July 4, 2011

Acocks Green – A Business Improvement District

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At our recent Public Meeting Town Centre Manager Melinda Brown supported by local businesswoman Karen Vaughan from Karens Estate Agents explained the proposals to make Acocks Green Village a Business Improvement District (BID).  There are many of these districts around the UK and several in Birmingham including Kings Heath and Erdington.

A Business Improvement District is a partnership between a local authority and the local business community to develop projects and services that will benefit the trading environment within the boundary of a clearly defined commercial area.  Becoming a BID will help to bring improvements to Acocks Green Village shopping area and make the village a better place for shoppers and traders alike.

Acocks Green village (picture from Atholl Lodge website)

To become a BID, local businesses must first vote to pay funds into a pot which is then available for centre improvements such as floral displays, better appearances for vacant properties, community toilets, seasonal street events, or extra street cleaning.  Businesses pay in according to their size.

If you are a village shopper and think BID is a good idea why not mention it to the local shop keepers and ask them to support the BID scheme.  For more details on BID click the link below for up-to-date information.

Acocks Green Business Improvement District Website

Possible BID projects:

  • Expanding & improving the Village Radio scheme
  • Creating a Village website to promote all businesses
  • Professional training for businesses and their staff such as marketing, customer service & business planning
  • Enhanced Christmas Lights & planting
  • Seasonal street based activity / entertainment
  • Promoting the evening economy
  • Promotional materials e.g. Village magazine
  • Marketing to property agents
 

February 13, 2011

Report from Public Meeting – 10th February 2011

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Thanks to everyone who attended our public meeting last Thursday.  It was lively and informative.  Two representatives from the Planning Department, Ian MacLeod and Doug Lee, discussed the Core Strategy 2026 – the strategic plans for our city. The council are looking for feedback from citizens on the proposals and you can comment until 18th March. For more information and if you would like to share your views with the council go to: http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/corestrategy

Also thank you to Melinda Brown, Town Centre Manager, who gathered lots of feedback about Acocks Green Village from the attendees, who were asked to write their views on flipchart paper under various headings.

Sgt Mirams from Acocks Green Police also updated the meeting with the latest news, including that good news that the PCSOs in Acocks Green will not be affected by cutbacks and so will continue to support the local community.  There has also been an increase in burglary in our area which the force are working hard to address.

Councillors Penny Wagg and Roger Harmer were also present, responding and taking note of people’s concerns regarding the recent road resurfacing and other issues.

Councillor Roger Harmer
Councillor Penny Wagg

 

John Green from Waste and Fleet Management was also present to discuss waste issues and inform us of changes in waste management in the area which will now be looked after by a local team.

There was also a heated discussion about the Church Hall where the meeting took place and the plans by Stockfield Association to demolish and redevelop the site.  Many people have a real attachment to the present building [called the Glyn Edwards Hall] and are concerned about losing it to  see it replaced by glass fronted modern building. (For images of the proposed development go to the Acocks Green Focus Group website post : click here

If you would like to get more involved in the Neighbourhood Forum and join the Executive Committee to help make a real difference to our area then please contact us through this website.

 

February 3, 2011

Come along to our next Public Meeting

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This is a warm invitation to our next Public Meeting on Thurday 10th February at the Baptist Church Community Hall on the corner of Yardley Road and Alexander Road, 7.30pm

Our guest speaker will be a representative from Birmingham City Council who will be discussing the Core Strategy which, to put it in simple terms, is the long term plan for the development of Birmingham over the next 25 years.  The council is interested to hear citizen’s views on how they would like to see the city shaping up. The people who live and work in the city can help to shape the future our city.

Melinda Brown - our village Town Centre Manager will also be present at the meeting and will be asking for resident’s views on Acocks Green village, as a more local focus.

We would really like to see a good turn out from the neighbourhood for this opportunity to share views and ideas with people whose job it is to shape our city’s future. You are also welcome to just to come along and listen.

Everyone from the local area is welcome. The meeting starts at 7.30pm and usually finishes around 9pm.

On the same day as our Public Meeting, Thursday 10th February, there will also be a consultation of the Core Strategy at Acocks Green Library.  You can call in at any time between 9.15am and 4.45pm and tell the council representatives what you think of the plans.  What is important to you? How can Birmingham be a better city? Let them know.

 

March 21, 2010

Come Along to our Public Meeting

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Everyone in the area is welcome to come along to our next Neighbourhood Forum Public Meeting this Thursday, 25th March at 7.30pm. 

The venue is the Community Hall on the corner of Yardley Road and Alexander Road.  Refreshments will be served.   There will be guest speakers – Melinda Brown, our Town Centre Manager, who will keep us up to date with the developments in the Green.   Also Jan Quigley from the Emergency Planning Team will be talking about how communities can be prepared for emergency situations.

There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and raise any local issues or concerns.  The meeting normally lasts about an hour and a half.

Come along and find out more and why not invite your neighbours?

 

March 8, 2010

Hunt For Village Hero Starts All Over

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Following on from Jeffries Hardware winning the first ever ‘Village Hero’ award, our Village Partnership wants to know who you think should be crowned our next Village Hero. 

 

The competition is now open to anyone you think makes a valued contribution to life in the Village be it a trader, organisation, service or individual.

To nominate your Village Hero simply pick up a nomination form from Acocks Green Library or click on the link to download the nomination form. This can then be emailed back to our Town Centre Manager – Melinda Brown (pictured above with Ian Jeffries of Jeffries Hardware) 

Village Hero entry form

email form to:   acocksgreentcm@birmingham.gov.uk

closing date 7th April 2010

 

February 12, 2010

What is Acocks Green Village Partnership?

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Pictured is the recent meeting of the local village partnership, established in June 2008 following the appointment of the Town Centre Manager.  It comprises of key stakeholders who have an interest in the improvement and future of Acocks Green Village.  The Village area is defined as Acocks Green Centre and Dudley Park Road and Yardley Road, up to and including the junction with Francis Road. Its stated aims are to bring together the local businesses and traders, community groups whose objectives are to represent local peoples views (such as Neighbourhood Forums), Service Providers, Statutory Organisations (Police and Schools), City Council Officers (including  the Town Centre Manager ), Faith Groups and our Councillors.  The Partnership meets on a regular basis and holds an Annual General Meeting.  It works to help co-ordinate and promote improvements for a positive future for our village. It also consults and engages with other groups and organisations within the wider area, to help promote an improved quality of life.

 

November 3, 2009

Greening The Green – come along and help

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Once a month Melinda Brown, the Town Centre Manager, organises a group of local people to help do some gardening to brighten up our village. At this time of year we have spring bulbs to plant. Can you spare an hour or so this Sunday? Meet outside the library at 10am for full instructions, no experience necessary, why not to do something good for our local community?

The following dates for Gardening Sessions are:

10am Sunday 13th Dec

10am Sunday 10th Jan

10am Sunday 7th Feb

10am Sunday 8th Mar

10am Sunday 11th April

 

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