ACTION REPORT – Aug/Sep 2024
Here’s my latest update covering the work I have undertaken over the last six weeks. Due to a personal bereavement, I took leave at the beginning of August and therefore postponed this update. Hopefully you will find this useful for a flavour of my activities across the Moseley ward and within the council.
Local news
BRSK installation of a full fibre infrastructure
There has been a lot of discussion and concerns raised regarding the wooden poles that have sprung up in some roads in Moseley including Trafalgar Road, Wake Green Road, Reddings Road, Amesbury Road, Moor Green Lane, Park Hill and Salisbury Road. These had been installed by BRSK, the company contracted by government to provide this infrastructure, and they do not need planning permission, even in conservation areas. Working with Cllr Knowles, questions have been raised about the engagement process undertaken, and the suitability of sitings and the disparities that were obvious between the briefing document we had been previously sent and the reality of what was (or was not) happening. A meeting with the Area Manager of BRSK was arranged which resulted in a review taking place of existing and planned locations of poles. We have since had regular meetings and have been given assurances that better community engagement will take place and we have hopefully seen this being actioned with a BRSK representative attending both the Farmers Market and the last meeting of the Moseley Regeneration Group.
Moseley Forum celebrates 25 years
I was pleased to attend the Forum’s AGM held at the end of July, where I presented an award to David Isgrove (a similar award was made to Jill Adams), celebrating 25 years of the Forum and appreciating the contributions they have both made over that time.
Moseley Village Station
You will be aware that we have been told our stations are facing another year delay and are not expected to be ready until Autumn 2025. I was told this is due to several reasons including delayed work due to the risk of unexploded bombs and drainage issues! The rail sponsor from West Midlands Transport came to the meeting of Moseley Forum and gave a comprehensive update with a PowerPoint presentation! More information and the presentation can be found on my website here: https://www.moseleylabour.co.uk/information-from-the-latest-camp-hill-line-project-update/
The Mobile Household Waste Centre (MHWC)
This brilliant service that makes it easier for local residents to dispose of household general waste and bulky items responsibly is back in Moseley on Wednesday 9th October 2024 between 07:30 and 13:00 and will be located on Augusta Road East – B13 8AJ.You can take all sorts of items to be disposed of but there is no recycling option available so please continue to recycle at home or by visiting one of the recycle centres. More information here – https://www.moseleylabour.co.uk/details-of-the-next-mobile-household-waste-centre-mhwc-visit-to-moseley/
Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) now live
Although the Moseley & Kings Heath Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) was signed off on the 1st March, it could not be enforced until the legal signage was put in place. Signage finally went up on 18th September and the local police are now aware and are looking at the conditions of the order to plan the best strategy for using the new powers this affords them. This whole process has been massively drawn out but now the PSPO can be activated, measures can be used by the police to help prevent and tackle ASB in the area specified in the order. The order includes anti social street drinking, drug use and graffiti. For more information and maps of the restricted area visit the council’s website here.
Planning applications in Moseley
I publish a weekly list of residential planning applications across my social media. Other planning applications of particular interest can be found on my website.
A planning application has been submitted for a new 5G mast in Moseley. Details can be found here on the Birmingham City Council Website, comments from residents can be submitted until the 22nd October 2024.
Consultations
Police and Crime Plan 2025-2029
If you have been directly impacted by crime your voice will help the Police and Crime Commissioner work towards a safer and more inclusive West Midlands. There are several strands to this consultation which ends in mid-October. Please have your voice heard and fill in the Police & Crime Plan 2025-2029 public consultation.
Casework
Over the last six weeks I have undertaken around 70 pieces of casework for residents on a diverse range of issues from missed green waste collections and replacement bins, damp and mould in housing association properties, council tax issues, SEND issues and EHCP’s, housing applications, school admissions, to adult social care safeguarding concerns and many more.
Advice surgeries
I hold a general advice surgery on the fourth Thursday of the month from 6-7pm at the Moseley Exchange, no appointment necessary. My SEND surgery is held on the first Thursday of the month from 5-7pm by appointment only at the Hive. You can make an appointment here: https://www.moseleylabour.co.uk/surgeries/.
Ward work
Ward Meeting
We held a Ward meeting on the 18th September and heard from Hall Green & Moseley Neighbour Support Team as well as receiving updates from Sg Louise Gallon regarding policing issues affecting Moseley. It was a really good meeting with lots of discussion from residents.
Site Visits
I was pleased to meet up with our Ward Highways Steward Kevin on Moor Green Lane recently to address some longstanding concerns raised by local residents. I have since passed on a significant number of concerns relating to blocked drains and gullies which have contributed to the excessive surface water and flooding recently experienced. If you have problems like this in your local roads then please let me know.
Council Meetings
At the last council meeting I asked for an update on Highbury Hall from the Chair of Trusts and Charities, Cllr Phil Davis. You can watch his response here and find a copy of the report presented to the Committee meeting on Monday, 30th September 2024 here.
Education, Children and Young People O&S Committee
At our July meeting, we undertook pre-decision scrutiny and considered the draft Birmingham School Attendance Strategy 2024-2028 prior to discussion at Cabinet. We didn’t have a meeting scheduled in August and unfortunately our September meeting was cancelled as the Commissioner did not sign off the reports before going on holiday. I have now made the arrangements to extend the next two meetings to allow us to consider all the necessary agenda items on our workplan.
Our next meeting is on 23 October 2024 and the committee will be discussing and making recommendations on the update on the Birmingham Youth Justice Plan 2023- 2028, Children and Young Peoples’ Travel Service (CYPTS), and the delivery of savings and delivery of the IRP Programme within the Committee’s terms of reference.
Local events
The Pheonix Garden Fun Palace – Sunday Oct 6th, 12.30 – 4pm, free entry
Free, family-friendly activity afternoon at Moseley Park and Pool! Make your mark on Moseley Park’s new inclusive community garden area by going along to this fun, family-friendly afternoon. There’ll be plenty of chances to get those green fingers dirty, with natural crafts, gardening activities and creative woodland play – and you’ll even get to help shape this exciting new accessible space at the same time. This event is part of the national Fun Palaces weekend, which celebrates creativity at the heart of local communities. On the first weekend in October every year, thousands of Fun Palaces pop up all over the UK. This unique annual happening is a chance to shout about the brilliance in all communities with a united voice. The vision of Fun Palaces is a world where communities have an active role in culture, where everyone’s brilliance is recognised and valued, where people create, connect, learn and have fun, and where communities have what they need to be active and equal leaders and collaborators. Find out more here. If you’ve got some spare time this weekend then think about volunteering to help make the event happen: email [email protected] to get involved!
Birmingham Open Studios
There are hundreds of artists taking part in the scheme across the city, showing their work in places such as artist studios and cafes, through to shop windows and garden shed-studios. In many cases artists are displaying their work in their own living spaces, which have been turned into art galleries for the occasion. Moseley Exchange and the Old Print Works will be open hosting artists More info here.
Get in touch
I have a secure WhatsApp Channel providing regular news snippets relating to Moseley and other issues of interest. It’s really easy to use and keeps your phone number private. Do have a look and sign up here –https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va87zIp9Gv7YCfKLLc3A
If you don’t fancy Whatsapp there are lots of other ways to keep up to date with what I am doing and you can look at Facebook, BlueSky, X and Instagram (search Moseley Labour and/or Kerry Jenkins).
Please let me know if I can help with any issues in your bit of Moseley and I will do my very best to help.
Thanks for reading,
Kerry Jenkins, Labour Councillor, Moseley
