Scrutinising the Police?

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Kit Barlow

West Midlands Police and Crime Panel have been in touch with the Neighbourhood Forum, asking us to share the news on this important role for any local people who might be interested:

Two Independent Members Sought to Scrutinise the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner

The Panel is looking for two committed and energetic people who live or work in the West Midlands

  • Who have a genuine interest in policing, community safety and services for victims;
  • Can be an independent voice alongside elected councillors, to provide constructive challenge to the Police and Crime Commissioner; and
  • Are willing to listen to the views of all sections of our local communities.WMP-CP_Logo_RGB

 

Councillor Darren Cooper (Panel Chair and Leader of Sandwell Council) said:

“We really value the independent co-optees on the Panel. They bring a different perspective to the councillors on the Panel and often ask great questions of the Police and Crime Commissioner or other officers.”

This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in these now established arrangements for reducing crime and disorder and to help shape the future of policing in the West Midlands.

The role of a panel member is an important and demanding one. Those appointed will serve on the Panel from May 2016 until May 2020 and work alongside councillors from each of the seven local authorities in the force area – Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

This is a voluntary position (an unpaid role). However, travel expenses can be claimed and induction and other training will be given.

Applicants need to be: at least 18 years old, live or work within the West Midlands force area; and be able to attend at 6-8 meetings a year across the West Midlands.

For more background information about the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel please and to download an application form visit www.westmidlandspcp.co.uk

For further information please email wmpcp@birmingham.gov.uk or call Benita Wishart on 0121 464 6871.

 

Closing date for applications is midnight Sunday 6th March 2016

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A Fruitful Day

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Kit Barlow

The weather was fine and so volunteers were out in force along the Grand Union Canal and Fox Hollies Park on Sunday, to help enhance our local green spaces. Litter picking, hedge and fruit tree planting took place on the canal as part of the Adopt A Stretch of Canal Project, in conjunction with the Canals and Rivers Trust.

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And down the road in Fox Hollies Park lots of local people joined in to help plant the park’s first community orchard. In a few years time, hopefully, we will be enjoying the fruit from this cold February morning.

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If you want to get more involved with local projects such as these then get in touch via this website and we can put you on the mailing list for the canal work project and/or The Friends of Fox Hollies Park group or email them directly – friendsoffoxholliespark@outlook.com

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Feel the Rhythmn of the Beat

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Kit Barlow

A great opportunity for children, young people and families to learn a new and fun skill and perform at Acocks Green Carnival in the summer. Starting this Saturday.samba

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Public Meeting – 26th January

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Kit Barlow

poster16Jan1

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A New Community Orchard in Acocks Green

Posted on January 24, 2016 by Kit Barlow

Thanks to the Urban Orchard Project, Acocks Green is the lucky recipient of the planting of a new orchard which will benefit local people for years to come with fresh and healthy fruit. This is another enhancement to the wonderful historic Fox Hollies Park. It is already a haven for wildlife with the brook running through it and the Round Pool, popular with fishermen.

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Round Pool Fox Hollies Park

It is a varied and rich natural landscape and thanks to the recently formed Friends of Fox Hollies Park, 2015 saw a variety of litter picks and family activities and real improvements to this once neglected park. You can contact them and follow them via their Facebook pageFHP

If you live nearby why not come along and invite your friends and neighbours next Sunday and be part of the improvement to this lovely park, for now and well into the future!

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Big Bike Giveaway

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Kit Barlow

With the new canal towpath in Acocks Green, this is a great time to start making the most of them by getting on a bike and enjoying a cycle along a traffic-free route into Digbeth and onward to the City Centre.cycle revolution

As part of the Birmingham Cycle Revolution, the Big Bike Giveaway started last year. And its not too late to apply for one of the free hybrid bikes if you live in Birmingham. The closing date is 22nd January.  All the information is HERE. Complete an application on line today.  There are also lots of free courses in cycle maintenance and cycling skills too, even if you don’t receive a free bike, anyone can access the courses and improve their cycling confidence.

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Starting in January

Posted on December 26, 2015 by Kit Barlow

Is your New Year’s Resolution to do more exercise and meet new people in 2016? If you are free on Wednesday mornings then here is an opportunity to take advantage of in Acocks Green at Fox Hollies Park.

Green Fit

 

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Boundary Changes – Are You Affected?

Posted on December 21, 2015 by Kit Barlow

Parts of Acocks Green Ward could be Yardley West Ward in new proposals. -*** Update -sign the petition***

New council ward boundaries: have your say

SIGN THE PETITION HERE!

The boundaries and names of Birmingham’s wards could be changing – and you have the chance for a say.

Consultation of Changes to Ward Boundaries

A public consultation is running until 8 February 2016 so residents can comment.The commission’s draft recommendations propose that the council should have 101 city councillors in future, 19 fewer than now. These councillors would represent smaller areas than they do currently as there would be 77 wards in all, instead of the current 40, with 53 wards having one council member and 24 wards having two.WardCommission

The idea behind this new pattern of wards is better electoral equality for city voters. Each city councillor would represent a similar number of electors so that everyone’s vote in council elections would be worth roughly the same, wherever you live.

You may have seen in the local media that some of these proposed boundary changes in Birmingham have caused quite a bit of upset and people are concerned about losing their sense of identity and belonging to an historical area. For example residents who are now in Acocks Green Ward, under the new proposal may find themselves suddenly in Yardley West Ward.  The boundary line previously was drawn following the Grand Union Canal, however the new proposal has suggested the boundary should be the railway line. People living on roads off Yardley Road, once over the railway line, could find themselves in the new Ward of ‘Yardley West’ not Acocks Green Ward anymore. This includes The Avenue, Alexander Road, Douglas Road and Malvern Road to mention just a few. Check out your road on the map and if you are not happy with the changes then now is the time to let the Boundary Commission know:

How to have a say:

• See the full recommendations and detailed maps at:

http://www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/west-midlands/west-midlands/birmingham

• Take part in the survey at https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/5688

• Email: reviews@lgbce.org.uk

• Write to: The Review Officer (Birmingham), LGBCE, 14th Floor, Millbank Tower, London SW1P 4QP

What happens next?

After the consultation closes on 8 February 2016, the Boundary Commission will consider all submissions and publish its final recommendations in May 2016.

If the recommendations are approved by parliament, the new wards will come into effect at the city council elections in 2018.

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Competition Time

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Kit Barlow

As this is the season of gifts we are giving away an exclusive limited edition wall calendar featuring photos taken around Birmingham (including Acocks Green). All we need is one photo taken around Acocks Green and a sentence on the subject – “What I like about where I live.” We look forward to lots of interesting entries. Please send your photos and sentences to:

AGNForum@hotmail.co.uk

We will post entries on the website, so make sure you put your name clearly on your emails. By entering the competition we take it that you are happy for us to use your photo/words on the AG Neighbourhood Forum website. Closing date 31st December 2015

local views
Exclusive photos
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Get Christmassy at South Yardley Library

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Kit Barlow

This Thursday at the local Community Library, why not come along and get into the Christmas Spirit with two creative activities.

Prints Soaps

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