There was a very well attended public meeting of the Acocks Green Neighbourhood Forum on Tuesday evening. Topics discussed included:

A presentation by Joe Holyoak on the Acocks Green Conservation Area. This is largely on track in line with my notes from Octobers Ward Ctte here. Joe said that dates for the consultation events would soon be announced. There was widespread support in the meeting for the Conservation Area, which was heartening to see.

PCSO John Ludford gave an update on crime in Acocks Green. Current priorities include vehicle crime including theft of number plates (30% of vehicle crime) and burglary, which has been affecting The Warwick Road (from the Village to the Stockfield Road) and the lower Gospel Estate in particular. On the positive side business crime in the Village is falling. Overall crime is up in the ward, though from a low base last year. Organisationally the local police are being reorganised into one unit covering our patch.

Fran Lee talked about the work of Acocks Green Village in Bloom. The latest project has been to adopt the area of land at the junction of Woodcock Lane and the Warwick Road and plant up the corners. The aim is also to provide planters at Acocks Green Station and Spring Road Station. Anyone who wants to volunteer to help is most welcome. Fran can be contacted at fran.lee47@yahoo.co.uk

Other issues covered included an update on the Library, which we were told should be handed back to the Constituency on 7/2/14, with reopening 10-12 days later. The much discussed wheelie bins are planned to arrive at some point in the second half of the year. I will let you know when I hear a firmer date.

The next public meeting of the Forum will be on Tuesday 29th April at 7.30pm in (as usual) the Glynn Edwards Hall.