BATTLING TO GET POT HOLES IN OSCOTT REPAIRED

Given the particularly wet weather we have had recently it has been inevitable more pot holes should appear on our streets.

 As many residents already know I regularly report pot holes to Amey the Highways contractor who deal with the problem.

 If you have a concern about a pot hole and would like me to pass the details on than email me Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov alternatively phone me on 303 2039 (messages) or if you have one send back one of my return cards.

 Please however let me have the location (nearest House number) of where the pot hole is and I will do my best to get it sorted out.

PERRY BARR MP UPDATE

Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood has asked me to pass on his thanks to all those from which ever political party who have wished him a speedy recovery following his recent kidney transplant operation.
Khalid is on the road to recovery and thanks to all the hard work of the hospital staff he hope to be out of hospital and back at work in a matter of weeks rather than months.

He has also asked me to remind his constituents in his absence his office staff are still working hard on behalf  of  residents with problems and they can be contacted by ringing 356 8264.
They are also holding surgeries on his behalf.

PERRY BARR DISTRICT COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PROPOSED DISTRICT SAVINGS (LIVE STREAMED)

For those Oscott residents who missed the announced Perry Barr District savings Proposal at the recent Oscott Ward Committee this is a chance see for your selves the cuts the District is being forced to make due to government cuts in funding to Councils like Birmingham. 2014/2016

The Perry Barr District Committee ( which includes the Oscott Ward) will be live streamed tomorrow
30th January from 3pm.
 Members of the public are also invited to these meeting which are held at the Council House rooms 3 and 4.
There will also be other reports from the Council to consider.

TREES IN OSCOTT TO BE RE LOOKED AT

Following a site meeting with a senior Amey Tree maintenance engineer today it has been agreed that a number of trees in a number of roads will have the way the way the trees have be pruned looked at again.
It was agreed that in a number of cases trees needed more work done on them Also tree root damage will be looked at again.
Just some of the roads involved are.
Elmbridge Road
Anstey Road.
Marshal Grove
Blakeland Road
and Old Oscott Lane.

It should be noted that trees are no longer pol larded or severely pruned but in some cases more pruning can be done. If you have a concern about this issue please contact me by emailing.
keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk.
As ever unlike some in the past I make no promises but I will pass on your concerns.

RE OPENING BOOTHS LANE AN UPDATE

I have spoken to  senior Persimmons homes representative today who has assured me the re opening of their section of Booths Lane is still on target for the end of February.

OSCOTT'S TREES NEED TO BE PRUNED BETTER

Like a number of Oscott residents I find the way Amey ( the private contractor the previous Council Administration struck up a deal for a 25 year contract with) are pruning many of the large forest type trees in Oscotts roads is not good enough.

I many cases it is a case of trying to spot what they have pruned.

I can not be economical to send out crews to prune so little and at times have to go out again because of complaints from residents and myself. These large trees need to be well pruned and  more need systematically replacing with smaller native varieties. It is not the crew who does the works fault they are only doing what they are told.
I am all for the need for trees as they have benefits ecologically but large ones are more suitable for our open spaces and parks.

I will be meeting with senior Amey Representatives shorty to discuss my (and residents complaints) regarding the way many of the trees in Oscott have and are being pruned. If you have any concerns regarding this issue please
 Email me Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk and I will pass on your concerns.

STRANGERS IN CARS UPDATE POLICE MAKE ARRESTS LOCALLY

There has been  arrests made in the Oscott Beeches Estate area in connection with a previous incident where school children were allegedly asked to get in a strangers van.
There will be a number of relieved parents today in the Oscott area. Well done to those who tried to help by passing on information to the Police
Press details will have more information.
Well done the local Police team.

PERRY BARR MP ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

PERRY BARR MP ON ROAD TO RECOVERY

The MP for Perry Barr Khalid Mahmood  underwent surgery at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Edgbaston recently. The operation to receive a new kidney went well and Khalid is now recovering. It is hoped the recovery period will be around 10 weeks. In the meantime his Constituency team are continuing to work for local residents in his absence.

I am sure everyone would wish him a speedy recovery.

YOUNGSTERS SHOULD KEEP AWAY FROM STRANGERS IN CARS

I have no firm information but in a couple of locations near schools in the Oscott area youngsters may have been approached with the intention of being enticed to a van.?
I would strongly urge children be warned never to get into a strangers vehicle or stand to close to a door when beckoned by a passenger or driver. Stand well back and keep safe. Never get into a strangers car for any reason.
Youngsters approached in this way should inform their teachers, parents and Police as appropriate.

The Police are aware of these incidence and are investigating the matter. If you have any information please contact the Police ASAP.

COOKESY LANE PAVEMENT UPDATE

With the Help of residents like Mrs Berry in Cooksey Lane I presented a petition to the Birmingham City Council last year calling for the pavements in Cooksey Lane to be repaired and improved.
I have now had it confirmed that foot way work will start on the Cooksey Lane Pavement with the target to have it finished by the end of May 2014 weather permitting.

This should be good news for the residents in Cooksey Lane.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHEELIE BINS BOUND FOR OSCOTT ARE MADE IN THE UK

Ever since Councillor James Mckay (the Cabinet member responsible) announced the plan to modernise Birmingham’s refuse collection system by introducing wheelie bins, I have often been asked about where we are buying them from AND WILL THEY BE BRITISH.? 

Recently the Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet  made decisions on the contract awards for the bins that will be delivered city-wide to homes in the remaining 38 wards of Birmingham.(there are 2 wards already with bins as part of a pilot scheme.)

The contract for the 350,000 bins (180 litre capacity) that will be used for general household waste, currently put into black sacks, has been awarded to a company with its headquarters in Rotherham.

The contract for 380,000 bins (240 litre capacity) that will be used for recyclable waste, currently put into two small boxes, has been awarded to the same Rotherham-based company.

The contract for the 350,000 pods/caddies (55 litre capacity) that will be inserted into the recycling bins, for the collection of paper, has been awarded to a company from Hull.

Finally, the contract for the 3,000 bins (360 litre capacity) that will be offered to households of nine or more people, has been awarded to an EU company, with its production based in Germany.

In short this means of the 1,083,000 bins we have procured, 99.7 per cent will be made in the UK.

Many councils up and down the country are already buying bins at the moment as a result of the government grants they won through the Weekly Collection Support Scheme and Birmingham has followed their lead although there has been some reluctance in some quarters.

I understand that there are still Oscott residents with concerns about receiving wheelie bins but at least the fact that the vast majority of them will be made in the UK and will help secure jobs in this country, will be welcomed by most people.

Oscott house hold waste Wheelie bins are due to be rolled out next year 2015 and when they are if you have any concerns about them please let me know and I will do what I can to help.

For example elderly or disabled residents can receive help moving them!

Email Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

KINGSTANDING ROAD CARRIAGE WAY RESURFACING ROAD CLOSURE

Amey will be resurfacing KINGSTANDING CIRCLE TO BEACON ROAD ON BOTH SIDES

When Will This Happen?

The expected start date is during the week ending 21^st February 2014. The work will last for up to 5 nights. Amey will be working weekdays at night between 19.00pm and 6.00am hours. Amey have to work on this road at night because it would cause congestion or access problems if they closed the road during the day. They will endeavour to keep noise to a minimum but inevitably their work will cause some disruption. Please accept their sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused.

PLEASE CONSULT THE FREE STANDING YELLOW SIGNS THAT ARE LOCATED AT EITHER END OF YOUR ROAD, FOR SPECIFIC START DATES

Traffic Information

Kingstanding Road will be subject to a road closure. Width and speed restrictions will be in force during the road closure. For details of bus service diversions please see:

·         http://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/information/temporary-diversions/

·         Visit your local Travel Shop

·         Call 0121 254 7272

Further Information

If you require further information ring 303 6644

MOST GRIT BINS IN OSCOTT ARE TOPPED UP

I have been out looking at grit bin levels in Oscott and have found most I have seen to be OK.
 We have been lucky so far with the weather but I am trying to make sure we are not caught out.
However if you notice a empty grit bin in Oscott give me a ring and I will let the Highways (Amey) know.
E.mail keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk or ring 303 2039 and leave me a message.

OSCOTT HOUSE BOUND RESIDENTS WILL CONTINUE TO RECIEVE A FREE LIBARY SERVICE

Despite some "misguided" rumours going the rounds in the Oscott area, there is no intention to dispense with the Library Service at Home for people who are housebound. 

We all  know to be a highly valued service, and no proposals change this free service are to be introduced.

It would not be legal to charge for this service as the Library Service is statutorily free at the point of access (for book borrowing), and no one would not wish to disadvantage vulnerable members of the community except perhaps some who are putting round unhelpful rumours which are upsetting to some of  elderly Oscott residents. 

Sadly due to the government severely cutting its funding to the Council a lot of unpleasant cuts are having to be made in council services.