Residents' Update:
Sunday 2nd October 2016
Dear All,
This week’s update includes:-
Cheylesmore Ward Forum; Proposed Rebuilding of Tiverton Primary School at Whitley; Nuisance Quad and Off-road Bikes; Disabled Parking Bays at Daventry Road Shops; Suspicious Activity in the Ashington Grove Area; Porlock Close - Grit Bin Success; Bettman Close – Scaffolding; Bins Not Emptied Behind the Shops on Quinton Park; Upcoming Works in our Area; Coventry - City of Culture 2021 Bid; Cheylesmore Library Volunteers; Whitley Local History Group; WI starting at Finham Community Library; Atomic Training at Libraries; Capability Brown Festival; Festival of the Dead at Herbert Art Gallery; Record Fair at Fargo Village on Sunday; Diary; Useful Links. And Finally
Cheylesmore Ward Forum
The next meeting of the Cheylesmore Ward Forum will be held at 7pm on Tuesday, 18 October, 2016 at Howes Primary School, Palermo Avenue, Coventry CV3 5EF.
Roger & his fellow ward councillors have fought hard to keep ward forums going in our area, while many other wards no longer have them. They believe it is an important way of keeping residents up-to-date on what is going on and giving them the chance to raise questions. Please prove to the council that you do value this opportunity to listen to and question council officers and councillors about their future plans.
Proposed Rebuilding of Tiverton Primary School at Whitley
At the cabinet meeting on Tuesday 4th October at 2pm, the “Proposed Rebuilding of Tiverton Primary School on the former Alice Stevens site, Whitley” will be discussed.
The proposal document to be conferred can be
viewed here. The meeting takes place in Committee Rooms 2 and 3 - Council House. Anyone may attend as an observer.
Nuisance Quad and Off-road Bikes
Sergeant Stuart Randall, from Cheylesmore and Earlsdon NPT receives our weekly update and sent us this email:
You included in one of your recent issues complaints about nuisance motor-bikes/off-road bikes in the vicinity of Arundel Road. We’ve re-contacted those people that notified us to ask for further details, but we’ve not heard back, and had no further calls. That suggests to me that the issue has gone away, for the time being at least. However, if residents can provide us with any further information, then I would ask that they pass it on.
Please email
cheylesmore@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk or
cheylesmore.ward@gmail.com with any information that you might have.
Disabled Parking Bays at Daventry Road Shops
Several residents have contacted Roger with respect to the disabled parking bays outside the Coventry Building Society on Daventry Road. They’ve been asking:
- Why has the number of bays been reduced from 3 to 2, when the number of spaces for others has been increased?
- Why have the spaces now been painted yellow?
- Why are vehicles not ‘booked’ for parking in the disabled bays?
Response from Sara-Louise Allman, Traffic & Network Management
As part of the Friargate enabling works, to create more parking around the area, Daventry Road shops had works carried out in 2014 to increase the car parking near to the shops as well as the installation of a mini-roundabout.
Part of these works included the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to ensure that the parking bays can be enforced.
As the previous layout outside the Coventry Building Society, disabled parking bays, these were not to an enforceable standard and as such we had to reduce the number of bays to ensure that they are compliant and that any vehicle not displaying a blue badge could risk being issued with a Penalty Charge Notice.
As part of the works, the TRO meant we had to change the lining around this area. Due to the turnover of parking and the need to try to keep as many spaces operating at all times, the lining works have not been able to be completed until now. As such, up until the lining works are deemed to be compliant, no enforcement can take place.
I visited the site yesterday and although the parking bays are in the correct location, unfortunately they have been marked in the wrong colour. I have now asked for the markings to be reinstated in White (not yellow) paint and once this is completed, the bays will be completely enforceable. Once I have confirmed that this has been done, I will ask Parking Enforcement to regularly patrol the area. The legal advert for these proposals was advertised on 21st August 2014 and came into operation on 6th March 2015.
Roger is still questioning officers as to why the number of disabled bays has been reduced.
Suspicious Activity in the Ashington Grove Area
Taken from the Whitley Residents and Neighbourhood Watch facebook page and dated 25th September
I've been notified by a resident of suspicious activity in the Ashington Grove area. Late on Thursday night, a male wearing a hoodie was seen trying car doors. Two residents notified the police who acted immediately and caught this chap who was equipped with a baseball bat. I know it's obvious to most of us but please don't leave anything remotely valuable in your car, be alert and report suspicious behaviour immediately. Thanks to the residents and the police for their quick actions.
Porlock Close - Grit Bin Success
Following the grit bin article in last week’s update a resident sent this to the Highways department
We are scheduled to lose our salt/grit box. I am considering an objection to this as in the past we have experienced great difficulty in leaving the close during periods of snow and ice. I am aware of the scoring procedure but am not sure of the gradient of the part of the close that leads up to Exminster Road.
Would you possibly be able to tell me what the gradient is for this part of the road/pavement?
This is the response from Peter Ullah Highways Operations Manager
I refer to your enquiry with respect to the grit bin being removed from Porlock Close
I have reviewed the scoring sheet for this location and can confirm there was an error on the map and this bin will be staying.
Please accept my sincere apologies for any confusion or distress caused.
Roger strongly recommends that you check
the Grit bin removal map to ensure that no other mistakes have been made. As it stands half of the bins in Cheylesmore Ward are due to be removed very soon (the red bins are due for removal).
Here is the criteria used for Grit Bin locations.
A resident has raised his concerns about the proposed removal of a grit bin in Orchard Crescent which Roger is continuing to chase.
Bettman Close – Scaffolding
Cllr Bailey
I wonder if you can help me. I rent from Whitefriars and have had scaffolding up at my property for many months and I cannot get it removed.
It originally went up in May for a roof repair job to the rear of the property. This job was not completed until August due to their incompetence. Since then I have tried via phone and email to get the scaffolding down.
I have been unable to do any work to my garden or use my garden all summer. I am now being told that the company who put it up has gone out of business and they are "working on a solution" that was a month ago! I am sick of the sight of it after six months. Please can you help?
Roger has received this response from Terry White, HomeWorks Operations Manager (South)
The company that erected this tower has gone into liquidation.
To that end we have been unable to dismantle and remove towers belonging to them for legal reasons. However, we have now managed to move things on, via the liquidator, in that dismantles can now commence.
Can you please, therefore, assure the resident that the tower will be removed during week commencing 3rd October.
Bins Not Emptied Behind the Shops on Quinton Park
Roger was again contacted by a resident with respect to the bins not being emptied behind the shops on Quinton Park.
This has been an ongoing problem for the last few years as parked vehicles are blocking the access to these bins. A more permanent solution continues to be sought.
Upcoming Works in our Area
London Road (o/s 270 -280) – 3rd to 7th October – Temporary signals. Reason – Large diameter gas main works by Balfour Beatty.
Porlock Close – 21st November to 5th December. Footway works by Coventry City Council
Coventry - City of Culture 2021 Bid
Laura McMillan, manager of the City of Culture 2021 bid by Coventry, attended a meeting recently where she gave a passionate presentation about what is currently going on and why Coventry should go for the bid. Roger was also in attendance.
Roger is a member of the steering group for the bid and believes this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to finally put Coventry on the ‘World Map’. He thinks we have the package to win and to succeed. It’s not about how good we are seen to be now, but more about our potential to be great in the future.
Why not sign up for
their newsletter here to keep up-to-date with their activities?
Cheylesmore Library Volunteers
We have now had 21 people express an interest in volunteering to enable the library to remain open. Our next volunteers’ meeting is on Monday 3rd October at 3pm.
If you are interested in volunteering to help run the library then please email
cheylesmore.ward@gmail.com
Whitley Local History Group
Whitley Local History Group was formed in 2004. We meet on the first Tuesday of the month at the Ibis Coventry South Hotel in Abbey Road. Meetings start at 7pm.
As a group we have:
- installed a commemorative plaque on Whitley Abbey Bridge,
- created a memorial for the bomb disposal team who gave their lives to protect the people of Coventry,
- installed a plaque in St James Church to commemorate the soldiers from Whitley who died in the First World War.
We have had a variety of speakers over the years, some concerned with local Whitley history, but others on more general historical subjects, including aircraft, costume, canals, Victorian crimes, and the First World War.
On Tuesday 4th October, we will be having a talk by local historian Sheila Woolf on the subject of Henry Parkes, the prominent Coventry man who hailed from Stoneleigh.
Please come and support your local history group. You can be sure of a very warm welcome!
WI starting at Finham Community Library
The Women's Institute (WI) was formed in 1915 to revitalise rural communities and encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War. Since then the organisation's aims have broadened and the WI is now the largest voluntary women's organisation in the UK.
The WI plays a unique role in providing women with educational opportunities and the chance to build new skills, to take part in a wide variety of activities and to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities.
A new WI is starting at Finham Community Library. The first meeting is Monday 3rd October 1.30-2.30. Please come along to find out more, meet us for a chat with tea, coffee & cake.
Atomic Training at Libraries
Read more
Read more
Festival of the Dead at Herbert Art Gallery during October
Read more
Record Fair at Fargo Village on Sunday 2nd October
Read more
Notes from the Editor
- Our updates are sent out every Sunday. The only exception to this is over Christmas. If you stop receiving them then please check your Spam or Junk Folder, as your email server may have directed them there by mistake.
- Our Website address is www.cheylesmoreward.wix.com/teamcheylesmore. It contains our previous updates, parking scheme information & notices. It's best viewed on a laptop or PC.
- Why do I see empty boxes in this email? Our emails include many pictures which often contain important information. Some email systems don’t automatically display pictures. To read as intended, please click on “View it in your browser” which is in the top right hand corner of all our emails.
- If you would like to advertise your event here then please email cheylesmore.ward@gmail.com
Dates for your Diary
Every Monday 12.15 to 1.30 (term time only) - lunch Cheylesmore community centre prepared by adults with learning difficulties as part of their Adult Education learning programme.
Every Wednesday 12:30-3:00 – lunch at Christ Church (7 Frankpledge Road). Two course meal for £4.00. Transport available for £2.00. Advance booking required by calling the Church Office at: 024 7650 2770 or via:
http://christchurchcov.net/.
Tuesday 4th October from 11 to 12noon - Cuppa with a Copper at the Cheylesmore Community Centre. Come and speak to officers about any concerns you may have.
Tuesday 4th October 7pm the Whitley Local History Group will be having a talk by local historian Sheila Woolf on the subject of Henry Parkes, the prominent Coventry man who hailed from Stoneleigh. The meeting will take place at the Ibis Coventry South Hotel in Abbey Road.
Thursday 6th October from 11am - Central Library will be hosting a ‘Poetry on Demand’ event with Jonny Fluffypunk and Michael W Thomas for National Poetry Day. Come along and have a poem written for you!
Saturday 8th October 7.30pm at Queen’s road Baptist Church – Coventry’s Male Voice Choir. Call 024 7650 2467 or 024 7671 3210 for tickets.
Saturday 15th October - Sowe Valley Whitley Grove Woods Group tidy-up day. Meet at the end of the tarmac "road" on Folly Lane playing field near the entrance to the wood at 10am. They can provide bags, gloves and litter pickers. For more information email
juderobins@hotmail.com or phone 02476 304341
Sunday 16th October - London Road Cemetery tidy-up day. Meet at the Paxton Memorial at 10am. Click
here for the Friends of London Road Cemetery website.
Wednesday 19th October from 12pm - Central Library will be holding ‘One Big Thing’ event which will feature stalls, information and activities to support health and fitness
And Finally Look at this
Warwickshire Police presentation about On-line Scams – it could save you time & money
Keeping Safe
Which Consumer Rights -
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/l/online-scams
Get Safe Online -
https://www.getsafeonline.org/
Cyber Streetwise -
https://www.cyberstreetwise.com/
Action Fraud -
http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report-a-fraud/how-to-report-a-fraud
Useful Links and Phone Numbers.
Age UK Coventry - Trusted Traders Scheme
Blood test locations to download a document listing the locations
Cheylesmore Parking Scheme Email:
parkingenforcement@coventry.gov.uk
Check if a Vehicle is Taxed
Check the MOT history of a vehicle
Community Activity Directory
Coventry Independent Advice Service
Crime Rates in the area
Disposal of Large or Bulky items
Dropped Kerb Information
European Health Insurance Card
General Online Safety Tips & Advice
Government Services
Local Neighbourhood Police Team
Noise Nuisance
Refuse Collection Information
Report Problematic Drinking to the Council
Report Fly Tipping
Report Graffiti
Report a Missed Bin
Report a Pothole
Report a Street Light Fault
Report Untaxed and Abandoned Vehicles
Road Works
Samaritans
Scams & Warnings
School Closures
Parking Enforcement phone numbers
Misuse of a visitor pass - 024 7683 4367
Not sure a car has a permit 024 7683 4367
Change virtual visitors pass registration number - 0345 520 7007
Buy a new permit virtual & paper - 0345 520 7007
Query the status of a PCN (Penalty Charge Notices) - 024 7683 3400
Roger’s secretary - 024 7683 1101
