REMEMBER REMEMBER ON THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER

Please remember remember ON the 5th of November.

Please check bonfires for Hedghogs before lighting them.

Let your neighbours know you are going to let of fire works before you  do to give them a chance to call in their pets.

Keep cats and dogs indoors and cover up hutches and so on.

Keep a bucket of water handy if you are having a bonfire in your garden.

Be careful when handling fire works and read the instructions.

Enjoy your self.

EXTRA BAGS PUT OUR WITH BINS WILL NO LONGER BE COLLECTED FROM NOVE 6TH

FOR INFORMATION

Now the crews have caught up with waste missed during the recent dispute
:any  side waste (bags to side of bin) will now only be collected until 6th November. and  that only normal waste be put out. 

OVER A THOUSAND TREES IN OSCOTT TO BE PRUNED OVER THE NEXT YEAR

At todays Oscott Ward Committee Chaired by Councillor Barbara Dring, Amey Highways reported that following my campaign they had carried out an extensive tree survey in Oscott an that over one thousand trees were to be pruned over the next year. (1700)
They also reported that over 200 hundred trees in poor health would be removed.

The meeting felt this was a real improvement and we needed to try and ensure the trees were given a good prune.

My campaign has been a long one and with the support of Councillor Barabara Dring I now feel real progress has been made. However I will not be satisfied until even more work is carried out.

I have also joined a Council scrutiny panel looking into trees and this should help compliment my campaign which CARRIES ON

FLY TIPPED RUBBISH REMOVED FROM RODLINGTON AVENUE

I was pleased to be able to ( with the support of Councillor Barbara Dring get some fly tipped rubbish removed from near the entrance to a rear access way in Rodlington Avenue ( see picture and post last Friday)

This was on a one off basis and resident have been advised to club together and purchase some access way gates. (There is a free pad lock (chained to the gates) offer available if they do)

These access gates as long as they are kept locked help prevent anti social behavior , improve security at the rear of properties and help reduce fly tipping.

OUT AND ABOUT AGAIN IN OSCOTT WITH BARBARA

It was good to be out and about again with Councillor Barbara Dring meeting our fellow Oscott Residents today.

As local residents our selves we can easily identify with our Oscott neighbours concerns and are always ready to take them up with the powers that be.
Being a truly local team has a number of advantages which we try and use on behalf of local residents.
...

Clearly with all the Governments cuts to the Councils and Police funding things are much harder to deal with, but we try and help where we can without making any false promises like some do, sadly.


If you have any issues you feel we can help you with please leave us a message on 303 2039

HARE AND HOUNDS NEW DEVELOPEMENT PROPOSALS DISPLAYED

I was pleased today to be able to pop into the 610 Community Centre today to see the new plans for the development of the Old Hare and Hounds Public House which was burnt down last year.

As some may remember following my request for a Planning Committee visit to the site to look at previous proposals re using Rushden Croft as and entrance the previous plans were tuned down.
New plans show an entrance via Kingstanding Road. It is intended that there will be 34 properties including some with 4 bedrooms. There will be flats and houses.

Having spoken to a number of residents asking for their views it is clear parking spaces is still an issue.

Waterloo Housing and Keep Moat were on hand to discus issues raised by local residents who came along to see the display.

Councillor Barbara and myself will keep a watching brief on the situation on behalf of Oscott residents who over look the site.

You have until 8pm tonight to see the display. You can make your comments to the developers or at a later stage on line.

OSCOTT RESIDENTS PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOU VIEWS ON THE NEW BOUNDARY CHANGES

As Oscott residents may be aware following the Governments decision to reduce the Amount of democratically elected representatives (MP's) from 650 to 600 their Boundary Committee has come up with recommendations to put the Oscott Ward into what would become a South Walsal Constituency

I have made no comment on this situation as I would like to hear the views of Oscott residents before I do

For information
After considering in detail all the evidence put forward by responses in both the initial and secondary consultation, and determining what revisions accordingly need to be made to our initial proposals, we are conducting a final public consultation on these revised proposals between 17 October and 11 December 2017. Responses to this will inform our decisions on whether any last adjustments need to be made before we submit our final recommendations in September 2018.

I would suggest that you make your views known, further information can be found on line.
 however from recent experience I would not hold your breath when making views known as more than likely the request from the Governments Boundary commission for your views is more for ticking off consultation check list only ,  However I could be wrong.

Please let me have your views on this subject by Emailing me Keith.Linnecor@Birmingham.gov.uk
Or by writing to me care of the Council house.

As many of you may know Councillor Tristan Chatfield has decided to stand in the Weoley Castle Ward this year. This is due to the Governments boundary Commissions changes to the Local Ward Boundaries which has cut Oscott into leaving just 2 Councillors for the ward. ( there is a cut of 19 in the numbers of Birmingham City Council despite the cities population growing)
Tristan has done a great job for Oscott and will continue to do so until the Local Elections in May
He will also keep his links with the area through his work for our MP.

CYCLISTS NEED TO BE SEEN AT NIGHT

While out and about last night I noticed a number of bike riders of all ages riding their bikes with no helmets or reflective clothing and despite the early dark nights with no lighting on their bikes.

This is dangerous to all road users but particularly the bike riders them selves as they need to be a visible as possible.

I have asked the Local Oscott Police Team  to remind any cyclists they see without lights that for their own safety the need lights on their bikes.

If you have a child or friend who uses a bike after dark please give them a gentle reminder they to be seen at night.

TOP TIPS FOR CYCLING IN THE DARK

1. Visible upper body

To help drivers see you, go for a reflective/high vis garment that can be seen clearly from front and back. Why not try something that can go over your regular coat like a sash, high vis vest or a backpack cover?

2. Get creative with your bike lights

It’s a legal requirement to have white front and red rear lights and reflectors on your bike, and orange reflectors on your pedals. Lights should go on at dusk, and can be useful during the day too, especially when it’s a dull day.

3. Make your bike and helmet glow too

Get your bike and helmet involved in the reflective action. Try additional reflectors and lights on your spokes, to really make your wheels light up as they whizz round. Or go for some reflective stickers for your mudguards, panniers or the back of a child seat. And last but by no means least customise your helmet with a reflector too.

4. Stick to well-lit roads

Although lanes and canals are great for summer cycling, when darkness falls it’s hard to see and be seen without street lights. Stick to well-lit roads and paths when the sun goes down.

5. Keep an extra eye out for pedestrians

It can be hard to spot people on foot.

6. Make the bar or bike decision early on

If you know you will be having a few drinks on a night out, leave the bike at home and use public transport instead.

THE LATEST ON THE OSCOTT CAMPAIGN FOR MORE TREE PRUNING AND A SENSIBLE TREE REPLAEMENT PRORAM

As part of my campaign to try and get Amey Highways to look again at their tree pruning program and to start replacing some of the huge numbers of old over grown trees in the Oscott Ward Councillor Barbara Dring and I have visited a number of roads.

Amey Highways agreed to survey all the street trees in Oscott and as a result dozens of trees which were found to be deceased have or will be removed and replaced, which is a start.

Both Barbara and I are intending to continue with this campaign and the next step will be Amey Highways attending the Oscott Residents Committee meeting of the 26th of October at the 610 Community Centre, starting at 7pm. (To be Chaired by Barbara.) Amey Highways will be giving us their current update and will listen to residents concerns about trees.

This meeting is open to all Oscott residents.

DOG OWNERS PLEASE NOTE

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

NEW DOG CONTROL MEASURES INTRODUCE TOUGHER FINES

New dog control Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) come into effect across Birmingham today (20 October 2017), with increased fines for dog owners who fail to control or pick up after their pets.

The five orders currently in place make it an offence for a dog owner or anyone in charge of a dog to:

• Not remove their dog’s waste
• Not keep their dogs on a lead on roads, footways and adjoining verges
• Allow their dog into clearly demarcated children’s play areas or school land
• Not place their dogs on a lead when asked to by an authorised officer
• Take more than four dogs at a time onto any public land.
• Failure to respond to a fixed penalty notice can result in prosecution. There will be exceptions for assistance dogs.

For more information, please visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/dogcontrol

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A recent press release

llr Barbara Dring, Chair of the city council’s Licensing and Public Protection Committee, said: “The introduction of dog control orders has enabled us to successfully prosecute irresponsible dog owners for not controlling their pets or picking up their mess.

“However we still  receive high numbers of complaints about dogs, particularly around dog fouling, which is why the fine has been increased from £80 to £100 – the message is simple, pick up or pay up.”

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I am sure the vast majority of dog owners will welcome this information. You can deposit dog waste in litter bins if it is wrapped up. There are more litter bins in Oscott then ever.

FLOODING ISSUES NEED TO BE DEALT WITH

During one of our regular Councillor Barbara Dring and I noticed how many ponding ( flooding) issues there are in the area at the moment.

I have been reporting these ever since and will continue to do so as not only can residents be splashed but this flooding could lead to accidents
If you are concerned about this issue please let me have the details and I will do what I can to help.

MORE GRAFFITTI PAINTED ON LOCAL PUB WALL

Sadly there has been more offensive graffiti painted on the Kingtanding Public House Walls.

With the support of Councillor Barbara Dring I have now put in a request for its removal ASAP.

Some asked me the other day why I bother my reply is because I live in Oscott and want to see it look as nice as possible as do many other residents.

OUT WITH THE FQNR LITTER PICKER SQUAD IN OLD OSCOTT LANE

I was pleased to be out and about again despite the rain to do a mini litter pick with the dedicated Friends Of the Queslett Reserve Environmental Group. This time in Old Oscott Lane.

It may have been wet but another green area was picked clean of litter and rubbish.

We are looking for dedicated volunteers who are prepared to roll up their sleeves to help keep the area clean.
If you are interested Email Keith.Linnecor@Birmingham,gov.uk

OSCOTT FLY TIPPING BACK ON THE INCREASE

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There seems to be another Speight of Fly Tipping going on in Oscott.

A number of rear access ways ( which are usually owned by and are the responsibility of residents them selves) seem to be targeted.

Residents with rear access ways need to make sure they lock gates if there are any and remind neighbours, rubbish should not be dumped in these rear access ways

Where their are no gates neighbours need to club together to buy some.
Along with the Osoctt Neighbourhood Police Initiative ( N.P.I.) volunteers I can help arrange for a free lock to be  fitted ( attached by a welded chain to the gates.)

These gates offer security from non resident fly tippers who often come from other areas and from anti social behaviour

There is no excuse for fly tipping as the Holford Drive waste recycling Centre is only minutes away for the Oscott area and the Council offer a competitively priced bulk collection service.
Fly tipper need to be caught, fined and named and shamed.

5 STAR AWARD FOR BENNY'S DINNER

When out and about with Councillor Barbara Dring we were pleased to see Benny's dinner Kingstanding Road have received a 5 star notification for food hygiene and safety.

As Barbara  who is Chair of the Licensing committee explained to me "our officers do no award these without a full inspection they are not that easy to receive"

Well done Bennies Dinner

REPLACEMENT TREES FOR THE ALDRIDGE ROAD RECREATION GROUND

I was pleased to hear that Birmingham Trees for Life are donating and arranging to have planted 10 new standard trees.

These trees will be planted by the children from the Great Barr Primary in conjunction with the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve Environmental Group in the Aldridge Recreation Ground.

This will go some way to make up for trees vandalised or stolen from the site last year.

We need trees on sights like this where they have room to grow and can make the recreation ground  look better.

THE FQNR ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP IN ACTION AGAIN

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It was nice to be out and about with some of our most active friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve members doing a path leaf clean up and litter pick followed by a patrol of the reserve.

We try and keep it as tidy as possible and try and keep an eye open for any ASB.
All FQNR member and users of the reserve are asked to report anything ssuspicious

GEORGE KNOWN AS DEREK READE R.I.P

It was with great sadness that I learnt of the death today of Derek Reade.

Shortly after Inspector Peter Schuck and I founded the Oscott Neigbourhood Police Initiative more years ago than I care to remember Derek  cam along to volunteer and become a senior co ordinator.

Derek  worked behind the scenes until a few years ago when illness preventing him from taking a more active roll.

Derek was not a moaner but a hands on and help person who cared about his community.
 He will be missed and I would like to pass on my deepest Sypathy to his wife Valerie and his family.

GETTING JAPANESE KNOT WEED INTHE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE DEALT WITH

I was pleased to see when out and about in the Queslett Nature Reserve this week some of the Japanese Knot weed I have reported in the reserve has been dealt with

This introduced plant is a notable plant which can do harm to the environment.

Along with other members of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve Environmental Group we are always on the look out for out breaks of this weed.

If you find you have it in your garden seek advice before trying to get rid of it.

THANKS TO THOSE WHO ATTENDED THE OSCOTT PARKING AND ROAD SAFETY AROUND SCHOOLS MEETING

I would like to thank all those Oscott Schools who took the time to send a representative to the all "Oscott Schools Parking and Road safety meeting."

I would also like to thank representatives from the Fire Brigade, the Police , Road safety officers of various sorts and Councillor Barbara Dring for attending. Sorry If I missed anyone.

I would also Like to thank the Great Barr Academy for the use of one of their rooms.

Most Of all I would like to thank the Perry Barr Acting District Director Neal Da Costa for all the behind the scenes work he puts in organising these meeting.

Sadly a few schools did not send a representative. I was pleased however to hear form all those who attended that they fully understood parking and road safety near schools is a very important subject. It is problem their school recognises and want to do something about. They also indicated they found the meeting useful.

We have not come up with any magic solutions or money trees, but there was a lot of useful back ground information and we have agreed to meet again in the new year, to see if some of the ideas that were discussed can be progressed.

If your school was unable to attend and you feel that parking issues and road safety near the school where your child goes to or (if you are a near by resident), you may wish to remind that school to attend the next meeting.

It is a great shame that it takes a tragedy and the often knee jerk reaction to it, to make some people get involved rather than working to try and prevent one.

At these meetings we also consider how to improve the air quality around our school which is so badly effects those with breathing problems and the local environment. We need to reduce the need for parent to take children to school and park with their engines running a lot of the time. Its bad for the Children, triose living near schools and yes ultimately the climate

By working collectively we may help deal with some of these major problems.
We do however need those working at a higher level to take an interest and show their support as this would go a long way to help what we are trying to do.

 Residents will have an opportunity to learn more about this meeting and to have an impute on the subject at the next Ward Residents meeting on the 26th of October. The venue will be the 610 Community Centre and the time 7pm. The meeting will be chaired by Councillor Barbara Dring.  I will also be attending.

NEW LIGHTING FOR FORGERS WALK TUNNEL

REF NEW STREET LIGHT FOR FORGERS WALK TUNNEL

Checking the last new street lamp that was put in place

Councillor Barbara Dring and I  have now arranged with the Housing Department to have a second street light installed near the run up to the Forgers Walk tunnel at the end of your road. The work is expected to be completed by the spring.

This should help make residents feel safer when using the tunnel after dark and it will complement the one we have erected last year.

We would like to thank the Oscott Residents Association for their assistance with this matter.

New lighting to go here in the New Year thanks to the Oscott Labour Team working with local residents

See also blog post 16th November 2016

OSCOTT WARD RESIDENTS COMMITTEE MEETING 26TH OCTOBER

There will be a meeting of the Oscott Ward Residents committee (Chaired by Councillor Barbara  Dring and attended by all Oscott Councillors) on 26th October@7pm the venue will be the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road.

On the Aenda will be

Amey will present their Oscott Tree survey.
 ( A number of roads due to have been pruned in the late summer have been delayed but work is expected to carried out through out the rest of the year) 

An update on the recent All Oscott schools problem parking and road safety meeting

A report from the Local Police Team

A.O.B

All Oscott Residents are welcome to attend

OUT AND ABOUT IN THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

I was pleased to be able to find some time today to be out on patrol in the Queslett Nature Reserve meeting users and helping to keep an eye on the reserve to detect anti social behavior. The FQNR asks resident to help keep an eye on the reserve and report acts of anti social behavior.
Today for example yet again life rings are to be seen floating in the lake.

I also managed to do a little light pruning and was pleased to see how clean FQNR members are keeping the reserve.

Please note report act of ASB but do not put your self in and sort of confutation just walk away if you see any acts of ASB being carried out.

OSCOTT WASTE COLLECTION BACK TO A WEEKLY CYCLE FROM NEXT WEEK

The latest information I have received from the Cabinet member responsible for Household waste collection is that Oscott residents can expect their bins to be emptied on a weekly basis again from next week until further notice.

Should you bin be missed please contact either Councillor Barbara Dring or myself and we will try and help if we can

OSCOTT SPONSORED SKATE BOARD IS AS BUSY AS EVER

I was very pleased to see how busy the Skate Board Centre in Perry Barr park was the other day.

This skate Board Sponsored by the Oscott Ward and championed so well by Councillor Barbara Dring ( with my support) is really popular with young people from Oscott and else where.
It is in a really good location easily accessible by foot or public transport. 997  33 934 and so on

This is just another of the ways we are trying to help local youngsters in the area.

OSCOTT BINS COLLECTION NEXT WEEK 7th ON

I  Have been informed Oscott residents should have their bins emptied as usual next week (7th on) so keep you bins out on the edge of your property as usual

If your bin is missed email me (or leave a message on )121 303 2039