20mph SPEED LIMITS NEAR SCHOOLS IN OSCOTT ARE NEEDED AND SOON

As you will have seen in previous posts I am campaigning for 20mph areas near schools in Oscott..
I would like to assure residents this battle goes on. Roads like Old Oscott Hill and Greenholm roads need to be a priority

BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCILS DOGS IN PARKS AND OPEN SPACES POLICY

As the Chair of the Freinds of the Queslett Nature Reserve and as a Local Councillor I am often asked what are the rules concerning dogs using the Queslett Nature Reserve and the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground and so on. With this in mind I have post what the Council say on the matter. In some areas the new rules 2013 are being put up as a reminder to dog owners.Good dog owners will as usual take these rules in their stride.

DOGS IN PARKS POLICY

Dogs are welcome in the majority of all of Birmingham’s Parks and Open Spaces.  You are free to exercise your dog anytime the park is open without restrictions.

However they do ask you, as considerate dog owners, to follow these few simple guidelines.

·                     Please clear up immediately if your dog fouls.  This is a legal requirement under the Dogs Act 1996.

·                     You can use any litter bin or special dog bin to deposit the waste.

·                     Ensure your dog wears a collar with your name and address on, this is a requirement under the Control of Dogs Order, and can help return lost dogs.

·                     Keep your dog under control.

            Please respect other park users and the wildlife in Birmingham's Parks and Open       Spaces.

·                     Keep your dog in sight at all times.

Birmingham Parks Service operates a zero tolerance policy for both vandalism and destruction or damage to park’s equipment by both vandals and dogs alike.

Owners of dogs who are responsible for such damage will be reported to the police and where dogs are allowed to roam freely without a lead in areas identified above then fixed penalty notices will be issued to the owners.

The Council Parks department hope you and your dog enjoy your visit to Birmingham's Parks and Open Spaces.

NX SAY NO TO 28A PETITION

Sadly National Express have rejected bus users petition calling for the 28a re routed to go to One Stop. A petition with dozens of residents names has been submitted to the Council earlier this year.
However the battle will go on says campaigner Brian Brookes and he and other local bus users will continue to have my support.

COUNCILLORS SURGERY CONCERNS

During a busy Councillors surgery today it is becoming increasingly apparent that the cuts being made by the government are beginning to bite.
Residents are starting to use food banks more and there is a lot of concern about how the cost of living is going up but not the means to pay for the additional costs.
There is also concerns about speeding in the area, Sandy Lane and the Kingstanding Road for example.

If you could not make this surgery the next one is at the Old Oscott Community Centre at 9.30am on Tuesday 27th August.
Although I never promise I can resolve all the issues I hear about I an willing to try and help if I can.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL ACTIVITY DAY AT THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

Another busy Friends of Queslett Nature Reserve activity session.
We managed to prune back most of the over hanging bushes on the Old Horns Crescent boundary as well as some along the main paths.
Members also managed to fill a number of black bags with  with litter.
It was a real get your sleeves rolled up session with everyone pulling their wait. Well done to all.

Members are reminded to look out for the next activity day event announcement on the Queslett Nature Reserve Blog http://queslettnaturereserve.blogspot.co.uk/
this blog or in the Great Barr Observer.

GARDEN WASTE SOME ANSWERS

 The ending of the free Garden Waste Service is still one of real concern to a number of residents particularly older ones. I have seen this for my self when meeting elderly residents in the ward.
 There are difficult issues which have to be addressed and I try to ensure I find residents the answers to their questions without ducking the issue.

With this in mind I have written below the views of the Council Administration regarding the ending of the Free Green Wast collection to help explain why this is happening.

Firstly, in the face of horrendous cuts, services are going to be either transformed, or stopped altogether.  We are facing cuts of more than £800m from our budget ( re the Government), around two-thirds of our entire controllable budget. We cannot afford to collect garden waste for free anymore.

Secondly, we need to move to a service we can actually deliver.  You will all be familiar with complaints over garden waste collection.  Fundamentally, this is because with a free, unlimited service, demand fluctuates massively according to the weather, and such a service will always be incredibly hard to manage.

Thirdly, council tax only brings in c.£250m a year, when the Council spends more than £3bn overall.  So although it is understandable that people equate their payment of Council Tax with the services they receive, that isn’t the reality here in Birmingham.

I hope this helps you understand why this very difficult decision was made, however if you would like me to pass on a further question regarding this issue to the Cabinet Member responsible please email me 

Keith.Linnecor@Birmingham.gov.uk

 and I will try and to get your question answered.

THE SCOURGE OF THE FLY TIPPER IN OSCOTT

Fly tipping is one not only anti social but it can be dangerous to peoples health.
Sadly the scourge of the fly tipper is always with us and sadly the penalties never seem to be a big enough deterrent.
Dumped bags of industrial and domestic waste appear from time not only on our open spaces but in residents rear access ways.
Some times rubbish even appears in rear access ways which are gated which indicates it may be a local resident or in some cases shop keeper doing the dumping. That said it you do have gates it is wise to keep them locked other wise you may get much more fly tipping going on in your rear access way.

Brian Brookes and his NPI Team do occasionally put out letters reminding residents not to fly tip and to lock their rear access way to prevent fly tipping.
The Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve carry out clean ups not only on the reserve but from time to time on the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground and other places (the Grot Spot Squad) and I am often having to report fly tipping to try and get the rubbish removed.

If you want to report fly tipping the number to ring is 303 1112 (if you do see rubbish being dumped from a vehicle try and take the registration number but do not put your self at risk dong so.)

AGE UK LUNCH CLUB AT THE OSCOTT COMMUNITY CENTRE

Age UK operate a Luncheon Club for the over 55s at the Oscott Community Centre every Tuesday and Thursday. 12.30 to 1.45pm
It costs just £5 for a 2 Courses and a chance to meat new friends.

The Oscott Community Centre is bases at 277 Birdbrook Road, Great Barr, B44 9TY

To book a place ring 437 0033

Age UK  also provide Day Care Services for the over 55s with a range of activities and offer free advice on many issues.
To find out more please ring the No above

WHEELIE BINS MAY BE ON THEIR WAY TO OSCOTT BUT WHEN?

Although no time tables for the expected Wheelie Bin roll out are yet available I understand the issue will be discussed at a Cabinet meeting next month.
When I have more information regarding when they are likely to be given to Oscott residents I will post the details on here however I think it may be some time until they arrive.

Residents homes will be assessed before the roll out day and some residents will for various reasons, not have to have a wheelie bin and they will be given a red card. Those who will be given a Wheelie bin will be given a Green card.

Love them or hate them and there seems to be a lot who can not make up their minds, these bins will be arriving in the future, but when given a card you should be able to request the decision be reconsidered.
Elderly or disabled residents who receive a Wheelie bin can ask for assistance with having the bin wheeled from the premises to be emptied.
Your Oscott Councillors will do what we can to help during the change over period.

For further details regarding Wheelie bins please refer to the recent addition of the Forward news paper.

THORNBRIDGE AVENUE LITTER GROT SPOT TO GET CLEAN UP FROM HIGHWAYS AGENCY

Following my intervention regarding the excess litter at Thornbridge Avenue/M6 J6,(underneath the motorway)  I have been advised that this will be programmed in for works to be carried out with a completion date of 02/09/2013.by the Highways/ Amey intervention team.

Anyone who walks past the spot where the M6 motor way goes over Thornbridge Avenue will know what a mess it looks behind the palisade fence and if the rubbish was to mount up too much it could well encourage vermin.

REMINDER THERE WILL BE A FRIENDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE ACTIVITY DAY SAT 24TH AUGUST

 Reminder

There will be a Friends of Queslett Nature Reserve Activity day on Saturday 24th August.

The meeting place will be Ashworth Road Off Booths Lane ( please do not obstruct residents dropped curbs) the time will be 11.30am.

It will be a roll up your sleeves and help with some pruning and litter picking.

Children are welcome as long as they are supervised by an appropriate adult.
Please come prepared for the weather and wear stout foot wear..

The FOQNR look after the reserve and the local area and care about the local wildlife and environment in a practical way.
For further details Em Keith. Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk.


THE FRIENDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE HAVE THEIR OWN BLOG
http://queslettnaturereserve.blogspot.co.uk/

Letter writing competition see 14th August Post on this blog for details

I HOLD COUNCILLORS SURGERIES ON THE 4th SATURDAY IN THE MONTH

If you have a problem that you would like o discuss with me face to face my next Councillors surgery is on Saturday 24th August at 10.30am. The venue will be the 610 Community Centre.

You can also contact me by writing C/o Birmingham City Council House, Council House Birmingham B1 1BR
Emailing me Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk
or by leaving me a message on 303 2039

I also hold a Councillor's surgery on the 4th Tuesday in the month at the Old Oscott Community Centre at 930am. (See you local Library for a complete list of Oscott Councillors surgeries)

*If contacting me please do not forget I will need your full contact details.




DON'T FORGET TO USE THE SEARCH FACILITY TOP LEFT  TO FIND OUT MORE NEWS ABOUT THE OSCOTT WARD
SIMPLE TYPE IN YOUR KEY WORD (STREET NAME OR SUBJECT)

A BIG LITTER PICK CARRIED OUT BY YOUNG FIRE FIGHTERS IN OSCOTT

A big thank you on behalf of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve and those who visit the reserve to the Perry Barr Fire Station (College Road) Young Fire Fighters.
They have shown how much they care about their local Community by doing a great job litter picking in the reserve.
They have removed a number of shopping trolleys and filled a number of black bags with litter.
Thanks also to their organiser Fireman Steve Riddel.

ALL CHANGE FOR ROAD RESURFACING DATES IN OSCOTT

I have now received (after only receiving letters from Amey last week) new dates for the resurfacing of the following roads.**

Although these changes are annoying and not good enough at least the work is to proceed according to Senior Amey officers when I spoke to them today.. This is clearly not their finest hour!!

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**

16^th sept start date

COLLEGE ROAD RBT	Perry Barr
WARREN ROAD	PERRY BARR

23^rd sep stat date

COLLEGE ROAD The Ridgeway to C/L of Hawthorn Rd (one side only)

Perry Barr

30^th sept start date

COLLEGE RD HAWTHORNE RD TO RIDGEWAY (ONE SIDE ONLY)

Perry Barr

 SHADY LANE 28TH OCTOBER

WARREN ROAD  16TH SEPTEMBER

regards

Akbar Ali 

Roadspace Co-ordinator