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Reclaim democracy from bureaucrats – don’t vote!
• WE have a by-election in this ward next week.
The candidates have promised the usual stuff: more police, lower council tax, more facilities etc.
I, however, will vote for the first candidate who promises the sack for any council bureaucrat who evades or dishonestly answers a question put to them by us, the people who they supposedly work for.
Like a lot of residents, I am fed up with these unelected pen-pushers with the power of life or death being apparently completely unaccountable.
I suspect no candidate will come forward with such a promise and, that being the case, would urge Belsize ward not to vote and take part in this sham.
It is clear to me that all the major decisions are taken by unelected council managers and local councillors are just faces on a gravy train upholding the myth we have true democracy.
It saddens me greatly to ask people not to vote as I have always been an active voter with, until now, a100 per cent record.
Unfortunately, we can only take back control of democracy when we stop taking part in these elections which have become a total mockery.
JOHN LAWSON Adelaide Road, NW3
Homes front
• I’M writing to voice the concerns of tenants living in the Chalcots estate in Belsize.
As a candidate in the upcoming by-election I regularly speak to tenants on their doorsteps. What is happening in the Chalcots needs to be heard by a wider audience in Camden.
The Chalcots has been undergoing renovations for some time now as a part of the five-year programme for decent homes, an initiative which puts into practice the Labour government’s ideal that everyone should have the opportunity to have a decent home. The problem arises on the ground with the contractors. Consultations with tenants have been undervalued, communications to tenants from contractors have not been prioritised and agreements made at the start of the works have been forgotten.
Most tenants feel council officers are not listening or acting on their concerns.
There have been a catalogue of problems with the works and even in blocks classed as completed, work now has to be repeated as the poor quality becomes apparent. Arguments between tenants and the contractors have erupted over central heating, gas and water pipes and this has led to project delays.
At the same time, new windows were designed in such a way that elderly and disabled tenants struggle to open them. Some of these windows also seem prone to mould and no one seems to have considered proper ventilation on the stairwells and corridors that could circulate much-needed fresh air.
These issues only give a brief peek at life for tenants on the Chalcots estate, but all issues need to be properly considered before Labour’s vision of decent homes for all can truly be realised.
The Lib Dem/Tory run council don’t seem to feel strongly enough about changing things, but if things do not change the same mistakes will be repeated on estates across Camden.
Should Belsize choose to elect a Labour councillor on April 2, I will listen carefully to tenants, do all I can to improve life on the Chalcots estate and fly the flag for the delivery of truly decent homes.
SEAN BIRCH
Elizabeth Mews, NW3
Panel point
• ON March 18 the Belsize Safer Neighbourhoods team and panel held a very well-attended, lively and constructive public meeting to discuss policing and community safety.
Inevitably, there was a strong turnout of candidates standing in the local by-election – the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green candidates were all present – and at times it was amusing to see all of them with their hands up, eager to be seen to ask questions and engage in the debate.
I was very surprised, therefore, by the absence of Gary Bernardout, given his recent claims that he is a member of the panel, the group of residents which sets community policing priorities for Belsize.
Mr Bernardout has turned up to just one meeting. This does not make him a member.
HELENA DJURKOVIC
Chair, Belsize Safer Neighbourhood Panel
Local choice
• WE have tried to stay resolutely positive in this by-election.
We’re pushing for a new community primary school, for residents to be given more help with food growing, for a better deal for Camden housing tenants and leaseholders, and for more resources for the Safer Neighbourhoods team.
We’re campaigning for a new community primary school for Belsize because for most parents there is no real choice.
If you live south of Fellows Road, you can get your child into St Pauls or Primrose Hill School, but north of Fellows Road there’s nothing.
Our by-election candidate Tom Simon is running a petition for a new primary school on Saturday mornings in England’s Lane.
The fact is that the Conservatives control the parking portfolio at Camden Council.
Small independent shops, and community-minded owners like Aurora Flower’s owner, Henrietta, who helped me organised the Christmas tree in England’s Lane, are the heart and soul of our local community. We should not let them be forced out of business – because of excessive rent demands by landlords.
We have worked very closely with shops in Belsize on things like the Christmas lights in England’s Lane and Belsize Village, on the plastic bag ban and Belsize Eco Week, on resisting rent increases, on sponsoring bicycles for the local police team etc.
Local elections should be about choosing local people you trust to do a good job representing the local community.
CLLR ALEXIS ROWELL
& Cllr Arthur Graves
Liberal Democrats,
Belsize ward
Politics of a ‘ghost’ street
• I WAS dismayed to read prospective Tory councillor Gary Benardout’s description of my local shopping area in England’s Lane.
In his promotional leaflet, he writes: “England’s Lane is rapidly declining into a ‘ghost’ street, with vacant shops and graffiti now blighting the neighbourhood. We’ve already lost a hairdresser, gift shop, and florist – with many more businesses at risk. Over-zealous parking enforcement has been a factor in all these businesses closing.”
I took a stroll down England’s Lane and searched for those signs of “rapid” decline and ghostliness he describes.
There’s a busy pub, three vibrant cafés and 20 shops. All but one has its shutters down.
The former gift shop is being refitted and will be an optician. The florist is to become a bookshop. The future of the former hairdressers is, I am told, in negotiation.
People shop on foot round here and the street is busy with people doing just that.
The real reason for the change of ownership in shops is excessive rent increases from the private sector.
Name and address supplied
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