Saturday 9 January 2010

PLANNING FOR THE CITY

Contrary to the views of some there is more to being a local Councillor than “swanning round looking at pot holes”. Councillors apart from doing their best to look after local residents, have city wide responsibilities.
For example I am on the Planning Committee which is regarded by many as one of the busiest committees on the Council. The Planning Committee is also now one of the few where Councillors can actually make decisions (after looking into a welter of legal implications), rather than just make recommendations. Decisions made by members of the Planning committee are independent although of course as the major group on the Council the Conservatives often have the leading say.
Some of the planning applications up before the Committee last year for example included.

The proposed new Central Library.
The hugely expensive TV screen in Victoria square
The Olympic sizes Swimming Pool in Ladywood where it will be impossible to park and may not be to the Olympic standards for swimming?
On a brighter note
The new Sutton Coldfield college campus on the Aldridge Road.
The Perry Barr Speed way application was agreed.
The Gate way project (New street station)
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital site
New buildings for Good hope Hospital
And last but not least on this brief list, the new Car Auction site on the college Road which should create over 200 jobs for people in this area.

One of the things I am continually reminding my colleagues on the committee about is the effects on our Flora and fauna / wildlife, of all these planning applications and I hope in some small way my efforts are helping to make a difference.

There was many other application which went before the committee and if you would like more information about them please let me know

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