THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE DONE TO STOP THE SPREAD OF JAPANESE KNOW WEED

 Sadly there is a fair bit of Japanese Knotweed in the Queslett nature Reserve and as many gardeners will know it is very difficult to kill off. I am however continuing to request that the Parks department try and kill off this weed and to stop it spreading.

For your information

Japanese knotweed is a rapid growing weed which spreads and overwhelms other garden plants. How to identify:

• green shovel shaped leaves;
• stem is bamboo like in appearance;
• produces white flowers around September or October.

What you should know

• it is the landowner's responsibility to control these plants but they don't have to remove them;
• you should not try to remove or dispose of them as it could cause the plant to spread, which is an offence;
• you can't dispose of Japanese knotweed in your green bin (garden waste) or take it to the tip (household recycling centre) it must be disposed of as controlled waste; 
• refer to the Environment Agency  for further information.

If you are worried about Japanese Knotweed spreading from a neighbouring property, speak to the land owner in the first instance.

The Council will do what it can to contain the spread of Japanese knotweed on public land.

KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH OSCOTT RESIDENTS VIEWS

As an Oscott Councillor I am always interested in what resident have to say.

If you have any concerns or views about the Oscott Ward or Birmingham there are a number of ways you can contact me to let me know.

I hold a surgery on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 9.30am at the 610 Community Centre.
You can leave me a message by ringing 303 2039.
If you have one of my return cards which are widely circulated you can return it FOC. ( you can pick one up in an Oscott library also)
You can write a letter to me C/O The Birmingham City Council House B11 BR
You can Email on Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

I also regularly visit elderly residents complexes, carry out walk abouts, attend public meeting, meet with Community Group leaders,as a regular bus user meet residents using the bus, attend Police Neighbourhood Tasking meetings.

I am also on Twitter and naturally this blog in order to try and let residents know some of the things I am doing

I like to listen to what residents have to say I do not always agree but that does not mean I am not listening. I also do what I can to try and help without making any promises.

NO NEWS YET REGARDING THE SALE OF LAND NEAR THE OLD HORNS CRESCENT/ QUESLETT ROAD

 

Following rumours regarding the sale of the land near the corner of Old Horns Crescent next to ASDA Queslett  I have contact senior Manager from the Planning department. This was in regards to the position in relation to the possible development of this site.

I have been informed there has been some informal advice about the possibility of accommodating a food store on the site, but there has been no recent communication with food store operators or their advisers. 

 I have however further raised previous  issues  - dealing with storage and other operational requirements to minimise the likelihood of litter affecting the surrounding area and in particular the adjoining nature reserve. And taking in to account the impact of a scheme in particular on boundary trees, trees within the site and ecology. 

I have now been assured the Housing team  have  had a site meeting with property services colleagues to raise these and other issues and will continue to take them in to account in any ongoing

discussions and that the needs of the Queslett Nature Reserve are remembered.

NOTE THIS LAND IS NOT PART OF THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE.

HELP PREVENT CRIME IN OSCOTT

As many Oscott residents will be aware due to huge cuts in funding to the West midlands Police force by the Government, many changes are having to be made which will effect the Oscott area.

We have already seen the start of the effects of these cuts by the closure of the Kingstanding Police Station to the public and now it looks like their Perry Barr station may go to?

There are clearly going to be reductions in the numbers of local officers and this will become more noticeable as time goes by. We have already seen some types of crime rise for the first time in some years.
Our Local Police team despite less funding have been doing a great job!
  The Local Police Team leader  Sargent Glynis Tomlinson

bearing all this in mind Oscott residents need to help them selves and act together for their own security.
For example in Oscott there is a Neighbourhood Police Initiative and a number of Neighbourhood Watch schemes that residents can join.

Residents need to keep there eyes and ears open keep an eye on not only their own houses and cars but also neighbours.

Some simple tips are.

Leave a light on when you go out.
Lock all windows and doors when you go out (and when you go to bed.)
Lock sheds gates and rear access ways
Never let anyone in your house without checking their ID.
Keep your car doors locked and do not leave items or cash on display.
Keep an eye on your neighbours property as well as your own.
Avoid using dark alleyways at night.
Keep an eye on your purse or wallet when yo go shopping.
If in doubt sit down stairs on a double Decker bus. ( report anti social behaviour to the Safer Travel team)
Post code your property including Wheelie bins.
Keep an eye on elderly neighbours and remember these tips are for everyone not just the elderly.
When reporting a non emergency use to Police 101 number to help free up the emergency 999 number.
In the case of any emergency ( when something is happening) ring 999.

If you have a concern you would like me to raise with the Police Email me on Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk.

 

 I meet with the Police and local community leaders regularly as part of the Oscott Police Neighbourhood Tasking Group to raise general Policing concerns in the area.

For further details on the NPI and Neighbourhood Watch Ring 675 2349

NEW FENCING ERECTED AT THE CORNER OF OLD OSCOTT LANE

New green steel fencing has been erected near the corner of Dyas Road / Old Oscott Lane.
Although the replaced wooden fence (I had that  put there some years ago to help prevent youths sitting on the older trip rail one) was not in too bad a condition it was felt new fencing would look better and would not have the same high maintenance costs.
The funding was found from the H.L.B budget for this year.

MY NEXT COUNCILLORS SURGERY

My next Councillor surgery will be on Tuesday October 27th. The venue will be the 610 Community Centre, Kingstanding Road and the time 9.30am.
If you have a Council problem you would like to raise with me please come along.
Alternatively you can leave me a message on 303 2019 (messages please leave your full contact details.)

BETTER ROAD SIGNAGE AT THE SHADY LANE ALDRIDGE ROAD JUNCTION PROPOSED.

Following a number of road accidents at the Shady Lane/ Aldridge Road junction I have contacted the Transportation department about the situation. AS most of the accidents seem to be drivers going straight on from Shady Lane into the Aldridge Road without stopping, better signage has been agreed.

SATURDAY CEDAR YOUTH ACTIVITIES

The Saturday  Cedar Youth hold sessions for children  from 3 to 6 years old
on Saturdays 6pm to 7.30pm

They also hold sessions you youngsters from 7 years old onwards, including teenagers. These sessions are held on Saturdays 7.30pm to 9pm. They are a chance to chill out with friends , with music, stories and games. (Poole and so on)

The venue is the Cedar Church,  Lambeth Road on the Bandywood Estate


For information contact Andrew Kisumba.
Em   info@cedar.church
www.cedar.church

BEWARE WHEELIE BINS ARE BEING STOLEN IN OSCOTT

It has come to my notice that Wheelie bins are being stolen in the Oscott area.
I have spoken to the Police about this issue and they will be trying to keep an eye on it.

I find it strange given the hostility by some to wheelie bins that others are going round stealing them!

I would suggest to any residents with wheelie bins try marking them (the lid or side) with paint or a permanent marker. I used to that with my dust bins when I heard that a number of dustbins had been stolen in this area some years ago.
If you post code the bin (use the number of your house and the post code).
 If they are lost you will be charged for a replacement. Also report the loss to the Police on their 101 number and get a crime number.
 Don't forget to have a quick look around to see if the bin has just been pushed further down your road.

I have also suggested the Council  consider using the Forward to pass on this information AND THEY SHOULD ENSURE WHEELIE BINS ARE LEFT NEAR THE PROPERTY THEY HAVE COME FROM WHEN EMPTIED. !

DONT LEAVE YOUR DOGS MESS IN A BAG IN BUSHES

 Use a litter bin to put your dogs bagged dog mess or take it home

Very sadly some dog owners have taken to bagging their dogs mess which is excellent but then tying up the bags in trees and bushes which is frankly disgusting. There is simply no excuse for this type of behaviour and it gets the vast majority of dog owners, who do the right thing and care deeply about the environment a bad name.
There a a number of litter bins on our streets in Oscott and near most of our few open spaces so there is no need to put bags of dog mess in bushes it is disgusting and on a number of occasions children have run into bushes playing just to discover dog mess in bags. The mind boggles as to the reason some dog owners do this!!!

This year I have had over a dozen litter bins replaced or newly located in the Oscott area.

KEEP REAR ACCESSWAY GATES LOCKED TO HELP PREVENT FLY TIPPING

 By not locking your rear access way gate you can end up with rubbish like this at the back of your home.




Sadly a number of Oscott residents are being effected by fly tipper dumping rubbish in rear access ways. despite the fact that just 5 minutes down the road at the Holford Road recycling Centre (off Aldridge Road) rubbish will be taken in free of charge some insist in dumping their rubbish locally.

This anti social act is unacceptable the Council also offer a £25 rubbish removal service and to just dump behind someones property is not good enough.

One way residents can hep prevent this fly tipping is to ensure if they have them rear access way gates are kept locked. This also has the effect of keeping anti social groups of youths out of the drives and adds security to the rear of properties.

If  Oscott residents have genuine problems finding funds to pay for a pad lock for their rear access gates and if residents will use a new pad lock funding may be available to help. Ring me on 303 2039 and I will do what I can to help along with my fellow ward Councillors



Unlocked rear access way gates leves an easy target for fly tippers

ZERO HOUR CONTRACTS NEED TO GO

I am often contacted by Oscott residents who are forced to take on work which only offers Zero hour Contracts.
These contracts offer little or no security for those on them and many feel they are being forced to take this type of work by government rules on unemployment. Those on these contracts are at the whim of employers when it comes to what hours they are working and have few if any rights other workers in this day and age expect
There may be some advantage to some in the community such as students and those who have retired (in some cases) but surely in this day and age all workers should have far better rights. Zero Hour Contracts need to be phased out and I am happy to the support the campaign to do this.
I was pleased to find out following requesting information that the Birmingham City Council do not employ anyone on Zero Hour Contracts and are trying to dissuade others from doing so.

ITS TIME TO CHECK OUT GRIT BIN SALT LEVELS

As those of you who read this blog on a regular basis will be aware during the  winter  I regularly check that grit bins in the Oscott ward are topped up with salt. When I find a bin running low I contact Amey Highways with a top up request.

If you are aware of a grit bin which needs topping up please email me Keith. Linnecor@birmingham>gov.uk or leave me a massage (your details and the grit bin location) on 303 2039)

ALRIDGE ROAD RECREATION GROUND WALK ABOUT.

Along with Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve I carried out a walk about on the Aldridge Recreation ground today.
Some of the issues brought to my attention were. the amount of litter left after matches (FQNR members have done litter picks in the past).
The amount of trees cut down.
I will be raising these issues with the Parks Management Team.

DATE OF THE NEXT OSCOTT MEETING ABOUT TREES ANNOUNCED

The date for the next public meeting in Oscott concerning trees, the way they are pruned and the need for a sensible, large tree, replacement program will be the 15th of October at 7.30 pm at the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road.
I would encourage anyone in Oscott with concerns about trees to try and get to this meeting to have their say. My campaign to get better tree pruning and a phased replacement of over grown street trees, although it wont be easy goes on. 
Council Officers and Amey Highways officer have been asked to attend.

ENTRIES CLEANED UP ON THE BANDYWOOD ESTATE

The Oscott Labour Team Councillors, Councillor Barbara Dring Tristan Chatfield and myself have been working with the Housing department to get entries in the Bandywood Estate area tided up.

We have had some successes like the one in the picture above in Kilburn Road but there are still a number to sort out.

We are also requesting the Housing department to do more inspections and to warn residents who are blatantly dumping rubbish in their entries not to do so. (Rubbish will still be received FOC at the Holford Drive recycling waste centre just 5 minutes away.

If you live on the Bandywood Estate and have a entry that needs a clean up please email me on Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

WHY NOT HAVE A RAMBLE

I have been asked by an Oscott resident to let residents know about the following group BW BIRMINGHAM WALKERS AND RAMBLERS BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT.


This city wide group hold rambles 4 times a month on the 2nd,and 4th Wednesdays and Saturdays. The cover between 5 and 8 miles ( some times shorter routes including wild life walks. The often have pic nicks and the walks are usually circular. each walk has a leader and public transport is recommended re getting to the start point.

Examples of there itinerary are

Sat October 17th a wild life walk in Cannock Chase using new street station leader Brian contact no 472 5143

Sat 28th November Sandwell Valley Walk Leader Lyn contact no 551 6521.

The club is also considering using the Queslett Nature Reserve a venue for their walks?

FOR FURTHER DETAILS  PLEASE CONTACT RAMBLE CO- ORDINATOR HARRY EYLES 353 2442

MISSED COLLECTIONS NEED TO BE DEALT WITH.

There seems to have been a rise in missed household waste and recycling material in the Oscott area recently.
I am aware in some cases this was due to roads not being accessible due to road maintenance work and so on, but clearly missed collections are not acceptable. I am also aware how frustrating missed collections can be for some residents.

When I receive a complaint about a missed collection I do what I can to get the situation sorted out as quickly as possible and to the best of my knowledge the complaints I have dealt with have been sorted out.

As a rule of thumb if you bin is not collected on the correct day it is best to leave it out and on many occasions it is collected the next day (if other in the street have also been missed?)

If you are an Oscott resident and have no joy trying to get you bin collected after ringing the Council email me on Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk or ring me on 303 2039 and I will do what I can to help.

QUESLETT LAND FILL SITE CAN BE DANGEROUS

The Queslett Closed land fill site (next to the ASDA Super store off Old Horns Crescent,) look to all the world like a peaceful green oasis in the ever developing urban North Birmingham.

The green wooded spaces and grass land which can be seen from distant heights can however be very miss leading. This site is potential dangerous for those who insist of trespassing onto it.
The land is highly contaminated with gases such as methane which have developed as a result of the burning off land fill household waste for many years.
A regular check is made on the level of gas by a very dedicated staff who work around the clock on the site. The site is criss crossed with underground pipes and vents which need monitoring.

Not only do these staff monitor the gas they also maintain the site creating important wind brakes in case of fire, but they also have to act as a deterrent to would be trespassers and vandals.

The site will not be opened to the public for decades due to the amount and type of gas found under ground with the site. This gas can be inflammable and highly toxic.

Sadly some are intent on getting into the site even using grinders to cut through the fences.These people need to know they are putting their lives and other in danger. I have asked the Police to be a vigilant as possible and would ask local residents and users of the near by reserve to inform the Police of anyone seen breaking into this site.
The message to all is keep out.

The neighbouring Queslett Nature reserve is safe to go on as only tiny traces of gas remain but the site is still checked regularly for safety reasons.

PATIENTS STILL WANT A NEW CROSSING ON SHADY LANE

Ever since the new Oakes Medical Centre was open for business there has been a call from patents for some form of crossing on the Shady lane to make it easier to get to.
This has been rejected by the Transportation department in the past but I have not given up trying on behalf of Oscott residents and I have demanded they re look at the situation.
I will keep you posted.

EARLY BIRD COUNCILLORS SURGERY 22nd. SEPT AT 9.30AM

I will be holding my next surgery tomorrow (22nd Sept) at the 610 Community Centre at 9.30am.
If you have an issue you would like me to look into please pop in.

If you are not able to come along please email your concerns Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

Clearly especially with all the cuts the Council are having to make as a result of the Central Governments cut backs in Local Government funding, I can not resolve all the issues I hear about , but I am willing to try and help if I can.

OSCOTT TREE CAMPAIGN UPDATE

2 further petitions from residents calling for better tree pruning and more FOR large trees to be replaced by smaller varieties, have now been presented by myself to the Birmingham City Council.
The petitions were from residents in Goodway Road, Harleston Road and Marshall Grove.

It is clear from my discussions with Oscott residents that no one is opposed to tree lined road but many of the trees in the Oscott area are just to old and large.

I am continuing

to call with a sensible program of replacement of large old trees with smaller more suitable varies which will grow steadily over the years.

Councillor Tristan Chatfield is now helping to organise a meeting in October (to be Chaired by Councillor Barbara Dring) where the powers that be will be available to discuss further the issues resident face with regards to over large trees.

RESIDENTS STILL WANT A CROSSING ON THE DYAS ROAD

The battle for a crossing on the Dyas Road near the Coop store goes on.
Despite rejections in the past along with local residents I am continuing to try and persuade the Transportation department that some form of crossing or a cross over platform is needed at this location.
A number of elderly and disabled residents as well as school children need to cross the Dyas Road at this point to get to bus stops and local shops.
The slow down signs are some help but I am currently working with local residents on another petition and will do what I can to be more successful this time road although clearly with all the cuts in funding faced by the Birmingham City Council this is not going to be easy.

If you would like to support this campaign please email me. Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

REQUEST FOR NEW BUS SHELTER IN SHADY LANE

On behalf of dozens of local residents and users of the Old Oak Medical Centre Shady Lane, I presented a petition to the Birmingham City Council yesterday, calling on Centro to think again and install a new bus shelter in Shady Lane.

The preferred location would be near the Winster Grove junction. There is not another shelter near by and patients using the new medical centre who use the 997 bus route have nowhere to shelter when waiting for a bus.

BURFORD ROAD UPDATE

Following a meeting organised by myself between various parties involved in the official use of the Burford Road playing field agreement to open the main Kingstanding Road gates has come about at last.

Other issues that have been sorted out were financial  arrangements the setting up of the pitches, the announcement that occasional  official spot checks are to be made of the site from time to time to see that the gates are being used properly and no un-authorised club organisations are using the site without payment.
Council officers have agreed to help look for further funding to allow better use of the site.

Lee Richards the current official user of the site will continue to use the site and monitor the Burford Road entrances to encourage parents to use the main entrance in Kingstanding Road to park their  cars.
He has also agreed to continue to litter pick the site after his clubs have used it and is happy to discuss with local residents any issues they have with his use of the site.

I feel that the good will shown all round at today meeting meant there has been a step forward and was pleased at the good will shown by those who attended the meeting on site.

The site will continue to be used by local residents and children will certainly continue to be encouraged to use the field for kick about's and other exercise.

PLEASE NOT ANY CLUBS WISHING TO USE THIS SITE NEED TO CONTACT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN ORDER TO ARRANGE FOR PAYMENT FOR ITS USE.

Also dog walkers please take home your dogs mess

ELDERLY OSCOTT RESIDENTS MATTER

In this day and age when Councils face cut after cut in their funding from Central Government and when the push for change in Council structures seem to be so important to the powers that be, we should not forget the elderly.
The grand strategy  and the hunt for new policies on how Councils run things is all very well but at the end of the day it is people who matter.

That is why I do what I can to meet as many Oscott residents as I can to hear what concerns them.
Attending Council meetings may look good on the records but nothing compares with trying to help local residents.
The elderly in particular can be easily forgotten by some which I why I make it my business to call into elderly residents complexes, attend elderly residents group meetings and make Councillor visits to elderly residents own homes.

Policies are all well and good but it is the resident who matters.

OSCOTT'S PDSA CHARITY SHOP NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

The Oscott PDSA Charity shop  (Peoples Dispensary For Sick Animals) 228 Hawthorn Road need volunteers to help run the shop to raise funds for sick animals.
Volunteers are needed for a few hours a week to help man the shop. Duties included sorting out stock, pricing stock and serving the public.

The shop carry a range of second hand goods, books, cloths bric a brac and so on.

Donations are welcome.

For further details pop in the shop or ring 382 2556

Sick animals need our help.

UN COLLECTED DUST BINS AND RECYCLING BOXES IN OSCOTT

A number of residents have been in touch with me concerning their old recycling boxes and dustbins not being taken away as indicated on leaflets from the Council.
I have been informed that far more boxes and bins than were anticipated have been put out for removal and this means there will be a delay in their collection.
The advice now is leave them out (as not to present a hazard) and they will be collected ASAP and hopefully by Monday next week.

I HAVE ASKED THAT EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO HAVE THE BOXES AND BINS COLLECTED SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

CENTRO YOUTH FORUM

Adam as seen in the middle of this picture is one of a growing band of young people with an interest in Public Transport.

There will be a meeting of the Centro Youth Forum at the West Bromwich Bus Station ((no 5 route from Oscott) on Saturday 19th September. (10am to 1pm)
This group is for any young person with an interest in public transport who is aged from 12 to 24.

The morning will showcase a day in the life of  busy bus station. There will be behind the scenes and a chat with staff at this award winning garage. There will be a lunch and an opportunity to meet others with an interest in public transport.

If you would like to become a member of the Centro Youth Forum or for more details
Email youthforum@centro.org.uk or ring 0121 214 7614

AMEY HIGHWAYS DELAY RESURFACING PART OF THORNBRIDGE AVENUE.

Like a number of residents living in Thornbridge Avenue or commuting along it, I am very disappointed that Amey Highways no longer intend to carry out resurfacing work along the whole carriage way in that Road.
Having informed me in writing m in November ( and I am glad I kept a copy) the Road was to to be done this summer they have now, following requests from the 3 Oscott Councillors to get this work done, told us they intend to do the work during the next financial year. This is clearly not good enough and I have informed them that is the case and will taking the matter up with the relevant Cabinet member.

The 3 Oscott Councillors, are now urgently pressing Amey Highways to think again and to for fill their commitments.

All Amey intend to do at the moment a a single stretch of the carriage way.



With this in mind My Colleague Councillor Tristan Chatfield is currently  petitioning residents about the issue and will make Amey Highways fully aware of the feeling of residents and commuters in regards to this matter.

This situation is simply not good enough.

DOG FOULING IN OSCOTT IS STILL A PROBLEM

Dog fouling has been a problem though out the summer holidays.
 A small minority of dog owners will just not bag their dogs mess and bin it.
The vast majority of to days dog owner do their duty and take care of their dogs and the mess they make but sadly a few give dog owners a bad name.

There is no excuse really bags can be obtained cheaply in pound stores and so on and I have managed to get a number of new litter bins for the Oscott area. (I am still trying to get more). There are plenty of warning stickers on lampposts and so on.

Clearly the worst offenders are those who let their dogs foul where children play near schools and playing fields  for example. Many parents complain quite rightly about how unpleasant it is to have to clean dog mess off their children's shoes and they should not have to do so.

 I again ask dog owners to bag and bin their dogs mess and I will continue to try and get the city's Dog Wardens to patrol the Oscott area as much as possible.

There is a substantial fine for those caught letting their dogs foul and not pick it up but I would rather see common sense prevail and all dog owners bag and bin or just take home  their dogs mess.

YOUNG PEOPLES INFORMATION ABOUT BUS SERVICES NOW AT THE 610 COMMUNITY CENTRE

I have created a young persons bus information corner at the 610 Community Centre.
With the help of Centro I have created a section on the 610's notice board where I have placed various information for young people , such as leaflets about student and school children's school  term passes. There are also leaflets with information about Smart card and Swift cards.
I hope to be adding more information as time goes by.

DAY CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY AT SAINT MARKS CHURCH

 The Saint Marks May Centre Bandywood Crescent B44 9JX is open Monday to Wednesday in the week.

Transport can be provided and there is a hot meal available.
There is a small fee to attend and different activities are available for elderly residents.

For further details and to find out about availability to attend  please ring 360 4298

GAILEY CROFT STREET LIGHTING UPGRADE

Following my various correspondence with Amey Highways who deal with street light upgrading, they have agreed that the Street lighting in Gailey Croft will be upgraded. The time scale will be 2015 / 2016.
Your 3 Local Oscott Councillors will do what we can to keep them to that time scale.

THE OSCOTT ELDERLY RESIDENTS GROUP IS STILL GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH.

I enjoyed attending another of the Oscott Elderly Residents groups 3rd Wednesday in the month social get  together and for once won a prize on their raffle.

These meeting help get elderly residents out of their homes and to socialise. Events at these meetings can include out reach exercises classes, quizzes, trips, guests giving talks  and a general opportunity to get together over tea, coffee and biscuits for a good chin wag.
 There is also an opportunity to ask an Oscott Councillor questions.

Maureen Byrne the Chair of the group and her trusted aides do a great job organising these meetings.
To take part in the raffle costs £1.50 and refreshments are 40p.
The group meets at the 610 Community Centre at 11.15am. The room they use is wheel chair friendly.
For more details please ring 675 2349

MEETINGS WITH OSCOTT'S COMMUNITY GROUP LEADERS

It was clear from a meeting I had today with some of the Oscott  local Community leaders that there is great reluctance to see any major changes in the Oscott Wards boundaries.
However the Boundary commission for England are requiring ideas for change and many of the groups are giving consideration to possible changes and will informing the Boundary commission of them.
 If any Oscott residents would like to make suggestions to the various Oscott Groups in the area,  for them to consider regarding the Boundary review, please ring 6752349 for details.

It was also clear that the Group leaders want the Oscott Ward Advisory Board to continue and would like to continue to support it.

THORNBRIDGE AVENUE CARRIAGE WAY UPDATE

Despite clearly stating in a Email/ letter dated 4th November that they (Amey Highways) would be " resurfacing  the THORNBRIDGE AVENUE'" carriage way by the 4th of June, they have only just begun on the Perry Barr end of the road. Clearly this is not good enough and along with my Ward Colleagues I will be complaining to them about this in the strongest terms, regarding getting on with the road surfacing work they promised.

Amey Highways who were given a 25 year contract by the previous Council administration to upgrade our roads, need to get used to doing what they commit to.

BURFORD ROAD PLAYING FIELDS UPDATE

Following a number of discussions with various parties I can announce that the Kingstanding Road gates to the Burford Road Playing Field site is now expected to be  opened and closed for officially organised and paid for matches shortly.

I hope this will mean an end to the long running saga of these gates not been opened for the vehicles of those using the site. This has caused problems for local residents in Burford Road due to extra parking taking place there.

The Education department have agreed that the ground is now capable of supporting parked cars as was the previous case.
There are some further issues regarding the use of the site, to be resolved which are in hand and hopefully may be resolved during a meeting  I an trying to arrange next month between various parties.

Any organisers who would like to use the site are advised to contact the Education department for further information.

FRIENDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE 15th AUG ACTIVITY DAY CANCELLED

The FQNR Committee are sad to have to cancelled the FQNR activity session planed for tomorrow 15 AUG due to expected bad weather. We will try and reorganise for another date later in the year.

For information please email
  brendafoqnr@yahoo.

To find out what is happening in the reserve please continue to use this blog

( I am also on Twitter)

OSCOTT COMMUNITY LEADERS INVITED TO INFORMAL MEETING

If you run a community group/ organisation  in the Oscott area or are thinking of starting one up I am holding a getting to know you session at the 610 Community Centre on Wednesday19th of August.
This meeting will be an informal opportunity to discuss with me any issues of concern

The meeting will take prior to the Oscott Elder Residents group meeting at 10.45am

QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE ACTIVITY DAY SAT 15TH AUGUST

Reminder 
The Next Friends of Queslett Nature Reserve activity day will take place on the 15th of August (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.


The FQNR are a small group of volunteers who believe rather than talk at endless meeting about improving the local environment and wild life it is better to do things actively.
They also take an interest in other open spaces in Oscott and help out in mini litter picks around the ward. it also works closely with the Oscott Residents association.

For further details please email.
Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

Chair
 FQNR

MEET QUILL THE NEW FRIENDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE MASCOT QUILL

PLATINUM BUSES COME TO THE AREA RE 997 ROUTE

A the Councillor champion for the route I am like NX pleased to confirm that more Platinum services have now been launched, this time on service 997 between Walsall/ Aldridge and Birmingham. I have tried a number of other routes with this service and found it very good

NX  Premium bus services give you fast class travel with some great updates that you wouldn't fine on a normal bus including...

EXTRA LEG ROOM & COMFY SEATS with high backs, more padding and loads of extra space.

FREE WIFI so you can work or play on the move using super fast 4G.

Please note that Wi-Fi on NX Platinum buses has a personal daily download limit.

A FABULOUS DRIVING TEAM with some of the best trained in the industry. They will do their best to help make your journey as comfortable as possible.

SAFE & SOUND with crystal clear CCTV, bright LED interior lighting, improved sound proofing, suspension & tinted windows.

NEXT STOP audio & visual next stop announcements, helping you get off at the right stop.
A CUSTOMER CHARTER promising to deliver the best service possible to you. View and download the Platinum Customer Charter here.
GREENER BUSES with the latest engine technology minimising fuel usage and nasty carbon emissions.

The 51X has also gone platinum

NX be launching more new Platinum buses between Walsall and Birmingham soon on the 934, 935 and 936, keep checking their twitter account for the news of when these will be ready to launch


Note also see post dated 27th January

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR DOG MESS IN THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

Despite the introduction of more new litter bins in the Queslet Nature Reserve a small minority of dog owners are still not bagging and binning their dogs mess.

Sadly at this time of year when parents are taking their children to the Queslett Nature Reserve to play and enjoy the reserve,  dog mess is still to be found. 
Amazing and even more unpleasantly a few dog owners for some unknown reason are bagging up their dogs mess and attaching the bags to bushes and you can imagine the distress this can cause young children playing in the reserve.

I also would like to thank the vast majority of sensible dog owner who either bag their dogs mess up and take it home or use the litter bins in the reserve.

I would also appeal to all dog owners once again to bag it and bin it.


Chair FQNR