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Hounslow Council at its slimiest

I see that Hounslow Council have issued the following statement which looks like a thinly disguised attack on MRAG and the hard work they do in encouraging residents to make complaints against Thames WaterNo mention of course of the residents High Court victory or any information on how thousands may be entitled to claim compensation but I suppose that was to be expected considering that some senior officers would not want that mentioned"Residents living close to Mogden sewage works have been assured that the London Borough of Hounslow will continue to act on their complaints about nasty smells.The council will act on complaints made during working hours, as part of its determination to ensure a healthy environment for people who live near the Thames Water facility.The council’s pollution team will continue to carry out regular monitoring of the site to protect the public from any odour and uphold a Section 106 agreement on the redevelopment of the site, which carries penalties for Thames Water if it does not comply with the agreement.The council’s 24-7 complaints line will now operate during normal 9am-5pm office hours, with an answerphone service available outside of those times. Residents can also email mogden@hounslow.gov.uk to report issues. Mike Jordan, Hounslow’s Director of Environment, said: “Thames Water has assured us that the upgrade of the works will further reduce the need for people to complain about the smell. But residents can rest assured we will take action if problems reoccur.”A meeting of Hounslow Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday (April 17) heard that the majority of recent complaints about odour have been made via the local residents’ action group. This has sometimes made it difficult to identify the source of odour. Complaints have been falling in recent years. The water company has assured the council that an upgrade of the site and accompanying Section 106 obligations on its expansion will allow the number of complaints about odour to continue to fall.Residents can complain about Mogden through the hotline number 020 8583 2222, through the council's environment switchboard number 020 8583 5555 or through the council website: www.hounslow.gov.uk.A to Z of Services »"

Paul Fisher ● 4854d3 Comments

This statement by Hounslow Council is quite predictable and indicative of a Director of Environment and Planning running very scared indeed. I am quite surprised though that its taken them so long to issue the statement. Lets take stock of what they are actually trying to achieve by issuing this statement. Firstly it has to be acknowledged that the expansion has proven to be unsustainable. The expansion is almost 75% complete yet odour prevails and pervades. Strike 1 against the Director who approved recommendation for the expansion. As the summer months warm up, odour complaints will increase. The fact that the Council has now removed the complaints night-line so that officers can no longer take H2S readings IMMEDIATELY is proof enough that they want to eliminate their responsibility and statutory duty within EPA 1990 to take legal action against Thames Water. Strike 2 against the Director. The Director's statement that he has been "assured" by Thames Water  that the upgrade of the works will further reduce the need for people to complain about the smell is indeed laughable. Lets not forget that this company 'assuring'  him is the same Company found guilty in the High Court of Justice on 18 counts of mismanagement and negligence despite the £millions they spent on defending the allegations. Strike 3 against the Director.I am surprised that the Cabinet has allowed the Director to cancel the night-line because it is funded by S106 money and it was guaranteed to remain in place until the expansion is complete. There is a site tour this week which Cabinet Members were invited to attend BEFORE making any decision to cancel the night-line. I wonder why they rushed through this statement before the site visit!!!  Somebody has cocked up very seriously.  Strike 4 for the Director?? It is very clear that the Director is going all out to make it as difficult as possible for residents to complain about the continuing problems and is determined that Environmental Officers have no tools or resources to do their jobs professionally and hold Thames Water accountable.On the distant planet where the Director holds court, he may indeed convince himself that complaints are  falling away as the community waits for the expansion to complete, but he can be assured that back on planet Earth complaints are being forwarded to the legal team handling the litigation. We have here a Council in chaos with an incompetent  cabinet not fit for purpose.

Steve Taylor ● 4852d

They really do resent residents getting involved in anything, don't they?  And this particular department is the worst of a bad bunch.But that's just me, and of course I am paranoid!  Just because everything these people ever say and do seems to involve undermining or backstabbing organised residents doesn't mean they are control freaks.  It's all to do with the politicians and bureaucrats being the experts, you understand. The bitter irony here is that residents only took up the gauntlet in the first place because they were receiving no help or support from their council.  But it seems that rather than have the temerity to get involved ourselves we must submit ourselves unconditionally to the guiding, all-powerful, benevolent hand of Those Who Know What's Best For Us, or if such benevolence and unrivalled expertise is not forthcoming just STFU and accept whatever crap is directed at us.  Literally in this case.

Phil Andrews ● 4853d

Regardless of the background etc. just reading the statement to me it reads just like a standard press release issued by any Council, nothing more nothing less.

Adam Beamish ● 4853d