Re-launch of MyLocalCouncil.org

What is local government ultimately about if it is not to do with delivering responsive, high quality services efficiently?

A noticeable deterioration in the quality and responsiveness of services provided by Camden to its tax-payers - in some areas - has prompted me to re-launch this web site. My principal purpose in this venture is to "encourage/coerce" Elected Members and Officers of the Council to secure significant improvements in service delivery for the local people they serve - particularly in these austere times.

In 2009 the Audit Commission's Comprehensive Area Assessment classified Camden as "Excellent".

Clearly, as will be shown on this web site, this classification does not seem to apply to "all" services provided by Camden - and, perhaps, it should not? But austerity was not a significant issue then although serious service deterioration did occur; and this leads me to the conclusion that a great deal more could have been, and now needs to be, done to improve matters.

Assuming that the Audit Commision's finding was valid it is clear, as will be shown here, that there has been a marked deterioration in service delivery in some areas - at least - when there should not have been. Do let me know if you think that I have been unfair and I will try and redress the balance.

It is also my intention to re-launch my blog shortly and there I hope cover various local government issues that I have had experience of dealing with.

To set the ball rolling, I would like to present a situation which will go some way to demonstrate some of the issues I have referred to above.

FLEET ROAD ESTATE, PUBLIC LIGHTING "OUTAGES" (i.e., Lamps not working)
This is an estate of about 150 dwellings and is situated in the Gospel Oak Ward of the Borough. Currently, about about 80% of the lighting units on the estate are "outages" and a significant number of them have not been in lighting for over a year - indeed some lighting units have not been in lighting for over 5 years!

Enquiries seem to suggest that "scouting" for "outages" and reporting them was a function of estate "caretakers". This is said to be disputed but irrespective of these "diversionary" arguments there is an obvious solution to the problem! (Some suggestions next week!)

Click here to see a list, photographs and commentary of the "outages" and click here to watch the short video clip titled Fleet Road Estate Crazy Lighting Column Numbering to see why reporting "outages" may not be as simple as it sounds!

Earlier in the week the Council was invited to clear the "outages" by the 28th October 2011 - before we went back to GMT - but Officers have said that its contractor ("partner") would be on site "on 31st November" (sic) to deal with this matter - and the date suggests that that may not be for ages yet!

So, clearly, what the Audit Commission means by "Excellent" does not necessarily apply to the situation(s) described on this web site.

But everything is NOT as bleak as this. Recently I reported a dangerous situation with two lots of steps with "missing/loose" bricks. One email to a local Ward Councillor and the danger was dealt with pretty quickly.

And similarly with a manhole cover (see photo below)that had been left in a dangerous condition by a Contractor who had the audacity to describe his firm as a "Considerate Contractor". One email to the Ward Councillor and the situation was made safe - and I have confirmation that all costs associated with the debacle have been charged to the "Considerate Contractor".

Manhole cover in roadway by Palgrave House used by the Council's "Considerate Contractor" for site toilets and left in a dangerous condition when he left the site. Note the exfoliating, "holed" plywood cover and the double yellow lines - this is a vehicular access.