Kingsway Villagers

17 Responses to “Cleaning up the Neighbourhood”

1. Clive Says:
   February 9th, 2010 at 5:49 pm

   Hi EG,

   Thanks for posting

   Although we noticed the rubbish you’re talking about during the Neighbourhood Walkabout in July 2009, we didn’t include it in our report, because it’s part of Quedgeley rather than Kingsway Village… But I do remember Fraser saying that it would be included / addressed during the Quedgeley Walkabout, so it might well be worth contacting Quedgeley Parish Council about this.

   I searched for “Neighbourhood Management Support Officer at Gloucester Council” for a while, but couldn’t find anybody in that capacity involved with street cleaning / refuse… Could you post his/her name/email address?

2. EG Says:
   February 11th, 2010 at 6:47 pm

   Latest email from Mr Andrew Partis Andrew.Partis@gloucester.gov.uk

   Unfortunately I do not have any information on the timescale for the clearing of the area. The company responsible for the maintainence of the land have been contacted about the problem but I have not heard any more news on the matter.

   I will seek further advice from Mr Best when he returns to the City Council tomorrow but please be aware that we may not be able to do any more to help for the time being.

3. fred wood Says:
   February 12th, 2010 at 8:02 pm

   Last week Richard Graham and I spent some time at the brook in question during our walkabout in Kingsway.
   There is clearly a problem that needs fixing and I have taken this matter to Councillors with confidence that they will seek resolution though the managing agents of the retail park who are responsible for that section of the brook.
   This is one of many problems we noted during our Kingway walkabout, all of which can resolved by politicians working closely with the police and QUVL to make Kingsway an even better place to live.

   Fred Wood (prospective Conservative City Councillor for Field Court Ward)

4. Clive Says:
   February 12th, 2010 at 8:34 pm

   Hi Fred Wood,

   Thanks for joining in, and for supplying that information

5. fred wood Says:
   February 12th, 2010 at 9:16 pm

   Thanks Clive,

   I will keep you informed of developments on this and other related issues as they become known to me.

   Fred

6. Clive Says:
   February 13th, 2010 at 1:18 am

   Fabulous… Thanks Fred

7. Haydn08 Says:
   February 18th, 2010 at 3:59 pm

   I walked to Tescos last Sunday and saw: Three abandoned shopping trolleys, a LOT of litter, and outside the Weavers – a heck of alot of broken glass, bottles, glasses… You name it!
   It all annoyed me so much that I spoke to Tescos about the trolleys and then went into the Weavers and asked them to go and clean up the mess outside – obviously caused by the night before’s customers. Both were very apologetic, but it’s a shame that I even have to do that.

   This could be such a lovely area if everyone looked after it.

8. EG Says:
   March 1st, 2010 at 4:00 pm

   I have also noticed rubbish that has been left on the kerbside as it was not in a black bin. The Council say that they can write to the residents but cannot do anymore as it is not their responsibility (QUVL).

   I thought that part of the Council Tax was to pay for local services like street light fixing, road sign fixing etc.

   Do we pay the same Council Tax as other areas?
   Should Kingsway Residents pay the same Council Tax as other areas when we do not receive the same level of services?

   I notice that we had a rebate from Severn Trent water as they were not providing some services…

   This is a serious question and if anyone could provide me with some information I would be grateful.

   Thanks.

9. Clive Says:
   March 1st, 2010 at 5:51 pm

   Hi EG,

   The question of Council Tax was also brought up at the Residents Association meeting on Friday, addressed to Parmjit Dhanda who was speaking at the time.
   He didn’t give an answer (and I’m certainly not able to), but I do think that it may be worth pursuing and will mention it to Baz_k (although I suspect he’s already got it on his ever-growing list)

   I do know that the rebate from Severn Trent was not related to service provisions (or the lack of) but due to the fact that our drains don’t drain into the main sewage system (which is normally chargeable). Severn Trent set the local water rates before they realised this, hence the refunds, (see here for more details).

   Regards,
   Clive

10. EG Says:
    March 1st, 2010 at 6:13 pm

    Thanks Clive

    I wont hold my breath for any outcome from the Council, knowing what they’re like but I’m reassured to know that it’s not just me who’s questioning the amount we pay against the services provided, particularly when I also have to pay an ‘estate management fee’ for the communal green areas which also seems high for the services they provide.

    I was regretably unable to attend last weeks meeting as I was away but am looking forward to attending the next one to see if there are ever any answers to the many questions/debates that are posed on here, with promises of resolutions by the bodies concerned, but as ever very little action to actually resolve.

    Seems like a lot of talk by the likes of the developers when trying to get the house sales, the Council, QUVL etc and no progress.

11. Baz_k Says:
    March 1st, 2010 at 9:42 pm

    Hi EG,
    The council tax is one of the things I want to get to the bottom of, though I think I can guess as to the answer. But, as Clive says, it is on my list and hope for an answer in the near future.

    I too have to pay the estate management fee, with Trinity. I have requested a meeting with them as I feel the amount we pay for what we get is extortionate, especially when I never see them actually do anything. But will let you know on that one. I have also heard whispers about other solutions to this issue, but need to delve more into it.

    From my discussions with the stakeholders, there is now a trickle of money flowing through the Village, and this seems to be providing an impetus for better interaction and work.

    I will keep you updated as I find out more

12. EG Says:
    March 2nd, 2010 at 8:12 am

    Thanks Baz

    I had enourmous trouble with Trinity at the beginning as it seemed that they had not been collecting from me for 12 months and then wanted all of the back pay at once. I received a letter after living here for nearly a year saying ‘welcome to your new home’!

    I have once seen a man and a van doing some minor tidying of the shrubbery in our area and also the communal green patch cut once. Although I am not sure that justifies the amount we all seem to pay one company. I would rather cut the 3m x 3m grass myself!

13. fred wood Says:
    March 9th, 2010 at 12:12 pm

    It an earlier post, I promised to let residents know of developments in improving Kingsway as they become known to me. I am pleased to say that my intervention with relevant parties over the disgraceful state of the brook by Domino’s has produced a good result. The Owners agents are cleaning it up today.

    I went over earlier to observe the work and it is looking good. The area is clean, the water is flowing and we have a committment to keeping it that way. Moreover, the fence is going to be repaired, although I am pressing the agents for a date to complete this work.

    Last week I also raised concerns about barbed wire fencing on open ground near the school and am pleased to report that QUVL is looking at this matter today.

    Lastly for now, I reiterate my earlier advice about calling the City Council helpline if you see abandoned shopping trolleys cluttering up the area. The Council has reviewed its policy and – if you use this process, it gives the store 4 hours to recover the trolley. If it doesn’t the Council will collect and crush the trolley. At about £200 per replacment this is a good incentive to act quickly!

    Fred Wood Conservative Candidate Fieldcourt Ward

14. fred wood Says:
    March 10th, 2010 at 3:06 pm

    Two weeks ago I took up the issue of a barbed-wire fence on open ground close to Kingsway Primary School, that was a danger to children in the area. The Citizen also took up the story.
    I am pleased to say that QUVL responded quickly to the problem and have started removing the barbed-wire today. Thank you QUVL

15. EG Says:
    March 11th, 2010 at 6:59 pm

    Thanks for your updates Fred. I contacted QUVL about a broken road name sign in Mildenhall Way and the one by the underpass and was promised a swift response, that was over two weeks ago now and nothing. Maybe you could add this to your list of areas for concern. Thanks

16. Baz_k Says:
    March 12th, 2010 at 10:49 am

    Hi EG
    Have asked for an update to the signs, as there is also one on Thatcham that is wrong.
    There is an issue as to is actually responsible for the signs (Builders or QUVL) and that is being sorted, the replacements are being ordered and Andy thinks they should be done in 3 weeks.

    As an aside, and something I did not realise, the signs are plastic as they are more environmentally friendly. They are made out of recycled bottles.

    I have my next review with Andy in a week or so, so will update you then.

    Cheers

    Barry

17. fred wood Says:
    March 12th, 2010 at 11:54 pm

    Hi EG,

    I have already passed photographs of the damaged sign in Mildenhall (plus others in the area) to Councillors who I hope will raise this matter at the meeting with QUVL later this month. Things are moving slower than we would all hope because the developers will probably need to replace plastic streetsigns with aluminum ones ahead of the Council adopting the roads. Let’s hope it is not too long in coming.

    Fred Wood

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