Forum Topic

Do you trust this council?

Due to recent events concerning the Friars Green CPZ (zone MM and K1) this council has caused friction with the electorate of Acton Central Ward.  The consultation carried out by the previous administration was marginal, with the result all CPZ, or nothing.  This council in it's infinite wisdom decided to do only half the zone, with devastating results, for the west side of Horn Lane.  There are mothers with children who cannot park, elderly people who cannot park etc,etc,etc.What is also annoying is that a councillor (possibly mother and clone)do not want CPZ as it is ugly.  They also claim not to have a driveway (well remove the large bin.)At the last ward forum, which was dominated by the CPZ issue, with the councillors accusing each other about the reduction, did promise another meeting on the issue.  This has not happened.  All we have now is another consultation for the west side.  Councillors do not respond to E-mail or even phone calls.  Not satisfactory at all.  The job of a councillor is to serve the Ward and the person.  This is not happening.Do you trust this council and it's Labour councillors?  Please remember the Derwentwater school issue, Councillor Crawfords Great Betrayal. (Labour East Acton.)

Nicola Howard ● 5510d10 Comments

Not one bit, the distrust goes even further they will do nothing but cuts and everything to generate money, the community does not see the benifits (wonder who does.Noel

Noel Mcallister ● 5509d

Hi NoelI wonder how many people realize that councillors get paid from our hard earnt money?Spoke to somebody the other day and, they thought that it was voluntary.

Nicola Howard ● 5509d

The money these councilors are getting is disgusting not just their saleries but also their expanses and perks.Noel

Noel Mcallister ● 5509d

Totally agree.The only person who seems to care about what is going on, is Angie Bray.

Nicola Howard ● 5509d

Angie Bray has always replied to my emails which is more than can be said for the previous incumbent who never ever replied.

Bob Crossley ● 5509d

I take it that you mean Andy Slaughter!

Nicola Howard ● 5509d

A suggestion for disgruntled residents - either1.  Ask a question ....... or2.  Present a petitionDetails of how to do this are below, taken from Ealing Council website:'Full Council meetings If you are a resident or your work or place of business is in the borough you may take part at Council meetings through one of two ways:•Asking a question of the Leader, Cabinet members or chairs of the Regulatory or Standards Committees You can ask the Leader of the Council, a Cabinet member or chair of the Regulatory or Standards Committees a question. A question must be received by the clerk to the council meeting at the latest by noon two clear working days before the council meeting i.e. by noon on a Thursday if the council meeting is held on a Tuesday as it usually is. Questions may be received by paper copy, fax or email. Each question must include your name and name of the councillor to whom the question is put. You can only ask one question at a full Council meeting.  The subject of the question must not be defamatory, frivolous, or offensive, must not be substantially the same as a question presented within the last six months, and must not require the disclosure of confidential or exempt information or relate to a licensing or planning application currently being considered by the council. At the meeting the Mayor will invite you to ask your question and you will have up to three minutes to both ask the question and give some oral background information if you so wish. You will receive a response from the appropriate councillor and you may then ask a supplementary or second question related to the original one. For more details or to submit a question please email: democraticservices@ealing.gov.uk or telephone (020) 8825 8671.  •Presenting a petition to a full Council meeting You may present a petition to a full Council meeting. The same deadline as above for questions applies for receipt of a petition and the conditions under which they may be submitted.  At the meeting the Mayor will invite you to speak about the subject of your petition. You will have up to three minutes to do so if you wish. You will then receive a response from the appropriate councillor. For more details or to submit a petition please email: petitionsofficer@ealing.gov.uk or telephone (020) 8825 8671'

Dee Cook ● 5509d

Noel McAllister wrote: 'The money these councilors are getting is disgusting not just their saleries but also their expanses and perks.'This document - http://www2.ealing.gov.uk/ealing3/export/sites/ealingweb/services/council/council_constitution/docs/part6_membersallowancesscheme.doc - lists all the allowable allowances that our councillors can claim.Strictly speaking, they don't get salaries. As you'll see, there are 'special responsibility allowances', which range from £31.788 a year for the leader of the council to £2,088 a year for the opposition spokesperson (planning & regulatory). Now, you can lead a fairly nice life earning £31,788 a year, but it doesn't mean the high life - esp. in London. And of course, the bulk of the councillors aren't entitled to these allowances.Frankly, to expect people to do all that councillors have to do - including responding to people like us! - without some kind of remuneration is simply unrealistic. I'm a director of a not-for-profit organisation for people (mainly freelances) doing editorial work and we found that we simply couldn't recruit new directors without some kind of ceiling on non-paid work. So we now agree to work for free for 15 hours a month (i.e. 2 days) and then get paid £22.50/hour thereafter.BTW, the council has voted to freeze all its allowances until April 2014.Needless to say, I have no personal connection with any of Ealing's councillors, and those who know me will know that I don't always give them an easy ride. But for all their faults, most of them actually do a lot of work for free for us and the general community.

Nancy Duin ● 5503d

Nancy , Why let Facts get in the way of a good winge

joseph birotz ● 5503d

Exactly, why spoil a good winge?Today somebody knocked over a CPZ pole and, caused damage to the pavement on Grafton Rd.  I sent pictures to Ealing Customer Services, who, have informed Highways for attention.Even had a E-mail back with a Ref No.Still no response from any of the councillors over previous winges. (J.B. and B.M.) definitely overpaid.

Nicola Howard ● 5503d