The Longbridge Ward is located in the south west of Birmingham. It has a population of approximately 30,964 residents. There are approximately 12,850 households, 57% of which are owned, 31% are rented from Birmingham City Council, 4% are rented from other registered social landlords. The Ward has eight neighbourhoods: Cockhill Frankley Egghill and Hollymoor Great Park Nazareth Golf Course Rednal Triangle The Roundabout

The Longbridge ward audit commenced in November 2006 within the Frankley neighbourhood. Within this neighbourhood we have been operating a neighbourhood caretaking service for a little over 2 years. This has taken various shapes and sizes in providing the service Frankley has today. The team currently consists of full time neighbourhood caretakers working alongside future neighbhourhood caretakers in the form of an apprentice scheme. The neighbourhood caretakers are also operating within other neighbourhoods within the Longbridge ward in the form of scheduled work programmes. The main roads that were audited were linked with specific neighbourhoods to ensure the audit process was carried out as in depth as possible. All land ownership was taken into account this included private land ownership, city council land and private business premises. The Environmental audit identified that there were 1844 issues within the Longbridge Ward, the main issues were problems with litter and graffiti.

The River Rea runs through the Longbridge Ward and one of the Environmental Groups that helps to maintain the Frankley area is The Friends of Balaams Wood. Balaam’s Wood is 6.5 acres of ancient woodland in the Frankley area of the Northfield constituency. The woodland is chiefly oak with an under-storey of hazel and is home to the River Rea. The river meanders through the woodland on its journey towards the city and eventually the North Sea. A haven for wildlife; from the bluebells in spring to the birds in winter there is always something to see. The balancing lake has dragonflies, swifts and swallows in summer; the grassland is home to butterflies and all kinds of insects. The Friends of Balaam’s Wood are a small voluntary conservation group who support the ranger service in caring for the woodland, adjoining grassland and the balancing lake on the Birmingham Great Park. The group undertake a range of events and activities throughout the year all of which are free to join. The group has no membership fee and is open to all ages, backgrounds and abilities. So why not join us! Contact: Penny Moore (secretary) T: 0121 453 3396 E: balaam’swood@mmoore57.freeserve.co.uk

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