Friday, February 15, 2013

Acocks Green Library Update (Again)

We now have a revised closure date for the repair works required to the library. It was planned for Saturday 23 Feb, but it now looks as though the library will close on the 28 March.

Works are planned to start on the 2 April and complete on the 21 June.

In the meantime, South Yardley Library will be opening extended hours to support residents of Acocks Green:

  • Mon 9am to 7pm
  • Tue 9am to 5pm
  • Wed 9am to 5pm
  • Thu 9am to 7pm
  • Fri 9am to 5pm
  • Sat 9am to 5pm

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Webcasting the change


We've got an excellent new site to stream meetings. It aligns video with the agenda and you can jump from point to point and even from speaker to speaker.

Cabinet on Monday agreed that South Yardley ward committee - comprising three locally elected councillors (two Labour and one LibDem) review the Oaklands Recreation Ground steering group to ensure that it is still fit for purpose to develop the ground for the future. Seems reasonable that we maintain democratic control over a £3 million spend. (This isn't within Acocks Green, but may become an issue within Yardley)

Cabinet has also agreed to preserve the Housing Liaison Board structure to engage with tenants and leaseholders - although they do need to be genuinely representative of the tenants and leaseholders within their area. Acocks Green has a strong HLB and I'm pleased that we'll be continuing it.

Also great to see Cabinet supporting a Birmingham Jobs Fund to support Birmingham's young people into work, following policies suggested by a policy commission comprising the council, local employers, voluntary groups and government. This fund will take money from the ward-committee community chest budget, but this contribution has the potential to make a real difference to the economic clout of Birmingham - with funding starting as soon as April this year. In some wards across Birmingham, a quarter of young people are out of work - totalling 15,000, with 3000 of them out of work for more than a year. Birmingham is lucky to have a young population and we need to ensure that they are placed to drive the city forward economically. What we can't tolerate is a future where we have some wards that are the worst affected in the country and we have to prioritise our spending.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Diary Date - Fox HolliesGreen Neighbourhood Forum - 13 February 2013

Fox Hollies Green Neighbourhood Forum Open Public Meeting
Wednesday 13 February 2013 - 7pm
The Oaklands Primary School, Dolphin Lane

Items on the agenda will be

  • Community First Fund
  • Police Report
  • Issues of local concern

Yes, I know this clashes with the Yarnfield meeting, but Cllr Stacey will attend this one and I'll be along about 8pm! We have yet to master omnipresence, but being in two places at once is manageable.

Diary Date - Yarnfield Police Meeting - Wed 13 Feb


Yarnfield Police Meeting
Wednesday 13 February 2013 - 7pm

Scout Hut, behind Scanlon's on Spring Road
Meet with the local policing team for the Yarnfield and discuss issues of importance for the neighbourhood.

Planning Applications to the 9th February 2013

Only a single application this week.

2013/00643/PA - 61 Kilmorie Road
Erection of two storey side extension and single storey front and rear extensions

You can find the details by inputting the reference number into the Council online database here

If you have any comments, you can submit them online - feel free to pass your comments on to me.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Footway repairs in Avery Drive

The whole length of Avery Drive is due to be resurfaced over the three weeks starting on the 8 March 2013.

Residents should have received a letter by now informing them of the planned work

The work should not stop access to your home at any point, but please be aware that you don't park vehicles on the road outside your home while the contractors are working on that stretch of pavement.

I don't think it applies to any properties in Avery Drive, but if a dropped kerb is required to allow access to parking on the front garden of your home, then this can be installed for just £150. Existing dropped kerbs will be reinstated. Please bear in mind that you will have to have planning permission to install hard standing on your garden.