Avoiding junk mail

I get more and more complaints from residents fed up with the quantity of junk mail they receive. Today I spoke with Trading Standards and while they admit there is little they can do there are at least some steps you can take to reduce the volume of junk delivered via Royal Mail as outlined below.

Consumers who do not wish to receive junk mail can consider registering with the Mailing Preference Service for direct mail:

 

Mailing Preference Service (MPS)

Tel 0845 703 4599

E Mail: mps@dma.org.uk

Web: www.mpsonline.org.uk

 

 

For unaddressed mail and leaflets delivered by Royal Mail consumers can register with Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Out at:

 

Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Out

Room 130

Wheatstone House

Faraday Road

Swindon

SN3 5JW

Tel: 08457 950950

Email: optout@royalmail.com

Alley gates

I am frequently asked by residents whose rear alleys are ungated how they can go about having gates fitted. I've had a very useful response from the relevant Council officer on this which is reproduced below:

The Alleygating programme was suspended in April 2008 following the withdrawal of the external funding that supported it.

The key issues for any requests for new gating schemes are:

o        the provision of the capital costs of the scheme which include the cost of the gates, the key distribution and the labour costs. Schemes have been undertaken where the residents have generated to necessary funding from various sources.

o        ALL residents affected must agree to the scheme one objection and the scheme will not be implemented

o        Alleyway concerned is not a footpath, the scheme is primarily designed for areas of traditional back to back terraced housing to prevent burglary.

Various community focused funds exist including for example Wirral Partnership Homes Community Grants up to £10,000, Area Forum You Decide funding (this is being decided as we speak and groups have until 30^th June to make their views known.

Activity Report for May

Welcome to an update for the month of May. Details below on the recent elections, housing renewal in Tranmere, our tree preservation campaign as well as the usual streets update.

Election update

Thanks to all of you who voted Green at the local elections on May 6^th – 1,095 in total which clearly establishes us as the main challenger to Labour’s monopoly. There will be another round of local elections next May. Our hard work will continue in the meantime. You can get further details on the election results via this link.

Like the country as a whole, Wirral is now run by a coalition of the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. Labour has been pushed out which comes as little surprise given last year’s farcical events surrounding the proposed closure of libraries and other community facilities.

Housing renewal

Last week, the Wirral Globe carried this story on housing renewal in Tranmere and Rock Ferry. The article was basically a self congratulatory piece implying that all was well in Tranmere and what a wonderful job the former Labour-led Council had done. It included this comment by Labour Councillor George Davies, “To achieve what we have achieved in Rock Ferry and Tranmere, especially during a recession, is staggering.”

Perhaps, like me, you have a different view? Given the amount of demolition and dereliction across Tranmere in recent years not to mention the decline in local shops and the wider impact on the property market it is quite shocking to me that local representatives can appear so out of touch. Please contact me if you have any thoughts on the matter.

Tree preservation campaign

Many of you will recall the shocking events on Church Road which I reported on a few months ago when a large number of trees were destroyed without warning. The Green Party is taking steps to try and ensure that something like this never happens again. We will apply for Preservation Orders for trees that could be at risk from future development. We are currently surveying the entire ward but we need your help. Nobody knows your neighbourhood as well as you do. If you think that any tree may be at risk, then please let me know.

Streets update

Since the election I’ve been catching up on various street issues. One notable success this month involved a persistently ringing security alarm on Claughton Road. Thankfully, Environmental Health were able to respond quickly and disable the device. If you need to report any form of noise pollution call 691 8370.

Other items reported recently include:

• persistent fly-tipping on the land between Victoria Fields and Victoria Road
• day burning light on Hornby Street
• uneven paving and poor lighting on Town Road between Baytree and Rosedale
• lack of maintenance in the corner of Mersey Park opposite Carlton Mount
• graffiti and damaged street sign on Olive Mount as well as the damaged street sign on Frodsham Street
• Council officers have been out to inspect property on Marquis Street affected by encroaching vegetation from the quarry area on Holt Hill. Similarly, Venture Housing has promised to take steps to deal with shrubbery on its properties on Hillside Road which is blocking the alleyway behind Holt Road
  

As ever, if there are any issues affecting you please let me know.