Forum Topic

Welcome packs for new Acton Residents

Acton Central and South Acton Ward forums have granted £3000 funding to prepare and distribute welcome packs for new residents in Acton.The funding has in part been granted because of concern about anti social behaviour, especially flytipping by new residents, The population is growing rapidly as we both know and there some concerns that Acton isn't a great place for some people.The funding was signed off by Julian Bell on Tuesday and I have been asked to co ordinate the pack. We will be liaising closely with Residents' Assocations, Community, Social and Faith groups as well as Officers. The great thing about Acton is that we all live together happily most of the time and there is plenty going on locally if newcomers want to join. Before you ask, there will be a whole piece on recycling and disposal of rubbish. I am waiting to be told whether the new licensing scheme for landlords will require them to leave a space for recycling especially in street properties. So what do you think? Suggestions?

Maire Lowe ● 3477d27 Comments

coffee Mornings are such a great idea for bringing people together to discuss things and think lack of communication among residents can be the cause of many problems.

Janice Evans ● 3470d

The elderly though are very likely to be much better at wasting less food and can have some great recipe suggestions - even if they no longer still cooking as much themselves. Sometimes residents' groups in blocks of flats can have a coffee morning where someone from waste minimisation from the www.therubbishdiet.org.uk or WLWA or the Council can talk to them so that they can ask questions.  It makes a lot of difference when people can ask questions when they are unsure and have them answered by somebody who does know the answer!It took more than a couple of years to just get information on my in-laws' most important phone numbers off them so that I could type out a list of the numbers that I put on direct dial and underneath/beside each telephone. It is very easy for many of us who are computer-literate (to some extent!) to do this in a larger type so that it can be read more easily and laminated to go on a fridge door or noticeboard.  They had no idea how easy this can be and how much easier than a lot of other challenges.

Philippa Bond ● 3470d

By that I mean explain how things are done.

Janice Evans ● 3470d

I think just encouraging the elderly to communicate with all neighbours helps, my parents were hard work but in the end they were fine with everyone.

Janice Evans ● 3470d

So how to communicate with the residents who are causing the problems?What shops/restaurants in the High Street do those who you want to communicate with spend their time?  Macdonalds perhaps?So why not get Macdonalds to sponsor a large TV screen continually playing the messages you want to get through to those who are causing the problems.Brainwashing perhaps - but that might work!

Dee Cook ● 3470d

Don't just complain from the sidelines.  With a transient population there needs to be a lot of information available in different formats and we should not just be expecting the Council to do everything. We have to make our own communities.Dennis - did you contact the The Felix Project?

Philippa Bond ● 3471d

The Council now presumably no longer have the staff to go out and talk to people - and many households have everybody out working.  Everything seems to be run by the winning of grants - whether directly from Government, indirectly from Government grants to other bodies, Charities or Council or elsewhere - which does not give continuity.  Infographics is what you need.  People do a lot less reading nowadays.  The Council should be utilizing what they already have/or have spent money on and making it available in different formats.  They haven't even got everything they put out on paper on the website.They should also be making the most of this organisation which with they are a member of and put money into:http://westlondonwaste.gov.uk/take-action/work-with-us/Negativity is most definitely NOT the answer.(BTW I met a lady yesterday sweeping the leaves off the pavement to stop them flying down into her basement. I didn't ask her nationality but I'd already guessed that she wasn't English.)I think that we also have a lot to learn.

Philippa Bond ● 3471d

Dennis,I completely agree with you,a complete waste of time and money,the Councils time and our money?regards John.

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3472d

Think this is a start in the right direction, you have to start somewhere or nothing gets done, its good that people are willing to help with this.

Janice Evans ● 3472d

Since you ask so nicely Dennis, I can tell you that I was successfully self employed for years and my parents and grandparents were also self employed. Everyone involved in the production of the welcome pack is doing so voluntarily (except the Officers who commissioned the pack in the first place). You are entitled to your opinion of course but I can't agree with you.

Maire Lowe ● 3472d

What happenned to common sense? If you honestly think people will read this and fly tipping will reduce you are seriously deluded ! Have you ever run a business of your own , because no one in business would throw money down the drain on this ? Complete joke !

Dennis Brogan ● 3472d

Exactly. I gather that the Council are keen these packs are distributed through current residents. Residents Association events, religious gatherings, parties and so on. The thinking seems to be that if new people feel they belong, they are less likely to trash the neighbourhood.

Maire Lowe ● 3473d

Good idea to reach as many people as possible, I see Ealing are cracking down on fly tipping, it's important to remove these dumping areas or they just expand.

Janice Evans ● 3473d

The Council sends out various hard copy and electronic messages to its residents- their mailing lists must be huge.  Why doesn't the Council send out regular electronic messages relating to the issues of concern mentioned above to those on this mailing list?

Dee Cook ● 3473d

The rental sector has increased massively with an increase in absentee landlords (a bit of a reminder of old history lessons). The cost and shortage of housing adds to the problem.  This should be information that the Council, Housing Associations and Landlords and Agents should be providing.  I remember that LBH used to have a lovely poster of that said something along the lines of "We'll go nuts if you put your rubbish out too early" which was placed on the noticeboard outside the Fountains Leisure Centre.  Unfortunately that sort of poster is likely to be too subtle for people struggling with all the bureaucracy of life in this economic climate.  Why is a lot of this information STILL NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE in printer-friendly downloads from the Council website?  Why when printed info was given out with the wheelie bins wasn't that also uploaded onto the website? I notice that there is downloadable printer-friendly info on the garden waste.

Philippa Bond ● 3474d

Also someone interested in gardening in Acton. Could be someone with an allotment or someone who is involved in the open gardens project or anyone who likes gardening and has friends who do. There won't be much to do and can be anonymous if people prefer.

Maire Lowe ● 3474d

Couldn't agree more Bob. A well known local writer and part time bin person will prepare the page on rubbish and recycling. The Council have just done a new  instruction leaflet which I would put on here if I could. I'm just waiting to hear whether the project team working on licensing landlords are planning to insert a clause on leaving space for storing recycling bins in flats with no access to external space. Still wanting to hear from someone who uses the Michael Flanders centre or the Cape day centre or anything fun run by or for older persons. Asking for a friend.

Maire Lowe ● 3475d

In should no must be part of the landlords responsibility (or their agent) to supply these to new tenants together with the lease or rental contract and that includes the council and housing associations

Bob Crossley ● 3475d

Maire mon cher, given my fresh faced and youthful appearence, what the hell do you mean by "was" a boy?

Bob Little ● 3475d

Point taken. Nevertheless there are a lot of new people living in Acton and the rental sector has expanded considerably since Bob was a boy. Given that people move in and out of rented flats perhaps there is some value in giving them some basic information about the area, and what do do with their used nappies and cat litter?

Maire Lowe ● 3475d

Well said,Bob.

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3475d

Given the strain on local services and recourses,combined with the total inability of our grossly irresponsible local Council to deal with these problems in an acceptably tangible manner,surely anything that encourages even more of an influx in population must be seen as harmful and deeply negative act.Many people seem to think that a rise in the local population is already a fait accompli but I would suggest that anyone concerned about the decline in the area should actively discourage more people to move hear.

Bob Little ● 3475d

Thanks for all the comments so far. It isn't my job to blame anyone for anything. Council research suggests that many new residents find it difficult to lay their hands on information about Acton. The pack certainly will have info on recycling but will have lots of other useful stuff too. As I write, volunteers have agreed to prepare pieces on moving here with young children, as a young professional, as a self employed person looking to build networks, as a Christian a Muslim, and a lot more. Any suggestions?

Maire Lowe ● 3475d

Jean,As normal you are right,everyone should be educated tokeep litter off the streets,and get rid of all waste and other goods safely and not dump them on the street as I saw in Acton on Wednesday in three places,the Council tax is higher enough without wasting on silly and useless schemes like the scheme in question,but seeing as the Council like wasting  our money,like on the Wheelie Bins,not loved,not wanted,not surprising we need a change,roll on the local elections!!!!!!!

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3476d

The Wheelie Bins were apparently introduced (against the wishes of residents) to reduce the amount of rubbish in our streets, all they have managed is to become an eyesore. Many residents (whether newcomers or not) have left the Wheelie Bins sitting on the pavement for weeks on end causing a hazard!Fly-tipping has greatly increased, the clear up rate is slower. Our streets are rarely swept, drains become blocked with leaves and the street crew have been seen actually sweeping leaves into the drains in Horn Lane!The Streetwatchers scheme has been abandoned and we longer have a designated department to report such incidents. I have decided not to trawl through 5 or 6 pages on the Ealing Council website to report incidents, it is too time consuming.Whilst it might be a good idea to educate newcomers how to recycle, the fault does not just lie with the newcomers!

Jean F Fernandez ● 3476d

WHAT A WASTE OF COUNCIL TAX PAYERS MONEY?

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3476d

Has it been establish that only new residents dump rubbish or are they just being blamed for it.

Janice Evans ● 3476d