Castle Bromwich Community Website

Solihull companies are urged to take advantage of a new £1 million loan fund aimed at financing local business growth and job creation.

The Business Loan Fund, launched by Solihull Council alongside Finance Birmingham, is available to small and medium limited companieswith a two year trading record within the area who are seeking finance to propel their business forward and have previously been unable to access funding.

Offering between £100,000 to £200,000 and repayable over five years, the fund aims to boost the local economy and enable companies to use the finance flexibly, from working capital to capital expenditure proposals. 

For full details please contact the Business Support Team on 0121 704 6151 or visit www.solihullforsuccess.com.

Opening hours at branch libraries in Solihull will reduce from 1 April 2013.

Solihull Council carried out a 12 week consultation during December 2011 to February 2012 to seek people’s views on when they do and do not want to use the libraries.

Cabinet Member for Community Services, Councillor Mrs Kate Wild considered the feedback from the consultation as well as data about actual visitor counts, and approved a revised set of opening hours.

The new opening hours will ensure that the 10 branch libraries are only open when people are actually using and want to use them. The reduced hours will save over £50,000 every year in line with the measures set out in the Council’s approved Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The changes include opening the libraries at later times, closing earlier, and closing some libraries for short periods at lunch time.

There would be no more than five hours per week reduction at any one library and there are no proposed changes to the borough’s three large libraries: Solihull Central, Shirley and Chelmsley Wood.

The new hours do mean a reduced staff requirement. Library staff have been briefed about the changes and will be given the opportunity to either complete their full contracted hours by working in more than one library or, reduce their contracted hours. If this is not possible, the next stage would be to try and redeploy people to other areas of the library service or to other jobs within the Council.

Cabinet Member for Community Services, Councillor Mrs Kate Wild: “At a time when libraries in other areas of the country are closing, I am pleased that we are able to maintain a high quality library service in Solihull.

“Instead of closing libraries, we have achieved efficiencies through innovation and providing our services in a different way. For example, by joining forces with Warwickshire County Council to provide the mobile library service, introducing new technology such as self service kiosks in libraries and developing our online services.

“We have listened to people’s views about when they do and do not want to use the libraries and the new opening hours should ensure that the range of services that we offer are both affordable and meet the needs of the local community.”

The Library and Information service along with other Council services, has to find significant financial savings over the next three years as part of the Council’s approved Medium Term Financial Strategy. The strategy sets out how the Council will meet the challenge of reduced funding from the Government by making savings across all services whilst keeping the impact on frontline services to a minimum.

A full copy of the report presented to the Cabinet Member including details of the revised opening hours can be viewed at: http/www.solihull.gov.uk/akssolihull/images/att35317.pdf

SCRAP metal vans have been targeted by police in Castle Bromwich following noise pollution complaints from residents unhappy at their bugle blasts.

Officers from the Castle Bromwich and Smith’s Wood Neighbourhood Police Team, alongside Trading Standards, carried out a day-long clampdown on ‘tatters’ vans who excessively trumpet their arrival in residential areas.During theoperation scrap metal collectors were stopped, documentation verified, cargos inspected, and vans checked to ensure they were

Sergeant Liam Dalton said: "The sound of scrapmetal vans trumpeting their arrival in residential parts of Solihullby blowing bugles is a nuisance being reported with increasing regularity. It was a successful day of action and wewill be continuing to crackdown on tho

The action dayalso focused on rogue builders with van drivers stopped by officers to ensure they complied with Building Regulations. A total of 25 vans were inspected.

Sgt Dalton, said: “Rogue builders often prey on the elderly and vulnerable, conning them out of money for work that iss ubstandard and overpriced. Dealing with a rogue trader can have a seriouslydetrimental effect on a victim's health and confidence.”

Further crackdowns are now jointly being planned by Solihull Police and Trading Standards to catch scrap metal dealersand rogue traders who breach guidelines.

To help protect yourself from rogue traders,follow the crime prevention tips below:

§  Check whether traders are members of the Local AuthorityAssured Trader Schemes: www.oft.gov.uk  or the government Trust Mark scheme: www.trustmark.org.uk

§  Never pay cash upfront

§  Get three written quotes before choosing a trader

§  If you suspect a rogue trader caller is at your door dial999.

If you have thevehicle registration number of a scrap metal dealer causing a noise issue,please contact Solihull Councils ‘Connect’ service on 0121 704 8369.

Solihull Council is reminding residents to make sure that their bins, boxes and bags for waste and recycling are out ready by 7am on the day of their collection, in the right place and correctly filled.

From 4 April the Council will no longer be returning to collect waste and recycling from properties which have been missed because the containers were not put out in time, were not in the right place or have the wrong materials in the containers. This will save the Council around £100k per year.

Starting on 21 February, the crews on the waste and recycling trucks will be using new technology to make a record of properties that haven’t put their collections out by 7am, have put the wrong materials in their containers or have not put their containers where they are visible from the road, where their property meets the pavement.

The technology does not use cameras. It allows the crews to use touch screens to send real-time messages electronically to the Council’s Customer Contact Centre about where they are on their rounds and any properties that have missed their collection.

If the residents from these properties then contact the Council to report that their collection has been missed, they will be advised that their containers will be picked up this time but from 4 April, they will not.

From 4 April, residents who miss their collections will be asked to keep their waste and recycling for their next collection or they have the option to take it to Bickenhill Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC).

Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Tim Hodgson said: “We understand that it is an inconvenience for residents if they miss their collection and this is not about spying on people. At the moment, the majority of residents who put their containers out correctly are currently paying £100k a year for us to return to a minority of properties that aren’t. The Council simply cannot afford to sustain this cost and by cutting out repeat and unnecessary journeys we can make our service more efficient and responsive for our residents. We will of course continue to return to missed collections when the mistake is ours.”

Residents can check their collection days and what materials should go in each of their containers by logging on to: www.solihull.gov.uk/environment/refuse.htm or by emailing: connectcc@solihull.gov.uk or calling 0121 704 8000.

October is Black History Month and Solihull Libraries are inviting local residents to read two books which explore the immigrant experience. The two classic contemporary novels they are suggesting are "Small Island" by Andrea Levy and "Brick Lane" by Monica Ali.

Solihull Community Read would like your feedback on how the books make you feel and are inviting readers to submit a short and snappy review viaone off the following methods:

• Post a review at: http://solihullreads.wordpress.com/
• Follow @SolihullCouncil on Twitter for updates and tell them what you think of the two books by using the hashtag #solbhm
• Join Solihull Libraries on Facebook and post your thoughts on the SCR discussion section
• Share you passion for either title on sites such as YouTube or Audioboo. Once you've uploaded your review don't forget to email us the link to Solihull Community Read (247library@solihull.gov.uk)

Reviews should be between 250 and 500 words or a maximum of 1-2 minutes of video or audio.

The person submitting the best review will win a special Black History Month prize.

A new blog created by Solihull Mayor, Ian Courts, gives an interesting insight into the role played by Solihull's Mayor. Ever wondered just what functions a Mayor carries out and why this role is important?If so, then read Ian's blog as he recounts his experiences and tells us about the functions he carries out as Mayor.

Solihull Council has received two applications for the grant of a large casino licence.

The two applications are for a large casino at the National Exhibition Centre, applicant Genting Casinos UK limited, and on the former Dave & Buster site (Otium Leisure Park), Highlands Road, Shirley, applicant Grosvenor Casinos Limited.

A report will be submitted to the Solihull Licensing Committee on September 15th when the applications will be judged according to the criteria set down within the Gambling Act 2001.

If both applications meet the initial criteria, the Council will begin the second stage of the application process, where each applicant will outline the benefits that their large casino will bring to the borough. The licence will then be awarded to the applicant who would, in the Council’s opinion, bring the greatest economic, financial and social benefits to the area. However, the Council still reserves the right to pass a “No Casino Resolution” should it be considered that by granting a casino licence insufficient benefits would be available to the borough.

Representations in respect of these applications must be made in writing by Friday 27 August 2010 and sent to gmorrice@solihull.gov.uk or sent to The Licensing Manager, P O Box 1833, Council House, Solihull, B91 9DZ.

Mell Square will be encouraging visitors to get active on Thursday August 5th.

Have a go at the rock climbing tower, trampolines and the bungee swings – they are sure to get your heart pumping. For something a little calmer, the Yoga Bugs will be around to give free yoga with a difference for children.

Solihull Council is putting safety at the top of the tree by making sure that road signs in the borough can be clearly seen.

The Council is stepping up its programme of cutting back foliage around signs in response to increased numbers of calls from residents.

Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, Councillor David Jamieson: “We want people to be able to travel safely in our borough and help visitors navigate their way around. The wetter summers that we have had in recent years means that trees and shrubs have been growing more vigorously. We have listened to concerns raised by residents about the knock-on effect this has had to the visibility of road signs and have ramped up our programme of maintenance to keep them clear.”

If you spot a road sign that you think should be added to the Council’s new programme, give them a call on 0121 704 8000 or email: connectcc@solihull.gov.uk

Solihull received its seventh Green Flag Award this year and in celebration held special flag raisings across the borough. On Wednesday 28 July Green Flags were hoisted in the seven parks by the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Ian Courts, Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Tim Hodgson  and representatives from a number of Friends of Parks groups and conservation volunteers, who work with the Council’s Park Rangers to keep Solihull’s park clean, tidy and green. 

This year Meriden Park joined Malvern & Brueton, Shirley, Knowle, Elmdon, Lavender Hall and Dorridge parks to gain Green Flag status.A record number of Green Flags Award winners in the UK were announced by the Award body this year who encouraged all parks to raise their flags on Wednesday as part of Love Parks Week. The Green Flag Award scheme is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales. Solihull Council received its first Green Flag in 2002 for Elmdon Park.  For the second year running Solihull has the second highest number of Green Flags in the West Midlands region.

Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Tim Hodgson was at the morning hoistings at Malvern & Brueton, Shirley and Knowle parks and the Mayor of Solihull attended the flag raisings in the afternoon at Meriden, Lavender Hall and Dorridge parks.

The Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Ian Courts said: “We have a great range of beautiful parks in Solihull, which offer spaces to relax, play, socialise and exercise in.   I would also like to thank all those who help in our parks.  These volunteers dedicate their time to improve and maintain our parks for all residents and visitors to enjoy. The Mayoress and I were personally involved in the four acre woodland planting at Lavender Hall Park, Katherine's Wood, and helped organise Lottery Funding through Meriden Rotary Club.  This enabled its early designation as a Nature Reserve, as well as helping its Green Flag achievement"

More information on parks administered by Solihull Council can be found HERE

Councillor Tim Hodgson said: “Receiving seven Green Flags in Solihull is a remarkable achievement and something everyone in Solihull should be proud of.  Last year we narrowly missed out on a Green Flag in Meriden Park but after a lot work from Park Rangers and volunteers we have been awarded with a flag. We have a great range of parks in the borough where people can enjoy the outdoors and nature.  We also hold many events throughout the year which really bring the parks alive. I would urge all residents to get outside this summer and see what your local park has to offer.”