Well, Where Do I Start?!?

OK, let's start with the Conservative successes. There weren't any local elections in Birmingham yesterday, except for a by-election in Lozells and East Handsworth. Not exactly fertile Tory territory you might think.

Well actually, we polled 1,622 votes and went from 4% of the vote last year to 23% this year. This is a huge swing and proof in itself that people everywhere are turning to the Conservatives.

Now lets look at the national picture - the graphic below shows the current state of play (thanks BBC):



Bearing in mind that we've had several successful years on the trot already, this is a brilliant result for us. Closest to home, we're now in control of Staffordshire and Derbyshire, which Labour had controlled since (wait for it!) 1981. We've also taken Devon and Somerset from the Lib Dems - we're winning everywhere.

If you look at a projected share of the national vote, we're comfortably ahead with Labour now in third place.

In other news, I've been trying to keep track of what's been happening at No 10 today, but in all honesty there's just too much madness going on to know where to start.

Apparently Sir Alan Sugar's going to become a lord and made some kind of enterprise or business tsar. This is the guy who, in last year's series of The Apprentice, awarded the job to someone who admitted lying on his CV. Hardly inspiring stuff.

And then we have Caroline Flint's final salvo as she returns to a life on the backbenches, 'Several of the women attending Cabinet - myself included - have been treated by you as little more than female window dressing.' She also points out that although she was Europe minister until today (a position that's been taken over by Glenys Kinnock?!?), she wasn't even invited to the Cabinet meeting preceeding yesterday's European elections!

Gordon Brown has transformed No 10, that venerable and internationally respected British symbol of good governance, and home to generation after generation of statesmen, into his own version of the Big Brother House. But he can't hold on forever. We will all have our say before much longer.

I look forward to the day when David Cameron and his team start restoring dignity and common sense as the next Conservative government.

European Parliament Elections TOMORROW, Thursday 4th June

Don't forget to vote for the West Midlands Conservatives team tomorow!

Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm and you don't need your polling card to vote.

If you'd like to know more about the candidates, please have a look at the following:

http://is.gd/NlMP

Harborne Pool Taking Shape

On Wednesday, nearly all of the Councillors across the Constituency met to discuss important local issues.

Top of the list was Harborne Pool, which the Conservative-led Council is committed to rebuilding on its current site. The pool is very popular with Quinton ward residents, especially those who live in the 'B17' part of the ward.

I inspected the plans along with fellow Quinton Councillors Jane James and Len Clark (pictured). There are some very interesting features, including fitness rooms and a grassed roof.

I asked some questions about the suitability of the building in an urban context. A lot of wood is being used externally to improve the visual impact of the building, and I was interested to know how easily any graffiti could be removed from wood. I was informed that the wood facings would not be used on the ground floor. I also asked what features are being designed in to prevent the flat areas, kerbs and so on being poached by skateboarders, and I was assured that this will be addressed at the detailed design stage.

A lot of thought has gone into the plans, and I look forward to the day when residents of Quinton, Harborne and elsewhere can enjoy our new pool.

European Election Canvassing

I started the day at the launch of the West Midlands Conservatives European election campaign, which the Party held in Edgbaston constituency (which includes Quinton). We heard from many excellent speakers, including all of our European candidates, Cllr Deirdre Alden, Parliamentary Spokesman for the constituency, Cllr Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, leading local businesspeople and others.

Then the real work started - I took a joint team from Birmingham University Conservative Future and City Branch over to Quinton, where we did several hours canvassing. The responses on the doorstep were very positive; we're set for a great result on 4th June, and we're ready for the General Election, whenever it comes.

Supporting Our Forces

Today, I spent a very worthwhile evening attending a presentation by the Royal Air Force at the Jaguar plant. I met many serving members of the RAF and members of the Air Cadets.

I was interested to see the varied career options available to those who wish to join, and the RAF's array of aircraft and other vehicles and equipment is second to none.

I'm always pleased to be able to support any of our armed services. They have a tough and demanding job to do and deserve our support.

Pictured with me are the The Right Worshipful, The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Birmingham and the The Worshipful The Mayor and Mayoress of Solihull.

Stop Press!!!

The new pedestrian crossing for Woodhouse Primary School is NOW WORKING!!!

And the Number 10 bus is SAVED - thank you Central Connect! And thanks Cllr Deirdre Alden and others for organising the petition!

Pitt's Wood Open Day

Today, Cllr Deirdre Alden and I went along to the Pitt's Wood open day. Pitt's Wood is a piece of woodland behind Overdale Road and there are some committed volunteers who make it a great resource for local children and adults alike.

One of the volunteers was showing the kids how to make bird and bat boxes. I helped with some weeding and litter picking.

All very worthwhile, and I got to take home a bat box too! It turns out that you're supposed to face them South - the opposite direction to bird boxes. Now I all I need to do is work out where in my garden to put it...

Welsh House Farm Off-Licence Application

Quinton's Parliamentary Spokesman Cllr Deirdre Alden, Quinton Councillor Len Clark and I met with Welsh House Farm residents yesterday to discuss an alcohol licence application from Wisley Way News. The shop has applied to sell alcohol from 8am to 10pm, seven days a week.

The residents we spoke to were very concerned that this would lead to a rise in antisocial behaviour, just when we're starting to see improvements in Welsh House Farm. We've recently improved much of the Council housing in the area. We've coated local cable TV boxes with anti-graffiti paint. And of course, Conservative activists from all over the country renovated a local community centre in the 'We Love WHF' project.

There's a petition going round to object to the proposals and I've asked the Police to consider their views on the application too.

Bob's Got on his Bike!

Quinton ward resident Bob Holland is cycling all the way to France to raise money for the Little Sisters of the Poor, who run a residential care home for older people in Harborne. Bob was inspired to raise money for the home after his uncle became a resident there about eighteen months ago.

Bob says, 'I have seen at first hand how, with extraordinary dedication, the nuns, their staff and team of volunteers have created a wonderful home. The quality of the surroundings and service is exceptional and I felt compelled to do as much as I could to raise funds for them.'

Bob will be taking part in the London to Paris Cycle Challenge, which takes place over three days this June. It will also be a very personal challenge for Bob, as he took up cycling only three years ago to regain fitness after surgery for cancer.

I'm very pleased to support Bob in his bid to raise thousands for St Joseph's. If you wish to sponsor him yourself, you can find out more at http://www.bobthebikeman.co.uk/.

Below Inflation 1.9% Council Tax Increase - FOURTH Year in a Row!!!

On Tuesday, the Conservative-led Council passed the annual budget, setting your Council Tax increase to only 1.9% - below inflation for the fourth year in a row. This means that it's the fourth effective cut to your Council Tax in a row.

The Labour group looked thoroughly demoralised at the meeting and for the first time in years didn't even present an alternative budget. So the voters of Birmingham have no idea where they stand. What would they spend your money on? How would they pay for essential services? Would they cut or raise your Council Tax?

Why they've given up this opportunity to participate in the normal democratic process is anyone's guess, but the most likely explanation is that they're so riven with splits and divisions that they simply couldn't agree amongst themselves.

In the meantime, we'll get on with the job of running Birmingham effectively and efficiently.

Cable TV Box in Purbeck Croft / Moreton Close / Wisley Way Area

If you live in the Purbeck Croft / Moreton Close / Wisley Way Area, you might have noticed some unsightly graffiti on a cable TV box. I noticed it too and arranged for the box to get the 'green paint treatment' I've mentioned before.

The photos above show 'before' and 'after'.

City Branch Interview

Conservative City Branch, which is the branch of the Party for Birmingham's city centre professionals, has recently interviewed me. Check it out at the following address:

http://www.citybranch.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=1&Itemid=58

Cable Boxes Going Green!

As promised, the programme to paint cable boxes in a special green anti-graffiti paint is in full swing. We're confident that this will reduce the amount of graffiti in Quinton and continue the upward trend of keeping Quinton clean and green.

Also have a look at Cllr Deirdre Alden's blog for news about new measures to reduce speeding in Quinton Ward:

http://deirdrealden.blogspot.com/2009/01/road-safety-measures-in-quinton.html

Police Halloween Events a Fantastic Success

Last Friday, I helped out at the Police’s Halloween night event on West Boulevard. The event was attended by hundreds of local people. I was glad to be able to help in what was a triumph for the local Police and community. The event featured a disco and traditional party games including apple bobbing. The Police also ran an event in Onneley House for older people, which was also a great success – well done!

The Clangers

I came home from Full Council a couple of hours ago and tonight was a spirited affair. Doubtless the main debates will be covered by others so I just want to point out a couple of clangers dropped by none other that the leader and deputy leader of the Council's Labour group.

Sir Albert Bore told us about someone who's apparently been paying rent on a three-bedroom Council property where only two of the bedrooms are accessible. If true, this needs to be sorted out, but he also mentioned that this has been going on for the last fifteen years. That means eleven years under the old Labour administration!

Ian Ward then admitted that his constituency of Hodge Hill had intentionally overspent their budget to avoid 'their' money being taken off them the following year! Deliberately overspending taxpayers' money to get even more taxpayers' money - appalling, but sadly a typical Labour attitude.

Anyway, I'm off to watch an election. Let's hope there might be another one closer to home before long.

At the Haven Centre in Welsh House Farm

The We Love Welsh House Farm project is in full swing! One of the main activities is renovating The Haven Centre on Rilstone Road, which is a great centre for community activities. Conservative volunteers from all over Birmingham and further afield have been pitching in and the place is taking shape. We're always on the lookout for more volunteers - it's a very rewarding way to spend an evening! Let me know if you can help.

New Video about Local Post Office Closures

No commentary necessary for this one - it speaks for itself. Thanks to Simon Russell for making it.

'Build it, and they will come'

Before I kick off, I'd better say that these are my views and I try to represent the positions of everyone there as I saw them.

Today was my second Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee and I think everyone there would agree that passions were running high. The main business was scrutinising the proposals for the new GP-led health centres that are being planned by Birmingham's Primary Care Trusts.

I don't think that there was much disagreement on the Committee that some people do have problems in accessing GP services. I myself have had the experience of phoning at precisely 8am to try to get an appointment, only to find that the phone rang so long that BT disconnected the call. All subsequent calls were met with the engaged tone and when I paid a personal visit a few minutes later, I was told that all appointments had already gone. But that's not the point.
Why does this happen? Is it government targets creating a narrow time window that GPs are then judged against? Is it GPs not responding to patient need? Are there too few GPs?

Well, whatever the cause, the government and Birmingham's Primary Care Trusts think they have the answer. It's 'GP-led health centres'. These are something of a departure from traditional GP surgeries. They're commissioned and funded directly by the Primary Care Trusts. Any company can bid to run one. They will probably have some kind of walk-in facility and maybe a pharmacy.

So far, so good you might say. Here are some of the reservations I have.

First of all, the Primary Care Trusts have basically been told to implement them by April 2009. It was quite clear to me that exactly what services these centres should be providing hasn't been worked out first. The whole idea seems to be, 'build it, and they will come'. There's also the issue of whether April 2009 is a realistic timescale.

On a similar note, we were told that there was nothing to stop existing GPs from forming companies and bidding for the work. We were also told that there was nothing to stop GPs from expanding their existing surgeries to provide the services that are being put to tender. However, the Primary Care Trusts already seem to have decided that these will be new centres, new buildings, new facilities. They're already scouting for locations. Perhaps it was always the intention to build new buildings, because that's the easiest way of showing the public that there's been an improvement in an area. The GPs that presented to us clearly thought that there was no prospect of successfully bidding for the work to be provided from existing, expanded surgeries.

Another issue is patient records. There's an intention from the Primary Care Trusts for patient records to be available in the new centres, but no apparent detail of how they will make this happen. Clearly the government's grand Connecting for Health programme won't be finished by April 2009 so personally I think there's little or no prospect of this.

Finally, there's a serious question over whether this will really increase the amount of GP services in any area over the longer term. It doesn't necessarily take a large number of people leaving an existing surgery (maybe for good reason, maybe not) for that surgery to become unviable and to close altogether. This would force the rest of the patients, who may well have been happy with the service, to seek an alternative. In the end, all we may be left with is the closure of most of the 'traditional' GP surgeries in the area, leaving people with no choice but to go somewhere where they see a different doctor every time and which may end up being as busy as the surgeries they were supposed to augment.

It's particularly interesting that one of the new centres is likely to be built in Selly Oak, with a large, transient student population. At present, the surgeries there are dependent on the influx of new students replacing the efflux. If a brand spanking new attractive centre is built, the existing surgeries may see a decline in their numbers of patients through no fault of their own.

One of the Councillors said that she'd received an assurance from the Primary Care Trusts that no existing GP surgeries will close as a result of all of this. I don't think that the Primary Care Trusts are in a position to give that assurance. A surgery might close for all sorts of reasons - is the Primary Care Trust going to stand up on every occasion and say, 'That's down to the new Health Centre, so we'll accept responsibility and help them?'

The only 'assurance' that I could get was that the PCTs will 'work with' existing GP surgeries. I must say that I was surprised that such an explicit assurance was necessary - I would have thought that it would have gone without saying!

In the end, this is all supposed to be about choice. My concern is that, in the rush for more choice, we will ultimately end up with less.

Welsh House Farm Family Fun Day

Just found time to put up a couple of photos of the Welsh House Farm Family Fun Day a week last Sunday. Great day!

Councillors Support our Troops and Help Cut Food Waste

Along with Cllr Matt Bennet from Stockland Green (centre) and Cllr Gareth Compton from Erdington (right), I've asked the Lord Mayor to help us support British troops in the field by donating money that would be spent on meals for us to a local regiment.

At the end of each Full Council meeting, all Councillors are provided with a meal, whether or not we choose to eat it. We've asked that a sum equivalent to the cost of the meal (approximately £14 per head, ten times per year) is donated to the 26th Regiment Royal Artillery, a regiment with close ties to the City and which the Council voted this month to grant permission to march through the City.

We hope that by making this gesture we can, in some small way, show our gratitude to the men and women who serve tirelessly to keep us all safe.

In addition, food waste is a hot topic at the moment. Rather than dishing out lectures, we thought it only right to set a practical example.