ALDI OLD HORNS PLANNING CONSULTATION MEETING

Along with a number of residents Councillor Tristan Chatfield and Khalid Mahmood MP I took the opportunity today to look at the Aldi Old Horns crescent planning proposals.
There were a number of mixed view but certainly, traffic , parking and the effects on the local wild life were to the fore front
Against that were the views in favour of the need for competition for exiting retailers and the need for new job creation.

Don't forget if you would like to let the Birmingham City Planning department have your views just sent them into them or if you let me have your views I can pass them on for you.

OSCOTT SCHOOLS PARKING MEETING UPDATE

There are no easy answers when it comes to parking near schools the danger to children who we all have a responsibility to look after and the distress it can cause to local residents is well known.


Although the issue is caused in some cases by parents simply not thinking of the safety of children and problems they may be causing, it is up to schools and other agencies to play their part in trying to find solutions.

I would appeal to all the school in Oscott, please send a representative to this meeting which it is hoped will take place in early February. Your concerns and experiences are needed. This could be an opportunity for schools to learn from each other and for everyone to get involved more collectively in dealing with the problem. There are no easy solutions but in my case I would rather try and fail than to just sit back and do nothing.

I am pleased to say following discussions with Councillor Bridget Jones she has agreed that my initiative worthwhile venture and this could be something of a pilot for other wards in the city.

Residents will be kept informed and be given an opportunity to have their say at a follow up public meeting which we hope will take place in March

Also see post dated 15th December

OSCOTT'S GRASS VERGES ARE IN A MESS

Many of the grass verges in the Oscott area have become mud baths which need urgent action to repair or replace them with other material.
I am calling on Amey Highways (the private contractor given a 25 year contract by the previous Council administration to repair our streets) to urgenlty look into this issue and start dealing with the problem.

ALDI TO HOLD CONSULTATION MEETING WITH RESIDENTS RE OLD HORNS FOOD STORE

I have just been informed there will be a consultation meeting held by Aldi at the Pheasey Park Farm Community Centre, Hillingford Avenue. The time will be 3pm to 7pm on Thursday 14th January.
Residents will be able to see  Aldi's plans to build a food store off Old Horns Crescent and will be able to ask questions.

ALDI MAY BE AFTER OLD LOG STORE SITE ON THE QUESLETT ROAD.

The giant retailer Aldi are interested in the land on the junction of Old Horns Crescent and Queslett Road (next to the ASDA super store). Having checked with the Birmingham City Councils Planning department no planning application has been submitted yet. ( The land involved is not part of the Queslett Nature Reserve)

In view of the possibility of any planning application being submitted in the future I have asked that Transportation, Landscape and environmental issues be very carefully considered.


Naturally before I make any comments on the subject I would like to see any plans in full detail and would welcome comments from Oscott residents. (303 2039)

PHEASEY POST OFFICE SAVED

Although it is just outside the Oscott Ward I am pleased to be able to inform any Oscott Residents who use it that the Pheasey Post office (921 Queslett Road) is not to close.

In fact the Oscott Labour team helped push for it to be kept open to help Oscott Residents who live near by and use it.

From February 19th February it will be re vamped and have new counters, open longer hours and will have car tax facilities.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016

May I wish everyone a Happy New Year

DON'T FORGET TO ADD YOUR ADDRESS TO EMAILS IF YOU SEND THEM TO ME

Just a reminder if you email me wishing my help with a problem or issues, please remember to let me have your address.

FESTIVE GREETINGS TO OSCOTT RESIDENTS

I know from my case work 2015 has been a difficult and frustrating year for a number of Oscott residents.
Although the cuts in Council services expected next year due to lack of funding may make things equally troubling for some I will again do what I can to help although as ever I can make no promises.

all But lets try to be optimistic and I would like to take this opportunity to wish Oscott residents a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous and Peaceful New Year.

OSCOTT SOUP KITCHEN IS STILL NEEDED

A

s we enter the festive season I would like to thank the Seventh Day Adventist group volunteers for the work they do every Wednesday lunch time at the 610 Community Centre. During this time they operate a soup kitchen where a number of local residents can get a mug of free soup.

It is so easy to forget at this time of year the effects on poorer residents many of the Central Governments cuts are having surly they need to think again about their cuts and Austerity program..

WELL DONE MUAREEN BYRNE FOR PUTTING ON THE OSCOTT ELDERLY RESIDENTS FESTIVE TREET.

Along with my fellow Osott Ward Councillors, Barbara Dring, Tristan Chatfield and  I enjoyed a festive lunch today with the Oscott Elderly residents group. Following an entertaining meeting at the 610 Community Centre the OERG member went on to enjoy their festive meal at the Parson and Clark Public House.
It is amazing how much hard work Chair Maureen Byrne and her team of volunteers put in to ensure so many of Oscott more elderly resident get get out of their own homes to enjoy themselves in good company.

Before the main lunch 2 Chrismas hamper (made up from donate goods given by members of the group )were won by lucky members with the correct raffle tickets.

FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT THIS GROUP PLEASE RING 675 2349

OSCOTT DOG OWNERS PLEASE REMOVE YOUR DOGS MESS.

From the amount of post I am receiving it is clear dog fouling is still of great concern to many Oscott residents, especially mothers with young children.

I would appeal to dog owners please remove your dogs mess and ensure it is disposed of correctly and don't forget to take a bag out with you when you take your dog for a walk following your Christmas lunch for a bit of exercise.

OSCOTT SCHOOLS TO BE ASKED TO MEET TO DISCUSS PARKING PROBLEMS

Parking around schools in Oscott has been a real problem for a number of years.

The Police have been forced to be involved, dealing with countless complaints from residents complaining about inconsiderate and sometimes dangerous parking by some parents when they are picking up or dropping off the children at school.

The Council has in a number of places put in physical measures but like the Police Government cuts in their budget have made things much worse for them to do much more.

The Police now have fewer officers (and it will get worse) to deal with parking problems around schools. Past government cuts in their funding has began to really bite.
There is also the issue of air quality near our schools which is made worse by cars idling when parked close to schools Air quality is a serious issue and causes many health issues and problems environmental when poor.

With this in mind I am calling a meeting with all the schools in Oscott, the Local Police and the Birmingham City Transport department to discuss the joint issues that effect all the Oscott schools.

All schools in the Oscott area are involved when it comes to parking problems around Oscott schools as there are always knock on effects. I will be asking schools for their concerns and to see how they have tried to deal with the issue.

I hope all schools in the Oscott area will take this issue seriously and work with me and other agencies to try and at least ease some of the problems.

I will also be asking that this subject be part of a future Oscott ward meeting in order for residents to come along and have their say.

DONT FORGET I AM ALSO ON TWITTER

This is just to remind Oscott residents I am also on Twitter.

My Twitter address is

Keith Linnecor(@KeithLinnecor)

Twitter

 
https://twitter.com/Keith.Linnecor (@KeithLinnecor)
Twitter


However I seldom use Facebook.

To let me know any concerns please either Tel 303 2039 Messages or Email me. Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk
         

OSCOTT FAULTY STREET LIGHT PATROL

From Time to time I go out on patrol looking for faulty street lights. I have reported a number of them but cannot spot them all.
If you have a faulty street light in your road and would like me to report it please email me on Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

IMPROVEMENTS TO KINGSTANDING LIBRARY ON THE WAY

For many months now Councillors Barbara Dring, Tristan Chatfield and myself have fought to improve the Kingstanding library.
I am pleased to let you know the Council has been  successful in obtaining £250k of funding from The Wolfson Foundation to undertake improvements to five children’s library facilities in the city, and that these improvements are scheduled for the new year.

Kingstanding library is one of the libraries that will be included in the investment programme which will include

• Capital works to improve each of the 5 libraries including i.e. decoration, new floor coverings, shelving, lighting, signage and furniture. The specifics of what is required will vary from site to site.

• Technology including ipad and android devices, plasma screens, photography, DSLR cameras

• Activities including a local history project on what it is like to be living in Birmingham and attending school in 2015-16.

It is intended to undertake the improvement programme and refurbishment work for Kingstanding library from 15th Feb – 4th March and the library would need to be closed for this period. If you want to know any more details please let me know.

GREEN WASTE SERVICE SAVE £5 IF YOU SIGN UP IN DECEMBER

Sign up for 2016 garden waste service earlybird offer


Anyone wishing to have their garden waste collected in a clean and convenient way can subscribe to Birmingham City Council’s 2016 service from today (December 1).

The annual subscription charge is unchanged from this year at £35 for 20 fortnightly collections from February to November – with an earlybird discount of £5 for all orders made during December, reducing the cost to just £30.

Subscriptions can be made through the council’s website at www.birmingham.gov.uk/gardenwaste or by calling the contact centre on 0121 303 1112.

NB: Payment can only be made by debit/credit card and telephone lines may be busy during peak hours.

Suggested Tweet: Sign up for 2016 garden waste service earlybird offer https://t.co/ZxIB0lY6WF https://t.co/iUpZaSCSe9

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THE OSCOTT LABOUR TEAM OUT AND ABOUT

The Oscott Labour team are often out and about looking into issues raised with us by Oscott residents.
If you have any issues when you see us please just let us know.
Alternatively you can contact me by Email Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk or leave me a message on 303 2039

The Oscott labour Team is out and about all year around regardless of the weather.


Above photo. An election photo and ever since some of the team and others have been out and about
 If you would like to come out with us just email for further information.

Your Oscott Councillors Keith Linnecor, Barbara Dring and Tristan Chatfield are always interested in your views.

MARYVALE ELDERLY RESIDENTS GROUP CHRISTMAS DINNER GOES WELL.

At the request of the Maryvale helpers I popped along to the Beeches pub today (not for a drink) but to say along to the MaryVale Elderly Residents Group who were having their Christmas dinner there. Once again members of the group made me feel very welcome and some insisted on a kiss!
Its always good to see Oscotts s Elderly residents having a good day and certainly some of them were in good voice for the sing song.

AGE UK BIRDBROOK ROAD DOING A GOOD JOB

It was good to see when I popped in to see Age UK at their Birdbrook Road centre their elderly gusts enjoying a bit of relaxing exercise before tucking into their lunch.
The residents really do enjoy their Tuesday sessions and are well catered for my the Age UK helpers.
They also make you feel welcome.