Aims and Objectives

The main objective of the Forum is to enhance and maintain the quality of the area in which we live, by:

• Discussing and influencing issues affecting the local community
• Raising awareness
• Informing the public of social developments
• Undertaking research for public benefit
• Advancing education and doing other such things that encourage people to show an interest in the area and to bring together residents and others on a regular basis in order to address community issues of common interest and concern.
• Promoting the active involvement of residents in decision making.

The Forum’s background

The Forum came into existence at the start of 2006 following a decision by the officers and members of its predecessor, Selly Park Central Residents’ Association, to join the neighbourhood forums structure in Birmingham. Neighbourhood forums are community groups run by and for local people. There are more than 70 neighbourhood forums based throughout the City. Many forums, including ours, are affiliated to the Birmingham Association of Neighbourhood Forums (BANF). Each forum has a written constitution and copies of our constitution are available to residents on request.

Area covered, membership and finance

The area covered by our Forum extends from Priory Avenue in the north to Dogpool Lane in the south and from the western side of Pershore Road to the River Rea in the east, a total of over 700 households. A map showing the area covered by the Forum can be seen on the Contact Us page along with a link to the Google map of the area. Membership to residents is free and open to all people aged 16 and over who live within the neighbourhood. Free membership is possible thanks to an annual grant provided by Birmingham City Council. Our Forum also seeks funding for special projects through a range of discretionary grants.

The work of the Forum

Birmingham City Council has devolved much decision-making, many budgets and some services to local level. Neighbourhood forums and the local knowledge they represent can make a big difference by ensuring that the districts' and wards’ spending and priorities reflect the needs of local people. The Council’s local meetings are held regularly and are open to all members of the public. Our Forum Management Committee always ensures that we are represented at these meetings. Equally we always invite our local councillors to our open meetings. We are in regular contact with the councillors and officers of the City Council and thus provide a direct link between the community and the City administration. We also have direct links with other public agencies such as the police service and members of these agencies are also invited to our open meetings.

Our public open meetings

Our open meetings are held quarterly in October, February, May and July (AGM). At the AGM members of the Management Committee and officers are appointed. Our meetings are held at Christ Church, 953 Pershore Road, B29 7PS and we are very grateful to the Church for the use of the building. However we are independent of the Church and also strictly politically neutral.

For report on the Neighbourhood Forum AGM held on Tuesday 13 July please click here.

For report on the Neighbourhood Forum Open Meeting held on Tuesday 11th Mary please click here.

For report on the Neighbourhood Forum Open Meeting held on Tuesday 2nd March please click here.

Helping to make our neighbourhood look good

Spring daffodils on the river bank at the end of Kitchener Road, photographed Easter 2010. These and many of the other Spring flowers in Selly Park South were planted by members of the Neighbourhood Forum Management Committee and other residents.