WYLDE GREEN NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM

Minutes of the Public Meeting – Tuesday 27th March 2012 at 7.30pm

Wylde Green Community Centre, Emscote Drive

In the Chair: Derek Gasson

Present: Approximately 75

Councillors Birbeck, & Bird

Apologies: Cllr. Barrie, Olive O'Sullivan and Roy Baker, James Arrowsmith, Fiona Tomlinson, Laura Olivier, John Newport.

  1. Welcome and Introductions. Derek Gasson opened the meeting and welcomed everyone
  2. “Bees, Butterflies & Blooms” in Wylde Green. Sarah Royal from Birmingham Open Spaces gave us an inspiring and enthusiast slide presentation about introducing flowers and wild life to community areas in Birmingham. She gave us many ideas for developing a designated area into ‘bloom’ and the various methods of funding that are available. Sarah would be able to help us to access funding via the lottery, heritage or brown-site schemes. She also referred to the funding available through the community chest, raffles and other fundraising initiatives. There is also a ‘Police Property Action Group’ which makes funds available to improve an area. The ‘Neighbourhoods in Bloom’ competition is very popular and successful and a good way of getting the whole community on board and raising the profile of the areas. She quoted the website as a source of information.

The chairman thanked Sarah for such a lively and inspiring presentation and invited questions from residents.

A forum member asked about the possibility of setting up a children’s play area which had been attempted in the past without success. Sarah responded very positively – suggesting contacting John Porter who is the park’s manager and would be able to help; there is also a scheme relating to youth work that may be useful.

3. Boundary Commission Proposals -New deadline and an update. Derek introduced Andrew Macfarlane who is the chairman of New Hall Action Group. Andrew began by outlining the background to the current situation regarding the Boundary Commission’s request for comments to support or object to the representations they have received and published on their website. He thanked his committee and made special reference to some individuals e.g. Jeff Gilbert whose shop in Walmley had been used as a collection point for representations. He stressed that the deadline for this next round was noon on 3rd April, and that it was very important to comment on representations. To help do this a further piece of information had been produced by the committee and circulated identifying the Unique Reference Numbers of people whose representations should be supported in their objection to the BC’s proposals and other URNs that should be objected to. This information is also available on the forum’s website Andrew concluded by alluding to an historical document dated 1412 shown to him by the local historian RogerLea this very day which even then made reference to “Maney and theWyld”, thus linking these areas together for at least 600 years! Derek thanked Andrew for his presentation and help and invited questions.

  • Chris Hillcox urged all to object to those who support the BC’s proposals, especially the representations by Erdington Conservative Assoc. Gareth Compton.
  • Cllr Bird stressed the importance of referring to factual arguments such as area historical ties and numbers of electorate involved and not to political issues or such aspects as house prices. He also commented on the high response (20%) of comments received by the BC concerning New Hall/Sutton Coldfield. The next stage will be during late summer when the BC considerations in light of responses will be announced. There will be another opportunity to make further comments and their final recommendations will be presented to Parliament in 2013.
  • A comment was made about future influx of residents for various reasons such as housing developments being a possible reason for the BC to make these proposals. Cllr. Bird responded by saying that the BC only take into account the current numbers.

4. Report on progress by Amey in Wylde Green

A Forum Representative explained that Amey had been invited but were unable to attend, however we have frequent contact with the Amey representative – Sandra Bishop and we will put any concerns raised at this meeting or written on the comment sheet to her. The following issues/questions were raised:

  1. Henley Close at junction with Green Lanes is poorly lit in contrast to the new lighting in Gr Lns and a danger to turning cars. Water which wells up at this point adds to the hazard. Improved lighting and drainage needed.
  2. Holifast Rd is a complete mixture of slabs and tarmac and looks awful – plans to improve?
  3. Excessive & indiscriminate use of weed killer/pesticide is destroying all plants on verges and sometimes in front gardens. This is most noticeable in The Boulevard, a resident will provide photographs and Cllr Bird will enquire and give feedback.
  4. Holifast Rd. and The Boulevard residents expressed concern about the trees, a forum member responded with their experience in Green Lns. Suggested that Cllr. Barrie is contacted who will rapidly look in to the situation.
  5. Hillcrest Rd. has been repaved with the loss of many attractive features.
  6. Further delay in pavement replacement in Green Lns?
  7. Problem with ivy along service road/Birmingham Rd.
  8. Situation re: pedestrian crossing Hawthorns Surgery? Forum member and Cllr. Bird commented that it should beconstructed as part of the scheme to improve the A5127 which has now been reinstated.
  9. Situation re: passing bays? Cllr. Bird to chase this up and the delay to resurfacing of pavement in Green Lns.

5. AOB.

  1. Derek asked if anyone had any plans for celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Please see us and let us know – both we and Cllrs. keen to help. The frontage of Emmanuel Church could be used for events.
  2. Leaflet distribution – Derek thanked the committee and other residents for their help, please see Judy if anyone else would like to volunteer, it only takes about an hour three times a year.
  3. Derek announced the retirement of Cllr. Birbeck; he has served the area for 40 years and has helped the forum on many occasions and we wish him a very happy retirement. Cllr. Birbeck thanked the forum.
  4. The proprietor of carpet shop Happy Feet said he had some free tickets for a Home & Renovation Show at NEC.
  5. Litter, rubbish and the general poor state of the Lanes Shopping area was raised – forum responded in that we are in discussion with the landlords and will continue to raise these issues. There is also the problem with dripping water from the overhang at two points.
  6. There is an increase in road litter after refuse collectors have been round.
  7. Slabs in Maney Hill Road raised and dangerous – this is in Trinity not WG however Cllr. Bird said he would investigate.
  8. A strong comment was made that the microphone was not being used and therefore the loop system was not engaged.

Meeting closed at 8.55pm

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