Had a meeting this evening with some residents in Tolworth who back on to the allotments behind Ladywood Road. They have a legitimate complaint that the allotments are an absolute mess. But the problem is worse than that!
A short while ago they got a letter from their Lib Dem Councillors telling them they were arranging a neighbourhood action day to clean up the allotments. The Councillors, Council officers and local residents all turned up on a Saturday morning and started their clean up. The Lib Dem Councillors, always keen for a photo opportunity, all had their photos taken with the residents etc etc. But they then went away. Now, some months later, the allotments are worse than ever and the same Councillors are washing their hands of it.
No wonder politicians get a bad name when this type of nonsense goes on.
Not surprisingly the residents are hopping mad and want something done. The Lib Dem Councillors have apparently written back and claimed that they cannot do anything because the Council does not own the small strip of land between the allotments and the houses. They also claim that the photos were taken as a "personal memento" of the event and not for publicity purposes - yeah!
Putting aside the problem of the cynicism of the Councillors undertaking something they never intended to repeat it does raise another important issue. In today's changed world do residents really want the Council to keep saying "it is nothing to do with the Council"? I had experience of this before with localised flooding and the Council and water board passing the responsibility back and forth. Maybe Councils should start now preparing to be the "One Stop Shop" for local services and advice rather than undertaking the limited roles, with limited powers, that they currently do.
Back to the allotments...... Why is it that the Council can't undertake a simple weedspraying and cutting back - the cost is not going to be that high and the residents are paying some of the highest council Tax in England? In any case what hope have they of offering allotments to new allotment growers when they look such a damn mess?
I'll let you know what happens!
2 comments:
At last an intelligent candidate who wants to represent the area where he lives and was brought up! Is that unique these days? Far too many opportunist blow-ins (like the present incumbent from Peterborough) who try to pass themselves off as LOCAL. I see he has also served as a local councillor. It will be a grave injustice if he is not elected to Westminster!
DQ
You have a point. I really want to represent this Borough because I am really local amd I think I can make the difference to the place I was brought up in. But being the MP is more than that it is also having the skill and experience to understand people and their needs. Too many politicians get dropped in from somehwere or other unrelated to the needs of their voters. With respect to my political opponent I think you will find he came from Nottingham and not Peterborough. But wherever he is not from Kingston.
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