Halesowen Labour Our vision is for a country that works for the many, not just the privileged few
Your representatives for Halesowen North
Hilary Bills – Labour Councillor
Parmjit Sahota – Labour Councillor
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Councillor Hilary Bills
At Halesowen North selection meeting I was honoured to accept the nomination to be the candidate for Halesowen North in the local elections 2020.
Over my 7 years as your local ward councillor I have tried to serve my community by helping with individual problems and by becoming heavily involved in many of the community groups.
Currently I am the secretary of the
- Friends of Hurst Green Park,
- Shell Corner Partnership,
- Halesowen in Bloom
- and a member of Friends of Long Lane Library.
Each of these groups enhances the lives of many people in our community and I love being a part of it.
In May this year I was delighted to be joined by Parmjit Sahota. I have had to work on my own for the last 7 years but at last I have someone to share the workload.
We have just had a great result with the introduction of parking restrictions on the roads around Rowley Regis railway station which have been blighted by inconsiderate commuters.
Soon you will see the improvements to shell Corner brought to you by the Labour Party, not the Conservatives. It was the Labour Cabinet member who found the funding to finance these improvements, not the Tories!
Sometimes I get asked what is my driving force, what keeps me motivated? Well the answer is simple, I’m a democratic socialist and I believe in social justice and fairness for all.
If you want to get involved in any of our campaigns or to learn more about what I do, please get in contact.
Maintenance of Lansdowne Road
- Continue to mow the grass band along the pavement to keep it clear, on the right hand side going under the M5 bridge
- At the end of September 2019 complete a one off cut, of this grassed area, up to the tree line, to bring the height of the grass down and make it look neat.
- In October complete a hard cut back of all the shrubs/nettles/brambles on the other side of the road (the bus stop side) to get the vegetation right down and under control.
- In February 2020 there will be another complete cut of the entire area after which it will be maintained by the Friends of Hurst Green Park
- The Public Right Of Way running into Hurst Green park will have a complete a cut back of vegetation in October 2019 and it will receive attention when required throughout the year.
Traders request ‘Urgent action’ for Shell Corner Centre from Dudley Council
Working with local rsidents and traders Councillor Hilary Bills and Parmjit Sahota launched a petition to regenerate Shell Corner. Over 800 residents signed the petition. we presented this petition to the Cabinet member responsible, Cllr Kieran Casey.
Read more about the regeneration of Shell Corner
Parmjit attended an important Remembrance Ceremony in Smethwick to honour those 1.5 million soldiers from South Asia who volunteered to fight in the World War 1 for Britain. The service included the unveiling of a statute completed by Luke Perry.
Parmjit and the Labour Team say ‘Thank You’
“I was overwhelmed by the support I received from residents in Halesowen North. I’m proud to live in and fight for our area.”
“I wanted to thank all residents who voted for me at the May Local Elections, although I am disappointed that I fell short by 175 votes in becoming your local Councillor.
I have received a lot of positive feedback from residents for the campaigning work I did locally to improve our area. As a local resident who has lived in the area since 1983 I care passionately about improving our area.
For these reasons, I will continue to work hard for all residents and use my local knowledge and working experience in local government to continue my campaigning work over the next 12 months, delivering on projects to improve our ward for the local community and business.
Working with local traders, we’ve launched a petition to support the redevelopment of Shell Corner. The redevelopment of the retail area is one of the biggest issues residents tell us about. The Council’s 2008 regeneration plan for the area remains largely unimplemented. We’re calling on the Council to progress the rest of the project.
Along with Labour’s Deputy Leader, Tom Watson MP, we have met with traders to discuss their aspirations for the area. They are investing in their businesses to improve the centre, however this needs to be matched by Dudley Council. There needs to be improved parking as well as efforts to make the shopping area more attractive and attract inward investment. This is now even more important with over 200 new homes being built less than half mile away from Shell Corner during the next few years.
Local Halesowen resident, and experienced local government officer, Parmjit Sahota said: “In my view, we cannot afford to miss this “window of opportunity” to finally help enhance the centre and match the investments being made in local shops by traders. Dudley Council needs to invest in its retail centres, so that residents new and old find Shell Corner an attractive centre for their shopping and ideal destination to visit the great local restaurants, bars, cafes and pubs.
Shell Corner Partnership
The Shell Corner Partnership is a community group that aim to make a positive difference to the local area. The Partnership has representatives from local schools, Police, faith groups, Council Officers, Housing Association, Ward Councillors, Health Authority residents, businesses and other key stakeholders.
The three councillors Karen Shakespeare, Hilary Bills and Joe Roberts worked together and organised a table top sale at St Paul’s Church Hall to raise funds for this year’s Christmas tree lights.