my view however they do depend on the Police using them proactively and this would also need to be the case across the city, if they are to be further introduced. Anything that helps the Police keep anti social behaviour off our streets must be welcome.

NO TO PREMIUM RATE CALLS TO THE COUNCIL

As far as I can tell the Current Council Administration have now realised they have been rumbled and so there is to be no premium line call charges to pay, when calling the Birmingham Council Call Centre. Its nice to have good news to report.

(See also Blog report 27th March)

CENTRO TURN AROUND ON BUS CONSULTATION

Centro have now conceeded the need for more time for consultation regarding their Transforming Bus Travel plans (also see prievious post 26th March). Those who have an interst in using buses on the West Midlands Network, now have until Monday 30th of June, to look at this important set of proposals. If you want to keep the bus Network intact and not see it streamlined in such a way, as many roads will no longer covered for example, take the time to look at this document and respond to it.
If you want a copy of the document let me know Ring 360 6486.

WHAT HAPPEND TO RECYCLING IN OSCOTT

Many months ago now when I asked at a Perry Barr Constituency meeting when will ALL the roads in Oscott receive their recycling boxes, I was informed by the end of the year. Knowing full well that is Council speak for the end of the financial year (March), I thought to my self that should be enough time to finish off, rolling out the recycling program for Oscott. I should have know better.
The current dithing by the Birmingham City Council, has meant yet another dead line has come and gone and their are still a number of roads in Oscott, where residents are still awaiting their recycling boxes. Despite all the talk of recycling made by this Administration, they are still clearly not taking the matter seriously.
You may be assured, I have been on to the powers that be, demanding they get their acts together, as it is time every one in Oscott, had the opportunity to help the environment by recycling as much as possible.

EXTENDED NO PARKING REGULATIONS COMING SOON

It is now intended to extend the Traffic Regulation Orders out side the entrances of both the Hawthorn Road Junior School and the Great Barr Secondary School Aldridge Road.
Residents boarding these schools, will be notified of the extent ion of the no parking between 8am and 4pm restrictions, but any one else wishing to be kept informed (There is still time to object until 18th April if you wish) can see the planned proposals at the Perry Barr District Office Tambridge House Aldridge Road, or at the Highways department Lancaster Circus Queensway Birmingham.
I hope these new regulations if agreed will go some way to safe guard the children using the Great Barr Secondary school and the Hawthorn Primary school. If you would like to let me have your views Ring 360 6486.

THE AIMS OF THE FRIENDS OF THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE INFORMATION

I have been asked on a number of occasions what the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve do?
I hope the brief introduction below may help with that enquiry?

FRIENDS OF THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE
CODE OF PRACTICE AND AIMS

Our main aim is to improve the Queslett Nature Reserve for the wild life and those who use the reserve.
Members should respect the wildlife and the environment in the Queslett Nature Reserve.
Members should be careful not to disturb the wild life in the QNR
Members are encouraged to do what they can to increase the membership of the F.Q.N.R.
Members should be considerate of other members and the general public.
Members should work with their committee and the Birmingham Council Leisure Services department to improve the QNR.
No pruning, construction work or any similar occurrence should take place without the permission of the relevant Birmingham City Council officer.
Any member seeing an unlawful act such as vandalism, should report the matter to the Parks department or the Police as necessary. We are the eyes and ears of the reserve and act as a Reserve watch.
Members have no additional authority where the QNR is concerned.
Any fund raising or publicity regarding the FQNR must be undertaken with the agreement of the Executive Committee and be cleared by the Chair
Members should also consider the surrounding area’s environmental needs (including the near by Aldridge Road Recreation Ground )
The FOQNR is a voluntary organisation.
Note
When working in the Queslett Nature Reserve the safety of you and those around you is of paramount concern please take care at all times.

When attending outdoor events at the Queslett Nature Reserve please come prepared for the weather

LOCATION The Queslett Nature Reserve is located off Old Horns Crescent where it has an entrance (near the ASDA superstore) and has another main entrance in Ashworth Road. There are 2 other entrances off Booths Lane at present.

Please Note the nearest W.C for public use is in the ASDA Superstore Old Horns Crescent.

Useful contact No
Police -emergencies 999
Police -general enquires / reports 0845 113 5000
Parks -department 464 8728 / Park Patrols 464 7810
Oscott Ward Support Officer- Mike Trevor- 464 1869
Chair FQNR - Councillor Keith Linnecor 360 6486.

(See also past articles about the FOQNR on this blog.)

Latest news!
It is hoped that over the next month or so the FOQNR will have its own Webb site designed. I will let you have the details when I have them.

The FOQNR would like to thank the BOSF for their help in funding a number of activities on the QNR.

NOT ON THE RIGHT RACK!

Over a year ago following consultations with the Oscott North Neighbourhood Forum and myself, the Transportation department (with funds from the Oscott Ward) agreed to introduce some safety features, to the pavement near the HSB bank Kettlehouse Road.
Bollards, a bench and some litter bins were introduced to the pavement to help stop vehicles driving over it and thus endangering pedestrians. It was also agreed to introduce some cycle racks, as they had the added value of encouraging residents to use their bikes.
Unfortunately I had to ask the Transportation department to stop work on erecting these racks, as they were being put completely in the wrong place. I was however assured by Christmas they would be erected in the right place. I was then told it would be by the end of December and then again by the end of the financial year. This just goes to show what a dithering Transportation department we now have, as there is still no sign of these cycle racks.
It is not rocket science to erect a cycle rack surely?. Luckily there has been no serious accidents yet as a result of the Transportation's lack of action. I just hope they now get on with it and get the job done.
As part of the same consultations it was agreed to reduce the size of the taxi racks in Kettlehouse Road to allow more limited time parking.

PREMIUM CALL CHARGES ON THE WAY

The latest hidden cost cutting exercise the Council are contemplating, is to charge those of us unlucky enough to need to contact their Call Centres, premium phone call rates. By the time you have gone from one option to another trying to get to the person you want to speak to, in the future you may find it would have been cheaper to go in and see them by taxi.

HIGHFIELD HOUSE PLANNING DECISION

The report to the Planning Committee re Highfield House in Hall Green which has been much criticised in the press recently, clearly showed that there was no Planning grounds to prevent the developers gaining permission, for their proposals regarding Highfield House.
If the Committee had agreed on emotional or Political grounds, not to allow this planning proposal, the decision would clearly have been appealed by the developers and their appeal would have been granted by the independent inspector on legal grounds.
It was also very sad to see how this property, a grade 2 listed building has been allowed to go to rack and ruin through lack of interest by all concerned and it is surprising that now it is to go there is renewed interest in the building.?
All this said I have contacted both Councillor Whitby(Con) and Councillor Hassall (Lib) the Leader of the Council and Cabinet member for Leisure Services respectively and asked if the Council could look in the long term, to make arrangements to purchase this property, in order for it to be saved for the city, as I think it deserves another chance. I am still awaiting a response. Perhaps they can swop some of the Council land they are so keen to sell off, with the developer?

BUS ROUTES UNDER THREAT?

Hands up those who have been consulted about the latest master piece from Centro, i.e. the Transforming Bus Travel in the West Midlands consultation paper?
Not many I am sure!
Don’t get me wrong the document is not all bad but there are number of issues which should concern bus users in this document.
For example Net work coverage. There is a proposal to modernise the bus coverage/ network in the West Midlands and this could result in a dramatic reduction in the current bus network. This is called “Modernising” by the way. What it means in reality, can be seen by the users of the 376 and 655 for example. Longer walks to bus stops for the Elderly and School Children for a start. Buses not going where people need them to go and so on.
The main considerations will be the main bus corridors and what the powers deem to be where bus users will use buses instead of their cars. There is no concern shown in my view for those with no alternative forms of transport and car users in many cases will park on the side roads next to the main bus corridors. There is also no strategy for using Estate interconnecting buses either.
There is a lot of talk about affordability! In the document, well in that case why the huge hype in bus fares late last year?
There is also talk about consultation, yet the intention is to end the consultation period in early April before most residents have even seen the document and there are no proposals to attend Ward Committees for example. As you would expect I have asked that this be urgently reconsidered and that real consultation takes place with residents across the West Midlands before the Tory controlled WMPTA use their rubber stamp.

SUTTON PARK CAR ENTRANCE FEE HYPE

I was saddened to read that the Birmingham City Council are to hike up the car entrance fee to Sutton Park by 50%.£1 to £1.50 on sundays when charging applies). I was not really surprised however, as it is clearly another of those hidden cuts or increases we all know are happening across the Council. This 50% increase hark back to the inflation rates we all knew so well in the eighties.

MORE TREES PLANTED ON THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

Despite falling snow, the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve got on with the job of planting the last of the trees along the reserves boundary today (22nd March). This work was badly needed as it should help the wild life in the reserve in the future and allay some of the detrimental effects of the awful decision, to allow the other side of Booths Lane to be developed.

There are now proposals to plant wild flowers in May and there are a number of other projects are in the pipe line. If you would like to help improve the envioment and wild life in the area why not join the FOQNR. Please ring 360 6486 for details.

90 MILLION TO PAY FOR CONSULTANTS!

It seems incredible but did you know the Birmingham City Council now spends 90 million, yes 90 million pounds on Business Consultants. You may ask what these consultants all do?. I am beginning to believe they consult with each other on what they should consult about and very little else?




What makes this figure even more staggering for me is when I am told the Council only spend £690.000 on repairing paths and pavements throughout Birmingham. No wonder our pavements are in such a poor condition.

425K SPENT ON SUTTON TOWN HALL CLOCK

This is where your money goes!
Have you ever wondered why the Council are cutting your local services? Here’s one reason.
The crazy Birmingham Council coalition has squandered over £425,000 on repairing Sutton Coldfield Town Hall’s clock and tower!
When you think this money could have replaced hundreds of old fashioned street lights or ensured hundreds of disabled pensioners could have had much needed adaptations too their homes its makes you think what on earth is going on. It would have been cheaper to have bought the residents of Sutton Coldfield a watch each.

ASDA TO GET NEW CAR PARK?

ASDA Queslett Road have been granted planning permission to erect a new 2035 square metre mezzanine floor car park. This will be placed above approximately half their current car park and will add over a 100 new car parking spaces.
There were certainly mixed feelings when it came to this planning application. While clearly new car spaces are needed, there will be a increase in traffic in the area as a result.
However to help ease this problem a new traffic light system will be introduced to the Queslett Road entrance. Other benefits will be that trolleys will, due to the introduction of a new barrier scheme, not be able to leave the ASDA grounds. Bus users will also still be able to access the site from the near by bus stops, there will be arrangements for cycle storage and the upper floor car park will be locked at night. The new car park will be smaller than the one previously requested and thus less visible to local residents.

DON'T FORGET TO APPLY FOR A BUS PASS

Most pensioners in the Oscott area have probably already applied for their free nation wide bus pass, but if you have not, or if you know someone who has not, then its not to late to apply.
There may be a delay but if you ring 0845 303 6760 you should still be able to apply for the new national free pensioners bus pass. Why not make the most of this Government initiative and enjoy free bus travel throughout England.

OSCOTT HAVE YOUR SAY DAY

It was really good to see Saturday's (8th March) Oscott Have Your Say Day was so well attended .
Dozens of Oscott residents popped along to see the display unit during the course of the day at the Hawthorn Road and Kingstanding Circle. Most took the opportunity to tell Councillor's John Cotton, Barbara Dring and myself what they thought of what is happening in the Oscott area. I certainly had a number of residents views to think about.

It was clear to me that most residents have seen improvements in the area but a lot are concerned, about the speed that some issues take to sort out. Speeding vehicles, Housing issues and the need for more Street Lighting were highlighted to me for example.

Many residents just cannot understand why the Current Birmingham City Councils administration is so slow in responding to the areas need for improved road safety in some of our roads. The penny pinching antics of the Council when it comes to this issue many feel is very frustrating. Roads such as Birdbrook Road, Old Oscott Lane, Kingstanding Road and Kettlehouse Road were of concern, but there were others aswell.

There is clearly also a need for the Councils Housing department to speed up processing transfer requests and look again how they match up the requirements of tenants. There are a number of tenants stuck in homes which are now to big for them and yet there are families in homes that are to small for example. There is also a growing concern about the way when things go wrong compensation claims are being dealt with.

Many residents would like to see more new Street Lighting in the area and can hardly believe how little funding wards get from the Council (25g) each year to replace street lights. Like their local Councillors it is generally felt this budget should be at least doubled.

I would like to thank all the residents from Oscott and elsewhere for coming along and letting us know their view.to I would also like to thank those who helped out on the display unit on the day. These included Pertemps, the Police and other Council agency workers.

I would especially like to thank Mike Trevor, the Oscott Ward Support Officer, for his efforts in helping to arrange the event and for the help he will be giving John, Barbara and myself in adding the results of the Have Your Say consultation's to the ongoing Oscott Ward Development Plan.

NEW FENCES NEEDED ON THE BURFORD PLAYING FIELDS

The playing fields in Burford Road are a great asset to the community and Building Futures are doing sterling work there to help keep youngsters off the streets by providing sporting activities.
However when the site is not being used it is open for residents (including youngsters) to enjoy, but this is at a cost. Nieghbours with gardens on the boundary of the field do from time suffer from vandalism to their fences and from anti social behaviour.
To help prevent this, the Oscott Ward Councillors have slowly but surely been able to find funds to help pay for metal palisade fencing to go around the inside boundary where it abuts residents properties.
Unfortunately following a site meeting this year yet again the Education department who are responsible for the field have decided they have no funds for the upkeep of boundary fences. This may sound strange when you hear of the large increase in the Education budget there is, made possible by the government, but there you are!
The one thing you can be sure of is your Oscott Councillors will yet again try and look hard for alternative funding put in place more new fencing.

FLY TIPPING IN BOOTHS LANE

Fly tipping in Booths Lane is on the increase again in spite of the fact that there is a CCTV camera located there now. Yet again the rate payer has had to foot the bill to clear rubbish from the site.
I have now called on the Environmental Services department to consider putting up posters informing every one of the cameras presence and to also call upon the land owner to take more action to prevent this fly tipping. The land should have been fenced off properly years ago in my view.
I am now also calling on the authorities to take firm action against anyone caught fly tipping and have also asked the press to consider using this issue as an article condemning fly tipping.
Perhaps naming and shaming may be the way forward? When you consider the Halford Drive Salvage department is within 2 miles of Booths Lane there can be no excuses for fly tipping there!.

QUESLETT ROAD SPEED CAMERAS

At long last the Birmingham City Council lTransportation department look as if they are going to do something about the problems faced by road users on the Queslett Road.
They are now proposing to have 2 Speed cameras installed on the south carriageway of the Queslett Road (between ASDA and the Scott Arms.)
All this comes after constant pressure from local residents like Maureen Byrne, Betty Whitehouse, Nigel Quinn, Brian Brookes amongst others, by means of petitions and letters to the BCC.
Lets just hope they get it right and do not take to long to do it.
For myself after years of campaigning, I will not be satisfied until I actually see the cameras in place and other safety measures being actively considered for the Queslett Road. Lets also hope the forthcoming Local Elections will not mean more of the dubious political tactics employed last year over this issue which may well have resulted in the dalays we have seen regarding the decison to put in speed cameras etc.

GRAFFITI IS NOT WANTED

Graffiti is one of those things this Council do not really seem able to get on top of.
Luckily in Oscott Our Environmental Warden Debi Parsons with the aid of her anti graffiti equipment is always on the look out for graffiti in the area so that she can remove it.
However as I know from the time I have been out with her even with graffiti removing equipment it still takes lots of elbow grease to remove the troublesome graffiti from cable boxes and so on.
If you know somewhere in Oscott which needs to have graffiti removed please let me know 360 6486.