Forum Topic

Ward forums to be scrapped

Ealing Council’s latest attack on local democracy is to scrap ward forums from next April.These are important pillars of accountability for our councillors, but it seems that dissent is not to be tolerated. There will be more on this on this website’s front page in due course.

Simon Hayes ● 2248d11 Comments

I think part of the point here is that it’s the closing down of an avenue of information about local issues. We get very little notice about major changes mooted all over the borough, ones which often have a very negative impact on residents. The current plans for huge tower blocks being a case in point.These forums are supposed to be for important issues to be debated and publicised but have been hijacked by Labour yes men for their own purposes.Mark, as a trained and qualified journalist myself I’m well aware of how to interact with a wide variety of people. I’m also well aware of how shutting down dissent - ie ‘controlling the message’ - is a well practiced tactic by those in power. We see it with the Tory Party at national level and Labour here in Ealing.Most people I know aren’t interested in Julian Bell’s propaganda. They just want their bins collected on time, their roads cleaned and maintained, their libraries kept open and not to be pillaged for owning a car. You tell me if people get a fair hearing under this regime? The evidence on this forum, and elsewhere online, strongly suggests not.And the idea that councillors represent their wards properly is laughable. This Labour mob is hand picked to endorse the increasingly outlandish policies of Mr Bell. Go and read the guidance for councillors published by the Local Government Association and decide for yourself if your councillors are really doing the job for which they pocket £10,000 a year.See for yourself at https://www.local.gov.uk/our-support/highlighting-political-leadership/councillors-guide

Simon Hayes ● 2229d

Then the councillors have an easy ride surely Philippa."we can't do anything about this, it is Government policy" is easy enough to type.Not to respond at all is inexcusable.

N V Brooks ● 2230d

Mark, I wish it was so, some ward councillors are very much better than others.

Libby Kemp ● 2231d

Surely often the problem is that people complain about things that the Council cannot do anything about - often plans that have been set by Central Government.

Philippa Bond ● 2231d

Simon and Christine,I have had some success for several years in interacting with Ealing's Councillors of every political persuasion. The approach that I have found most effective is to identify the issues, use the Report-It online system for things like fly-tipping, pavement parking, road sweeping, pavement defects and the like. Monitor the situation and after an appropriate period of time e-mail your local councillors with the original issue, the Report-It details, and ask for progress. Resolving it down to a single tactical event or issue means that action can be taken by the, without getting mired in party politics. A positive outcome can then be enacted. A VERY IMPORTANT point to note here (and a reason for some lost e-mails" is that the Ealing Council is not very good, queues of spam build up and the like which have to be cleared by the IT department so some councillors DO NOT corresponds with their constituents via the council system preferring to use their own private e-mail. On the political circulars and on the councillors websites (or their party websites BUT NOT THE COUNCIL WEBSITE) you will often find their preferred option. Councillors have specific responsibilities for the Ward that they were elected it, and will respond to issues within that Wards, however, I understand that there is not the same level of requirement for the areas in which they live if it is outside their Ward, some Councillors in the Cabinet (or the Shadow Cabinet) have areas of responsibilities, or Portfolios, for example, roads or health. They can be targeted for such relevant issues.When being trained as a journalist I was taught that when attempting to establishment communications with someone who is screened off from public contact, a good idea is to attend a public event at which they are speaking (foe example a Ward Forum) and to ask a question. After that has finished you approach the podium and introduce yourself to the Councillors or Councillors shaking hands and thanking them for their answer, and by the way how are they getting on with the e-mail you sent, business card exchange can follow if appropriate and further negotiation, all with the "stiff upper lip" attachedAs further tip about interacting with the salaried Council officers, the "body corporate" only has a requirement to acknowledge your communication, be it a-nail or written, if it is signed and dated and has your details on it

Mark Julian Raymond ● 2234d

Don't councillors hold surgeries anymore?

Christine Mulligan ● 2234d

A number of Labour councillors claim they are ‘too busy’ to answer emails, so without ward forums or regular surgeries how are voters supposed to have dialogue with their elected representatives?

Simon Hayes ● 2243d

Another nail in the coffin of local democracy by Ealing Council.

Ian Fergus ● 2243d

Bang on, as usual Mr Hayes.  👍 😊

Rosco White ● 2245d

An interesting viewpoint but perhaps the forums would be more effective if Labour councillors weren’t under orders to ensure the agendas were filled with irrelevant nonsense, then filibustered to breaking point and allowing little or no time for proper discussion of the real issues.As for the funds you mention. Kiss that cash goodbye matey. It’s to be sucked back in by Bell and co, likely to be utilised for more nest feathering for them rather than being used in communities.And when they start building a 40 storey block of flats at the end of your road that you knew nothing about, don’t get too upset.This Council is only interested in promoting its own narrow message. Dissent cannot be tolerated!

Simon Hayes ● 2247d

I have despaired of the appalling palimpsest of democracy for several years now that is termed a "Ward Forum". All I can say is "BRING IT ON" to rid ourselves of these political jokes and to make use of the funds in a more utilitarian way

Mark Julian Raymond ● 2247d