Thursday 29th July
I have just come back from a public meeting about the scrapping of the 69 bus. There were about 100 people there who let Centro and National Express know their views. Whilst the meeting was heated Centro and National Express have agreed to look at the local routes as a matter of urgency to try and include the Dawberry Fields Road/ Doversley Road.
Thursday 29 July 2010
Tuesday 27 July 2010
Baverstock and Kings Norton High School update
Tuesday 27th July
I have meant to put a post up about this for a while but we have disbributed 1500 leaflets about this around the surrounding areas to Lindsworth School.
Following the discussion about school funding in the national press, a number of residents have contacted us over the last few weeks to find out what is happening about the proposed new school at Lindsworth with the merger of Baverstock and Kings Norton High.
We are delighted to tell you that the proposal will not go ahead on the Lindsworth Site. This follows pressure of the local residents working with your local Conservative Councillors Mark Hill and Neville Summerfield and Derek Johnson, Campaign Co-ordinator. We are pleased that the reasons put forward, such as the increase in traffic and pressure on local amenities, have been listened to and acted upon.
However, there are still plans merge to Baverstock and Kings Norton High but an alternative site needs to be found. We have previously suggested expanding
one of the current sites but have been told this wasn’t feasible. One of our suggestions was to look at the large green area in front of Baverstock where two tower blocks have been knocked down. We will be asking for this to be looked at again. Any suggestions of a local site ?
I have meant to put a post up about this for a while but we have disbributed 1500 leaflets about this around the surrounding areas to Lindsworth School.
Following the discussion about school funding in the national press, a number of residents have contacted us over the last few weeks to find out what is happening about the proposed new school at Lindsworth with the merger of Baverstock and Kings Norton High.
We are delighted to tell you that the proposal will not go ahead on the Lindsworth Site. This follows pressure of the local residents working with your local Conservative Councillors Mark Hill and Neville Summerfield and Derek Johnson, Campaign Co-ordinator. We are pleased that the reasons put forward, such as the increase in traffic and pressure on local amenities, have been listened to and acted upon.
However, there are still plans merge to Baverstock and Kings Norton High but an alternative site needs to be found. We have previously suggested expanding
one of the current sites but have been told this wasn’t feasible. One of our suggestions was to look at the large green area in front of Baverstock where two tower blocks have been knocked down. We will be asking for this to be looked at again. Any suggestions of a local site ?
Monday 26 July 2010
Colmore J&I School expansion response
Monday 26th July
I have written to the Council on behalf of the residents about the proposed expansion of the Colmore J&I School. I have 2 young children so I am committed to the improvement of education of our children and have taken pride in the fact that Birmingham schools have gone from strength. Colmore is a popular local school with a high demand for places.
We have spoken with a number of residents about the Colmore J&I school proposals and they have a number of concerns.
How would the additional places impact upon the other children ? It would put pressure on the other facilities within the school ? How many additional classrooms would need to be built ?
The playgrounds are already just about accommodating the children who go to Colmore School. Where would all the children go with the expansion?
There will be a strong impact on the local residents within the area, especially for residents that have houses that surround the school. I know that the school have tried to work with partners to stop parents from driving their children to school and parking inconsiderately but it is still a problem. By expanding the school it would make this worse.
I have written to the Council on behalf of the residents about the proposed expansion of the Colmore J&I School. I have 2 young children so I am committed to the improvement of education of our children and have taken pride in the fact that Birmingham schools have gone from strength. Colmore is a popular local school with a high demand for places.
We have spoken with a number of residents about the Colmore J&I school proposals and they have a number of concerns.
How would the additional places impact upon the other children ? It would put pressure on the other facilities within the school ? How many additional classrooms would need to be built ?
The playgrounds are already just about accommodating the children who go to Colmore School. Where would all the children go with the expansion?
There will be a strong impact on the local residents within the area, especially for residents that have houses that surround the school. I know that the school have tried to work with partners to stop parents from driving their children to school and parking inconsiderately but it is still a problem. By expanding the school it would make this worse.
Wednesday 21 July 2010
69 bus
Wednesday 21st July
I have had a busy surgery tonight at St Bedes covering housing, anti-social behaviour and the 69 bus. At the end of July the 69 bus is not going to exist. This will particularly effect people around the Dawberry Fields Road and Bryndale Avenue area. We have tried to lobby Centro and National Express to no avail. We have helped organise a public meeting for 29th July 7pm at St Bedes Church Hall.
I have had a busy surgery tonight at St Bedes covering housing, anti-social behaviour and the 69 bus. At the end of July the 69 bus is not going to exist. This will particularly effect people around the Dawberry Fields Road and Bryndale Avenue area. We have tried to lobby Centro and National Express to no avail. We have helped organise a public meeting for 29th July 7pm at St Bedes Church Hall.
Tuesday 20 July 2010
New Management Board
Tuesday 20th July
I attended the 1st meeting of the newly formed Management Board for Allens Croft, Brandwood and Waterside. The aim of the group was for the partners within the area such as the police, council and community groups to work together to help improve the area and bring funding in. Now off to the Druids Heath Housing Liaison Board.
I attended the 1st meeting of the newly formed Management Board for Allens Croft, Brandwood and Waterside. The aim of the group was for the partners within the area such as the police, council and community groups to work together to help improve the area and bring funding in. Now off to the Druids Heath Housing Liaison Board.
Monday 19 July 2010
Police Tasking Meeting
Thursday 15th July
I attended the police tasking meetings for Brandwood. This has changed over the last few months following the boundaries of the police changing to match the political boundaries. There is still a tasking meeting to cover Druids Heath but the rest of the ward is covered by this meeting. Also the focus has changed to look more at police issues. The main issues that were raised at this meeting were around anti social behaviour on Kings Road and quad biking.
I attended the police tasking meetings for Brandwood. This has changed over the last few months following the boundaries of the police changing to match the political boundaries. There is still a tasking meeting to cover Druids Heath but the rest of the ward is covered by this meeting. Also the focus has changed to look more at police issues. The main issues that were raised at this meeting were around anti social behaviour on Kings Road and quad biking.
Friday 16 July 2010
Ward Committee
Wednesday 14th July
We had the Ward Committee tonight which is looks at the main issues within the ward that are coming up and positive things that have been done. We had some really interesting presentation from the Allens Croft Project about the work that they do with older people and people that suffer from domestic violence. These are part funded with community chest funding from the Brandwood Ward. There is currently a slight underspend of community chest funding so if you have any suggestions please let me know.
We had the Ward Committee tonight which is looks at the main issues within the ward that are coming up and positive things that have been done. We had some really interesting presentation from the Allens Croft Project about the work that they do with older people and people that suffer from domestic violence. These are part funded with community chest funding from the Brandwood Ward. There is currently a slight underspend of community chest funding so if you have any suggestions please let me know.
Monday 12 July 2010
Brandwood End Cemetery
Sunday 11th July
I have been at the bi-monthly litter pick at Brandwood End Cemetery. This is organised by the Freinds of Brandwood End Cemetery which was set several years ago by a group of residents, with the council, to help improve its running. Their ultimate aim is to get funding to restore the chapels that have been burnt down.
I have been at the bi-monthly litter pick at Brandwood End Cemetery. This is organised by the Freinds of Brandwood End Cemetery which was set several years ago by a group of residents, with the council, to help improve its running. Their ultimate aim is to get funding to restore the chapels that have been burnt down.
Friday 9 July 2010
Dawberry Fields Fun Day
Friday 9th July
I will be attending the Dawberry Fields Fun day this Saturday 12-4pm. It has been organsied by the local community with various partners. There will be lots of things to do for children and there is a car boot sale. It is free, so why not come along. and it is supposed to be hot !
I will be attending the Dawberry Fields Fun day this Saturday 12-4pm. It has been organsied by the local community with various partners. There will be lots of things to do for children and there is a car boot sale. It is free, so why not come along. and it is supposed to be hot !
Wednesday 7 July 2010
Potential expansion of Colmore School
Wednesday 7th July
I have learnt that Birmingham City Council is proposing to expand and enlarge 16 primary schools over the next few years across Birmingham. This affects the residents of Brandwood Ward, particularly around the Kings Heath area as there are plans to expand Colmore Junior and Infant Schools.
The first round of consultation starts on 21 June 2010 and will run for one month until 21 July 2010, once there are more detailed plans a further consultation will run for 1 month from 9th September 2010. I have raised concern about the lack of the time for the consultation and what consultation is being done with the residents.
Whilst I support our local schools, I am concerned about the impact of the proposed expansion on the residents that live within the area. I would be interested to hear your comments, thoughts, concerns ?
Key points from the consultation document:
• The Council are introducing these changes due to the expected shortage of places at schools over the next few years.
• The schools will grow by between 30 and 60 pupils per year for 7 years so the change in pupil numbers will occur gradually. No child currently at the schools will have additional pupils admitted into their year group.
• The proposed increase in places means that some building work at the majority of the 16 schools will occur before the proposed expansion by September 2011 when the Council are proposing these changes.
• These are only proposals - it will not definitely go ahead. There is a statutory process the Council must follow to make these sorts of changes to schools. The final decision will be made on 25th October 2010.
• This was not proposed sooner as the Government only recognised the shortage of places at school last year when they released funding for local authorities to bid for to provide additional places. Birmingham was one of the successful bidders but the funding was not released until late last year.
I have learnt that Birmingham City Council is proposing to expand and enlarge 16 primary schools over the next few years across Birmingham. This affects the residents of Brandwood Ward, particularly around the Kings Heath area as there are plans to expand Colmore Junior and Infant Schools.
The first round of consultation starts on 21 June 2010 and will run for one month until 21 July 2010, once there are more detailed plans a further consultation will run for 1 month from 9th September 2010. I have raised concern about the lack of the time for the consultation and what consultation is being done with the residents.
Whilst I support our local schools, I am concerned about the impact of the proposed expansion on the residents that live within the area. I would be interested to hear your comments, thoughts, concerns ?
Key points from the consultation document:
• The Council are introducing these changes due to the expected shortage of places at schools over the next few years.
• The schools will grow by between 30 and 60 pupils per year for 7 years so the change in pupil numbers will occur gradually. No child currently at the schools will have additional pupils admitted into their year group.
• The proposed increase in places means that some building work at the majority of the 16 schools will occur before the proposed expansion by September 2011 when the Council are proposing these changes.
• These are only proposals - it will not definitely go ahead. There is a statutory process the Council must follow to make these sorts of changes to schools. The final decision will be made on 25th October 2010.
• This was not proposed sooner as the Government only recognised the shortage of places at school last year when they released funding for local authorities to bid for to provide additional places. Birmingham was one of the successful bidders but the funding was not released until late last year.
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