| Topic: | :Streetwatchers in Ealing - Council plans for them! Reply from Bassam Mahfouz | |
| Posted by: | Amanda Knights | |
| Date/Time: | 28/01/13 16:35:00 |
| Had the following reply from Bassam Mahfouz to my e-mail expressing my concerns about Streetwatchers. I imagine this is a standard reply to all of use who e-mailed him with the appropriate name inserted! Dear Amanda, As you will be aware, as part of the savings that the council has to make across all departments, a piece of work was done in terms of restructure proposals to work in a more efficient manner. This current administration and I very much value the contribution that Streetwatchers and the 10 ½ year old scheme makes to our borough and my commitment to this is unequivocal. I have made it clear in the past that the political ambition of this administration is to see the service expand on its award winning achievements and this has been shown the continuance of the Junior Streetwatchers programme alongside the introduction of Tree Wardens and soon Parkwatchers as part of the scheme. Therefore, I am pleased to inform you that as a result of the consultation process, taking on board the above, the project manager role will be retained as part of the restructure. The support post for the project manager will also be made into a permanent post. The project manager and supporting post will move into the Neighbourhood Governance team which will mean they should receive further support through the team of neighbourhood co-ordinators that you will almost certainly already know well as well as the clear links that already exist with the Street Services and Parks departments. This change will not impact on the fact that Streetwatchers always and always will be apolitical. I should make clear that this department of the council, like all others, have strict rules in being non party political and they support all councillors and residents no matter what their background or political colours. I do hope that this clears up the position and I apologise for not being able to share this with you earlier, however I am sure you will appreciate that it would only be right and proper to ensure that the staff who would be impacted by these changes be informed first. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication as a streetwatcher and should you have any questions either on the above or any other issue then, as always, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me directly. Yours faithfully, Bassam Mahfouz It would appear our hard working co-ordinator will remain, but we will be transferred to Neighbourhood Governance. I do not know who my 'neighbourhood co-ordinators are despite his assumption that I know them well! |