Author: techforevents

Ken has been around the meetings and exhibition industries for more than 30 years so remembers the introduction of computers, the arrival of PowerPoint, even the dawn of video conferencing. These days he tries to bring a breath of realism to discussions about technology in the worlds of meeting and exhibition organisation. He is a director of RefTech Services, a UK based badging and registration company.

Kings Heath residents’ networking event 7 October 2017

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A networking event providing a wide range of information for local people is to be staged by Kings Heath Residents’ Forum on 7 October 2017. The event will bring together a variety of organisations that offer activities, help and support within the area.

All residents of Kings Heath and surrounding areas will be welcome. They will have a chance to talk to participating organisations and groups that provide information and support about financial issues, personal safety, social and sports activities for young people and older residents… the full list of participating groups is growing by the day.

More information will be provided as the list of organisations taking part grows.

Event information:

Date: 7 October 2017

Opening hours: 10am to 2pm

Location: Kings Heath Community Centre, 8 Heathfield Road, Kings Heath, B14 7DB.

Flytipper jailed

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Jail sentences have been handed down to two men found guilty of flytipping in Kings Heath and other areas across Birmingham. The two operated as A and B Removals. They claimed that it was a registered waste company and that all the material they collected was recycled. In reality, waste that couldn’t be sold was flytipped.

The case was brought by the Waste Enforcement Unit at Birmingham City Council. One of the two men was jailed for 30 months and banned from driving for 51 months. The other was given a 10-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, ordered to complete 100 hours unpaid work and also handed a rehabilitation order.

The full story can be read here .

When hiring contractors to remove waste or bulky items, residents are responsible for making sure that they are using a Registered Waste Carrier.

If residents hire a contractor who subsequently flytips the material, the resident could be prosecuted.

It is no longer a defence to say the resident did not know the company wasn’t licensed. So residents must check to make sure the business they’re using is properly registered.

You check whether a business is registered here.

Alternatively you can call the Environment Agency on 08708 506 506

If you see flytipped material, you can report it here   or you can send an email to http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Proposed changes to local bus routes

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National Express West Midlands, which operates local buses, has started a consultation on possible changes to bus routes in south Birmingham. This could affect routes used by Kings Heath residents.

The rationale for the change is that journey times into the city by bus have increased dramatically over the past ten years. National Express argues that this has resulted in 4 per cent fewer passengers over the past three years.

More people opting to travel by car instead of by bus obviously adds to problems of air pollution.

In order to address these issues, National Express is considering a number of options including abolishing route 27 and arranging for it to be replaced by changes to other routes.

The proposals are outlined here. There is a link on that page to a survey relating to the proposals.

Woodturning demonstrations

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Moseley and Kings Heath Shed posterMoseley and Kings Heath Shed has woodturning demonstrations and a tool sale on Saturday 12 August 2017 from 11 am. It will all be happening outside the Cartland Tea Rooms cafe in Kings Heath Park on Vicarage Road.

Moseley and Kings Heath Shed is a registered charity, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Its main purpose is to help reduce loneliness, isolation and social exclusion among older men and women.

Normal opening hours are Monday morning, Wednesday afternoon, Thursday morning and afternoon and Friday afternoon.

Read more about the Shed here.

Public space protection order (PSPO) consultation opens

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There has been a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in place for Kings Heath High Street and Moseley for several months. The original news item about the consultation prior to the introduction of the PSPO can be seen here.  Birmingham City Council is looking to extend this PSPO.

The original Order expires on 25 September 2017. The draft of the revised Order can be read in full here.

The text explains that the purpose is to restrict activities ‘that have had or are likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality’. The Locality is defined as Kings Heath High Street. The activities being targeted include:

  • Anti-social behaviour caused by groups of people or individuals in public spaces;
  • Verbal abuse;
  • Threats of or use of violence;
  • Unlicensed drinking;
  • Obstructing Pathways;
  • Begging;
  • Possession of goods, items or materials used for unauthorised graffiti;

If you want to make a comment as part of the consultation process, you can find details here.