Today (Friday 17 August) Mary and I along with Councillor Greg Brackenridge attended the Police and Community Together Meeting in the Wednesfield Library.

It was a very well attended meeting and the new Wednesfield Sgt Rob Dalton, was also in attendance.

There was a lot of discussion about the situation in the High Street, The  traders spoke of the damage to their shops, the vandalism, and the constant fight against Anti Social Behaviour . h the begging and the homeless issues. Local traders who were present were explaining how difficult it is for customers when some of those that were begging were aggressive with it.

The Police informed that many of those that were regularly seen in the High Street, were neither homeless or destitute. That in fact they are begging to fuel their own drug addiction. Warning notices issued by the Police have been served to some of these individuals.

Sgt Dalton impressed upon the meeting that the best approach to this problem is for people to stop giving them money. Also to report the incidents of aggressive begging to the Police either via the telephone, and the Police 101 system or CrimeStoppers 0800 555111, or via the West Midlands Police email reporting system.

Traders warned that there was also an alarming number of elderly people who were having their purses lifted after visiting High Street Banks and Post Office. The police appeared to be unaware of this, possibly due to the fact that the thefts were not being reported after it had happened. The 101 telephone calling system was lambasted as being hopeless and in effectual. Almost everyone who spoke reported that the system did not work for them.

The Police have a tiger by the tail on this. There systems which they want the taxpayers to use doesn’t work! The Police stations they are closing, is leaving a massive hole. The Police are growing further apart from the public….and the frustration of this well attended meeting is plain for all to see!

The Meeting was very vocal about the intentions to close Wednesfield Police Station. It has a closure date of Autumn 2019. The three Labour Councillors present informed the meeting that we were still campaigning to get this decision reversed. The Meeting left it very clear that the Police Station should stay open. Many spoke about it being required now, and in its current ‘Zombie’ stage it is frustrating for residents who want to use it to report crime and seek West Midlands Police Advice!

There was a very strong call made from those attending to have a direct link with the Police via a Police Surgery if the Police Station and its Police commanders continue to ignore the publics call, one that could be held in one place at a regular time and be well publicised.

Wednesfield North Issues

Mary and I raised the issue of motor bikes and the nuisance they are being faced with, of the bikes being raced around the shops, the Park , and estate roads. We raised the need for the Police to treat as a priority The Ashmore Park Shopping Parade – Motorbikes, Fly Tipping and now criminal damage in the shape of crude graffiti. Speed issues on Peacock Ave, Broad Lane North, Kitchen Lane, and Woodend Road and Linthouse Lane. I also spoke with the Sgt about Drug related issues.

Finally I also raised with the Police the good work they do with the Annual Fishing contest they organise, sponsored by Fatties Bait and Tackle Shop on Ashmore Park. I asked that the Police continue to work in this way with the young people in Wednesfield North and Wednesfield. It was a good thing to do and didn’t go by unnoticed. I was very pleased to see Fatties being so supportive.

Police and Community Together!

There is an extra Police and Community Together Meeting today Friday at 17th August 2018 at the new Library in Well Lane Wednesfield. The meeting will start at 10.00 am. It is likely to attract a lot of interest.

The next ordinary Police and Community Together Meeting will take place on Thursday 6th September 2018, and this meeting  will beheld  on Ashmore Park at The Hub at 6.30pm.

These meetings are organised by the Police so that you can tell them what your problems are!

The Wednesfield Junior Parkrun gives four to 14-year-olds the chance to complete a 2km circuit around Wednesfield Park every Sunday morning.

Those taking part can run, jog or walk for their own enjoyment and at their own pace, and parents are able to join in if they wish.

Wednesfield Junior Parkrun was launched in 2015 with support from the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Public Health team and members of Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletics Club. It takes place thanks to the efforts of volunteers who set up, manage and marshal the route, supporting the participants all the way around the course until everyone has finished.

The popular event marks its third birthday this Sunday (19 August, 2018), with a Wolverhampton Wanderers-themed party to celebrate the club’s return to the Premier League. Children are encouraged to wear Wolves football kit or superhero costumes, while Wolfie and Batman will be joining in the fun. There will also be free goodie bags and refreshments.

Councillor Hazel Malcolm, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “The Junior Parkrun is a fantastic way for children and young people to get exercise, enjoy some fresh air and make new friends.

“It is well loved by children and parents alike and has had a very successful first three years, so I’d encourage young people to come along this weekend and have a go.”

Martha Cummings, Co-event Director at Wednesfield Junior Parkrun, added: “Children of all abilities are welcome at our Junior Parkrun, and we don’t mind how fast of how steadily they go around the course because our amazing volunteers will be there to cheer and high-five them all the way to the finish line.”

The Junior Parkrun takes place at Wednesfield Park every Sunday morning and is open to all children aged four to 14. Please meet by the play area at 8.45am. For more details, and to register to take part or volunteer to help out, please visit www.facebook.com/wednesfieldjuniorparkrun or www.parkrun.org.uk/wednesfield-juniors.

Adults and the young people aged over 14 can take part in the Wolverhampton Parkrun, which takes place at West Park every Saturday at 9am.

We have a new Chief Superintendent. He is Andy Beards and he started his career in Wednesfield as a PC some 24 years ago. He is I am informed ‘excited’ about taking up his new position here in the City of Wolverhampton.

He has a long established career in the West Midlands and knows the City well.

Hopefully Chief Superintendent Beards will be able to get on top of the crime in Wolverhampton, and do something for our City in tackling  the crime ring that relates to drugs and gangs.

I for my part, and on behalf of the Wednesfield North Councillors  welcome him to the City, and I do hope that we will see him from time to time in Wednesfield North.

NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED    

Notification of emergency road works:

Location: Cannock Road junction of Bridge Street / Powell Street.

Promoter: Cadent Gas

Nature of works: Gas emergency repair work

Traffic management: 4 – way temporary traffic signals

Duration: 07/08/2018 19:00 – midnight.

Wednesfield North Councillors, would like to draw residents attention to the VJ Day Anniversary which takes place next week. Many of the fallen will have come from the City and from Wednesfield. If you can make the date and the time. I know that your attendance would be much appreciated.

The featured Photograph is from Councillor Phil Bateman’s Archive Collection and it shows the ‘VJ veterans of 2005.’

Wolverhampton will come together next week to mark the 73nd anniversary of VJ Day – an event which effectively heralded the end of the Second World War.

Veterans, civic dignitaries and members of the public will be among those taking part in a service of remembrance at the Cenotaph in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday 15 August, 2018.

It will commemorate 73 years since Victory over Japan Day – the day in 1945 that the Japanese Army surrendered to Allied forces. In doing so, it brought an end to a conflict which had claimed the lives of an estimated 60 million people around the world.

The City of Wolverhampton Central Branch of the Royal British Legion, the Wolverhampton and District United Ex-Service Council and the Burma Star Association’s Wolverhampton Branch will attend the annual service at the Cenotaph from 11.30am.

It will begin with a parade of standards and veterans followed by prayers, the Kohima homily, Royal British Legion exhortation, the Last Post and two minutes’ silence.

Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Phil Page will be among those in attendance. He said: “Commemorating VJ Day gives us the opportunity to remember the courage and bravery shown in the Far East by many thousands of British servicemen, some of whom were sadly never to return.

“It is now more than seven decades since the end of the Second World War and, as the number of veterans who are still with us sadly diminishes, it is very important that we continue to show our immense gratitude for the sacrifices they made for our freedom.”

Pat Johnson, chair of the Central Branch of the City of Wolverhampton Royal British Legion, said: “I’d like to invite everyone to join us and remember the sacrifices shown by countless Wulfrunians who served in the Far East during the Second World War, including the Chindits – the British India special force which served in the Burma campaign.”

Wolverhampton is a signatory of the Armed Forces Community Covenant, a pledge of mutual support between the city and its Armed Forces community.

It calls on local people to support the Armed Forces community, recognise and remember the sacrifices they have made over the years and encourage activities that help members of the Armed Forces integrate into local life.

It also encourages members of the Armed Forces support the wider community, and promote understanding and awareness among the public of some of the issues faced by former members of the Armed Forces as they return to civilian life.

For details of the help and support available to the Armed Forces community in Wolverhampton, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/armedforces.

ENDS

1/ For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Paul Brown, Communications Manager, on 01902 555497 or email paul.brown@wolverhampton.gov.uk.

* Issued by the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Corporate Communications Team.

* For more information, please call 01902 555439.

* More news from the City of Wolverhampton Council is available at:  o www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/news o www.twitter.com/wolvescouncil o www.facebook.com/wolverhamptontoday o www.youtube.com/wolverhamptontoday

Released: Monday 6 August, 2018

The City of Wolverhampton Council has been given a prestigious award by the Ministry of Defence in recognition of the support it offers to the military community.

The council is just one of a handful of local authorities nationwide to receive the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award – the highest recognition for employer support to the Armed Forces.

The City of Wolverhampton Council ensures that the military community – including serving personnel, veterans, their families and cadets – get a fair deal in employment and the services the council provides.

This includes the development of positive recruitment policies for service leavers, veterans and their families. It also offers reservists employed by the council an additional 24 days paid leave to fulfil their duties if and when they are mobilised.

Councillor John Reynolds, who chairs the Wolverhampton Armed Forces Covenant Board, a partnership of organisations committed to tackling the disadvantages that members of the military community may face, said: “The City of Wolverhampton Council is extremely proud to have received this award in recognition of our work in this area and our ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces community.

“Since signing the Armed Forces Community Covenant six years ago, we have been on a journey to better support our military community.

“We have raised the profile of the Armed Forces and the issues they face through a highly successful social media campaign and developed a new website at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/armedforces which acts as a first port of call for anyone needing help and support.

“We are supporting veterans into employment, helping homeless veterans into accommodation and delivering fantastic events such as Armed Forces Day. We have also supported businesses and local organisations to sign an Armed Forces Community Covenant of their own.

“We are delighted to receive the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award from the Ministry of Defence and hope to use this as a springboard for further action.”

Minister for Defence People and Veterans Tobias Ellwood said: “We all have a role to play in ensuring that the Armed Forces community is not disadvantaged by service, and each of these employers is a setting an example as meaningful advocates for those protecting the nation.

“Their commitment is a testament to the fantastic contribution our serving personnel, veterans and their families can make to any organisation.”

The award will be presented to the City of Wolverhampton Council at a special ceremony later this year.

For more information about the Armed Forces Community Covenant, a pledge of mutual support between the city and its Armed Forces community, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/armedforces.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1/ For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Paul Brown, Communications Advisor, on 01902 555497 or email paul.brown@wolverhampton.gov.uk.

2/ The official announcement can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/50-employers-awarded-gold-for-supporting-the-armed-forces

* Issued by the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Corporate Communications Team.

* For more information, please call 01902 555439.

* More news from the City of Wolverhampton Council is available at:  o www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/news o www.twitter.com/wolvescouncil o www.facebook.com/wolverhamptontoday o www.youtube.com/wolverhamptontoday

Councillor Phil Bateman said today “The newspapers are full of this story this morning. It could have huge implications for the proposals to develop thousands of homes within what is currently Green-Belt land in South Staffordshire. I feel that we must make as much protest as possible so that Local views are fully taken on board…..not just left to property developers to set and drive planning proposals.”

Councils warn planning changes favour developers
Councils have warned the Government that new planning rules have created a developers’ charter that could see local objections to house building ignored to hit targets.

Communities Secretary James Brokenshire announced yesterday that housebuilders will be able to ignore local plans for mapping areas for homes if fewer than 75% of those required by Whitehall targets for 2020 are constructed.

It means developers will have the power to override a rejection of planning permission by appealing over local councillors. LGA chair Lord Porter said: “It is hugely disappointing that the Government has not listened to our concerns about nationally set housing targets, and will introduce a delivery test that punishes communities for homes not built by private developers.”

Culture Wednesfield!

– I was enthralled by this People Mover in Cologne this weekend. Mary and I watched as it linked up parts of Cologne evening out the tourists, making sure the tourist Euro was evenly spread. We discussed how popular it was. We chatted about it maybe working in Wednesfield.

It was popular with all sorts of ages. It got me thinking of how it could link parts of Wednesfield up. How about this for an idea –  The New Cross Hospital site  then The Leisure Park at Bentley Bridge, the Bentley Bridge Retail Park, the new Wyrley and Essington Local Nature Reserve, The Library , the Gurdwara, St Thomas’s Church, Wednesfield High Street, and Market with maybe the chance to link the Woodend Island and then back around the loop again repeating every 15 mins.

Perhaps it could be funded by Transport for West Midlands, The City Council, Bentley Bridge business etc I think it’s worthy of at least a thought