Post office news updated

The BBC have a rather more balanced piece here, which is clearer.

The Post Office are seeking to relocate Acocks Green post office into another local retailer as a franchised office. This would, it can be assumed, then result in the closure of the existing site.

However, they are clear that if a partner cannot be found, then the current post office will be maintained.

There will be a 6 week consultation prior to any move and while people will not be able to object to the principle of the closure/relocation, you will have an opportunity to object to the new location on the grounds of practical issues like parking, etc.

This is slightly more reassuring than the original spin, but will still require close monitoring and might mean another unoccupied store front in Acocks Green, which is never a good thing.

Acocks Green Post Office at risk?

A rather worrying article here which mentions the future of Acocks Green Post Office.

The headline suggests closure may be a risk if the Post Office cannot find a commercial partner, but further down the article, it says that if no partner can be found, the office will remain.

I'll try to find out more information on this, but it is a worrying development.

Temporary Library Closure

Despite government pressure on Birmingham City Council's capital spending, Cllr Stacey and I can confirm that we have protected the money put aside to repair the roof of Acocks Green Library.

The closure date has been confirmed as Saturday 23 February to allow for preparatory work to allow the contractors to start on the 4th March. The work to the roof and skylights should take about 12 weeks in all.

Cllr Stacey and I will be keeping a close eye on the works.

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

Stewart and I put a lot of effort into trying to sort out an alternative service in Acocks Green, but were unsuccessful in securing a suitable location, despite some advanced negotiations.

NOW UPDATED!

Planning Applications to 2 February 2013

This week's small crop.

2013/00510/PA - 31 Edenbridge Road
Application for a Certificate of Lawful Development for a proposed dormer window to rear and roof
alterations to side to form gable end

2012/07891/PA - 3 & 12 The Willows
Erection of detached garage to front of No. 12 The Willows and creation of 2 no. off street parking
spaces for No. 3 The Willows

2013/00136/PA - 1296 Warwick Road 
Retention of two self contained flats

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.

Diary Date - City Council Meeting - 5 February 2013

Full Council
Tuesday 5 February 2013 - 2pm
Council Chamber - streamed live too.

Key agenda items:

• Question time
• Public questions to any cabinet member or district committee chair
• Questions from any councillor to a committee chair or lead member of a joint board
• Questions from councillors other than cabinet members to a cabinet member
• Questions from councillors other than cabinet members to the leader or deputy leader
• Overview and Scrutiny Reports
• Birmingham - Where the World Meets
• Birmingham's Local Centres
• Motions for debate
• LibDem motion on community chest funding
• Labour motion on youth unemployment

Acocks Green Bins Update

Our local depot reports this morning that all black sack collections outstanding from last week were completed by the end of Saturday.

We are still outstanding the recyclate collections for last Monday and Tuesday, plus some from Wednesday (including my own road). This will all be completed by close of play this Wednesday.

City wide, that means we've caught up on a quarter of a million black bag collections and the vast majority of the 350,000 paper and plastic/glass recycling collections.

Again, sorry for inconvenience, but we are getting there!