Forum Topic

Writing about your Community

I thought it would be a nice idea, to write about the Community you live in, you could write about anything that upsets you and affects you and what could be done to make it better. Also everyday events, something that makes you smile, can be shared.everyone has a story to tell.I think it is good to share thoughts and feelings,after all writing is a good therapy.This is just an idea and maybe it will help to get all the frustrations out, that sometimes people have about certain things and help to get it out in the open.After all this is what a forum is for, to discuss and raise issues that affect our everyday lives.

Peggy Barker (Miss) ● 6976d10 Comments

1. We are reviewing it - as promised before them election (see earlier threads on this site).2. This is a tricky one. The Council does have powers to deal with any obstruction of the highway which is a public nuisance. Don't know who deals with it - but try emailing/texting the Smarter Borough Hotline who should put it through to the right person http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/Directory/Community_and_Living/Community_Advice/Helping_you_with/35615_Helping_you_with_a_smarter_borough.aspMark

Mark Loveday ● 6960d

Thanks - a good idea - trouble is, most of the neighbours are at fault too!  But worth a go from others affected.

William Hosking ● 6962d

"Finally, to whom may I address the nuisance of hedges in front gardens that protrude onto the pavement - up to a metre in some cases - thus making two way traffic impossible?"We have that problem from owner-occupiers in Ealing too. We have found that you get nowhere when writing to the Council. The best way is a curt but polite letter put into the miscreant's letterbox - preferably from half a dozen neighbours. It works wonders! ;-)

Gerry Tan ● 6962d

Well said - particularly in the last paragraph.  Can you confirm that the new Council will review the policy about visitors' temporary parking permits? There has been a lot of discussion recently about the lack of reasonably priced parking for visitors.  In Percy Road, for example, there is no facility for visitors who have to pay £1.60 an hour.Finally, to whom may I address the nuisance of hedges in front gardens that protrude onto the pavement - up to a metre in some cases - thus making two way traffic impossible?

William Hosking ● 6962d

I'm sorry to tell Peggy that the story that Conseervatives want to sell off Ravenscourt Park is an old cold fried potato.This particuar lie was first trotted out by the Labour Party in literature in the 2002 local elections. They have not repeated it in literature since. Labour councillors did say similar things at union meetings in 2006 when they were trying to drum up money and support from the trades unions. I suspect this is where Peggy's informant got the wrong information.The incoming Conservative administration have started with no preconceptions. We are looking to see where we can give more value for money - and if our parks could be maintained better and more cheaply by the private sector (as parks are in many Labour-controlled Councils elsewhere) we would be silly to rule this out. Equally, if the present "in-house" arrangements prove better value for money, we will be happy to maintain the status quo. We would be negligent not to look at all options.Either way, the parks staff have their jobs protected by law, and will not be sacked. Ravenscourt Park will remain a Council Park. The only proposal to sell off parks in recent years involved Bishop's Park - a proposal dreamt up by Labour and Fulham FC last year - which was staunchly opposed by the Conservatives.    As far as the logo is concerned, we are not repainting vans or changing signs etc until they need replacing. The cost is negligible. Equally, we are not proposing to rename the hundreds of streets and buildings named after Labour politicians and socialist icons over the years - although many people might think this has been a criminal waste of money over the years.    Mark LovedayCabinet Member for Strategy, LBHF

Mark Loveday ● 6963d

"many do not like the new terms and conditions, so will seek other employment elsewhere."If TUPE applies, and as far as I can see it would, there would be no new terms and conditions for existing council employees.  They would transfer on existing conditions (though possibly with some changes to pensions), which the new employer is not allowed to change in connection with the transfer.  If it's got that far, the unions should have been involved already.I can't see how this could be a new Conservative initiative.  There wouldn't have been time in less than a month since the election to get as far as identifying an outsourcing contractor.  Either it's just a rumour or it must have been started by the previous administration.In my experience, outsourcing services of that sort can work well.  Do you know who the new contractor is supposed to be?

Richard Jennings ● 6963d

Hello and thankyou for comments on this. I have a friend who works for the Council and he told me that the whole park is being sold off and that instead of Council staff maintaining the park,it will be given over to Private Contractors. Now you state that those who are in there existing jobs can go with the new people that take over. Well the fact of the matter is, many are old and will stay on, but many do not like the new terms and conditions, so will seek other employment elsewhere.It still makes no sense as to why this sale must take place.I dont know what next the new Party will sell off or close down. The Community art large should be allowed to have more say, but it seems their voices dont count.

Peggy Barker (Miss) ● 6964d

"I have something to say about Ravenscourt Park being sold off to to a Private company and the work will be tendered out to private contractors. So those who have worked there nearly all their lives,have a choice of going with them, or lose there jobs."I haven't read about this (I live in Chiswick), but I assume you mean the maintenance of the Park is to be tendered to private contractors, not that the Park itself will be sold off.  I think that cases like this come under the TUPE* regulations, which ensure that existing staff transfer to the new organisation, enabling them to enjoy the same terms and conditions, with continuity of employment, as formerly.  It's not a case of them having a choice of moving or losing their jobs; they move automatically and keep their jobs.  * Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations

Richard Jennings ● 6964d

I have something to say about Ravenscourt Park being sold off to to a Private company and the work will be tendered out to private contractors. So those who have worked there nearly all their lives,have a choice of going with them, or lose there jobs.I also think the new idea of the Conservatives changing the colours of Council vans from red to blue, is a complete waste of money, also taking down the slogans around the borough which people have got used to,is not at all acceptable. It seems bit by bit they are trying to break up the Spirit of the Community, which will never become a reality.

Peggy Barker (Miss) ● 6965d

What an excellent idea Miss Barker. Why don't you start it off and we'll all chip in with reactions and opinions of our own, once you've started the ball rolling.  ;-)

Gerry Tan ● 6966d