Following my post at the weekend about the state of some of the streets around the University area I am pleased to report some action has been taken by the Council, although clearly there are questions about how this problem can be better anticipated and handled next year.
RBC has apparently contacted two landlords and 3 Letting agents "telling them to clear the rubbish up. They have done so."
There is a lot of work still to be done to improve: I received a further email from a constituent today deeply frustrated by the situation:
"I can confirm that rubbish has still not been collected - when will this be resolved - it is now at least over 2 weeks since most students have left. As a Council Tax Payer - this continuous issue has to be resolved as it should not be expected that we should constantly live in an area where there is no respect for the residents and have to look at the eye sores of certain premises being allowed to leave the properties in these states. I cannot believe that I am the only one to complain about these issues...The Landlord surely must have some civic responsibility in these cases and ensure that their tenants clear up properly and ensure that the environment and health and safety of others is considered.
On the specific issue of making landlords take greater responsibility for reducing waste at properties they rent out, since I raised the issue at the weekend an officer has since written to me to explain what is being done:
"We have agreed to identify repeat offenders and for them to be targeted for follow up by the HMO Team. As discussed...we are also in the process of producing the next edition of ‘Landlord Focus’ which will be sent out to all landlords on our mailing list. This will identify and provide advice to landlords on their responsibilities"
Although it is very good that officers are responding quickly and positively to my requests for action I would prefer if a) I didn't have to keep raising the same issues b) residents got the same level of service.
The constituent who emailed me today sent an email to RBC via the website on Monday and is still waiting for a response. This may seem small but this is after in some cases rubbish has sat in front gardens for weeks already.
This is connected with issues around the call centre (which I visited a couple of months ago) and Council attitudes to customer care more generally. The 'back office' does need to become more efficient in some parts of the Council, to ensure residents are getting the best possible service, there is no doubt.
It is worth it though. Particularly when I get emails like the one I got earlier today:
"Daisy - you are a star. Many thanks for this - it just seems that you are the only one who actually does anything!! - I will keep pestering though"
UPDATE:
One of my regular correspondents has replied to offer moral support to my constituent above:
"I have read your recent emails and you are most certainly not alone in these issues! Several of us who also live in the Redlands Ward have made several complaints for quite a time now, and we have also unfortunately experienced the amount of time, Reading Council requires to take action concerning residents complaints! Please keep up the good work"
Amen to that!
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