Wednesday, 31 March 2010

Pathway Tunnel, Allens Croft Road

Tuesday 30th March

Following a consultation with residents about the tunnel under the railway on Allens Croft Road, we had a follow up meeting where we discussed the various options that were put forward. There was agreement that we should do a mural in the tunnel by working with the children in the area so they have ownership of the project. It is hoped that this will stop it getting graffiti on it. We now need to get the project funded and see how long it will take to do.

Tuesday, 30 March 2010

Allens Croft Project

Monday 29th March

I attended the Allens Croft Project Management Board meeting. A number of issues were discussed which covered the following:
The funding from the big lottery to help people improve their homes. This covers private and council housing.
The recent health awareness day.
An update on the work of the domestic violence group and work with older people group

Saturday, 27 March 2010

Firhill Croft petition

Saturday 27th March

Last year I handed a petition into the council to requesting that the pathway from
Bells Lane to Pennyacre Road (Firhill Croft) be added to the scheduled workload of the mechanical sweeper. I have recently got a response to say that it is.

Thursday, 25 March 2010

Constituency Committee

Tuesday 23rd March

The last Selly Oak Constituency Committee meeting before the General Election. There were a lot of good stories to report the expansion of neighbourhood management, funding that is coming into the area and the Constituency managed to get a balance budget. If only Labour controlled Constituencies could.

Wednesday, 24 March 2010

Ward Committee

Monday 22nd March

We had the Brandwood Ward Committee which is an opportunity to discuss matters of concern that effect the area where you live with the ward councillors. There are only normally a handful of people but we had about 50 people attending. They were here to discuss the proposed school merger of Baverstock and Kings Norton High. The main concerns that were raised were increased traffic, anti-social behaviour and pressure on local services.

Sunday, 21 March 2010

canal

Sunday 21st March

Been delivering the never ending supply of leaflets with our Parliamentary Candidate Nigel Dawkins. Just as we get rid of 1 leaflets, another arrives.

Also, I have contacted the Council/ British Waterways about a number of issues.

1. Broken locks on the radar gates on the Stratford Canal between the Brandwood Tunnel and the bridge on Broad Meadow Lane.

2. On the tow path near the bridge at Kings Norton Junction the installation that make cyclists dismount is broken. This allows free access to motorbikes from Brandwood Recreation Area or vice versa.

3. The canal bridge at Lifford Lane/Broad Meadow Lane and the stop/guillotine lock and the bridge at Kings Norton Junction are covered in graffiti.

Gomeldon Avenue & Manningford Road

Thursday 18th March

I have been putting pressure on the council to improve properties on Gomeldon Avenue and Manningford Road. I am pleased that the council are going to do the following in April:
1: Replacement roof covering.
2: Replacement UPVC windows & rear door.
3: Replacement secure by design front door.
4: Wall tie replacement.
5: Drainage inspection & repair where required.
For void properties the contractors will erect security fencing before then.

Saturday, 20 March 2010

Britford Close/ Marsham Road

Wednesday 17th March

Following working with local residents I am pleased to say that the fence at Britford Close has been repaired and the passageway is now secure. All the rubbish/litter picked has been removed. I will arrange for the Hit squad to remove the graffiti next week.

Sunday, 14 March 2010

Potential Funding

Sunday 14th March

Whilst going through my emails I came across some new funding that is available through neighbourhood management which currently covers the Druids Heath and Allens Croft areas. Grants range from £500 - £5000
Main criteria:-
• help shape services to meet the needs of residents
• enhance local public services
• create improvements that can be sustained
• join up local services
• provide opportunities for mainstreaming new, piloted projects
Any ideas let me know.

Saturday, 13 March 2010

Baverstock/ Kings Norton High schools update

Thursday 11th March

A number of residents have contacted me about the proposals for the proposed merger of Kings Norton High and Baverstock and its suggested location at Lindsworth School, Monyhull Hall Road. I have raised 2 important questions about other sites and resident consultation with the council. These are the questions and answers I got from the council.

Q1 What has been done to look at the possibility of other sites? There is, for example, a large green area in front of Baverstock owned by Housing ... where the two tower blocks have been knocked down. What has been done to check this site's feasibility?

A1 We are conducting a feasibility review of available sites in the area, because of costs to education, land already in the directorate's ownership is a strong contender for a new school.

Q2 When in the timeline will residents be consulted?

A2 During the feasibility the sponsor, supported by BCC will consult local residents. On the proposed current timelines this will be between October to December 2010.

Also, I have raised feasibility about the site at Kings Norton High.

Friday, 12 March 2010

Road Safety Issues Grove Road

Tuesday 9th March

Whilst canvassing in Grove Road the major concern that has come up was about the speed of traffic on the road. Following this I have contacted the engineer for the area. I have asked him to move the speed warning signs that are currently on Broad Lane to Grove Road and have a look at some road safety measures. We can bid into the central council budgets for capital improvement schenes. There is work currently happening with a crossing on Bells Lane through this funding.

Sunday, 7 March 2010

Lifford Close

Sunday 7th March

I have contacted the council asking them to replace a broken fence panel near 31 Lifford Close. Also I have asked the Hit Squad to clean up the rubbish dumped around the back of Lifford Close, which backs onto the reservior. I did get this done in the past but I have noticed that the rubbish is back.

Wednesday, 3 March 2010

Verge protection measures

Wednesday 3rd March

I have been contacted by some residents about the problem with the verges getting ruined outside of Broadmeadow School, Bells Lane . Unfortunately this year's verge protection scheme have already been finalised and installed. I have asked that this location is given top priority for 2010/11.

Canvassing

Tuesday 2nd March

Been out canvassing on Pennyacre Road with our local Government Candidate Derek Johnson. He has been working hard with local residents to try and address some of the concerns within the area. We were pleased with the response that we got. The main issues that were raised was about the proposed merger of Baverstock and Kings Norton High, rubbish and the economic problems.

Tuesday, 2 March 2010

Easterton Croft

Monday 2nd March

The Council, on behalf of the Druids Heath Management Board, has sent out letters to residents about the proposed community garden adjacent to Easterton Croft. No plans have been drawn up. This is just an initial consultation to see what residents think. There was some concern about this effecting the foundations of the tower blocks nearby but engineers have looked at this and are happy that it won't. The design may involve removing old hedgerow, landscaping the area and visually improving the site. The Druids Heath Neighbourhood Management Board, are committed to the wishes of all residents, and therefore would not commit to a project without consultation. Do you have any comments ?