Forum Topic

Unbelievable

I read with some disbelief about Guy Lambert's comments regarding new councillors having training for their new role. This always used to be the case, with specific training for those who wished to go on the planning committee - which should be mandatory. Also training on various other issues was provided from time to time throughout the council term. There was also a sort of 'buddy' system where those with some experience would introduce newly elected members to the various departments and how generally things worked and the support provided. Quite why this seems to have gone by the board is a mystery - but on the other hand explains a lot. I just hope this training includes courtesy - because with only a few notable exceptions, getting a response or even just an acknowledgement after contacting a lot of them is a case of hope over experience.

Vanessa Smith ● 2759d13 Comments

She was posting a leaflet threw my next door neighbors door which is inches from my front door so she was behind the woman. But this person know's i live here so why was this woman told not to knock on my door because of my pure disgust with this person. Its funny this woman who knocked on my door got into the other woman's car and drove off together.

Simon Anderson ● 2753d

I think I'd be far more upset if I wasn't on 'De list', I would hate those twerps to think I'd countenance supporting them.

Vanessa Smith ● 2754d

I’m afraid like many of us now, you won’t get a knock this year because you are now ‘on De List’!

Robin Dickers ● 2757d

Was the person of whom you speak standing behind the woman with long blond hair or was she knocking on another door and within your eye line?

Anne England ● 2757d

I live just across the border in Syon so I may get Steve Curran knocking at my door and asking me for my vote (I somehow doubt it, but I might).  If I do I may feel threatened and intimidated and have to call the police.  Can I expect the same enthusiastic response that he received or am I being naive?

Phil Andrews ● 2757d

Oh! Please let them knock on our door.................

Vanessa Smith ● 2757d

So local Labour think they have time to taunt residents whom they've had over during the course of their tenure?  There can be no other reason that they'd knock on your door bearing in mind what they have put you through.  Petty gangsterism at its absolute worst, and shame on the opposition that these people are in a position to behave with such arrogance and impunity less than four months before an election.

Phil Andrews ● 2758d

i just had the local labour group on my landing knocking on doors. A lady with long blond hair knocked on mine, i told her i would never vote local labour because of a certain person ( this person was stood behind her)...Its a cheek to knock at my door to ask me to vote for the same person who had my Labour party membership removed, stopped us raising money for the community center and residents group and whom recently blocked our memorial bench.

Simon Anderson ● 2758d

I am told that the officer that I am dealing with, in this sorry tale, had already been the subject of a Stage 2 complaint and that compensation for the lack of action was eventually paid. Wouldn't you think that that would be enough to ensure that this clown didn't do the same thing again? It is really incredible that these people manage to hold down their jobs.

Vanessa Smith ● 2758d

If that's the case Vanessa, it's a shame that some councillors can't take a leaf out of the book used by council workers.In my personal experience of emailing various LBH departments about issues of concern, I have always had prompt replies and the issues resolved within a reasonable time.I have usually found the staff to be helpful and responsive.

Keith Iddon ● 2759d

I e-mailed the Leader, the Ch. Exec. one of my local councillors and a council officer on 11 January about a local matter that has been kicking around since October 2016. I have had to re-send that e-mail today as not one of those people named has responded. Hounslow has -  apparently - a 'citizen engagement' policy and - rumour has it a 'customer service' department, you could have fooled me. I appreciate that people are busy - aren't we all? But from 11 January until now - nothing - really? We can only hope that this induction training includes the importance of communicating with the mugs who go out and vote. Now, wouldn't that be a novelty?

Vanessa Smith ● 2759d

Quite why you seem to think it has gone by the board is a mystery. My blog said "..others struggled even though there was an induction programme in 2014".There has also been ongoing training and special training for committees. I don't think it's scandalous for the Chief Exec to be consulting councillors about how to make induction better. Quite the opposite, in fact.As to Paul and emails, I have no idea where you get the idea I (or Steve Curran) doesn't do emails daily. I certainly clear my inbox virtually every day of the year, as does Steve: I can vouch for that because I virtually always get a reply to my own emails to him the same or next day.

Guy Lambert ● 2759d

When I was elected in 2006 we also received induction training as most of us who were new had no idea whatsoever of how the Council workedIt still makes me laugh when a councillor writes a blog that they always fill their week with one day dedicated to catching up and dealing with e-mails and the Leader writes this each week on his Council website pageI was not perfect but I always aimed to respond to a constituent the same day or certainly by the following day even if it was to just to say I had received it or I was on the case

Paul Fisher ● 2759d