VIOLENT CRIME MUST BE STOPPED

The growing national trend for violent crime including knife crime has sadly surfaced in and near the Oscott area.
Violent crime while not at epidemic proportions by any means in Oscott is simply not acceptable.

A year or so ago I suggested a knife amnesty for the area with a place ( Kingstanding Police Station) where weapons could be handed in. Sadly this was not taken up but with recent events in mind I have called for this again.

I understand the limitations on Police number due to Government cuts in their funding but I have appealed for more activity from them in places like ASDA and the Kingstanding Circle.

Both Councillor Barbara Dring and I are concerned about any rise in violent crime in the area and will do what we can to urge action be taken to prevent it.

YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE BIRMING CITY COUNCIL'S BUDGET PROPOSALS

Birmingham City Council has launched its budget consultation 2019+ and would like to hear your views on the proposals.
There will also be a chance to ask the co...uncil’s Cabinet questions during two live streamed meetings and a free public event.
The consultation runs until 31 December 2018. Find out more and have your say at http://bit.ly/brumbudget19. #brumbudget19

Don't forget most of the cuts which have or may take place are mainly due to the Governments failed austerity policy which has led to cuts in their funding to the Birmingham City Council.

WITTON LODGE COMMUNITY ASS AT KINGSTANDING LIBRARY

WITTON LODGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION AT KINGSTANDING LIBRARY

 

An update

 1.      They have have continued with our their  at Kingstanding Library, ( help by previous funding organised by Councillor Barbara Dring and my self, focusing on jobs and skills, inc;
 - Providing 1-1 support and CV writing
- Helping to write job applications and prepare for interviews.

2.      They have also been providing a lot of 1-1 IT Support, ranging from;
- How to use Microsoft Word

- Setting up and using emails

               -Creating and using universal accounts

              - Scanning and sending documents via email e.g. housing and council tax benefit documentation.

       3.  They still hold a monthly Housing Advice Surgery and have helped residents to complete other online forms e.g. Birmingham City Council Housing applications.

       4. They have also helped the library staff by answering the phone, helping the library staff with their tasks and answering general enquiries.

Councillor Barbara Dring and I are at hand to offer any further support we can if you need their help just pop into the Kingstanding Library when they are there.

We are having to fight Government cuts but we are trying to help our residents where we can.

OUT ON LAMPOST PATROL IN OSCOTT

I have been out and about this evening on patrol looking for faulty street lights in Oscott.
If I see any I make sure they are reported. Cannot see all the street lights in Oscott so if you do see one either report it your self or Email me on Keith Linnecor@birmingham.gov .uk and I will report it on your behalf. ( I would need the exact location.
Mind you there are plenty of fire works about.

OLD BOTTLE BANKS ARE BEING REMOVED

It is good to see the efforts of Councillor Barbara Dring and I are paying off and the Old underground bottle banks located at the junction of Old Oscott Hill and Oscott School Lane are being removed.

These banks were in their time very useful sadly however they have developed faults and damage and have been out of commission for some time.
Despite signs letting people know they were not in  use some people have decided to fly tip at this location which is why they are being removed.

I NEED YOUR FULL DETAILS IF YOU NEED MY HELP

I would like to remind Oscott residents if they would like me to try and help with a concern they have when contacting me by phone ( if I am unavailable) or Email.

Please leave your

 Name

Address

and( if contacting me by phone) your phone number

If you leave brief details of your concerns I may not have to contact you for them before trying  to help.



If you have one of my cards please fill in the details before send it to me ( it is Free Post)


If you are leaving me a mobile number please ensure it has the full 11 number in it!

DONT FORGET TO WEAR YOUR POPPY

Wear your Poppy with pride I know I will

RATS CAN BE A REAL PROBLEM

Rats can be a real problem I have received a number of complaints about them recently which I am trying to get addressed. I fully understand residents concerns.

It's estimated that rodents are responsible for depleting one-fifth of the global food supply every year. And rats communicate and mark their territory by urinating pretty much everywhere they go.

Rats are considered a public health pest because they:

·         contaminate food intended for human consumption

·         carry diseases such as Leptospirosis (Weils Disease), Salmonella and Typhus (which can be fatal to people)

·         cause damage by gnawing, burrowing and digging

Rats are found in properties where there is a food and water source (e.g. cupboards, waste bags on the floor or left out pet food/ leftovers). They can also be detected by droppings, evidence of fresh gnawing and tracks.

Some estimates put the annual financial cost of soiled or damaged goods caused by rats at over £11 billion

The[ rat  UK population of brown rats is peaking at 15 million… and rising.

You can deal with rats yourself but many rats due to the over use of poisons that are used by residents are becoming immune and professional treatment can be expensive (it is best to shop around and check out the internet.).

You can help keep rats away by

• Avoid leaving food lying around either inside or outside your home;

• Place all household rubbish in bins with tight fitting lid;

• Keep bird food off the ground (or invest in a rat proof bird feeder); Feed early and not after dark.

• Do not store pet food in garages and sheds (or ensure that they are in galvanised containers) and cover drain pipe ends with chicken wire to help prevent rats climbing into roof spaces;

• Clear up fallen fruit from trees, leftover bird food and pet mess in your garden;

• Check buildings for access holes and fix any broken air bricks or gaps round pipes;

• Make sure gaps in walls and around pipes are closed as rats can get through a space as small as 10 millimetres

Also do not leave waste food out over night or fly tip bags with waste food in them.

Rats impact on our wildlife too, preying on insects, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles and more. Ground-nesting birds make particularly easy targets. If you are using open spaces like the Queslett Nature Reserve, please put any litter or food waste in a litter bin for collection or take it home with you.

Rat infestation is a problem which changing weather patterns not helping. Rats should be taken seriously by all; the government also needs to do more with extra funding to help control the numbers of rats.

 

 

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 [CKL1]

MR COOPER COTLEIGH GROVE WINS ANOTHER MEDAL FOR HIS GARDEN

I was pleased to meet up again with Mr Cooper of Cotleigh grove who yet again this year won a silver on the City in bloom event. I always like looking at his garden sadly however the blooms have begun to fade now.
Well done Mr Cooper

IT WAS NICE TO MEET AN OLD ENERMY TODAY

Pleased to meet up with former Oscott Councillor Margarete Sutton ne Sparry. Despite her being a Conservative! we always got on well and I like to think we had a mutual respect for each other. She certainly put residents first.

I have always had a lot of time for Margarete who like me knew how to put the political business found in the Council house to one side to concentrate on trying to help Oscott residents and enjoyed doing so,
She was a tough opponent but fair and never claimed the work of others like some have in the past.

reporting littering and flytipping in oscott

Councillor Barbara Dring and I have been out and about again reporting fly tipping and littering found  in Oscott

OSCOTT COUNCILLORS SURGERY

Councillor Barbara Dring and I will be holding our next Councillors surgery on November 7th at the 610 Community Centre. 7PM

JOYCE LEE R.I.P

It was with great sadness that I have learnt of the passing of Joyce Lee.

Joyce was a lovely caring person who was always will to help those she could. She was a good fried,
Joyce was also one of a dwindling amount of people who rather than just complain about things tried to do something instead. She cared deeply about her community.

My condolences go out to Jimmy and his family

WASTE RECYCLING CENTRE PERRY BARR NOV OPENING HOURS

THESE ARE THE WINTER OPENING HOURS THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR FLY TIPPING


Holford Drive, Perry Barr, B42 2TU
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View the queue

Operating times

November to end of March
Mon to Fri: 8am to 6pm
Sat to Sun: 8am to 4.30pm  (No vans after 4:00 pm)
(Except Christmas Day & Boxing Day)

April to end of October
Mon to Fri: 8am to 8pm
Sat to Sun: 8am to 6pm (No vans after 4:00 pm)

Recycling facilities

They are able to recycle/re-use the following items:
Green garden waste, Cardboard, Paper, Glass, Metal, Wood and wood-based products (MDF, chipboard etc), Engine Oil, Car Batteries, Fridges & Freezers, Textiles, Shoes, TVs & CRT Monitors, Fluorescent tubes, Gas bottles, Soil, Hardcore & Rubble.

Please do not put gas bottles (full or empty) into the metals skip.  Please use the special area provided for gas bottles.  If in doubt, please speak to the staff on site who can advise.

BENCH REPAIRED AT LAST

For some time now Councillor Barbara Dring and I have been requesting the bench on Kingstanding Road near the Norbury Road junction be repaired as we know it is well used by elderly residents.
I am pleased to announced this repair has been carried out and elderly resident can take a rest now when climbing the hill on Kingstanding Road.

MEETING WITH OSCOTT RESIDENTS WHO CARE ABOUT THE AREA

With, John, Brenda and Brian

It was good to meet up with Oscott Local resident's who have put in their time over the years to try and improve the Oscott area.

FLY TIPPING AND LITTERING NEEDS TO STOP

 

There is just no excuse to litter and fly tip our streets in Oscott.
Councillor Barbara Dring and I regulary report fly tipped rubbish or excess litter on our treets but sadly few of those dirty people who do it are deldom fined.

TREE VANDALS ARE OUT AND ABOUT AGAIN

Sadly tree vandals have been out and about again in Oscott.
When the Council allow street trees to be removed they have to be replaced somewhere in the area however these new tree seem to attract a certain type who simply cannot resist vandalising them.
We seem to be living in a society where many just do not understand the environmental and ethsetic value of trees. They would just like to live in an inner city type concrete jungle.

HEDGE HOGGS NEED HELP

Sadly this is the fate of many of our Hedge hoggs.
It is also why we must all try and do our bit to preseve them
Giving a Hedge hog a home, and room to rove beteeen gardens is important. ( leave a small gap in your fence).
Leave a little food out for them and check they are not sleeping under any bonfires you light.
Give them a fighting chance of survival before its to late.

WHEN LIGHTING A BONFIRE PLEASE CHECK FOR HEDGE HOGS BEFORE YOU DO