Welcome to
Birchfield Residents Action Group
click on the coloured areas to find out more
We cover the following neighbourhoods of the Birchfield district of the East Handsworth and Lozells ward.
Wellington Road,Birchfield Road,Westminster Road, Stamford Road, The roads on the Birchfield Estate. Calthorpe, Turville, Haughton, Havelock, Livingstone,Leslie,Willmore Roads, Apollo Way,Part of Churchill, Hutton, Grosvenor and Putney Roads. Old Mill Close, Westminster Cresent, and the side roads off the main ones. If you feel you want to be included then please feel free to make contact. There have around 2000 households here updated February 2010
BRAG Annual General Meeting 7pm Thursday March 4th at Livingstone House,Livingstone Road, front entrance (Light Angels Nursery, facing Towers) A comment by a BRAG member who attended the last
Neighbourhood Police meeting at Holy Trinity School,Haverlock Road, 7pm Thursday 28th January, 2009 At this meeting we were repeatedly told that it was OUR meeting; to listen to our concerns ! Apart from the fact that the agenda is so full with Police information, that Communities Priorities now come last on the agenda, when most people have given up and gone home, there were two things which show that it is no longer OUR meeting. 1- After lobbying for play facilities in Birchfield triangle for many years and being told they were listening to us this time and they recognised that money had always gone outside our area, we were presented with a “wonderful result”. Our Neighbourhood Manager has worked hard and raised £10,000 for young people in Birchfield. But without consultation either in these meetings or with Birchfield Residents Action Group, our long standing residents association, the decision was made on our behalf, to yet again spend it outside our area in a
2- It has taken much hard work by our team to convince people that the police and city council were listening to us. These meetings have been crucial in getting the residents trust that things would, and more importantly, did get followed up. The new leadership, and completely changed format risk losing all this goodwill built up over time. The feeling that we are not being listened to, and that it is no longer OUR Meeting, is being reinforced by the decision to amalgamate it with the Community Forum who would in effect run OUR meeting. There was once again no consultation about this with our residents, this decision was taken by the police and Community Forum and risks being a political platform which BRAG has never been. We object to being repeatedly called negative because we simply don’t want to be a rubber stamp for the police decisions imposed upon us without consultation. When will they learn the lessons from the past that this is the best way to lose peoples trust. Take a look at our Neighbouring Police Teams Face Book site http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2009/12/31/lozells-stabbings-police-out-in-force- catch-seven-times-knifeman-97319-25498569/ Can you help ? cc: deborah.parsons@birmingham.gov.uk The location is 210 Westminster Road,Birchfield area We hope these bags do not stay here too long.................... thanks, Birchfield Residents Yes these bags did go on Monday 16th November, together with the promise for the "Hit Squad" to clear the void land along Wellington Road and for hordings to be put up just like the ones at the void library site.We ask,when will see the PROMISED PLAY AREA on the Wellington Road waste land?
Colleagues, I have received the email below from Birmingham City Council regarding the investigation into the proceedings of the Handsworth Central Neighbourhood Forum AGM. We can now move forward in working together to engage the local community in addressing issues affecting them and making our forum area a better and safer area for all. I would like to thank all my colleagues for their patience during this time and want to thank all officers for their professionalism in dealing with a potentially difficult situation. For any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you. Yours truly, Waseem Zaffar JP Chairman Handsworth Central Neighbourhood Forum --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----Original Message----- Dear Waseem Following my initial e-mail to you on 20/11/09 I can now confirm that a response has been sent by the Chief Executive on 25/11/09 to the people who raised concerns about the Forum AGM. His letter concludes, " appropiate mechanisms do seem to have been put into place to ensure a fair outcome in the election " However, the Chief Executive also points out that a route open to those concerned is "if residents do not have confidence in the Management Committee , there is a provision within the constitution of the Handsworth Central Neighbourhood Forum for them to call a special meeting to discuss the issue" I hope this enables you to be as updated as possible on the situation Regards Karen Karen Cheney Senior Manager -Community Empowerment Lead Neighbourhood and Communities Team Constituency Services Housing and Constituencies Directorate Birmingham City Council Louisa Ryland House 44 Newhall Street Birmingham B3 3PL 01216758519 07766924804 Karen_Cheney@birmingham.gov.uk will they help Birchfield residents to have a Forum ourselves........... BIRCHFIELDS' Candidates20 Sabirul Islam 15 Not Elected Stamford Road Please find attached the official election results from the Handsworth Central Neighbourhood Forum AGM held on 29/10/09 at Mayfield school. You will see that all the minimum criteria was met by the top15 elected candidates. Details of an event at Perry Hall Park 23rd October http://www.breathingplaces.org/public/search?hasjs=1&location=sp059918&search_filter=All&x=22&y=11 IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN, we need more representation from our area on this forum until they let us have our own. Do you want to see the same old crew being re-elected to "serve" you?
Handsworth Central Neighbourhood Forum Thursday 29 October 2009 Mayfield School Heathfield Road B19 1HJ Starting at 7pm Important BBC broadcast on "Have we lost faith in the Police"? http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00n472h/The_Big_Questions_Series_2_Episode_35/ Important podcast which involves our area to some extent To: birchfield@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk POLICE responded by sending CPSO who said matter is being dealt with.
"Birchfield Neighbourhood Conference on Saturday 12th September from 10.30 a.m. - 3.00 p.m. which will be held at the Universal Peace Foundation, 50, Livingtsone Road, B20 3LL. Please let me know if you would like to attend this event by contacting Yvonne Wager
Environmental Warden
Regulatory Services - Perry Barr Constituency
0121 464 2860
From: Karen.Cheney@birmingham.gov.uk [mailto:Karen.Cheney@birmingham.gov.uk]
Sent: 01 December 2009 10:15
To: waseem@b-ace.co.uk
Cc: steve_salt@birmingham.gov.uk; Ifor.Jones@birmingham.gov.uk
Subject: Handsworth Central Neighbourhood Forum
The paperwork relating to the election is available for inspection and will be held for 28 days. Please provide at least 24hrs notice if you wish to inspect the papers. A brief report of the AGM proceeding will be produced shortly along with some practical recommendations for next year.
I am satisfied that the election was held freely and fairly as practically possible given the limited resources.
Thank you.
Rajinder Rattu
Managing Director - Neighbourhood Consultancy Ltd Tel: 0121 448 8187
Mobile: 0751 553 1272
Email: info@neighbourhoodconsultancy.co.uk
Event Management ~ Community Consultations ~ Capacity Building
A Company Limited by Guarantee - Number 06561059. Registered in England and Wales.
Registered Office: 163 Gerrard Street, Lozells, Birmingham, B19 2AH.
Sent: Monday, 14 September, 2009 21:08:28
Subject: -------- Road, B20
Dear Sir / Madam
I am sure that you are aware of the reports of the surge in criminal activity in our street (and possibly surrounding roads) over the past few days. There have been two vans broken into, where one was attempted to be driven away. Just today
there wasan attempt to force the door open of another van in the street (14/09/09).
I am deeply concerned that the only police presence has been the two officers
(not from the neighbourhood team) who attended to make enquiries to a few houses on Saturday 05th September.
Early one morning (c. 6am, Wednesday 02 September 2009) I spotted a white male trying the front doors on all the cars in the street. This may be connected tothese incidents.
Please can we have some pro-active activity from the local police team in terms of street patrols, or a leaflet drop on the area, etc.
I think this matter is too serious to be left to be raised at the next Police meeting on the 24th and something needs to be done now to reassure local residents.
The Conference will provide an opportunity for local residents to find out
more about Neighbourhood Management and to identify priorities that will
shape the Neighbourhood Action Plan.
myself on 0121 675 1731 or by email, yvonne.wager@birmingham.gov.uk by
Friday 4th September 2009. If you are unable to attend but wish to send a
representative please ensure you register these details. You will receive
confirmation of your booking and a programme prior to the Conference."
Birchfield Neighbourhood Manager
173a Lozells Road
Lozells
Birmingham
B19 1RN Office Tel No: (0121) 675 1731
Mobile Tel No: 07917 172533
fficial 11th June 2009
we are now included in the New Neighbourhood Management Area.
LATEST on THREE TOWER BLOCKS
Yvonne Wager, our new Neighbourhood Manager announced at the Neighbourhood Police meeting that these towers will be demolished. We hope that the developers will consider the issues of adequate PARKING and PLAY PROVISION when they draw up their plans for Family Housing.
Your are invited to a walk about with her Thursday 18th June at 7.15pm. Meet at Holy Trinity School entrance, Haverlock Road. This will be to look at Problems that need sorting in the area, like PLAY PROVISION, PARKING, DUMPING, etc.
The Stirrer - news that matters, campaigns that count - News that matters, campaigns that count for Birmingham, the Black country and beyond.
OurOurO Our Local ward has just lost another Labour councillor,Kim Bron,
who should be next ?
Hussain ex-Lord Mayor Mahmood Hussain,or absent councillor Don Brown ?
Now the "Family" has a new member, Hendrica Quinnen,let's hope she will deliver in place of absent councillor Brown.
We note the pathetic 34% turnout from our 18K potential electors. Seems like we dont care for democracy here and are just content to let the same old stooges back into power. The conservative vote went up from 284 to 1622, signs of a protest vote here? with the labour group going up by 329 as they scrabble to hang on to power,and the lib-dems up by 275.
Next Neighbourhood Police meeting at Holy Trinity School,Haverlock Road, 7pm
Thursday 26 November,2009
We wonder why there has been little action in response to our email to the Police sent on the 9th April 2009
13 CRICKET SQUARES-UNLUCKY FOR SOME
see how the Authorities are causing community discontent
at PERRY HALL Park
a 1000+ signature petition was presented to the Perry Barr ward committee meeting on the 11th May with the promise of a further meeting with park officials.
Still no news from council about Birchfield Estate or the proposed Play area on Wellington Road
Ward Committee meeting
16th July 2008 7.30pm, where one agenda item should be about Community Facilities ( eg promised play areas in Westminster Road area), at St Silas Church Centre, Lozells Road. This has been an outstanding item since 2006, we need to bring our young people to lobby councillors and get the promised play site on Wellington Road ready for the summer break. GOOD NEWS a site meeting was held with the Ward Support officer on the 18th July. This is the start of "community involvement to get the site cleared for temporary community use" ! Its now September and there has been no further news on the proposal.! But wait its October now and a meeting is being held on the 3rd.........................
14th July at Holy Trinity School, 6-8pm meet with Council officials to hear about plans for the Birchfield Road Towers and Houses regeneration. This is long overdue as we first heard about this 2 years ago.There seems to a decision to demolish the towers after all and build more houses for families.
Community Dialogue ROADSHOW 2009 Community Dialogue is all about capturing
YOUR voices, YOUR views and YOUR vision.
THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED AS FAR AS WE KNOW it is now 12th May................it did on Saturday 27th June, did you know?
NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE TEAM MONTHLY MEETINGThursday 7th May 2009Holy Trinity School,Haverlock Road,full community meeting 7pm to 8pm.
NEIGHBOURHHOOD FORUM PUBLIC MEETING 14th January 2009 7pm
at Mayfield School, Heathfield Road entrance
THORNHILL ROAD POLICE STATION OPEN DAY "we want more Special Constables"- see video file
Neighbourhhod Police Team promise New Bin we are still waiting,........... can we have a communtiy meeting more regularly please?
The last bi-monthly Neighbourhood policing meeting that we were made aware of was back in July. However, the police tell us that there was a meeting in September which Birchfield Residents did not know about. According to the Home Office Policing Pledge,Neighbourhood Policing teams should hold " meetings at least monthly". No wonder people people make this sort of comment in the Inspection report for Neighbourhood Policing, in the west Midlands, page 19...
Examples of comments made by members of the public during the survey include: o "This incident has been going on for a few months now and I feel the police are doing nothing about it at all…and someone is going to get hurt if the police keep ignoring this problem"; and "Waste of time and money making the phone call, and all of my neighbours feel the same, because the police don’t do anything" POST OFFICE CLOSURES OFFICIAL- CHURCH VALE POST OFFICE WILL CLOSE DESPITE GOVERNMENTS CRITERIA:- "99% of the total population in deprived urban[1]areas across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® branch."
SEPTEMBER 2008 report Season of Leaf and Litter Fall and the Overflowing Skip
Casual passers by still continue to drop their unwanted BIG JOHN and PIZZA food packaging as they pass the fence by the bus stop.Perhaps we could have a visit one evening from the City Centre Litter Wardens who claim to have issued hundreds of FIXED PENALTY NOTICES, they would be able to give out many tickets. The fence by the bus stop has been made into a comfortable seat for the bus stop regulars, and needs refixing, there are seats in the bus shelter. Last night, 19th September a large part of the bus shelter was ripped off and left laying on the ground.
.
YESOUR LATEST CAMPAIGN is it success at last ?NO
The untidy Verge opposite St Teresa's Church on Wellington Road
PLAYSCHEMES in our areaJULY/ AUGUST EVENTS
AGM of Handsworth Central Neighbourhood Forum
22 July 7pm at Mayfield School,Heathfield Road.Click her to see results of election
"just a wee bit like the local elections"
MOBILE PHONE MAST ISSUES
Jasper Carrot joins protesters at a local multimast site-
http://videos.next-up.org/ItvLocal/ProtestsAgainstPhoneMastsAndCancersUk/13082008.html
Click the link here http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Ward Committee meeting
16th July 7.30pm, where one agenda item should be about Community Facilities ( eg promised play areas in Westminster Road area), at St Silas Church Centre, Lozells Road. This has been an outstanding item since 2006, we need to bring our young people to lobby councillors and get the promised play site on Wellington Road ready for the summer break. GOOD NEWS a site meeting was held with the Ward Support officer on the 18th July. This is the start of "community involvement to get the site cleared for temporary community use" ! Its now September and there has been no further news on the proposal.! But wait its October now and a meeting is being held on the 3rd.........................
14th July at Holy Trinity School, 6-8pm meet with Council officials to hear about plans for the Birchfield Road Towers and Houses regeneration. This is long overdue as we first heard about this 2 years ago.There seems to a decision to demolish the towers after all and build more houses for families.
Thursday 10th July Birchfield Neighbourhood Police Team meet with us at Holy Trinity School, Haverlock Road, 7pm
What a racket-Perry Barr Speedway spoils the Sunday evening Peace
Club announces NOISE TRIALS for Wednesdays
PERRY BARR COUNCILLORS ARE ON THE BALL CHECKING UP
Mobile Phone Masts Problems- special issue of Birchfield Bugle
We will continue to monitor any reoccurrence.
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Perry BARR Councillors Blog, can we have one too ! They are telling us news of how our bins should be emptied!
Neighbourhood Conference or not ?
LOZELLS 05 Disturbances Report
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