Birmingham Bike Polo Chat & BS Thread

More admin! I just phoned Zhor Malik, he then spoke to the district office and phoned me right back (told you I'd been super lovely/ charming!) Anyway he said that a cherry picker is going on Monday to look at the lights and fix them (so long as the problem is not worse than they thought). He said I will be the first to know once he knows anything. Fingers crossed!

Good work Kat!

Ok, so....Since my attempts to get the lights fixed have not worked. Here are some potential alternatives .

I don't know what any of them are like so they might all be rubbish but I've checked on streetview and they all look like they have lights.

• Brunswick Rd & Stoney Lane - looks interesting
  
• Cul-de-sac at end of Brunswick Rd (3 courts together) - no fences
  
• Pickwick Park - looks good
  
• Balsall Heath Park - no fences
  
  

Let me know if there's any more polo admin that needs doing!

I might go and have a gander at these this evening.

Ok, so....Since my attempts to get the lights fixed have not worked. Here are some potential alternatives .

I don't know what any of them are like so they might all be rubbish but I've checked on streetview and they all look like they have lights.

• Brunswick Rd & Stoney Lane
  
• Cul-de-sac at end of Brunswick Rd (3 courts together)
  
• Pickwick Park
  
• Balsall Heath Park
  
  

Let me know if there's any more polo admin that needs doing!

I've spent a lot of time looking at google earth trying to find alternative tourney courts in the past but overlooks these.

That Brunswick Stoney lane one looks promising with brick walls around - also looks massive! Pickwick park also but it will depend on gaps under fence.

Cul-de-sac is in a school (but possibly hireable) and balsall park has no ences.

Might look at first two on my way home tonight as I need some polo...

I hate it when that happens!

But if neil is going I won't bother.

I'm going to do a drive by on a motorbike so a 2nd opinion might be a good idea.

Sparkhill park and small heath park both have fenced courts.

Shoulda just asked me, this is my ends

Yes DFP - spark hill park is quite good actually but do they have lights?

I dont think they do, will check next time I pass.

Balsall heath park does, but has no fencing. - It is massive though

I just emailed npower to see if they would fund professional moss-removal of the court. If this works then I expect all of you lefties to formally embrace corporate capitalism as the cure-all solution to all of our problems.

Cool?

lets not count our chicken just yet. did you ask about floodlights as well?

Nah - I don't think that's realistic. Energy companies are struggling Neil!

I'm back! Have you all missed my admin updates?!

I just spoke to Vicky from Hall Green District Office. She's been phoning the contractors every day and they said that they work is currently under way but they haven't told her what that means so she is persevering with trying to get info out of them. She's asked that I send an e-mail to Victoria Quinn and Zhor Malik which I've done and also I copied in the head of Birmingham City Council to see if that helps.

Ace!

I feel like I should clarify, when she said currently under way, I'm not sure if that is contractor speak for "we're drinking lots of weak sugary tea and contemplating going at some point in the future". I think it is.

its better than nothing though, fingers crossed!

Don't you start libeling those hard working, honest tea-loving contractors!

I guess copying in the head of the council works (kind of) quickest response yet:

Hi Kat,

Thank you for your email, I can understand your frustrations unfortunately I have done everything that I could do from my end. I know Middleton's have been and looked at the job they came with a Cherry picker and are aware of the work that needed to be done.

I am also aware that Vicki has been trying to contact Acivico the contractors who are supposed to get the work done by email and phone. For some reason she is not receiving any response.We have done everything that is required from us to do, Acivico are responsible for the work to be done. I will try and contact them and will update you.

Regards

Zhor Malik
Pavilion Manager

I particularly enjoy the 'we've done everything we're required to do.' Vicki then replied to say that she has got a new contact at Acivico and is continuing to chase it up.

We have done everything that is required from us to do, Acivico are responsible for the work to be done.

Ha! Classic. Council hands are tied by the private contractor. Thanks New Labour!

This guys attitude sucks, but it is unfortunately the British Standard for workers. Do as little as possible, then wash your hands of it. Who's going to take ownership of the problem?

Well, Kat, obvs.

Maybe email back, quote that sentence, and ask why its taken so many weeks to get fixed. copy in everyone!

Maybe email back, quote that sentence, and ask why its taken so many weeks to get fixed. copy in everyone!

What I e-mailed back was this (and of course I copied in everyone, I love a good cc):

Thanks for getting back to me. I understand that it is not your direct responsibility to fix the lights, however surely it is the responsibility of someone at the council to make sure they do get fixed? I just wanted to make sure that this was not going to get forgotten about or ignored because it’s been passed to a contractor who is then not being held to account.

And yes, I do hate myself.

Strong work Kat.

I admire your persistance Kat.

These two statements make me laugh - "trying to contact Acivico the contractors" and "Acivico are responsible for the work to be done" because Acivico are essentially the council. They are a private company set up by the council to deliver building related services - its essentially the councils maintenance and building control departmeents set up to do public and private sector work.

They even opperate out of the Councils Lancaster Circus office - I imagine contacting people via the councils internal switchboard is extra difficult. Especially as whenever I contact them they are all working from home or only two days a week...