BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL BARTLEY GREEN WARD MEETING THURSDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2018 7:30pm BARTLEY GREEN LIBRARY ADAMS HILL B32 3QG MEETING NOTES Present: - Councillors Bruce Lines and John Lines Officers: Sue Amey – District Parks Manager, BCC Marie Brown – District Engineer, BCC Beverly Edmead - Community Governance Team, BCC Joe Hayden – Parks Services Manager, BCC Angela Huggins – Birmingham Community Safety Partnership, BCC Julie Windsor-Price – Place Manager, BCC There were 22 residents present. Cllr J Lines in the Chair 1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Following introductions, the Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. 2. NOTICE OF RECORDING The Chairman advised that members of the press/public may record and take photographs except where there were confidential or exempt items. 3. APOLOGIES Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Cllr Desmond Flood and Sgt Dave Cotter, WMP. 4. LOCAL NEWS UPDATES i) West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) Watch Commander Darren Thompson briefly advised the last quarter had been much quieter, however ongoing home safety and prevention work across the ward, particularly in the Woodgate area continued to be carried out by officers. Residents were reminded to check smoke detectors in their property on a regular basis and to contact WMFS if they had any concerns or wanted a Home Safety Check or advice. ii) West Midlands Police Sgt Dave Cotter had been unable to attend the meeting and had submitted an Information Briefing update, copies of which were circulated at the meeting. 1 Residents were reminded to let Members know of any issues and concerns. There were no further updates. 5. SENNELEYS PARK INFORMATION UPDATE Following introductions, Sue Amey, District Parks Manager, advised that:- - The park had historically been a local hub for several sports activities, with football being the most predominant sport in recent times. - However the demand for pitches at the park had reduced considerably over the last few years due to issues with being waterlogged and the deteriorating of the changing pavilion. The pavilion has also been repeatedly targeted by vandalism and anti-social behaviour, and as a result was closed completely for safety reasons. - The pavilion had also been used by the Friends of Senneleys Park Group to store tools and to support their activities as well as those being provided at the park by the Wellbeing Service Active Parks programme. - The Friends Of group were keen to work with Council officers and other interested groups to investigate opportunities to bring back a suitable community facility at the park - S106 monies within the ward could be used to attract additional match funding to help deliver a full and suitable development at the Park to bring the pavilion and pitches back into full use. - In the meantime, work was ongoing with partners including Sport England and Strategic Sport to assess the feasibility for the project and to secure the appropriate levels of funding to deliver the scheme. Residents input, feedback and support was also actively encouraged. Whilst welcoming the update, Members expressed some disappointment at the length of time it had taken to secure the funding and to carry out the improvements. The park was very much needed and a number of local football teams were keen to use the facilities and use the park as their home ground. Members sought further assurances that every effort would be made to ensure that a scheme was delivered as soon as possible and that the S106 monies would not be used elsewhere. Sue Amey advised that a small team of officers would continue to work with partners to secure the funding needed to fully redevelop the park facilities, and that Members and residents would continue to be kept informed. Members and residents thanked Sue Amey for her attendance and update. 6. WOODGATE VALLEY VISITOR CENTRE Following introductions, Joe Hayden, Park Services Manager advised that:- 2 - There had been no changes to the Parks Ranger Services following the consultation carried out last year. However, a review of the services and facilities was ongoing to ensure these continued to be delivered across key sites which included Woodgate Valley and Sheldon Country Park - Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust had expressed an interest in becoming involved with Woodgate Valley, possibly taking on the management of the Visitor Centre. This would include enhancing and provide additional services including a full refurbishment of the building, creating meeting rooms, café and information hub for nature conservation/green space etc. The building would remain under City Council Ownership, and leased to and staffed by the Trust. - The Ranger Service would be relocated to either nearby Senneleys Park or Lickey Hills, which would free them up from staffing duties at the Visitor Centre. Informal discussions had been taking place and would continue over the coming months. Draft Terms of Reference would be drawn up for consideration by Woodgate Valley Consultative Committee before a decision was made. A further update would be provided in due course. Members and residents welcomed the update and the possible involvement of the Trust along with positive opportunities this could bring, particularly regarding nature conservation and investment. Several residents welcomed the opportunity for local people and schools to get involved with nature conservation and helping to look after the Valley. Mr Hayden further adised that loal onstituted groups, inluding Friends Of could apply for grant funding from Awards for All to help with community based activities and initiatives. Following a request from the Chairman, Mr Hayden agreed to meet with interested groups to help with applications where necessary. The Chairman thanked Joe Hayden for his attendance and information update. 7. RESIDENTS NEWS/UPDATES/ISSUES OF CONCERN Residents advised of the following:- - Bridle Path, Woodgate Valley – in need of urgent attention; path eroding away which made it very dangerous for horse riders to negotiate safely. In addition, water on the newly created cycle path was not draining away but remained on the surface, which made it hazardous for the horses. Several residents who were also keen horse riders and volunteer helpers advised of the difficulties experienced when using the path, and felt that the concerns and welfare of the horses and the riders had been overlooked. Action: Joe Hayden agreed to meet representatives from the trekking centre on site to investigate the concerns and advise accordingly. - Wentworth Way/Bournbrook Walkway– was prone to regularly flooding/ponding; the cobbled stones were also covered with moss and the trees/bushes in need of cutting back. Action: Joe Hayden agreed to investigate. 3 - Kitwell Lane – problems with traffic congestion and obstruction still ongoing, with accidents and minor bumps happening on a regular basis. Residents had difficulty accessing/leaving their driveway on a daily basis and the grass verges had been damaged by parked cars. Several residents advised of damage to their own cars and called for the bus service to be re-routed to a more suitable road and for the speed humps to be removed as they made the situation worse. Residents also suggested that the grass verges were replaced with dropped kerbs as this would reduce the on- street/obstructive parking. Marie Brown, District Engineer advised that concerns had been referred to West Midlands Travel regarding poor driving practices by some drivers as well as consideration to re-routing the bus service. Discussions with West Midlands Travel were ongoing. Marie further advised that Kitwell Lane would be included on the Locally Determined Scheme list for consideration. Members and residents felt it would be useful to have the costings for the conversion of grass verges to dropped kerbs. Action: District Engineer to provide costings for the conversion of grass verges to dropped kerbs. - Holloway – residents felt the bend in the road by the bus stop was an accident blackspot, with several serious accidents in recent weeks, including a motorcyclist being thrown from his bike. Consideration should be given to traffic calming measures and relocation of the bus stop. Marie Brown, District Engineer advised that a proposed scheme had been put forward to the Locally Determined Scheme for consideration. Members and residents would be advised of the outcome in the new Municipal Year when all the schemes put forward were prioritised and agreed. Action: All to Note and District Engineer to provide a further update in due course. - Scotland Lane – inconsiderate parking along the road which was very well used by children attending the nearby school. Concerns were also expressed at the length of time it had taken to fill the School Crossing Patrol Warden post. Residents added that the staff at “t Marys “hool in the neighouring Harorne ard had deided to put traffic cones outside the school in order to keep the immediate area outside the school clear and felt that this should be considered locally. Action: District Engineer agreed to investigate and advise Members accordingly. There were no other issues raised. 8. REVIEW OF OUTSTANDING ACTIONS Consideration was given to the summary of residents issues/concerns raised at the Meeting and the actions required. (See Outstanding Actions List attached) Action: All to Note 4 9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Ward Boundary Charges The Chairman reminded residents of the changes to the current ward boundaries across the city. The new ward arrangements would come into effect following the Local Elections on 3 May 2018 and would consist of 69 wards citywide; 32 would have two Councillors, with the remaining 37 wards represented by one Councillor. Locally, Bartley Green ward would be represented by two Councillors. Action: All to Note 10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING To be agreed and residents advised accordingly following the Local Elections on 3 May 2018. 11. AUTHORITY TO CHAIRMAN AND OFFICERS Noted and Agreed that:- In an urgent situation between meetings, the Chair, jointly with the relevant Chief Officer has authority to act on behalf of the Committee.