A local heritage project which seeks to record and research the use of the Lickey Hills during World War I has been officially launched today (Monday 20th March) after being awarded £10,000 of lottery funding.

Hundreds of thousands of people (and hobbits?!) visit Lickey Hills Country Park every year. To those of us lucky enough to live close by, the hills provide an escape, a place to make memories, a beautiful space to reflect and get close to nature.

The Visitors Centre in Warren Lane hosts many events and is a welcome rest spot for a cuppa (and the loo!).

However, during World War I, our beautiful country park was home to some very different buildings and a new project has begun to research and record these buildings.

The project, Hidden Heritage of the Lickey Hills has been awarded the funds through the Heritage Lottery Fund’s First World War: then and now WWI centenary programme.

It will be run in partnership with the Lickey Hills Society and the Birmingham Park Ranger Service and supported by the Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service.

The project will record and research buildings on Bilberry Hill in the Lickey Hills Country Park dating from the Great War.

The unusual – possibly unique – collection of buildings include two gun butts for testing field guns (see cover photo), a partially demolished munitions store, mess buildings and a gun emplacement. A bunker, possible officers’ mess and stable block previously on the site have since been lost.

Through the project, local people can come together to uncover and preserve the heritage of this unique site.  Archive collections will be investigated to find out more about the type of work undertaken on the site during WW1 and also the military units that were involved. A key aim is that the work be carried out by volunteers within the community, with training offered in the various research and recording tasks being undertaken.

The information gathered will be used to create interpretation boards and a leaflet, as well as a teachers’ pack as an educational resource for school visits. The information will also be made available on the Country Park website and with relevant Museum and Archive collections.

This will allow the public to discuss, contribute, share and research information about the Home Front. The end of the Project will be marked with a series of events open to the public to share the results of the research.

Jill Harvey of the Lickey Hills Local History Society said (LHLHS): “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and can’t wait to start investigating, researching and recording the site.”

Project orgnisers would love to hear from you if you wish to be involved or if you have any information or photographs which could help. Contact LHLLHS by emailing info@lhlhs.org.uk 

West Midlands Ambulance Service have confirmed that a woman has sadly died at the scene of a collision with a car in Rubery this morning (Wednesday 22nd March).

The tragic accident happened at around 10.30am on a car park access road next to the Co-op in New Road.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When ambulance staff arrived they found a pedestrian, a woman, who had been involved in a collision with a car. Sadly, it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save her and she was confirmed dead on scene.

“The occupants of the car, a woman and two young boys, were understandably shaken but after assessment were found to be uninjured and didn’t require hospital treatment.”

West Mercia Police confirmed that officers are on the scene and that no other details were available at this time.

Our thoughts go out to all affected by this tragic accident. 

West Midlands Police have released a statement to reassure communities across the region after the terrible events in Westminster yesterday afternoon and subsequent searches and arrests around the country, including in Birmingham.

Metropolitan Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Rowley, the UK’s lead officer on counter terrorism, said this morning: “Hundreds of detectives have been working through the night and during that time I can confirm we have searched six addresses – and made seven arrests. The inquiries in Birmingham, London and other parts of the country continue.”

However, reassurances that there is no intelligence to suggest the threat of a further attack being imminent, echo those from Prime Minister Theresa May in Parliament this morning who confirmed that the security threat level has not been raised and remains at Severe, as it has been for some time.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “The arrests and searches were intelligence led and there was no immediate risk to public safety. We would like to reassure our communities that we have extra officers out on patrol throughout the next few days to offer reassurance and address any concerns you may have. We are keen to stress that this additional security is not based on any new or emerging intelligence.”

Members of the public are being urged to remain alert, but not alarmed, be vigilant and report any suspicions. 

Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale, who leads on counter terrorism for the force, said: “Suspicious activity is anything that seems out of place, unusual or just doesn’t seem to fit in with day-to-day life – Let us decide if it is important.

“We work tirelessly to counter terrorism. Our absolute priority is to ensure the safety and security of the people who live, work and visit the West Midlands area. Our policing tactics and security measures are being reviewed on a daily basis – we, along with our partners, are working around the clock to keep Birmingham and our other cities as safe as can be.”

You can report any concerns to the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321. In an emergency, always dial 999.

Our thoughts go out to all affected by yesterday’s terrible events.

West Midlands Police are asking residents to be vigilant as they appeal for information after an elderly woman fell victim to a distraction burglary in her Northfield home on Tuesday (21st March).

The incident happened at around 2.30pm when a man managed to talk his way into the Frankley Beeches Road home of the woman, in her 80s, before making off with cash and personal belongings.

The man is described as:

• White
• 40s
• ‘Beer belly’
• Bandage to left hand

When asked for I.D, the man made excuses and was allowed into the home.

Please warn and look out for elderly or vulnerable neighbours, family and friends.

If you saw or heard anything or have any information about the incident please call West Midlands Police on 101, quoting the reference number BW/58956Q/17. If you witness any suspicious behaviour, please call 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress.

Advice

Please remain vigilant and check on vulnerable and elderly family members, friends and neighbours. Make sure they know how to keep safe and get help if needed.

• Don’t answer the door to people you don’t know if you don’t feel safe – use a spy hole if you have one, or check through a front window. Never feel embarrassed to refuse to answer the door or let strangers in.
• Use a door chain if you do open the door.
• Don’t feel embarrassed to call the policeto report any concerns or suspicious behaviour.
• If you don’t know the caller, ask to see their identity card. Check it carefully, and keep the chain on while you do this. Genuine callers won’t mind if you close the door while you check. If in doubt, telephone the organisation to verify they are genuine by using a number from the telephone directory and not a number given to you by the caller.
• If you’re still unsure of a caller, ask them to come back at a pre-arranged time, then have someone with you. If they’re genuine, they won’t mind.
• Beware of being distracted by one person while another steals your property – make sure other doors into your home (side, back) are locked while you are at the front door.
• If in doubt, keep them out. Phone the police on 101 if you are worried and in an emergency dial 999.
• Please share this advice with elderly or vulnerable friends, neighbours and relatives and check on them regularly.

Children from three local primary schools have been celebrating their memories of the now demolished old pool in Northfield, as construction of new leisure facilities begins.

Pupils from Longwill, St Laurence Church and St Brigid’s Catholic Primary Schools have created ‘memory drawings’ reflecting the enjoyment they felt using the old facility. Their artwork will be displayed as a colourful collage around the external site hoardings until the new centre opens in 2018.

Northfield Pool closed in June 2016 with plans for new centre managers Birmingham Community Leisure Trust, in partnership with Birmingham City Council, to build a brand new leisure centre with pool on the site.

Pupils and staff joined local councillors who led the art project, and the development project partners, on the site to see where their work will be featured and hear about the plans for the future at their local leisure centre and swimming pool.

Once the new facilities are complete, it is expected that over 1500 children will learn to swim there every week, with over 25 schools using the pool facilities. There will also be an expanded group exercise programme offering a wider range of pursuits. Children’s sports activities such as gymnastics and dance courses, as well as a new school holiday programme will be available.

The £7.7million development which will include a brand new state of the art gym, 25m pool and a teaching pool, group exercise studio and a room for community use. The centre, on the existing site on the corner of Bristol Road South and Great Stone Road, will also have car parking and cycle storage.

The original Northfield Baths, designed by the architect Henry Walter Simister and opened on 8 May 1937, will be celebrated with a mural inside the new centre.

Northfield is one of three existing leisure centres across the city being replaced by Birmingham Community Leisure Trust (BCLT), in partnership with BCC, with a fourth centre being developed at a new site at Icknield Port Loop in Edgbaston will also be built and managed by the Trust. ISG Construction plc are carrying out the construction work.

When the facility reopens in Spring 2018, existing staff, who have been redeployed during redevelopment, will return, along with new posts being created. Developers say that the new Northfield Leisure Centre will have around 50 staff when it opens.

BCLT Chair, Brian Taylor said: “We are delighted to mark today’s official start of construction here in Northfield with so many talented young citizens who will benefit for years to come from the new facilities. The exciting plans for this, our latest new leisure centre in Birmingham, continue BCLT’s successful progress towards our goal of providing high quality, modern sport and leisure facilities for all across the city.

Mr Taylor looked forward to the opening of the new centre next year. He said: “…we look forward to welcoming residents […] to a fabulous, modern building.  What better incentive for everyone, young and old, to opt for a healthy lifestyle and enjoy themselves at the same time!”

Birmingham City Council is investing £7.7 million in the new leisure centre at Northfield. The project is part of a city wide investment of nearly £40 million to give Birmingham residents leisure and exercise facilities fit for the twenty first century.

Birmingham City Council’s Deputy Leader Cllr Ian Ward added: “I am delighted that our residents in Northfield and the surrounding area will soon be benefitting from a new leisure centre and I thank our partners for working with us to provide cost effective and modern facilities, and for involving the local community in this exciting project.

“Despite the considerable budgetary restraints we face, we will continue to support and encourage people to remain active and pursue a healthy lifestyle.”

Building work is being undertaken by ISG Construction plc, who were awarded the contract for new leisure centres at Erdington, Northfield, Stechford and Icknield Port Loop.  BCLT is also managing and refurbishing Fox Hollies, Cocks Moors Woods, Beeches and Wyndley Leisure Centres and Billesley Tennis & Fitness Centre.

A teacher who helped a struggling Redditch school to become the most improved secondary school in the country has been appointed as the new Head of Academy at Bournville School.

Joanne Cottle will take up the position on April 24^th after working in senior leadership positions at Trinity High School in Redditch for 10 years.

Mrs Cottle was part of the team which took Trinity from ‘National Challenge’ in 2009 to becoming ‘Most Improved Secondary School in England’ in 2013, as well as securing ‘Good’ Ofsted ratings in both 2010 and 2014.

Bournville School is run by Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust and became an all-through school in September last year, now catering for pupils aged four to 16.

Mrs Cottle said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Head of Academy at Bournville School.

“I am passionate in my commitment to providing a strong and stable leadership and ensuring the Trust’s values of high expectations and ambition for all are embedded within the school.

“I will do everything in my power to support the school on its continued journey to securing positive outcomes for all learners, ensuring they have access to a broad and balanced curriculum delivered in an engaging and stimulating manner by experienced subject specialists.

“I also want to foster an atmosphere of mutual respect, in which all members of Bournville School’s community strives to give their best at all times and where poor behaviour is never accepted and always challenged.

“Collaborating with other schools within the Trust and beyond, I will secure continued school improvement and create further opportunities for Bournville School’s pupils.

“I also want to preserve and celebrate the school’s distinct ethos, history and tradition, of which it is justly proud.”

Andy Bird, CEO of Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust, said: “I am delighted to be welcoming Joanne Cottle to our family of schools.

“Her extensive experience in senior leadership and school improvement will no doubt be an asset to pupils and staff alike at Bournville School.

“Mrs Cottle has developed a reputation for helping schools achieve their best and, with the combined skills from other schools within the Trust, we will together continue to secure the best opportunities for pupils at Bournville School.”

Newsletter from Project Manager Mark Glanville of site developers ISG. The newsletter is distributed to residents and businesses in the immediate vicinity of the Leisure Centre and reproduced here at the request of ISG.

Hello as promised here is the latest edition of our regular newsletter to keep you up-to-date with how we are progressing with the project to re-develop your local leisure centre.

Once completed, the new facility will include:-

• 25 metre, 6 lane swimming pool
• Training / learner pool
• Changing village
• Fitness suite
• Dance studio
• A community room

We’ve made good progress to date, completing the demolition and crushing of the old buildings before Christmas and starting construction of the concrete structure of the new building this year.

So far, we have excavated for and constructed the basement plant room area and have used the crushed material from the old building to level the site and give a good base on which to build the new centre. Construction of the new pool itself has just started.

I’m sure you’ll be glad to hear that, now the bulk of the excavation is complete, the number of lorries entering and leaving site will reduce dramatically.

As promised, we managed to remove the crest from the front of the building, the two foundation stones and the weather vane and have stored them safely for potential re-use on the new scheme. Our architect is currently coming up with several proposals for further review and discussion.

Upcoming activities

Over the next couple of months we will carry out the following works:-

• Complete construction of the main swimming pool.

• Commence installation of the drainage system to the new building.

• Install the lift shaft.

The construction of the concrete parts of the new building will continue for approximately 3 months, after which the steel frame for the first floor and roof will be erected.

While we are constructing the concrete elements it might appear that not a lot is happening, as very little will be visible over the top of the hoarding, but we will be working hard behind the hoarding to deliver the new leisure centre.

Considerate Constructors Scheme

As an associate member of the Considerate Constructors Scheme, ISG are committed to provide a first class service to our clients, we are also extremely passionate about ensuring daily operations cause minimum disruption to the local community during our works. With this in mind we are opening up various ways of communication with the local residents.

• Regular newsletters, such as this one, that will keep you informed about what we are doing and will introduce some of the site team.
• A notice board has been erected on the site hoarding by the main gates.
• Monthly drop-in meetings onsite every first Friday of the month, please feel free to drop in if you have any questions.
• Visits to local schools to be arranged in association with our client, Birmingham CC and Serco.
• Vision panels have been cut in the hoarding to allow pedestrians to see what we are up to.
• We are also be working with B31Voices to make information about the project more widely available. They can be contacted in various ways, as follows:- www.b31.org.uk; Tw: @b31voices; www.facebook.com/b31voices

Important Health, Safety & Environmental Information

I would like to thank all local residents for continuing to bear with us whilst we carry out our works. Your safety is paramount to us at ISG and therefore we do have to insist on stringent measures to maintain our high standards.

ISG strive to ensure that the highest standards of Health, Safety and Welfare are maintained for all employees, sub-contractors, client third parties, visitors and members of the public involved in the project.

We are very aware that traffic can get very busy around this area, particularly at each end of the day. As such we have arranged the site entrance and have it manned at all times to ensure that delivery vehicles are taken off Great Stone Road immediately so as not to disrupt traffic.

Also, in order to minimize disruption to the surrounding areas we will not be working at weekends or Bank holidays unless there is a specific operation that is less disruptive if carried out at these times. We will let you know of any such operations in the weeks leading up to them in more detail.

The site has been set up with CCTV cameras which are monitored off-site, with mobile patrols that can visit if the need arises.

As part of our first aid provision on site we have an emergency defibrillator.

This is also available for use by members of the public if an incident occurs near the site.

We have registered it on www.heartsafe.org.uk/AED-Locations, a database of AED’s available for public use.

If you have any questions about the project or site safety, please contact me, Mark Glanville, Project Manager, mark.glanville@isgplc.com, or drop in to the office and I will be happy to speak with you.

From Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity:

A team of Ophthalmology Consultants at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, including eye doctor Alastair Denniston and his blind brother, Richard Denniston, are ditching their scrubs in favour of cycling vests and helmets to cycle 100 miles in one day at Velo Birmingham, to raise money for the official hospital Charity.

Alastair, an Ophthalmology Consultant who has worked at QEHB for five years, is one of five cycling enthusiasts from the Ophthalmology department who will join QEHB Charity’s team at Velo Birmingham. His career choice was inspired from a young age by his brother, Richard, who has been blind since shortly after birth and who will join Alastair and his colleagues on the ride.

Alastair said: “I have always been very aware of how precious sight is. To train to be an Ophthalmologist is a long road, but it is definitely worth it. I get to help save people’s sight on a daily basis – how good is that!”

The 42-year-old, who lives in Harborne, Birmingham, with his wife Sarah and two sons Arran and Ewan, helps to diagnose disease and provide treatment for patients who have problems with their eye sight.

He explained: “Like other parts of medicine, the job is to first be a detective and then to provide the treatment. We have to ‘join the dots’ connecting the patient’s symptoms with the subtle changes that may be occurring in the eye. Because so much of the eye is transparent, we can see right into it. Thanks to QEHB Charity we now have such high resolution equipment that we can see down to a thousandth of a millimetre within the eye. This state-of-the-art equipment means we can detect disease earlier and treat people with confidence.”

Along with his brother, Alastair will be joined by staff from the Ophthalmology department at QEHB, including Tim Matthews, Andrew Jacks, Simon Dulku and Mike Burdon, who will all join 15,000 thousand others, many of whom are raising money for QEHB Charity, at Velo Birmingham; a 100-mile closed-road bicycle race that is coming to the second city on Saturday 24 September.

Alastair said: “We have a wonderful eye department at QEHB – everyone is very committed. Over the last few years QEHB Charity has helped us buy £300,000 of the most advanced laser and imaging equipment to help us care for patients. We are committed to working with the Charity to raise money so that we can continue to provide world-class treatment here in Birmingham.”

To sponsor the Ophthalmology team, please go to www.justgiving.com/QEHBEyeAppeal

Although places for Velo Birmingham have sold out, QEHB Charity has a limited number of Golden Bond places available. To get yours for £40, all you need to do is pledge to raise £400 in sponsorship or call 0121 371 4852 for more information.

Following a month long consultation in the new year, Birmingham City Council has approved an application by King’s Norton Boys’ School to end its sixth form provision.

The consultation, unanimously supported by the school’s Governing Body, saw staff, parents, students, stakeholders and the wider community being encouraged to share their views.

King’s Norton Boys’ School’s Head Teacher Paul Woodhouse said: “I am very saddened that our sixth form has become no longer viable or sustainable due to a shortfall in Government funding and an increase in post-16 education provision in the local area.

“Since the consultation was launched, the school has been working tirelessly to ensure we have offered careers advice to students, including support from establishments offering further education provision within the local area.

“Meanwhile, our Year 7 cohort is set to expand from September 2018, and we are developing a five-year strategy focussing on our vision that, by 2022, our school will become ‘outstanding’ – both in terms of its Ofsted rating and the contribution it makes to the lives of all of the boys who spend their formative years with us.

“Long hailed for our high quality sporting provision, plans are also in place for a new £2 million sports hall which will enable us to further enhance our physical education curriculum and extra-curricular activity offer.

“We continue in our efforts to raise pupil attainment, building on the success of last summer’s GCSE results which saw 68 per cent of our students achieve at least five GCSEs grades A* to C including maths and English.

“I want to thank our students, parents and staff for their understanding and patience throughout the consultation process and I look forward to continuing to work with them as we transition through the changes ahead.”

Andrew Collyer, Chair of Governors at King’s Norton Boys’ School, said: “The Governing Body fully supports the decision made by the Local Authority and we believe these changes are vital in order to allow the school to continue on its journey of transformation.

“As we continue our open and transparent communications with students, staff, parents and the wider community, we are also now canvassing all stakeholders and parents for their ideas and contributions to our five-year strategy.

“The Governing Body is looking forward to continuing to support Head Teacher Paul Woodhouse as he puts in to place these exciting and visionary plans to strengthen King’s Norton Boys’ School.”

Sixth form provision will end at the school on August 31^st 2018. Current Year 12 students will continue in to Year 13 to complete their studies in the 2017/18 academic year. No Year 12 sixth form places being offered in September 2017.

Meanwhile, the Year 7 intake will increase from 128 places to 150 places from September 2018.

There’s always one…….! ;)

A Kings Norton company is just one of 4 out of thousands of traders in the UK to be shortlisted for the 2017 Which? Trusted Trader of the Year Award.

Family owned, Finesse Windows have been trading since 1981 and remain committed to delivering high quality product and the best customer service, more than 35 years later.

The Which? Awards have been celebrating the best businesses in the UK since 2007, with the Trusted Trader of the Year Award showcasing companies who have focused their businesses on what customers want and have delivered consistently high standards of customer service.

Selected from the Which? Trusted Traders Scheme, criteria include analysis of customer feedback, complaint handling, customer care, and having met the exacting standard required by Which? as part of the scheme.

Which? Chief Executive, Peter Vicary-Smith said: “Consumers should be at the heart of every business. Brands that deliver excellent products and services for customers deserve to be recognised and rewarded.

“This year’s shortlist reflects those businesses that strive to meet consumers’ expectations and go above and beyond to respond to their needs.”

Finesse Managing Director, Russell Bridge, proudly commented: “It’s fantastic that all the hard work of our team is recognised; we know it is a bit of cliché that customer satisfaction comes first, but it really is what our business has been built on since we opened in 1981.

“To be one of only 4 companies to be shortlisted alone is amazing and really does prove our mantra that everything is ‘designed, manufactured and fitted with care. We are proud of our staff and everything we produce; all manufactured at our Kings Norton factory and showroom.”

The winners of the Which? Awards will be announced at a Gala Dinner event to be held in May, with global brands such as Apple, John Lewis, Samsung and Marks & Spencer all up for awards.

Congratulations all!
We wish you all the best for the Awards in May!

A 22 year old man has been charged in relation to a hit and run accident in Birmingham city centre where a 44 year old man was killed.

Dil Bahadur Subedi was hit by a green Ford Mondeo as he crossed Belgrave Middleway just after 11:30pm on Sunday 26 March. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. 
 
The car involved made off from the scene and was later found alight in Sovereign Heights in Northfield.

Police arrested Connor McCaugherty, of no fixed abode on Friday (31 March) and he was subsequently charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving with no insurance.

Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes from the Collision Investigation Unit said: “While this is a significant development in the investigation, it is far from complete and I would urge anyone who has not yet spoken to us who can offer information regarding the collision to contact us.”

Mr Subedi’s family last week paid tribute to: “a well respected son, husband, father and work colleague.”

Anyone who has any information that may help police is asked to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or by email at FL_COLLISION_INVEST@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk 

There have been a considerable number of missed refuse and recycling collections locally in the last couple of weeks.

According to the council’s website, over 100 streets were missed on some days last week.

We asked Birmingham City Council for an explanation for the sudden increase in missed collections but – while they issued an apology and reassurance that they are working on the backlog – they didn’t offer any reasons for why it is happening.

‘Sorry’…

Antony Greener, director of waste management for Birmingham City Council, said: “We apologise for any problems with refuse, recycling and garden waste collections, and would ask the public to bear with us as we endeavour to catch up with missed collections over the next few days.

“We’re appealing to residents affected to leave their bins out if they have not been collected, and they will be collected as quickly as possible.”

‘Not good enough’

Cllr Brett O’Reilly (Northfield, Labour) said: “The service received by residents has simply not been good enough and I would hope that the issues are temporary. If residents are experiencing poor service then I would urge them to let me know and I will take it up with the council.”

What to do if your collection has been missed

1. Check the council’s missed collections list, after 4pm on the day your collection was missed. If your street is listed, the council are aware and will aim to collect your rubbish within a few days.
2. If your street isn’t listed on the missed collections list, make sure the council are aware your street has been missed by reporting online: Report a missed collection online
3. Leave your bins out for collection: make sure they’re not blocking any public pathways.
4. If the issue continues and your bins are still not collected within a few days, or they are repeatedly missed, consider contacting your local councillors for help and support. You can find you councillors’ contact details by entering your postcode on the My Local Information page 

Cover image by Emma Wright on Flickr

We know that later this week, some youngsters (and teachers!) will be fighting to get out of school as quickly as possible to enjoy their Easter break.

But this little beauty was caught trying to get IN to a Quinton primary school this morning (Wednesday 5th April)!

Woodgate Valley fire crews were called to Quinton Church Primary School in Hagley Road West at around 11.30 when the muntjac deer was found with its head trapped between two railings of a metal fence.

Another day another deer pic.twitter.com/0n7fgtAtDM

— Woodgate Valley Fire (@Woodgatefire) April 5, 2017

Luckily, the crew managed to use their tools to bend open the railings to free the deer and didn’t have to resort to using cutting tools, which would have proved very traumatic for the deer – and the fire crew!!

Having checked with the RSPCA that it was ok to be let go, the cheeky scamp skipped off to safety.

For the last couple of weeks, bin collections – refuse, recycling and green waste alike – have been missed in their hundreds. Some have been collected the next day but some have been left for several.

Many residents have expressed frustration at the lack of information as to why this is happening. 

Apologies & Rumours

Birmingham City Council have apologised and asked residents to leave any missed bins out for collection as staff try to catch up.

Cabinet member for Clean streets, Recycling and Environment Lisa Trickett has expressed “sincere apologies and regret” at the diminished level of service. She told full council meeting on Tuesday (4th April) that she was taking the issue “extremely seriously and [I] will continue to drive forward an efficient, effective service.”

Birmingham City Council as an organisation has declined any further comment.

‘Binmen’ have been commenting on social media that changes in the level of service since temporary staff were cut several months ago are causing the issues.

However, some residents have said that workers on the street have told them that rounds aren’t getting completed as they’re unofficially ‘working to rule’ – following full Health and Safety procedures – as they’ve lost numbers and are about to have a pay cut.

There have also been rumours of industrial action.

So what is the real reason for hundreds of bins going unemptied across the city? 

Reduced staff?

One long-serving binman told B31 Voices that there were proposals to cut their pay and to change their contracts for the 5th time in 9 years. He said that workers were disheartened by this as rounds only got done on their goodwill – cutting corners, missing breaks.

He also said that the loss of a large number of agency staff and a need for staff to take remaining holidays before the end of the financial year were adding to issues, meaning some rounds were getting missed or not completed.

One commented on B14 News’ Facebook page that the workers would like to see things improve. He said: “Most of the workforce take no pleasure from the current debacle and would hope to return to providing a service the citizens of our fine city deserve.”

Working to rule?

However, some residents have reported that binmen have told them that they are ‘working to rule’ in protest at recent cuts to staff and a worry that they will face losses to pay or hours in current re-negotiations with the council.

Industrial action?

At full council on Tuesday, Cllr Trickett faced questions about the current lack of service.

Cllr Deirdre Alden (Con, Edgbaston) said: “Last week 788 streets missed one collection or another, be it recycling, household waste or both” and queried whether the missed collections were the result of industrial action.

In response, Cllr Tricket apologised, saying that performance had improved since the introduction of wheelie bins but said: “Unfortunately, the last few weeks has seen a change within the performance.”

She confirmed that there was no industrial action and that none of the trade unions had held a ballot.

Go-slow?

According to the Birmingham Mail, Cllr Trickett also said: “Some crews, and only some crews, are slowing down and that’s caused a drop-off.”

Cllr Trickett did confirm that they were speaking to unions about plans going forward. She said: “We are currently negotiating with the trade unions on a future operating model which is part of our financial plan as accepted by this city council in February this year.”

Resolution?

So it seems there are no clear answers as to what exactly is happening at the moment and no signs of if, when or how any issues will be resolved.

In the meantime, residents are left to be patient, wondering if … and when … their bins will be emptied. 

What to do if your collection is missed

Parents and supporters of the current campaign to Save Charles House took their message directly to the council house earlier this week.

Cllr Carole Griffiths (Lab, Longbridge) delivered their petition against proposals to move the facility from West Heath to Erdington to the full Birmingham City Council meeting on Tuesday (4th April).

And a group of supporters also attended the meeting, gathering extra petition signatures outside, asking a question of Cabinet member Brigid Jones and making sure all councillors were aware of their message.

Campaigners battling to save Charles House respite home for autistic youngsters in south Birmingham. pic.twitter.com/up35iSMQVQ

— Neil Elkes (@neilelkes) April 4, 2017

Supported by local councillors Carole Griffiths, Andy Cartwright (Lab, Longbridge) and Julie Johnson (Lab, Weoley), several other councillors stopped to speak to the group and offer their support, including Cllr Mary Locke (Lab, Bournville).

Campaign supporters are against the proposed move as they believe it will be too disruptive to the children with severe learning disabilities who currently receive respite care at Charles House.

Following a consultation which ended last month, the future of Charles House as it is still hangs in the balance, with service users and staff all waiting to find out its fate.

Hayley Fellows, the mother of a Charles House service user, stood up before the full council meeting and asked Cllr Brigid Jones when the decision will be made.

She said: “We understand that the consultation concerning city efficiency savings terminated last month and as such, decisions have been made. Is Charles House, the respite provision situated in South Birmingham moving to North Birmingham, and on what date will the service users and practitioners be informed of the decision?”

In response, Cabinet member for Children, Families and Schools Cllr Jones said: “The proposal was part of the budget that went through just over a month ago and, as you say, it’s not a proposal to close Charles House, as we’ve seen in the past – it’s a proposal to potentially move it to a newer building that’s become available… I am aware that parents, service users and staff have raised a number of key concerns and objections to the proposals that have been consulted on.

Cllr Jones said that the responses were currently being collated and assessments made and confirmed that she had not yet made a final decision. She said: “I do appreciate what a web valued service it is and that it is a lifeline for so many service users and their wider families. And I know they really do welcome the dedication and commitment of the staff who work with them and support their loved ones.”

And the cabinet member reassured that her primary concern when making her decision would be the children affected. She said: “I’m determined that whatever decision I do end up taking … it will be one that will benefit the children that use the service now and future service users and their families and carers.”

Cllr Jones said she would welcome further discussion with councillors or service users who wished to speak further and said that a decision should be made by the end of the month.

Thanks to the Save Charles House campaign for images. Click to enlarge:

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A 23 year old man has been jailed for 8 years after he stabbed another man after he was forced to pull over his car outside a Weoley Castle supermarket last September. 

On the evening of September 29th 2016, the victim was leaving the car park of the Asda store in Barnes Hill, with his partner and young child in the car, when another vehicle pulled in front of them, forcing them to stop.

Warren Wiggan – wearing a Halloween mask bought in the store – slashed a tyre on the family’s car. When the victim stepped out of his car to challenge him, Wiggan stabbed him in the stomach.

The man in his mid-20s was left with a three-inch wound after the attack.

Following the attack, Wiggan fled north of the border but was identified by West Midlands Police after viewing CCTV footage of him buying the mask from the store.

He was traced to an address in Scotland and was arrested with the help of the local force.

Wiggan was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday (5th April) after being found guilty of wounding with intent.

DC Tom Saunders, from Force CID, said: “It is not clear why Wiggan carried out this serious attack which left a man with a three inch stab wound. He fled up to Scotland following the attack and after identifying him from CCTV we managed to track him down hundreds of miles.

“This should serve as a strong warning that you can run but you can’t hide from the law. If you commit a serious offence we will go to whatever lengths to track you down.”

West Midlands Police are investigating after three lads were set upon by a larger group, who attacked them on a metal walking stick, on Sunday afternoon (9th April).

Police were called to a report of an assault on Holly Hill Road in Frankley, close to Lysander Road, at around 5pm.

Police believe that the trio – who were all aged around 14 and were in the area to meet with friends – were approached by a larger group of around 8 lads. After engaging them in conversation, the larger group attacked the three boys with a metal walking stick belonging to one of the victims.

West Midlands Ambulance Service attended and two of the teens were taken to hospital: one for a leg injury and the other with a head injury. The third was treated for back, shoulder and neck injuries at the scene before being discharged.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has any information, is asked to call West Midlands Police on 101 quoting reference 20BW/73288E/17

The family of a local woman who sadly died in an accident in Rubery last month have paid tribute to her. 

We just read: Rubery gymnast wins regional tournament just months after taking up the sport in the Bromsgrove Standard

A RUBERY youngster has won a regional gymnastics competition, just months after starting the sport.

Laura Henderson, a student at Holywell Primary School, took up gymnastics in July last year and has since become the West Midlands Regional Grade Five Winner of 2017.

Read full story on the Bromsgrove Standard website