Labour's Chorlton Street Tree Debacle

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 21st Jul 2008

Cllr John Grant is Campaigning to Reverse Labour's Contempt for Local People

"Residents on Chandos Road in Chorlton are still waiting for a letter from the council seven months after council officers met them to discuss the future management of their street trees. What incompetence! So much for consultation and communication!" says Whalley Range Liberal Democrat Councillor John Grant.

Manchester's Liberal Democrat Councillors are campaigning to force Labour's Town Hall bosses to improve the way they consul and communicate with local people. The council organised a meeting of officers and residents on Chandos Road, Chorlton because there were very different views amongst residents as to how the street trees should be managed over the next thirty years.

Residents heard that the present trees were not ideal as street trees and that some are coming to the end of their life. Council officials left the meeting indicating that they would write to residents with details of the plan the council decided to adopt. That was seven months ago - and residents are still waiting!

Liberal Democrat Councillor John Grant said:

"This is just awful and shows up the Council for what it is - incompetent! When I first raised residents' concerns I was told that Labour's Environment Councillor would be writing to them. Then in May the deputy chief executive thanked me for bringing it to his attention and said that he would investigate. Now the latest communication from local residents on 20th July states that they are still waiting! What incompetent consultation and communication?

"Residents in Whalley Grove have also been left in the dark over the management of trees in their road. Labour need to get their act together to ensure that residents are no longer kept in the dark on key issues affecting their neighbourhood."

Ends....