‘The Power of MPs’ and ‘Is Your Council as Bad as Mine?’

Edrof

Edrof

Edrof

Soldato
Joined
16 Nov 2009
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16,034
Location
UK
I'm currently involved in a minor fight with my local council. They have surrounded our house (I am not exaggerating) with extensive road works, shut off our utilities regularly, constantly denied us access to our own property, and generally made life miserable since before Christmas. Now, considering that we are classed as Band G (£2,500 PA) when it comes to council tax, I am seeking monetary compensation for the many privations we are forced to endure.

After a succession of emails to the councillor in charge of the project (he ignored every one until I sent him a more angry version, at which point he replied in a very unprofessional manner), I got in touch with my MP. I have a naturally low opinion of these chaps, but this particular Right Honourable Gentleman and his office has been most efficient. However, two months have passed and even they can’t get the Council (or this particular councillor) to reply to the MP's direct questions regarding this situation. They supplied me with proof to this effect and even said: “I think the fact that even [MP's name] struggles to receive responses from the local authority is rather indicative of their general attitude.” This line shocked the cockadoodie out of me.

So, I'm puzzled here. I always thought MPs held some sway over Council matters?

Also, I've done some digging since this email and it appears that our councillors are an arrogant and, possibly, corrupt bunch. Seriously, some of the things they've got away with beggars belief (random self-voted pay rises causing the independent watchdog to resign in disgust, sneaking through dodgy deals in non-dodgy deals, wrapping everything up in opacity and jargon, the list is very long).

Lastly, who thinks I'll get any tax rebated? ;)

Second lastly, here's a cute kitten to offset the shoptalk.

WNiHG3h.jpg
 
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Contact your local newspaper. They're desperate for news, and this sounds pretty interesting tbh.
 
Speak to the local papers? Nothing better than a bit of naming and shaming.

Edit: beaten to it
 
First mistake was emailing rather than sending a letter. Expect they would take them more seriously (rightly or wrongly).
 
How can they deny you access to your own property, where else are you supposed to go, i would be right down the council offices like a shot if they did that.
 
Inb4 poo through the letterbox. In all seriousness though, if you don't get what you want from correspondence, name and shame in the local paper.
 
Local politics is a colossal cluster ****.
Lots of angry people shoe horned together with their own agendas and often very or no majority to get things done.
When i was a teenager i had a mates who's Dad was very actively political and I got to see the bickering and name calling from the public gallery first hand at a few council meetings.

Most of them i would class as mentally ill. One used to Meow when another spoke... He thought he had an affair with his wife or something.... It was like a school playground.

London Borough of Havering Council...

Maybe if you have a, say, Blue MP and Blue majority council it helps with communication ??

Good luck getting it fixed. Dont stop paying council tax, that will get yopu in trouble. Play the game by the rules.
 
Stretch said:
Contact your local newspaper. They're desperate for news, and this sounds pretty interesting tbh.
Click to expand...

This is something I've thought about and might happen.

Spook187 said:
How can they deny you access to your own property, where else are you supposed to go, i would be right down the council offices like a shot if they did that.
Click to expand...

This is more through incompetence and unfathomable red tape. Basically, they've had to dig up all around us.

Efour said:
Maybe if you have a, say, Blue MP and Blue majority council it helps with communication ??
Click to expand...

All blue across the board, I'm afraid. I think this is part of the problem: the current councillors have probably been in the job for years and won't be voted out because the area is affluent.
 
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local authority ombudsman might be useful
http://www.lgo.org.uk/

As would boxing stance and pooing through their letterbox.

Edit: I really should read all the replies before posting, didn't see Andy90's post
 
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