COOKSEY LANE PAVEMENTS NEED AN UPGRADE

I am joining in with Cooksey Lane residents calling Amey to improve the condition of the pavements in Cooksey Lane.
Cooksey Lane is not even on the 5 year plan for a pavement upgrade and this is not good enough.
I will be handing in a petition ( thanks to Mrs Berry and Friends) early next month on behalf of residents and in the mean time I will continue to ask Amey to look into this problem.
Cooksey Lane needs not just to be part of Amey's 5 year plan, but to be near the top of tat plan. The work needs to be done sooner rather than later and that is what I will be calling on Amey to do.

BANDYWOOD ESTATE NEEDS A CLEAN UP

It is becoming more noticeable that the Bandywood Estate is becoming a mess. Rubbish is starting to build up on pavements and in peoples gardens.
The 3 Oscott Councillors Barbara Dring, Tristan Chatfield and myself are already in the process of initiating a major walk about with a number of senior Council officers to discuss the issue and are calling for action.
Households on the estate can help by using the bulk collection service. There is still one free collection available very year. Simply ring 303112 for details.
The 3 Oscott Councillors do not want to see parts of Oscott end up like looking like some other parts of the city and are determined to try and prevent build ups of rubbish becoming the norm.

MY COUNCILLORS ROVING SURGERY TAKES PLACE TOMORROW 11TH SEPT AT SAINT ANNE'S COURT

I will be doing one of my Roving councillors surgeries at the Saint Anne's Court complex, Saint Anne,s Way, tomorrow (Wednesday 11th) at 2pm.
If you have an issue or concern you want to tell me about why not pop in and let me know.
I do not promise I can resolve every issue i hear about but I do try and help if I can.

SPEEDING IN MOOR LANE NEEDS TO STOP

Moor Lane has for some time now been a speeding Hot spot in the area and many residents can back up this statement with the fact they have had cars damaged.
I have petitioned for road safety measures for this road in the past and will continue to call for the introduction of road safety measures.
It is no good the Transportation department simply saying no time after time. Something needs to be done. It is time for example for a 20MPH speed limit to be considered.
I am also in touch with the Police regarding this speeding problem and I am urgently requesting anti speeding operations be put in place in Moor Lane.
Motorists simple need to slow down when using this road for the sake of everyone including themselves.

KEEP OUR PAVEMENTS FREE FROM OBSTUCTION AND CUT BACK YOUR HEDGES

It is becoming noticeable that some home owners (and others) are not pruning back their hedges and bushes in their front gardens causing pavements to be obstructed in some places.
This is becoming a real nuisance for pedestrian's especial those in wheel chairs or for those pushing prams. Pedestian's should not be forced to step into the road.
I would ask residents and others  to cut back their bushes and hedges and free the pavements for pedestrian's.
 For those who will not I am asking Amey the contractor responsible to speak to them and remind them of their responsibilities. One example that springs to mind is the corner of Dyas Road and Old Oscott Lane.

FAMILY JOINS HOSPICE BIRTHDAY WALK

I have recieved the letter below which I am happy to pass on.
A good cause if you can help please do.

28 August 2013

Family Joins Hospice Birthday Walk

When mum and grandma Margaret Simpson was told her pancreatic cancer was no longer treatable she was determined to die at home.

And her family were determined to do all they could to help her to achieve her wish. Thanks to the support of teams from John Taylor Hospice, Margaret spent her last few weeks at her New Oscott home provided with the necessary medical and personal care – and surrounded by those she loved.

After experiencing the Hospice’s ‘Taylormade’ care, Margaret’s daughter Charlotte Whalley has become a valued supporter of John Taylor. And this year she and her family will be joining hundreds of other families in the Hospice’s Birthday Walk on Sunday October 6.

It will be the second time 36-year-old housewife Charlotte, her husband Simon, a 41-year-old graphic designer, and daughter Courtney Smith, a 13-year-old pupil at Park Hall Academy, will take part in the walk which has become a firm fixture on the calendars of lots of local families.

“Mum was such a bubbly person. She was fantastic and so caring,” says Charlotte, of Water Orton. “She always put everyone else first – even when she was ill. She was a very positive and a very strong person.

“In January 2011 the doctors said they were stopping the chemotherapy as it wasn’t making any difference. She rapidly went downhill after that and she passed away in the February. She was 62.

“But she did really want to be looked after at home. We were put in touch with John Taylor Hospice and they were able to send staff out to do things like check her medication – and other things which we couldn’t do.

“We are a big family – there’s my dad, my mum had sisters nearby and I’ve got brothers so there was always someone able to be with her. But knowing that we could call on the Hospice and that they could help us when we needed it made all the difference.”

The family, which also includes four-year-old son Mason Whalley, asked for donations to the Hospice in lieu of flowers at their mum’s funeral and took part in last year’s Birthday Walk.

“We really enjoyed it last year and will definitely be doing it again this year,” says Charlotte. “There was a great atmosphere and when you walk past the Hospice at about half way it is just lovely.”

The Birthday Walk celebrates two years since the staff at John Taylor Hospice voted to return the Hospice to independence as a community interest company.

John Taylor Hospice CEO Kate Phipps says: “Our Birthday Walk has become an increasingly popular event attracting people from across the West Midlands and beyond.

“It is a chance for people to come together to walk for fun, walk for fitness and walk for a loved one.”

 Taking place on Sunday October 6, the 3.5 mile route begins and ends at the Ramada Hotel in Penns Lane, Sutton Coldfield. The fully marshalled event takes people through Pype Hayes Park and past the Hospice and is pushchair, wheelchair and dog friendly.

Registration costs £5 per person and can be done by filling in the form on the website www.johntaylorhospice.org.uk or contacting the Community Investment Crew on 0121 465 2000.

For more information on investing in John Taylor Hospice see www.johntaylorhospice.org.uk or contact the Community Investment Crew on 0121 465 2000.

ENDS

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.