Cllr Glenn Goodall outside a property on Addington Road in the University area where waste is an issue
I've just come back from a ward walkabout with my fantastically dedicated ward colleague, Glenn Goodall.
The three of us like to get out and about as often as we can to keep an eye on things and pick up any problems. Today was no different and we enjoyed chatting to residents as we went round.
We were shocked by the awful state some of the streets in the University area were in.
Looking back at the Blog It was exactly the same last year.
We have a constant battle on our hands to ensure that areas of the ward where there are lots of private rented properties are free of rubbish and litter. We report problems where ever we see them but sadly every year new tenants can mean new problems.
Waste management at HMOs and student houses was one of the key areas we focussed on in our scrutiny review of private rented housing. I felt strongly that the Council's current approach to waste problems simply wasn't working.
As a result of our review recommendations being accepted by the Labour administration council policies are being modified to make them more effective, although it could take time for us to see the benefits on the ground.
As I've said a few times things are at their worst at the end of university terms when one set of students is moving out and others are moving in.
Blenheim Road appears to be once again of the worst affected roads. We counted 20 properties on the street where bins were overflowing.
Other streets we picked up problems included Kings Road, Eldon Terrace, Addington Road, Blenheim Gardens, Redlands Road, Christchurch Road and Erleigh Road.
As we walked around making a note of problems Glenn and I felt sympathy for those residents who clearly make a lot of effort maintaining their properties and gardens amongst properties where occupants or landlords clearly weren't taking responsibility for managing waste. The state of the street must be very depressing for them.
Common problems we picked up today included bins overflowing,bulky items dumped in front gardens, contaminated red bins and bins blocking pavements.
I have written to the Council with a long list of properties where residents need help managing waste either providing them with an extra wheelie bin or advice about how to manage waste.
We are also asking officers whether where there are multiple bins they can be replaced with single larger bins. Places like Addington Road and Christchurch Road might benefit from this.
This has been done on London Road and has led to a reduction in the amount of bins cluttering up the pavement.
In some cases it is landlords rather than tenants who are at fault. I have asked officers to write to these landlords and remind them of their responsiblities. If this doesn't work we would like to see enforcement action to force people to clean up their mess.
Outside an HMO on Kings Road
As I've said before, I believe the University of Reading should take more responsibility for helping to keep our area clean and tidy. The extra black bin collections which the Council brought in after pressure from us do not come free of charge. Why should the burden fall solely on Council Tax payers?
One of our scrutiny review recommendations was:
"The commitment of additional resources by the University of Reading where appropriate towards the accreditation of student accomodation and environmental improvements in areas with large numbers of student properties, for example sponsoring 'clean up' activities or additional environmental liaison officers"
I met RBC officers recently to discuss how we can make this happen, leading up to meetings I will be scheduling with senior University officals this autumn.
Suffice to say we will continue to campaign to make the University area clean, green, pleasant place for everyone to live.
UPDATE:
I've received an email from a constituent living in the area who writes:
"To be honest I am fed up with living in a Slum and below list properties that have rubbish on the ground and not in their bins which is an eye sore and not hygienic. I cannot say that all of these properties are student lets but believe most of them to be and cannot expect that the bin men will be clearing this up this week again. Therefore how long do residents of Reading have to put up with this. The University should contribute towards the costs of cleaning up areas of where there is a high student population... Could the Council not enforce a register of all landlords and the properties they hold to ensure that they take some responsibility in the properties they own to endeavour that the local Residents (Council Tax Payers) do not suffer any more."
I receive emails like this most weeks which goes to show the level of public anger that exists at the state of some roads in the University area.
Comments