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Council called to end uncertainty over Lambeth Close plan

SOLIHULL Council has faced calls to end the agonising uncertainty of residents who are unsure if their bungalows will be demolished in the years ahead.
Councillor Chris Williams (Green, Chelmsley Wood) has urged the local authority to categorically
rule out plans to bulldoze around a dozen homes in Lambeth Close.
Residents have had the threat of demolition hanging over them ever since proposals to pull down the properties were included in the council’s Local Plan, which was adopted in 2013.
This document is now being revised and, encouragingly, the updated version makes no mention of the cul-de-sac.
Coun Williams believes, however, that it is down to the local authority to clarify the situation and dispel residents’ fears once and for all.
“The council owns all of the bungalows, which are managed by Solihull Community Housing (SCH), so they could rule out demolition of them right now if they wanted to,” he said.
“It would really put people’s minds at rest. These are the homes of elderly people who really deserve to be left in peace and know for sure their homes are safe for as long as they want them.”
Some of those living in Lambeth Close were interviewed by Radio WM last month and highlighted how difficult the past few years had been.
One of the residents said: “There’s nothing fair about this at all. We here are a very happy community, we’re happy in our homes, we’ve been here for years...and nobody wants to move.
“It’s not just destroying the buildings we live in, it’s destroying our lives.”
Coun Ian Courts, Deputy Leader of the Council, acknowledged that Lambeth Close did not feature in the revised Local Plan, which is currently out for consultation.

Police take steps to tackle Castle Brom bike riders

VICIOUS CYCLE: The group have caused problems along Chester Road.

POLICE have pledged to tackle the problem of teenagers on push bikes causing chaos on local roads.
In recent weeks, a group of 15-20 youths have been performing stunts along the Chester Road, infuriating motorists.
Resident Ian Yeomans had told a parish council meeting last week that many concerned locals had been given the impression that “it was not a priority.”
Others were worried they could be held liable if one of the bikes rode into their car - a suggestion strongly refuted by West Midlands Police.
Inspector Allan Green said that police policy prevented officers from pursuing the riders - who often aren't wearing helmets - and that a chase could result in a young person being "seriously injured."
However, he rejected claims that the force was failing to act and confirmed that officers had successfully identified a large number of the group, after confronting them at KFC earlier this month.
The police will now be paying visits to their homes, liaising with local schools and taking other steps to deter those involved.
Insp Green pointed to the success of a similar crackdown on off-road bikes fairly recently, although he insisted there was a marked difference between the two groups.
“These groups on off-road bikes are nasty, hardened criminals that you wouldn’t want to get in front of. These kids on push bikes… a lot of them aren’t bad kids.
“They are part of a group that has got a bit too confident, a bit too brave and at the moment they haven’t seen the consequence of what they’ve done.”

Residents grill police inspector at Castle Bromwich meeting

A SENIOR police officer has admitted that “painful” budget cuts mean that the old methods of policing - such as routine foot patrols - are having to make way for more modern tactics.
Insp Allan Green, head of neighbourhood policing in Meriden, told residents in Castle Bromwich that fewer staff and changes in criminal activity had left the force with no choice but to adopt new ways of working
Addressing last Wednesday's packed parish council meeting, during which frustration about crime in the suburb often bubbled over, he acknowledged that the most recent restructure, which took place in November, had been challenging.
But Insp Green insisted officers were doing all they could with the resources available and remained optimistic that standards would improve once the new system had bedded in.
“Some of these cuts have been brutal. A lot of people have lost their jobs. And it isn’t easy, I’m not going to lie to you,” he told the meeting.
He added he was “genuinely hopeful” that the changes would bear fruit and that the situation would be helped by the end of a long-standing recruitment freeze.
“We are far, far ahead of other forces in terms of modernising our police service going forward.”
Dozens of residents had descended on Arden Hall to make their feelings known about the police response to offences in the neighbourhood.
Many were concerned there wasn't a visible presence anymore or felt that their calls for problems to be addressed had gone unanswered.
One local man, from Springfield Road, criticised the handling of an attempted break-in at his home earlier this month.
He revealed that two masked men had attempted to force entry through the front door while his terrified teenage daughter was  in the house.
She had dialled 999, but a call handler based in West Bromwich had cancelled the emergency response.
The family were also frustrated that police had not collected evidence from the address – the men’s car was caught on CCTV – and claimed they had been told at one stage that the offenders may have been trying the door “because they had got the wrong house.”
“People are losing faith that you will respond… and criminals are gaining a little bit more confidence as they know you are not going to be there,” said the resident.
Insp Green said he would look into the handling of the incident.
Coun Pauline Allen, from Castle Bromwich Parish Council, had suggested that a dedicated event to discuss the situation be arranged at a future date.
The turnout for last week's meeting was so great - after news of the inspector's attendance spread on social media - that what was supposed to be a 15 minute briefing ended up as a 90 minute Q&A with residents. The rest of the parish council's planned agenda was put back until a later date.

• We will be posting a separate story tomorrow on the group of young people on push bikes that have been causing problems along the Chester Road and what is being done to tackle the problem.

CTC's warning over trainers

A LOCAL school was less than amused when more than 100 of its students turned up yesterday (Friday) wearing trainers.
A bogus note - which had circulated on social media - encouraged pupils to get their parents to write a note giving them permission to wear the footwear.
Sure enough dozens turned up at the CTC Kingshurst Academy with trainers on and a note signed by their parents.
Vice principal Nichola Davies said: "Please can I remind parents that trainers are not school uniform.
"All students wearing them on Monday will be seen by the principal and sent home by members of the inclusion team."

Meriden MP says EU referendum result must be "respected"

MERIDEN MP Caroline Spelman has confirmed she will vote in favour of beginning the process to leave the European Union (EU).
Dame Caroline issued a statement on her website to clarify her position after receiving a number of emails from constituents asking whether she would support triggering Article 50 - the step which will mark the start of formal negotiations over Britain's departure.
"Whilst I did campaign for the UK to remain in the EU, I have been clear that the result of the ballot box must be respected," she said.
"The majority of my constituents voted to leave, therefore when Parliament is given a vote on triggering Article 50, I will vote to invoke it."
In last summer's referendum, 56 per cent of voters supported Brexit in Meriden.
Over six months on, the issue remains bitterly divisive, with some MPs having confirmed that they will vote against triggering Article 50 when the matter comes before the House of Commons next week.

Man killed on Marston Green rail line

A MAN has died after being hit by a train at Marston Green Station earlier today (Thursday).
Paramedics were called to the scene at around 1.20pm following reports of a collision.
British Transport Police have confirmed that the man, who has not been named, had been confirmed dead at the scene.
The incident caused major congestion on the region's rail routes, with many services delayed or cancelled.
The line between Birmingham International and New Street was disrupted for much of the afternoon, although London Midland has said that services have now resumed.