Councillor states his case

Published 10 Feb 2010 15:58 4 Comments

I refer to an anonymous letter in last week's CFT (4th February), in which the author criticised me for failing to attend my prearranged surgeries and not resolving her problems.

The individual volunteered some details of my involvement with their case, and whilst I would never normally discuss publicly matters raised with me by local residents, given that the content of private conversations have been quoted, I feel I have no option but to provide a fuller account of this episode and why I felt it necessary to write to advise the individual to seek further advice elsewhere.

The letter stated that the author had attended a surgery where I did not attend, that she had phoned and received no answer, but acknowledged that I did call her back.

The individual left out that I did arrange a home visit for the following day. At that meeting it transpired that the issue was alleged anti social behaviour of a next door neighbour and that the complainant wanted a fence to be erected between the two houses.

The individual concerned had bought her council house and so I explained that Fife Council policy was to not pay for boundary fencing in this situation. I also explained that the best way to resolve the neighbour problems/fall outs would be through mediation, which I could arrange on their behalf.

I did make extensive enquiries into how I could help to resolve the issue but it became apparent that there was nothing apart from suggesting they return to the mediation service with a view to resolving the issue directly with their neighbours.

I did write to the individual concerned explaining that I could not make a case for council rent payers' money to be used to pay for the fence and I recommended that they reconsider mediation services.

I included a complaints form in the letter since the individual had indicated that she wanted to complain about the service that she had received from me and other aspects of the council. I did also suggest that they could approach one of the other councillors in the ward if they felt I had not handled their issue to their satisfaction.

This was not a dismissal of their case; it was my acknowledging that I could not take it any further and that the person concerned was refusing the advice to re-engage with the mediation services. Despite what many people think councillors have to work within a policy framework and have a collective responsibility to ensure that policies are applied fairly.

I am disappointed that this case has ended up in this way. I do accept that as the only councillor in the ward who regularly holds surgeries it is important that I do everything to ensure that no surgeries are cancelled at short notice and that people find it easy to get in touch with me.

I have now produced a rescheduled surgery timetable that fits in with my responsibility as a new dad for this year and would ask that if anyone needs to speak to me at anytime call or text on 0771 406 9876. I do apologise that I missed some surgeries but I have introduced this new timetable to address the difficulties I was having fitting everything in.

COUNCILLOR MARK HOOD,

Lochgelly.

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• 

  albert park
  Unregistered User
  Feb 11, 19:50
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  Well done councillor hood. I really don't want to know the ins and outs of the neighbourhood problem
  
  but i agree that if a fence would solve the ddispute let them build one and not the cash-starved council.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  Fred
  Unregistered User
  Feb 23, 17:16
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  I'm glad to hear that we have a councillor who is not going to get pushed around. There are far to many people who think that they can stamp thier feet and get thier own way. This woman should have a long hard look at herselve.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  honestman
  Unregistered User
  Apr 3, 07:01
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  how difficult is it to cancel surgeries? It appears more than one was missed. A note on the door with a phone number would have done.
  
  I don't see why the lady should be criticised. What did she do wrong?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  
  Unregistered User
  Apr 3, 07:39
  Report comment

  yeah - what's the betting that the councillor concerned will be boasting at the next elections about the number of surgeries he held?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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