Maiden Newton and Frome Vauchurch

Saturday, March 18, 2006

How Responsive are our Councillors.

I have had a request to start a thread regarding the responsiveness of councillors at County and District level (or any other level, if you like). What experiences have you had with the people who represent us? Have they always come back quickly with a response, helpful or otherwise?

Note: there is such a thing as "fair comment" which allows people to express, sometimes quite challenging, views about a person. There is also libel. So please be careful!

posted by John at 11:50 am

62 Comments:

  • I have had dealings with a few councillors and have got to admit it's not brilliant.Cllr Gregson has been very good and responded well, unlike our county councillor which I have to say has been very poor in responding.I don't know if i am allowed to say this but I know it's certainly not what you know but who you know when it comes to having thing's done.S

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Saturday, 18 March, 2006  

  • I agree what do we elect these people for they just can't be bothered once they are elected,I have learnt the hard way,I will think twice before i vote againH

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Saturday, 18 March, 2006  

  • The councillors were very responsive during the build up to the elections, sadly they are now often "unavailable"

    By Blogger Deborah, at Saturday, 18 March, 2006  

  • I would like to know how come when people have things done without planning permission nothing is done. I applied for a 6 bar gate to keep in character but was refused,but the person who stopped me,now has the same as i wanted without the proper planning,i think S is right it's not what you know.C

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Saturday, 18 March, 2006  

  • I am still waiting for a responce from cllr PM won't name names but he seems very hard to get any kind of answer out of maybe he only talks to the select few

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Sunday, 19 March, 2006  

  • I have also had problems contacting our district councillor,it's true election time they will be all over us again to get our vote,but I have learned that once in they can't be bothered,they won't be getting my vote again. NUT

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, 20 March, 2006  

  • I think this is a good idea to have a page for cllrs.Do they actually do anything and how much power do they actually have,not much from what i have seen they always fob you off with the old saying it's not my department you have to contact so and so and when you do you get no comeback at all.The council and the people who work on our so called behalf should work in our interest however small the problem,or at least get back to people.My confidence in council's etc is about as good as in any polotic's who can you trust.K

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, 20 March, 2006  

  • This is the chance for everybody to have thier say about the local and district councillors and council,it probably won't get them to do anything about the comments made but at least we will know at the next election

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, 20 March, 2006  

  • On the plus side our County Councillor and District Councillor attend nearly all of the Parish Council meetings.

    By Blogger John, at Monday, 20 March, 2006  

  • They might attend nearly all of the meeting's but why can't they ever respond to people,this seems to be the side of the job they have little interest in,after all it is a major part of the reason they were elected,perhaps they should take a course in people skills.H

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, 21 March, 2006  

  • I see the housing has got through even though there was a lot of people against it.I want to build a house so my children can live in the village do you think i would be able too,I doubt it i'm not a builder or magna and there is not enough money in it for the council(i wonder who got what out of it)it's the same in Frampton how on earth could those awful things get through obviously some one got something

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, 21 March, 2006  

  • I wonder when the local council will allow people who actually live in MN/FV to build houses for thier families rather than outsiders,our children can't afford to live in our own villages and the council just isn't helping.We should be allowed to have propertis built to help our own but it is always decided by people who DO NOT live here H

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, 21 March, 2006  

  • Yet more houses going up but the roads are not ready for all the extra traffic no thought as usual when will they learn,MN the new Poundbury.S

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, 21 March, 2006  

  • Instead of all this housing how about pushing the pavement through in FV there will be more people in the village and still the pavement is a low priority the Council are mad they need to get thing's into focus.I bet the new houses will have pavements this council makes me sick,it's all decided by some tw-t sitting on thier arse who doesn't even live in the village,what do our local councillors do (little or nothing)JUST WHAT THEY ARE TOLD BY THE COUNCIL.When will they listen to the residents and push for what they want and need,they have no clout what so ever NUT

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, 22 March, 2006  

  • When will the councillors respond to any comments made on the BLOG,maybe they just can't be bothered,it's only for the people who elected them.It's the same old story they don't respond to anything unless there's a profit in it.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, 22 March, 2006  

  • I think they must be busy counting the coffers,and planning the next housing project.House building is limited in FV because of the building boundary,but i think they should be able to build on in fill sites,there are few so it wouldn't be too much,we will wait and see if the building yard get's planning,if it does there is obviously something going on.SUB

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, 22 March, 2006  

  • HOW COME THAT MOST PLANNING APPLICATIONS IN FV ARE TURNED DOWN,BUT THE 12 SO CALLED AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS PASSED.ALSO KINGSLEY PADDOCK ETC IS ALLOWED TO BUILD (WONDER WHY)BUT STILL IF YOU HAVN'T GOT THR RIGHT NAME OR FACE YOU CAN BUGGER OFF TYPICAL COUNCILS ONCE AGAIN YOU SCRATCH MY BACK.H

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Friday, 24 March, 2006  

  • Hello all! If it helps at all, you cannot libel a council as a whole. You would get into shtuck (sp?) if you named a councillor - or any individual - or gave enough information to identify them and suggested that they were corrupt in any way. Saying someone is slow to respond isn't libel, however you would have to give that person right of reply if they requested it.
    But implying that person would get a planning application through for the right person rather than the right project most certainly is libel, as it would affect their reputation.
    If you have any doubts about a post, email me at miranda.robertson@tiscali.co.uk and I'll consult my libel law bible for you!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Friday, 24 March, 2006  

  • I can't agree with H about dodgy dealings at council level. I have never been a fan of conspiracy theories and there is not the slightest evidence of anything untoward going on. FV does have quite a few turned down but they are often objected to by FVPM, usually quite sensibly, as being dangerous or hopelessly unsuitable. Things like the affordable houses at the eastern end of MN have been approached with the utmost openess and in response to a need, echoed in this blog, for inexpensive property for local people. There is nothing to stop someone proposing a plan in FV and if it is reasonable it should get through. On the other hand you can't force developers to build somewhere.
    There are, of course, planning decisions that beggar belief but they tend to be random perverse judgements like New Frampton Court. Cock-up not carve-up.

    By Blogger John, at Saturday, 25 March, 2006  

  • i am afraid i don't agree with john,there is something going on but either people don't want to see it or they just can't be bothered to look.There are certain planning applications if you look back over the years that a certain applicant's name comes up quite alot,funny enough these are always passed where other's are turned down,and as for the councillor side i think thing's will be clearer at a later date H

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Saturday, 25 March, 2006  

  • AS USUAL EVERYBODY TALKS LIBEL WHEN ANYTHING UNTOWARD IS MENTIONED I THINK NOT REPLYING TO THE PEOPLE THAT ELECTED YOU IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBURG,IT'S A SHAME THAT COUNCILLORS DON'T JUST DO THEIR JOB AND MAYBE FEELING'S WOULDN'T RUN SO HIGH A SIMPLE PHONE CALL OR E-MAIL ISN'T ALOT TO ASK OF YOUR ELECTED COUNCILLOR BUT WHEN NOTHING IS DONE IT CAN CAUSE REALLY BAD FEELING I HAVE HAD FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE OF LACK OF COMMUNICATION.AS SOMEBODY MENTIONED BEFORE THEY CAN PUT THEIR CASE FORWARD ON THIS BLOG BUT THEY CAN'T EVEN BE ARSED TO DO THAT.I AM NOW NOT POSTING ANY MORE BLOGS AS I THINK THERE IS TOO MUCH ARSE LICKING AND LACK OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT GOING ON.S

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Saturday, 25 March, 2006  

  • What about the comment's from normal resident's it seem's that most people on here back the council and councillors but sod the normal people that have to put up with thing's the council etc can't do any wrong i agree i can't be bothered with this anymore it get's nothing done.HIP

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Saturday, 25 March, 2006  

  • I think what is going on is a complete lack of consistency, rather than a conspiracy - if a councillor did pass applications for a pal he/she would be prosecuted. If a councillor knows an applicant personally or has anything to gain from an application they are obliged to declare an interest. Even if it was a play area their own children would use, they should declare it.
    BUT... there is a lot of difference between the way council-employed officers decide things and how a committee of elected members decides things. For instance, if you look on the WDDC website you'll see that some poor sod on Stanstead Road had to apply for retrospective permission to replace their 6x8 garden shed!!! Not build anything, but just replace their shed - it beggars belief they had to pay £120 for someone to decide they could. Then you have Poundbury and it seems anything goes.
    I think what may be going on here is that, like in criminal courts, you get the representation you pay for and the people wih clout may perhaps have more persuasive people putting their applications together - people who will find loopholes and find their way through the objections where we would look at the problems and give up.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Saturday, 25 March, 2006  

  • i still think it is unfair and from the outside it does look like something underhand going on,and when you ask your so called councillor a question they just ignore you and can't be arsed to get back to you,i have contacted my district councillor on at least 4 occasions and still no reply,it just makes you wonder,i won't vote for him again.Miranda makes sense.S

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Saturday, 25 March, 2006  

  • I still think it would be nice to hear from some councillors on the Blog it may help to get them in touch with the community.The bad feeling aired by quite a few people could be helped by them joining in instead of keeping thier distance.People will remember WHEN THE NEXT ELECTIONS COME ROUND so why don't they do themselves a favour and start to get involved it's the only way to get the community behind them.S

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, 27 March, 2006  

  • Let's hope the councillors have more clout about stopping the gypsie site than they do in planning houses,if not we are all in big sh-t and it will be thier fault........

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, 27 March, 2006  

  • You must be joking they and the council have no interest in what local people think we have no rights at all..........

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, 28 March, 2006  

  • I think it would be really good if any of the councillor's out there would post a comment,we need to hear from bothe sides I feel this may help ease the obvious bad feeling towards the councillors and the council, felt (by the look of it)quite a few people.Councillors are obviously busy people as well but i think this site could help get thier ideas and points over to the local people and do themselves a bit of good in the process.There are good thing's the councillors do could we maybe have a few on the Blog we all seem quick to put them down maybe a good comment might encourage them to get involved.ST

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, 28 March, 2006  

  • ST thinks that a couple of good comment's may help i beg to differ,thier lack of responce sum's up what they really feel towards the local people they really don't give a damn.As most people have commented already they would rather sit and think about where the next profit will be coming from rather than how can we make the community a better place,ST don't hold your breathe.H

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, 28 March, 2006  

  • Ok fair enough,but most of the grief seem's to be over building matter's,I agree with some of the comment's made they are very elusive when you need them.The growing drug's problem in the villages should be dealt with(but police are far and few between)unless its racist or speeding then they are there like a shot.Our council tax should be reduced to compesate for the lack of policing and damage to property etc caused by the growing traffic due to the new houses.Overall our communities are lacking any real investment which will eventually see the end of decent rural life......

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, 28 March, 2006  

  • I wish instead of putting more pressure on the villages there was more put in to making life better for the people who are already here.It is more like a town than a village,the only people to get anything out of it is the local business people, how many of them have contact with the councillors i wonder.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, 28 March, 2006  

  • Does any councillors actually attend any of the FV parish meeting's?ST

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, 28 March, 2006  

  • District Councillor Patmore always attends FVPM meetings - and presents a report if I remember correctly.

    By Blogger John, at Tuesday, 28 March, 2006  

  • Many thanks,just wondering because we are never told anything in FV about them and not much goes up on our board.ST

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, 28 March, 2006  

  • We are in danger of losing the village atmosphere in MN/FV,which is a shame,too much building,the threat of a permanent Travellers site all this will kill our community,and very little seem's to be done about it.It used to be good living in the old village,but sadly the local people are being ignored.Surely it would make sense to let people in the village with the facility to build,build, all these large companies are killing it.The large people are allowed to do what they like while us local's are s-at on from a great hieght(unless you have the right name)this situation is causing alot of bad feeling and it's about time something was done about it.H

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, 29 March, 2006  

  • I agree but they don't care,not one has responded to the Blog which sum's it up!..........

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Thursday, 30 March, 2006  

  • Does the Parish council not have anything to say either on any of the issues mentioned,it's sad that not even one comment by any kind of councillor has been heard......

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Thursday, 30 March, 2006  

  • More and more houses going up for sale,when are we going to do something about keeping people in the villages rather than pushing them out.How long before we lose all the local people rather than just building to get new residents,something should be done now!ST

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Saturday, 08 April, 2006  

  • The planning of new houses at Station Road is stupid,not only is it conservation land but there is already trouble with access to Dorchester road which ever way they do the entrance,the Corn St houses are finding it difficault this will only cause more problems,sort the bloody roads out first before any more sodding houses are allowed to be built in MN the locals should be listened to..............

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, 11 April, 2006  

  • When are DCC going to spend a bit of time and money and even effort on FV,either get your fingers out of your arses and do it or give us a rebate on our Council Tax HIP

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, 11 April, 2006  

  • Do FV parish meeting and MN parish council actually speak to each other,if not i think they should it would make life a lot better all round and maybe everybody would know what is going on.I know there seem's to be a wall between the two but it would be a start..........

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, 12 April, 2006  

  • Maiden Newton PC and Frome Vauchurch PM are not terribly close. I hope that my new version of a "Tale of Two Villages" will reappear shortly. This argues for the creation of a Group Council for the two parishes. Such a move would strengthen both villages while retaining their separate identities. In the end it will be down to the FV electorate to decide on the matter, probably with a poll.

    By Blogger John, at Wednesday, 12 April, 2006  

  • I think we need a joint council,we would be stronger and hopefully better off all round,the parish meeting should think about it's residents rather than themselves.....

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, 12 April, 2006  

  • I still notice that not one councillor has used the Blog,not even any of the Parish councillor's,is this because they can't use computer's or just can't be bothered,I think we all know the answer to that one.H

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, 12 April, 2006  

  • I noticed on the main web page it is mentioned there is a comment box in a certain shop,I now know why there are no comment's made via this,it's because of the reception one get's when one goes in there,people should remember who keeps local busineses open.POP

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, 12 April, 2006  

  • Can we have a general section where comment's be made about any topic,maybe this will encourage more people to use the Blog.SUE

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, 12 April, 2006  

  • I think H has a point we all know why there is no comment from the councillor's,they seem to be put off by using computer's and getting involved......

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Thursday, 13 April, 2006  

  • I would just like to say that i have had a good responce from cllr patmore,he made the effort and instead of sending just an e-mail he came round to see me face to face many thanks.ST

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, 19 April, 2006  

  • I am afraid that the councillor's at the FV meeting about the pavement left alot to be desired,they said nothing about the plan's at all.Our councillor's are supposed to be there for all of us not just the few,I have now taken advice from Oliver Letwin about the issues involving the plan's as the local councillor's seem to have as much idea as the "person" (had to change the wording here, John) who drafted the them.When will the councillor's actually realise that this plan will in fact cause more problem's than solve them and why did they not mention a thing about them at the meeting,because at the end of the day they don't care.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Thursday, 18 May, 2006  

  • Once again I have to agree with the comment made about the local councillor's,very little input from them at the meeting and they failed to mention to us that the plan's had been put forward year's ago and were rejected,the same plan's would be a disaster now as more traffic and houses etc would cause even more problem's than before,the only people for it are those who will be compensated very well by the council while the other's are just cra--ed on and are expected to take it.The council need to rethink this as it is a bloody joke...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, 23 May, 2006  

  • Maybe it would be a good idea for our local councillor's to go around and speak to the people that the new pavement will be affecting the most.This would be a good oppatunity for them to get involved instead of just taking a back seat and letting the people who elected them fight thier own corner,after all that is what they are elected for.I know for a fact that one has been contacted and as yet has not replied or bothered in any way to help.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Thursday, 25 May, 2006  

  • When is something going to be done about the bloody parking in bothe villages,sort this out before any more sodding houses go up,the local council should do something instead of sitting on thier arses and letting it get worse.....

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Saturday, 30 September, 2006  

  • I hope the council are making a note of the lack of confidence in all of them,from the Parish council to the county council,all our councillors are very quiet over these issues(as usual)maybe they should speak to local residents rather than sitting on thier arses doing sod all.....

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Sunday, 01 October, 2006  

  • Yet again no responce from our local councillor over planning issues,it would be nice to have a answer straight away rather than having to keep on chasing them time and time again.A group of people have contacted a national news paper and are waiting to see what is the next step.When will they learn a quick e-mail and it would have been enough,but when they just ignore things it looks like there is something funny going on.PD

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Thursday, 12 October, 2006  

  • Yet again no responce from our local councillor over planning issues,it would be nice to have a answer straight away rather than having to keep on chasing them time and time again.A group of people have contacted a national news paper and are waiting to see what is the next step.When will they learn a quick e-mail and it would have been enough,but when they just ignore things it looks like there is something funny going on.PD

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Thursday, 12 October, 2006  

  • Hey hey! TWO responses in one night - I must have PMT.
    OK, in response to the person who urged councillors to get 'off their arses' you may have noticed on the noticeboard, and in the parish magazine, that there is a vacancy for a parish councillor.
    Time to hang up your anonymity, get off your own cheeks and stand up and be counted I'd say.
    Come on - you have opinions, so why not make 'em count?
    I'd personally vote for someone as passionate as you.
    But first, I'd have to see your name on the voting slip...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Saturday, 21 October, 2006  

  • They are bothe the same lol but I agree with you I would vote for them as well we need someone with some balls.SD

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, 24 October, 2006  

  • Did Miranda see the issues about the planning?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Thursday, 26 October, 2006  

  • Yes - I've responded in 'How responsive are our councillors'. At least I think I have - it's on one of the threads, anyway...
    If there's anything in particular you'd like me to have a look at I'd be happy to oblige.
    Let me know - miranda.robertson@tiscali.co.uk

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Sunday, 29 October, 2006  

  • Yes have a look at the planning system it seems very odd how builders get everything all you have to do is look at the planning applications,can't mention any names but it's obvious if you look back at all the planning applications....

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Friday, 03 November, 2006  

  • Please see my response under the thread 'New development at the end of Stanstead Road'.
    We've got to have some evidence to start with - not just a vague feeling that something isn't right!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, 08 November, 2006  

  • It's not worth it it was tried once before but was kept quiet it's as you say it's how much money you have and who you are as well as who you know.Miranda asks for proof it won't happen too many people involved....

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Saturday, 11 November, 2006  

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