No More Ovedrcrowding

Family houses being bought up and turned in to student houses crammed full of people has long been a blight on Park Ward.

Shortly RBC will make it much more difficult for landlords to wreck a road. I know what its like living in a blighted road. I lived in Norris Rd with bullying landlords who did as they pleased and ignored the full time residents and the safety of their tenants.

The map shows the area that the Council have proposed making it impossible to change a property in to an HMO without planning permission. It covers Redlands, Katesgrove and part of Park. Residents will soon have the opportunity to object to the HMO's.

A good thing I say.

What's on in the Ward

Things are stepping up with the snow gone and the evenings getting lighter.

I spent an interesting evening consulting residents in the Ward about issues that affect them. Had to stop in the end as a; it was getting too dark and b; Tea overload.

On a different note I have spent time talking to the Students' Union and various students about their housing concerns. It was very interesting to see and hear the problems that Students at Uni face. I have always been keen on improving housing. I cannot believe that some of the Landlords allow their houses to get in to such a bad state. One student was telling me that they have to wear shoes inside all the time as every room has a leak in it and the carpets are always damp. Nice. I took the issue up with the Students' Union to understand their view.

I was pleased to see that some of the pressure which I have been bringing on the Uni and elsewhere is bearing fruit. The Uni has organised for a big clean up in Go Green week, not just for the Uni but also for the Grange Road area.

I wish them a lot of luck and am so pleased to see the Uni trying to engage the local area.

Good News and Bad News

Spent a cold afternoon looking around the student areas of the Ward, checking on how the area was left at the end of term.

The Uni will be pleased to hear that there was a lot less rubbish than there is usually at the end of term, but there were a few areas where rubbish has been left in the streets and these have been reported to both the Uni and Council.

The question really remains as to why the Landlords don't look after their properties properly. Am a bit nervous as I have noticed that one of the worst landlords in Reading has bought a property in my road. I have had dealings with him before as he had a property next to mine when I lived in Norris Road. Time will tell.

On top of this I am a little concerned about the state of the roads, having slipped over delivering leaflets the other day. I have asked the Council if they can start to grit the side roads to stop accidents and general danger.

So am looking forward to Christmas........soon be here.

A Diversion before the Op

Went out this morning to lollipop and deliver some leaflets to take my mind off things.

I was dissappointed to see my old house in Norris Road with 6-7 bags of festering rubbish dumped outside. I have rung the Uni and they advised that the house is occupied by Students and they will be in contact. Interestingly enough though Ann Westgarth, who is a good stick and very helpful also advised me to ring the Council who have the power to fine people that flytip like this, even if they are fly tipping outside their own house.

So I recommend that every resident, whether fulltime or student reports flytipping to the Council. Ask for Street Care and explain where you are. They will follow up.

Ann Westgarth is very helpful and has asked me to publicise her details so I am. She can be reached on the Uni number of 0118 9875123. To reach Street Care call them on 0118 9390900

While this is all good and both the Council and the Uni are taking efforts to cut down on the rubbish. I wonder why the landlord of this property allows this. He lives in a huge house in Culver Lane, with his mum. He drives a Merc and yet is happy to allow his houses in Norris Road to bring the whole area down. He owns 40, 38 and 36. What do you think? Email me to let me know how I, the Uni and Council should deal with people like him.