Saturday 20 August 2011

IF YOU WAIT 6 MONTHS FOR A DROP CURB YOU SHOULD GET A DISCOUNT

I am calling on Council Chiefs to give discounts to those resident who pay in full for a drop curb and have for what ever reason had to wait over 6 months to have it done.

Most people are aware having a drop curb to get your car onto your front garden is not cheap (unless you are having your streets pavements fully reconstructed by the council as part of their plan of works).
If you have to pay extra to have a tree or facility moved you pay even more and can wait for the work to be carried out, much longer.
Residents should not have to hand over their money in full and wait so long.

AMEY HAS RE THINK ON BOOTHS LANE (ADOPTED SECTION) CARRIAGEWAY

After a lot of pressure been put on by local residents and their Oscott Councillors Booths Lane (the City adopted section Queslett Road to bend only) has been put onto Amey's and the Birmingham City Councils rota of carriageway resurfacing work to be done.
Although all the details are not yet available at least Amey has listened on this occasion.
However the question as to why this section of Booths Lane was not done at the same time as Bowman and Caddick Road, when clearly its carriage way was in a worse state.

Friday 19 August 2011

METROPOLITAN COLLEGE VERGES TO BE GREENED UP AGAIN

After months of being requested by myself, to turf or re seed the verge near the Metropolitan College on the Aldridge Road the Council Highways have started work. They are currently digging the ground and will be double seeding shortly.
This work is needed following the introduction of high curbing to prevent dangerous parking at this location.
What is now needed is a bit of rain and hopefully we will have some pleasing green verges again by the college.
It it also pleasing to see the College itself has followed my advice following one of my site visits there and introduced some new litter bins to the area to help keep the amount of litter in check.

Wednesday 17 August 2011

THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE NEEDS RAIN

I have managed to have a few walk abouts in the Queslett Nature Reserve recently and although the reserve is looking tidy and reasonable litter free there are signs that someone has tried to set fire to some parts of it. If you see anyone doing this sort of thing please note their description and call the Police.
Given the lack of rain fall over the last couple of months the grass land in the park is very dry which means anyone smoking while in the reserve needs to make sure they put it out properly their cigarette.
The lake is also looking decidedly empty and I hope we have a reasonable wet Autumn to help get the lake back up to its normal level.

Saturday 13 August 2011

PROBLEMS WITH DOOR STEP RECYCLING COLLECTIONS IN OSCOTT

I am continuing to receive dozens of complaints about the door step recycling collections in Oscott.
Since the beginning of the year many residents in the Oscott area are finding their blue boxes, Green Boxes and green bags are not being emptied on the right day. In some cases residents are waiting weeks for their collection.
This is simply not good enough and I am calling on the powers that be to take action.
i would also urge residents to make their voice heard and complain.

IS PERRY BARR FIT FOR THE OLYMPICS?

I have had a number of Oscott residents already complaining to me about the poor image Perry Barr may give during the Olympics. A number of Oscott residents have to pass through the area on a regular basis and have a genuine interest in the problem.
Many are worried that those coming into the area to see top teams train during the Olympics and so on, may think how untidy parts of Perry Barr look.
With that in mind I have been asking officers to consider more street cleaning the area around One stop and Alexander Stadium and a lick of paint for the sub ways is also needed. for example. ( I am sure Perry Barr Councillors will be doing the same)
The Council need to start a major spring clean now rather than wait until the last minute.

Thursday 11 August 2011

A NUMBER OF TREES ARE TO BE REPLACED IN THE OSCOTT AREA

A number of residents will have received or will be receiving letters from Amey (the street contractor) informing them for various reasons trees are being removed from near where they live and to give information regarding parking arrangements and so on when this happens.

This is happening because the trees have outgrown their locations and are causing damage to the foot ways. Amey will replace the trees with younger, healthy trees of an appropriate species. A notice will be placed on all affected trees identifying the reason(s) for removal.

The work will take place in most cases over the next few months. Following the tree removals, footway reconstruction works will be arranged.


Access to your property
You will be able to get to and from your property during the proposed works, but access may be restricted at times. If you have any queries during the work, please contact the City Council customer care helpline on 0121 303 6644. or if urgent and out of hours 303 4149.

A number of new trees will be replanted but not all in the same locations as those which are removed from however.

Both Councillor Dring and myself will also continue to press for sensible tree replacement to continue in the future for residents who have problems with trees, which are not being replaced during this round of replacements.




OSCOTT STAYS CALM

Despite rumours being circulated the Oscott area remained calm last night. Youngsters have not been out causing undue problems and the local Police are being vigilant.
Lets all hope the various problems faced in some areas do not spread to this part of the city and our youngsters continue to have more sense then some of their peers elsewhere.

OSCOTT BUS USERS NEED TO GET TO ONE STOP

As a regular bus user myself I am only to aware that when Oscott residents complain to me how difficult it is to go shopping at One Stop they are spot on.
There is no bus going directly to one stop for the majority of Oscott residents.
This is one of the reasons I am supporting a number of Oscott bus users who are calling for the 28 bus to go to One stop. Having to"lug shopping" long distances across roads or under sub ways is no joke and Centro along with the privatised bus companies need to come up with a solution. With the help of residents I will be putting pressure on them to do so.

Saturday 6 August 2011

AUBREY LONGE RE ELECTED AS OSCOTT CENTRAL NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM CHAIR

After attending the some what chaotic Oscott HLB AGM that failed to take off on Thursday, it was nice to be asked to attend a well organised AGM run by the Oscott Central Neighbourhood Forum.
This meeting took place at the 610 Community Centre this morning and it is my guess it cost less than a tenth of the Housing department led HLB meeting. There were certainly as many residents there.
As usual following the well run AGM section, I was in the firing line to answer questions from the audience. (Sadly Councillor Dring had a prior commitment).
Questions ranged from why are some pavements so bad to what is the latest situation regarding the Booths Lane development.
I was also good to see that Khalid Mahmood MP popped in for the last few minutes to answer questions from the audience.
I was not surprised to see Aubrey Longe re elected as Chair of the OCNF as I know he is so committed to the local community.

Friday 5 August 2011

HAWTHORN ROAD REPAIRS WORK TO TAKE PLACE FOR 14 NIGHTS

There will be some inconvenience to residents and and motorists using Hawthorn Road for 2 weeks during the night for details see below.
I will do what I can to ensure Amey carries out this work as speedily as possible
See below for details
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice
Hawthorn Road, Oscott / Kingstanding , Carriageway Resurfacing.
Reference No: PFI07/W05/Y2/SL029
What’s Happening?
We will be resurfacing Hawthorn Road from College Road to Kingstanding Road.
This work is part of a 5 year upgrade of Birmingham’s highways network, in which we will be resurfacing around 45% of the roads in the city. For the very first time, every road in the city has been visually inspected to understand its condition and a prioritised programme of work has been developed to improve it. You can view the programme of works online - www.birmingham.gov.uk/highways-works-programme.
When Will This Happen?
The expected start date is during the week ending 19th August 2011.The work will last for up to 14 nights.
Times Of Work
We will be working nights between 1900hrs and 0600hrs.
Access To Your Property
Vehicles are unable to drive over hot material. Whilst surfacing operations are being carried out the section of road affected will be entirely closed to ALL traffic. If you require access for medical/personal reasons, could you please contact 0121 303 6644, to discuss how access can be arranged. Amey accepts that this will cause some inconvenience but, our operational staff are at extreme risk from vehicle movements and their safety is of paramount importance.
Pedestrian access will be maintained as will access for emergency vehicles.
Traffic Information
Hawthorn Road will be subject to an overnight road closure, with access to frontages as detailed above. Width and speed restrictions will be in force during the road closure and works period.
For information regarding bus services, please contact Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
Parking
In order for us to carry out these works, we must ask you to ensure that vehicles are not parked on the carriageway during these hours. Any cars left on the carriageway will be removed by the City Council Parking Enforcement Team, which could include a cost to the owner.
Further Information
If you require further information please telephone 0121 303 6644. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and would like to assure you that we will do the work with as little disruption as possible as we improve your local environment. Thank you in anticipation of your cooperation.
Frank Coldwell
Business Director
Amey Local Government Ltd ,

OSCOTT HOUSING LIAISON BOARD FAILS TO TAKE OFF

Having attended what was supposed to be the AGM of a newly recreated Oscott Housing Liaison Board last night I wonder why I bothered.
The last HLB (this is a group of tenants and some homeowners who work as a team for the local community trying to improve things for tenants and improve the area they all live in, simple?) fell apart mainly due to what I considered political interference and Housing officers wanting to control the Board. This was a great shame because it had ran well for a number of years.

The only difference I could see last night was all the Councillors (both parties) wanted to ensure any new board was run correctly. Sadly only a small number of tenants and homeowners turned up and the meeting was something of a shambles.
There is now going to be another attempt to organise an HLB, but although I think the few interested residents and their Councillors are doing what they can, it may be hard going.

Thursday 4 August 2011

MORE NEWS ABOUT OSCOTT COMMUNITY CHEST AWARDS

Oscott Community funds were allocated by the Oscott Ward Committee last night. (see also previous post re young peoples projects. )
Some of the high lights were.

Age Concern were awarded 3 Thousand pounds to help elderly residents with their gardens and 6 thousand pounds to help pay for a handy man to help with minor repairs to older peoples homes.

The Kingstanding/ Perry Barr Pensioners Convention are to receive £500

The Oscott Elderly Residents group are to receive £350

The Saint Francis luncheon Club are to receive £200

Young families will receive help through. Home start receiving 5 thousand pounds and the Bandywood families Project receiving 15 thousand pounds.
£650 was granted to the All Stars nursery.

£500 will be given to the Libraries Children's reading summer challenge initiative.

To help crime prevention there will be a special pot of money £12,000 for small projects.
The neigbourhood Watch will receive £500 and the neighbourhood Police Initiative volunteers will receive £350.


Disabled allotment users will be pleased to know that 2 thousand pounds was granted to improve access to toilet facilities at the Aldridge Road allotments.

£500 will be given to help those with Dyslexia in Oscott.

Imagine a self help support Group for those suffering minor mental illness will receive £350


The Friends of the Queslett nature Reserve are to receive £350

The Oscott Disability Group have been granted £300

The Oscott Residents group will be receiving £300

The Get hooked on Fishing project to encourage training , employment, volunteering projects and so on are to receive £2000.

And to help up lift the area,s moral £1,250 is to be given towards a fun day event and the Hawthorn Road Christmas Lights project will receive £3.000 on a match funded basis towards this years Christmas lights

OSCOTT YOUNGSTERS SET TO BENIFIT FROM COMMUNITY FUNDING

At the Oscott Ward Committee meeting last night the 3 Oscott Councillors Barbara Dring, Graham Green and myself, agreed with recommendations from the Oscott Ward Advisory Board and have now given Community Chest funding out to a number of worthy groups.

Youngsters in Oscott have done well out of the Community Chest this year.

10 thousand punds has been given to support Constituency youth projects FOR OSCOTT YOUNGSTERS.
also
2 thousand pounds has been given to the Maryvale Youth Group to help fund activities and youth developent. sport and so on.

Base K/S have received 2 and a half thousand pounds to help with their youth advisory work.

The Elim Church has received 2 thousand pounds for young peoples activities like trips, indoor and out door activities and so on.

The Trehurst Youth Club have received 2 and a half thousand pounds

There have also been smaller amounts given to groups to help young people in the Oscott Ward.

Clearly given the limitations in funding the Oscott Ward Committee would have liked to have given much more but I feel we have done our best to support youngsters in the area. I would also like to thank all those Community representatives and voluntary organisations who worked so hard to help come up through the Oscott Ward Advisory Board with their recommendations.

Wednesday 3 August 2011

OSCOTT ELDERLY RESIDENTS GROUP ENJOY A DAY OUT.

It was a real treat along with Councillor Barbara Dring to be asked to go on a trip with the Oscott Elderly Residents group, to the National Arboretum near Lichfield.
Many of these pensioners rarely great a break from their homes so it was good to see this trip laid on for them.
It was a very enjoyable and sobering place to visit and since my last visit there they have really improved the place.
Well done Maureen Bryne for putting on such a wonderful trip for the Elderly.