Fair play to the Council. They listened, acknowledged the “balls up” and reacted prompted. Here you can see Keith pointing to the newly altered signs. Behind him, out of sight, are five different families enjoying the open space playing football and cricket.
A victory for common sense and democracy.
Further to the story below – my colleague Cllr Anthony Harris tells me he has bucket loads of green paint so if the signs aren’t changed by the weekend we might have a go ourselves! (I’m afraid the three of us are getting a bit militant!!)
There is a serious point to this too. Walsall has one of the worst health rates in the UK. I think we’re only beaten by Sandwell if I remember correctly. We should be encouraging people to use the parks to have fun, play footie or rounders with mates, and be safe. Its a no lose situation! Thats why we want Oak Park Leisure Centre rebuilt. Lets give people the chance and facilities to get healthy and have fun too. Too often I hear that there is nothing for people to do or places for them to go. I’ll be encouraging my colleagues to instill a more encouraging approach into the Council and do away with the “no ball games” approach. I’d certainly welcome a review of this policy.
Talking of Oak Park, there is a sign next to the KFC saying entrance “No golf”. Its a bit random. No boy races might be more appropriate! Is there a phantom golfer in Walsall Wood or is it another pointless sign?! Answers on a postcard…
Yup the signs in Greenwood Park say no ball games. Time to get someone down there with a bit of green paint me thinks!
Litter louts have been targeted as part of a major clamp-down staged by Walsall Council.
Penalty notices are set to be handed out to people who drop litter in the Lichfield Road area close to KFC and the Oak Park leisure.
An £80 fine could be levied on people who fail to but their rubbish in the bin.
New litter bins are also to be installed in the area as part of the clamp-down with the leisure centre car park recently resurfaced as part of a package of improvement measures .
Councillor Rachel Walker, Walsall Council cabinet member for environment, said: “We need people to understand quite clearly that dropping litter is just not acceptable.
“You can call this a carrot and stick approach. We’re putting in extra litter bins with the help of KFC.
“If people are too lazy to use them they stand a serious chance of being hit in the pocket by a penalty ticket.”
Six new bins are to be installed by Walsall Council.
Councillor Mike Flower, who represents Aldridge North and Walsall Wood ward, said that he warmly welcomed the initiative.
He said: “This is very much a case of Walsall Council listening to people’s concerns and then acting on it.
“We were told that people were unhappy at the rubbish on this site and we’ve acted on it.
“Residents have been contacting ward councillors and we have been busy behind the scenes helping to draw up an action plan for Oak Park.
“This is one of several improvements we would like to see at the site over the next few months.
“This has been a very comprehensive response to the problem and I would warn people thinking of littering to think twice. It will not be tolerated in Walsall Wood.”
Warning signs about litter have also been posted around Oak Park leisure centre to help drive home the warning message.
Myself and the other five councillors for Aldridge, along with the MP Richard Shepherd, are pressing for Stonnall Road Bail Hostel to be put back on the agenda. We met with the Head of the West Midlands Probation Service and they agreed with us that the Bail Hostel needs to be moved. They are going to actively work with the Council on finding an alternative site. Then funding will have to be found from central Government, and then planning permission granted.
I hope we have generated some momentum to move this onto the next phase although I wouldn’t get overly excited about it happening quickly. Still hopefully it is the beginning of the end for the Bail Hostel in Stonnall Road.
I’m 24 next month and i’ve never ever been allowed to have a say on Britain’s relationship with Europe. Why is it important? Because the majority of our laws are now made over in Europe. It is totally unaccountable. When was the last time an MEP or European Commissioner rang your doorbell?
The fact is that European government is too distant from the people. Lets face it, most people think the Council is too distant from the people! The European Treaty will only give more powers to Europe and we don’t get a say. Its a sell out.
You might think it doesn’t affect you but it does. Legislation like the EU Landfill Directive, have been passed down to governments and passed down to councils. Yes you got it, the reason council’s across the country are mentioning fortnightly collections is because of the EU directive. It is effectively removing our right to decide on what rubbish collection we want! There are many many other examples of this.
Its time to have a debate and trust the people to have a say. The Conservatives want a referendum and I want one too.
Read what the fuss is about here: http://www.conservatives.com/getfile.cfm?file=eu-plainenglish&ref=GENERALFILE/3585&type=pdf
Remember this injury I got during the by-election last November? It can be a difficult business delivering leaflets or going door knocking. With injuries like this its no wonder people comment they never see their local councillor – as we’re tip toeing around trying not to get bitten! Something tried to get at me through a letterbox this weekend, and someone elses dog jumped all over me barking. Quite scary when you don’t hear it or see it coming!
I’d hate to be the local postie…..
Coppy Hall Park in Aldridge has got new signs which say no ball games, golf or horse riding. A resident has written to me to ask me why they can’t play football in the park. Good question!
Don’t understand it myself as it’s a great place for a game of rounders or football. I’ve asked the Council to explain the logic or change the sign!
You are currently browsing the Councillor Mike Flower blog archives for September, 2007.
Mike Flower, twenty-six, represents a ward of over ten thousand people along with Cllrs Keith Sears and Anthony Harris. I was elected in 2006 and re-elected for four years in 2007 to sit on Walsall Council. I have been the Cabinet member for the Environment since mid 2009. Read more about Mike.
Conservative Party
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