Topic ID 1884
Not wishing to dampen debate but rather than land the problem at the local authority door can I suggest that we edeucate all of us on who is responsible for what in our lovely town. I'll start. As far as I am aware, the Environment Agency deal with rivers and anything in it. Next??
Reply ID 23893
quote:And some of the river banks.
Originally posted by Berbatov
Not wishing to dampen debate but rather than land the problem at the local authority door can I suggest that we edeucate all of us on who is responsible for what in our lovely town. I'll start. As far as I am aware, the Environment Agency deal with rivers and anything in it. Next??
Reply ID 23920
I work (no, try and work) within the system - or am expected to - and even I am not too sure who does what. There are too many levels of local government and then multiple agencies such as Highways to muddy the waters (possibly a case for the Environment Agency). I find out new things every day. Once recovered from paint induced illusions I will try and explain the responsibilities next week. If only to try and make it clear in my own head. Not trying to confuse Berbatov but the river - the Lea - could be British Waterways or Inland Waterways depending where you are or .... as when i wrote an article on the bridge at Hertford Basin - the Environment Agency. And the river banks Ewoowar, could be Highways, County or any one fo the above, many of whom at one time or another have cut the grass. I would not enjoy seeing many of my friends out of a job but I would welcome a unitary authority where one phone call would solve a problem. And mnay of these agencies such as Highways are staffed by people who used to work in one or other of the Councils. Now, everyone contracts work out so they can always blame someone else. Have you ever tried to get a RCD checked and replaced in a town centre lamp column. It is an exerise in circumlocution which is a big word at this time of night. If you value your sanity do not.
Reply ID 23924
We are each responsibe for our own actions.
Reply ID 23925
It might be easier if you had a specific query and then that can be answered as it is very confusing! And I work at the County! For example, the County Council deals with planning applications for waste, minerals and its own development (schools, fire stations, etc); everything else is district. But if a golf course development involved the importation of waste that would normally be determined by the County now, although have previously been determined by District. Each of the districts are responsible for organising the rubbish collection, but the County is responsible for waste disposal...
Reply ID 24013
quote:Good link Steve, although I did complain about overflowing dog bins on the river Lea towpath recently and was directed to British Waterways.
Originally posted by Steve
Try this... http://www.hertford.net/localgov.htm
Reply ID 24014
quote:One of those oddities - like the railway having their own police force
Originally posted by Berbatov
Good link Steve, although I did complain about overflowing dog bins on the river Lea towpath recently and was directed to British Waterways.
Reply ID 24315
Everyone is saying 'this and that' about everything; recycling banks? dog bins? can and glass collection? walking dogs? littering? who will enforce it? etc etc There are a lot of suggestions so far. I think we, all of us, should realise that different agencies take care of different things and that we all have a responsibility to protect ourselves and the environment around us. As a public, we need a bit of educating as to who is now responsible, and for what.
Reply ID 24318
Aren't we all responsible for our own actions?
Reply ID 24322
quote:You've made that comment before Paul. Ok, question for you... Who is responsible for the grass verge outside your house?
Originally posted by 2929paul
Aren't we all responsible for our own actions?
Reply ID 24324
quote:At least I seem to be consistent[:)] Sometimes. If I had a grass verge and it needed cutting, and I had a mind to cut it, then I'd cut it. I like to live on the edge, I really do. I would then accept responsibility for the action of cutting it and the consequences - if that's what you're getting at???? If you're trying to say "is it the council's responsibility, mine as landowner, the resident association's or whoever", then that's a different matter and not really the point I was making. What's more, I don't know. But then I suspect that you knew that.
Originally posted by Berbatovquote:You've made that comment before Paul. Ok, question for you... Who is responsible for the grass verge outside your house?
Originally posted by 2929paul
Aren't we all responsible for our own actions?
Reply ID 24327
Here's another one Berb: Who is responsible for keeping the streets clean? I would say it's the public, who should not be dropping litter in the first place. But it's a particular department within "the council" that sends out people to clean the streets after the public drop the litter. I can dream.
Reply ID 24332
Responding to both your answers. If you owned a house that had a grass verge outside your home, the council and/or highways are responsible for cutting it but some home owners do it themselves. Communal properties tend to have a management agency so best to get in touch with them. If a dog owner allowed his/her dog to poo on the verge outside of your property it would be up to the owner of the dog to clear it, otherwise enforcement from an authority should be metered. The streets are kept clean by the road sweepers, contracted by the local council, paid for by you and me.
Reply ID 25742
And despite the comments Ms/Mrs FishWife said in "Fore Street” under Traffic and Parking I think the road sweepers do an admirable job and certainly make an attempt at keeping Maidenhead Street clean. I did mean the one in Hertford as I've never been to Maidenhead Berkshire, but I might drive over there one weekend to see.