BBC News – Lib Dem conference: Nick Clegg in minimum wage tax pledge

Does this man really think anyone will believe him ever again?

BBC News – Lib Dem conference: Nick Clegg in minimum wage tax pledge.

My mother gave me Dylan…who did you get?

There were a number of artists that were always part of the background noise throughout my childhood, with songs played loud and proud by my mother. But one of these artists stood out in front of the others… and with his music permeating every inch of the house, it was inevitable that he ended up playing a major part in my musical life. 

Dylan has both inspired and disappointed me, he has left me feeling depressed and has made me smile … it is only a real artist that can do this. 

For me (and others I am sure) he is like Marmite. Love him or hate him there can be no fence sitting. 

I saw him live 10 years ago and it was the most surreal experience of my life. Watching, singing, dancing and cheering for the man…now here in real life, that had framed my childhood memories. 

The songs our parents gave us | Music | The Guardian.

Tories should hang their heads in shame over food bank Britain

This man really is beyond belief…over and over again he demonstrates just out of touch he, his fellow ministers, and his government really are. Should we really expect it to be any other way with a Tory cabinet made up of multi millionaires?

Food bank Britain: ‘I didn’t ask to be ill’ | Society | The Guardian.

Local issues really do matter!

Residents living in the shadow of a proposed new supermarket for Hall Green will have received a letter over the weekend from Cllr Burden outlining his concerns and urging them to participate in the consultation process.

I too have a number of concerns and have formally submitted an objection to the plans submitted.

I do of course know that some residents will be in favour of having another supermarket but any positives that this new provision might bring to the ward are outweighed by the potential problems.

I really believe that we do not need this supermarket.

There appears no logical reason it should be built. It is proposed to sit some 150 metres from another supermarket well established in Hall Green.

We already have a number of large supermarkets in Hall Green and we have a series of large and small independent stores all catering to the diversity of the residents of Hall Green.

The new store will be slap bang in the middle of an established residential area and if the plans are approved could have a devastating impact on the local area:

1. Due to the size and proximity to an established residential area the proposed development would result in increased noise and activity to the detriment of the amenity of the occupiers of adjacent dwellings.
2. The size and the range of goods available for sale in the proposed store will have a significant adverse impact on local shops and businesses in the vicinity of the site, to the detriment of the ‘vitality and viability’ of existing businesses.  There has been strong concern expressed by local businesses and the proposal could result in the closing of local businesses and loss of local jobs.
3. The proposed store will introduce further traffic into an already busy area and will result in an increase in not only traffic, but also ‘on street’ parking and congestion to the detriment of highway safety and amenity of nearby residents.  The local community is concerned that increase in traffic and lack of parking will compromise the safety of local residents.
4. Due to its siting and size the proposed development will result in an adverse impact on existing protected trees, to the detriment of the amenity of the wider area and local wildlife. The building because of its large foot print will have a significant impact on certain existing retained trees in that the development will encroach into Root Protection Areas(RPA’s).
5. Finally the design and appearance of the proposed development is not in keeping with the local area and consequently would have a negative impact on the street scene and surrounding area. The design of the building would be compounded by the substantial proposed hard standing and distinct lack of soft landscaping along the frontage of the site, which would further distract from the visual amenity of the area.

We really do not need another supermarket in Hall Green! If you think so to then please sign this petition… click here

If you would like to find out more about the proposals and concerns please come and have your say on Tuesday 10th September, 6.30pm on the car park of the proposed site, corner of Wycombe Road/Stratford Road, Hall Green, B28 9EH

Notes:

The plans are available from http://eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk ref 2013/05304/PA or from Hall Green Library.

Comments can be made online or by writing to:

Pam Brennan, Planning and Regeneration, PO Box 28, Birmingham, B1 1TU