MONICA BENNETT MEMORIAL GARDEN

Monica Bennett Commemoration Garden

Sandwell Council is to build a commemoration garden to the borough’s world-famous horticulturist Monica Bennett.

Monica, who died aged 89 at the end of 2000, was known worldwide for her involvement in hybridising geraniums at her garden centre Cypress Nursery in Blackheath.

Many of her geraniums were named after famous people all over the world.

She was a horticultural consultant, journalist, author, lecturer and national judge.

Now the Rowley Regis Town Committee is finalising plans to build a special commemoration garden in Blackheath town centre.

It is planned to have a plaque and small garden filled with geraniums at the top of High Street.

Town Committee chair Cllr Barbara Price said: “We want it to be a fitting tribute to Monica who was known worldwide.

“In addition to the garden we are planning to have a commemoration bench at the site.”

Cllr Price, who is also Sandwell’s mayoress, said it was planned to spend around £1,000 on the project.

“She was a lovely lady who lived and worked in Blackheath all her life and who was known worldwide. She played a major part in putting Blackheath on the map and as a result we want this to be a fitting tribute.”

Cllr Price said the money would come from the local area budget and should be in place by the summer.

Monica’s son Bruce Screen, who now runs the nursery, said he was thrilled that the council was marking his mother’s life with the garden.

He said: “She loved Blackheath and would never have moved away. She led such a full life and made friends with people all over the world.”

MAYOR OPENS YORK ROAD PLAY AREA

MAYOR  OPENS YORK ROAD PLAY AREA

The Mayor of Sandwell, Cllr G S Sidhu on Thursday 11 October, officially opened the new Children’s Play Area in York Road, OLDBURY

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The Playground was designed with the help of children from Causeway Green Primary School.

Langley Councillors Pauline Hinton. Martin Prestidge and Mick Davies were also  present at the opening ceremony.

  

C[[r Pauline Hinton is pictured with the Mayor , Cllr G S Sidhu and children from Causeway Green School

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHANCELLOR

 Today I presented my first Pre Budget Report (PBR) and the conclusions of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) called Meeting the aspirations of the British people . Thanks to ten years of a Labour Government, we have seen many people supported in realising their potential. By maintaining a strong and stable economy we have been able to invest in our public services after years of underinvestment. It has also meant that we have been able to meet the challenges of global financial market instability. PBR CSR 2007 sets out how Labour is responding to the aspirations of every person in this country. There are new commitments for people of all age groups and in all parts of the country. As result of our economic management we can meet both our fiscal rules and invest more – £2 billion in 2010 more than proposed at the Budget. The Tories could spend this £2 billion to raising the Inheritance tax threshold, promising £1bn for the estates worth more than £950,000, the top 1 per cent. Instead, Labour has decided to invest that £2 billion: Helping to build an extra primary school in every local area by 2010. And in health when, added to its budget, it will deliver over 20 new hospitals, 150 new walk-in centres open 7 days a week, 100 new GP practices and aim to ensure a regular check up for every adult by the NHS – improving the quality of patient care across the country. Our choice: investment in schools and hospitals for all of the British people. If you would like to find out more about what we have announced today, click here to visit the HM Treasury website and click here to read my statement to the House. If you have a question or a point you would like to raise, click here to put your question to Labour’s Chief Secretary to the Treasury Andy Burnham. Best wishes Alistair Darling MP Labour’s Chancellor of the Exchequer

NEW LEAVE ENTITLEMMENT FOR 500,000 WORKERS

Half a million workers across the West Midlands to benefit from new leave entitlement from this week

John Spellar, Labour’s MP for Warley today welcomed new leave entitlement which will benefit around half a million workers across the West Midlands and another rise in the minimum wage that will benefit 110,000 in the region from this week.

Up to six million workers across the UK, including 3.5 million women and 2.5 million men, will benefit from the extra annual leave – around half a million of them in the West Midlands. The new leave entitlement helps fulfill a Labour manifesto pledge to give an extra boost to workers who are made to take bank holidays out of their annual leave entitlement.

In addition, more than a million workers across the UK will be better off as a result of the minimum wage increases which, when combined with Working Tax credits and other benefits, will provide a guaranteed minimum income of at least £276 a week for families with one child and one full-time worker.

John Spellar MP said:

“This is great news for the half a million workers in the West Midlands who stand to benefit from the increased holiday entitlement Labour is introducing from this week. Around 110,000 will also be better off thanks to the latest increase in the minimum wage.“

“These changes show that Labour is determined to do right by Britain’s hardworking families. Compare that to the Tories, who opposed the extra leave entitlement and the minimum wage every step of the way.”

The changes that come into effect this week will be backed up by a tough new minimum wage enforcement regime announced by the Government last month, including increased maximum fines for employers who flout the laws. Employers who do not pay the correct wages will have to repay arrears to their workers at a higher rate.

MAYOR TO OPEN NEW PLAY AREA IN YORK ROAD

MAYOR TO OPEN NEW PLAY AREA IN YORK ROAD

.The Mayor of Sandwell, Cllr G S Sidhu will officially open the new Play Area in York Road, Oldbury at  10.00 am  on Thursday 11 October.

Pupils from Causeway Green Primary School were involved in the design of the pay area at the consultation stage and they will be present to try out the facilities! 

LANGLEY COUNCILLORS SURGERIES

Langley Councillors Pauline Hinton, Martin Prestidge and Mick Davies hold regular surgeries.   

 Free confidential advice sessions are held on the Second Saturday in the month from 10.00 am to 11.30 am at Lion Farm Library , Martley Road.On the Third Saturday, an Advice Bureau is held at the Cakemore Community Shop , Brook Road, at the same times.

Other Surgeries will take place between 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm at Langley Park Community Centre. Langley High Street on 5 October and the Social and Sports Club York Road, Rowley Regis on Friday 19 October .

PAULINE TO STAND FOR LABOUR IN LANGLEY

PAULINE TO FIGHT LANGLEY FOR LABOUR 

Councillor Pauline Hinton has been unanimously endorsed by Langley Labour Party as their candidate for the Local Elections next  May.

Pauline said after the  meeting:“ I am honoured by the confidence which has been shown in me by  my   colleagues”“ I pledge myself to l work hard for Langley people in the Council  Chamber as well as in the community.”.

Pauline has represented Langley for many  years and is currently Deputy  Leader of the Council with responsibilty for Improvement and Quality.

She was born and grew up in Langley and was educates at local schools.

 

REFUSE COLLECTIONS OVER THE EASTER HOLIDAY

Refuse Collections

Please note that collections for Good Friday will remain unchanged, however there will be no collections on Bank Holiday Mondays – the depot will also be closed on these days, we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Green Waste wheeled bin collections missed due to Bank Holiday Mondays will resume on the following fortnightly collection. Household refuse and Sandwell Council recycling collections will take place a day later during Bank Holiday weeks, as follows:

In the unlikely event that your refuse is not collected on the scheduled date as listed, due to such circumstances, every effort will be made to collect by the end of the next available working day.

Normal Collection Day

Collections over the period are as follows:

Resumption of normal collections

Please help us to help you keep your Borough tidy by not placing your refuse out for collection until the scheduled dates listed above

DON’T MISS OUT ON YOUR POSTAL VOTE!

 

Martin Prestidge would like to remind electors that the closing date for completed postal vote application forms is 5.00 pm on Wednesday 18 April.

Telephone Sandwell Elections Office on 0121 569 3220 for a form.

LANGLEY COUNCILLORS SURGERY

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Councillors Martin Prestidge, Mick Davies and Pauline Hinton will be available for a confidential advice session at the Community Centre, in Langley High Street between 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm. on Friday 13 April  2007.