Comments for BrumCityCentre.com

Comment on City Centre ‘Question Time’ attracts great panel! by David Foster

David Foster — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:41:55 +0000

This particular event was very productive, in that the issues debated were relevant to our city centre living and the panellists treated them seriously. And audience members were able to participate.

If the Forum was able to stage another event of a similar type, who would you want invited onto the panel?
And would you come to another “Question Time”?

David Foster

Comment on Olympic Swimming Pool – Planning Application Update by emdeefos

emdeefos — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:31:24 +0000

I find myself torn between the opposing positions of:
1. The proposed siting is not the best and car parking will be made much worse in the surrounding streets,
vs.
2. I want a facility like this in Ladywood but, apparently, there has been pressure for it for 15 years. This is the first serious opportunity and we shouldn’t let it go.

Clearly the Ladywood Arts & Leisure Centre site would be less convenient for city centre residents. How many would walk there? Personally, I would.
And I would want to walk – not drive the car.

Comment on Artsfest 2009 by David Nikel

David Nikel — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:10:58 +0000

I was really pleased with ArtsFest this year, definitely a step-up, although undoubtedly the fantastic weather helped!

From Ladywood samba band Bloco Louco in St Paul’s Square to the concerts in Centenary Square, there really was something for everyone.

Roll on 2010!

Comment on Influence Police Policies by What is Neighbourhood Tasking and how do I get involved? | Birmingham Local Democracy Week

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:09:58 +0000

[...] or the Birmingham City Centre Neighbourhood Forum encouraging involvement by very positively saying These Neighbourhood Tasking Meetings are a great way to get to know your local officers and let [...]

Comment on Emergencies in the City Centre by Concerned Citizen

Concerned Citizen — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:01:52 +0000

In 2007 some 8% of police officers were on some kind of
restricted duty, meaning 600 officers could not be counted on in a
mobilisation. ……….A review started in 2006 and as a result of that
review 6 or 7 officers have been retired.”
David Williams Head of HR West Midlands Police October 2008

In the case of a major incident in Birmingham or the West Midlands area Williams is saying that some 600 officers would not be able to be sent out the door
because they cannot carry out front line duties.

Maybe there aren’t enough fit officers to send. This has been brought to the attention of the Police Authority but they are not interested.

Comment on City Centre disturbances – West Midlands Police response by Concerned Citizen

Concerned Citizen — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:59:22 +0000

“…. In 2007 some 8% of police officers were on some kind of
restricted duty, meaning 600 officers could not be counted on in a
mobilisation. ……….A review started in 2006 and as a result of that
review 6 or 7 officers have been retired.”
David Williams Head of HR West Midlands Police October 2008

In thecase of a major incident in Birmingham or the West Midlands area Williams is saying that some 600 officers would not be able to be sent out the door
because they cannot carry out front line duties.

Maybe there weren’t enough fit officers to send. This has been brought to the attention of the Police Authority but they are not interested.

Comment on Floral Trail Wins GOLD! by David Foster

David Foster — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:20:08 +0000

Latest News!
Birmingham also won GOLD in the National competition!! (Results announced last night at the national awards ceremony in Torquay.)
More later.

Comment on Directories by carl segulem

carl segulem — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:49:31 +0000

After having lived in Birmingham city centre for 18 years now I see that contractors are changing the rules of engagement with residents by blatently ignoring residential status for the area and working whenever they feel like it. Noise levels are the highest they have ever been on demolition sites, and the levels of dust and dirt being created is unaceptable.
After having lived here for so long, i have seen countless demolition and building processes, with virtually all of them showing respect and understanding for the local residents and communitys. The recent exception to this rule is HDL who are demolishing and clearing the old Shimla Pinks site between Broad street and Tennant street. Some mornings they have started at 6.30Am , although generally they start at 7.30AM. This is not just monday to friday as the laws allow , But also Saturdays and Sundays, untill 5PM in the week and 4PM at weekends. This has been going on now for several months and is so bad that I myself and many Neighbours around me cannot even sit in our own homes and watch the Tv because the noise level is so high. We have had to keep all our windows shut thoughout the warm periods because of the noise and dirt levels and feel like prisoners in our own homes.
I have on several occasions walked the 100 yards from my home to the site and spoken to the workers who just tell me to phone their head office if i wish to complain.
I am currently taking further action on this matter.
Is this the start of a new way for contractors to behave and treat residents ? If so The trend of people moving into the city centre could be reversed. There are at least 25 people i know of who have moved out of the area over the past 4 months because of this type of behaviour. Why are the city council and our councilors so cut off from what is realy going on?
This situation is so bad that I myself am contemplating moving out of the city centre i love and call my home.

Comment on Artsfest 2009 by David Foster

David Foster — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:56:32 +0000

What a fantastic Artsfest weekend!! And the weather was great, too.

I didn’t attend the Saturday evening concert having over-indulged in Artfest events earlier in the day! So I cannot comment on the range of music played. Judging from the programme, there seemed to have been plenty of ‘popular music’ during the rest of the time.
I was surprised (pleasantly, I have to say) at the content of the CBSO’s promotional event on the Friday afternoon in Symphony Hall. Far from ‘lollipops’, it was serious stuff which they are due to play in Berlin the the coming week. And the BBC Big Band gig in the Town Hall later that evening was a real highlight.

My one complaint is over the sound level in Centenary Square. During the Saturday afternoon and Sunday midday, when I was around there, the sound level was physically painful. I just didn’t want to be there. So maybe that was the message.
Didn’t it exceed sound power legal limits? If so, why was no action taken?

(Old fogey) David Foster

Comment on 24 Carrots – Jewellery Quarter Farmers Market by 24 Carrots

24 Carrots — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:26:41 +0000

The market is a community undertaking and we welcome your support. We will have 30 stalls on the 19th; 20 returning from the first market and 10 new ones. We are also on twitter @24_carrots, so do follow us and spread the word Pop by the community stall and say hi on the 19th!