Councillor Mary Locke’s quarterly ward meeting is due to take place on 8th February, online.
A packed agenda includes information on retrofitting and a route to net zero, presented by Tonia Clark, principal officer at Route to Zero Carbon. There will also be an update on Pineapple Station fromHayley Bradbury from Transport for West Midlands and Phil Edwards, Assistant Director Transport & Connectivity for Birmingham City Council. The last guest speaker will be Rachel West from the Council, who will provide an update on the projects within the ward that were successful in getting Community Infrastructure Levy funding. Finally Councillor Locke will provide a Ward Plan update and there will be a chance for any other business at the end of the meeting.
It is time to update Stirchley’s Ward Action Plan for 2022 – 2026.
Ward Plans are Birmingham City Council documents designed to be used by residents, councillors, and local stakeholders. They are created by the ward councillor/s in collaboration with residents and are meant to be a tool, to encourage engagement and action around local-level topics and issues that matter to local people.
The new Ward Action Plan template is split into six themes which are important topics for all wards across the city. However, there may be aspects of those topics where there is more or less need in different wards. The process of setting priorities, goals and actions allows wards to focus in on the issues that matter most and find locally achievable solutions.
Wards do not need to identify a priority for each theme. The Council advises identifying between three and six priorities to work towards in each ward’s plans. These are flexible documents and so they can be revised as needed.
Birmingham City Council suggests the following themes;
Prosperous
Inclusive
Safe
Healthy
Green
Local
The Council has also given some examples of how these themes might be applied within areas. A readable version of the PDF can be found here.
Stirchley’s councillor Mary Locke is keen to hear from residents and community groups about what they would like to see in Stirchley’s Ward Action Plan. If you have any ideas that you would like to include, please bring them to the January Forum meeting on Monday 9th January 2023 or contact Councillor Locke directly.
The first iteration of Stirchley’s Ward Action Plan needs to be submitted by Councillor Locke to the Council by Monday 16th January 2023.
There are no collections on Boxing Day / Monday 26 December 2022. Those due general waste collection have their next collection scheduled for Monday 2 January and recycling on Monday 9 January 2023.
There will be collections of recycling only on Tuesday 27 December 2022, which is a Bank Holiday. General waste collection on this day have their next collection scheduled for Tuesday 3 January 2023.
All over days over the festive period, including Bank Holiday Monday 2 January 2023 will be collected as usual.
The Council expect additional waste created during this time. Reasonable amounts of “side waste” will be taken over the Christmas and new year period (2-3 sacks). Anyone with extra cardboard is asked to bundle it with string and place next to their recycling bin on their next scheduled collection day – the bundle must not be any taller or wider than the bin itself.
For those who do not wish to wait, the city’s network of four Household Recycling Centres will be open every day across the festive period, apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Visits must be booked in advance.
The Mobile Household Recycling Centre will return to Stirchley, this time in the Morrisons car park, on 15th December from 7am until 12 midday.
Refuse management staff from Lifford Lane tip will be on hand to help ensure your items go in the right bins.
CAN BE RECYCLED: Recycle any household rubbish that cannot be reused; standard recycling materials that usually go in your recycling; garden waste; bigger items like toys or small household items. Batteries, lightbulbs, small electronics etc can be recycled.
NOT ACCEPTED: Building materials, white goods (like fridges), hazardous materials and larger items will not be accepted.
No commercial waste can legally be accepted at any of the MHRC’s and any such material will be turned away. Vans are accepted at the MHRC’s subject to a 10 item limitation and a legal declaration that the waste presented is not commercial in nature. As with the Bulky Waste Collection service 2 black bags equals 1 item.
Birmingham City Council has produced a leaflet to offer guidance to residents on support available during the cost of living crisis in the UK. They want to support as many residents as possible and have provided information on a network of warm spaces, advice on money & benefits, energy efficiency and food support.
A small selection of the information from the leaflet is available below. You can see the whole Help in Brum leaflet here.
Warm Welcome
The Council are working with the local community and a partnership of voluntary and community sector organisations to expand a network of warm spaces. These spaces will be available for people to use and visit during the winter period and beyond. There are several existing Warm Welcome Spaces within local communities across the city. Warm Welcome Spaces are inclusive, non-judgmental, heated, and free to access.
You can find details of current Birmingham Warm Welcome Spaces at www.birmingham.gov.uk/warmwelcome Keeping checking back online as more spaces will be launched weekly.
Benefits and Money Advice
During the cost of living crisis, it is also important to ensure you have access to the right benefits and money advice for you. There are several information portals below which can help.
To find out what benefits you are entitled to, it is best to use the Benefits Calculator provided by the Government. Find out more by using this link www.gov.uk/check-benefits-financial-support
Birmingham City Council has also developed several support factsheets which provide useful information on a range of debt related issues. You can view and download Information on www.birmingham.gov.uk/debtadviceteam
Energy Efficiency
As energy costs rise we are committed to reducing energy bills and helping everyone to keep warm as we head into the winter months. There are several schemes already available for residents, with full information and guidance available at www.birmingham.gov.uk/energyhelp
Food Support
The cost of living crisis has made it much more difficult for many people to afford food. If this is something you are experiencing, there are several information points below which can help.
If you are 10 weeks pregnant or more, have a child under four years old, or you or your family get certain benefits, you may be able to qualify for a Healthy Start card. To find out more and way to apply visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/healthystart
