Your help needed to release funds for local use

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Since 2011, under the terms of a Government initiative called the New Homes Bonus Scheme, Bromsgrove District Council (BDC) receives money every time a new home is registered for council tax. You help is needed to make sure that this money is used locally.This ‘bonus’ is not a one-off payment, it is paid each year for 6 years. To illustrate the sums of money involved, Hagley Residents’ Action Group estimate that, in 2013/14, the District Council will receive approximately £688,000.

The Housing Minister stated that the intention of the Scheme was for communities affected by additional new housing to be consulted on where the money should be spent and for that money to be passed to those communities (ideally via parish councils ). However, Bromsgrove District Council has decided not to consult its local communities and has put all the money arising from the Scheme into a central District Council pot.

Your Parish Council believes that this is unfair and is encouraging residents to sign an e-petition launched by Hagley Residents’ Action Group.

The purpose of the petition is to demonstrate the strength of public opposition to the District Council’s decision. 1,250 signatures are required to trigger a debate at a full meeting of the District Council.

With major house building occurring across the district, not only in Barnt Green, but in areas such as Catshill, Hagley, Norton Farm and Wythall, a change in policy would release thousands of pounds for use within the parishes where developments such as that to be built on Fiery Hill Road have been approved.

Please take a moment to sign the e-petition at www.newhomes.epetitions.net

Sign up NOW for the Barnt Green Sport Relief mile

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On Sunday 23 March 2014 take part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile hosted by the Barnt Green Chuggers and Barnt Green Parish Council. Sign up now!

Dust off those trainers and walk, jog or run (or hop, skip, jump …) around the 1 mile village-based route or be more adventurous and try either the 3 mile or 6 mile off-road route taking you past the Bittell Reservoirs!

Don’t miss out. Follow this link and snap up your place on the Barnt Green Mile now!

Half price entry fees available for a limited period only.

Local bus services ‘at risk’

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In a bid to save £30 million pounds per year, Worcestershire County Council is actively considering ending the subsidies that support the provision of many local bus services. Among the services at risk are all the buses (145, 182 and 183) serving the residents of Barnt Green. Make your voice heard before 17 January.

The County Council estimates that it pays a subsidy of £1.66 for each of the near 41,000 passengers using the 145 service each year. The equivalent subsidy for users of the 182 and 183 service is estimated to be £1.06.

As part of its Transport Review, the County Council have launched an online consultation on the withdrawal of these subsidised bus services.  The consultation period closes on Friday 17 January.

Although the Parish Council is responding to the consultation it is important that as many local residents as possible make their voices heard. It is unthinkable that local residents who depend on these services should see them withdrawn.

Disruption will lead to long term rail improvements

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Network Rail has confirmed services will stop between Redditch and Longbridge while work on a £20million improvement scheme takes place from 6 July and 1 September 2014. It will see an extra section of track laid between Redditch and Barnt Green along with a second platform at Alvechurch.

It is intended that, from December 2014, three trains an hour will run each way between Redditch and Birmingham.

A replacement bus service will operate during the eight week period with some running directly from the Redditch station to Longbridge and others picking up from Alvechurch and Barnt Green. This will add about 22 minutes to journey times. A full timetable is expected to be released in the Spring.

London Midland, which runs the Cross City line, will also take the opportunity to upgrade the mechanical reliability of locomotives running on the route and has invested in ten new trains elsewhere on the network as well, which will free up more modern engines to run on the line.

For more information see the article published by the Redditch Standard on Thursday 24 October.

Community walk a great success

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On Saturday 28 September nearly 200 walkers of all ages turned out to support the Barnt Green community walk and pig roast organised by Barnt Green Parish Council.

There were 4 guided walks, varying in length from 6.5 miles to 2.5 miles, which passed many local beauty spots including the Worcester and Birmingham canal, Upper and Lower Bittell Reservoirs, Cofton Church, Lickey Visitors Centre and woods.

The walks celebrated the recent agreement with Worcestershire County Council to sign and promote a new footpath called The Barnt Green Circular.

Amanda Hill, Worcestershire Countryside Volunteers Officer, led a very well supported walk from Barnt Green to Upper Bittell reservoir. After the walk, Amanda commented:

I am delighted with the new Barnt Green Circular Walk. In the next few weeks, the County Council will publish the route and erect signage along the footpath to enable walkers throughout the county, and beyond, to enjoy the beautiful and varied countryside surrounding Barnt Green.

Charles Hotham, Vice-Chair of Barnt Green Parish Council, indicated that he had been delighted with the turnout which had been helped by perfect weather and the promise of a pig roast organised by local Barnt Green butcher, Warwick, and the village off-licence, Vinalia.

The event also provided an opportunity to highlight the work of Worcestershire Countryside Volunteers who help to maintain and improve pathways throughout the county. If you are interested in helping with this work please contact Amanda Hill at .

Parish Council responds to Fiery Hill Road proposals

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Banner Homes’ application (13/0522) for the external appearance, layout, scale and landscaping of up to 88 dwellings on land adjacent to Fiery Hill Road is likely to be considered at the Planning Committee meeting scheduled for 4 November.
The Parish Council has submitted a robust response drawing attention to a number of perceived problems with the application.

The Parish Council has submitted the following evidence arguing that the application ought not to be permitted.

Application 13/0522: Covering letter
Application 13/0522: Comments on appearance
Application 13/0522: Comments on Landscaping
Application 13/0522: Comments on Layout
Application 13/0522: Comments on Scale

Community walk and pig roast

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On Saturday 28 September you are invited to participate in the Barnt Green community walk and pig roast. You can choose from four guided walks varying from 6.5 miles to 2.5 miles.

The walks will start and finish at the Friends’ Meeting House in Sandhills Road, Barnt Green and take in many local beauty spots including the Worcester and Birmingham canal, Upper and Lower Bittell Reservoirs, Cofton Church, Lickey Visitors Centre and woods. Children are very welcome (there will be a trail quiz) but, if under 16, should be accompanied by a responsible adult.

All the walks should arrive back at the Friends’ Meeting House at about 5:30pm in time for a pig roast in Millennium Park. Individuals and families are invited to just come along on the day and join in. The timetable is:

From 1:30pm     Local walks exhibition in the Friends’ Meeting House.

2:00pm: Walk 1 (6.5 miles) leaves Barnt Green for Withybed Green, the Worcester and Birmingham canal, Bittell reservoirs, Cofton Church, Lickey Woods and Visitors Centre returning to Barnt Green.

3:00pm: Walk 2 (5 miles) leaves Barnt Green for Withybed Green, the Worcester and Birmingham canal, Bittell reservoirs returning to Barnt Green.

3:30pm: Walk 3 (4 miles) leaves Barnt Green for Cofton Church, Lickey Woods and Visitors Centre returning to Barnt Green.

4:00pm: Walk 4 (2.5 miles) leaves Barnt Green for Bittell reservoir returning to Barnt Green.

5:30pm: Pig Roast (finishing at 7.30pm).

Can you help?

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The Parish Council is looking to recruit volunteers to assist with weekly safety checks of the play equipment at Millennium Park and Parker’s Piece.

The work is not onerous requiring a weekly visual check of the equipment and completion of a tick box report confirming that the check has been made and identifying any areas of concern Volunteers are covered by the Parish Council’s insurance and full training is given.

For further details please contact the Executive Officer or call into the Parish Council office at 80 Hewell Road.

Awards for hanging baskets

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Each year the Parish Council distributes hanging baskets throughout the village. This year they were judged by local horticulturalist, Jackie Hardy.

Many of the hanging baskets are located outside shops and looked after by individual retailers. Councillors would like to thank all those who have looked after the baskets through the summer and added colour to the village. Jackie judged the awards as follows:

1st place:   Tony’s Handyman
2nd place:   Viva Hairdressers
3rd place:   Continental Collection
Highly commended:   Barnt Green Antiques

Midland Sinfonia

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The Midland Sinfonia invite you to an evening of ‘Heroic Music’ at the Artrix Arts Centre on Saturday 12 October.

Richard Laing, conductor and Nathaniel Vallois, guest soloist.

£16 for adults
£5 for full time students and registered unemployed
Children free if accompanied by a adult.

Tickets are available at www.artrix.co.uk or by calling 01527 577330.