Roy Sheward

The consultation paper on proposed Post Office closures involving Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands has been published today. Of the 56 identified for closure 6 involve post offices in Walsall /Willenhall area:

Delves (Walstead Road, WS5 4LU)

Dudley Fields (Sneyd Hall Road, WS3 2NP)

Portobello (Willenhall Road, WV13 3RA)

Rushall (Lichfield Road, WS4 1EN)

Stafford Street (68 Stafford Street, WS2 8DR)

The Butts (44 Butts Road, WS4 2BW)

The closing date for comments / representations is 7th October 2008, for more details visit www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange or write to Post Office Ltd at Freepost Consultation (no stamp required), or email consultation@postoffice.co.uk

How the efforts of Team GB lifted all our spirits with their guts and determination in
Beijing. It was really a superb show they put on, to win our largest haul of medals since 1908. I, for one, can’t wait to see what we can do in 2012 in London.

After watching them perform so well, giving their all, imagine my immense disappointment watching the dismal performance of our multi million pound footballers against the Czech Republic. What a contrast!

I was surprised to find the toilets at the bus station were closed when I was in the town centre on Tuesday. Looking in Aldridge the public toilets are closed completely on Sunday, as are ones in Willenhall. This creates a number of problems when the public cannot find a toilet open.
At the weekend I visited Richmond and was impressed by the Lib Dem council’s innovative idea to overcome the problem the public faced trying to find a toilet - they simply pay premises like pubs and restaurants a small sum each year (£600) to open up their toilet facilities to non-customers.

I’ve written to Walsall council to ask if Walsall is one of the 100 authorities looking at the Richmond community toilet scheme, as it seems to me that this is a great scheme and one that Walsall should adopt to provide its residents with a much needed increased facility.

If you want to know abouh the Community Toilet Scheme here is a link: www.richmond.gov.uk/home/transport_and_streets/road_and_pathway_maintenance/public_conveniences/community_toilet_scheme

If you are going on holiday to any of the 27 EU Member states or Switzerland, Iceland or Liechtenstein make sure, as well as having travel insurance, you take your European Health Insurance Card with you.

The card is the size of a credit card and replaced the old E111 to make the process a lot simpler. However despite some of the stories about problems holidaymakers have faced when falling ill, it is apparently only being applied for by 30% of those going abroad to EU countries. It lasts for 3-5 years and entitles you to receive free or reduced-cost state emergency healthcare if you are unfortunate enough to fall ill while working or holidaying. Without it you may have to pay upfront for treatment if you become ill, and hope to claim it back afterwards from your travel insurer.

Applications can be made online at www.ehic.org.uk, by phoning 0845 606 2030 or by visiting your local post office.

I recently wrote to Travel West Midlands to find out if they have a programme detailing when the buses they operate on routes serving Aldridge will be replaced with the new style buses (like the 997), or at least refurbished in the new red and white livery.

I’m advised that the repainting of the buses in the new colours is being undertaken as quickly as possible, but they have no firm date when this will be completed. In regards to new buses  they would only say that their aim is to have replaced all old style buses by  the end of 2012 .

Walsall Partnership will be holding a funding surgery for schools and voluntary organisations for the Streetly and Aldridge Central and South area at Aldridge Library on Thursday 6th November between 10-00am and 5-00pm.

The idea is to give organisations details of the various grants that may be available for them to apply for. If you have any questions on this subject you can contact Michael Gaffney, Capacity Building Manager at Walsall Partnership on 01922 746533 - gaffneym@walsall.gov.uk

Just noticed that the letter I wrote to The Mirror was published today:

“How are we supposed to believe David Cameron’s claims about Britain being safe in his hands when he can’t even stop his own bike from being stolen?”

Apparently the post he had locked it to was short enough for the thieves to lift the bike off. They only wanted the front wheel. The Mirror have recovered the bike , replaced the wheel and returned it to David.

More worryingly was the recent poll suggesting the Tories would win the next election with a huge majority, when 49% of those questioned had no idea of what the Tories policies were!!

The Jam once sang: “The public get what the public want”.

Maybe in light of this poll, this should be re-recorded as: “The public will get what the public deserve”

The next two Blood Donor sessions in Aldridge are:

10th October 2008    -    the Compass Suites, The Green

7th November 2008    -    Aldridge Community Centre 2008.

Sessions run from 13:30 to 15:30 and then from 16:30 up to 19:30.

I don’t particularly like needles, but I can assure you that it isn’t that painful or frightening! There’s always then biscuits and tea you get afterwards to focus on and take your mind off the actual donation bit…

If you want to know more then you can click on the link I’ve added for blood donor services on the left hand side.

The old Aldridge Tavern site on Paddock Lane is indeed due to be turned into a Tesco Express Store on Paddock Lane, it is expected to open around Christmas.

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 allows for certain classes of development (e.g a pub - categoryA4) to be switched to other types (e.g. convenience store - category A1) without the need for planning permission.

As a result Walsall Council only need to consider two items in respect of the development: one involves Tesco signs for the store (08/1065/AD) and the other installation of a cash machine (08/1064/FL). These are due to be completed by 27th August 2008.

I have spoken to Tesco to ask what action they took in regard to consulting the residents in the area about their proposal and am waiting for their Business Support team to get back to me.

All Walsall Residents are welcome to attend an event being organised on Tuesday 22nd July between 10:00am and 4:00pm at The Crossing at St Paul’s. Here they  can speak to advisors from organisations such as Walsall Housing Group, Walsave, CAB, Walsall Council Welfare Benefits section and Age Concern. They can get a benefits “health check”, as well as advice and information on what they are entitled to and how to claim it.

Further details can be found in this weeks Walsall Chronicle - top of page 3.