Councillor Ken Hawkins

SOLIHULL’S PARK EVENTS 2012

Ken Hawkins — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:22:31 +0000

There are some fantastic events in our parks this year; the Park Events brochure can be downloaded here: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/events/default.htm - with other town centre events also included. The events guide can also be viewed here: EventsGuide

Filed under: Blythe, Cheswick Green, Dickens Heath, Environmental Champions, Monkspath, Parks and Green Spaces, Solihull, Tidbury Green

BLYTHE VALLEY COUNTRY PARK

Ken Hawkins — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:54:14 +0000

I took a walk through Blythe Valley Country Park this cold morning. To have this fantastic park in my ward, and on my doorstep, is fantastic, it is a wonderful place to visit – anytime of the year. There is a wealth of wildlife to be observed and a hide/shelter to allow you observe any birds under cover.

If you need to drive to the location you may park free by the Blythe Valley Management Offices (get free parking permit first) or do what I sometime do; park on the Notcutts Car Park and cross the road. Why not pop into Notcutts for a tea/coffee afterwards.

The country park is not very well known, so get down there and spread the word.

Click to view slideshow.

Filed under: Blythe, Cheswick Green, Monkspath, Neighbourhood Reports, Parks and Green Spaces, Solihull

Planning Application – Creynolds Lane, Cheswick Green

Ken Hawkins — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:22:07 +0000

Last week I spoke to a few residents who are concerned about the latest planning application on the site of 194, Creynolds Lane, Cheswick Green. Where there used to be one bungalow, permission was given for the construction of two houses. There is now another application for an additional house – application 2011/1980 refers. You can get access to all the relevant documents on the Council’s website via this link: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/planning/dc/ViewApp.asp

If, for somehow the link does not work, just enter the application number on the relevant page number. If you also click on ‘other applications’ you will also view previous applications for the site.

I would value residents views about this latest application. I have already had discussions with the Parish Council and have requested the application is heard by Solihull’s Planning Committee where I intend to make representations on behalf of residents.

Filed under: Blythe, Cheswick Green, Solihull

Hillfield Park, Monkspath – Users Group Meeting

Ken Hawkins — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:11:58 +0000

The next meeting of the Park Users Group is on Monday 6 February at 7pm at the Community Centre, Farmhouse Way, Monkspath. Here you will meet Luke Holland, my Councillor Shadow. Luke is a keen environmentalist and will tell you about his shadowing Award and what we have done already. I will try my best to attend but am already committed at a Monkspath School Governors Finance and Personnel meeting at the same time. I shall try and pop-in.

The agenda is attached and if any local resident wishes to join the group then please pop along and meet them. Hillfield PIG group agenda for 6-2-2012

Filed under: Blythe, Environmental Champions, Monkspath, Parks and Green Spaces, Solihull

A bit more litter in Monkspath area

Ken Hawkins — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:09:15 +0000

Monkspath is a great place to live in – I moved here over 28 years ago! It is clean and usually free of litter and graffiti and for this and the previous post I have had to go out of my way a little bit to find the litter. However, it is there if you look. In the sideshow (which I hope works as it is the first time I have used one on this website) you will see litter on the public footpath running from the bottom of Elmdbridge Drive to the rea of Tesco’s superstore. There is a problem with the amount of bags and other debris from the store, petrol station and the nearby McDonalds being strewn on the footpath by youths who walk through a gap in the fence at the petrol station. We are working with Tesco’s, asking them to erect a fence similar to that used on the other side by the Spire office site.

Other views of litter is of the hedgerow between the footpath and the main A45, just down from the petrol station. Also included is a few images of the grassed area between Tesco’s and McDonalds.

Please note: I do not show these images to name and shame, merely to point out that I have noticed the litter and help to show the state and location so that the council, Tesco’s and McDonalds can take action.

Click to view slideshow.
Filed under: Blythe, Environmental Champions, Monkspath, Parks and Green Spaces, Solihull

Feedback re Hillfield Park walkabout

Ken Hawkins — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:37:10 +0000

Thought I should share with you the positive feedback I have following the previous post, which saw over 160 visits to the website in just two days!

Attention is being given to the park and all litter and graffiti will be cleared up. Co-incidentally, there is a meeting of the Hillfield Park Users Group on Monday evening. I do intend to pop in and say hello but can not stay too long as I have a Finance and Personnel meeting at Monkspath Junior and Infant School at the same time (I have been a governor there for over 21 years).

Well done to to the swift response from the council departments. I need to ensure that there are regular inspections of the park by the contractors who provide the service to the borough.

Filed under: Blythe, Environmental Champions, Monkspath, Parks and Green Spaces, Solihull

Hillfield Park – Saturday Walkabout

Ken Hawkins — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:57:25 +0000

I am taking part in a ‘Local Councillor Shadowing Award’ where young people shadow a local councillor and undertake activities contributing towards their award. There are seven young people taking part in the first pilot group in Solihull and a year 10 student at Tudor Grange has been assigned to me. Luke is very interested in the environment and we undertook a ‘ward walk’ last Saturday examining the environment of Hillfield Park, Monkspath, which is naturally in my ward.

It was great being with Luke because it made me open my eye’s more than I normally did. For instance, Luke was able to point out areas where he had identified litter, graffiti and other issues. I took several photographs and wil post them here as soon as some gremlins in the system have been sorted. Hillfield Park is an absolutely fantastic park but we must ensure litter etc is tackled as early as possible. I will update you as to how Luke is progressing during his Award. He has to complete a minimum of ten hours shadowing me. I did hope that a few hours could have been devoted to sorting my garden out but the award does not allow for that!

Filed under: Blythe, Environmental Champions, Monkspath, Parks and Green Spaces, Solihull

SMBC – LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

Ken Hawkins — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:06:10 +0000

The Council’s draft plan has now been published and the report can be found here LDF_Draft_Local_Plan_-_Shaping_a_Sustainable_Future_lr(1) . You may find it easier to access maps etc via the Council’s website and the direct to the relevant pages are here http://www.solihull.gov.uk/ldf/default.htm

The plan has relevance to Blythe Ward as there are two areas included for planned development. I have posted the maps relating to Cheswick Green and Dickens Heath but maps for the whole borough can be viewed on the web site shown above.

Housing_Sites_Cheswick_Green Housing_Sites_Dickens_Heath

Please feel free to comment, either on this post or directly in response to the formal consultation.

Filed under: Blythe, Cheswick Green, Dickens Heath, Parks and Green Spaces, Solihull

NEIGHBOURHOOD REPORT – JANUARY 2012

Ken Hawkins — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:20:27 +0000

I am pleased to post the latest report (Jan 2012) from the Council’s excellent Area 3 Neighbourhood Team. As usual the report includes activities undertaken by the Council and Police teams for the whole area (not just Blythe Ward). Also included are some dates the Environmental Champions will be undertaking schemes in the ward. Please feel to contact me if you want to get involved. Newsletter Jan 12

Filed under: Blythe, Cheswick Green, Dickens Heath, Environmental Champions, Monkspath, Neighbourhood Reports, Parks and Green Spaces, Solihull, Tidbury Green

Neighbourhood Report for November

Ken Hawkins — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:46:33 +0000

Please find posted the report for the month of November from Area 3 Neighbourhood Team, which covers the whole of the Meriden Sector. Again, we see some excellent work from the partnership teams. The reduction in crime is very welcome. Newsletter November 11

Filed under: Blythe, Cheswick Green, Dickens Heath, Monkspath, Neighbourhood Reports, Solihull, Tidbury Green