Needle Match

One of the good things about being a councillor is the ability to get things done that directly affect the quality of our constituents' lives. Despite my ward colleague Gareth reporting on a regular basis the anti-social behaviour and drug taking that has been going on in the underground car park at Elizabeth Edgar Cottages, it's hugely dissapointing to find that a year later the problems are still ongoing.

Still there 10 July

The freehold to the cottages is held by the council but it's leased by Charterist Properties who let it to residents of some nearby flats and offices. In the last year nothing meaningful has been done to stop the drug addicts who have been using the car park as a place to party. Okay, the managing agents have put up a fence, but installed a gate to the car park a seven year old could get over solving precisely nothing.

Gareth and I visited the cottages over a week ago and were promised that the place would be cleared up in "the next few days". Obviously I'm annoyed to find that the needles are still there a week later, the gates are still not secure and infact nothing appears to have been done despite the promises.

Comments

[Maurice Kettle]

"One of the good things about being a councillor is the ability to get things done" - Or not, it would appear!!

Full marks to you for being humble enough to admit that you are failing us residents. However, can we have some new Kategrove councillors who are competent enough to get things done...

[Warren Swaine]

My goof. I thought people would prefer the truth from their politicians for a change, but it seems that some people still expect spin and excuses from them. Sorry if I can't obligue.

One of the purposes of this blog is that once all the normal methods available to us have failed such as involving the police, environment and housing, we can name and shame those who are failing our residents.

Strangely enough, a few days after posting this item, the property was cleared up, the drugs paraphenalia removed and the car park secured. Both Gareth and I are committed to securing real results for our constituents, not playing political games.