Joe Edgington (Conservative Party)

The Questions

Supermarket developments around Acocks Green have been very much in the news this year, and petitions both supporting and opposing the proposed Morrison’s development on Shaftsmoor Lane were handed into the Planning Department.  It would now appear that a decision will be made on this scheme, and another one for an Asda based development in Reddings Lane, prior to the May 3 local election.  However,  proposed modifications  to the much discussed ‘Draft National Planning Policy Framework’ now seem to be seeking to take into account the types of  concerns expressed by people, in regard to unchecked supermarket development,  both in Acocks Green, and across the country.  Do you support these modifications, and,  if you were elected what steps would you be taking to help protect Acocks Green shopping centre from decline as a result of  ‘out-of-town’ shopping facilities?

Answer: I welcome new opportunities for the development of Acocks Green as a whole, but the recent development of Tesco in Yardley and the proposed ASDA and Morrison do pose a threat to the success of Acocks Green village. I support measures which can protect the interests of the village and stop the out-sourcing of shopping facilities which are vital to the local economy and support many jobs. I would take steps which protect the local economy and increase competitiveness among business to drive growth.

This July we will know the result of a bid for  funding for the Acocks Green section  Birmingham City Council/Solihull MBC/Centro Smart Route route scheme  on the Warwick Road.   (A Smart Route is a red route with special facilities for buses.  If you are unfamiliar with this scheme there is a report on a meeting between Birmingham City Council Transportation Department staff and Acocks Green delegates below  here  If you are elected will you support this scheme, which will involve the implementation of a single carriageway through part of Acocks Green centre, to replace part of the present dual carriageway there?

Answer: I  support this move so long as it doesn’t increase traffic within the area.

If elected, will you actively also support ‘de-cluttering’ (removal of excess street furniture) as part of the implementation of this scheme?

Answer:  Yes.

Acocks Green people are working, with guidance from BCC officers,  on their own  Conservation Area,  proposal.  If elected, would you support such a scheme in your work as a councillor, e.g. speaking and voting in favour where possible.    If the answer is ‘this depends’ please elaborate.

Answer:  Yes.

Just  in time for the 2012 elections,   (Acocks Green Baptist Hall, corner of Yardley Road and Alexander Road, Acocks Green.) proposal to demolish the locally Grade A listed Glynne Edwards Hall appears to have just re-emerged.  (This featured in last year’s questions.)    At the time of posting we are unclear about precisely how the re-designed building  would appear, but page 3 of the new ‘briefing’ document linked to above makes  clear, by omission,  that the third building on the site, The Glynne Edwards Hall would be demolished: see highlighted section.   The, widely opposed,  scheme previously put forward to local people, involved the replacement of the Glynne Edwards Hall with a plate glass design.  It is not yet clear what form the new design would take.  However,  owners of the Hall claim that the new scheme, like the old one, would enable them to finance proper maintenance for the two statutorily listed buildings on either side, by letting  rooms in the new building.   See our main, 2011,  Glynn Edwards Hall posting here  here  for more information about the previous scheme.  The new briefing sheet also directs to www.stockfield.org which describes the 2011 scheme, implying the new one is not very different.   If elected,  would you support or oppose the scheme to demolish The Glynne Edwards Hall.   Please give at least one reason in your answer.

Answer: I would oppose such measures because its a grade A listed building and is an important part of the community. I would suggest finding other means of securing finance to maintain the other two buildings.
We are also concerned to protect our local public buildings by ensuring that they remain well used.  There has, recently, been concern about reductions in library hour provision in Birmingham Libraries.  If elected, would  you be concerned to maintain the present 50 hours per week opening provision for Acocks Green Library (Building locally listed Grade A) and, if so what steps would you take?

Answer: I would indeed seek to maintain the present 50 hours a week if it did not mean a reduction in services elsewhere. it is important to make sure that this time is used well, and if not that the money spent on un-used hours are re-distributed to other services.
There has been a proposal that Acocks Green Police Station should be moved from its present location, to a more central one, and the building either then sold or demolished.  A sentence in a report to the Police Finance and Resourcing Committee in January reads:

There are no custody facilities at either Erdington or Acocks Green. What is proposed is the REPLACEMENT of each of the stations with  new buildings.

This produced a response in the form of an impromptu and urgent meeting outside the building in January.  In recent email  Bob Jones, Chair of West Midlands Police Authority Finances and Resources Committee promises that local views will be taken into account ‘& and if the best option turns out to be staying where we are then that is were we stay’

What do you feel the future of Acocks Green Police Station should be, and how would you help protect the locally Grade B listed building?

Answer: If the positioning of the police station effects the work of the police force, then it should be moved or changed. I can only see a reason to make modifications etc. if it improves an already excellent service that they provide. If both stations are unfit for purpose then i fully agree with them being replaced etc.

A public footpath path running between Fox Hollies Road and Fox Hollies Leisure Centre has been closed for the past five years, causing great inconvenience to local people.   (See full details of story here) If elected would you support the re-opening of this path so that it can be used by residents of Acocks Green, and nearby areas,  who wish to exercise at the Leisure Centre.

Answer: Yes I would

What support will you be giving to the new new Acocks Green BID manager in her work to make Acocks Green shopping centre an attractive and popular shopping venue?

Answer:

As a long resident of the ward who works and lives in the area, offer suggestions to bring closer the business of the area with its residents; involve both in making the area more greener and popular.

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