Forum Topic

STREETWATCHERS - Where do we go from here?

After numerous emails to the Council went unanswered I finally received an automatic reply stating that the mailbox was now closed. Apparently we have  ow to trawl through the Ealing Council website in order to send in reports.I sent 2 emails to Julian Bell he responded by saying that someone will be in touch to explain what is going on. This has not happened.Does anyone know if the Streetwatchera scheme has been disbanded? If so pdrhaps it would be nice to be informed.In the past we had a designated department and email address to send reports which made it easier for us volinteers to inform the council of antisocial issues.  Streetwatchers felt that our efforts were appreciated but this is no longer the case.Surely it would be far more time consuming if we have to trawl through the website in order to send our usual reports?If there are any Streetwatchers still out there perhaps you could let me know what is going on?

Jean F Fernandez ● 3735d26 Comments

It's a challenge I'm willing to take on.

Antonia Kraskowski ● 3710d

Or you could try wheeling those ridiculous bins to block him into one of his 3 houses (although one is in Sheffield, I believe, so a bit far).

Angela White ● 3710d

Previously, I had always used the fix my street app but apparently this is now closed too, in favour of the cumbersome website forms.Someone (I have a strong suspicion it was the new neighbour) fly tipped a sofa and mattress outside our flat. Despite filling in the ridiculous five page form (twice) and calling countless times, it took them six days to send someone to remove it, during which of course the whole thing got covered in random rubbish. Anyone else feel like wheeling their ridiculous bins up to Percival House and blocking in Julian Bell until he can answer a few questions about exactly where our council tax is going? Because I sure as hell do.

Antonia Kraskowski ● 3710d

Maybe it is just that they want to be in control.  Control is very much the in word. Whose waste is it anyway?

Philippa Bond ● 3711d

Totally agree, Sara and Jean.  It is shameful and a step backwards.  Perhaps Streetwatchers were violating someone's right to dump rubbish on our pathways willy-nilly and live as they so wish?  Streetwatchers = free labour, free eyes and ears of the community, heads-up at ground level, motivated citizens who feel empowered to influence their neighbourhood.  Not worth a penny, obviously!

Angela White ● 3711d

Please excuse errors, using my small tablet without wearing glasses!

Jean F Fernandez ● 3712d

Absolutely so it won't come as a surprise to find that our streets will become even more filthy since we are no longer Streetwatchers whi willingly volunteered our services.If this is what the councik wants fhen so be it.Perhaos when they are inundated with complaints from fed up residents they might have a rethink but I shall not hold my breath.We were not even comsulted aboult the situation, no surprise there either.Perhsps if all the Streetwatchers petitioned the council, but there again, maybe we are  wasting our time.

Jean F Fernandez ● 3712d

I feel disbanded - and assumed we had been.Was rather proud of being a very early Streetwatchers (number 44!) and thought we did a good job - though in my case a bit intermittent.There is no longer any sign of life and no-one in the council tasked with running it since Sue Wyatt left.So there's not much point in pretending the scheme still exists.

Sara Nathan ● 3713d

Thanks Jean.  So, what is the point of having Streetwatchers then?  He's saying the streetwatchers' priority email system is no longer in existence but is he saying the streetwatchers are no longer too?  It's not clear.  I rest my case.  This cabal don't care.

Angela White ● 3730d

I have just received a reply from Tan Afzal, Community Management Coordinator at Ealing Town Hall as follows:Tan Afzal  18:08            To: Jean Fernandez  Cc: Cllr. Julian Bell, Anita Hamilton    AfzalT@ealing.gov.uk           Dear Ms Fernandez, Thank you for taking the time to give us some feedback about your recent experiences. I can assure you the closure of the Street Watchers mailbox is not a reflection of the councils commitment to your service, the council considers Street Watchers a valuable asset  in helping us to keep the borough clean and improving local neighbourhoods. I’m sorry if you felt this way. I’d like to explain a bit more why we’ve made these recent changes. Changes to the reporting system have come about as a direct result of implementing methods which are integrated with the respective contractors. Many of the web based reporting pages are linked directly to the contractor, this means the matter is directly logged with the service responsible for employing a solution. In the past when you emailed the Street Watchers mailbox it could take up to 36 hours before the matter was logged in by Customer Services and sent to the contractor, by using the reporting forms, this lag time is reduced. We recognise the reporting system is not fool proof, our web team have  been alerted to some of the issues residents have had and I can assure you the web pages are being updated. If you have any suggestions as to how the council could help Street Watchers use the web based system, please feel free to let us know. There are many ways in which Street Watchers can help to improve the quality of life for all those who live in their neighbourhood. Residents are the eyes and ears of  their community , collectively they are a strong force that can come together to bring about long term solutions. Organising regular litter picks, working with local businesses to fund skips for bulky items, working together to create a strong community spirit can all help to deter the few who do not act responsibly. I would encourage you to work with your local councillors and their ward forum to look at establishing projects which bring the community together to address local issues. If you need ideas about community projects and information on hosting community events please go to the councils resident engagement website Bubble,  you can find it at  www.dosomethinggood.org.uk Kind Regards Tan Afzal Community Management Coordinator “Enabling Better Communities”( 020 8825 6426 / 07525 893580* afzalt@ealing.gov.uk+ 5/NE/14 Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Road, London, W5 2HL

Jean F Fernandez ● 3730d

I have to agree and yes it is a false economy to abandon the Streetwatchers initiative unfortunately no-one in Ealing Council is listening to our pleas. I'm sure that I am not the only person who would prefer not to spend precious time trawling through the Ealing Council Website in order to report antisocial behaviour.Still waiting for an explanation by the way, one was promised by Julian Bell but the individual who was supposed to get in touch still has not bothered.That says a lot!

Jean F Fernandez ● 3731d

The current Council doesn't care.  It is a cabal.Such is their contempt for residents, and streetwatchers, this cabal cannot even be bothered to disband us publicly.  Utter disgrace, as usual.  False economy, if money is the reason behind it.  I agree with Clare - I would rather pay more Council Tax, but then that's not a vote puller for them, is it.

Angela White ● 3731d

Spot on John.Message to Ealing Council -Self praise is no recommendation!

Jean F Fernandez ● 3734d

Jean,According to the latest information,The Council is doing great things for the Community,some one is,blind or having a laugh,the only big thing the Council has done recently,is a big cock up by issuing monstrous Wheelie Bins?

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3734d

Well if something isn't done about it we are going to have even more fly-tipping and black bags everywhere.

Jean F Fernandez ● 3734d

Who would rather pay more council tax in order to have better council services? I certainly would.

Clare Gittins ● 3734d

The problem is the massive reductions in money the council get from this Government. Austerity measures are now really starting to bite.

Chris Hurley ● 3734d

Well that just about says it all Bob!One wonders where the priorities lie with this councilIf savings must be made why disband such a successful scheme, perhaps keeping our streets free of rubbish and graffiti is not high on the list of priorities.

Jean F Fernandez ● 3734d

Sue was moved from the Streetwatchers scheme when it was renamed Champions about a year ago. She remained in charge of trees. But has since been made redundant. Incredible when not too long ago she went to Downing street on behalf of the council for running such a successful scheme.

Bob Crossley ● 3735d

She is still listed as being the contact point for community stuff with a description that looks very similar to Streetwatchers - at "Bubble" (Ealing Council)http://www.dosomethinggood.org.uk/networks/community-champions-0

Paul Webster ● 3735d

Sara, I was not aware that Susan had left.In Brent, when I was helping a friend get rid of a grot spot outside his property, I was told they dispensed with Streetwatchers as a cost saving exercise, I realised that they had made the wrong decision as that area is plagued with fly-tipping, graffiti and so on.The situation in Ealing regarding rubbish collection, fly-tipping and so on has become much worse. Surely the Council would do better to promote the Streetwatcher scheme.It seems that they are unable to cope with complaints especially since the unwanted introduction of these monstrous wheelie bins.  These wheelie bins are not just a blight on the landscape but many residents still have not started putting their black bags into the wheelie bins so they have been left in a heap in front gardens around Acton. Some for 3 weeks or more.One resident is now dumping her black bags in neighbour's wheelie bins as she refused to have them in her own garden.Dumped mattresses were lying in a street nearby for a couple of weeks because I received no reply to emails sent to the council.I fear things will only decline even more unless this council takes control of the situation.

Jean F Fernandez ● 3735d

I got a letter saying Streetwatchers email/ any special contact was being ended - it didn't Say the scheme was being disbanded but I think it must have been. Hasn't Sue Left? So there's no one to run or sponsor it.Shame - there are as many problems and as much litter as ever

Sara Nathan ● 3735d

Bob, I did not even receive the courtesy of a letter.I do think it is a rather shoddy way to treat those of us who were just trying to help the community in which we live.

Jean F Fernandez ● 3735d

JeanI had the same reply last week which was followed up by a letter saying the same thing but there was no mention of any continuing  "street watcher" or "champions" initiative.

Bob Crossley ● 3735d

John I have to agree with you, and sad to say the situation is becoming much worse.For instance I had a food recycling box in my front garden for 2 weeks before it was finally empties, this despite numerous telephone calls and emails.It is just not good enough.

Jean F Fernandez ● 3735d

Jean,the Council are well known to not be the best at communications,the could not care less attitude is rampant  in all dealings with the public,you are given the runaround in most cases,we are waiting for some response to messages set from Earth,the response may well come before an answer from the Council?

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3735d