GREAT BARR J&I SCHOOL SUMMER FETE

I have just been to the Great Barr Junior and Infant Schools (including nursery) it’s on until 1pm today. Sat 30th
It is really good to see the volunteers putting so much effort in.
I have bought my usual book and Hot Dog and others seem to be really enjoying themselves.

ROUGH ROAD NEIGHBOURHOOD OFFICE TO GO

 I have been informed by the Erdington District Manager that sadly at the end of July the Rough Road Neighbourhood Office in Kingstanding ward will close.

While I understand that cuts are being forced on Councils across the country by the Government  this will still be a blow to many residents in Oscott who use this office.
The official reason for the closure is I have been informed that "the Council has reduced budgets and the needs to achieve savings and a recognition that the rationalisation of the Neighbourhood Offices Network".
  This was a decision by the full old Council Cabinet, supported by the Council some time ago and so the closure of Rough Rd now needs to be implemented.
 There is nothing due to a continued lack of funding, that current Council Administration can do about this previously made decision
 Service users will  be re-directed to alternative NO's on the North of the city I understand and there will have to be a fight to ensure their services are kept. You may be assured your Oscott Councillors will do what we can and we will be asking that the many elderly residents in Oscott who use this service are considered. For example home visits.

VEHICLE ACTIVATED SIGNS BUREAUCRACY GONE MADE

 With regard to what is happening to requests for Vehicle Activated Signs for Kettle House Road, Kingstanding Road and the Aldridge Road and following yet more delays.

What I find frankly ridiculous is the bureaucracy that there is in having these Vehicle Activated signs (Some times known as Speed Indicator Signs)put in place.  Remember engineers have been on site and agreed that there is a need for these signs many months ago.

From what I have gathered the current process is that the following groups and processes have to be considered

CCG                Capital Co Ordination group
RCCG             Retinue Consequences Co ordination group
TSSG             Transportation and Street Services Group
and the following taken into consideration
PDD               Project definition Document
PEP                Project Entry Proposals
TMP              Traffic Management Protocol
MAS              Maintaince Assessment Summary
COF               Control    order forms
I understand that an initiative can be stopped at any time during the processes above.

I have to admit at this point I gave up on my research into the matter. This level of bureaucracy appears to be frankly ridiculous and I would imagine it would almost be cheaper to get a District Transportation Engineer to stand on the side of the road all day with a flag saying "slow down".

I am calling on the powers that be to review the whole process however I have the feeling it they did it may well lead to even more pen pushing and meetings taking place.
 

MY NEW ROLES ON THE ITA

I have been lucky enough to be given the following roles at the Intergrated Transport Authority AGM.


Vice-Chair-Putting Passengers First Committee
Chair - Ethics Committee
Chair - Partner Engagement Sub-Committee
Lead Member Birmingham and Solihul Partnership Engagement Group  
I am also responsible for over viewing the new "Bus champions" along with Councillor Kath Hartley.
Linking with this I have been asked to Chair the Considerate Contractor Lay Assessors Committee.** on behalf of the Birmingham City Council.

These are all new and untried and it will take time for the full effects of what is being done to bed- in but I will do what I can to help improve things for the Public Transport user. I certainly believe the changes being made under the leadership of John Mcnicholas and Kath Hartly are for the better.

If I can be of any assistance regarding public Transport issues please contact me by using the email address below. I make no promises but I will do what I can to help.

email: keith.linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

I am also on the BCC Planning Committee and am a member of the Perry Barr District  Committee and the Oscott Ward Committee. * I chair the Oscott Ward Advisory Board.
I am also a school governor at the moment at the Goodway Nursery and the Great Barr Junior and Infant school/


See also post 17th July

WITTON CEMETERY IS 150 YEARS OLD NEXT YEAR.

The Witton Cemetery will be 150 years old next year.
Plans to mark this anniversary are being considered at the moment. The Friends of Witton Cemetery which I help found some years ago have sadly not been active for a year or 2 and new volunteers are needed to help out.
If you feel you can help out in an active way let me know and we will see if we can get the Friends of Witton Cemetery back into action. Ring 675 2349 FOR MORE INFORMATION

Here is a bit of information about the cemetery
In 1863 Birmingham Corporation opened Birmingham City Cemetery, Witton, which was sited on the then outskirts of the City. There is an average of 4 burials a day.
The 103 acre site is laid out as an open park, planted out with indigenous trees and shrubs. The cemetery is hilly and has a number of difficulties to overcome with its maintenance.  The new cemetery office was opened in 1999.

QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE LAKE IS BACK TO NORMAL

One of the few good things about the amount of rain we have had over the last couple of months is that it has helped top up our reservoirs and lakes.

Water shortages are for the time being forgotten and the Queslett Nature Reserve lake for example is nearly back to the level it was a few years ago.

The wild life in the reserve that rely on its lake should thrive on the improved water conditions and hopefully the replenished lake will create a better natural habitat for them

OSCOTT DRAINS NEED INSPECTING MORE OFTEN.

Given the heavy rain there has been today I have requested the Highways department section responsible for drainage ensure drains in the Oscott area are inspected more often.

Roads such as Hawthorn Road the Aldridge Road for example  are having a number of problems after rain.

If you have a blocked drain near you please email me. Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk and I will do what I can to get it sorted out.

OSCOTT'S HOUSING LIAISION BOARD MEETS TONIGHT

There will be a meeting of the Oscott Housing Liaison Board tonight to see if it can be re established.
THIS WILL HELD AT THE ASHGROVE ROAD CENTRE AT 7PM THURDSDAY 28TH JUNE

In my view after running for many years with few problems it was side tracked by the interference of the Council and some who wished to put obstacles in its way. This occurred over the last few years?

The HLB was disbanded by the Housing department a year or so ago at which time they failed to consult in any meaningful way with Board members or Local Councillors about their decision. Sadly that just about summed up their attitude to the Oscott HLB as far as I am concerned.
Hopefully if it can get back off the ground tonight this time round and if its members stand their ground and resist any undue interference, it could make a real difference again to the Oscott area. New Housing Officers will be assisting the meeting tonight and I am hopeful this may make a difference.

THE BATTLE AGAINST DOG FOULING GOES ON

I am continuing the battle to get the Dog warden Service to patrol the Streets of Oscott to battle against the problem of dog fouling.
Good Dog owner do not reminding to clear up their dogs mess and to use a pooper scooper sadly some other owners do.
I would ask all dog owner to remember to use a pooper scooper or bag and to remember during the summer hundreds of children use our precious open spaces. Please be particularly care if you exercise your dog on one of those.

TEMPORY SPEED INDICATOR CONSIDERED FOR ALDRIDGE ROAD

Thanks to the none stop campaigning of Councillor Barbara Dring and myself a "tempory" locating of a set of a Vehicle activated Speed sign on the Aldridge Road is being considered.
A number of petitions have been handed to the Council by myself regarding the problems faced by users of the Aldridge Road and Councillor Dring has also made a large number of representations about the issue of speeding on the Aldridge Road.
The Transportation department have now agreed to actively look into erecting a VAS sign on the Aldridge Road.

OSCOTT GAMES - JULY 14TH

The inspiration of London 2012 is coming to Oscott.


The Oscott games will take place on the 14th of July at the King George Playing Fields between 11 am and 3pm.


There will be sports events, stalls, food and dance.


For more information please E.Mail www.communitygamesorg.uk

COUNCILLOR BARBARA DRING TO GET WEBB SITE

Councillor Barbara Dring (Chair of the Licensing Committee) is to have a Webb site set up for her by the Council.
This will mean it will be even easier for Oscott residents to find out what their Councillors are doing.

GOOD BY TRANSPORT USERS FORUMS HELLO BUS CHAMPIONS

Centro the ITA are now replacing the old Transport Users Forums with a new system which will mean more opportunities for users of Public Transport to put across their concerns.
Amongst other things there will be 4 sessions in each West Midland District where a display bus will be available in order for Transport Users to inform Bus companies and Centro directly about their concerns. During these sessions for the first time Public Transport users will be able to discuss issues personally with a Councillor who is a member of the ITA.
Former member of the old TUF's will be given an opportunity to become Bus Champions and get much more involved.
Centro/ITA  will also hold new style meetings with organisations with an interest in Public Transport.
Many Public Transport Users felt let down by the of TUF meeting because of the poor attendance of some ITA Councillors especially in Birmingham, hopefully this will no longer be the case.
I am very happy to be working with Putting passengers first Lead member for the ITA Councillor Kath Hartley on this issue.
For more details please EM me on Keith.Linnecor@yahoo.com
There should also be more details in a press release from Centro shortly.

28 BUS ROUTE TO ONE STOP TO BE REVIEWED

The 28 and 628 services were withdrawn from traveling to One Stop by National Express because they say there was not enough customer demand to justify serving this location.
It is fair to point out  that the  28 service does not receive any subsidy for that portion of the
route. Therefore, and the company have no plans to reintroduce the service to that
location at this moment.

Having said that, they are currently reviewing the service to see whether
there is enough time to extend some journeys to serve One Stop in the future?.
I will continue on behalf of passagers to keep up the pressure on the bus companies regarding this route.

ITS EASY TO CONTACT ME

How to contact me.

Just a reminder of the ways you can contact me.

You can email (council Business) on Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk
Write to me C/o The Birmingham City Council House, Victoria Square B1 1BR
you can ring me 0121 360 6486
or 303 2039 message service - council issues.

Or you can attend one of my Saturday surgeries which I hold most Saturdays at the 610 Community Centre 10.30am (ring to confirm attendance.)

Most Oscott residents will also over the years have received at least one of my "Tell me your concerns" cards these can be posted F.O.C. (If you have not got one give me a ring and I will let you have one.)

I also do home visits for those with genuine mobility issues.(Please phone with details)

I do my best to respond A.S.A.P.

Whether it is election time or not I am always willing to try and help if I can although clearly I can make no promises.

CONCRETE ROADS THE ISSUE WILL NOT BE DROPPED BY ME

I can assure all Oscott residents the issue of the state of many concrete roads in Oscott has not been forgotten by myself.
I am continuing the battle with Amey to get many of the roads they have simply patched, resurfaced.
While I understand the contract they are working too (agreed with the previous Council Administration) for 25 years) seems to be on their side? this is no excuse for not resurfacing concrete roads in Oscott where necessary.
I my view may of the patches they have put in will not last more than a couple of bad winter and the money doing the work will have been wasted.

For more on this subject try the search button and concrete roads

OSCOTT RUBBISH COLLECTION DAYS MAY CHANGE

Some Oscott residents may find their usual Rubbish collection day has changed. from July 2nd.
The Birmingham City Council Salvage department will be using a new ward based collection service.
They have informed me this will mean crews now collect on a ward wide basis which will mean less travelling to different areas and will be more efficient. However Oscott Councillors have been warning that teething problems will occurr and should be prepared for.
Residents effected will receive a leaflet explaining any changes.
If you would like more information please ring me on 360 6486

SPEED INDICATOR SIGNS HAVE STILL NOT GONE IN.

I  am not pleased to see  the speed indicator signs have still not been put up on Kingstanding Road and Kettlehouse Road. This is not good enough
Along with Councillor Barbara Dring we are battling to get one put up on the Aldridge Road somewhere between the Boars Head Junction and the Metropolitan College.

LOOK AFTER OUR NEW TREES.

Scores of new trees have been and are being planted in Oscott this year. Given the vagaries of our weather rain one week and draught the next I would  ask residents to watch out for these new trees.
If we do have a period this summer / autumn where we do have little rains please consider using a bucket of water to help keep new trees from drying out and dying.
It only tales a minute or 2 once in a while to water a new tree and it could make all the difference.

OSCOTT NEEDS 20MPH ZONES AROUND ITS SCHOOLS

20MPH Zones / School Protection Zones are needed around a number of schools in the Oscott Ward.
While many schools in Oscott need to be considered I certainly believe Greenholm School, May Vale and Kingsland School should be appraised by the Transportation department and I am pressing them to do just that.
These appraisals, as part of the scheme would also need to look again at parking issues around schools.
Once this is achieved 20MPH speed limits needs to be considered in a number of Oscott streets.

BOOTHS LANE DEVELOPEMENT UPDATE

A number of residents living in the Booths Lane area have contacted with concerns about what is happening on the near by development site.
I have been in touch with developers who have assured me any mess caused by the development of the side will be cleared as soon as possible. Landscaping will also take place after the road lay out has been altered and buildings have gone up.
There will be a nature trail (gap) leading from Caddock Road to Booths Lane and this will include the old Booths Farm site. AND YES THE ROAD WILL RE OPEN.

AGE CONCERN CELEBRATE THE QUEENS JUBILEE

Age Concerns two local Day Care Centres joined together this week together for a week of activities to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. Today(June1^st) this will culminate in a special party at the Old Oscott Community Centre.

 There will also be a range of activities throughout the day starting at about 11.30am and I have been delighted to be asked to plant a tree at about 2pm