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It's your shout

Readers may have noticed a front page report on the proposal to charge a nominal £15 for treatment where rats are found outdoor- far less than many other councils who charge up to £100. I would stress that the service within buildings would remain free as would advice and visits where no treatment is required. The council spends about £100,000 on pest control and with warmer winters rats are becoming more prolific.The increase has put a strain on the service and charging for outdoor treatment will help us put in extra resources to reduce delays and concentrate on treating areas most likely to house rats nests.The report asked for comment from readers but there were none the next week. However gentle reader there are about us opportunists who will create a situation out of nothing for their own ends. Although the Council report initially created no real opposition by last week we have a political rabble-rousing attack in one paper and an allegation of a rat epidemic in Shirley park in another. On checking the records I find that there have indeed been two sightings of a rat in the park this year in March and May. I would rather there were none but this is hardly an epidemic and probably less than that experienced in most parks across the country.
Do I smell a rat or is it coincidence that the person identified as reporting "an epidemic" has been revealed as having the same name as the next of kin of a Shirley LibDem Councillor and the timing was to co-incide with that groups calling in of the cabinet decision on improving the service? That call-in required another meeting at public expense, lots of contrived hot air and the outcome is just another delay in taking further rat-control action. Talk about pests!!"
Councillor David Bell Cabinet member for Community Services and the Environment

What do the Lib Dems and their political partners the K.S.A (Keep Shops Away) group have in common, when faced with an inconvenient truth?
The answer is ignore it.
This sad conclusion based is on factual research that shows the net loss of land in Shirley Park will be only 0.15 per cent of an acre after Parkgate is completed.
This contrasts starkly with the spurious claim being put out by the Lib Dems and K.S.A . of about 3 acres.
After the development 1.2 acres of tempoary car park built on wasteland will be dug up and restored and incorporated into the new improved Shirley Park. New young vigorous trees will be planted there. This will improve the situation by removing the tired tatty trees that are now there.
The Lib Dems and their Political Pals the Keep Shops Away group (K.S.A.) should stop telling Shirley and Solihull
They should have courage and face an inconvenient truth when it is part of the whole truth.
Instead they should bring praise the progress and prosperity that ParkGate will bring
Voters have a right to know the total truth.
C.D.Collier

I have followed with interest all the letters concerning Shirley Park even though I do not live in Shirley, including the letter written some time ago that stated that the circle of trees was in memory of the local forces, who died in WW1. So I thought it was time I knew more about it and went on the computer. There was a map which could be enlarged and it states as follows:-
'The Park was originally farmland, which was bought in 1927. More recently, additional features were introduced which includes an ornamental garden and normal walkway. Improvements have been such that the Park was awarded Green Flag Status in 2003 and 2004, a national award recognising quality Park Management and the importance the community plays in the park.
It has a play area, tennis court, bowling green, skate park, putting green, football pitch and rugby pitch, flower beds, rose garden and ornamental garden.
Nearby is Palmers Rough which covers an area of 6.5 hectares and consists of two blocks of woodland separated and partly surrounded by area of open spaces. A wide range of plants and animals make Palmers Rough an interesting place and was therefore granted Local Nature Reserve status in 2000.
The presence of Palmers Rough in the Domesday book, suggests that the woodland dates back over 900 years. A walk through the woods is especially
rewarding in spring when the blubells produces a vivid carpet of colour. It is also possible to view wildfowl as the pond is used on a frequent basis by our feathered friends."
So Shirley Park must also date back 900 years.
D. Davies,
Solihull

Robert Cawte of the Keep Shops Away group ( KSA) would have us believe that 3 acres  of Shirley will disappear under concrete as part of the Parkgate shopping development that is a complete myth.
When the facts are considered it is obvious that Shirley Park will either be the same size or slightly bigger in area. Firstly the oft quoted figure of 3 acres by the Lib Dems and their political allies the KSA is made up of 2 parts.About 1.2 acres of the present designated park and about 1.5 acres of adjacent wasteland that was never part of the park. The thicket of sad trees laughing known as the Oak Circle is also rooted on this scrub land.
This unattractive area of wasteland is due to be turned into temporary car park for the duration of the development. Which will be restored and added to the area of Shirley Park? This piece of wasteland is quite rightly being used for the benefit of Shirley and Solihull residents. So about an acre of the original park will be used for the Parkgate Centre only to be replaced by similar area of once derelict land.
Thereby creating situation of progress and prosperity for Shirley and Solihull residents. This obviously fulfils the conservative promise of no loss of Parkland given in the 2004 election literature.
Shirley and Solihull residents have the right to expect the Lib Dems and their political allies the KSA to explain the facts accurately and not fiddle the figures or facts simply to get votes.
J Wilson Solihull

How David Bell had the unmitigated gall to be delighted that Solihull's parks are among the best in the country and then with all the other councillors vote to concrete over about three acres of Shirley park beggars belief! no wonder councillor Meeson looked so sheepish and ill at ease saying that the trees were "poor specimens" when for years the council has neglected Shirley park in favour of the parks in Solihull,and now they want to move the pathway to make it easier for the contractors to desecrate the rest of the park, I have always voted Conservative before but this has really opened my eyes.  and this is after an election promise in 2004 not to sell or build on ANY PARLAND how quickly they forget ! let us remember when the next elections come round.
Gordon Moore
Shirley  

After reading your article on rats I was compelled to write to you that since we moved into Tanworth Lane we have been shocked at the amount of rats running around in tanworth lane and in the back gardens of the houses in Tanworth Lane it is a shame and a let down to the area iam a shame ed to invite friends or relatives to the our house because of what they might see running around outside the house after 9 months moveing here I am seriously thinking of selling the house I that you have luck with this disgracefull situation
Name and address supplied

There is a public right of way at the top end of Haslucks green road which takes you across the top of Shirley park I have seen rats running across the path in day time and have seen them in the park at night the area I have seen them in is by the Shirley legion and park in broad day light , there is a brick building in the passage just past end of houses off haslucks green road and some one keeps putting loads of bread on the roof of above building Have also seen rats running over the Stratford road from the central reservation section between the harvester and Dog Kennel Lane
Roger Stanbridge
Hall Green

I understand that the Solihull Muslim Community Association have acquired a residential property on Dog Kennel Lane, Shirley, with a view to converting this into a mosque. Whilst the Muslim Community have every right to find a suitable venue for their gatherings, I must  express my genuine concern that the proposed site on Dog Kennel Lane is totally unsuitable for this purpose.  This is a residential property and always has been, and it is wholly unsuitable for conversion for use by a large community of people.
Additionally, its location means that all worshippers will need to arrive by car, and this  being a narrow country lane, as many as 40 - 50 vehicles regularly converging on this location will not only greatly inconvenience the local community, but will also pose a significant safety hazard. Nearby on the same road, for example, there is a large elderly population in the new retirement village and a large volume of traffic is likely to impact on them.
This is not in any way about intolerance or anything untoward. I do hope that the Muslim Community can find a suitable site for their gatherings. But it is important, as with any place of gathering, that the site is appropriate and does not impact adversely on local people.
I understand the Muslim Community Association have submitted, or are in the process of submitting, a planning application to convert use of the building from residential to community use. It is imperative that Solihull Council consults properly on this at the appropriate time, and I ask our local representatives to ensure that local residents are consulted and their views properly reflected in any response to the Council.
As I have already said, I support the local Muslim population in finding a suitable site, but it must be appropriate to accommodate large gatherings of people and vehicles.  There are sensitives when discussing anything relating to the Muslim Community at present, but I think it is important that people feel free to express their legitimate views on this issue without fear of being seen as being intolerant or lacking understanding of other cultures.
T Smith
Shirley

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