COOKSEY LANE PAVEMENT REPAIRS TO TAKE PLACE AT LAST

 At long last after months of lobbying by Councillors Tristan Chatfield , Barbara Dring and myself Amey have announced the start date for much needed Pavement improvement works for Cooksey Lane.

PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENTS IN COOKSEY LANE

 Start Soon

What’s Happening, Where and When?

What:              Footway Maintenance Works

Where:            Cooksey Lane

From :            Queslett Road East to junction at Norbury Road

When:             Expected start during week ending  29/5/15       

How long:      Approx.  8 weeks between the hours of 0800hrs to 1800hrs

(for updated start / finish dates see yellow signs at either end of the road)

Parking and Property Access

Access to your property will be restricted. Amey must ask that vehicles are not parked on the pavement during the works. Vehicles obstructing their works will be removed by the City Council and a charge levied for release.  Amey understand that vehicle access may be essential for some medical / personal reasons.  If you need to get a vehicle to your property during these works please ask their personnel on site or call 0121 303 6644 (Option 2).  Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

Works Information

The condition of the existing pavement has been assessed and repairs based on a localised footway treatment will be taking place.

This means that we will only be repairing sections of the footway that have been identified as having the defects that do not meet the minimum standards required.

The opening description in this letter details the section of the footway where the localised repair works will be taking place as we do not always include the whole pavement length.  

Amey wish to apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of this necessary highway maintenance and will will endeavour to complete the work with as little disruption as possible. Thank would like to thank you for  your patience.

Discounted Footway Crossing

 PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A ONE OFF OPPOTUNITY SO PLEASE MAKE USE OF IT

                                                                                         

 The installation of footway crossings are available at a discounted rate whilst Amey complete works to the pavement within this road. Footway crossings consist of three flat kerbs and two sloped kerbs and can be applied for up to two weeks before the commencement of the scheme start date specified above.

Please contact   0121 303 6644 – Option One to apply for a quotation request.

No applications for discounted footway crossings will be accepted if received after this date.

                                               

             

                                                                                   

WHY RESIDENTS IN OSCOTT ARE FACING CUTS IN THEIR SERVICES

I  would not usually quote an article in a local paper but in this case it helps me answer the  question I am being asked all the time " why are cuts being made to our services in Oscott"
Please read the article below.


GOVERNMENT CUTS BIRMINGHAM

 THE BIRMINGHAM POST 13.05.2015

The Labour-dominated Midlands faces another five years of pain after the General Election.
New analysis shows for the first time the extent to which council cuts have been targeted most heavily in areas where Labour's vote has continued to hold up.
Typically those areas also have far higher than average levels of deprivation, meaning they can least afford to lose council-funded services such as libraries, SureStart centres and social care for vulnerable children and adults.
Since the coalition took power in 2010, councils have repeatedly seen huge sums cut from their budgets.
But the amount by which so-called 'spending power' has dropped varies wildly across the country.
Birmingham has suffered the fourth biggest reduction in the country, seeing a 16 per cent drop in its budgets from £1,265.1 million in 2010/11 down to the £1,062.1 million it has been earmarked for 2015/16.
Liverpool has seen the biggest, with its spending power falling 18.1 per cent.
At the other end of the scale, a number of councils in leafy southern shires have seen their spending power go up.
They include Surrey (up 8.6 per cent), Wokingham (up 7.7 per cent) and Dorset (up 7.3 per cent).
The analysis only includes English councils and 'top-tier' councils with the biggest budgets.
It does not include smaller district councils in areas which also have a shire authority.
WORST HIT
Liverpool -18.1 per cent
Knowsley -17.4 per cent
Blackburn with Darwen -16.1 per cent
Birmingham -16 per cent
Manchester -15.9 per cent
Southwark -15.5 per cent
Newham -15.3 per cent
Kingston-upon-Hull -15 per cent
Hartlepool -14.8 per cent
Rochdale -14.7 per cent

BEST OFF
Isles of Scilly +12.5 per cent
Surrey +8.6 per cent
Wokingham +7.7 per cent
Dorset +7.3 per cent
Buckinghamshire +6.4 per cent
West Sussex +6.3 per cent
Cheshire East +6.1 per cent
Richmond-upon-Thames +5.8 per cent
Central Bedfordshire +5 per cent
Poole +4.9 per cent

Liverpool has seen the biggest, with its spending power falling 18.1 per cent.
At the other end of the scale, a number of councils in leafy southern shires have seen their spending power go up.
They include Surrey (up 8.6 per cent), Wokingham (up 7.7 per cent) and Dorset (up 7.3 per cent).
The analysis only includes English councils and 'top-tier' councils with the biggest budgets.
It does not include smaller district councils in areas which also have a shire authority.

PROBLEMS WITH AMEY NEED RESOLVING

I signed in as a Councillor yesterday afternoon so I am officially a councillor for Oscott again.
Mind you I have not since I have been elected stopped doing case work and I am still receiving case work that was sent before election day.
Many issues are related to Amey Highways and complaints about the state of pavements carriage ways and yes trees.
I am doing what I can to get Amey to resolve the issues I am passing onto them from residents and there have been some successes..

In the case of trees and their replacement or pruning however there seem to be a big difference in what residents and Oscott Councillors want and expect and what Amey are doing. With my Oscott Councillor Collueges I am doing what I can to resolve a number of issues related to the subject of trees but it is very very hard going and I cannot pretend it is easy.

If you have an issue you would like me to take up with Amey please let me know and I will do what I can to help.

TOUGH TIMES TO COME BUT THANK YOU FOR RE ELECTING ME.

Its been a little busy recently just a matter of a local and general election.

I am as you would expect delighted to be re elected to serve the residents of Oscott and as ever with no promises, offer to do what I can to help local residents who have problems in what appears to be hard times to come for Birmingham in the future.

You cannot get re elected without the aid of a good team and I was lucky to have one.

Councillor Tristan Chatfield, Councillor Barbara Dring my little star Brenda, Keith.H  John,Khalid, Lee. Brian B, Brian S, Jimmy, Bob, Mahmood, Gail, Bob R, John.T Majid, Maureen, Des, Nigel, Mr S and  others who I am sure will come to mind later and not forgetting my shoulder to lean on my partner Cheryl.

I would also like to thank my opponents who for the most part played a straight bat.

I would ask residents to give me a little time to catch up with my case work and if you have not heard from me by the end of the week please contact me again to remind me.

Congratulations to too Khalid Mahmood on his re election as MP for Perry Barr.


Thank you to all those who voted in the election and naturally even more thanks to those who voted for me.

A BUSY TIME

As you may have expected I have been very busy recently working on my campaign.

I would like to thank all those who have been helping and all those who have offered me their support.

HELP OR ASSISTANCE WITH WHEELIE BINS IS AVAILABLE FOR ELDERLY OSCOTT RESIDENTS

Elderly or disabled Oscott residents can get help and assistance if they need it, with their wheelie bins.
If you ring me on 303 2039  or email me Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk and I will do what I can to help.

BURFORD ROAD PLAYING FIELD SITE IS NOT TO CLOSE

Despite some rumours being put about the Burford Road Playing Field site is not set to close.
On the contrary I am working the the Education Asserts Manager, The organisation leasing the site and local residents to resolve parking issues and to keep the site open for all to use.

BOOTHS LANE WORKING PARTY UPDATE APRIL

As you may be aware I am working closely with members of the Local Oscott Residents Association and Taylor Wimpey with reference to issues of concern regarding the Booths Lane development.

Due to holiday commitments the  next meeting will be in mid –May / date to be confirmed.

At this meeting on the agenda will be the time table for the re-opening of the Booths Lane for traffic.*

The issue relating to the gap created in the carriage way between the Persimmons carriage way and the Taylor Wimpey Carriage way which no one seems to own. (Taylor Wimpey at the last meeting offered to take responsibility for this to move things along which means progress is being made.) Is also being looked at.

As regards to the Persimmons development, I am currently in negotiations with the Planning Department with the intention of putting pressure on Persimmons to finish off the carriage way top surface on their development.

I am also in negotiations with the Transportation department in regards to creating a cycle route from Sandy Lane to Turnberry Park.

*Members of the Oscott Residents Association and myself have urged Taylor Wimpey to be more pro- active as regards to sending out circulars to keep residents informed of what they are doing and to consult more with local residents.

If there are any other issues you would like me to raise at the next Booths Lane working party meeting please contact me re Em Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

GREENHOLM ROAD NEEDS TO BE 20MPH

The section of Greenholm Road near the Greenholm school needs to be 20MPH.

That is the view of residents Khalid Mahmood MP, Councillor Chatfield and I met outside the school recently thought, and I agree.

I am already asking this to be considered as part of the 20MPH scheme the City Council  is currently rolling out in some areas.
In my view this would complement the Transport Regulation Orders (double yellow lines for the near by junctions ) which are currently high on the list of potential road safety measures being looked at for the Oscott area.

YOUR VOTE MATTERS

Despite what some may say I have found most people who stand for election even if I disagree with the things they say do it for the right reason.
To try and help their City / Country and fellow residents have a better way of life.
You still have until the 20th of April to vote. It only takes a few minutes.

TREE CAMPAIGN UPDATE IN OSCOTT

How many residents would like to see trees pruned.
(This tree is not in Birminham but was pruned by professional contractors in another authority and shows how trees can be pruned to make a difference).




On Tuesday I presented the latest petition requesting the Trees in Meadthorpe Road  and the surrounding area be pruned more vigorously by Amey the Contractor responsible. The petition also called  for large trees in the o be replaced in a phased way.
This petition is just one of a number of similar ones I have presented for the last few months.
There are delays in receiving responses however due to the time of year but I will continue this campaign along side my 2 Councillor Colleagues for Oscott Councillor Tristan Chatfield and Councillor Barbara Dring.

THORNBRIDGE AVENUE CARRIAGE WAY UPGRADE OSCOTT

I still have conformation that the Thornbridge Avenue Carriage way Oscott section) is due for an upgrade before the end of June.
I am continuing to do what I can to ensure this time scale does not slip as this carriage way is definitely  in poor condition and needs action. I will certainly be reminding Amey Highways.

FLY POSTING NEEDS TO BE STOPPED

All across the North part of Birmingham including parts of Oscott the scourge of illegal fly posting can be seen.
I understand some companies need to advertise but they need to go through the correct channels and not just put up posters on fencing and lamppost (Worst still on pedestrian crossing.

Councillor Barbara Dring Chair Licensing has brought to my attention that there can be a fine of up to £2000 for illegal fly posting and that Amey Highways have the contract to remove illegal Fly posters.


I will certainly be doing what I can to get the number of these illegal fly posters taken down.

I would urge anyone thinking of putting up posters to check with the Birmingham City Council for permission before they do so.

If you have a concern regarding fly posters please contact me on 303 2039.

INDOOR BOWLES AT SAINT MATHEWS CHURCH

While out and about yesterday along with Parliamentary candidate Khalid Mahmood and Councillor Chatfield, we were  offered a chance to have a go on the indoor bowling mat at Saint Mathews Church by the club that uses the Centre their every Thursday afternoon.
Although out of practise, I was pleased to be nearer the mark than my 2 colleagues.!

The club operates every Thursday afternoon if you want to pop in to find out more at 2pm.

POT HOLED ROADS ON THE BADYWOOD ESTATE NEED CARRIAGE WAYS RESUFACING

Appalling carriage ways on Bandywood Road, Kettlehouse Road and Wandsworth Road need resurfacing. Over the last few months I have been in touch with the Contractor who now resurface our roads (Amey Highways requesting) asked that they deal with these roads.
 I have even helped a resident whose car was damaged allegedly as a result of the state of one of the roads, get an offer of compensation.

Amey have repaired some of the pot holes but I am urgently requesting they get on and resurface these road as soon as possible. Amey must do better and i will press them to do so.

If you have a pot hole concern please email me Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk.

DOG FOULING NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH

Following my requests there have been Dog Warden Patrols recently in the vicinity of Burford Road Playing fields recently as well as the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground   Wardens have been out monitoring roads in the area, reassuring residents and speaking to dog walkers. They will also be on the Bandywood Estate soon.

There are litter bins and now new no dog fouling signs in in the area and in some cased I have had to ask for extra street cleaning to take place. Owners should pick up their dogs mess and bag it and bin it.

  Most dog walkers have no issue with picking up and disposing their dogs mess. The stubborn few that do not may expect a fine if caught.These fines are in some cases quite hefty.

The Birmingham City Council now has  limited resources due to the unprecedented cuts in funding from Central Government and  dealing with the issue of dog fouling can be difficult but if you are a Oscott resident who has a particular concern please let me know and I will do what I can to help.

NEW PARKING FOR THE METROPOLITAN COLLEGE ALDRIDGE ROAD

REF PLANNING APPLICATION 2015/02642LPA


The Metropolitan College Aldridge Road have Finally submitted a planning application for consultation regarding their extending their car parking and demolishing an old work shop.

Those of use who have been lobbying the College for so long with the aim of getting them to improve their car parking will be delighted.

From my discussions with the college in the past I am aware this application has been one they were keen to apply for as they understand the parking situation locally.

Residents and shop keepers from the Aldridge Road, Burnham Road and Birdbrook Road in particular have been in touch with me for some time regarding the way students currently park in the area, blocking drop curbs and obstructions junctions for example.

The proposal will increase parking on the college site from 175 places to 249 places a net increase of 74. It is also proposed that the new parking area will have lighting.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR BETTER TREE PRUNING GOES ON

Despite an apparent lack of interest by Amey and the powers that be I am on behalf of local residents continuing the battle for a long term change in the tree pruning policy in this city and for much better tree maintenance including pruning and more replacement tree planting.

The battle to get the powers that be to understand the frustration residents have had for many years regarding the way many large trees are not being pruned heavily enough or being replaced in a phased way when they reach their sell by date is frustrating but the battle will go on.
There is also the on going ever present threat of large branches on trees which have not been pruned enough falling on passing pedestrians or cars.

I have presented a number of petitions to the Council which do take time to process and in the meantime I am continuing to pass on to Amey residents observations on the trees in their roads.

PLANT NATIVE BRITSH PLANTS WHERE POSSIBLE

At the meeting of the Birmingham City Council's Planning committee I strongly urged that the planting Native British plants should be encouraged when it comes to developers / large stores and so on carrying out land scape work
Member of the Friends of Queslett Nature Reserve work closely with the Parks department to ensure any planting we do in the reserve is of Native plants.
Residents should also consider the doing the same where possible in their gardens  as native plants encourage our wildlife far more than none native species.

TRYING TO PREVENT DOG FOULING ON THE ALDRIDGE ROAD RECREATION GROUND

Following my requests there have been Dog Warden Patrols recently in the vicinity of  the Aldridge Recreation Ground ..
 Wardens have been out monitoring roads in the area (as well as the recreation ground), reassuring residents and speaking to dog walkers reminding them of their responsibility to pick up their dogs mess.
They also replaced a number of No dog fouling stickers on near by lampposts.
Most dog owners are responsible but there are some who need to be reminded.


The Dog Wardens will be making another surprise visit any time now!!

RSPB MEMBERS SHOULD TRY THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

RSPB members like me often go when they get the chance to reserves like the one at Sandwell Valley.
Some who live in the Oscott area may not be aware however that the Queslett Nature Reserve (there is an entrance of Old Horns Crescent next to Queslett ASDA.) is beginning to attact more and more wild life of all sorts.
Why not pop in and take a look.


If you would like to become a member of the Friends of Queslett Nature Reserve Email Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

If you would like to know more about the RSPB try their local Webb site
http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/birmingham

THE MARY VALE ELDERLY GROUP KEEP THEIR MEMBERS WELL OCCUPIED

I popped in to see the Maryvale elderly group yesterday and watched their Easter bonnet competition.
Many of the group really went to town making some really good hats. it must have been hard for the judge to decide the winner.
It is really good to see volunteers working so hard to help run these groups.

Having spoken to group members many times I am aware how much they appreciate the way the group helps them get out and about and to socialise with friends.
There is always so much going on at their meetings, entertainers, visits from school children raffles and so on.
To find out more contact the Mary vale Centre Old Oscott Hill.

SADLY THE NEED FOR A FOOD BANK IN OSCOTT IN 2015 IS NOT AN APRIL FOOLS DAY JOKE

Along with Khalid Mahmood MP and Councillor Tristan Chatfield I paid a visit to the Elim Church Food bank yesterday.

Volunteers who operate this food bank do a great job for the local community but it is so sad that in 2015 they need to work so hard to help some Oscott residents put food on their table. They are now a major safety net.

These residents are not scroungers they have just fallen on hard times and have been battetred by changes in the benefit system or because of low paid jobs.
 They are referred to the food bank by their GP's,  Job centres and social worker, s they do not just walk in because they want a hand out.

Those who use the food bank are by and large hidden from the governments statistics and are often in real need. Young families, the unemployed and some elderly residents are being left struggle.

A number of companies like Salisbury,s as well as good hearted residents including school children, help supply the food bank with various sorts of food.

The Oscott Ward has in the past through the Community Chest been able to help with small amounts of funding and Elim Church in Warren Road does a great job organising the scheme.