Thursday, July 16, 2009

Give a voice to elderly

Aldridge pensioners can become the voice of the regions elderly through a police advisory scheme. A total of 25 volunteers are wanted to make up the Senior Independant Advisory Group,which has been set up to make officers more aware of the main crime related issues for older people. PC Gary Hall,said "This would be purely a voluntary role,however transport and refreshments would be supplied. Theyare looking for up to 25 people in all but they may not all be needed on the same day or evening.The role of the group would be to advise the police service on items and concernswhich are linked to the policeservice and there more senior community.   Any one interested in joining the group should call on 07833 720015 # - Dusan Popratnjak - 7/16/09; 10:34:13 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Sadness and anger as bingo hall to shut

Players hit out after Gala announces plans to shut town venue. Bingo players have condemned plans to shut their hall in Aldridge forcing them to lose their main form of entertainment.   Many disappointed users of the Gala Bingo were shocked to discover their club in Anchor Road,Aldridge was now- ear marked for closure within weeks.Owners Gala Coral announced the hall once the Avion Cinema is one of five nation wide set to close.We believethat some consultation is under way with the current 18 staff to assist them find jobs else where within the privately - owned firm. Players ,many of whom are elderly and have used the venue for more than 40 years,spoke of their anger at the decision as they arrived at their club. The firm has blamed the economic down turn as well as a bingo duty rise in Aprils budget.Bingo halls have also been hit by the smoking ban which was blamed for the closure of Mecca Bingo in Wolverhampton in 2007.   # - Dusan Popratnjak - 7/16/09; 10:06:27 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Fears over proposed community centre.

Lack of volunteers could threaten plans to build £300k project. A lack of voluntees is threatening toscupper plans to open a long - awaited community centre for families in Aldridge. Campaigners behind the proposed centre,in the Redhouse area,fear the £300,00 grant  earmarked for the project could pass them by unless a committee of 15 volunteers is put in place soon. There are already some members from Redhouse tenants and residents on the committee. But Aldridge Councillor John Rochelle said "More members are needed to make this community centre a success. A body of 15 volunteers has to be put in place to make this thing work.If these are not found,there is a real possibility this could be scrapped.A community centre could be a real asset to the area and would provide a meeting place for people of all ages and could stage social events for the elderly. Cash was first allocated to the scheme in February in Walsall Council's budget.But thoose backing the  centre feel that time may be running out.Councillor Rochelle said "Its been six months now.When the end of the next six months comes up,people are going to be looking at the budgetand saying,they have not used that £300,000.I'm open to suggestions.The  centre is due to be built on part of the site of the former Redhouse Primary School off Gretton Crescent and Gorsey Way. We thought with the school going this would be an ideal replacement.But we need volunteers to stand up and be counted and come forward to run it. Many families in the area previously complained about lack of public resources and a building to hold community events since the school was closed 4 years ago. A number of homes are also set  to be built on the site. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 7/16/09; 9:54:43 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Lorry Parts jobs at Risk.

131 posts in balance at troubled firm A lorry parts business parts business has gone in to administration after more than 80 years,leaving 131 jobs hanging in the balance. Emloyees of JC Payne Truck bodies Ltd in Aldridge have been sent letters informing them of the firms financial crisis. Administrators Tenon Recovery confirmed it had been called in by the firm. The latest blow to manufacturing in the area comes after more than 500 jobs were shed in Aldridge alone in recent months. A shift was still working at JC Paynes site in Westgate today but one worker,who did not want to be named, said staff had been left out of pocket. The administrators have revealed that they did not have funds to pay wages owed or redudancy payments despite the fact that short time working has been in place since January. The company is one of the countrys largest manufacturers of commercial vehicle bodies but has struggled recently from a lack of orders as a direct result of the recession. Employers recognise the valient efforts of the directors in a bid to sustain the company but ultimately the general lack of business within the commercial vehicle industry caused its demise. The JCP website says the firm has been going since 1921.The firm makes body parts for leading truck manufacturers. Scorces of jobs are at risk at nearby vehicles components maker GKN Driveline,in Middlemore Lane,where 272 people are employed,after the company revealed plans to close production. Aldridge firm Bolton Brass in Middlemore Lane made 129 redundant at the end of 2008,while delivery firm company Amtrak,in Northgate Way shut with the loss of 230 jobs last August. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 7/16/09; 9:32:32 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Amtrak job loss actions

More than 150 former workers of failed Aldridge freight firm Amtrak are taking legal action to win compensation over their redundancies.The company went in to administration in September last year with the loss of 230 jobs at the site,in Northgate Way, Aldridge.Birmingham Employment Tribunal have now confirmed it has received 155 claims against Amtrak since the operation shut down.It is believed the majority of employees will clam there was inadequate consultation by the company. By Lawfirms consideringa redundancy programmeof that scale must hold a 90 day consultation period with employeesand union officials. But GMB Union organiser Mohammed Khalik who represents around 100 of the workers,said this did not happen. It is not a complicated case and I anticipate it will be heard by the tribunal within the next few months he said. # - Dusan Popratnjak - 7/16/09; 9:06:50 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]