Acocks Green Neighbourhood Forum

Another well-attended meeting of this group, which gathers at the Baptist Church on Yardley Road and it was particularly good to see some new residents - including one couple who had only moved in that day and another who had been here for about five weeks.

We had a couple of council officers there - Noel from Fleet and Waste and Paul from Highways. This ensured a lively discussion on bins, litter, green waste and various highways issues. Cllr Stacey and I supported the officers, explaining the politics behind the decisions that have been taken and reassuring residents about some of the more outlandish claims that have been made. I also had the chance to explain the reality behind our financial position, a case I can't make too often. One resident was under the impression that she be required to have her wheeled bin cleaned on a monthly basis at her own cost - I was delighted to explain the truth behind that little false fact. Cllr Stacey also updated residents on the future of our leisure centres and swimming pool, again laying to rest some of the scaremongering that has been going on.

There was also a discussion about the LSTF plans for the Warwick Road and the working of the Amey contract to maintain our roads. I was able to update those present on the progress towards getting the remaining stretch of Yardley Road resurfaced, which is on course for the next six months or so.

I always enjoy those meetings and this was no exception.

Budget Consultation

If you remember, Albert Bore stunned the media a few weeks back stating that this government was engineering the end of local government as we have come to know it.

We're currently consulting on next year's budget and we need your views.

The Tory and Liberal Democrat government are forcing us to make £110 million of cuts to our services this year. Unlike previous years, it won't be officers pushed out to justify political decisions - the Labour Cabinet will be at these meetings to hear your views and explain the choices ahead.

The next few years will be difficult, to put it mildly. The cuts that we can see coming down the line from the government will slice almost half of the money that we can actually choose how it is spent. That has to impact our services and all we can do is try to minimise the impact on those most in need.

Travel details:

Erdington Baptist Church - Wood End Road, Erdington, B24 8AD

Rail: Erdington Station                                  Bus: 11, 25, 88, 167, 168, 638, 966, 966a

http://www.erd6waysbc.org/where.php

South Yardley Library - Yardley Rd, B25 8LT

Rail: Acocks Green Station                           Bus: 11, 58, 59, 59A, 60, 900, 957

www.birmingham.gov.uk/southyardleylibrary

Friends Meeting House, Cotteridge - 23a Watford Rd, B30

Rail: Kings Norton Station                            Bus: 11, 18, 45, 47, 48, 49, 84, 145, 146http://www.centralenglandquakers.org.uk/web/local-meetings/cotteridge

Committee Rooms 3 and 4 - The Council House, Victoria Square, B1 1BB

All rail and bus routes into the city centrewww.birmingham.gov.uk/council-house