Graffiti art exhibition in Moseley

Marcus Galleries in Moseley are doing an exhibition of graffiti art in October. They are featuring the work of two local graffiti artists – I didn’t recognize their names. I’ve spoke to Simon Marcus about displaying other local artists work and there is an opportunity for other local graffiti artists to have their work displayed and sold. However, Marcus Gallery will have to pre-check that any work is up to standard and sellable.

If you’re interested, e-mail some scanned samples to Rosie at Marcus Galleries on gallery@artfind.net

Alleyways that need gating off in Moseley and Kings Heath Ward

A pot of money has become available to gate off some alleyways in the Moseley and Kings Heath Ward. It’s not a large sum, but it is enough to gate off a handful of alleyways.

Priority will be given to alleyways that suffer from continual flytipping.

Below is my list of alleyways that need gating off. I have comments next to each one.

I would welcome comments and any other addition alleyways that need fencing or gating off.

alleyway behind 2-28 Bank Street, Kings Heath - I think this has already been gated off - needs to be checked

all alleyways off Farqhuar Road/ Tudor Road/ Leighton Road, Moseley this is a good one. Visual inspection required, but would suggest looking at gating off the following alleyways are (1) next to 1 Farqhuar Road (2) next to 19 Farqhuar Road (3) next to 1 Leighton Road (4) next to 7 Leighton Road (5) next to 17 Leighton Road (6) next ot 43 Leighton Road (7) next to 53 Leighton Road (8) next to 46 Leighton Road (9) next to 24 Tudor Road (10) next to 2 Tudor Road (11) next to 1 Tudor Road (12) next ot 19 Tudor Road (13) next to 18 Farqhuar Road (14) next to 2 Farqhuar Road

The alley enclosed by Queenswood Road/ Chruch Road/ Woodstock Road/ Woodhurst Road, Moseley - This is a non-starter. There is a dispute between two residents which is preventing this alleyway being gated off. Two of the three alleyway entrances are already gated, but they are never closed.

Dads Lane alleyway to the rear of 82 dads lane - 4 shutlock lane, Kings Heath This is a non-starter. Section 215 Notice served on 14/02/07. Not complied with. Access to the site is a problem. Section 196 letter dated 16/7/07 sent to the owners requiring them to give full access to the site on 7/8/07 at 10.30hrs.

abandoned land next to 22 Sandford Road, Moseley not sure of the history of this land. It is tarmaced and clearly intended for car parking, although never used. Constant flytipping there.

alleyway that runs down the side of 41 Belle Walk and then down the side of 123 Yardley Wood Road, Moseley - a lot of graffiti tagging here. Gating this off would improve the security of a number of houses. Urban Design did do a consultation exercise of getting this gated off - need to find out why the gating never went ahead.

alleyway to the side of 209 Grange Road, Kings Heath - occasional flytipping here. Would improve the security of a number of houses

alleyway to the side of 133 Highbury Road, Kings Heath - regular wall for graffiti tagging. Would improve the security of a number of houses
alleyway to the side of 1 Fenter Close, Moseley - this is a Focus Hosuing owned alleyway. Dumping of rubbish here is a constant problem. Gating it off would improve the security of a number of properties

rear of Woolworth’s, Kings Heath - the rear service road between the Woolworth’s building and St.Dunstan's car park needs fencing off. This area is a wind trap for litter which accumulates in corners here. Also, this area is constantly being graffiti tagged

Proposed new railway stations for Moseley and Kings Heath

The information about the proposed new railway station for Moseley and Kings Heath has been leaked to the Birmingham Mail - see today's edition page 17. It wasn't supposed to come till next week. But hey ho! I can now provide the full details on the consultants report. We have been embargoed since May, until the land owners affected were notified. That has now been completed.

Consultants were employed by Birmingham city Council and Centro to look at the business case for re-opening the Camp Hill railway line to passenger services. This line runs through Moseley and Kings Heath.

The line last took passengers in 1941 and is presently used for freight traffic.

One of the reasons it has never re-opened to passenger services is because the line runs into the already over crowded New Street station. For example if you catch a train from Moseley, the line runs north past Balsall Heath, over Camp Hill, past the Birmingham City football ground, up to Nechells, round on to Proof House junction and into New Street station. As you can see this is a round about way of getting into the city centre and as anyone who regularly catches trains between Birmingham and Coventry will now, you end up getting stuck just before Proof House junction. Both Proof House junction and New Street station are at maximum capacity and cannot take any more train services.

What the report by the consultants looked at was constructing a viaduct or rail link at Camp Hill, joining the Camp Hill railway line to the Moor Street station line. This would mean train services from Moseley or Kings Heath would run straight into Moor Street and avoiding both Proof House junction and New Street station.

The consultant’s conclusion is that there is a sound business case for running a passenger service on the Camp Hill line, if the following is done:
1) Construct a railway link at Camp Hill – cost approximately £35million
2) use diesel trains running between Moor Street and Kings Norton
3) run trains every 20 minutes. This is the most frequent service possible that would not interfere with present freight traffic. Long term, the service could be increased to one every 10 minutes, if the railway line between Birmingham and Stourbridge was upgraded to allow increased freight traffic to use this line instead – this would mean freight traffic not having to go up the Lickey Incline.
4) Stations would be built at Moseley, Kings Heath and Cartland Road – cost for each station is just over £1million. The Moseley station would be located in the cutting between Woodbridge Road and St.Marys Row. The Kings Heath station would be located immediately south of the High Street bridge, close to Sainsbury’s Homebase store. The Cartland Road station would be located immediately east of the railway bridge.

The total cost of introducing this service would be approximately £40million.

A bid has already been entered into the government for the construction of the railway link at Camp Hill – this would be the South West link. An additional bid for a North West link at Camp Hill has also been put in. The bid formed part of the New Street station refurbishment bid, with the intention that these two railway links would allow train services to be moved out of New Street station and into the underused Moor Street station.

An announcement on whether the Council and Centro have been successful on the New Street station refurbishment and the Camp Hill railway line links is expected before the end of July.

Re-opening Moseley and Kings Heath railways is being viewed as a 5 to 10 year project.

KINGS HEATH (and Moseley) TRO Improvements and Traffic Sites

Below is a report back from our Highways Engineer is to proposed changes to Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) in Moseley and kings Heath. The main focus is Kings Heath, but we can piggy back some in from Moseley.

Please could you read through them to see if we have missed anything out. We will be going to public consultation soon on these, so comments are crucial. There is still time to get other TRO's in


KINGS HEATH (and Moseley) TRO Improvements and Traffic Sites
1.0 TRO Improvements

Heathfield Road-
Site investigations do show that vehicles park both sides, half on/off the footways between High Street and the service driveways on both sides of the road. Whilst on site, I discussed the situation with a trader of the Foam Upholstery shop who has confirmed that larger vehicles do have problems accessing the service yard at the rear of the High Street shops.
However, from this discussion and observations it would not seem to be suitable to install double yellows on both sides due to loss of customer parking.
Present proposal would be, therefore, to install double yellow lines on nearside to cover approach and access to rear of shops service yard and introduce a limited waiting restriction on the length of parking directly on the opposite side of the road (just up to the access on that side).
This would strike a balance in removing obstructive parking on the nearside but create a turn-over of parking on the other side to suit traders/shoppers and ensure that vehicles park within a marked bay instead of half on/off the footway, as present.

York Road
Loading from the exiting double yellow lines at the High Street junction creates a pinch point.
However, this is prohibited during morning/afternoon peaks and as such creates a pinch point only during the off peak times.
The only way to remove this pinch point would be to prohibit loading completely, which would probably be unfavourable to local trader loading requirements.
Further discussion required with Con. Eng.

Station Road
Existing No Entry at High Street end, rest of road is Two Way.
Motorists contravene the No Entry so that they can get into a two way road and look for parking or short-cut.
Request is for the length of Station Road between High Street and York Road to be made One Way.
Whilst this is feasible, the reason for the No Entry without a One Way was probably to prevent rat-running whilst not restricting residents to have to travel in certain directions only (with circuitous routes). This request, therefore, needs further discussion with Con. Eng. and possible consultation as to the requirements of residents.

Grange Road
Existing No Entry at York Road end, rest of road is Two Way.
Similar situation as Grange Road in that motorists contravene the No Entry so that they can get into a two way road and look for parking or short-cut.
Request is for the length of Grange Road between York Road and High Street to be made One Way.
Whilst this is feasible, the reason for the No Entry without a One Way was probably the same as Grange Road, to prevent rat-running whilst not restricting residents to have to travel in certain directions only (with circuitous routes). This request, therefore, needs further discussion with Con. Eng. and possible consultation as to the requirements of residents.

Bank Street
Landlord requests Loading Bay on side of road adjacent to pub.
This is feasible and we are just seeking confirmation of required days/times, as present information is conflicting (indication that Loading Bay only required in morning but crates have been left in the road (to provide an informal loading bay area) during the afternoon also.

Avenue Road/Station Road-
Request received from local residents that double yellow lines be provided either side of the junction on Avenue Road and for a short distance into Station Road.
This is to remove parked vehicles from the site lines of motorists looking to turn onto Avenue Road.
This will also allow for the Give Way lines (which are presently set forward from the kerbline) to be remarked back to the kerbline.
This seems feasible and is to be taken forward (see comments at bottom of overall note).

Silver Street/Fairfield Road/Balaclava Road-
Request is to introduce parking prohibitions to keep junction clear.
However, there are existing waiting restrictions in place.
There is a “build-out” arrangement on the south side of Silver Street that has an advantage in slowing traffic by providing an informal give way arrangement.
Vehicles do park up to the existing double yellow lines at this “build-out” location, which does create a pinch point.
However, to remove these vehicles any further at this point would require the existing double yellow lines to be extended, which would affect parking spaces for residents and would be likely to meet with objections.
This is to be discussed further with Constituency Engineer before any further action can be recommended.

Woodbridge Road, Moseley-
It is considered feasible to propose keeping the existing length of 1 hour Limited Waiting bay (between Alcester Road and Trafalgar Road) as it is (but sign/line it better) and keep a portion of the 1 hour Limited Waiting from near Trafalgar Road to the end of the Hardware shop.
After that we could propose that the rest of the bay become unlimited/unrestricted up towards Church Road.
This aims to strike a balance between traders and residents and it is intended that local consultation be arranged for comments on the proposals.

2.0 Traffic Sites

Highbury Road/Grange Road/Station Road-
Site meeting with Councillor Hendricks and local resident discussed traffic situation at the Highbury Road/Grange Road junction.
At this time, the accident record does not show any history of related accidents at this junction as has been borne out during previous site meetings involving the Constituency Engineer.
However, it was felt that some local improvement could be considered in the form of introducing double yellow lines around the junction to clear vehicles from site lines and also allow dropped kerbs and tactile paving to be introduced to assist pedestrians in crossing (particularly crossing with an area free of parked cars).
Due to potential loss of resident parking spaces, this would require local consultation to determine the level of support for these measures.
The same scenario applies to the Highbury Road/Station Road junction.

Avenue Road/Grange Road-
Request to make existing Zebra more prominent.
Although accident record does not indicate an undue problem at this location the opportunity is to be taken to carry out a feasibility assessment of the possibility of replacing with a Pelican Crossing.
This will need to take into account local site conditions and Bus Stop locations.

High Street/Vicarage Road Traffic Signals-
into city approach, assessment of providing Left Turn Filter to allow left turn whilst vehicles are turning right/left out of Vicarage Road.
It appears that this would to provide benefits but actual suitability and logistics are presently being assessed inconjunction with Urban Traffic Control signals staff.




All the above (in both sections) will be further discussed and agreed with Constituency Engineer and then I shall fully appraise you of the agreed proposals and plans/timescales for carrying out local consultation.

The carrying out of this local consultation prior to entering into the legal processes of TRO's will be imperative in attempting to iron out any resident/trader issues before legal objection and right to object.

Map showing where traffic accidents occur in Moseley and Kings Heath Ward

I've uploaded two maps of Moseley and Kings Heath Ward showing where traffic accidents happened in the Ward - the traffic accidents only show where people were injured and do not show car collisions where only the cars were damaged. Thus:

Accidents involving pedestrians:
http://www.martinmullaney.co.uk/images-transport/moseley-kings-heath-ped-accs-2002-2006.pdf

Accidents involving more than one vehicle (the term 'vehicle' covers cars, buses, lorries, motorbikes and bicycles):
http://www.martinmullaney.co.uk/images-transport/moseley-kings-heath-morethan1-veh-accs-2002-2006.pdf

The key to the colours on the maps are:
Red = fatal injury; Blue = serious injury; Green = slight injury

A serious injury is where the victim had to go to hospital. A slight injury is where an ambulance was called, but the victim was able to go home after receiving treatment by the roadside.

This is the first time a map showing accidents in a Birmingham Ward has been made public.

Each map is shown over nine A4 pages, since the original map is so huge.

My aim in showing these maps is to assist in the debate as to where traffic calming measures, if any, are required.

weekly report back from Moseley Street Wardens - w/e 20th July 2007

Below are details of what our two Moseley Street Wardens did during week ending – 20th July 2007

Moseley Street Wardens are funded by public money granted by the Ward Committee, which consists of the three local Councillors. Moseley Community Development Trust manage the Wardens.

There are two Wardens who focus geographically on Moseley

PROBLEMS/MATTERS
Comments
Monday
Patrol village / Route 2
Lamppost 6 in Moseley car park, Alcester Rd dayburning - reported to Street Lighting
Pile of blue rope at traffic lights outside Park Hill Junior and Infants school - reported to Contact Birmingham
Pile of boxes @ 101 Edgbaston Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Black bag @ HSBC. ID recovered - reported to Env Warden
Patrol village / Route 3
Graffiti street furniture - reported to Heartlands RSO
Tree cutting sign @ 9 Moocroft Rd - reported to Manor Park Farm
Driveways sign on tree @ 56 Moorcroft Rd - reported to Driveways
Black bag on pavement opp. 112 Moorcroft Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Pile of branches opp. 112 Moorcroft - reported to Run A Muck

Tuesday
Patrolled village
Box of rubbish still @ 210 Alcester Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Speak with manager of HSBC re: black bag on pavement

Thursday
Patrolled village / Route 1
Tidy recycling area
Rubbish pile at rear of Regards restaurant. Speak with manager - reported to Env Health
Damaged / abandoned trailer xxxxx obstructing pavement @ Simon Court, Alcester Rd - reported to Highways
Mattress @ jct. Trafalgar Rd / Louise Lorne Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Binbag @ 40 Woodbridge Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Sofa on land adj 65 Church Rd - reported to Env Health
Drain cover removed / large stone blocking drain @ Doctor's surgery, Newport Rd (@jct with Church Rd) - reported to Highways
Pallet / chair @ 2-6 Newport Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Mattress @ 35 Kingswood Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Mattress @ 53 Kingswood Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
2 x Calor Gas bottles @ jct. Chestnut / Church - reported to Calor
Dixons/Superior opp. 8 St. Albans Rd - reported to Dixons
Possible sewage leak @ 1 St.Albans Rd - reported to Severn Trent
Patrol village / Route 1 (alt)
Graffiti street furniture
Bag of green bags @ 3 Wake Green Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Broken window in phonebox @ jct Belle Walk / Woodstock Rd - reported to BT
Tubs of paint opp. 3 Queenswood Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Building material obstructing pavement opp 34 Mayfield Rd - reported to Highways
Large brick pillar obstructing pavement @ 109 Anderton Park Rd - reported to Highways

Friday
Patrolled village
Speak with new Environmental Warden re: training

Crime & ASBO
Monday
Contact Police re: minor altercation between Norman (drinker) and unknown Asian male (drinker)

Tuesday
Contact Police re; drinker abusing traders / residents on Village Green

Community / other
Tuesday
Photographs etc for Birmingham News article

Tree planting programme for 2007/8

Work has now begun on the tree planting programme for winter 2007/8.

£10,000 has been set aside by the Moseley and Kings Heath Ward Committee for the planting of street trees in Moseley and Kings Heath Ward. This will equate to about 30 trees.

To see a map of the Ward go to http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n300/martin_mullaney/?action=view&current=moseley-and-kings-heath-ward-map.jpg

Last year 30 street trees were also planted in the Ward with the assistance of Moseley in Bloom

Here is your opportunity to suggest possible locations

The project is being lead by Moseley in Bloom (MiB), and both MiB and myself will do a visual inspection of proposed locations. Please note that just although MiB are leading on this project, locations in Kings Heath will also be considered

The plan is to do trial digs this summer of various locations to see if any underground services will stop these trees being planted. Successful locations will have the trees planted between December 2007 and February 2008.

If you are going to suggest a location please could you follow these points:
1) we need precise locations eg boundary between 1 and 3 Acme Street. It is always best to plant trees on boundary lines, so that they do not stop a property owner installing a drop kerb for vehicle access to their front garden at a later date.
2) we will only plant trees in roads where the houses are set back from the pavement at a reasonable distance. This is so as to stop the front of the property being enveloped in complete darkness by the tree. There is no set minimum depth for front gardens, but a minimum depth of 3.5metre is reasonable.
3) we will only plant trees where the pavement is at least 2.5metres wide. This will provide enough width for a wheel chair user to get comfortably past the tree. The tree pit is 1 metre wide.
4) we will only plant trees where there are no overhead telephone wires or other cables in the vicinity ABOVE the location of the tree - this is to stop any later entanglements between overhead cables and tree branches
5) we will NOT plant trees underneath the canopy of existing trees - new trees will struggle to survive underneath the canopies of other trees.
6) we will only dig trial pits, where it is clear from a visual inspection that NO underground services run directly underneath where the tree will be. Previously dug trenchs and locations of access pits will indicate where underground services exist.

Councillor update on Planning Applications of importance in Moseley & Kings Heath Ward – Sunday 13th July 2007

Below is my own personal list of planning applications that I am keeping an eye on, due to residents raising concerns with me or the applications clearly being contentious.

Drawings and further details on each of these planning application is available on-line at http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=67548&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=12189


The planning applications

S/01332/06/FUL, 7 Park Hill, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8DU - Retention of boundary walls to front and side. - Under consideration

S/01333/06/FUL, 7a Park Hill, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8DU - Retention of boundary walls to front and side - Under consideration

S/01723/06/FUL, 18 Belle Walk, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 9DE - Erection of 1.8 metres high front boundary wall and 2 no. 2 metres high front gates - Approve – Conditions - Decision date
12/07/2007

S/04236/06/LDE - 7A Park Hill, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8DU - Certificate of lawfulness for a lorry repair workshop and park (to rear of site) and ancillary store to coach house – Refuse,
Decision date - 19/06/2007

S/07597/06/FUL - 40-42 St. Marys Row, China Garden Restaurant, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8JG - Change of use of first floor from residential to restaurant with karaoke rooms ancillary to existing grd flr restaurant - Under consideration

S/01083/07/FUL - 2-4 School Road, Land at, Moseley, Birmingham, - Redevelopment to form 39 sheltered apartments for the elderly,communal facilities, landscaping and car parking – Withdrawn; Decision date - 04/07/2007

S/01392/07/FUL - Springfield Road, Moseley Golf Club, Kings Heath, Birmingham, B14 7DX - Change of use of vacant land for the formation of golf practice area - Under consideration

S/01978/07/FUL - 34 Southlands Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 9RJ - Erection of two storey side/ rear and single storey rear extension, installation of first floor rear balcony and t - Under consideration

S/02356/07/FUL - High Street, Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath, Birmingham, B14 7JZ - Installation of retractable awning - Under consideration

S/02575/07/FUL- 40 Woodbridge Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8EJ - Change of use from retail (Class A1) to Restaurant (Class A3) - Refused; Decision date - 05/07/2007

S/02624/07/FUL - 214b Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham, - Change of use from offices to retail at ground floor and workshop (light industrial B2) first floor & roller shutters - Withdrawn;
Decision date - 13/06/2007

S/02724/07/FUL - 65 Moorcroft Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8LS - Single & two storey rear, two storey side and single storey front extensions &installation of dormer windows to rear - Refused; Decision date - 29/06/2007


S/02705/07/FUL - 151 Russell Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8RS - Erection of a two storey & single storey rear extension and conservatory to rear – Refused; Decision date - 02/07/2007

S/02790/07/FUL - 1 Woodbridge Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8EH - Change of use from estate agents (use Class A2) to the production and retail of weather forecasting instrument - Approve – Conditions; Decision date - 13/06/2007

S/02961/07/FUL - 120-126 Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8EE - Demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment - Under consideration

S/03295/07/FUL - 26 Moor Green Lane, Land to rear of, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8ND - Erection of 4 detached dwellings & associated works - Under consideration

S/03304/07/FUL - 33 Heathfield Road, Land at, Kings Heath, Birmingham, - Demolition of existing buildings & redevelopment of 3 storey building to provide 65 apartments, associated facilities - Under consideration

S/03314/07/FUL - School Road, Land at Nos 2-4, Moseley, Birmingham, - Redevelopment to form 39 sheltered apartments for the elderly, communal facilities landscaping & parking - Under consideration

S/03570/07/FUL - 70 Station Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham, B14 7SR - Change of use from single dwelling to 3 self contained apartments and communal area - Under consideration

S/03874/07/FUL - 191 Russell Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8RR - Retention of front boundary wall and gate - Under consideration

S/03887/07/FUL - 12a St. Marys Row, Elizabeth Of York P.H., Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8JG - Variation of condition C4 of permission S/02037/97/FUL to extend opening hours - Under consideration

S/04179/07/FUL - 41 Billesley Lane, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 9QT - Erection of single storey side extension - Under consideration

weekly report back from Moseley Street Wardens - w/e 13th July 2007

Below are details of what our two Moseley Street Wardens did during week ending – 13th July 2007

Moseley Street Wardens are funded by public money granted by the Ward Committee, which consists of the three local Councillors. Moseley Community Development Trust manage the Wardens.

There are two Wardens who focus geographically on Moseley

Comments
Monday
Patrolled village / Route 2
Bin liners @ 105 Edgbaston Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Fridge @ 18 Park Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
TV @ 74 Alcester rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Hedge obstructing pavement @ xxx Edgbaston Rd - reported to Highways
Hedge obstructing pavement @ xxx Park Hill - reported to Highways
Drain blocked @ 23 Park Rd - reported to Highways
12 bags rubbish @ Subway 109 Alcester Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham

Tuesday
Sweep car park, Post Office frontage, 6-10 Woodbridge Rd for Moseley In Bloom - reported to Moseley In Bloom

Thursday
14 bags of soil @ 12 Tudor Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Black bag @ 2 Sandhurst Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Boxes @ 24 Sandhurst Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
car, xxxxx,no tax @ xxx Alcester Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
car, xxxxx, no tax @ xxx Alcester Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Broken tree @ 239 Alcester Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Box of wallpaper @ 237 Alcester Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Box of rubbish @ 212 Alcester Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Tree broken @ 239 Alcester rd - reported to Manor Park Farm

Friday
Patrol village
Tidy recycling area
Photo's etc to Birmingham News

Community / other
Monday 9th July
Speak with drinker re: rubbish at xxx Augusta Rd East. It is his rubbish and he wants help to get rid of it.
Speak with residents @ 34 Park Hill re: rubbish. Contact management company.
CDT AGM leaflets delivered in village area

Tuesday 10th July
Assist with Moseley In Bloom

Friday 13th July
Assist homeless woman finding accommodation

weekly report back from Moseley Street Wardens - w/e 6th July 2007

Below are details of what our two Moseley Street Wardens did during week ending – 6th July 2007

Moseley Street Wardens are funded by public money granted by the Ward Committee, which consists of the three local Councillors. Moseley Community Development Trust manage the Wardens.

There are two Wardens who focus geographically on Moseley

Comments
Monday 2nd July
Patrolled village
Tidy recycling area
Drains blocked @ jct. Mayfield / Sandford Rd - reported to Highways

Tuesday 3rd July
Patrolled village
Remove placards
Litter bin @ 149-153 Alcester Rd damaged - reported to Contact Birmingham

Wednesday 4th July
Patrolled village
Deliver Advancement leaflets on Chestnut Rd
Cupboard unit outside 19 Chestnut Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Bags of soil outside 42 Chestnut Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Bin liners / paint tubs / household items outside 57 Chestnut Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Mattress next to 13A St Albans RD - reported to Contact Birmingham
Fridge opposite 2 Kingswood Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
T/V / bin liner outside 68 Church Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham

Thursday 5th July
Patrolled village
Broken TV @ 70-72 Alcester Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
TV in box adj. 65 Church Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Dixons sign @ 65 Church Rd - reported to Dixons
Bin liners @ 11A Church Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham

Friday 6th July
xxxxxxxx car, no tax @ xxx Merton Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Suitcase @ 53 anderton park Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Fridge freezer @ 59 Anderton park Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Brick pillar blocking pavement @ 109 Anderton Park Rd - reported to Highways

Crime & ASBO
Thursday 5th July
Taxi and private car on zig zags at rear of Park Hill JI - reported to P.C.S.O

Fire
Community / other
Monday 2nd July
Deliver bulk rubbish collection lleaflets / CDT AGM leaflets

Tuesday 3rd July
Assist elderly lady whose mobility cart's batteries have failed
Deliver B13 magazines

Wednesday 4th July
Deliver CDT AGM leaflets on St Albans Rd / Kingswood Rd / Chestnut Rd

Thursday 5th July
Deliver CDT AGM leaflets on Church Rd / Trafalgar Rd / Woodbridge Rd

Friday 6th July
Deliver CDT AGM leaflets on Woodstock, Sandford etc

North Moseley re-employment project - update 8th July 2007

Below is the latest update from the North Moseley Re-employment project. As you will see we are still having problems having communication with Hamza Mosque on the corner of St.Albans Road and Church Road. It is crucial that we have this mosque on board to help with getting the Chachi Patan community on Kingswood Road out of economic poverty. If anyone can assist, it would be gratifully appreciated.

Street Advisors Employment Project Update Report

Enterprising Communities: Kings Heath and Moseley Ward

Background
April and May and June 2007
The end of project year at the end of March allowed the project a period of time to carry out some important review and evaluation. For the period 2nd April to 16th April, the team were mainly office based to allow for evidence files to be verified by management and to develop better ways of working for the next 10 months.

Resources
The Advisor team comprises of four full- time Advisors (36.5 hours) and 4 part time Advisors (16-21 hours). For the period of reporting and until the end of July one full-time team member has reduced his work commitment to 10 hours per week and another to 21 hours. Along with the Easter break and the two bank holidays in May – the capacity of the team has been significantly lower than the period December 06 – March 07 and this has impacted on the levels of activity across the project area.

Our ability to utilise the information we collect to the best possible benefit has however been increased by the addition in March of a bespoke Skills and Employment Database from Hanlon Skills Software, which has been fully operational since the middle of May. This software allows us to capture a detailed picture of clients’ aspirations, experiences and skills as well as our interventions with them. It also allows us to run searches on the vacancies our Employment Link Officers have been capturing from local businesses (over 190 to date).

Activity

Client support
Each Advisor now has a case load of over 100 active clients across the Enterprising Communities area. All of our team members have at least three Moseley and Kings Heath clients although the majority of the 101 clients engaged with are managed by Marianne Salmons, Sahra Mahamud, Roshan Singh and Liaqat Iqbal who have between 17 and 23 clients from this ward. As part of our management systems we have coded clients as Red, Amber or Green as a way to ensure we are signposting and supporting them appropriately.

Green: a client who is ready for employment: They have an up- to-date CV, have discussed job aspirations and are equipped with support to be notified of suitable vacancies to which they can apply themselves or be supported to do so.

Amber: a client who needs some support in up-skilling or who needs their confidence building and support building up a better awareness of the job market they wish to follow.

Red: a client who is some way from being job ready who are in need of basic skills support, most likely ESOL and communication needs are high. A client who is unlikely to have worked in the UK at all or who has been out of the labour market for a considerable time due to ill health or caring responsibilities.

Of the 101 clients for Kings Heath and Moseley the following are currently classified as:

Green:- 23
Amber:-34
Red:- 44

This caseload reflects the general profile across the wider Enterprising Communities SA area. The majority of clients engaged with have been registered over the last four months and due to the length of time it takes to see an individual through their action plan, the outputs un the following tables are only just the beginning of the benefits that we can achieve over the next few months


Outreach work
Since 16th April five members of our team have been carrying leading on outreach work in the Kings Heath and Moseley Ward. By outreach we mean distributing leaflets, door knocking or street walking in busy places. The team have been Roshan Singh, Liaqat Iqbal, Marianne Salmons, Sahra Mahamud and Ragee Mohamoud. They have been out for a total of 82 Advisor hours over the following days:

- 19th and 20th April – Leafleting and door knocking in Mount Close, Sutherland Drive and Sovereign Way
- 27th April and 30th April – Leafleting and door knocking in Louise
Lorne Rd, Grevis Close
- 19th, 20th and 21st May - Out in Moseley Village, St Marys Row, Woodbridge Rd and Wake Green Rd advertising the Armed Services Jobs Fair for the 23rd May.
- 6th June and 7th June - Following up existing clients from April and May outreach also approaching people on the Alcester Rd near the Moseley CDT.


Raising Awareness and Community Links
New marketing materials have been printed and are bow being distributed across the ward. Since their production at the end of May they have been personally distributed by Advisors to:

Moseley Post Office

The Cross Pub

Moseley Road Swimming Baths

Muslim Students House (Moseley Rd)

Bulls Head (St Marys Row)

Options Art Gallery

Chinese Supermarket

Mojams

Select and Save Shop


Community and Inter Agency Links
Moseley Community Development Trust
We have good links with the CDT team and have sent information to the webmaster to post on the information page of the website. We also have leaflets in their Information library on the ground floor community room. We were planning to hold two half day open surgeries in the Community room in mid June but due to team leave and other commitments these will now happen at the beginning of July. We have booked an all day advice surgery at the Development Trust on the 18th July where our M and KH Advisors will see a range of their Green and Amber coded clients.

Also just arranged is a Health and Social Care Careers and Jobs Fair to happen on the 3rd August where we hope to have Building Heath, Adult Education, South Birmingham College and three domilicary and community care agencies in attendance. This will be advertised in and around the Moseley and King Heath ward as soon as the exhibitors are confirmed.



West Midlands Somalian Association – The Green House, Gibb St Digbeth
Marianne and Sahra made links with this organisation on an official basis as part of the Street Advisors team in March when Sahra met one of their volunteer team at an event. Their outreach worker asked Sahra to support some of their female beneficiaries living in a hostel on Wake Green Road in Moseley. Sahra has done this and has helped one lady from there into part time employment as a cleaning operative as well as two referring two ladies in ESOL and vocational training.

Although based in Digbeth we are continuing to work with this organisation as their clients are located in North Moseley, Sparkbrook, Springfield, Nechells and Washwood Heath. We ensure that we make them aware of any activity happening in those wards.

Hamza Mosque and Islamic Centre 88-90 Church Road Moseley
We have been unsuccessful so far in hearing back from the committee at the Hamza Mosque in relation to holding surgeries within the family centre and activities there. Initial contact in early March was hopeful when Raage Mohamed and Liaqat Ali attended and spoke to a senior Iman there. They were given a positive response but were told that confirmation was needed from the Mosque Committee. A call was made a week later after not hearing anything and Liaqat Iqbal and Tabriz Hussain – our Employer Link Officer have been twice over April and May in the day time to try and find a committee member to speak to. They were not successful either time. We still haven’t heard anything from the Mosque or Community. Have you any contact names and numbers we can use please.

Kings Heath Job Centre
As many clients in the ward will be under Kings Heath (Institute Road) Job Centre we have given staff there our details and made links with the Lone Parents Advisor there. We are supporting three existing female clients from the streets at the bottom of Trafalgar Rd who are experiencing a certain level of stress in terms of the new obligations around claiming benefits and looking for work. Marianne and Sahra have made contact with staff at the Job Centre who deal with these clients and have discussed ways in which the Integrated Gateway project can add some additional softer flexible support to the clients to help them deal with the barriers they are experiencing. We have booked time on the 27th July at the SBC College Womens Academy in Balsall Heath to provide some time with these ladies to build their confidence and job search skills.

new plastic cast iron nameplate for Moseley

A new plastic Victorian style street nameplate has been installed in Moseley today - see before and after photo at http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n300/martin_mullaney/?action=view&current=alcester-road-nameplate.jpg

It's on Alcester Road, next to it Chantry Road junction.

This is the first plastic made Victorian nameplate to be installed in the suburbs of Birmingham. Several were trialed in Birmingham City Centre earlier this year.

They are alot cheaper and quicker to produce than the standard cast iron plates.

This has been installed in time for the Britain in Bloom judges visiting Moseley on Tuesday 11th July.

It is planned to replace all the modern nameplates in moseley with similar plastic Victorian nameplates.

weekly report back from Moseley Street Wardens- w/e 29th June 2007

Below are details of what our two Moseley Street Wardens did during week ending – 29th June 2007

Moseley Street Wardens are funded by public money granted by the Ward Committee, which consists of the three local Councillors. Moseley Community Development Trust manage the Wardens.

There are two Wardens who focus geographically on Moseley

PROBLEMS/MATTERS
Comments
Monday
Patrolled village / Route 4
Boxes outside Sommerfield supermarket, Alcester Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Boxes outside The Fighting Cocks pub, St Marys Row - reported to Contact Birmingham
Iceland trolley next to 2 Hillcrest Rd - reported to Iceland supermarket
Graffiti street furniture / walls - reported to Heartlands / L.T.
Bags outside 207 / 209 Alcester Rd - Left advancement leaflets
Cleaned up around trades bins on car park I.D. found - reported to Beth Peters
Removed placards from lamp posts in village - reported to Beth Peters
Patrolled village / Route 2
Mattress,plantpot,bags,carpet,cushions,wardrobe,bed and 2xsettee @ 9 Aug Rd East - reported to Bulk collection
Boxes/bags @ 117 Alcester Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Clothes rail @ 103 Alcester Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Boxes bags @ 97 Alcester rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Graffiti street furniture
Fridge @ 47 park Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Boxes @ Fighting Cocks, Alcester Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Boxes @ Sainsbury's, AlcesterRd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Bags @ 112 Alcester Rd. ID recovered - reported to Beth Peters
Bags @ opp. 37 Alcester Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
car xxxxxxxxx,no tax, 4 flat tyres @ jct. Aug Rd East/Alcester Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham

Tuesday
Patrolled village / Route 5
Hedge obstructing pavement @ xxx Cotton Lane - reported to Highways
To Let sign on pavement @ 65 Oxford Rd - reported to Estate Agent
Graffiti street furniture - reported to Heartlands
Litter Survey

Wednesday
Patrolled village / Route 1
Carpet outside Village Store, 112 Alcester Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Bin liners outside 40 Alcester Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Bin liners outside 6A Alcester Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Small branch on footpath next to 2 Trafalgar Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Bin liners outside 63 Trafalgar Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Boxes outside 8 St Albans Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Bed / Mattresses / Carpet outside 57 Cheatnut Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Fridge freezer opposite 2 Kingswood Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Excess litter Newport Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Boxes / paper outside 60 Church Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Wood outside 65 Church Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Graffiti street furniture / walls - reported to Heartlands / L.T.
Traffic diversion sign at jtn St Albans Rd / Church Rd - reported to Highways
Sandbag outside 23 Chestnut Rd - reported to HIghways
Patrolled village / Route 3
Graffiti street furniture / walls - reported to Heartlands / L.T.
Sandbag outside 104 Moorcroft Rd - reported to Highways
Roadworks sign outside 40 Reddings Rd - reported to Highways

Thursday
Patrolled village / Route 1 Alt
Green Light n/w column 2 outside Evergreen take away, Alcester Rd303 7370 - reported to Street Lighting
Bin liners outside Flats 4 & 6 Woodbridge Rd - reported to Beth Peters
Bags outside 33 Forest Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Small branch outside 32 Mayfield Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Door outside 34 - 36 Mayfield Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Bin uprooted outside Oakveiw, Wake Green Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Fridge opposite 31 Merton Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Car wheel opposite 92 Woodstock Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Bin liner outside 11A Church Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Green crates next to 4 Queenswood Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Bag of soil jtn Yardley Wood Rd / Woodstock Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Car wheel outside 8 Queenswood Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
Graffiti street furniture / walls - reported to Heartlands / L.T.
Roadworks barrier next to 20 Cadbury Rd - reported to Highways
Sandbag outside 25 Anderton Park Rd - reported to Highways
Hole in middle of Sandford Rd at jtn with Anderton Park Rd - reported to Highways
Patrolled village / Route 6
Graffiti street furniture - reported to Heartlands
Bag outside 63 Cambridge Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham
T/V stand outside 39 Blenheim Rd - reported to Contact Birmingham

weekly report back from Moseley Street Wardens- w/e 22nd June 2007

Below are details of what our two Moseley Street Wardens did during week ending – 22nd June 2007

Moseley Street Wardens are funded by public money granted by the Ward Committee, which consists of the three local Councillors. Moseley Community Development Trust manage the Wardens.

There are two Wardens who focus geographically on Moseley

PROBLEMS/MATTERS
Comments
Monday
Patrol village / Route 2
Carpet/mattress/wood/car wheels/fridge door/bin bag adj. 1 Caroline Rd - reported to Beth Peters
Hedge obstructing pavement @ xxx Park Hill - reported to Highways
Stickers on lampposts throughout Village - reported to Beth Peters

Tuesday
Patrolled village / Routes 3 / 4
Hedges overgrown from Moseley Hall hospital on Salisbury Rd - reported to Chris Feather
Graffiti street furniture - reported to Heartlands
Blocked drain @ 72 Salisbury Rd - reported to Highways

Wednesday
Patrolled village / Route 5
Graffiti street furniture / walls - reported to Heartlands / L.T.
To let sign at jtn of Cotton Lane / Oxford Rd - reported to Superior Estates
Bush obstructing footpath outside xxx Grove Avenue - reported to Highways
Carpet / Mattress / Wood / Car Wheels / Fridge door next to 1 Caroline Road - reported to Contact Birmingham
Patrolled village
Cleaned up around re-cycle unit

Thursday
Patrolled village / Route 1
Furniture / Mattress opposite 129 Anderton Park Road - reported to Contact Birmingham
Wood / bin liner outside 96 Anderton Park Road - reported to Contact Birmingham
Carpet outside 95 Anderton park road - reported to Contact Birmingham
Hole in road at jtn Sandford road / Anderton park road - reported to Highways
Overgrown bush obstructing footpath xxx Sandford Road - reported to Highways
Graffiti on walls - reported to Heartlands

Friday
Patrol village / Route 2
Large pile of bags @ 112 Alcester Rd - reported to Beth Peters
Graffiti street furniture / walls

Crime & ASBO
Tuesday
Speak with Rachel Lamerton / Sharon Johnson regards issues next to 1A Chestnut Rd

Thursday
Speak with xxx resident of Church Rd regards youths and ASB

Friday
Drinkers at staire between Moneywise and Prince of wales - reported to Police

Community / other
Monday
Update notice boards

Tuesday
Deliver Moseley Festival leaflets on Moor Greem Lane

Thursday
Work on literature for Moseley Festival

Friday
Preparation for Street Fair/Farmers Market