Monday 1st February
Last week I reported that the flashing speed reduction signs on Broad Lane were not working. These have proved popular with residents and have helped reduce the speed of traffic. I have been told that these should be fixed today. They are located in different places around the area every few months. The next location that they will be sited at is Haunch Lane. They have previously been in Brandwood Road.
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Friday, 29 January 2010
Litter Problems
Friday 29th January
A number of residents have contacted me to express concern about the amount of rubbish by the parade of shops at Alcester Road/Meadfoot Avenue.
I believe this situation will become worse if the proposed take-away there receives planning permission, and I have written to the council opposing this. I have also organised for the council to replace a bin that has been vandalised opposite Glenavon Road and for the cleaning team to come to the area.
A number of residents have contacted me to express concern about the amount of rubbish by the parade of shops at Alcester Road/Meadfoot Avenue.
I believe this situation will become worse if the proposed take-away there receives planning permission, and I have written to the council opposing this. I have also organised for the council to replace a bin that has been vandalised opposite Glenavon Road and for the cleaning team to come to the area.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
69 bus service
Wednesday 27th January
I have been contacted by various residents about the reduction in frequency of the 69bus service. I was surprised about this enquiry because there was a bus review carried out across the south of Birmingham last year. I have been in contact with West Midlands Travel, who inform me that there are no plans for the 69 to be reduced from a 30 minute service.
I have been contacted by various residents about the reduction in frequency of the 69bus service. I was surprised about this enquiry because there was a bus review carried out across the south of Birmingham last year. I have been in contact with West Midlands Travel, who inform me that there are no plans for the 69 to be reduced from a 30 minute service.
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
New tree planting
Monday 25th January
I have been incontact with the council about new tree planting within the ward. Trees that have been removed from the streets since last October will be replaced on a two for one basis. Where no planting sites have been available the tree have been moved into adjacent, or if not viable more suitable roads in the ward. The following roads will be getting new trees at certain locations on Alcester Road South, All Saints Road, Bradstock Road, Brandwood Park Road, Druids Lane, Featherstone Road, Howard Road, Granton Road, Lindsworth Road, May Lane, Marsham Road, Midhurst Road, Millpool Road, Peplins Way, Partons Road and Yarningale Road.
I have been incontact with the council about new tree planting within the ward. Trees that have been removed from the streets since last October will be replaced on a two for one basis. Where no planting sites have been available the tree have been moved into adjacent, or if not viable more suitable roads in the ward. The following roads will be getting new trees at certain locations on Alcester Road South, All Saints Road, Bradstock Road, Brandwood Park Road, Druids Lane, Featherstone Road, Howard Road, Granton Road, Lindsworth Road, May Lane, Marsham Road, Midhurst Road, Millpool Road, Peplins Way, Partons Road and Yarningale Road.
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Neighbourhood Charity for Druids Heath
Wednesday 20th January
I had a meeting to discuss the possibility of the Druids Heath Management Board becoming a charity, which would help bring money into the area. Currently the council can not apply for funding because it is a statutory body. This discussion is at an early stage and many questions need to be asked e.g. costs, personal liability, aims of the charity etc.
I had a meeting to discuss the possibility of the Druids Heath Management Board becoming a charity, which would help bring money into the area. Currently the council can not apply for funding because it is a statutory body. This discussion is at an early stage and many questions need to be asked e.g. costs, personal liability, aims of the charity etc.
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Druids Heath Management Board
Tuesday 19th January
I chaired the Druids Heath Management Board. The main items that can up were Pertemps helping people back from Druids Heath into work, graffiti around the play area on Manningford Park and what the future role of the Management Board should be. I think the Board has helped carry out 70 improvements within the area but there is more that could be done. I would like the Board to change into a charity so that we can apply for funding into the area.
I chaired the Druids Heath Management Board. The main items that can up were Pertemps helping people back from Druids Heath into work, graffiti around the play area on Manningford Park and what the future role of the Management Board should be. I think the Board has helped carry out 70 improvements within the area but there is more that could be done. I would like the Board to change into a charity so that we can apply for funding into the area.
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Alcester Road South/ Howard Road Junction
Monday 18th January
The council have come up with some ideas on how to improve the above junction both in terms of safety and congestion. They are proposing to do this by:-
• Provide new controlled pedestrian dropped kerb and crossing facilities through an ‘all-red’ phase
• Upgrading existing signals
• Installing pedestrian signals
• Amending and refreshing carriageway markings
An on-site trial by the council was carried out last year to determine the potential impact of the proposed ‘all red’ arrangement. The trial did not show any adverse impact on the highway network.
The council have come up with some ideas on how to improve the above junction both in terms of safety and congestion. They are proposing to do this by:-
• Provide new controlled pedestrian dropped kerb and crossing facilities through an ‘all-red’ phase
• Upgrading existing signals
• Installing pedestrian signals
• Amending and refreshing carriageway markings
An on-site trial by the council was carried out last year to determine the potential impact of the proposed ‘all red’ arrangement. The trial did not show any adverse impact on the highway network.
Friday, 15 January 2010
Take-away plans for Woodthorpe Road
Friday 15th January
A number of residents have contacted me about a proposed takeaway at 156 Woodthorpe Road. Myself, Cllr Neville Summerfield and Derek Johnson have written to the planning department against these proposals.
• The opening hours proposed: 5-11 (Mon-Thurs), 5-12 (Fri & Sat), and 5-10.30 (Sun). This is totally unacceptable in what is a residential area.
• The two shops already open are a Chinese Takeaway and Sams Wines. We have examples in the ward where the creeping proliferation of these "amenities" ends up affecting residents quality of life - e.g. Druids Heath. Also this will add to the noise, smell, litter, traffic, and parking problems within the area
• There is mention of moderate level of traffic. Woodthorpe Road does not experience a moderate level of traffic. It is a busy road, one which is going to be subject to Safer Routes to Schools work, and one which is used by cars as a rat run.
• Within the proposals there is mention of a lay-by to help with parking. where is this ?
• The applicant says there is sufficient car parking infront of the premises. There is a bus stop outside.
A number of residents have contacted me about a proposed takeaway at 156 Woodthorpe Road. Myself, Cllr Neville Summerfield and Derek Johnson have written to the planning department against these proposals.
• The opening hours proposed: 5-11 (Mon-Thurs), 5-12 (Fri & Sat), and 5-10.30 (Sun). This is totally unacceptable in what is a residential area.
• The two shops already open are a Chinese Takeaway and Sams Wines. We have examples in the ward where the creeping proliferation of these "amenities" ends up affecting residents quality of life - e.g. Druids Heath. Also this will add to the noise, smell, litter, traffic, and parking problems within the area
• There is mention of moderate level of traffic. Woodthorpe Road does not experience a moderate level of traffic. It is a busy road, one which is going to be subject to Safer Routes to Schools work, and one which is used by cars as a rat run.
• Within the proposals there is mention of a lay-by to help with parking. where is this ?
• The applicant says there is sufficient car parking infront of the premises. There is a bus stop outside.
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Verge Protection by Allens Croft School
Wednesday 13th January
A number of residents have contacted me about the problems of parking on the grass verges by Allens Croft School. As a result I have been working with the council to try and get something done about this. The proposal is to install a double kerb, bollards and replace the grass verges. This should be done over the next few months.
A number of residents have contacted me about the problems of parking on the grass verges by Allens Croft School. As a result I have been working with the council to try and get something done about this. The proposal is to install a double kerb, bollards and replace the grass verges. This should be done over the next few months.
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Easterton Croft garden
Monday 11th January
The Druids Heath Management Board have been working with the local community, the council and Groundwork to try and progress getting some sort of garden near the slope on Easterton Croft.
The latest on this is that we are working with engineers to see whether excavations around the amphitheatre-shaped space might undermine the tower blocks uphill from the site. None of the engineers that have seen the site thought it likely that the tower blocks would be affected by light excavations. A further meeting is being organised with Groundwork to see their thoughts on how to develop the site. Anything that is proposed would only be done with the support of residents.
The Druids Heath Management Board have been working with the local community, the council and Groundwork to try and progress getting some sort of garden near the slope on Easterton Croft.
The latest on this is that we are working with engineers to see whether excavations around the amphitheatre-shaped space might undermine the tower blocks uphill from the site. None of the engineers that have seen the site thought it likely that the tower blocks would be affected by light excavations. A further meeting is being organised with Groundwork to see their thoughts on how to develop the site. Anything that is proposed would only be done with the support of residents.
Monday, 11 January 2010
Piggy Lane
Friday 8th January
Following on going problems with the parking at Allens Croft School the officers are looking at putting together a funding proposal to provide parking at Piggy Lane.
The land is parks and they have no resource to fund any improvements and it won't be done through highways because it is not an adopted highway. The only solution at present is to find a number of funding sources to attempt to get £26k together. A bid will be provided through community chest. All Section 106's in the ward will be reviewed to see if any would be flexible enough to contribute to this.
Following on going problems with the parking at Allens Croft School the officers are looking at putting together a funding proposal to provide parking at Piggy Lane.
The land is parks and they have no resource to fund any improvements and it won't be done through highways because it is not an adopted highway. The only solution at present is to find a number of funding sources to attempt to get £26k together. A bid will be provided through community chest. All Section 106's in the ward will be reviewed to see if any would be flexible enough to contribute to this.
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Allens Croft childrens centre nursery
6th January
I have been contacted by a number of residents regarding funding cuts of nursery places in Birmingham. As you may be aware, the Government is imposing some changes on the way that nurseries are funded, which could have a significant impact on the service you receive.
The greatest area of concern for me is the requirement to take money away from the Council run nurseries like Allens Croft Children’s Centre and hand it to private sector nurseries. At present Birmingham is one of the few Local Authorities nationally that funds full time places at nurseries, but under the Government’s new arrangements funding will only be available for 15 hours a week for all nurseries, public and private. If Birmingham wants to continue to offer full time places across the city, it will have to find the money itself.
The Council has recognised the problems this will cause for its nurseries by committing to a two year “safety net” arrangement 90%, while allowing any setting receiving an increase in funding to benefit from that increase. However, I want to make sure that the nursery’s future is secure beyond those two years and, more importantly, that residents who currently benefit from full time free places are still able to do so.
I have been contacted by a number of residents regarding funding cuts of nursery places in Birmingham. As you may be aware, the Government is imposing some changes on the way that nurseries are funded, which could have a significant impact on the service you receive.
The greatest area of concern for me is the requirement to take money away from the Council run nurseries like Allens Croft Children’s Centre and hand it to private sector nurseries. At present Birmingham is one of the few Local Authorities nationally that funds full time places at nurseries, but under the Government’s new arrangements funding will only be available for 15 hours a week for all nurseries, public and private. If Birmingham wants to continue to offer full time places across the city, it will have to find the money itself.
The Council has recognised the problems this will cause for its nurseries by committing to a two year “safety net” arrangement 90%, while allowing any setting receiving an increase in funding to benefit from that increase. However, I want to make sure that the nursery’s future is secure beyond those two years and, more importantly, that residents who currently benefit from full time free places are still able to do so.
Monday, 4 January 2010
New School Kings Norton and Druids Heath
Monday 4th January
Happy new year to you. Hope that you had a good break over christmas. I did apart from getting another cold, joys have having a young child. This prevented me from attending a meeting about a proposed new school for Kings Norton and Druids Heath.
This will merge Kings Norton High School and Baverstock Foundation School and Sports College, will grow into a school for students aged 11-19.
The current Baverstock site is one that does not allow for expansion and Kings Norton High student numbers are falling.
I am part of a review group to work through the timeline and many other complex issues around providing a new school for two existing school communities. The working group will publish its recommendations as soon as possible. There is much work to be done, including consultation with governing bodies, constituency committees and the wider communities.
Happy new year to you. Hope that you had a good break over christmas. I did apart from getting another cold, joys have having a young child. This prevented me from attending a meeting about a proposed new school for Kings Norton and Druids Heath.
This will merge Kings Norton High School and Baverstock Foundation School and Sports College, will grow into a school for students aged 11-19.
The current Baverstock site is one that does not allow for expansion and Kings Norton High student numbers are falling.
I am part of a review group to work through the timeline and many other complex issues around providing a new school for two existing school communities. The working group will publish its recommendations as soon as possible. There is much work to be done, including consultation with governing bodies, constituency committees and the wider communities.
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