Birmingham Council Annual Opinion Survey

It seems that once again The Tory / Lib-Dem Council is either being VERY selective about the recently published report on residents views of how they are managing our City, or are they being economical with the truth?

Listed here are just SOME key measures, you won't be told about, by them, which affect many resident at one time or another in Birmingham.

Satisfaction with opportunities to participate in local decision making provided by local public services has dropped from 39% to now 35%. DOWN 4%

The perception that anti-social behaviour is a problem, has risen, with particular increases in concern over lack of parental responsibility for children, lack of respect and consideration, and drug use and dealing (all up 10% since 2007).

Rubbish and litter lying around remains the biggest issue with 43% seeing it as a very or fairly big problem.

Overall satisfaction with Sport & Leisure facilities and events was 52% now 50%. DOWN 2%
User satisfaction is now only 64%, it was at 85%. DOWN A MASSIVE 21%

Overall satisfaction with libraries was 59% now it is only 55%. DOWN 4%
User satisfaction is at 70% (from 88%). DOWN 18%

Overall satisfaction with parks and open space, was at 64% dropped to 59%. DOWN 5%
User satisfaction is at 71% from 79%. DOWN 8%

Top Tory brands NHS a 60 year mistake

Now see what the Top Tories are REALLY all about.

In a recent Fox Television News interview, Dan Hannan MEP and former Special Advisor to the former Tory leader said that the NHS had been a big mistake for the past 60 years and that he didn't want the US to repeat it.

Don't take my word for it, watch it for yourself here.

www.youtube.co.uk/watch?v=k16uyhRcZLY

Is that the cat out of the bag or not, on their views about OUR National Health Service?

Can anyone really trust the Tory Party, if this is what they will say to a foreign television audience about the NHS, but then tell us something totally different.

Speed Camera Stupidity

Now I for one, am not against speed cameras, particularly when they have been introduced they reduce traffic speeds and cut traffic accidents.

I was recently asked my opinions on the possible introduction of a speed camera on Alcester Road South, initially I was surprised, however given the number of complaints I've had from residents about speeding motorists on the dual carriageway just off the Maypole Island, I thought one here would be just right, as motorists coming off the Hollywood By-pass, they do tend to speed somewhat.

Imagine my amazement when I'm told that a report would be going to The Tory led Cabinet, outlining that a camera should be positioned outside Houses 852/854 Alcester Road South, this just where all the trees are in the picture below. One thing for certain is that each time the camera flashes, there will be a good close-up of some nice green leaves in the summer.

Needless to say, I've given my views and opinions, to which the officer I've sent them to was somewhat surprised of the evidence I sent, we now await the decision.

Dissent In Tory Rank & File

Well it seems "what you shall sow, so shall you reap", is now coming true for Tory leader of the Council, Councillor Mike Whitby.



This past week has seen story after story in local papers about significant numbers of Tory Councillors, having a go at the leadership and cabinet over numerous matters which they disagreed strongly over.

First off is BoB, their plans to reintroduce a Municipal Bank in Birmingham, well with a start up cost of £300million, being paid for out of council tax, just isn't on.

Second base is the amount of "Prudential Borrowing", this is where Council's are able to borrow money from banks and institutions, which is now over £2.5 BILLION, since 2004, when they first took over control of the Council.

Thirdly, there is the £30million Council Tax payers loan to Warwickshire Cricket Club, to be paid back over the next 25 years at preferential rates.

And finally, the fact that the Cabinet are withdrawing "meals on wheels" for the elderly and vulnerable, completely disregarding views of the Scrutiny Committee.

But there is very little mention of them closing down without replacing, older peoples homes "because land prices have fallen" and wanting to do away with Day Care Centres for people with learning difficulties, with no rhyme or reason, these actions are an absolute disgrace.

Brandwood End Cemetry

What in heavens sake is going on?

We were told on Monday that there was to have been a public meeting arranged by Birmingham City Council, at Kings Heath Cricket Club, on Wednesday, where we would hear more from architects, about the Council's plans to sell off parts of the cemetery, to a housing developer, Mercian Housing, then later in the same day these plans are put on hold.
Now why would this Tory & Lib Dem Council be even thinking about selling off cemetery land in the first place?
Do they not understand the upset the thought of such plans cause? Particularly since what was to have been discussed is land right next to The Children's Graves.
Loosing a relative at the best of time is distressing, too loose your child is heartbreaking, which not many parents I've met, manage to get over. One lady I spoke too, who lost her son more than fifty years ago, told me, she thinks about her son, every single day and what may have been. When she heard of these plans she was heartbroken and said, what these Tory's are doing is terrible, they are only in it for the money and to hell with the rest of us and our feelings.
To be perfectly honest if all that they are after is to get their hands on the money, shame on them all.
The plans had been to build 32 homes on whatever land they could sell and spend the money on maintenance costs, so I've heard.
So what about the £1.5million they make each year, as "profit" out of peoples misfortune?

School Playing Fields

Why does Birmingham Council insist on locking up school playing fields, once school finishing time comes?

Parents today, don't want to see their children move too far from the family home, that is those who even dare today to allow them out on the streets to play. But children need to play and play in a safe and secure environment.

I would rather see children play football or cricket in a park or playing field than in any road, yet when there is a playing field literally at the back of the home, fenced off like Fort Knox, they have no where else close by to exert themselves in relative safety, from cars and vans.

One of our local Policing Teams are keen to engage with one particular group of youngsters, so much so that the youngsters have challenged them to a football tournament, during the Easter holidays, but over at Swanshurst Leisure Centre. May the best team win.

But to just take these youngsters off the road for an afternoon, which the Police have to be applauded for, simply isn't enough. Why doesn't Birmingham Council, allow the playing field to be used for more local tournaments?: Why can't keen adults, who are prepared to do coaching with these youngsters have the permission to use the playing field for such activities?

Leaving youngsters to gather on our streets, will and has lead to vandalism, they are not a lost cause, when given the opportunity they have and will contribute to our area.

Let us all hope that someone eventually wakes up to the fact that young people are not all vandals.

Bank of Birmingham (BoB)

Here we have someones hair brained scheme to re-introduce a municipal bank back in Birmingham, but it's not like the old Municipal, as many of us had used.

No this time the bank will be used to support businesses.

After sitting and listening to two well known guru's in the banking business, The Chief Operating Officer of The West Bromwich Building Society and The Chief Executive of IBB, I must say I'm really scared of Birmingham Council even thinking about, let alone embarking on such a scheme.

To have been told that any bank starting up, must have at least £200million of readies and another £2million to £5million to get legislation and registration and then expect to loose around £10million per year during the start up process, which could last as long as 10 years is alarming.

I came in to politics to help people, to leave Birmingham a better place for my grand children, not to leave an overwhelming debt around their necks, like some councillors want too.