Category Archives: Uncategorized
CATCHING UP?
Goodness me! Where has the time gone?
Residents of Solihull will know I have been Mayor of the Borough since May 2012. I have been ‘blogging’ about the year on solihullmayor.wordpress.com and did hope to publish more information on this one. However, duties really took over.
I am now in some sort of position to catch up bit!
MAYOR OF SOLIHULL
At the Annual meeting of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council on 22 May 2012 I was elected Mayor of Solihull for the next 12 months. To state is a great honour is a wild under-statement and I am so excited about the year ahead. The first week has seen a mixed range of visits.
I am blogging purely about the Mayor on another WordPress blog site: http://solihullmayor.wordpress.com/ You can find out about the visits and view some images on that site.
I will continue to post information about Blythe Ward, the Council and others information on this site: I am still a ward councillor and will strive to fulfil both roles well.
SAFEGUARDING ADULTS IN SOLIHULL
As with the post regarding Safeguarding Children, it is vital we ensure adults are protected. I have attached a report ‘What to do if you suspect an adult is being abused‘ as well as a link to other documents which you may find helpful. I have also provided a link to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council’s Adult Safeguarding pages. What-to-do-if-you-suspect-an-adult-is-being-abused.aspx Link to other NHS documents: http://www.solihull.nhs.uk/Help-and-advice/Safeguarding/Safeguarding-Adults-Leaflets-and-Posters Link to SMBC website: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/adultabuse/default.htm
SMBC Scrutiny of High Speed 2
As a member of the councils Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (OSMB) I took part in an all day scrutiny of the proposals for HS2. We took evidence form a range of groups and the papers for the meeting can be accessed here: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/akssolihull/users/public/admin/kab14.pl?operation=SUBMIT&meet=92&cmte=OSM&grpid=public&arc=71
Our recommendations to the council’s Cabinet and Full Council are: that the Council: -
a) Supports the HS2 proposal proceeding to its next stage subject to continuing dialogue with the DfT and HS2 Ltd to explore further the need for HS2; and, based on the “Key Requirements” set out in para 1.3.17 of the report of the Director of Places (and as attached to these minutes), to gain a clearer and detailed understanding of the potential local benefits and impacts and to secure appropriate measures which ensure their respective delivery and mitigation,
b) Requires that a full consultation be carried out by DfT/HS2 Ltd on the Environmental Impact Assessment, to be produced by DfT/HS2 Ltd in due course, and on the Blight Compensation Scheme options, should the Government agree to pursue HS2 following this consultation, and
c) Seeks confirmation that the design, construction & operation of HS2 will not incur any additional local burden on Solihull Council tax payer”
Citizens Advice Solihull Borough Ltd
The document shown below is a scanned copy of a leaflet highlighting the services offered by this brilliant organisation. 
Scruity of Waste and Recycling
Firstly, at yesterday evening’s Neighbourhood Services Scrutiny Board I was appointed its Chair. The board covers such a wide area of council services; parks, waste and recycling, bereavement services, highways plus crime and disorder – to list just a few. I will regularly post issues that this board is dealing with and
here is a brief summary from last night – the board agenda can be found by visiting this link: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/akssolihull/users/public/admin/kab14.pl?operation=SUBMIT&meet=33&cmte=NSS&grpid=public&arc=71
You will note that within the WASTE AND RECYCLING DELIVERING WASTE STRATEGY 2010-2020 reference was made to the collection of domestic household waste by some local authorities every two weeks – report link here: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/akssolihull/images/att30012.pdf
The scrutiny board unanimously rejected two weekly collections of domestic household waste (non-recyclables) suggesting that more can be done to promote
home composting and highlighting the Love Food Hate Waste campaign. The board also wanted to know if local authorities that had a two weekly waste collection experienced more fly-tipping. This is an issue that councillors must address when considering waste/recycling. For the same reason members recommended Option 2 in the section relating to visits to the Bickenhill Waste and Recycling Centre (commonly know to all as ‘The Tip’. Council tax payers should not subsidise builders etc by allowing them to dump trade waste but by allowing large vehicles 12 permits a year this will allow householders to use the site when undergoing household work but also deter those firms that do abuse the facility. This should realise some £40,000 of savings to the council. We will
review the situation in 12 months.
More Neighbourhood Reports
Please find links to the last few monthly newsletters from the Area Three Neighbourhood Teams. You will see that a lot of issues are being tackled and I believe that residents will be pleased that action to deal with their concerns is being taken by the Council, Police and Partner organisations: Newsletter April 11 Newsletter Feb 11
CEO e-mail addresses
An interesting piece of information came to me by way of Twitter today. There is a lot of rubbish on Twitter but often I come across some information that is not generally known. In addition, many organisations, especially local authorities, use Twitter to get information out to people. For instance, school closures for most West Midlands schools were known on Twitter the night before the news was presented on local radio stations the following morning. Anyway, the link directs you to a webpage displaying the e-mail addresses of many CEO’s in the UK and EU. If you are having trouble getting to grips with local representation why not go to the top. The page advises you to be polite and how to get the best possible response. Try it by clicking on: http://www.connectotel.com/marcus/ceoemail.html
No ‘Cold Calling’ Cards
I have scanned in a copy of the ‘Warning’ cards sponsored by West Midlands Police and Solihull Council. These alert door-to-door sales people that you do not buy from the door. I have been able to get a supply (about 300) and will get them out to the ward, however there is clearly not enough for everyone. Therefore please feel free to print a copy off yourself; why not also print some copies for elderly or vulnerable residents who may not have direct access to a computer or internet? I have sought permission from WMP and SMBC for using their cards in this way.
