Get on your bike and visit people

Monday, 27 July 2009

I AM shocked to hear “James Cousins, a Tory councillor for Battersea” said surgeries were a waste of time and how he spends this time reading children’s books etc, waiting for the electorate to visit and then blaming them for not coming to see him (“Poorly attended surgeries a waste of time, admits bored councillor”, South London Press, July 21))!

I live in South Camberwell ward in Southwark and our two Labour local councillors, Peter John and Veronica Ward, don’t just sit waiting and complaining – they visit all of our homes in the ward every year without fail, sending a letter beforehand to say they’re coming and then a feedback letter afterwards.

This keeps us all informed and we can meet them in our OWN homes.

Perhaps James Cousins could spend his time serving his local community more by responding to the times, getting on his bike and visiting the people who elected him, instead of moaning.

Terry Browning

Buxted Road, East Dulwich

- COUNCILLOR surgeries have their place, as do emails and phone calls, but the most effective way to engage with local residents is to go out and knock on their doors.

That’s why we’ve been knocking on thousands of doors across Lewisham, listening to people and acting on their concerns.

If constituents don’t come to your surgeries, it’s no good complaining about being “bored”, get out there and meet them!

Cllr Pete Pattisson

Lib Dem prospective MP, Lewisham East

Posted by : James Cousins, Wandsworth | Wednesday 29/Jul/2009 | Report this comment

I’m sure my residents would be pleased if they only got one letter and knock on the door from me each year - they get far more.

But it is interesting that in their haste to make a political point neither correspondent has objected to my main argument, that surgeries are an outmoded way of providing a service, and that things being on the doorstep are a much better way of working.

Posted by : Will Henderson, battersea | Thursday 30/Jul/2009 | Report this comment

James is one of my local councillors and I am quite happy with his accessiblity/availability. I lead a not untypical busy lifesyle and appreciate his blog, responsiveness to emails and availability for meetings in the evening.