Monday 29th November
I had a busy day of meetings with the Fire Authority in the morning, a few work commitments in the afternoon and the Ward Committee in the evening. The main agenda items were the playbuilder funding for a new play area on Walkers Health, section 106money to be spent on park improvements at TASCAS/ Brandwood park and a gating scheme for Camford Grove/ Marsham Road.
Tuesday 30 November 2010
Thursday 25 November 2010
Tree Planting
Thursday 25th November
I have been notified by Birmingham Trees for Life that they are looking at tree planting within Brandwood Ward. The area that they are considering is just north off Bells Lane, alongside the Chinn Brook, where some for the Millennium were planted. I have asked about other areas as well as I know a number of people have contacted me about these over the years but so far have drawn a blank.
I have been notified by Birmingham Trees for Life that they are looking at tree planting within Brandwood Ward. The area that they are considering is just north off Bells Lane, alongside the Chinn Brook, where some for the Millennium were planted. I have asked about other areas as well as I know a number of people have contacted me about these over the years but so far have drawn a blank.
Wednesday 24 November 2010
Not seeking re-election
Wednesday 24th November
A number of people have contacted me over the last month to express disappointment that I won't be standing again in May. I have been a councillor in Brandwood Ward for 11 years all of which I have really enjoyed.
After much thought I have decided not to seek re-election in May 2011. Since my last election in 2007 I now have 2 young children and have found the time of council, work and family was hugely demanding also my partner works full time, so something had to give. I pledge my full support to my successor Lesley who I am sure will be an able successor if elected.
A number of people have contacted me over the last month to express disappointment that I won't be standing again in May. I have been a councillor in Brandwood Ward for 11 years all of which I have really enjoyed.
After much thought I have decided not to seek re-election in May 2011. Since my last election in 2007 I now have 2 young children and have found the time of council, work and family was hugely demanding also my partner works full time, so something had to give. I pledge my full support to my successor Lesley who I am sure will be an able successor if elected.
Friday 19 November 2010
Public Protection Committee
Friday 19th November
I have been at a Public Protection Committee which is a regulatory committee of the Council. There were a number of topics covered including loan sharks, the Licensing Act 2003 and litter zones. In July 2009 Broad Street became a designated define consent zone which puts restrictions on the literature that can be disbributed. There was discussion around if this helped reduce litter or that it was another tax on business.
I have been at a Public Protection Committee which is a regulatory committee of the Council. There were a number of topics covered including loan sharks, the Licensing Act 2003 and litter zones. In July 2009 Broad Street became a designated define consent zone which puts restrictions on the literature that can be disbributed. There was discussion around if this helped reduce litter or that it was another tax on business.
Wednesday 17 November 2010
Colmore J&I School expansion
Wednesday 17th November
Last week the Cabinet of the Council approved plans to expand Colmore J&I School. The Education Department/ School have been quick off the mark as they have already submitted a planning application for additional classrooms. The aim is to have the school in a position where they will be able to accept additional pupils from September 2011.
Last week the Cabinet of the Council approved plans to expand Colmore J&I School. The Education Department/ School have been quick off the mark as they have already submitted a planning application for additional classrooms. The aim is to have the school in a position where they will be able to accept additional pupils from September 2011.
Tuesday 16 November 2010
Millpool Nursery Survives
Tuesday 16th November
After a lot of consultation and also lobbying by local residents, your Conservative Team led by Lesley Sutton, our local government candidate, next May we have managed to secure the future of the nursery. The outcome is that it will continue as a community day nursery funded by the mainstream budget. We know the importance of this local service and made and won the case on behalf of all those involved. A wider range of support services will be available and occupancy will be expected to rise to 90%.
After a lot of consultation and also lobbying by local residents, your Conservative Team led by Lesley Sutton, our local government candidate, next May we have managed to secure the future of the nursery. The outcome is that it will continue as a community day nursery funded by the mainstream budget. We know the importance of this local service and made and won the case on behalf of all those involved. A wider range of support services will be available and occupancy will be expected to rise to 90%.
Friday 12 November 2010
Mobile Phone mast updates
Friday 12th November
The Broadmeadow application was turned down on the grounds of ‘visual amenity’.This in plain English means that it would be an eyesore and a blot on the landscape!(There is a right of appeal).
The Lions Club mast was approved because it was a replacement mast and also hidden behind a building. (Planners cannot refuse on grounds of health issues given that risks are not considered medically proven). We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who contacted us on the mast’s issues.
The Broadmeadow application was turned down on the grounds of ‘visual amenity’.This in plain English means that it would be an eyesore and a blot on the landscape!(There is a right of appeal).
The Lions Club mast was approved because it was a replacement mast and also hidden behind a building. (Planners cannot refuse on grounds of health issues given that risks are not considered medically proven). We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who contacted us on the mast’s issues.
Thursday 11 November 2010
Bus Service Restored
Thursday 11th November
Subject to final confirmation, your Conservative team, working with Birmingham City Council and Centro, have been able to secure an offer of a bus service for the Brandwood area.
The service offered may not be as flexible as the previous No.69, but councillors and Birmingham City Council are sadly not in a position to demand or dictate to bus operators what they can and cannot do. We therefore endeavour to persuade and influence the bus operators using whatever means we can to secure the best deal for the residents we are so very proud to represent.
The new service will be No.649. It will be a one hour shuttle operating 9.30 am to 3.30 pm, Monday - Saturday. It will be operated by Birmingham Community Transport. The length of the trial period and the exact details of the route have not emerged. The suggested start date will be 29th November 2010.
Subject to final confirmation, your Conservative team, working with Birmingham City Council and Centro, have been able to secure an offer of a bus service for the Brandwood area.
The service offered may not be as flexible as the previous No.69, but councillors and Birmingham City Council are sadly not in a position to demand or dictate to bus operators what they can and cannot do. We therefore endeavour to persuade and influence the bus operators using whatever means we can to secure the best deal for the residents we are so very proud to represent.
The new service will be No.649. It will be a one hour shuttle operating 9.30 am to 3.30 pm, Monday - Saturday. It will be operated by Birmingham Community Transport. The length of the trial period and the exact details of the route have not emerged. The suggested start date will be 29th November 2010.
Monday 8 November 2010
Fire Authority Meeting
Monday 8th November
What terrible weather today, it has pretty much rained all day. Luckily it didn't over the weekend as I was away walking in the Peak District.
I have been at a Fire Authority Meeting for most of the day. We had a presentation from the senior management about the finances following the comprenhensive spending review. They seem in good order as there has been a recruitment freeze over the last year and the pay award to staff was less than we budgeted for.
What terrible weather today, it has pretty much rained all day. Luckily it didn't over the weekend as I was away walking in the Peak District.
I have been at a Fire Authority Meeting for most of the day. We had a presentation from the senior management about the finances following the comprenhensive spending review. They seem in good order as there has been a recruitment freeze over the last year and the pay award to staff was less than we budgeted for.
Wednesday 3 November 2010
Pedestrian Saftey by Colmore School
Wednesday 3rd November
I have recently given my support in a consultation to improve pedestrian safety by Colmore J&I School along Colmore Road. The proposals include installation of enhanced warning signs, introduction of a 20 mph zone, introduction of ‘school keep clear’ markings and associated ‘no stopping’ traffic regulation orders. Unfortunately
I have recently given my support in a consultation to improve pedestrian safety by Colmore J&I School along Colmore Road. The proposals include installation of enhanced warning signs, introduction of a 20 mph zone, introduction of ‘school keep clear’ markings and associated ‘no stopping’ traffic regulation orders. Unfortunately
Full Council
Tuesday 2nd November
Most of the day was taken up with Full Council. There were a number of interesting discussions around the economy, the finances of the council and the normal knock around of question time.
I think the most interesting debate was around the Scrutiny Review of Project Champion. Often Scrutiny Reviews are nodded through with a few speakers but this had a lot of interest. Project Champion was in the national news, as a number of CCTV cameras were put up to try and reduce terrorism without any real consultation and they were in largely ethnic areas. This caused outcry in the local communities. The police have since apologised for the problems this caused for community relations.
Most of the day was taken up with Full Council. There were a number of interesting discussions around the economy, the finances of the council and the normal knock around of question time.
I think the most interesting debate was around the Scrutiny Review of Project Champion. Often Scrutiny Reviews are nodded through with a few speakers but this had a lot of interest. Project Champion was in the national news, as a number of CCTV cameras were put up to try and reduce terrorism without any real consultation and they were in largely ethnic areas. This caused outcry in the local communities. The police have since apologised for the problems this caused for community relations.
Tuesday 2 November 2010
Group Meeting
Monday 1st November
I have had Group meeting where we discussed some of the major policies that are coming up. This includes social care of children, police authority and school building programmes. I was amazed to discover that it costs social services an average of £25000 for each child that it looks after.
Nursery provision and school expansion are due to go to Cabinet on 8th November this effects Brandwood Ward with Millpool Gardens and Colmore School respectively.
I have had Group meeting where we discussed some of the major policies that are coming up. This includes social care of children, police authority and school building programmes. I was amazed to discover that it costs social services an average of £25000 for each child that it looks after.
Nursery provision and school expansion are due to go to Cabinet on 8th November this effects Brandwood Ward with Millpool Gardens and Colmore School respectively.
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