In the furtherance of our charitable purposes to deliver community benefit, the Forum will also work in mutual support with other community-led organisations to advance wider development in the Neighbourhood, for example by:
- using the Forum’s communication channels, local networks and knowledge to support wider community activities that deliver community benefit and strengthen community spirit
- raising awareness of, and providing guidance and support on, opportunities for community funding, e.g. bidding for funds arising from new development through the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy
- where appropriate, being directly involved in promoting, securing funding for and carrying out community projects.
Community Actions in Progress
Collaboration with community groups
A representative from the Forum regularly attends ‘B93 Together’ meetings. B93 meetings have taken place since 2022, where community group representatives meet regularly to share plans for events in Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath. Joint initiatives are also discussed to enable community groups to collaborate and to contribute expertise to fellow organisations.
Review of Heritage Assets
The Knowle Society Planning Group would like to lead a review of the heritage assets within Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath.
Traffic and Transport
Working with the Knowle and Dorridge Bus Action Group, a series of Community Actions relating to public transport have taken place including (amongst other actions) campaigning for an increased frequency of bus and rail services, and introduction of additional routes, to provide a more efficient and effective service to more destinations. The group continues to campaign for sufficient bus shelters and real time bus information at bus stops; good value public transport and easier ways to buy travel tickets, making the Forum’s voice heard inside the West Midlands Combined Authority and other regional transport bodies.
Village Character and Natural Environment
The Forum works to promote green spaces and considers the future needs of existing green spaces in new developments. The Forum campaigns to provide more rigorous policing of litter, dog fouling and fly tipping in and around green spaces. Maintenance regimes are also reviewed to ensure that existing sports, leisure and recreation facilities are maintained to their existing standard or, where possible, improved
The Knowle Society works to protect and enhance Knowle Conservation Area and work with the Forum to review “Article 4 directions” with a view to withdrawing further permitted development rights, where appropriate, in the Conservation Area. Consideration will also be given as to whether this should also apply to Dorridge Conservation Areas.
Historic England has been invited to review the list of listed buildings to include buildings of local interest.
Conditions of roads and pavements
We review the condition of roads, footpaths, cycle routes and signs in Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath (KDBH) by reviewing how many issues have been raised with Solihull Council, reviewing the resolutions and timescales involved on a regular basis.
If you are aware of any problems, you can play your part by contacting the Council directly.
- Go to Solihull Council’s home page: https://www.solihull.gov.uk
- Click on the ‘Report it’ tab – then the ‘Roads and pavements’ heading.
- For potholes, use the ‘Report a pothole’ form.
- For damaged pavements, use the ‘Report a pavement problem’ form.
For problems with road signs, use the ‘Report a damaged or missing road sign’ form or, if the sign is illuminated, call the Council on 0121 704 8000. - For problems with blocked roads or pavements, use the ‘Report an
obstruction’ form - If the issue concerns overgrown hedges or shrubs, call the Council on 0121 704 8000
Audit of Community Actions – March 2026
In the course of preparing the Neighbourhood Plan, local residents and businesses raised a range of issues that are not related to land use or new development. Where these were important local matters that require action – for example in relation to traffic management – they were included as “Community Actions” in Appendix 4 of the Neighbourhood Plan. Unlike the policies in the Neighbourhood Plan, these actions do not have statutory weight. However, they are matters that the Neighbourhood Forum has been pursuing since the Neighbourhood Plan was approved.
An audit of the actions has now been carried out. A link to the updated table of Community Actions summarising the current situation is below, this is based on the original table in Appendix 4 in the Neighbourhood Plan. The Forum will, in the future, continue to pursuit these Community Actions where appropriate.