Forum Topic

Grass

Can anyone tell me when the grass cutting in Brentford is due to be caught up.  Last time the gardeners came there was no difference when they finished and it is now above knee height.

Samantha Barwell ● 4430d9 Comments

They arrived today and have done a good job - we even had a young lad picking up the litter (there are hedges all the way round the flats and people throw their litter in them which we usually clear.  After a year they have done a good job!

Samantha Barwell ● 4406d

It's simple, just with any other service - withold the payment.Your statutory rights are exactly the same as with any other service. It they can't deliver it - they cannot charge for it.You could even invoice Hounslow Homes for getting someone else to do the job.But firstly email Cllr. Curran. He's the one with the big schpeil in every annual rent increase and waxes on about the quality of services provided.I'll put money on not even getting an answer, but you should do that first and let everyone know what the response is.

Michael Brandt ● 4410d

I have of course tried the usual channels - Hounslow Homes (useless extra local authority layer).  I know there is a problem with the grass cutting equipment and HH just give a date but never adhered to it and I can't be bothered to use my energy contacting a councillor who will merely email HH and copy me in.  I will just have to accept that it will be done eventually.  Bet we don't get a refund of the charges even though it is added to the rent and we have not received the service!

Samantha Barwell ● 4410d

That is sound advice.However it is also worth remembering that most local ward councillors do read and monitor these forums in spite of the fact that few ever condescend to post on them.

Phil Andrews ● 4410d

Best thing to do is email the your councillors direct and the councillor who holds the lawn mower portfolio whoever that may be!They all have emails and they can be found by going to the Hounslow web site and looking up ward councillors.The let us all know the response. Good,bad or indifferent.

Michael Brandt ● 4410d

Thanks for the response which is appreciated.

Samantha Barwell ● 4410d

I don't know what his views are on grass cutting though.

Phil Andrews ● 4410d

SamanthaPoliticians from both major parties work on the principle that the less one says - and certainly the less one puts down in writing - the less can be used against them.  There is also the constant fear of going against the Party Line, and they don't always know what that is at any given time.With a few notable exceptions it has only ever been independent councillors who used this forum to inform residents and comment on community issues.  Which is unsurprising really, especially where there is a stated commitment on their part to engage with the public.Generally when it feels the need to comment the Labour Party will use the services of one spokesperson, who is usually not a councillor and thus has deniability if the weight of the discussion begins to go against them.  Sometimes this role is even handed to a trusted non-member.The Conservatives have David Giles, but he is a maverick and probably doesn't feel the need to seek endorsement from Mission Control before giving us his opinions.

Phil Andrews ● 4410d

I see no comments have been forthcoming from anyone.  It would appear that the Isleworth councillors use this forum predominately - shame none of the Brentford councillors appear to do so.  Computer illiterate?  Too busy?  Issues too contentious?  Can't be bothered?

Samantha Barwell ● 4410d