Saturday 30 July 2011

ELDERLY BOWMAN AND CADDICK ROAD RESIDENTS NEED THE 651 BUS

Its time the 651 bus returned to Booths Lane and Bowman and Caddick Roads. This mini estate currently has no bus coverage and many elderly residents have to walk hundreds of yards to the Queslett Road to catch the 651 or 451 buses. The small size of the 651 buses would make it the ideal choice to use back on the old route which covered these roads The excuse that it was difficult to get these buses into this estate has now been resolved as the Queslett / Nova Court junction has been widened. The extra journey time would only be a few minutes at the most.
Taking the 651 away from these roads showed an appalling understanding of the needs of elderly bus users and a lack of vision.
I am now in touch with senior officers at Centro trying to encourage them to have another review of the situation.

Thursday 28 July 2011

OSCOTT CENTRAL NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM AGM 6TH AUGUST

The Oscott Central Neighbourhood Forum will be holding its AGM on Saturday August 6th. The meeting will take place at the 610 community Centre at 10.30 am.
For more information please ring Aubrey Long on 360 0766.

Saturday 23 July 2011

610 COMMUNITY CENTRE YOUTH CLUBS

Now the Summer School holiday are upon us once again I know parents will be trying to find their youngsters something to do. With that in mind I would suggest they get in touch with the 610 Community Centre (464 2268).

The 610 CC offer a range of activities for youngsters. this includes.

Duke of Edinburgh scheme (14-19)
Senior youth club (15-19)
Youth Club (11-14)
Junior club (6-11)

The 610 CC has a range of play and sports equipment and there are also a number of other clubs which use the centre.
For further details ring 464 2268

ALDRIDGE ROAD CALL FOR ROAD SAFETY MEASURES REJECTED

The Birmingham City Council has decided to turn down a petition from Oscott residents calling simply for road safety measures to be introduced to the Aldridge Road.
It is becoming clear that this stretch of road will be ignored by the Council until a major occurrence happens. There have been 11 recorded "slight accidents" in 3 years but this is not enough to warn them something more serious could be on the way.
The Aldridge Road Between the Boars Head junction and Beeches Road needs in my view road safety measures to be introduced.
Certainly traffic lights at the Greenholm Road Junction, Pedestrian centre carriageway refuges near the Aldridge Road allotments and Speed indicators should at least be considered.
Given the amount of recorded and the far more unrecorded accidents on this road I am sure it will not belong before more residents get in touch with me. I will continue the campaign as I am sure will "others" should they read this blog and as the next elections approach.

Friday 22 July 2011

DROP CURB INSTALTION SERVICE TO IMPROVE WE SHALL SEE ?

I have just been informed that the Drop Curb Installation Service is now going to be brought back up to its past level of service. This follows some intense pressure by myself, Councillor Ray Hassall and others.
We now will to wait to see how this increase in service pans out. They certainly need to do something and fast. I have a number of resident's who are extremely agree at the present level of service. I many cases they have paid in full for a drop curb and have waited for months. This is clearly not good enough and I will continue to press for action on their behalf.

Wednesday 20 July 2011

BARR AND ASTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY HONOUR THEIR FOUNDERS

Barr and Aston (Formerly Perry Barr) Local History Society have honoured 2 of their founding members Bert and Pauline Cooke.
These 2 founded the society 30 years ago and until very recently were active members.
The Aston and Barr Society have presented this well deserving couple with a special plaque as a memento
The Society have lectures and take interest in the history of Perry Barr , Great Barr, Oscott and Aston area's
If you would like to know more ring 357 8574

PLAY IN THE PARKS COMES BACK TO OSCOTT IN AUGUST

The Play in the Parks scheme is back in Oscott. Targeted at youngsters between 5 and 13 yrs a ranger of activities have been planed.
From August 15th to August 26th between the hours of 10 o'clock and 4pm Monday to Friday there will be a range of activities available for Oscott Youngsters. Sessions (arts,craft and sport) will take place at the Burford Road Playing Fields Great Barr and will be supervised bu uniformed play workers.

It must be noted this is not a child care scheme and parents and careers will be still be responsible for their children. Children should let adults know where they are.

For further information please ring 0121 236 2917

Tuesday 19 July 2011

INDICATIVE PLANS FOR NEW BOOTHS LANE DEVELOPEMENT

After seeing a small note in a recent report to the Birmingham City Council regarding a Queslett Golf Course master plan I called for more details.
I have now received an indicative plan of possible future developments on the site.
These include a Private nursing home/ private hospital. along with, a convenience store, Dental practice, Pharmacy, Hairdressers and Nursery.

There would also be access roads from Sandy Lane and extensive further housing developments. The plans currently available show the in filling of the rest of the Booths Lane unadopted section and the retention of part of the golf course at the rear of the site.
Clearly these plans are in the early stages and I have already had the agreement from the Planning committee that all aspects of the plans should they be brought forward will be rigorously examined and further the Planning department will remain in touch with any developers intimating their concerns regarding the methane producing area near by and so on.

Although as I have indicated this is still very much in a EARLY discussion stage, now we are aware of it both Councillor Barbara Dring and I will be monitoring the plans and keeping residents involved.

The Planning department have assured me this is at a very early stage and no plans have been approved.

If you would like to see the indicative early stage plans for this site I will have them with me at my Councillors Surgery on Saturday. This will take place at the 610 Community Centre Kinstanding Road at 10.30am.

Saturday 16 July 2011

GOT SOMETHING FOR MY BLOG?

A number of people have asked me recently to promote various things on my blog. This has come as a bit of a surprise as I did not think that many people read it, although I do get a number of emails about the various things I write about.

Anyway I am happy too oblige if I think the subject is reasonable and for the good of the community.
If you want me to promote something in Oscott send me a email with the relevant information and I will see what I can do.

DOG FOULING ON THE INCREASE IN OSCOTT

Dog fouling seems to be on the increase again in Oscott.
This is a sure sign we have had better weather.
I would remind dog owners that the school holidays will soon be here and young children will be using our open spaces more as a result, so please pack up and take home your dogs mess.
I know many dog owners do already and they get just as frustrated as anyone else about this subject, but I am trying to appeal to those that don't.
I will be asking the Council to try and arrange more of the anti dog fouling initiatives they arranged on my request earlier in the year but because of council cuts in funding these are harder to arrange.


A reminder
The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act requires any person in charge of a dog which fouls on designated land, to remove the dog mess immediately. Almost all land in Birmingham is designated. Offenders can be issued with a fixed penalty notice (£50).
If you are issued with a fixed penalty notice this will include details, where and how payment of the fine can be made. Failure to pay will result in prosecution and, if the matter goes to court, may result in a fine of up to £1,000.
The dog wardens affix appropriate signs to lamp posts and distribute educational leaflets and posters to encourage dog owners to clean up after their pets.

Wednesday 13 July 2011

OSCOTT''s WEED FILLED STREETS

Many residents are complaining to Councillor Barbara Dring and myself about the state of our streets in Oscott which are full of weeds.
I can never remember the area looking so bad. It looks as if the weed killing service has really been hit by the Councils cuts. I have been assured Oscott pavements have been sprayed but in many cases I can see no improvement.
If your street is effected by weeds let me know - Tel 360 6486 and I will have its name added to the ever increasing list I have complained about.

OSCOTT POLICE COMMUNITY SURGERY.

There will be a chance to meet with your Local Oscott Police Team on
15th August 2011 @ 7:00 pm at a Police Community Surgery to be held at the
Residents Lounge room Ashgrove near Priestfield Close Off Shady Lane Great Barr.


This is a chance for Oscott residents to let the Police hear their views on police related issues, crime, parking, speeding and so on.
These meetings are a useful way of letting the Police know of your concerns. Why not pop in and have a chat with them and tell them I let you know about their meeting.
With the cuts in the Police service these day the community needs to work more than ever with the Police to solve aand prevent crime.

If you need to contact the Police

None emergency Police No -0345 113 5000 111
Confidential crime stoppers No- 0800 555 111
or in a emergency 999

Rember if you do not report a crime the police will not know about it.

Monday 11 July 2011

DROP CURB INSTALLATION DELAYS

One of the most common complaints I am receiving at the moment is with regards to having a drop curb installed.
Where pavements are being reconstructed as part of the much trumpeted street upgrade program residents are being offered large discounts.
This is ok but where streets are not being done or at least are not being done for a long time, these drop curbs are still costing, those who want one, a small fortune (and if trees or other amenities have to be moved as well I mean a small Fortune.)
If that is not bad enough I am hearing from residents that they are paying in good faith and having to wait ages to have the work done.
Clearly this is unacceptable and I have contacted senior Highways officer and the cabinet responsible asking them to look into this.

Money should not be exchanged in full if the council can not for fill its side of the contact promptly and it is a disgrace that they are holding on to residents hard earned money for months without the request work being done. The system needs to be sorted out.

Saturday 9 July 2011

BOOTHS LANE MAST APPLICATION SET FOR REFUSAL

Planning officers are now set to recommend refusal with regards to the planning application for a mast which was to be located at the junction of Booths Lane and Bowman Road.
This should please local resident who are annoyed at the prospect
I have on there behalf presented 2 petitions and along with Councillor Dring made objections to the Planning department. It is good to see that like with the proposed mast for Oscott School Lane, residents concerns are being accepted by the Planning department.

Thursday 7 July 2011

KEN SMITH RECIEVES POLICE AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY

I was delighted for veteran Community Champion Ken Smith yesterday when at a meeting of the Oscott Police Tasking Group meeting he was presented by the Police with a plaque honouring him for his services for Community safety in the Oscott area.
Ken for many years has worked tirelessly as the Neighbourhood Watche's senior representaive in Oscott and he has worked equally hard as for the Perry Barr Pentioners Convesntion.
I can only say after working closely with Ken for years, he really deserves this recognition.

SOCIAL MEDIA SURGERY 26TH JULY

I have been asked to let people know volunteers are holding a 'Social Media Surgery' at
Oscott Social Club, Witton Lodge Road B23 5LX on Tuesday 26 July 2011
from 5.30pm – 7.00pm (drop in any time):
http://socialmediasurgery.com/events/209
where they will be offering free assistance to voluntary organisations and
community groups from Oscott and neighbouring wards, who want to
improve their use of use the web and social media to help their
organisations to work and communicate.

Saturday 2 July 2011

COUNCILLORS JULY SURGERIES

OSCOTT COUNCILLORS SURGERY TIMES

Councillor Barbara Dring and I do not believe in hiding away from residents as we like to think Oscott residents can come along and not only tell us their concerns and also let us know on a face to face basis what you think of what we are doing for the residents of Oscott.
Just to remind you our surgery time table is as follows.

BD Tel 360 75651st Wednesday in month ( 7pm )at the 610 Community Centre. 1st Thursday in month (3pm ) at the Perry Common Library.

KL Tel 360 6486 Most Saturday mornings (10.30pm) at the -- 610 community Centre. Tel 464 2268

You can also leave a message for us Tel 303 2039

WE ALSO OFFER HOME VISITS FOR THOSE WITH GENUINE MOBIL TY ISSUES.


We do our best to attend as many surgeries as we can you may ring to confirm we are in attendence.