20′s Plenty – Speed Zones update

I have been running a campaign for 20 MPH Speed Zones outside every school in Wyre Forest for quite some time. I raised the issue on more than one occasion at County Council meetings, only to be told by Conservatives that there was no commitment to the project.

However, at a recent Cabinet meeting, it was decided to press ahead with 9 schools in Wyre Forest.

They are Birchen Coppice Primary, Foley Park Primary, Franche Primary, Offmore Primary,St Ambrose RC Primary, St Georges CE Primary, St Mary’s CE Primary,St Oswalds CE Primary, and Sutton Park Primary.
We look forward to these being implemented – there are alot more schools to go yet!
For the safety of our children – we need a 20 MPH Zone outside every school!

Foundation Trust bid by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

The Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust are currently consulting the public and NHS staff across Worcestershire in their bid to gain Foundation Trust status which will give them a greater degree of financial freedom and autonomy. 15 Public meetings are being held across the county and a Foundation Trust Membership Office has been set up at Kidderminster Hospital.

The Acute Hospitals Trust is responsible for managing services at  the Worcestershire Royal, Alexandra Hospital Redditch, and Kidderminster Hospital.
Public involvement in how  services are  delivered will be a key issue if they suceed. Prospective Foundation Trusts have to recruit the public as members who in turn will vote for Governors (non paid).  The number  of Governors will relate to the population of each district area  and they will be elected by the members.

Their role will be to  act as advocates and watchdogs for the public and influence Board Directors concerning the delivery of acute hospital services. All services will continue to be free at the point of use.  If succesful, a Foundation Trust will continue to receive Government funding and they will be regulated by a new NHS Foundation Trust regulator called Monitor.
The consultation concludes on 26th September and further information can be obtained by telephoning 0800 7830 335 or going to their website at www.worcsacute.nhs.uk
 If you care passionately about the NHS as I do, then get involved and become a member.

Car stolen in burglary in Stourport

Police are appealing for witnesses after a car was stolen in a burglary in Stourport.

The car was then in collision with another vehicle, injuring a woman and child.

The burglary happened in Lickhill Road, Stourport, at 2.40pm yesterday, Monday 28th July.

While the occupants were at home, the keys to their black Vauxhall Calibra were stolen and the vehicle taken off the driveway.

It made off along the A449 towards Worcester, where it was in collision with a silver Citroen Xara near Black Bridges.

The woman driver of the Citroen and her nine-year-old daughter were taken by ambulance to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital for treatment for shock and whiplash injuries.

The Calibra was in company with a silver Renault Clio, which had itself been stolen during a burglary in Bilston, West Midlands. Following the collision, the occupants of the Calibra got into the Clio and left the scene.

Kidderminster Police’s Crime Reduction Officer PC Ian White said: “Householders are reminded to close and lock doors and windows when leaving a room or going to bed, and not to leave their car keys on display, such as by a door or window, on the bottom of the stairs, or anywhere else where they can be easily reached or easily found.”

Witnesses or anyone with information about either the burglary or the collision are asked to contact Kidderminster Police on 08457 444888 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Return the Birth Unit to Kidderminster Hospital

On Saturday 26th July between 11am and 12 noon, five of us Labour Party members collected 105 signatures for the Birth Unit to be re-instated at Kidderminster Hospital. Guess what? the response was excellent for the cause. We spoke to many women who wanted a return of this service to Kidderminster.

Although Worcester Royal was acknowledged as a good place to have a baby, the 20 miles travelling distance was not considered satisfactory in 2008.

Let’s not fall for the argument forwarded by senior non-elected chiefs that we need a medical team and facilities that can’t be afforded for Kidderminster. Of course, if such a Birth Unit re-opens at Kidderminster, it has to be safe -naturally! But to try to kill off our need by suggesting Kidderminster Hospital would require a comprehensive facility, unmatched in the universe, is nonense.

Yes, we would also like to see other paediatric services, but we are not asking for open-heart surgery and heart transplant facilities or neurosurgery,

It has to be kept in perspective. A Midwifery Unit is not too much to ask for at Kidderminster. Why do some of the chiefs rule it out without even a studied response? Perhaps when the Acute Hospital Trust gets Foundation Trust status our voice will be heard?

After all, Ludlow and Bridgnorth have Birth Units and both are much smaller towns than Kidderminster. Shrewsbury has the Consultant – led Maternity Team – just like Worcester. Ludlow and Bridgnorth are therefore satellites of Shrewsbury.

So Kidderminster could provide a similar Birth Unit, and those mothers to be needing Consultant Care could still be referred to Worcester. More filled Petitions guaranteed to follow!

Labour ASB Policies at Work in Areley Kings

Jamie Shaw working hard for Stourport and Areley Kings.

Recently, a group of adult males chose the bench in the play area next to the Walshes Community Centre as a location for their open-air drinking. Understandably, parents were becoming unwilling to allow their children to play there, although, happily, there were no incidents reported. Nevertheless, parents wanted something done. Community Housing, owners of the play area, and the police were informed. The drinkers were approached and advised to go elsewhere. This strategy worked, although there is some evidence, (ten empty beer cans strewn near the bench last Thursday), that they have returned at a late hour on one occasion.

I am one of several residents keeping watch. Thanks to Labour Government legislation and funding, we know that both Housing officers and the police have the power and resources to tackle this low-level, but obviously worrying, behaviour.

Stourport Graffiti Update

Jamie Shaw working hard for Stourport and Areley Kings.

I am pleased to report action, both in terms of organisation and actual graffiti removal, in the town centre. The re-activated Town Centre Forum, (I am on its steering group), has apportioned responsibility street-by-street to several Forum members, all from the town centre business community. They will take direct responsibility for graffiti removal and have the paint pots and brushes to prove it! The side of the currently-empty shop next to the Community Housing Group’s offices in High Street was the first site cleaned up under this new arrangement. Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that the town council’s new “lengthsman” post is empowered to deal with highways-related graffiti.

The third agency involved, a district council working party, still has plenty of work to do, in my opinion, simply because not all graffiti appears in the town centre or near highways, the riverside meadows being a prime example.

Birth Unit at Kidderminster Hospital

I  welcome the suggestion that Kidderminster Hospital could get its Birth Unit returned after closing in 2003.
I am running a Petition on this issue  and I want to see more services returned to Kidderminster Hospital and the Birth Unit would be an excellent addition. The Worcestershire Primary Care Trust at last realises that Kidderminster Hospital needs to play an even bigger role in health care delivery. We have ground space at Kidderminster, whereas others do not.  The PCT could fulfil a long standing need for expectant mothers to have their babies at Kidderminster. The present situation in which they have to travel to Worcester or Redditch is not acceptable in 2008. Labour supports the intention to offer another choice and Kidderminster has to be the decision.
We will be outside Bewdley Town Hall this Saturday (26th July) at 11am  collecting  signatures .

Stourport Town Centre Forum

Jamie Shaw working hard for Stourport and Areley Kings.

The re-constituted Forum met on July17th. The issues discussed corresponded to a significant degree with the concerns I have expressed in previous blog contributions, for example, graffiti. Because of a prior commitment, I was unable to attend on the 17th. However, with the establishment of a steering group to progress organisational processes and topics for discussion and action, I am confident that the Forum will become an influential local voice.

Areley Kings Highways and Footpaths

Jamie Shaw working hard for Stourport and Areley Kings.

The town council is responsible for minor footpath maintenace on behalf of the county council. I have requested the town council’s “lengthsman” to cut back vegetation at the sides of, and remove vegetation growing on the actual surface of, the following footpaths :

Dunley Road to Areley Common
Heightington Place to Areley Common
Abberley Avenue to Areley Common.

Wyre Forest Community Housing owns land on Betty Dawes Hill , from which overhanging tree branches are obstructing pedestrians using the pavement on Dunley Road. I have requested a cut-back.

Highway drainage in Hanstone Road, towards the Layamon Walk end, is not dealing with rainwater effectively. I have asked County Highways to investigate.

Lea Castle site

Chris Nicholls working all year round in Wolverley, Cookley and Caunsall

There is still much speculation surrounding the Lea Castle Site following the decision of North Warwickshire Trust to recommend closure.
The site is still zoned for light industrial use (hi tech business park/research and development) but there have been no planning applications for the site. I have asked the District Council to let me know when any application is received. I will keep residents informed.

At the Pact meeting the issue of security was raised and the police have already been in contact with the owners of the site regarding this matter.

PACT meeting on Tuesday 15th July

Chris Nicholls working all year round in Wolverley, Cookley and Caunsall

At the PACT meeting held on Tuesday 15th July the following issues were identified.

1.Speeding in Castle Road.
2.Dog fouling in Austcliffe Lane.
3.Litter along the canal at Steel Wheels, Cookley.
4.Security at the lea Castle site

The next meeting of Pact is on 28th October 7p.m.at Wolverley Church Hall.

Support for Bewdley Football Club

I was interested in the comments made by Peter Nielson in his letter about local elections (Shuttle 12th June). What he says is very true – electors seem to have been largely influenced by national politics in the recent local elections. The more local the Council then the more important it is that the persons elected are in tune with the locality and are sensitive to the needs and beliefs of the local people. They are going to contribute to the running of the Council, at whatever level, on behalf of the local community.

Consider this in relation to the article on page 30 of the same issue where Cllr Stephen Clee is effectively telling Bewdley Town Council (on which he sits) to mind its own business. Does he not, therefore, consider that the future viability of the Town Football Club is not relevant to the Council which was elected by the people of Bewdley? This Club is a great asset to the Town and it is hard to see how the present situation came into existence. The fact that the Football ground may not actually be within the parish of Bewdley is irrelevant. Apparently it is feared that these lights spoil an area of outstanding natural beauty. I do not know whose opinion that was, originally, but have they actually stood near the ground and looked around them?

Most local residents will be appalled at this attitude and it is for this very reason that when future elections come around electors will hopefully vote for those persons who they believe will fight for their area and stand up for the wishes and aspirations of the community as a whole.

Most people locally think that the position relating to the floodlights at the football ground is ludicrous. I have to say that I have little interest in football but am able to recognise that this Club is of great value to the Community and must be encouraged, not strangled.

Gren Jones
Letter sent to Shuttle 17th July 2008

Stolen Metal Dealing

At yesterdays meeting at County Hall for Opposition Spokespersons, I asked the Director of Scientific Services to check out the legal position of dealers buying,selling and holding metals, lead, copper etc. There have been serious thefts of metals in Wyre Forest recently, and in our adjoining local government areas. Church buildings have suffered from metal theft, as have local businesses and private individuals.

What is the legal position on metal trading? Does it have to take place at registered sites? Surely, all transactions have to be recorded, not least of all for tax purposes?

When I get my answer, I hope that Worcestershire County Council can offer further help to the public and police in the effort to stop metal theft and illegal trading. Publicity of the legal situation would at least spell out the penalties for illegal trading, which can lead to prosecutions and prison and raise public awareness of the issue.

It was a Happy Birthday for the NHS – 60 years old on 5th July 2008!

We celebrated in Kidderminster under the Town Hall clock – Jamie, Jenny, Gren, Christine, Barry, Tristan, Neena Gill MEP, and myself – balloons, the stall, leaflets and Petitions.

We collected 105 signatures in just under an hour for a Palliative Care Bed Unit for Kidderminster Hospital! The total now stands at 2,163. The rain held off, but it was very, very, windy! I am grateful to all our helpers, and those members of the public who signed up for more services at Kidderminster Hospital. I presented the first part of this Petition to the Chief Executive of Worcestershire PCT a few weeks ago. Local people want more services at Kidderminster Hospital – a Palliative Care Unit and a Radiotherapy Unit (6,000 signatures collected for that).

Earlier in the day we attended a Regional European Forum held at a venue above the Severn Valley Railway Museum in Kidderminster. It was led by Neena Gill MEP and Michael Cashman MEP. Mike Kelly was there and party members from accross the West MIdlands. Dan and Jo Watson had organised the event and our co – hosts were the Community Union. The issues for the European Election in June 2009 were given air time against the background of the now annual World War 2 dressing up festival whereby hundreds of civilians dress in British and other army uniforms, accompanied by their ladies in 40′s attire, just like Corporal Jones from “Dads Army” with his partner Mrs Fox!

The steam trains were brilliant and the festivities took place against a backdrop of 1940′s songs (Live Band and recorded), all of which were drowned out occasionally by the very realistic air-raid sirens, dive bombers and spitfire recordings over the tannoy!

Michael and Neena could still be heard to get their message accross!! All in all, it was a very positive day,with many ideas and views exchanged.

Town Centre Watch

Jamie Shaw working hard for Stourport and Areley Kings.

At its meeting on 1st July, Stourport Town Council accepted my motion to write to the Head Offices of “Blockbuster Videos” and “Threshers”, to request that their shopfronts be repainted. This action is requested because it is an obvious way to improve the town centre’s appearance. However, I made it clear that the more complex matters involving other agencies’ participation in town centre refurbishment must not be forgotten and that it would be reasonable to expect feedback from them by the time of our next meeting, in August.

Meanwhile, I am pleased to hear that it is proposed to re-form the Stourport Town Centre Forum and to accept the invitation to be involved.

New Police Presence on Walshes Estate Welcomed

Jamie Shaw working hard for Stourport and Areley Kings.

A planning application to convert 36 Old Ford Walk into an office for local officers has been passed. I welcome this development, which I have been advocating for the last couple of years, albeit not at this precise location. The office will not be for public access, only administration. However, as I see it, there will be at least two beneficial effects. Because there will be less need to return to Stourport Police Station, officers will be in their beat area for longer. Also, their daily presence here, right in the centre of the estate, is bound to improve contact with local residents, which should benefit everyone.

This little local development is, of course, part of a wider Labour Govenment strategy to strengthen neighbourhood policing. Labour is fighting crime and the causes of crime.