Ive had an influx of complaints lately around maintenance of city council property most notably around delays or uncoordinated repairs and work plans that leave residents feeling let down by the council. Most recently the heavy rainfall caused problems with drainage and after the downpours I received many complaints the most serious one im glad was swiftly resolved after a couple of emails and phone calls on my behalf!
One thing I am finding however is the elderly often feel the most let down and rightly so…They, for the most part, work hard all their lives and then when they retire are left to feel isolated and even vulnerable by being forced to spend a lot of time at home due to illness, mobility or even social networks that begin to diminish as their friends pass away. I want to make sure over the next year these elderly residents that are most directly effected by poor maintenance by the city council on their properties are prioritized as these are the people that are most directly effected by leaking roofs, rotten gates and sub standard heating.
The most recent case received yesterday was a gentleman who waited 2 years for a roof repair which damaged his curtains, carpet and left mould to accumulate over this time. After the repair he was given a voucher for paint and told to pay for a decorator out of his own pocket. He is upset that through no fault of his own he should be out of pocket and believes if the repair was carried out in a timely fashion the extra decorators cost would never have been required. Im hoping that I can help to address this situation and make common sense prevail.
Don’t forget I have a Councillors surgery this Saturday at 10am – midday at Smallthorne community hall on community drive alongside Newford’s residents associations tabletop sale and I look forward to meeting you there.
