Thursday, 21 September 2023

A shout out to two Barnet Councillors doing their job properly

 Most people who read this blog regularly would know that we have a lot to say about Barnet Council and the Councillors. Whilst much of this blogs content has been critical, over the years, we are always keen to say thank you to councillors who we see doing their job and pulling their finger out. Today we are saying thanks to two of the best.

We start with Labour's Sara Conway, from Burnt Oak. I've been involved in trying to get a man with learning difficulties, housed by an appalling landlord in a dangerous property a decent home. The poor fellow has all manner of health issues and has difficulties interatcing with the council and doctors. Myself and a group of friends have been assisting him. I blogged about the appalling condition of his propert last December. As a result of that blog, Barnet Council sent housing officers. They found that the property was unsafe and smaller than the legal minimum. It is now September and the bare minimum has been done. Barnet Homes have done nothing to assist. We have a meeting with them next week and I have no faith that they will do anything, despite two different housing officers agreeing that the dwelling is dangerous, and doctors confirming that it is detrimental to his health. I do have to give a shout out to Burnt Oak councillor Sara Conway has been supportive and constantly kept us involved. It is clear to me that Barnet Homes is not fit for purpose and should be brought in house, so decent councillors such as Sara can actually do something to sort problems out. 

If we move down the road to Edgware, we have thc Conservative Lucy Wakeley, who has been supporting our battle to save the Railway Hotel.  Unlike the previous ward councillors Linda Freeman and Sarah Wardle and her current colleagues, Nick Mearing-Smith and Shuey Gordon, who do nothing, Lucy has been on the ball and keeping people informed. She has taken a few bricks in the process. Lucy is a local and understands that Edgware has been neglected. 

To both of these councillors, I'd like to say thank you. Across Barnet, there are good and bad councillors. We are more than happy to shout out the good ones and offer support to bad ones to up their game. If you've had a good or bad experience, please feel free to share this with us. 

And finally, once more, thank you Sara and Lucy. Your efforts are appreciated.

No comments: