At the meeting of the Hockley Heath Parish Council on Thursday 17th September, the police will be attending to answer your questions about the traveller incursion at the recreation ground over the summer. Please come along to the meeting which starts at 7.45pm at the Pavilion, Hockley Heath Recretion Ground.
HHPC News
The Travellers have been successfully moved on from the Park today at 6.00pm. It has been a good example of effective communication and good decision making based on regular informed interaction between Residents, HHPC, SMBC professionals and the West Midlands Police.
I would particularly like to thank Alan Brown, SMBC Head of Environmental Services and his team at SMBC for working so effectively and quickly on behalf of the Hockley Heath Community and Parish Council.
The decision made this evening by the responsible West Midlands Police commander of resources at the scene was intelligent and judged the situation perfectly. Ably abetted by the SMBC Environmental Services team on the ground with the Police. Well done!
This action helps to restore confidence to Hockley Heath residents and businesses in the effectiveness of West Midlands Policing and their much improved coordination with the SMBC Environmental Services professional team.
HHPC will now be conducting an inspection of buildings and facilities in the Park. However an initial review seems to indicate no serious damage to the grounds, buildings, bowling club and play equipment. However there is considerable waste and litter left on the Park grounds.
This means there is a significant health and safety hazard from bottles, waste and fouling from rubbish left behind on the park and in the surrounding ditches. HHPC has commissioned SMBC Environmental Services to send a crew to clear and dispose of the dangerous mess. In the meantime we have cordoned off the lower park to residents until cleared.
You will be pleased to hear the HH Bowls Club were out in force this evening playing on their pitch once again as the Park returns to normal service. Many thanks to residents who raised the alarm and village organisations that helped communicate information to the village during this distressing episode and also those who helped with the clearing up operations.
The Park main gates on to Old Warwick Road will remain closed whilst HHPC reviews the future security options for the Park. All current Park and Pavilion key holders are now required to open and close the main gates at all times. Once the new security measures are in place we hope normal service can be resumed.
Finally this episode will not disrupt or delay the HHPC upgrading of the children’s play area which commences in September.
Kind Regards, Peter
Peter T. Rayson
Chairman
Hockley Heath Parish Council
The Hockely Heath Park has been invaded by a significant sized group of Traveller families comprising approximately 10-12 vehicles and caravans. Access to the park was obtained via a padlock having been removed from the park grass area entrance: only used by emergency services or Park maintenance contractors.
The police have been in attendance, in force, to contain the situation. The police can take no action at this time as trespass is a civil not a criminal activity. The civil action response has to be a court order which can only be obtained on Monday morning. HHPC are working directly with SMBC to ensure this is done along with getting the bailiffs in to move the Travellers on ASAP.
In discussion with the Police Inspector the advised course of action for HHPC is to allow this group on to the Park and localise them for the police to keep watch and monitor their activities rather than barricade the Park and scatter them all over the village. Whilst this is a major issue for HHPC and the residents surrounding the Park it is deemed the safest approach for all concerned.
The Police can only act if there is criminal actions taking place, for example: damage to property, abusive behaviour, theft and any other criminal activity. If any villager sees or is impacted by anything of this sort involving these Travellers then they must report it to the police immediately. These reports will all be logged and will be hugely important on Monday morning when the court injunction is served because criminal activity can be and will be acted upon.
In the mean time HHPC and SMBC advice is to ensure all your property and belongings are secure. Also do not take matters into your own hands as this can easily escalate and cause more harm and damage for both the village and the Travellers who have young children amongst them.
On advice from the Police, the Park main gates will not be locked tonight or Sunday night as they are usually at dusk. HHPC has been assured by the Police that they will be monitoring on every hour for the duration of the incursion all Park facilities, to ensure they are not broken into or vandalised.
If any Villager sees any threatening behaviour or fighting they are to call 999 immediately and the Police are alerted to respond at once.
Whilst this is completely unacceptable behaviour by the Travellers; we will be working closely with SMBC and the West Midlands Police to try and find a safe and swift conclusion to this incursion.
Yours Sincerely,
Peter Rayson
Chairman
Hockley Heath Parish Council
Hockley Heath Parish Council are pleased to announce that in September 2015, work will start on developing new play facilities adjacent to the pavilion at the Recreation Ground. The new play area will have fencing to stop dogs entering, a new climbing frame, swings and other features. Following on from that, a new multi use games area will be created on the site of the existing one and shouild be completed by October 2015.
M40 – Junction 3a/M42 & M42 Links. Carriageway works
The Northbound Links at Junction 3a (M42 links) will be closed overnight for one night from 8pm 1st July until 6am the following morning (2nd July). A diversion route will be clearly signposted
M42 Junction 2 to 3, West Midlands. Carriageway works
The Northbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 29 June until 4 July. A diversion route will be clearly signpost
M42 Junction 3 to 2, West Midlands. Carriageway works
The Southbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 30 June until 27 July. A diversion route will be clearly signpost
M42 Junction 3a, West Midlands. Carriageway works
The M42 Eastbound Link to M42 Northbound Link will be closed overnight for one night from 8pm 2 July until 6am the following morning (3 July). A diversion route will be clearly signpost
We are delighted to inform you that superfast broadband is now available in parts of Hockley Heath! Cabinet Lapworth 1 has been upgraded, meaning that many properties connected to it can now order the improved service.
What should residents do now?
1. Check that their property is connected to this cabinet by going to
www.dslchecker.bt.com and entering their landline number
2. Sign up with an Internet Service Provider for superfast services. They should remember to check different providers for the best rates to meet their needs. For more information residents should check out an independent reviewer such as: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/cheap-broadband
What are the benefits?
Having access to superfast broadband not only lets you browse the web faster, but helps businesses stay competitive and allows individuals, families and communities to make use of opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise be possible:
· Choose the Internet Service Provider you want- the CSW Broadband project ensures that you are not limited in your choice of suppliers
· Get online instantly with no slow dial-up connections
· Talk face-to-face with friends and family using Skype or other software
· Stream HD films, TV shows and videos without buffering slowing you down
· Quickly and easily share your photos with friends and family
· Upload pictures and documents seamlessly
· Work from home when you want- now you can really compete in the global marketplace
· Reduce workplace costs by introducing remote working and hot-desking
Get the word out
Now that superfast broadband is available, it’s important to make sure that all residents in your area can take advantage of its benefits and we need your help to do this. We are looking for people who live and/or work within our local communities to help us inform people that the new service is available. This would involve putting up posters on local notice boards and delivering leaflets to households in your area.
If you feel enthusiastic about the benefits of superfast broadband and would be willing to help us spread the word please email us at broadband@cswbroadbansd.org.uk
Please Note: Even though this cabinet has been upgraded, not every property connected to it is guaranteed to achieve superfast speeds due to some properties’ distances from the cabinet and/or quality of copper connections.
Just to let you know that the Lapworth Cabinet 1 has just lit up and you can now order the BT Broadband upgrade to SuperFast.
Thanks to the CSW team for all their hard work and running a great project so successfully.
The village will no longer have those with and those without SuperFast Broadband.
From April 2015 a new contractor took over the maintenance and care of the recreation ground at Hockley Heath. Solihull Neighbourhood Rangers have the contract for 1 year following competitive tendering. Unfortunately there was a delay with the mowing of the main field as their large mower was temporarily out of action. The Rangers apologise for the unsightliness of the fields while they waited for a replacement mower.
The fields were all cut on Tuesday 26th May and the whole site looks a lot better for the mow.
If anyone has any questions about the upkeep of the recreation ground, please contact the parish clerk using the Contact Us tab at the top of the page.
At the meeting of Hockley Heath Parish Council on 18th June 2015, it was agreed to accept the application for a Co-opted Councillor to join our existing 4 elected councillors. Hockley Heath Parish Council welcomes Cllr Greg McDougall who will serve for the next 4 years.
EARLSWOOD WILDLIFE PARTNERSHIP is arranging a SPRINGWATCH EVENT on SATURDAY MAY 30TH 10.00 AM – 4.OO PM at the LOG CABIN, WOOD LANE EARLSWOOD, B94 5JP
WILDLIFE DISPLAYS & ACTIVITIES with experts on BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES, MAMMALS, HEDGEHOGS, WILD FLOWERS etc.
GUIDED WALKS DURING THE DAY IN CLOWES WOOD
REFRESHMENTS
Further information
ewp2010@btinternet.com
Tel. 07528 595444