- If Labour win just another 4 seats we will have the privilidge and responsibility of taking control of Walsall Council. Our policy is very clear.
- We would address the inequalities of distribution of resources over the Borough to make this much fairer. The much worse health record in areas such as ours must be reduced.
- The cuts to our services and support to the vulnerable are severe and we will look very carefully at how the reduced budgets can be used as effectively as possible . Aiming for properly joined up services ,sharing efficiciently management costs. A root and branch examination of current contracts will reveal better value for the spend of public money.
- We will establish a much more powerful and independent audit committee of the Council to check the spend of your money.
We will introduce a by law that all scrap wagons will have to display a licence plate as do taxis. This will ensure that those who wish to operate a scrap wagon will have to go before a licensing committee who will issue such a licence if they are agreed they will operate according to the law and for example not run their business from their home residential address.
We will look quickly and carefully at cases where due to the introduction of benefit based charging, some serious hardships have happened. these need to be looked at in greater detail to see where we could help. we shall expand the welfare rights service who will ensure those very vulnerable people receive maximum support.
Cllr Ian Robertson
The fact that this Council receive more in parking fines than from parking ticket revenue reinforces the message from those who run businesses in walsall that high initial parking charges are hurting this Town and driving visitors away. We will look at how we can introduce a free first 1/2 hour or so to atract them back.
We will promote community enterprise and a strong and fully appreciated voluntary sector.
published by electronic means by Ian Robertson 87 Belvidere Road walsall WS1 3AU
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Gosocte and Poets plans deferred for decision.
Comment regarding Wednesday Planning Committee 15th March
From Cllr Ian Robertson 01922 634642 and 07956 829549
Walsall Planning Committee decided on Wednesday night to put off making a final decision on the application for outline planning permission in Goscote and Poets areas of Blakenall.
There were calls for more complete surveys of ground conditions and the ecology of the sites. Residents have been waiting for over 5 years for the start of the promised regeneration of their communities and the area ,so there must be a real sense of urgency to come to a positive agreement on a robust plan to make a start, especially at a time when the economy everywhere is in such a poor state.
The deadline to agree this plan must happen within the timescale of three months . Anything more will risk missing the slim but real opportunity for both the Walsall Housing Group ( WHG) and Walsall Council coming together with the community and a developer, yet to be identified, to have the vision for a new Blakenall built here. This vision must have plans for excellent landscaping of the open spaces with proper play facilities and expansion and enhancement of local schools and roads.
In the immediate future we need Walsall Council and WHG to properly look after the present open spaces in partnership with the police and an effective neighbourhood watch network of local residents to control the fly tipping and anti social behaviour that causes serious nuisance to residents. There is also an urgent need to re-establish a regular bus service along Goscote Lane.
There is a commitment from all parties including local Councillors to make this happen. If we do win in May and gain control of this Council this issue will be addressed along with the fact that the current Tory Council over the past 12 years have favoured their own areas with resources... we shall redress that balance to give a much fairer distribution to areas such as Blakenall.
Cllr Ian Robertson ( Blakenall Ward)
published by electronic means by Ian Robertson 87 Belvidere Road walsall WS1 3AU
From Cllr Ian Robertson 01922 634642 and 07956 829549
Walsall Planning Committee decided on Wednesday night to put off making a final decision on the application for outline planning permission in Goscote and Poets areas of Blakenall.
There were calls for more complete surveys of ground conditions and the ecology of the sites. Residents have been waiting for over 5 years for the start of the promised regeneration of their communities and the area ,so there must be a real sense of urgency to come to a positive agreement on a robust plan to make a start, especially at a time when the economy everywhere is in such a poor state.
The deadline to agree this plan must happen within the timescale of three months . Anything more will risk missing the slim but real opportunity for both the Walsall Housing Group ( WHG) and Walsall Council coming together with the community and a developer, yet to be identified, to have the vision for a new Blakenall built here. This vision must have plans for excellent landscaping of the open spaces with proper play facilities and expansion and enhancement of local schools and roads.
In the immediate future we need Walsall Council and WHG to properly look after the present open spaces in partnership with the police and an effective neighbourhood watch network of local residents to control the fly tipping and anti social behaviour that causes serious nuisance to residents. There is also an urgent need to re-establish a regular bus service along Goscote Lane.
There is a commitment from all parties including local Councillors to make this happen. If we do win in May and gain control of this Council this issue will be addressed along with the fact that the current Tory Council over the past 12 years have favoured their own areas with resources... we shall redress that balance to give a much fairer distribution to areas such as Blakenall.
Cllr Ian Robertson ( Blakenall Ward)
published by electronic means by Ian Robertson 87 Belvidere Road walsall WS1 3AU
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
planning issues about Goscote and Poets
Dear Resident,
We are sure you are aware an outline planning application has been submitted for the re-building of houses on the former Poets and Goscote sites and we are very aware that many of you oppose some parts of that application. We fully share your concerns, but we would just like to clarify some issues.
- These proposals will not touch any part of Swannies Field and will affect The Lea ( for those not sure, the land opposite the former Dolphin Pub and to the rear of Hardy Road).
- If permission was granted ,it would be advertised to see if any developer would be prepared to enter into a very tight contract and would have to submit a far more detailed planning permission which would then come back to everyone for comment and modification.
- The Goscote site would have 98 houses. The rest of the Goscote land would be then landscaped and then swapped for the greenbelt land taken from the Lea and not left as a rubbish tip.
Our fear is, that if we do not at least explore this way forward, the very large areas of non-maintained land will continue to attract fly tipping, motor bikes, fires and many other anti social issues. This will cause a great nuisance to you all , drive down the value of current house prices and result in more empty homes.
- for these reasons we reluctantly support this first stage of the planning application as the only possible way forward at this present economic time. We do have every respect of those genuine residents who are opposing it, but not political opportunists who see this as yet another way of obtaining negative publicity .
If you have any questions or comments please do get in touch with us on the above numbers.
Kind regards
Ian Ann
Cllr Ian Robertson Cllr Ann Young
Sunday, March 11, 2012
diary post 11th march
Delighted that Oak Crescent and Elm Road have been resurfaced... a response to their petition .. emergency repairs done before Christmas.. but now well done!!
Also most of the area round the Park has been at last resurfaced... despite a lot of lobbying over the past few years... so unfair that for example more money is spent per year on the roads of Pelsall than all of roads in Blakenall, Bloxwich East and West pu together!
.. This is certainly something we will address if we gain those 4 extra seats in May local elections!!
There are lots of issues that quite rightly cause you a problem.. speeding on Blakenall Lane... lack of parking for local residents there also... a residents' parking scheme could be proposed.. but my attempts to raise this before has been greeted by the tory council that there is no money depsite the fact that residents would have to pay for each permit. We need to have such schemes and have enforcement officers to ensure these rules are obeyed. This also needs a firmer hand on enforcement as a whole.. most dog owners are caring and responsible and clear up dog mess after their pet... great and welcome such responsible owners. A few do not and it is totally unacceptable not to clear this up as the risk of disease such as blindness can happen and treading this stuff into the house after accidentally treading on such a mess again makes this a real nuisance. Our children playing in the park should not have to combat dog mess or for that matter horse droppings. Time to employ some effective enforcement officers to keep our streets and playgrounds clear.
The planning approval comes to a special planning meeting on Wednesday 14th March 5.30pm.. anyonbe interested can attend as is a public meeting.
My view is that I really do not like the use of open space on the Lea to be used for building a number of houses most of which will be beyond the reach in pricing for most residents of Blakenall. It needs emphasing that Swannies field ( below the canal ) will not be touched.. However this proposal is the only one in town and is the only one that has any chance of bringing in the investment to rebuild what would be around 800 houses and rebuild the community. certainly if this is approved and goes to European tender, there is a chance that a major investor would take up the offer and develop. Risk is that if nothing happens or this is rejected, those of you who live in that area will face another 10 or 15 years or non development and my fear would be that the area would become so run down, the chances of ever doing such a development would be almost nil. So on balance taking into the vision for the whole of Blakenall, I can see no other way but try to go with this proposal. If a developer comes forward, this is the time to make a very tight contract, that ensures the open spaces are properly maintained , new facilities installed ( such as 5 a side pitches on Swannies)
This tight contract is essential to generate the money to redesign the roads and increase the capacity of local schools. Harden JMI ( which I serve as a Governor along with North Walsall JMI) does have spare capacity.. Edgar Stammers does not... however this could be an opportunity to sort a few issues for Hrden JMI with better access and well designed parking areas near to the entrances ( build up lay bys)
We are now 10 days away from the NHS reorganisation bill becoming law... opposed by all the NHS staff and representative bodies... devolving 80% of the budget to GPs and costing millions to implement. We shall be seeing what is called the 'risk register' where they have had to look at risks to the NHS for bringing in these expensive changes.. Having worked in the NHS for 40 years, I can tell you there are many areas that are in chaos with staff in the wrong place and this will cost in care and service to patients... Hospitals will be allowed to run up to 50% private earnings.
News this week that parts of the work of our police force can be put out to private companies should cause us serious concerns... confidential information with access by non police force workers?
The cuts in the fire service in the midlands will result in 5 front line fire officers being lost every month... along with loss now revealed of front line police officers...
grateful for nay comments...
regards
Ian
Also most of the area round the Park has been at last resurfaced... despite a lot of lobbying over the past few years... so unfair that for example more money is spent per year on the roads of Pelsall than all of roads in Blakenall, Bloxwich East and West pu together!
.. This is certainly something we will address if we gain those 4 extra seats in May local elections!!
There are lots of issues that quite rightly cause you a problem.. speeding on Blakenall Lane... lack of parking for local residents there also... a residents' parking scheme could be proposed.. but my attempts to raise this before has been greeted by the tory council that there is no money depsite the fact that residents would have to pay for each permit. We need to have such schemes and have enforcement officers to ensure these rules are obeyed. This also needs a firmer hand on enforcement as a whole.. most dog owners are caring and responsible and clear up dog mess after their pet... great and welcome such responsible owners. A few do not and it is totally unacceptable not to clear this up as the risk of disease such as blindness can happen and treading this stuff into the house after accidentally treading on such a mess again makes this a real nuisance. Our children playing in the park should not have to combat dog mess or for that matter horse droppings. Time to employ some effective enforcement officers to keep our streets and playgrounds clear.
The planning approval comes to a special planning meeting on Wednesday 14th March 5.30pm.. anyonbe interested can attend as is a public meeting.
My view is that I really do not like the use of open space on the Lea to be used for building a number of houses most of which will be beyond the reach in pricing for most residents of Blakenall. It needs emphasing that Swannies field ( below the canal ) will not be touched.. However this proposal is the only one in town and is the only one that has any chance of bringing in the investment to rebuild what would be around 800 houses and rebuild the community. certainly if this is approved and goes to European tender, there is a chance that a major investor would take up the offer and develop. Risk is that if nothing happens or this is rejected, those of you who live in that area will face another 10 or 15 years or non development and my fear would be that the area would become so run down, the chances of ever doing such a development would be almost nil. So on balance taking into the vision for the whole of Blakenall, I can see no other way but try to go with this proposal. If a developer comes forward, this is the time to make a very tight contract, that ensures the open spaces are properly maintained , new facilities installed ( such as 5 a side pitches on Swannies)
This tight contract is essential to generate the money to redesign the roads and increase the capacity of local schools. Harden JMI ( which I serve as a Governor along with North Walsall JMI) does have spare capacity.. Edgar Stammers does not... however this could be an opportunity to sort a few issues for Hrden JMI with better access and well designed parking areas near to the entrances ( build up lay bys)
We are now 10 days away from the NHS reorganisation bill becoming law... opposed by all the NHS staff and representative bodies... devolving 80% of the budget to GPs and costing millions to implement. We shall be seeing what is called the 'risk register' where they have had to look at risks to the NHS for bringing in these expensive changes.. Having worked in the NHS for 40 years, I can tell you there are many areas that are in chaos with staff in the wrong place and this will cost in care and service to patients... Hospitals will be allowed to run up to 50% private earnings.
News this week that parts of the work of our police force can be put out to private companies should cause us serious concerns... confidential information with access by non police force workers?
The cuts in the fire service in the midlands will result in 5 front line fire officers being lost every month... along with loss now revealed of front line police officers...
grateful for nay comments...
regards
Ian
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