The site currently has on-site security, however recently the guard reported that he was pelted with stones by young people, for no reason what so ever. This issue seems to be ongoing, when youth workers are present, not much happens. When local young people are asked about who is causing the ASB, then youth workers are informed that it may be people from outside of the area. Well, eitherway this issue needs to be dealt with. Our team will be spending some more time in the locality and will be working more closely with the Police. If you are doing this, or know someone who is, then this needs to stop. For those caught, there will be a punishment and not just a telling off. We are working to develop youth activities and bring opprtunities for local young people. This is for the benefit of young people and all the community. We hope you can see this and will work with us to help us improve the area.

As we previously informed you, the cost all of a sudden increased leaving us to find a significant deficit of £11k to complete the refurbishment. It seemed that due to lack of funds, the project may have to be stalled and shelved again. However, local elected members from the 3 wards will be intervening to ensure this does not happen. We will contributing a further 3k of SOCA monies to complete the refurb. We have now been informed of a new target completion date of 3rd March 2012. All being well, we shall have a fully refurbed container by then.

Live in the Affinity Sutton Estate or surrounding areas? or do you know any one who does? if yes, then please forward……. Youth Club runs @ Alum Rock Community Centre, every Tues 6.30pm – 8.30pm……Pool table, table tennis, table football, PS3 plus more……….also get involved in future planning, organised sports, trips, outings, cinema nights……bring your ideas with you!

Affinity Sutton Youth Club runs Tuesdays from 6.30pm – 8.30pm @ Alum Rock Community Centre

After meeting with the planning and buildings team from Birmingham City Council and other city council officers last week, we found that the cost of the refurb has increased. This was due to some additional damage caused after the original scoping of the project took place, from what we saw it was some smoke damage to the boards on the roof and some wiring, cost maybe £250.00?. However, the costing for this is an additional £7000.00, which will have to be found before the refurbishment is complete. As an organisation, what we have realsied during this process is the red tape around the refurbishment of city owned resources. We had no say in the budget, we had no say in whom the contractor should be, we had no say when and how the refurb should take place, in fact we were not even invited at these meetings. It seems, there is an attitude of ‘this is how it is’ and whatever ‘this’ is, ‘that’ is final. The costings for the refurb it seems have increased to the level that one could refurb a 3 bedroom house, quite easily, however who are we to comment?

We are not show how, internally and externally a full shake up of this system is required, who, when and how this will happen? cannot possibly comment.