Well I complained via the report my road site and today the road is fixed and no pot holes for me to ride my bike over !!

Done within 4 weeks, good stuff.

This was corrected in 2006 when the Pheasey Ward was renamed Pheasey Park Farm with the addition of Orchard Hills. This never felt right to many people as the two areas are separated by a mile of green belt and using different services. For any councillor to represent the ward properly requires juggling between two areas with totally different needs.

So I found THIS (a PDF file) which is the final boundary review from 1977. What is fascinating is that 37 years on a lot of the arguments then are relevant now.

In these proposals to get over the under sizing of Pheasey it was proposed in draft to move Pheasey to Aldridge, these were the responses –

First from the the then Labour MP of Aldridge Brownhills (were were in that constituency then)

Returning to speak about the Pheasey area, he said that it was unnatural to link .this area with a part of Aldridge. Pheasey had an electorate of some 7,800 (admittedly smaller than the 10,000 + mathematically required for one ward) but it was separated from Aldridge by permanent green belt. Perhaps it would be the most satisfactory solution to make a separate Pheasey Ward, even though it was of smaller electorate than was required, but he went on to say that there had been a joint meeting.of all the political groups in Aldridge – the Labour Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party and Ratepayers’ Association – and they had agreed that Aldridge was a physically distinct community with a strong community spirit and that it should be retained within one ward. He said that the Labour Party favoured retaining the existing Aldridge Ward boundaryJbut, if this were not possible, they would prefer a 6-member ward made up of the existing Aldridge Ward and the Pheasey Ward. This Ward would, however, have an electorate of about 21,000, mathematically satisfactory for a 6-member ward.

This is the exact same argument that could be made for the current ward of course. Back then it seems there was a large and wider political engagement in the process. Remember for the review in 2002 it was proposed to add Hundred Acre to Pheasey to bring up the numbers. Some people may remember how heated in Streetly that got.

So then we had two contributions from Pheasey residents that are well known to older residents.

Sorry for the formatting but the debate is rather familiar of course -

Councillor W.A. Compton (a Borough Councillor of Pheasey Ward)

representing Pheasey Labour Party, said that he was a Councillor of
some 50 years’ standing and the people of Pheasey strongly objected
to the Commission’s proposals for the formation of a ward linking
Pheasey with part of Aldridge. He said that Pheasey was not really
part of Walsall, it was a completely separate community having its.
own new community centre. To connect Pheasey with part of Aldridge
would mean that an area would be added into Pheasey Ward which
had no connections in affinity or community relations. The Pheasey
people were mainly Birmingham overspill residents with no “black
country” outlook. The inclusion of part of Aldridge in the ward
would mean that Pheasey could have .3 Aldridge Councillors representing
the ward and they would have no interest in the communal life of
Pheasey. All the people of Pheasey expressed the opinion that
Pheasey Ward should remain as it was at present.
Councillor Compton then referred to the petition which had
been submitted with some 228 signatures in which the residents of
Pheasey Ward objected to the Commission’s proposals for reasons
that Fheasey was separated from Aldridge by natural boundaries of
green belt and open space; the additional area of Aldridge had no
natural affinity with Pheasey Ward; and that Pheasey Ward was a
self-contained estate with medical services, education and community
centre.
In answer to my question, he said there was not likely to be
any large scale development in the Pheasey area, perhaps there would
be some additional accommodation for nurses at the hospital and there
was a small area comprising mobile homes, although it was doubtful
that the use of land for mobile homes would be extended. I then -
referred to the joint political parties proposal that Pheasey Ward
should be amalgamated with the whole of Aldridge to form a big
6-member ward and I mentioned the petition of 8,000 signatures
supporting this proposal. Councillor Compton said that he was sure
that there were no “Pheasey” signatures among the 8,000 petitioners
and”there was certainly.no support in Pheasey for this proposal.
Pheasey would be overwhelmed by the larger electorate of Aldridge
and in such a ward there could be 6 Aldridge; Councillors and no
Pheasey Councillors. Finally, Councillor Compton pressed for a .
separate Pheasey Ward comprising only the Pheasey area (albeit
that it had an electorate total smaller than the mathematical
requirement of 10,000)and I said that I hoped Pheasey would not
become too isolated, it was part of Walsall and surely it looked
to the Walsall Borough for its various services, including education
and social services.

And then this snippet from a future councillor for Pheasey

From Mr. F..O?. Ingram, a resident of the Pheasey area, objecting
to the proposed Pheasey Ward including part of Aldridge
and enclosing a petition signed by some 228 electors of
the present Phessey Ward objecting to the proposal to
include part of Aldridge with Pheasey, as the proposed
additional area had no natural affinity with the Pheasey
area and.was divided from it by natural boundaries, green
belt and open space.

John Aldridge the Aldridge Liberal Party member said

As to the Pheasey area, the Association felt at one time that some part of the Paddock Ward might be added in to make the new Pheasey Ward, but perhaps it would be preferable to make a smaller ward comprising the Pheasey area only.

hmmmm

At this point I should mention the Conservative party made no direct reference to Pheasey but agreed with the MP’s view as above.

The final recommendation as it always was until 2002 was

Pheasey area – (revised projected electorate 8192) presented
particular difficulty for this, too, is a self-contained
area – so”widely separated from all other areas of the
Borough by green ;belt land that it appears impossible
to form any reasonable link with other residential areas.
With an aim for 10,000 plus electors per ward, it is
somewhat small,to form a ward on its own but I believe
that this is the most reasonable solution – -certainly
much more reasonable than trying to add to this area
some other small’area not linked in any way with it.

As you can see the debate remains the same. I have no ill will against residents of Orchard Hills but they are not Pheasey and we are not them and we should not be joined together. In the near future there will be another review and my points would be –

- Residents in Pheasey should be questioned on what we want, stay the same, move to Birmingham, split from Orchard Hills
- My personal view is that we should go back to how we we were but become a two councillor ward, plenty of examples of this. This would mean the average voter per councillor fits in with the rest of Walsall
- I would prefer to go to Birmingham but it is difficult to make the numbers as Oscott is fairly well balanced to move into

I say bring on the debate !!

Whether it is between neighbours, over a phone mast or the large issues over the future of NetherHall, residents will always be highly animated by these issues. Every week I check Walsall planning ONLINE for their weekly list and the only items recently have been plans for extensions and normal tree felling.

I have been asked this week if I know the progress of two issues and these are

- GREAT BARR HALL – We had the consultations a while back and heard nothing since. I have checked Lapworth Architects and nothing is listed on there now for Gt Barr Hall apart from the old historic links from 2012. From what I understand we are still awaiting the plans to be lodged but this seems to be taking a while now. I am concerned that the project has stalled has it has been 6 months since we heard anything.

- OLD BEACON ROAD GARAGE – If you remember this eyesore was due to be a dentists but that obviously fell through after some prep work. Surely this is a perfect location to put some flats on which would make the whole area more amenable ? Obviously the land is in private hands which means they can just sit on it until they want to develop or sell it. This is maybe one area where councils should have the ability to ‘force’ developments if current land owners wish to do nothing.

I will mail Valerie Vaz MP and Councillors Andrew, Bird and Towe a note of this post and see if they have had any feedback or news.

======

EDIT Sat 1st June

Both Adrian Andrew and Valerie Vaz have come back and said no further news has been received on either issues. I am not surprised on this. I just suspect the commercial aspect of both sites is prohibiting development at the moment.

The full details can be seen HERE and HERE

There will be an exhibition at the Collingwood Centre on the 3rd June.

In summary

The 76 to Walsall has been withdrawn and the 934 extended to take in this route and will run every 30 minutes.

The 997 has been extended to cover Aldridge Road in Streetly and thus cover Doe Bank and Frampton Way which the 934A used to cover

A NEW service 936 has been introduced that will go to Brownhills and Aldridge. The changes will result in 4 buses an hour that serve Birmingham during the day time and more at peak time.

Looking at the changes I can not see anything that worsens the bus connection on Pheasey. In fact looking at the changes combined we seem to have an improved bus service and remain a key thoroughfare for buses serving Birmingham, Walsall, Sutton Coldfield and West Bromwich.

A few minutes later we saw what we call the ‘rag and bone’ man and it appears the Community Centre had heard the inevitable siren.

I do have a video of that but with my breathing and the wind it is not great quality !

To encourage these people is encouraging a major problem of metal theft. Maybe they thought it would be OK but the more they pick up the more they come around. I admit I used to do this but no longer, we have a proper place for disposal with a very good facility in Aldridge.

Surely they could have took these machines there ethically and in the right way ?

This is a vastly improved service with a service every half an hour from the extended 46 route (the old 406 route) that runs from West Bromwich.

Travelling on the 651 the other week I noticed a National Express notice advising passengers that the service was to be replaced on 22nd April by an extension of the 46 (former 406) from its terminus at Scott Arms Monday to Saturday. The 46 will terminate at Queslett Asda for these journeys. I can’t remember the timings but I think they were similar to the 651 service frequency.

My only concern is that the 46 currently uses single decker buses much longer than the mini-bus style used for the 651.
Will the 46 buses be able to negotiate the Nether Hall hill and the limited turning circle at the top with their existing vehicles?

=====

Duncan, I can only presume this will be a small bus as many for that journey can use the 451 (the new numbers I hate !!) anyway and a walk up to the houses.

We have just heard that Pheasey School is OPEN and I expect all the others to be open as well.

EDIT 21:00 Barr Beacon now open

Barr Beacon School @barrbeaconsch
We are open tomorrow (Tuesday 26th) thanks to a Herculean effort from the caretakers. All staff and students are in usual time.

Barr Beacon School @barrbeaconsch
Sixth formers – please don’t bring cars tomorrow as there are still snow mounds on car parks and you won’t be able to fit your vehicle on.

EDIT 21:30 – Bin update from the council is that they will try and collect where possible. I know it is likely in my close we will not have collections. Brown bin collection is suspended for next week in case of any uncollected green bins.

Barr Beacon School @barrbeaconsch
School is closed tomorrow (Monday 25th). Help your child revise evening will be rescheduled.

I really believe with some effort and an appeal to parents that it could and should have been kept open. Will update with Pheasey and Meadowview if we get them.

EDIT – Further update from the School

Barr Beacon School @barrbeaconsch
Even with a massive effort from our caretaking staff we could not guarantee the site’s safety tomorrow. We aim to be open again Tuesday.

EDIT – 17.30 SUN – Now hearing that Meadowview School is now closed

EDIT – 18:10 – Now Pheasey School is closed and this is very very disappointing news. There is no reason they could not have asked parents to come in and clear the schools.

Walking around at 8 last night, and as the street lights fell upon the snowy scene you could imagine everyone in their homes and actually speaking to each other !

So here are a few photo’s from today, I reckon in places we have had around 25-30cm of snow. At this time of year the last I can remember this bad was when I was at school 30 years ago.

It was good to see on Friday BTW that all three local schools were kept open, more of that please. Anyone of my age (40) will remember many times having to go to school in our moonboots, remember those ??

My child should do the same !!