Wednesday 30th September
I attended the Friends of Brandwood Pool a fairly new group that has been set up to work on the conservation of the pool. A lot of people don't know of this but it is a beautiful spot. It is by Brandwood End Cemetery, the area by Sunderton Road. The main discussion was around the removal of graffiti, anti-social behaviour and having further clean up days. Following the meeting I have written to the council and the police as residents were unhappy with the amount of empty beer cans that are dropped by the pool.
Wednesday 30 September 2009
Local services committee
Tuesday 29th September
After meeting with officers to discuss the council budget, I chaired the monthly meeting of the local services committee. The main items were evidence gathering for our drugs and alcohol review, local area agreements and the budgets for the committee.
After meeting with officers to discuss the council budget, I chaired the monthly meeting of the local services committee. The main items were evidence gathering for our drugs and alcohol review, local area agreements and the budgets for the committee.
Tuesday 29 September 2009
Ward advisory Board
Monday 28th September
After delivering leaflets on Druids Heath, I went to the Ward Advisory Board. This is a group that consists of resident groups, voluntary groups, councillors etc. The main items that were discussed were the park ranger service within the ward, community chest spending and how local groups have benefitted from this and neighbourhood improvements.
After delivering leaflets on Druids Heath, I went to the Ward Advisory Board. This is a group that consists of resident groups, voluntary groups, councillors etc. The main items that were discussed were the park ranger service within the ward, community chest spending and how local groups have benefitted from this and neighbourhood improvements.
Friday 18 September 2009
Newark Grove
Friday 18th September
I have been chasing the council about the problems within Newark Grove. I have been advised that the walkway between 1 Newick Grove and 163/173 Brandwood Park Road is to be gated up at both ends of the walkway. Also, there are investigations around the possability of blocking off the road access to the disused garage site at the side of 12 and 14 Newick grove. This would involve a bollard and trip rail. I have been told that the residents are supportive of this.
I have been chasing the council about the problems within Newark Grove. I have been advised that the walkway between 1 Newick Grove and 163/173 Brandwood Park Road is to be gated up at both ends of the walkway. Also, there are investigations around the possability of blocking off the road access to the disused garage site at the side of 12 and 14 Newick grove. This would involve a bollard and trip rail. I have been told that the residents are supportive of this.
Thursday 17 September 2009
Problem Parking Monyhull
Thursday 17th September
Following a number of complaints that I have recieved about illegal parking and broken bollards on Monyhull Hall Road (end towards Broad Lane) I have contacted the council and the police. The council have said that they will replace the broken bollards and the police will take appropriate enforcement action.
Following a number of complaints that I have recieved about illegal parking and broken bollards on Monyhull Hall Road (end towards Broad Lane) I have contacted the council and the police. The council have said that they will replace the broken bollards and the police will take appropriate enforcement action.
Tuesday 15 September 2009
50 bus terminus
Tuesday 15th September
I have contacted National Exress, Diamond and Centro as residents are still complaining about bus drivers using the 50 terminus as a toilet. I know that National Express have an agreement with the bookies on Bells Lane for use of their toilet facilities but I am still getting complaints. I want to know what they are doing to prevent this and what their views are on on a super loo. When I looked at this I was amazed to discover that they have a capital cost/set up cost of approximately £30k and a yearly revenue cost of £25k.
I have contacted National Exress, Diamond and Centro as residents are still complaining about bus drivers using the 50 terminus as a toilet. I know that National Express have an agreement with the bookies on Bells Lane for use of their toilet facilities but I am still getting complaints. I want to know what they are doing to prevent this and what their views are on on a super loo. When I looked at this I was amazed to discover that they have a capital cost/set up cost of approximately £30k and a yearly revenue cost of £25k.
Council Management
Monday 14th September
I attended the Executive Management Team Meeting of the council to discuss the devolution of services within the council. I made the following points: that the constituencies need to manage their budgets better and that councillors need to have more control over direct expenditure within their ward. 110 of the 120 councillors only have direct control of £150,000 within the ward they represent, not very much out of a £3 billion budget.
I attended the Executive Management Team Meeting of the council to discuss the devolution of services within the council. I made the following points: that the constituencies need to manage their budgets better and that councillors need to have more control over direct expenditure within their ward. 110 of the 120 councillors only have direct control of £150,000 within the ward they represent, not very much out of a £3 billion budget.
Sunday 13 September 2009
Friends of Jasmin Fields
Saturday 13th September
I had a busy day in the ward delivering leaflets and attending some local community events. The main one was the Friends of Jasmin Field open day. This is a group of residents who, with the help of the council, have set up a group to maintain an area off Bayston Road. The main part of the day was to raise awareness about conservation. To show that councillors from different parties can work together I made a bird box with a Labour Councillor.
I had a busy day in the ward delivering leaflets and attending some local community events. The main one was the Friends of Jasmin Field open day. This is a group of residents who, with the help of the council, have set up a group to maintain an area off Bayston Road. The main part of the day was to raise awareness about conservation. To show that councillors from different parties can work together I made a bird box with a Labour Councillor.
Friday 11 September 2009
Co-ordinating committee
Friday 11th September
I am a member of the council co- ordinating committee this is the main council committee where we get the chance to raise major issues with senior people in the council. Today is the turn of the chief executive. He got quite a hard time from councillors from all parties. This was particularly around single status, stopping additional papers been circulated at committee meetings and the pay deal with staff.
I am a member of the council co- ordinating committee this is the main council committee where we get the chance to raise major issues with senior people in the council. Today is the turn of the chief executive. He got quite a hard time from councillors from all parties. This was particularly around single status, stopping additional papers been circulated at committee meetings and the pay deal with staff.
Thursday 10 September 2009
South Birmingham Community Radio
Thursday 10th September
South Birmingham Community Radio are based at the Maypole Centre on Druids Heath. They are internet based radio station but have had temporary licenses in the past for the radio itself, the last 1 was a few months ago. They are focussed on the local community and their activities.
They have contacted me about signing a petition, which I have, to support the sustainability and growth of community radio by substantially increasing the resources of the Community Radio Fund. The link is
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/allthevoices/
South Birmingham Community Radio are based at the Maypole Centre on Druids Heath. They are internet based radio station but have had temporary licenses in the past for the radio itself, the last 1 was a few months ago. They are focussed on the local community and their activities.
They have contacted me about signing a petition, which I have, to support the sustainability and growth of community radio by substantially increasing the resources of the Community Radio Fund. The link is
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/allthevoices/
Druids Heath Management Board
Tuesday 8th September
A busy day. In the morning I was delivering leaflets for our Parliamentary Candidate, Nigel Dawkins in Kings Heath. I chaired the Druids Heath Management Board Meeting. The main discussion points were around the 50 bus terminus, empty properties and crossing Bells Lane.
In the afternoon it was Full Council, which lasted for 6 hours. Not one of my favourite meetings of the month as it is like the House of Commons, a bit of a mud slinging session and all the important decisions are taken by the Cabinet of the Council rather than in the Council Chamber.
A busy day. In the morning I was delivering leaflets for our Parliamentary Candidate, Nigel Dawkins in Kings Heath. I chaired the Druids Heath Management Board Meeting. The main discussion points were around the 50 bus terminus, empty properties and crossing Bells Lane.
In the afternoon it was Full Council, which lasted for 6 hours. Not one of my favourite meetings of the month as it is like the House of Commons, a bit of a mud slinging session and all the important decisions are taken by the Cabinet of the Council rather than in the Council Chamber.
Haunch Lane License Application
Monday 7th September
First meeting of the day was attending a licensing committee hearing for the license application on Haunch Lane. I spoke against the application as did a local resident but as the police didn't object to the application the license was approved.
In the afternoon there was a Conservative Group meeting. We have this the day before Full Council where we discuss the issues that are coming up. A number of issues were discussed: the local bi-election in Sparkbrook, PFI and the General Election.
First meeting of the day was attending a licensing committee hearing for the license application on Haunch Lane. I spoke against the application as did a local resident but as the police didn't object to the application the license was approved.
In the afternoon there was a Conservative Group meeting. We have this the day before Full Council where we discuss the issues that are coming up. A number of issues were discussed: the local bi-election in Sparkbrook, PFI and the General Election.
Sunday 6 September 2009
Special Collection
Sunday 6th September
Off to deliver some special collection (unwanted bulky items) leaflets for Taylor Road, Beechwood Road, Tudor Road, Hartswell Drive and Maple Croft. The council will be carrying out this collection on 14th September. Residents can leave unwanted items outside their house and the council will collect these for free. All of the ward is done each year. This is funded from the council centrally and local community chest funding. We support this as it is popular with the local community.
Off to deliver some special collection (unwanted bulky items) leaflets for Taylor Road, Beechwood Road, Tudor Road, Hartswell Drive and Maple Croft. The council will be carrying out this collection on 14th September. Residents can leave unwanted items outside their house and the council will collect these for free. All of the ward is done each year. This is funded from the council centrally and local community chest funding. We support this as it is popular with the local community.
Thursday 3 September 2009
Recycling in tower blocks
Thursday 3rd September
The Council has a target of providing recycling of 3 or more materials to 99% of the households in the city by March 2010, this includes flats.
The Council are looking at putting facilities in the following tower blocks: Middlefield/Harrison/Parker Houses - Britford Close
Kingswood/Saxelby/Barrett Houses - Kimpton Close
The Council believe that there is space near the blocks to put a recycling centre consisting of a paper bank and 3 glass banks. This would enable residents to recycle paper/card and colour separated glass/cans as cans are able to be put into the brown glass bank. With Britford Close it would be on the grass verge opposite Harrison House and with Kimpton Close it has been suggested to locate them on the wide
pavement area on the junction with Bells Lane - outside Barrett House.
I support recycling but have raised some questions
How often would this be emptied?
Who will be doing the emptying?
The Council has a target of providing recycling of 3 or more materials to 99% of the households in the city by March 2010, this includes flats.
The Council are looking at putting facilities in the following tower blocks: Middlefield/Harrison/Parker Houses - Britford Close
Kingswood/Saxelby/Barrett Houses - Kimpton Close
The Council believe that there is space near the blocks to put a recycling centre consisting of a paper bank and 3 glass banks. This would enable residents to recycle paper/card and colour separated glass/cans as cans are able to be put into the brown glass bank. With Britford Close it would be on the grass verge opposite Harrison House and with Kimpton Close it has been suggested to locate them on the wide
pavement area on the junction with Bells Lane - outside Barrett House.
I support recycling but have raised some questions
How often would this be emptied?
Who will be doing the emptying?
Wednesday 2 September 2009
Kings Heath Park
Wednesday 2nd September
Whilst Kings Heath Park isn't within Brandwood Ward, it is a stones throw away. I have had a number of enquiries about the play area within the park. I am pleased to say that orders are being raised to replace the two pieces of play equipment which were removed a short while ago from the main play area adjacent to The Avenue car park. The Council are also investigating what opportunities may be available for carrying out future improvements of the play areas, including potential S106 and other funding sources.
Whilst Kings Heath Park isn't within Brandwood Ward, it is a stones throw away. I have had a number of enquiries about the play area within the park. I am pleased to say that orders are being raised to replace the two pieces of play equipment which were removed a short while ago from the main play area adjacent to The Avenue car park. The Council are also investigating what opportunities may be available for carrying out future improvements of the play areas, including potential S106 and other funding sources.
Tuesday 1 September 2009
One Way/ No Entry Signage All Saints Road
Tuesday 1st September
Following my post last week the council have acted quickly to my response to improve the signage for no entry into All Saints Road from Abbots Road and 1 way signage at the top of All Saints Road.
Highways Maintenance are going to re-orientate the `No entry’ sign and an order has been raised to install additional carriageway marking to highlight the one way system along All Saints Road.
Following my post last week the council have acted quickly to my response to improve the signage for no entry into All Saints Road from Abbots Road and 1 way signage at the top of All Saints Road.
Highways Maintenance are going to re-orientate the `No entry’ sign and an order has been raised to install additional carriageway marking to highlight the one way system along All Saints Road.
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