Sometimes people ask me “what can councillors actually achieve?” I know from my own experience that we can get a lot of things sorted that would otherwise languish in the too difficult pile.

Rather than blowing my own trumpet, about my own successes, I though I would give you an example of a recent success by Joe Mason, a Haverhill North councillor. https://www.facebook.com/joemasonforhaverhill/

Joe was made aware that the fencing to protect folk from falling in the Anglian Pond, next to Railway Walk, near the New Cangle School, had failed completely. I’m not someone who sees risk in everything we do but this clearly was a hazard to the parents and children going to and from school.

Nationally there have been a number of tragic incidents with children and water and it was important that there was a suitable response to these residents’ concerns.

West Suffolk Council initially refused to repair the fence as they didn’t perceive there to be a hazard. Joe didn’t accept this and challenged the decision not to repair the broken fence next to the Anglian Pond with the portfolio holder and the parks team. They relented, ordered and completed the works. West Suffolk are now approaching Anglian Water to reclaim the costs.

Without Joe’s forceful intervention the repairs were unlikely to have been made. A life lost would have been unforgivable.

Reflecting on the issue, broken fences, whether there is a hazard or not should be mended in a timely fashion. Failing to do so makes our community look untidy and uncared for. Maintenance is important whether it is the responsibility of the District Council, County Council or indeed utility company. Having well looked after open public spaces has a positive impact on how people feel about their neighbourhood.

Secondly, Councils must listen and be responsive to the concerns raised by residents and local councillors, even more so when there are strong concerns relating to safety and in particular the safety of children. It was disappointing that these concerns were dismissed too quickly. I am concerned that saving a modest amount of money seemed to take priority over public safety.

Well done Joe.