Today I did a walkabout with Stroud Green’s new ’street enforcement officer’, which was originally planned for earlier in the month, but delayed due to the snow. It was a great opportunity to find out what progress he has already made and to point out some of the many problem issues that residents have raised with me over the last few years.
The officer had already sorted out one issue I’d raised with him, which was the builders at a house on Mount View Road who had spread all over the pavement, forcing pedestrians out into the road. Enforcement action was taken a few days ago, and when we visited today the site was immaculate.
One favourite issue of mine which I also raised was the very many phone cabinets with missing doors in the ward. I showed him a cabinet in Denton Road that I’d alerted the Council to in August (see summery picture) - but which still isn’t fixed. The enforcement officer agreed to take action with Virgin Media – who appear to be the villain in not maintaining their street furniture very well.
One area we spent alot of time talking about was the Ferme Park Road shops, where residents and shopkeepers are unhappy about rubbish bags sitting around in big piles waiting to be collected by the Council’s binmen Enterprise. This will be a tricky issue to solve due to the contract with Enterprise which apparently allows them to collect the rubbish whenever they like rather than at set times.
Haringey Lib Dems have long campaigned for officers to be based out in the wards, so they really get to understand and take responsibility for their patch. From what I saw and heard on this walkabout, this strategy should work with this new local officer.
