Friday 30th October
We are drawing to the end of the Scrutiny Review that I am leading on drugs and alcohol in Birmingham. This has been taking place for the last year, and we have had evidence from a variety of people including users, police and service providers. I met up with some Council officers to pass on what I would like to be included in the review, including making sure that people in their 20s are not missed out of the provision of support, that provision needs to be as localised as possible and that professionals need to be able to get on with their work without their hands being tied. There are usually about 10 recommendations from Scrutiny Reviews.
Thursday 29 October 2009
Meeting with Inspiring People
Thursday 29th October
I attended an interesting meeting, as part of the drugs and alcohol review, where I had the chance to meet people that had previously been treated for drugs and alcohol addiction, but who have now totally changed their lives and are now helping out other people that have fallen upon hard times. It was very inspiring to listen to them.
I attended an interesting meeting, as part of the drugs and alcohol review, where I had the chance to meet people that had previously been treated for drugs and alcohol addiction, but who have now totally changed their lives and are now helping out other people that have fallen upon hard times. It was very inspiring to listen to them.
Wednesday 28 October 2009
Cabinet Member Interview
Tuesday 27th October
I had the chance today to meet up with the Cabinet Member for Local Services and raise questions with him about his portfolio. I spoke with him about neighbourhood working, the problems with crime while the recession continues and anti-social behaviour - which is a major concern for law-abiding residents.
I had the chance today to meet up with the Cabinet Member for Local Services and raise questions with him about his portfolio. I spoke with him about neighbourhood working, the problems with crime while the recession continues and anti-social behaviour - which is a major concern for law-abiding residents.
Devolution of Council Services
Monday 26th October
Our weekly meeting of the review group for the role of constituencies in the provision of services. Today we were looking at local centres of excellence. The review group is due to report to the management of the council in a few weeks. I’m sure that most people don’t mind who runs the services as long as they are efficient.
Our weekly meeting of the review group for the role of constituencies in the provision of services. Today we were looking at local centres of excellence. The review group is due to report to the management of the council in a few weeks. I’m sure that most people don’t mind who runs the services as long as they are efficient.
Friday 23 October 2009
Tower Blocks
Friday 23rd October
I have had several enquiries over the last few days about the demolition of some tower blocks on Druids Heath, these rumours aren't true.
There has been some discussion about this in the past, when Labour was the ruling group on the council. The first time was when the Council was looking at doing a stock transfer of the council houses, but this was rejected by the residents.
The second was when the Tennant Management Organisation (TMO) for Druids Heath was in existence - while they were looking at developing the estate there was some discussion about pulling down some tower blocks. This never got off the ground as the TMO were only responsible for the repair of council houses, not building new houses.
I have had several enquiries over the last few days about the demolition of some tower blocks on Druids Heath, these rumours aren't true.
There has been some discussion about this in the past, when Labour was the ruling group on the council. The first time was when the Council was looking at doing a stock transfer of the council houses, but this was rejected by the residents.
The second was when the Tennant Management Organisation (TMO) for Druids Heath was in existence - while they were looking at developing the estate there was some discussion about pulling down some tower blocks. This never got off the ground as the TMO were only responsible for the repair of council houses, not building new houses.
Employment, Regeneration and Commissioning Group
Thursday 22nd October
I am part of the Employment, Regeneration and Commissioning Group for Selly Oak Constituency which aims to help people back to work or employment related issues. There are a number of projects for Brandwood Ward that have been put forward. These are from the following:
The Spearhead Trust/ Bells Farm to help 200 young people with employment related issues
Project for the Renewal of Druids Heath project aims to raise awareness of the employment, training and volunteering opportunities within the area
Brandwood Centre to have the benefits and advice surgery
The Council are proposing some Employment Day at Allens Croft and surroundings areas.
I am part of the Employment, Regeneration and Commissioning Group for Selly Oak Constituency which aims to help people back to work or employment related issues. There are a number of projects for Brandwood Ward that have been put forward. These are from the following:
The Spearhead Trust/ Bells Farm to help 200 young people with employment related issues
Project for the Renewal of Druids Heath project aims to raise awareness of the employment, training and volunteering opportunities within the area
Brandwood Centre to have the benefits and advice surgery
The Council are proposing some Employment Day at Allens Croft and surroundings areas.
Wednesday 21 October 2009
Constituency Committee Meeting
Tuesday 20th October
Went to the the Constituency Committee meeting which is made up of the councillors of Billesley, Bournville, Brandwood and Selly Oak where issues that affect the whole constituency are discussed. The main items on the agenda were environmental activities, Section 106 agreements and the budget. I am pleased that Selly Oak is one of the few constituencies to have a balanced budget.
Went to the the Constituency Committee meeting which is made up of the councillors of Billesley, Bournville, Brandwood and Selly Oak where issues that affect the whole constituency are discussed. The main items on the agenda were environmental activities, Section 106 agreements and the budget. I am pleased that Selly Oak is one of the few constituencies to have a balanced budget.
Tuesday 20 October 2009
Another Licence Application on Druids Heath
Monday 19th January
I attended the alcohol licensing application for Durford Croft, Druids Heath at the Licensing Committee. This is the 3rd application this year from premises on Druids Heath for a licence to sell alcohol. I spoke against the application. The application was approved as the application changed their hours of selling alcohol from 7am to 10pm to midday to 8pm. The application was approved but there was a condition put on the selling of alcohol that when the premises are open for business but not allowed to sell alcohol then the alcohol has to be stored in locked units.
I attended the alcohol licensing application for Durford Croft, Druids Heath at the Licensing Committee. This is the 3rd application this year from premises on Druids Heath for a licence to sell alcohol. I spoke against the application. The application was approved as the application changed their hours of selling alcohol from 7am to 10pm to midday to 8pm. The application was approved but there was a condition put on the selling of alcohol that when the premises are open for business but not allowed to sell alcohol then the alcohol has to be stored in locked units.
Thursday 15 October 2009
Connecting Communities
Friday 16th October
Parts of Birmingham including Druids Heath are getting a slice of £12million of funding for a new initiative to "connect communities" by tackling perceptions of unfairness and community tensions in some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country. This is based around concerns about jobs, migration, access to housing and anti-social behaviour but it recognises that more intensive engagement is needed in these communities to avoid the danger that extremists will try to exploit dissatisfaction and insecurity in ways which pull communities apart.
Parts of Birmingham including Druids Heath are getting a slice of £12million of funding for a new initiative to "connect communities" by tackling perceptions of unfairness and community tensions in some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country. This is based around concerns about jobs, migration, access to housing and anti-social behaviour but it recognises that more intensive engagement is needed in these communities to avoid the danger that extremists will try to exploit dissatisfaction and insecurity in ways which pull communities apart.
Community Garden, Easterton Croft
Thursday 15th October
There have been a lot of conversations around having a community garden at Easterton Croft. The area was cut back but is in danger of being overgrown. I met up with some people from the Druids Heath Neighbourhood Forum to discuss how to take this project forward as they were the ones that originally came up with the idea.
From the meeting, I agreed that I would organise a meeting of the relevant partners including the probation service, councillors, residents etc. This will allow a strategy to develop to take this project forward.
There have been a lot of conversations around having a community garden at Easterton Croft. The area was cut back but is in danger of being overgrown. I met up with some people from the Druids Heath Neighbourhood Forum to discuss how to take this project forward as they were the ones that originally came up with the idea.
From the meeting, I agreed that I would organise a meeting of the relevant partners including the probation service, councillors, residents etc. This will allow a strategy to develop to take this project forward.
Wednesday 14 October 2009
Full Council
Tuesday 13th October
The main meeting of the day was full council, this is where council policy is discussed, councillors can hold the Executive to account and motions can be put forward to highlight issues.
The main area of interest today was the scrutiny review that was done on the problems with protecting children and improving children's social care following several high profile cases. This had a lot of interest from councillors and had a lot of national press following the report's launch last week. I just hope that it helps the most vulnerable children in society.
The main meeting of the day was full council, this is where council policy is discussed, councillors can hold the Executive to account and motions can be put forward to highlight issues.
The main area of interest today was the scrutiny review that was done on the problems with protecting children and improving children's social care following several high profile cases. This had a lot of interest from councillors and had a lot of national press following the report's launch last week. I just hope that it helps the most vulnerable children in society.
Druids Heath Tasking Board
Monday 12th October
I had a day full of meetings within the ward and at the council house. I had our councillors' group meeting which discusses the full council agenda and major policy areas. I left this early to head off to the neighbourhood tasking meeting on Druids Heath.
This meeting is well run by the police in the area who are very dedicated to the needs of the community that they serve. The main issues that came up were the anti-social behaviour on Shrewton Avenue, the off road driving of motorbikes and kids hanging around in tower blocks. The police will report back on the action that they take at the next meeting in a month's time.
I had a day full of meetings within the ward and at the council house. I had our councillors' group meeting which discusses the full council agenda and major policy areas. I left this early to head off to the neighbourhood tasking meeting on Druids Heath.
This meeting is well run by the police in the area who are very dedicated to the needs of the community that they serve. The main issues that came up were the anti-social behaviour on Shrewton Avenue, the off road driving of motorbikes and kids hanging around in tower blocks. The police will report back on the action that they take at the next meeting in a month's time.
Thursday 8 October 2009
Missed refuse collection
Friday 9th October
It has been a quiet day with case work. I normally get 4-5 enquiries a day. I communicate through Facebook, Twitter, the web, newsletters, letters, emails, my blog etc. It seems the more work you do, the more case work you generate. The thing I enjoy most about being a councillor is trying to help people address their concerns.
I contacted Lifford Lane about the problems with consistent missed multi-material collection for Garretts Walk. Crates are put out for collection by the crews and for some reason are missed. This has happened so often that inevitably a loss of confidence in the service has set in and participation has been withdrawn.
I know from other parts of Druids Heath that the council is about to roll out innovative solutions to capture recyclable material from the tower blocks, which will go some way to meeting the tough targets we have set ourselves.
It has been a quiet day with case work. I normally get 4-5 enquiries a day. I communicate through Facebook, Twitter, the web, newsletters, letters, emails, my blog etc. It seems the more work you do, the more case work you generate. The thing I enjoy most about being a councillor is trying to help people address their concerns.
I contacted Lifford Lane about the problems with consistent missed multi-material collection for Garretts Walk. Crates are put out for collection by the crews and for some reason are missed. This has happened so often that inevitably a loss of confidence in the service has set in and participation has been withdrawn.
I know from other parts of Druids Heath that the council is about to roll out innovative solutions to capture recyclable material from the tower blocks, which will go some way to meeting the tough targets we have set ourselves.
Wednesday 7 October 2009
All Saints Church
Thursday 8th October
I met up with some people who has been involved with the development of the All Saints Project in Kings Heath. They outlined the plans to me.
They have applied for planning permission and it will go to the Planning Committee within the next few months. I hope it will be granted. They will start on site in the middle of 2010 and they hope it will be built by this time next year. The money has come through both fund raising and the council. It is hoped that they will get further funding from the lottery.
I met up with some people who has been involved with the development of the All Saints Project in Kings Heath. They outlined the plans to me.
They have applied for planning permission and it will go to the Planning Committee within the next few months. I hope it will be granted. They will start on site in the middle of 2010 and they hope it will be built by this time next year. The money has come through both fund raising and the council. It is hoped that they will get further funding from the lottery.
Druids Heath Management Board
Tuesday 6th October
I had my monthly meeting of the Druids Heath Tasking Board. The main issues that were discussed were about the proposed community garden at Easterton Croft, the renovation of Manningford Hall by the probation service and anti-social behaviour around tower blocks.
I had my monthly meeting of the Druids Heath Tasking Board. The main issues that were discussed were about the proposed community garden at Easterton Croft, the renovation of Manningford Hall by the probation service and anti-social behaviour around tower blocks.
Council devolution
Monday 5th October
The main meeting of the day was to discuss how the devolution of constituencies can be strengthened. Constituencies like other parts of the council are under financial pressures. The constituencies have been particularly under pressure with the leisure centres. Selly Oak Constituency, under which Brandwood falls, has managed to keep a balanced budget. We have also managed to make Cocks Moors Woods a successful leisure centre.
The main meeting of the day was to discuss how the devolution of constituencies can be strengthened. Constituencies like other parts of the council are under financial pressures. The constituencies have been particularly under pressure with the leisure centres. Selly Oak Constituency, under which Brandwood falls, has managed to keep a balanced budget. We have also managed to make Cocks Moors Woods a successful leisure centre.
Thursday 1 October 2009
Old buildigs demolished
Friday 2nd October
The council are looking at demolishing a number of vacant buildings/ garages and looking at putting residential property on them. The sites are on Shelfield Road, Tunnel Lane and Dawberry Fields Road.
The Dawberry Fields Road site was previously the location of 12 Cornish construction flats, which were demolished in 2001 (following approval to clear and redevelop).
The site in Shelfield Road contains two semi-detached houses, which were previously used by the Social Services Adoption and Fostering Team as office accommodation; they were vacated and handed back to the Housing Department in February 2008. The total cost of de-converting these houses back into residential use is in excess of £125,000 and is therefore not considered to be a financially viable option.
Adjacent to these two properties is a large garage site, which is in poor condition with many vandalised garages. None of the 32 garages are currently let. Due to their poor condition and as the site has attracted anti-social behaviour arrangements are being made for demolition of these garages.
The site in Tunnel Lane is a small garage site, there were previously 6 garages located on the site. Three have already been demolished leaving, only one of the remaining garages is currently in use
The council are looking at demolishing a number of vacant buildings/ garages and looking at putting residential property on them. The sites are on Shelfield Road, Tunnel Lane and Dawberry Fields Road.
The Dawberry Fields Road site was previously the location of 12 Cornish construction flats, which were demolished in 2001 (following approval to clear and redevelop).
The site in Shelfield Road contains two semi-detached houses, which were previously used by the Social Services Adoption and Fostering Team as office accommodation; they were vacated and handed back to the Housing Department in February 2008. The total cost of de-converting these houses back into residential use is in excess of £125,000 and is therefore not considered to be a financially viable option.
Adjacent to these two properties is a large garage site, which is in poor condition with many vandalised garages. None of the 32 garages are currently let. Due to their poor condition and as the site has attracted anti-social behaviour arrangements are being made for demolition of these garages.
The site in Tunnel Lane is a small garage site, there were previously 6 garages located on the site. Three have already been demolished leaving, only one of the remaining garages is currently in use
Premier Court street lighting
Thursday 1st October
I have been chasing the street lighting in Premier Court, Monyhull Hall Road, for what seems like a life time. Below is part of the response that I have got from the council
"It seems we are waiting for the mains connection to the street light; this does not explain why ithas taken so long and it would be easy for me to blame Energy Services butthey are not to blame for this. To get the matter sorted out I have spoken
to the manager at Energy Services about when the connection can be
completed and although he has not yet got back to me with a firm date, it
is likely to be next week."
Lets hope this is the case as it has been going on for ages.
I have been chasing the street lighting in Premier Court, Monyhull Hall Road, for what seems like a life time. Below is part of the response that I have got from the council
"It seems we are waiting for the mains connection to the street light; this does not explain why ithas taken so long and it would be easy for me to blame Energy Services butthey are not to blame for this. To get the matter sorted out I have spoken
to the manager at Energy Services about when the connection can be
completed and although he has not yet got back to me with a firm date, it
is likely to be next week."
Lets hope this is the case as it has been going on for ages.
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