On-going research; last updated 25 February 2017
18th January 2016 - Friends of Selly Oak Park
Present
2/3. The previous minutes were approved with no matters arising not already on the agenda.
4. Central Park Area
The survey at the 2015 Festival suggested that a seating area is preferred. This will need to be costed by the landscape practice group before funding can be sought.
5. Repairs to the Oak Tree interpretation board and gate post.
These have not been conducted NC suggested that it is now time to do the work and charge to Robert Wilkinson.
6. Festival 2016
There was some discussion as regards to the fair rental given that we had not received the 2015 rent. AS to pursue the 2015 payment.
7. Sainsbury’s / Lapal Canal.
LCT have now cleared and dug out most of the Harborne wharf with the aid of Careys.
8. Heritage Forum Subscription
This was agreed DB to pay.
18th March 2016 - Birmingham Trees for Life
An oak tree, donated by BTL, was planted in the Park near the Millennium Wood.
Minutes of committee
meeting of 18 January 2016
1. Apologies
Ken Pugh, Sue Amy, John Moody
Present
Andrew Schofield (Chair), Marian Evans, Dave Barker, Bod
Curry, Adrian Langley (Ariel Scouts), Nicola Clarke (Quadron).
2/3. The previous minutes were approved with no matters arising not already on the agenda.
4. Central Park Area
The survey at the 2015 Festival suggested that a seating area is preferred. This will need to be costed by the landscape practice group before funding can be sought.
5. Repairs to the Oak Tree interpretation board and gate post.
These have not been conducted NC suggested that it is now time to do the work and charge to Robert Wilkinson.
6. Festival 2016
There was some discussion as regards to the fair rental given that we had not received the 2015 rent. AS to pursue the 2015 payment.
7. Sainsbury’s / Lapal Canal.
LCT have now cleared and dug out most of the Harborne wharf with the aid of Careys.
8. Heritage Forum Subscription
This was agreed DB to pay.
18th March 2016 - Birmingham Trees for Life
An oak tree, donated by BTL, was planted in the Park near the Millennium Wood.
21st March 2016 - Friends of Selly Oak
Park
Ken Pugh, Dave Barker
Present
2. John Moody
5. Central Park Area
SA agreed to ask the Landscape Practice Group to quote for a central park feature. Bob Curry and Ken Pugh to give Friends input to the endeavour.
6. Repairs to the Oak Tree interpretation board and gate post.
SA agreed to organise the repair work and to bill Robert Wilkinson for the costs.
7. Festival 2016
Date 18th June, fair rental agreement as in previous years. Juggler and Donkeys booked. There was some discussion over events and stalls. It was agreed that a Dog Show would be good, AS to try to re-establish contact with Louise Frances Tailor. Fitness / Active Parks and input from the rangers was discussed.
8. Sainsbury’s / Lapal Canal
LCT are proposing some repair works to the wharf walls.
9. AOB
6pm 18th April for Festival Planning.
Minutes of committee
meeting of 21 March 2016
1. ApologiesKen Pugh, Dave Barker
Present
Andrew Schofield (Chair), Marian Evans, Bob Curry, Adrian Langley (Ariel Scouts),
Nicola Clarke (Quadron), Sue Amey (BCC)
2. John Moody
Andrew paid tribute to John Moody for his work in support of
the Scouts and the Park.
It was agreed to make a donation of £40 to John’s memorial
fund. The memorial fund will be shared between the Scout Group and the Cardiac
Unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
AL discussed the possibility that the Scouts will place a
wooden carving in the shape of a badger (John’s Cub Scout name) in the park.
3/4. The previous minutes were approved with no matters
arising not already on the agenda.5. Central Park Area
SA agreed to ask the Landscape Practice Group to quote for a central park feature. Bob Curry and Ken Pugh to give Friends input to the endeavour.
6. Repairs to the Oak Tree interpretation board and gate post.
SA agreed to organise the repair work and to bill Robert Wilkinson for the costs.
7. Festival 2016
Date 18th June, fair rental agreement as in previous years. Juggler and Donkeys booked. There was some discussion over events and stalls. It was agreed that a Dog Show would be good, AS to try to re-establish contact with Louise Frances Tailor. Fitness / Active Parks and input from the rangers was discussed.
8. Sainsbury’s / Lapal Canal
LCT are proposing some repair works to the wharf walls.
9. AOB
AS thanked all those involved in tending the willow
sculpture and Millennium Wood.
Date of future meetings:6pm 18th April for Festival Planning.
6pm 16th May regular meeting.
6pm 13th June Festival Pre-flight.
16th May 2106 - Friends of Selly Oak Park
Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 16 May 2016
in the Scout Hut, Gibbins Road, Selly Oak
Present: Andrew Schofield (Chairman),
Dave Barker (Treasurer), Bob Curry, Marian Evans, and Ken Pugh (Secretary).
Gerard Airey (Ariel
Scouts), Louise Francis-Taylor (The Pampered Pet Co.) and Adrian Langley (Ariel
Scouts).
1 Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 21 March 2016: Approved.
2 Matters arising:
Central Area of the
Park KP reported on a meeting at which he and BC
met SA, NC and two representatives from the BCC Landscape Design Team to
discuss possibilities for upgrading this area.
Design Team currently drafting a couple of options (based loosely on the
provision at Victoria Common, Northfield), to be consulted on at the Festival;
after which designs will be finalised so that NC and KP can progress
applications for grants. (Action: AS to enquire of progress in
time for Festival)
·
Stalls
- most of regulars attending. Worcester
Canal Group linked to LCT stall.
·
Dog
Show – going ahead as last year.
·
Rosettes
ordered
·
Dogs
Home coming.
·
Dog
training and behaviour – slot in programme at about 1 pm.
·
Same
competition categories (10) – BC pursuing prizes.
·
LFT
needs gazebo and table
·
Poo
bags and bin, and drinking water required.
·
Flyer-
same as last year – delivery arrangements discussed. Banner for bridge.
·
Timetable
for all activities required.
·
Football
competition – 3 teams registered, 6 preferred.
Pitch to be marked according to plan from DB & BC.
·
Donkeys
– as last year.
·
Juggler
– as previous.
·
Ariel
Motorcycles and Zumba Group approached – no response to date.
·
LFT
to contact Harborne Cheerleaders – usual cheerleaders have not responded.
·
AS
to approach Martial Arts Group and Gym Group.
·
Toilets
booked.
·
Car
parking – 50p charge to be levied if Scouts can manage.
·
Ice
Cream Stall arranged.
·
Stage
anticipated – AS to check with RW.
·
Events
licence to be obtained.
·
First
Aid and Police notified.
·
AS
to be event manager, free to roam, and not to be tied up with a scheduled duty.
4
Agenda for AGM
Reviewed – no
extraordinary items needed.
5
AOB
Noted:
·
Anticipated
activity in August adjacent to the Park as a Canal Restoration Group and LCT
make repairs in Harborne Wharf.
·
LCT
have been advised on fund-raising and profile building by a group of business
students from Birmingham University.
·
Harvest
/ Sainsbury’s have made adjustments to the distribution and size of some proposed
buildings on the new Battery site.
·
Fake
Festival will be holding an event in the Park on 20th August.
6
Date of Next Meeting: Monday, 13th June 2016, at 6 pm in the Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road. (Festival “pre-flight”).
Sunday, 18th September 2016, at 2 pm in the Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road.
(Normal Committee, followed at 3 pm by AGM).
13th July 2016 - Birmingham Mail
Convoy of caravans move onto Selly Oak Park
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/convoy-caravans-move-selly-oak-11609638
Convoy of caravans move onto Selly Oak Park
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/convoy-caravans-move-selly-oak-11609638
14th July 2016 - Birmingham Mail
The Travellers situation reported again:
15th July 2016 - Birmingham Mail
The next in the traveller story:
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/traveller-camps-summit-demanded-end-11615590
and by now it has captured the interest of the national press:
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/689879/Gypsies-travellers-camp-park-close-children-playground
and by now it has captured the interest of the national press:
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/689879/Gypsies-travellers-camp-park-close-children-playground
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3692230/Police-tell-1-000-pupil-school-close-12-caravans-travellers-pitch-playing-fields.html (scroll down the Daily Mail web page)
19th July 2016 - Birmingham Mail
The travellers move on from the Park:
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/forty-caravans-quit-selly-oak-11632854
The travellers move on from the Park:
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/forty-caravans-quit-selly-oak-11632854
20th July 2016 - Birmingham Mail
Cleaning up the Park once the travellers have left:
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/massive-clean-up-operation-after-11635986
Cleaning up the Park once the travellers have left:
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/massive-clean-up-operation-after-11635986
18th September 2016 - Friends of Selly Oak Park
Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 18 September 2016
in the Scout Hut, Gibbins Road, Selly Oak
Present: Andrew Schofield (Chairman),
Ann-Marie McCarthy (Vice-Chairman), Dave Barker (Treasurer) and Ken Pugh
(Secretary).
Sue Amey (BCC),
Nicola Clarke (Quadron) and Chris Wallace (Ariel Scouts).
Apologies: Bob
Curry and Marian Evans
1 Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 16 May 2016: Approved.
2 Matters arising:
Stump Display Board – an order for
repair has been placed and the work should be done in the next two weeks. The extent of repairs to the brick gate
pillar will be assessed by the contractor when on site.
Central Area of the
Park
- the BCC Landscape Design Team had submitted a plan just before the Festival, but
too late to arrange a public consultation there. The proposal was shown to the Committee members
and received very favourable comment.
Proposal to be circulated to members immediately (Action: AS) for their detailed consideration by the next meeting (21st
November) (Action: All) following
which a consultation will be held at the Carols in the Park event in December,
meanwhile indicative costs to be obtained (Action:
SA).
3
Agenda for AGM
The business for the
meeting to follow was reviewed.
4
AOB
·
SA
described work being undertaken by the Wildlife Trusts and Bug Life to
encourage the establishment and proliferation of pollinators. There was a proposal to introduce alternating
islands of wild flower meadow in Selly Oak Park along the canal edge of the Park,
and cut and collect the islands on a seasonal rotation. Proposal approved by the Committee.
5
Date of Next Meeting(s):
All in
the Ariel Scout Hut, Gibbins Road.
On
Mondays at 6 pm
·
21st
November 2016
·
16th
January 2017
·
20th
March 2017
·
17th
April 2017 (Festival Planning)
·
15th
May 2017
plus Festival
“pre-flight” – date to be set when date of Festival is fixed,
and on
Sunday, 17th September at 2 pm (followed by AGM/Public Meeting at 3
pm).
Minute
of the Public Meeting / AGM
held at
3 p.m. on 18th September 2016 in the Scout Hut, Gibbins Road.
Present: Andrew Schofield (Chairman),
Ann-Marie McCarthy (Vice Chairman), Dave Barker (Treasurer) and Ken Pugh (Secretary).
Sue Amey (Area Parks
Manager), Cllr Karen McCarthy, and Chris Wallace (Ariel Scouts).
Also Attending: Peter Fisher, Thomas Hindson, Hugh Humphreys, Helen & Ray Jones, Simon
Stafford, and Janice & Terry Stanton.
Apologies: Nicola
Clarke (Quadron), Bob Curry and Marian Evans.
The
Chairman thanked everyone for their presence and support of the Friends.
1. The Minute of the AGM held on 20th September
2015
was approved.
2. Matters Arising – the Chairman reflected on the passing of
John Moody (Ariel Scouts) who had been a great supporter of the Friends Group
and its activities.
3. Annual Report from the Chairman
Friends
of Selly Oak Park
Chairman’s
Report 2016
This
year we have further repaired the willow sculpture, weaving in new growth and
cutting back extensively in some areas.
This will now be an annual task.
We organised 2 events during the year. Our 4th Carols in the Park in December 2015 was another success although for the first time the wind was too strong to erect a gazebo so the event was held inside at the Scout Hut. We did still manage to illuminate the tree near the lodge and had an artificial tree in the scout hut. Riverside Church helped with the religious elements of the event.
Our main event was once again the Selly Oak Festival in June where we were joined once again by Robert Wilkinson’s Fun Fair who gave around £1100 in sponsorship. The event was also sponsored by the University of Birmingham for £500. This year we had to deal with some soft ground but managed to get all the stall holders on and off the park with minimum damage.
This year saw Fake Festival’s return to the park in August. Less welcome was a visit from a large number of travellers. This caused considerable disruption and a lot of rubbish including illegal fly tipping and toilet waste. The travellers had been moving across the City using many parks during the summer and left us for Selly Park Recreation ground. We believe they entered the park via the main gate which had been left open but they also used an access point close to the Scout Hut during their stay. Once the eviction had been completed BCC acted swiftly to clear the park and make it safe. Members of the committee and concerned local residents followed this up with a litter picking session aided by BCC and the Park Keeper. The gate is now being closed and the Gibbins Rd verge has been secured with tree trunks as a temporary measure.
As soon as the park was clear of travellers it became an epicentre for another kind of invasion. Namely Pokemon Go. Children and adults gathered to capture these virtual critters at sites throughout the park. It turns out that the makers of Pokemon used photographed landmarks in public spaces as locations for the augmented reality game. Our nature trail features became ideal sites for this, greatly increasing the use of the park.
Looking ahead we need to carry out some repairs to the Nature Trail. The cumulative effect of the fair, travellers and Fake Festival have rather taken their toll on some of the grassed areas. Hopefully they will recover over the winter.
We would like to thank Ariel Scouts for the use of their hut for meetings and particularly Adrian Langley for his support at meetings. We also thank Sue Amy (BCC Area Parks Manager) and Nicola Clarke (Quadron Services) and our Park Keeper for all their help during the year and Robin Bryan and the City’s clean up team for their help returning the park to good order after the travellers had left.
Andrew Schofield
We organised 2 events during the year. Our 4th Carols in the Park in December 2015 was another success although for the first time the wind was too strong to erect a gazebo so the event was held inside at the Scout Hut. We did still manage to illuminate the tree near the lodge and had an artificial tree in the scout hut. Riverside Church helped with the religious elements of the event.
Our main event was once again the Selly Oak Festival in June where we were joined once again by Robert Wilkinson’s Fun Fair who gave around £1100 in sponsorship. The event was also sponsored by the University of Birmingham for £500. This year we had to deal with some soft ground but managed to get all the stall holders on and off the park with minimum damage.
This year saw Fake Festival’s return to the park in August. Less welcome was a visit from a large number of travellers. This caused considerable disruption and a lot of rubbish including illegal fly tipping and toilet waste. The travellers had been moving across the City using many parks during the summer and left us for Selly Park Recreation ground. We believe they entered the park via the main gate which had been left open but they also used an access point close to the Scout Hut during their stay. Once the eviction had been completed BCC acted swiftly to clear the park and make it safe. Members of the committee and concerned local residents followed this up with a litter picking session aided by BCC and the Park Keeper. The gate is now being closed and the Gibbins Rd verge has been secured with tree trunks as a temporary measure.
As soon as the park was clear of travellers it became an epicentre for another kind of invasion. Namely Pokemon Go. Children and adults gathered to capture these virtual critters at sites throughout the park. It turns out that the makers of Pokemon used photographed landmarks in public spaces as locations for the augmented reality game. Our nature trail features became ideal sites for this, greatly increasing the use of the park.
Looking ahead we need to carry out some repairs to the Nature Trail. The cumulative effect of the fair, travellers and Fake Festival have rather taken their toll on some of the grassed areas. Hopefully they will recover over the winter.
We would like to thank Ariel Scouts for the use of their hut for meetings and particularly Adrian Langley for his support at meetings. We also thank Sue Amy (BCC Area Parks Manager) and Nicola Clarke (Quadron Services) and our Park Keeper for all their help during the year and Robin Bryan and the City’s clean up team for their help returning the park to good order after the travellers had left.
Andrew Schofield
18 September 2016
Thanks were expressed
to Andrew Schofield for his sterling work and energy expended on behalf of the park
and the Friends.
4. Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer tabled his report for the period 20th September 2015 to 18th September 2016. It showed a balance brought forward into the period of £2,024.58, and after all Festival and other activities, a balance of £2,506.99 to carry forward. It was noted that about £1,000 of this actually belonged to the St Mary’s Neighbourhood Forum, the Council having paid some Forum money into the Friends’ account, since the Forum are without a bank account.
Thanks were expressed to Dave Barker, our Treasurer, for his constant monitoring of our finances.
5. Lapal Canal Trust (LCT)
The Chairman introduced Messrs Terry Stanton and Hugh Humphreys, of the Lapal Canal Trust (LCT), who gave illustrated presentations on progress with regeneration of the Canal. They drew attention to the £60,000 worth of work undertaken by Corey’s in removing infill from the Harborne Wharf; the work of the 18 visiting members of the Waterways Recovery Group (WRG) who in August had repaired brickwork in the retaining wall holding back the towpath and making it watertight; modifications to the ramp / right of way from the old Harborne Bridge to the towpath; and the replacement of the fence along the towpath. The next phase of LCT effort will be on the section of canal from the Park to the proposed marina at California which would have support from the Canal and Rivers Trust because of potential financial benefits from this section. Next year the WRG will clear the path and trees along the towpath on the park-side of the canal. TH appealed that Horse Chestnuts and Beech Nut trees, and wild Raspberries and Blackberries be disturbed as little as possible since they were an important focus for biodiversity.
The Treasurer tabled his report for the period 20th September 2015 to 18th September 2016. It showed a balance brought forward into the period of £2,024.58, and after all Festival and other activities, a balance of £2,506.99 to carry forward. It was noted that about £1,000 of this actually belonged to the St Mary’s Neighbourhood Forum, the Council having paid some Forum money into the Friends’ account, since the Forum are without a bank account.
Thanks were expressed to Dave Barker, our Treasurer, for his constant monitoring of our finances.
5. Lapal Canal Trust (LCT)
The Chairman introduced Messrs Terry Stanton and Hugh Humphreys, of the Lapal Canal Trust (LCT), who gave illustrated presentations on progress with regeneration of the Canal. They drew attention to the £60,000 worth of work undertaken by Corey’s in removing infill from the Harborne Wharf; the work of the 18 visiting members of the Waterways Recovery Group (WRG) who in August had repaired brickwork in the retaining wall holding back the towpath and making it watertight; modifications to the ramp / right of way from the old Harborne Bridge to the towpath; and the replacement of the fence along the towpath. The next phase of LCT effort will be on the section of canal from the Park to the proposed marina at California which would have support from the Canal and Rivers Trust because of potential financial benefits from this section. Next year the WRG will clear the path and trees along the towpath on the park-side of the canal. TH appealed that Horse Chestnuts and Beech Nut trees, and wild Raspberries and Blackberries be disturbed as little as possible since they were an important focus for biodiversity.
Mr. Humphreys responded to questions about the funding of the section of canal that will traverse Sainsbury’s new retail complex it being pointed out that without the successful completion of this work the restoration of the canal will fail, and the section from the park to the proposed marina would be irrelevant. Members of the audience emphasised that Section106 funding (which might have been used for other features in Selly Oak) had been sanctioned to this project in the expectation of a watered canal across the new development, and would not be looked on favourably if there was a failure to deliver.
6. Selly Oak Festival
More entertainment is required; with more bodies to run the event – especially as the Festival is the only regular community event in Selly Oak. The Scouts indicated that a marquee may be available for future years – this to be in addition to the usual array of gazebos which lend flexibility to the arrangements.
More entertainment is required; with more bodies to run the event – especially as the Festival is the only regular community event in Selly Oak. The Scouts indicated that a marquee may be available for future years – this to be in addition to the usual array of gazebos which lend flexibility to the arrangements.
7. Carols in the Park
To be arranged again for either the 3rd or the 10th December – the latter preferred though we may have to be guided by the availability of musicians and others to run the event. It was suggested that the University School, Fake Festival and the CLC may be able to direct us to local musicians.
To be arranged again for either the 3rd or the 10th December – the latter preferred though we may have to be guided by the availability of musicians and others to run the event. It was suggested that the University School, Fake Festival and the CLC may be able to direct us to local musicians.
8. Fake Festival
It was noted that there had been one formal complaint about the late over-running of the event and the disturbance caused. Otherwise the event had passed without incident and successfully. It was noted that there is no direct or specific benefit to Selly Oak Park from the Fake Festival, but charges levied by the Council do benefit the City parks generally.
It was noted that there had been one formal complaint about the late over-running of the event and the disturbance caused. Otherwise the event had passed without incident and successfully. It was noted that there is no direct or specific benefit to Selly Oak Park from the Fake Festival, but charges levied by the Council do benefit the City parks generally.
9. Travellers
This year had seen the usual movement of travellers from park to park across the City, but for the first time Selly Oak Park had fallen victim to one of the largest gatherings – 60 vans estimated to be on the park. Thanks were expressed to those who had helped with clear-up once the travellers had left. Discussion ensued about i) the powers available to the various City Departments and the Police, and the apparent reluctance of some Chief Constables to take early enforcement action and move the travellers on after 48 hours; ii) the need for a stronger more secure gate and / or bollards at the Lodge entrance, and a trip rail or bunding on the Gibbins Road frontage adjacent to the Scout Hut (the temporary tree trunks are unlikely to deter determined intruders).
10. Pokemon Go
The Chairman’s report had noted this growing phenomenon, and it was suggested that we may be able to capitalise on it and link it to the Festival.
11. Election of Committee and Officers
With two further volunteers, and the current members willing to continue, the existing officers and committee were appointed en bloc:
This year had seen the usual movement of travellers from park to park across the City, but for the first time Selly Oak Park had fallen victim to one of the largest gatherings – 60 vans estimated to be on the park. Thanks were expressed to those who had helped with clear-up once the travellers had left. Discussion ensued about i) the powers available to the various City Departments and the Police, and the apparent reluctance of some Chief Constables to take early enforcement action and move the travellers on after 48 hours; ii) the need for a stronger more secure gate and / or bollards at the Lodge entrance, and a trip rail or bunding on the Gibbins Road frontage adjacent to the Scout Hut (the temporary tree trunks are unlikely to deter determined intruders).
10. Pokemon Go
The Chairman’s report had noted this growing phenomenon, and it was suggested that we may be able to capitalise on it and link it to the Festival.
11. Election of Committee and Officers
With two further volunteers, and the current members willing to continue, the existing officers and committee were appointed en bloc:
Chair –
Andrew Schofield
Vice-Chair –
Ann-Marie McCarthy
Treasurer – Dave
Barker
Secretary – Ken
Pugh
Committee
members – Bob Curry, Marian Evans, Thomas Hindson,
Malcolm Smith and Chris Wallace.
12. Any Other Business
· SA described work being undertaken by the Wildlife Trusts and Bug Life to encourage the establishment and proliferation of pollinators. There was a proposal to introduce alternating islands of wild flower meadow in Selly Oak Park along the canal edge of the Park, and cut and collect the islands on a seasonal rotation. The proposal was welcomed.
· The plans for improvement of the central area of the park were displayed and generally approved. It was suggested that the table tennis table might be moved to the area of the old tennis courts.
· Plans were outlined to repair some of the Nature Trail items and signage.
· There was an appeal to provide facilities for 15-18 year olds – e.g. a basketball area. The Committee agreed to investigate possibilities.
· Attention was drawn to the poor condition of the gravel paths along the Gibbins Road frontage of the park and down the park towards the canal corridor through to Weoley Castle.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 4.15 pm.
2nd November 2016 - Birmingham Mail
· SA described work being undertaken by the Wildlife Trusts and Bug Life to encourage the establishment and proliferation of pollinators. There was a proposal to introduce alternating islands of wild flower meadow in Selly Oak Park along the canal edge of the Park, and cut and collect the islands on a seasonal rotation. The proposal was welcomed.
· The plans for improvement of the central area of the park were displayed and generally approved. It was suggested that the table tennis table might be moved to the area of the old tennis courts.
· Plans were outlined to repair some of the Nature Trail items and signage.
· There was an appeal to provide facilities for 15-18 year olds – e.g. a basketball area. The Committee agreed to investigate possibilities.
· Attention was drawn to the poor condition of the gravel paths along the Gibbins Road frontage of the park and down the park towards the canal corridor through to Weoley Castle.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 4.15 pm.
2nd November 2016 - Birmingham Mail
A second invasion of traveller caravans hit the Park on 29th October. Arrangements were made for an early eviction, but they fell because of an alleged lack of resource.
The travellers were eventually evicted and left on 3rd November.
A letter of complaint was written to the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner following this debacle:
A letter of complaint was written to the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner following this debacle:
David Jamieson
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner
Lloyd House
Colmore Circus
Birmingham
B4 6NQ
2 November 2016
Re: Traveller groups in Selly Oak Park - an open letter.
Dear Mr Jamieson,
Regrettably, we write to you concerning recent incursions of Travellers onto Selly Oak Park. The park is owned by the council under trust and as its Friends group we take an active interest in its upkeep. This year the park has been visited and misused by two groups of Travellers: one in July, the second in October. These incursions are part of a spate of Traveller occupations in public parks and open spaces within the city in recent months. During the 10 years that the Friends group has existed we have never seen Travellers in parks until this year when suddenly every accessible park has been affected.
Home Office guidance on dealing with trespass by Travellers notes that:
“It is unlawful for Gypsies and Travellers to camp on land they do not own without the landowner’s permission. There are locations where immediate action to remove them should be taken because the presence of the encampment is seriously disrupting the ability of the settled community to make use of facilities or to conduct their business, for instance:
- on school grounds during term time;
- on urban parks;
- on business or retail parks.” Paragraph 59, Guide to effective use of enforcement powers, Part 1.
We are sorry to report that your force’s response to these Traveller incursions has been woefully inadequate and certainly not immediate.
The Home Office advice notes two specific powers available to the police. Section 62 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 allows officers to move Traveller to a more suitable site in the same local authority at very short notice. If no such site is available Section 61 of the same act can be used to remove Travellers from land if they have refused a request from the owner to leave and:
“The unauthorised campers have caused damage to the land or property on the land; or they have used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to the occupier, a member of his family or his employee or agent; or there are six or more vehicles on the land.” Paragraph 43, Guide to effective use of enforcement powers, Part 1.
In the case of urban parks the guidance suggests that a Section 61 action by the police is the preferred method for effecting a quick dispersal as it allows police to clear a site in matter of hours. (Paragraph 61).
With regard to the specific cases in Selly Oak Park, in July the park became home to over 60 caravans (clearly more than 6 vehicles), the Park Keeper, an agent of the land owner was verbally abused, and damage was done to the park in terms of fly tipping and the depositing of human excrement (note according to the Criminal Damage Act 1971 damage does not have to be permanent to be illegal). Defecating in a park that is used by children is a deliberate act that has the potential to harm others. On all three counts then Section 61 could have been invoked in July. However, it was not and as a result the Travellers stayed for about 7 days and caused a considerable amount of damage and expense in terms of the clean-up costs. Both the eventual eviction and the clean-up were funded by Birmingham City Council.
At the start of the more recent incursion your officers initially said that they would use Section 61 powers to effect a 24 hour eviction as the Travellers had forced a gate to enter the park. On this basis Birmingham City Council did not instigate a civil eviction. Your officers then decided not to serve notice in part – we understand – on the basis of staffing issues relating to a football match, but also because the damage to the gate was slight. As this indecision occurred on a Saturday it was not until Monday 31st October that the council served a slower civil eviction notice.
While we acknowledge that judging criminal damage may be difficult, counting the number of vehicles on a site is not. Your officers should have taken Section 61 proceedings on the basis of the number of vehicles alone. Similarly a notice to leave by 9am on Monday 31st Oct would have been effective and avoided staffing issues. Had swift action been taken on Saturday, the events below could have been avoided:
On Monday evening the Travellers lit fires in the park – clearly causing damage to the land under the 1971 Criminal Damage Act. They were also reported to be throwing fireworks in the park - an offence under Section 80 of the 1875 Explosives Act, and cutting branches off trees in the park – further criminal damage. There were also reports of people throwing fireworks from the park towards cars on Gibbins Rd although we cannot verify that these were travellers. There were further fires reported during the day on 1st November and 2nd November.
In response to this local residents naturally called the police and fire service. On the evening of 31st October one of our committee members visited the park after your officers and the fire service had left and observed that the fires were still lit and that fireworks were still in use. Note please that even lighting fireworks in a public place without consent is illegal. Clearly your officers had not seen fit to prevent on-going illegal activities.
The same member called in on one of the fires on the 1st November. Noting that no life was at risk and the fire was relatively small he initially called 101 with the intention of reporting the fire as a criminal damage incident. However, as soon as she heard the word fire your operator refused to deal with the call and insisted that he call the fire service using 999. The fire service duly came – blue lighting – but we believe did not extinguish the fire.
The fire of 2nd November was reported to both the fire service and the police on 101. This time the police did attend but would not register criminal damage as our member is not the owner of the park and therefore not a victim. Instead antisocial behaviour was recorded. Again there was no attempt to prevent the travellers from lighting further fires.
One member of the public who reported the fires on 31st October received the following ‘reassurance’ from one of your officers.
“Police did attend and after speaking to the leader of the group it was assessed that it was a small gathering, small fire with dead wood found and that as the eviction notice is due to be served they deemed it safe.”
People did not feel safe on the 31st October, they felt threatened, in danger of mortal harm and that their properties were in danger. The Travellers had been observed to be committing offences under the Criminal Damage and Explosives acts. They should have been arrested or at the very least told to stop and warned that any more fires / fireworks would lead to arrests.
When talking to your officers it was suggested to one of our members that the fireworks seen in amongst the Traveller caravans on the 31st might have been lit by someone else. It seems unlikely to us that a group of Travellers would allow other people to set off fireworks in close proximity to their caravans. The same officer suggested that the fires were ‘just people burning a little rubbish’ – or words to that effect.
We feel that if one of our members were to ‘burn a little rubbish’ in the park at 9am on a Wednesday morning he or she would likely be arrested or certainly told in no uncertain terms to stop. It would seem that Travellers sit outside the law.
All in all the impression given by your officers is not one of seeking to protect local residents and public property from intimidation and damage from the Travellers; but rather to protect the Travellers from local busy-bodies.
It is abundantly clear that your force are unwilling to use the powers provided to them by several acts of parliament to either remove or arrest Travellers who are clearly in violation of the law and liable to quick evictions. This lack of action is encouraging Traveller groups into an area that they now see as a soft target. Other police forces are taking a much tougher line in following the Home Office guidance with regard to Traveller occupations. It is clear though that in the West Midlands we have ‘buck passing’, and ‘cost passing’ to the local council and other agencies. This is eroding the trust of local law abiding residents who know full well that were they to light fires or commit other damage in a public park it would be taken more seriously by the police than appears to be the case with Travellers.
As one local resident put it: “It is unbelievable what is going on. Unacceptable. The law is being flouted and essentially mocked”
We hope that you will apologise for your force’s failings on this occasion and give a directive to the Chief Constable that all officers should use Sections 61 & 62 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to its full force and swiftly in all instances of Traveller incursion onto public land. We are holding a public meeting on Gibbins Rd at 1pm on Sunday 6th November and invite you to attend that meeting.
Yours,
The Friends of Selly Oak Park
Cc
Chief Constable David Thompson, Steve McCabe MP,
Cllr John Clancy, Leader Birmingham City Council, Cllrs Jones, Khan and McCarthy, Selly Oak ward.
21 November 2016 - Friends of Selly Oak Park
Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 21 November 2016
in the Scout Hut, Gibbins Road, Selly Oak
Present: Andrew Schofield (Chairman),
Dave Barker (Treasurer), Bob Curry, Marian Evans, Simon Stafford and Ken Pugh (Secretary).
Sue Amey (BCC),
Nicola Clarke (Quadron) and Nick Packham (Urban Buzz).
Apologies: Thomas
Hindson
1 Minute of the Committee Meeting held on 18 September 2016: Approved.
2 Matters arising:
Stump Display Board – Robert Wilkinson
has the repair in his sights (Action: SA).
Meetings – The Scout Hut may
not be available for future Committee meetings on Monday evenings. AS to liaise with Chris Wallace (Ariel
Scouts) to find an alternative time slot (generally agreed, not Friday). Action: AS.
3
Travellers and Park
Security:
The park had been
invaded by another group of travellers with their caravans at the end of
October. A public meeting had been held
on the first Sunday after the Park had been cleared and cleaned, and was
attended by officers from the Police and BCC, who explained initiatives
proposed to prevent further intrusions.
A court injunction is being investigated – welcomed; but this would not
stop travellers entering the Park; further preventative measures are required.
SA explained that a
bollard had been installed to secure the existing gate, and outlined costed
options for further securing of the Park, at the Lodge entrance:
·
Bollards
and trip rails (£2,109)
·
Swing
barrier (£1,600)
and at the edge of
the park adjacent to the Scout Hut:
·
Bunding
(£600)
·
The
temporary wooden barriers to be strengthened by staking with scaffolding poles
(£438)
·
Continuous
trip rail (£1,100)
·
Discontinuous
trip rail (£1,000)
Following discussion
the preferred options were:
·
At
the Lodge – swing barrier augmented by adjacent trip rails
·
At
the Scout Hut – trip rail
SA to prepare a case
for funding from BCC (to be compared with the cost of clean-ups so far, and
with anticipated clean-up costs if preventative actions are not taken and
further intrusions occur); with a fall-back of a contribution/match-funding
from FoSOP.
4
Bug Life – Meadow to
encourage pollinators
Nick Packham was
welcomed and introduced. The Wildlife
Trusts and Bug Life / Urban Buzz have prepared and sown a wildflower meadow in
the Park adjacent to the canal boundary – one of 65 projects in the City, which
will see 100 kilos of seed planted in 12-20 parks. This initiative arises as part of the
Government’s natural pollinator strategy in the face of a 90% loss of habitat
since the war. FoSOP is invited to
maintain aspects of the project and to encourage schools, clubs and other
community groups to be involved. Agreed
that:
·
NP
would propose dates for a workshop in March / April to explain the project and
its benefits to FoSOP and other interested parties; and that
·
FoSOP
would provide a link to the relevant departments of the University of
Birmingham and to the University School.
5
Walking Meditation
sessions 2017
Jan Tomlinson is
proposing activities for the Spring of 2017 and has asked for access to toilet
facilities. JT has been referred to the
Scouts management and advised about the facilities at Sainsburys. SA to liaise with JT.
6
Carols in the Park
Arrangements were
made for this event to be held at 5 pm on Saturday, 17th December:
·
Available
members meet at 3 pm to put lights on tree and erect gazebo. NC to ask if Park-keeper could be
involved. A Committee member to stay
beside tree and gazebo until start of carol singing.
·
Musicians
have been booked.
·
Gather
at tree at 4.45 pm.
·
Carols,
readings and prayers – to be arranged by Pastor of CLC. AS asked to give guidance.
·
Scouts
to serve refreshments in Scout Hut.
·
AS
has glo-sticks.
·
Flyers
have been printed – distribution arranged.
·
AS
to obtain Temporary Event Notice.
·
Take
down lights at 2 pm on Sunday.
7
Central Area of the
Park
The plans tabled at
the last meeting were accepted to go forward to a consultation on 17th December
(Carols in the Park). Proposal to be
copied for noticeboards (4 x A3 laminated – NC) and for the Scout Hut (1 x A0 –
SA).
8
Festival 2017
Waiting for Robert
Wilkinson to publish his 2017 schedule of park visits.
9
Sainsburys / Lapal
Canal
Lapal Canal Trust propose
to undertake an archaeological survey of the section of the canal along the
northern perimeter of the Park, and sought FoSOP agreement to this. Proposal agreed.
10
AOB
·
Willow Sculpture – AS announced that two volunteers had come
forward to trim the willow sculpture (Cyril the Squirrel) each year and take
away the trimmings for basket weaving. A
win-win for the environment, the Friends and the community.
·
Green Flag Management Plan - SA to incorporate the
following actions in the plan for 2017/18:
· Security barriers for
the prevention of traveller access and encampments
· Plans for the central
area of the Park
· Establishment
of wildflower meadow under the auspices of Bug Life / Urban Buzz, with further
involvement of the Friends and the community
· New maintenance
arrangements for the willow sculpture.
11
Date of Next Meeting:
Monday, 16th January 2017, or date to be announced (see item 2 above), at 6 pm in the Scout Hut, Gibbins Road.
Monday, 16th January 2017, or date to be announced (see item 2 above), at 6 pm in the Scout Hut, Gibbins Road.
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