Weekely Column – Why small things like potholes and hedges are a big deal
Quite an unusual weekly column this week. I talk about a lot of the work I’ve been doing on the ground within communities to try and resolve a variety of different issues. From potholes, pavement quality, speeding, anti-social behaviour problems, littering and unkept public spaces.
There are so many examples of these sorts of issues across our very large Town and the actual concrete powers I have in my hands as the MP to resolve the issues is limited. However I am determined to highlight with the appropriate local authority whether that be Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk County Council or Suffolk Police.
Many of you will have received letters from me over the past year or so. Sometimes progress can be slow but I have a large spreadsheet which is helping me keep track of all the different issues. I go on walkabouts regularly but to an extent I’m reliant on constituents raising the issues with me directly.
Ultimately these issues are largely the responsibility of local councillors and on many of these matters I’m working closely with councillor colleagues to resolve the matters. Sadly Labour councillors don’t seem to be all that keen to work with me on these issues. They seem to be more than content to just sit there and let the problems pile up and then blame someone else.
I can’t promise I will sort all of these issues out in a speedy way but I can at least try my best. These issues really matter. They impact pride in our communities, faith in Government, and it also seems to be the case that when areas fall into a state of disrepair problems can be compounded and anti-social behaviour and criminal activity often follows. If we’re all going to feel pride in our Town its important we feel pride in our local neighbourhood also.
Leave a Reply