PACKED OUT OSCOTT TREE AND HIGHWAYS MEETING

 

Many thanks to all those Oscott residents who came along to the Oscott Ward Trees and Highways meeting.

At an often emotional meeting a number of residents told of the stress and inconvenience old poorly pruned trees, caused them.
Concerns were raised about the effect of over large trees on residents, health, lung and skin irritation for example. The effect of the trees when it came to poor light, trip hazards, the effects of roots on walls and drive ways.
There were also safety concerns raised, falling branches, to many leaves causing people to slip and so on.

I presented the attending officers with photographs (see above) of how other authorities not tide to a 25 year contract? can do the job.
With the audiences agreement I explained how a phased replacement and heavier tree pruning program was urgently needed.

When I put to the audience there was a need for far heavier pruning as indicated in the photos above there was unanimous agreement.

The senior tree officer attending informed the meeting of the Current tree pruning policy from the Council and Ameys point of view and he felt this was the best way of pruning trees.
 I put to the officer," other officers in other authorities who were presumably as well qualified as he was given the photos presented (see above) must feel differently as did former BCC tree officers who pruned trees more heavenly in the past". The office agreed trees had been pruned differently in Oscott in the past but insisted the way tree were pruned now was better.

My fellow Councillors Councillor Tristan Chatfield and the Chair for the night Councillor Barbara Dring also weighed into the discussion very strongly.
 I was also Pleased Perry Barr MP  Khalid Mahmood who came along was fully in support of his residents and Councillors in regards to this matter. He also informed the meeting he was aware there were more than just the one standard of tree pruning which was being quoted and he to will take up the issue

Everyone at the meeting recognised the need for trees and how much they were needed but called for more of the larger older trees to be either pruned more heavily or replaced by more suitable varieties.


At the meeting I was also asked to present 2 further petitions to the Birmingham City Council which I will pleased to do and Councillor Chatfield with the help of Councillor Dring and my self will try and arrange further meeting on the subject of Tree Pruning and highways concerns latter this year.

I would also like to thank all those officer who attended the meeting.

The battle goes on.........

HOW OSCOTT RESIDENTS CAN CONTACT ME AND ME THEM

As your Oscott Councillor I believe it is very important to keep in touch with the residents I represent.

In order that I can do this I have ensured there are a number I ways I can be contacted or can communicate with Oscott residents.

For example,
I hold regular street walk abouts and a Councillors surgery.
I also try to pop into elderly residents community areas and meetings regularly to talk to our older residents.
I also carry out local walk about's as part of the Oscott Labour team.

I meet with resident group leaders at meeting such a the Police Tasking Group meetings and Ward Committees as well as regularly by phone.

*To contact me directly residents can ring 360 6486 or leave me a message on 303 2039.
My Email address is Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk
To send me a letter they should be sent C/o the Birmingham City Council House B1 1BR.

Many Oscott residents will also have received one of my return cards which can be sent to me FOC.

* If I am not available please leave all your contact details.

Living in the middle of the Oscott ward and being a regular bus user also means, when I am out and about I often meet with Oscott residents who let me know their concerns which is why I nearly always carry my return cards with me.

Through this blog which I have used for some years now and even more so by means of Twitter I also try and let Oscott residents know some of the things I am doing, as I believe that many resident feel over leafleted at times and using It helps preserve our trees?  I also try and communicate through the local press.

I have know idea how many Oscott residents I have tried to help over the years and clearly there are many times all I can do is to try and help, but it must run into many thousands.

Thanks to the huge unprecedented cuts in the Birmingham City Councils funding by Central Government things are getting more difficult for Oscott residents but I am still available to try and help where I can.

I also represent Birmingham on the Transport Delivery Committee for example I am the Councillor Champion for the 997  bus route (any issue please let me know) and I am the Chair of the *Friends of the *Queslett Nature Reserve (including the Aldridge Recreation ,in an independent capacity


If you have a problem (I cannot resolve all the issues) I hear about but I can at least try and help please contact me. If you have a family member or friend living in the Oscott area please let them know about this blog.

OSCOTT TREE PRUNING MEETING 23RD JULY

( How trees can be pruned)









Just a reminder the Oscott TREE AND HIGHWAYS MAINTENANCE meeting takes place on Thursday 23 July at 7.30am at the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road.

Senior Council and Amey officials responsible for Tree and Highway Maintenance will be available to answer your questions.

BALL GAME IN THE STREET IN OSCOTT ON THE RISE

 It is that time of year again when a number of Oscott residents start getting upset by youngsters and in some cased adults playing ball games in the street.

Clearly it is not advisable in this day and age to have ball games going on in the street, as today there are very few streets where vehicles are not using them on a regular basis,

Many residents are finding their cars scratched front gardens invaded, windows broken or constantly hit by a ball.

It is important however that there are places where ball games can be played and this is one of the reasons the Oscott Councillors have battled to keep open for the, playing fields like Glenmead and Burford Road.

There are also other open spaces in or near the Oscott ward, such as the, Aldridge Road Recreation Ground, Queslett Nature Reserve, King George Playing Field, Perry Barr Park and Turnbury Park.

 I am also trying to encourage the Police not only to remind youngsters, ball games are not meant for the streets, but also to montitor open spaces in order to help keep them safe for youngsters to play in.

I am aware some people feel that roads should be used by children to play ball games? however
It is, illegal to play ball games on the road if this causes problems for road users: / residents?

The Highways Act 1980 s161(3) states that "if a person plays at football or any other game on a highway to the annoyance of a user of the highway he is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine

As with all national laws this is enforceable by the Police. The Council is not empowered to enforce this particular national law.

"No ball games" signs are not required by the Police for them to undertake enforcement although it is recognised that their presence may aid enforcement.
"No ball games" signs are erected on the highway solely to aid Police enforcement and consequently it is a pre-requisite of their erection for the Police to have undertaken to enforce this law.

Parents with young children who are not old enough to use our open spaces in the Oscott area, as is often the case in Oscott often have fairly large gardens and should really encourage their children to use their garden, as it is not safe for them to play ball games on our busy streets.

If you have an concerns regarding this matter please email me
 Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

STILL PROBLEMS WITH MISSED WHEELIE BIN COLLECTIONS IN OSCOTT

We cannot hide from the fact that the expected teething problems regarding the wheelie bin collection service have gone on to long.

I have been out and about trying to deal with some of the issues and  have spoken to senior management about a number of problems.
 They have informed there have been a number of issues which have caused delays. I have expressed the view that this is not good enough and have contacted the Cabinet member responsible Lisa Tricket who is looking into a range of concerns that I have brought to her attention. We need solutions found to the problems encountered and quickly.

Residents who are having genuine concerns and practical problems using the wheelie bins can contacted me and I will ask that their situation be looked at again.

ALDRIDGE ROAD TRAFFIC LIGHTS NEED LOOKING AT

For some reason the Aldridge Road seems to be plagued by faulty traffic lights.

As a regular bus user on this route I am only to aware of the frustration the traffic grid lock that results from these  traffic lite faults and with this in mind I have asked senior Transportation engineers to check out the traffic lights systems on the Aldridge Road.

LATE RESPONSES.

Due to a number of reasons including IT (Email issues) some case work responses may have gone adrift or may be late in arriving.

If you have contacted me regarding an issue and have not received a response please contact me again and I will try and help if I can.

FRIENDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE ACTIVITY DAY

The Next Friends of Queslett Nature Reserve activity day will take place on the 25th of July (Sat) at 11.15am.
Please meet at the Ashworth Road entrance but do not park to close to residents drives.

There will be light pruning and litter picking taking place. 
A Park Ranger will be in attendance.
Please come prepared for the weather. (The meeting may be cancelled  in poor weather see below)
Children are welcome under the strict supervision of an appropriate adult.

Non members are welcome.

I would like to thank

Brenda, Bob, Brian and John for all there work helping to organise these meetings.

For further details or to check if the meeting is on should it rain 
brendafoqnr@yahoo.ca at least one hour before the session.

OSCOTT MEETING TO DISCUSS POOR TREE PRUNING TO TAKE PLACE.

                                                                                                                               

                                               

Just because the election are over does not mean issues I have been looking at have been forgotten.
For example the tree pruning campaign. I have always said I am in this for the long hall and it may take a number of attempts to sort out.
The latest situation is due to not being able to hold Oscott Ward Committees along with my Ward Colleagues Councillor Tristan Chatfield and Barbara Dring I am organising a public meeting regarding this issues and others related to the street scene.
We will be asking various officers from Amey Highways and the Birmingham Council to come along as well as Khalid Mahmood MP who is very concerned about the issue.
This meeting will take place at the 610 community Centre Kingstanding Road at 7.30 pm on Thursday 23rd July.
Oscott resident with questions or concerns about tree pruning or any other street related issues are welcome to come along.

TO MANY ADVERTISMENTS ARE COMING THROUGH OUR DOORS

Anyone who has been away for a few days will often have come back to a mini mountain of unwanted /solicited advertising material. To make things worse this material has been delivered umpteen times in the past.

A leaflet/ advertisement put through the door now and again is understandable but when the same thing or something almost identical is posted through your door over and over again it becomes maddening. The Post Office add to the problem through no fault of their own by having to put the same adverting letters through you door over and over again.

Putting a notice on your door "NO free adds or charity bags please" has little or no effect in my experience.

I am clearly not saying the odd leaflet advertisement should not be delivered but there in my view needs to be some restriction after all our recycling pods are only so big. It is not only the resident who should be made responsible for recycling.

I have asked the Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood, if anything can be done nationally about this issue and reminded him that the issue of over packaging of goods generally (food and so on) has never really been dealt with? and I have also made senior Council officials aware of the impact this has on recycling.

FLY TIPPING ON THE INCREASE.

One of the worst side effects of good weather and lighter nights is the return of the fly tipper.
I have had reports from the Atlantic Road area for example this is going on in a fairly big way in rear access ways.
Sadly most of this fly tipping happens where residents do not lock their rear access way gates and travelling fly tippers find easy access.
The lesson must be LOCK YOUR REAR ACCESS WAYS. and remember this land is usually the resents own responsibility to protect..
If you see any fly tipping going try and note any details type of vehicle, registration No and any description and inform the Council or Police. ( The Police have informed me they will be monitoring the situation)

There is no excuse for fly tipping as the Holford Drive Salvage department is free to use and is only minutes away from anywhere in Oscott. The fine for fly tipping has increased but evidence is needed to prosecute.

IT MAY BE HOT BUT DO NOT GO IN THE QUESLETT RESERVE LAKE

On the rare occasions when we have hot weather it may be tempting to go into open water. In the case of the Questlett Nature Reserve Lake do not be.
This water is not treated and may cause stomach bugs or skin infections.It is also not safe to swim in. The water could be dangerous so keep well away from it and do not let dogs enter it either.
Be safe be careful and leave well alone.

METROPOLITAN COLLEGE UPDATE

Work to demolish the old College out building to help create an extra 74 car spaces on the college site is now well underway.
I know from speaking to local residents the work cannot be done fast enough. Everyone  really does hope these extra car spaces will make a big difference to the limited street parking in streets nearby.
The creation of extra college car spaces is certainly something I have been pushing for for years.




Also see post dated 8th April

MISSED RECYCLING WHEELIE BINS IN OSCOTT

A number of residents have contacted me to inform me their recycling Wheelie bin has not been emptied this week.

I have as a result informed the Local Salvage Manager who has assured me this will be corrected and where possible these bins will be collected the next day (THE BINS SHOULD BE LEFT OUT)

It would appear there have been some problems during this first week of picking up and emptying Recycling Wheelie bins clearly this is not good enough, I have however I have been assured a number of lessons have been learnt and I have been asked to pass on an apology for any inconvenience.

JOINT MP AND COUNCILLORS SURGERY SAT 6TH JUNE

There will be a joint Perry Barr MP (Khalid Mahmood) and Oscott Councillor (Tristan Chatfield) advice surgery tomorrow (Sat) at the 610 Community Centre (10.30am)

OSCOTT ELDERLY RESIDENTS ENJOY TRIP TO BOTANICAL GARDENS

The Oscott Elderly Residents Group enjoyed a great day out at the Botanical Gardens yesterday.

The weather was good and there tour of the gardens was enjoyed by all who went. Sadly I was unable due to prior commitments able to go as a volunteer but I am sure I was not missed.

Maureen Byrne Chair of the OERG told me it is a lovely place interesting but peaceful at the same time.

The OREG hold regular meeting where they have a good get together for fun , company and entertainment, every third Wednesday in the month at the 610 Community Centre.
 (11.15am ) Kingstanding Road.
 Light refreshments are available at a small cost.

They also attend advise sessions with  Oscott Residents Association and from time to time the Oscott Neighbouhood Police Initiative group leaders on the first Saturday in the month at the 610 Community Centre at 10.30am.

For further information please ring 675 2349

OSCOTT'S FIRST WEEK WITH WHEELIE BINS

As may have been expected during the first week in Oscott where the Wheelie Bin collection has started there have been a few problems.
In some roads the wrong information leaflet packs was given out leading to bins being put out on the wrong day.
In some cases bins have not bin collected and in others promised assistance has not been given.

Clearly none of this is good enough but in the cases I have been aware of and where I have informed the department mistakes, have been for the most part put right or should be for next week.
Over all in the vast majority of cases the service worked well enough it would seem, even with the unusually high winds we have had.

Clearly there will always be some residents who do not like wheelie bins (there are many who do) but most seem satisfied to try and get used to them and many of the horror stories predicted have not come to fruition.
 For those who are really struggling with them there will be an opportunity to inform the Salvage department after a few weeks and giving them a reasonable try, to ask for another look at the situation.

If you still have genuine concerns in July send me an email and I will support your request for a review of the situation where possible.

THE BATTLE FOR BETTER TREE PRUNING IN OSCOTT GOES ON

Sadly I have now received confirmation that some of the petitions I have handed in for Oscott residents calling for trees in various Road to be pruned more vigorously and in some cases replaced with more suitable varieties have been rejected.
With this in mind I am calling on the authorities to re look at the various policies involved as they need to be changed. I have also asked our MP to look into the issue nationally.

I have always indicated getting better tree pruning in Oscott would not be easy and could take some time but I am willing and will to continue the battle.

If you want to continue the battle and want to help in my campaign to get the trees in Oscott pruned better (trees can be see picture above) please email me.

A Public meeting on the subject is being arranged for later in the summer.

BOWMAN ROAD , CADDICK ROAD HOUSING ESTATES WALK ABOUT TODAY

I attended the Housing Estates Management walk about today in Bowman and Caddick Road.
It was good to see residents took the time to take part along with Council Housing officers.
A number of issues were raised and will be looked at including fly tipping, flooding, when will Booths Lane be completed, trees needing replacement or pruning and speeding vehicles.

QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE IS LOOKING CLEAN AND TIDY

Along with NPI members I carried out a mini litter pick on the Queslett Nature Reserve.
we were also looking for signs of vandalism or anti social behaviour)
I was pleased to see the litter bins and signs are all still in place and the site was already generally tidy. However it is important that dog owners bag and bin their dogs mess.
What a difference regular litter picks make to the reserve.
The next full FQNR activity day is due to take place in July  date T.B.A

FURTHER REASONS WHY A NUMBER OF TREES IN THE OSCOTT AREA NEED FURTHER PRUNING

Following today windy weather in a number of locations in Oscott Old Oscott Lane and Warren hill Road for example a number of large branches have fallen from overgrown street trees narrowly missing residents and cars.
Once again I am calling on Amey to prune overgrown trees more vigorously and in some instances replace these old large trees with more suitable ones.
Like a number of residents I an very concerned what may happen should we have a full on storm when we have so many trees in Oscott which need to be pruned much more.

GREENHOLM ROAD SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY MEASURES

While meeting some  Greenholm Road school parents and school Crossing attendant recently I was shocked to see some parents driving and parking on the verve opposite the school entrance completely disregarding the safety of the children crossing the road with the Crossing attendant.

I have since insisted the District Transportation Engineer see the situation for himself and he has now agreed to have some bollards installed on this verge to protect the Crossing attendant and the children he crosses over the road.

It is very sad that we the rate payer have to pay the cost of the actions of a few parents who feel the need to park in such a dangerous way.

Double yellow lines to be located near local road junctions are also being considered.

OSCOTT WHEELIE BIN COLLECTION SERVICE STARTS NEXT WEEK

For most Oscott residents (and the collection crews) Tuesday 2nd June will be the first time the wheelie bin collection wheelie bins will be in operation. As is often the case when any thing new happens there may be a few mistakes made by all parties so please be patient for the first couple of weeks and the system may take a little time to get used to. Other areas of the city I have been told have found the new system to be a success once it settled down.

All new Wheelie bins which have been delivered should have with then an instruction leaflet/pack which needs to be read carefully.

It should be noted in particular for some Oscott residents their collection day has altered. (Please note the calender in the instruction pack)

You can keep your old recycling and dustbins if you wish (they make excellent compost bins) or the council will take them away for you (see instruction pack)

OSCOTT TREE MAINANCE CAMPAIGN UPDATE

I am still waiting for some petitions to be sent to me however I am working closely with my ward colleagues Councillors Tristan Chatfield and Barbara Dring to try and organise a Public meeting to discuss the tree pruning program in the Oscott area. MP Khalid Mahmood has already indicated his willingness to attend. The meeting is likely to take place in early July.

POLICE NUMBERS TO FALL IN THE OSCOTT AREA

A number of residents have contacted me alarmed at the possibility of there being a significant cut in Police numbers in the Oscott area.
Sadly this has been on the cards for some time as a result in the governments planned cuts to the West Midland Police Forces funding.
I am afraid it is one of those things that public have been warned about before the elections and now in most areas we will see the changes taking place.
W have already seen the Kingstanding Police Station front doors having to remain shut to the public and now we hear even more cuts are to be made.

Locally I am still working closely with the Local Oscott Neighbourhood Police Initiative volunteers and some Neighbourhood Watch Groups but it is clear that residents will have to do more to protect their property and them selves. However by working together and with groups like those named above we can all help prevent crime.

COUNCILLOR CHATFIELD OSCOTT LABOUR CAMPAIGN TEAM COORDINATOR

The Oscott Labour Team understand the unprecedented challenges ahead as we try and help Oscott residents face the  problems faced by cuts in the Councils funding by the government




Councillor Tristan Chatfield has become the Oscott Labour Parties Campaign Team lead co coordinator.
In this role he will be campaigning as part of the Oscott Labour Team harder than ever in order to help residents overcome the problems they will face as a result of the governments cuts effecting the Councils activities and services.

The huge governments cuts effecting Birmingham will take some getting used to and will effect many Oscott residents for some years to come, but the Oscott team will do what it can to help residents facing the cuts and Tristan will be at the forefront of our efforts.

RAY HASSALL NEW LORD MAYOR OF BIRMINGHAM

 

Congratulations to Ray Hassall on becoming Birmingham's Lord Mayor.
Ray who has been a Councillor for the Perry Barr Ward for many years deserves the title and will do a great job with his normal sense of humour and pride in the city.

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.