Friday 30 April 2010

Leaders Debate

Thursday 29th April

I was delighted that the Leaders debate was at Birmingham University, Birmingham. I attended an organised event at the Old Library, Digbeth. I felt that David Cameron gave his best performace so far, as the opinion polls tend to suggest. What was great about the event was that it was free and we even got a free drink.

Wednesday 28 April 2010

Bus stop Vicarge Road/ Kings Road

Wednesday 28th April

I have been contacted by various residents about the removal of the bus stop at
Vicarage Road/Kings Heath Road, Kings Heath. Centro claim that they have removed it due to health and safety. I am still at a loss to see why this bus stop has been closed due to health and safety reasons. Why wasn't it closed 2 years ago, 5 years ago, 10 years ago when the stop was there. I am not aware of anything changing around the area that much since then.


The key part of Centro's response below is
"the Local Highways Office carried out an in-depth study into accident statistics in this area. This study highlighted a number of road traffic accidents at this
location. As a result the Local Highways Officer ruled that given the
history of accidents at this location, the stopping point was no longer
a safe stopping point for buses to use. Based on this information we
were instructed to remove the bus stopping point."

Monday 26 April 2010

Postal Votes

Monday 26th April

With the election in full swing I have been out delivering postal vote letters on Druids Heath. If you have a postal vote you should be getting the ballot paper over the next few days. Remember you have 2 votes for the General and Local election. We are expecting it to be close. I hope you will be voting Conservative on May 6th. Remember only the Conservatives can beat Labour in the Local and General elections where you live.

Friday 23 April 2010

Leaders Debate

Thursday 22nd April

After a day out campaigning, I make sure I am back early tonight so I get to see some of the leaders' debate. I am sure that David Cameron will show how the Conservative Party has changed to show that it has a broader appeal to electors. I particularly like how he has put the environment at the heart of what he and the Party stands for. I remember the days when I was a student in the early 1990s before recycling was very common or topical I used to take the newspapers back to my parents to recycle as I didn’t have easy access to recycling.

Thursday 22 April 2010

Housing Liaison Board

Tuesday 20th April

I attended the Druids Heath Housing Liaison Board. The have been successful in working together to help improve the local community where they live. The identify issues through the walkabouts that they do on the estate with counillors and officers. Some of the recent issues that have been highlighted are lighting, rubbish and trip rails. Officers will report back at the next meeting on progress.

Tuesday 20 April 2010

Campaigning

Monday 19th April

A day of door knocking and leaflet delivery. It is never ending. Just as we get one leaflet delivered another arrives. There are two elections this year with the Local and General Elections. Both our candidates, Nigel Dawkins, Parliamentary Candidate, and Derek Johnson, Local Government Candidate, are out dawn to dusk as I am sure that all candidates are. They are doing an excellent job. The public never see the less glamorous side of being a politician, all the stuffing of envelopes and leaflet delivery.

Friday 16 April 2010

Druids Heath Tasking Meeting

Thursday 15th April

My main council meeting of the day was attending the Druids Heath Tasking Meeting. The police have now changed their boundaries to be the same as local government. However, the Druids Heath Tasking meetings will still continue.
The main issues that were raised:
large gangs of youths causing anti-social behaviour around Pound Road shops,
problems of underage selling of alcohol
drug use in the tower blocks, particularly Topfield House

Wednesday 14 April 2010

Manifesto Launch

Tuesday 13th March

The election campaign is really hotting up. Today we have launched our national manifesto in Birmingham. I hope that this will be the springboard to improving broken Britain. As ever I was needing to be in 2 places at once as it was full council at the same time. I didn't have far to travel as it was in the city centre. When I returned I spoke about the progress that is being made with local services in the community.

Sunday 11 April 2010

Dawberry Fields Allotments

Sunday 11th April

At a recent meeting the subject of the future of Dawberry Fields allotments came up. Following a site meeting additional maintenance to the allotments has been organised in the interim period until further funds become available from Section 106 money (money that developers put into the community as a condition of being granted planning permission).

Saturday 10 April 2010

Mountaineer Pub

Saturday 10th April

A number of residents have contacted me about the Mountaineer Pub on Ashburton Road over the last week. From the enquiries that I have made, a sale has been agreed but no contracts have been exchanged. The new owner does intend to re-open as licensed premises. However, they are seeking planning permission for a change of use, I don't know what to, which may take up to 18 months. The potential new owner is an experienced businessman who will have no hesitation in shutting the pub if any trouble occurs. The change of licensing conditions will apply ie closing at 11pm. We will be keeping a watchful eye on developments to make sure that the local residents' quality of life will not be affected.

Wednesday 7 April 2010

Election finally announced

Tuesday 6th April

Well the Prime Minister has finally called an election for the 6th May. The worst kept secret in history, as everyone has known for months this is when the election will be. Now it is full steam ahead, well it has been for us for months. People cannot accuse us of just turning up at elections as we canvass and deliver literature all year round. Lets hope we can count on your support. Will you be voting ?

Monday 5 April 2010

Capital Improvments Bid Vicarage Road

Monday 5th April

Following concerns from local residents I have submitted a capital works improvement scheme on Vicarage Road. It covers the Reeves Road, Millbrook Road, Allens Croft Road entrances. This doesn't mean that the work will get done but we can try. Residents have told me about stories involving accidents, parking problems and poor vision.