This so annoys me no one needs a title ?

Earlier tonight I had a phone call which went like this" Hi Jean I know you are not my Councillor any-more but I have a problem"and can't get in touch with anybody else!
Ok I asked what is your problem?

Problem told , problem solved even though it has taken me the last 2 hours but that is what I have always done so why should having a title make any difference ?

johnb wrote:Realistically, it is not the job of the councillor to solve problems. If the bins are not being emptied you don't expect a councillor to go to the depot, steal a refuse truck and go and resolve the issues. What the councillor CAN do is identify the relevant people, present (through channels) the nature of the problem and keep nagging about it until the problem has been resolved. Being a councillor gives you access to people who can make things happen. Therefore you do need to be (or at worst have been) a councillor to get things into the right place tobe resolved.

I fully understand that you are a willing and helpful person through and through, but please understand that the title 'Councillor' unlocks very many doors indeed and makes the job much easier.

Please keep on being helpful, but make sure you put pressure on our elected representatives who DO have special access.

I will never change J.B being a Councillor does not unlock any door unless you are genuine to a cause sadly Rochdale has lost it's care values !

I think we all know there is a limit to what a councillor is meant to do John.
I can appreciate what Jeanie means, she spent 2 hours helping someone out when she had no obligation to do so ..its just part of who she is.
How is it that constituants cant get hold of their councillors ? Isn't that what the role is about?

Please don't misunderstand me. I am simply pointing out that the title confers access we mere mortals do not have.

If elected councillors are unwilling to exercise their influence that is a fault.

Perhaps RO should speak to Jeanie and find out more, sounds like a job for Mr Hardcastle?

Plus if folk know they will get help, they may go to the person who will sort their problem without trying other avenues first.
There may be some laziness involved at times and people taking advantage.

I have not been a councillor for about five years and I still get people asking if I can help. It's no problem pointing them in the right direction or simply giving someone who can help a call. John B is correct, having access to the right person is what it's all about.
The reason people approach me rather than their councillor is usually a simple case of knowing me. You cannot blame a councillor who does not help if they are not asked.
People look for the easy way, you can't blame them.

past it wrote:I have not been a councillor for about five years and I still get people asking if I can help. It's no problem pointing them in the right direction or simply giving someone who can help a call. John B is correct, having access to the right person is what it's all about.
The reason people approach me rather than their councillor is usually a simple case of knowing me. You cannot blame a councillor who does not help if they are not asked.
People look for the easy way, you can't blame them.

I quite agree and people will always come to you for advice & help, maybe I worded my post wrong but as you know the Council keep promising to have a "One Stop Directory" for the Borough which still hasn't happened sometimes it's the little things promised that can make a "huge" difference to someone's life !
Like you I won't ever stop being here for anyone needing genuine help & advice.

I think you may have had a few titles to your name when you switched from the Lib Dems to Conservatives Jeanie.

teamplayer2 wrote:I think you may have had a few titles to your name when you switched from the Lib Dems to Conservatives Jeanie.

Their problem not mine teamplayer and we can't ever turn back the clock ? life is for living and I am living mine but will always be here to help genuine people and there are lots of them needing it right now

Yes Jeanie I suppose so even more now. Would you believe that I have been approached to be a Union Rep again.

Now are they serious or is it just know one else will do it!

At the end of the day I cannot get in to it because of health problems surrounding me at the moment. So have to put myself and my better half first.

What is annoying is those wanting others to be a union rep but not prepared to take the job on themselves.

Someone also mentioned to me about being a councillor. Mind boggles.

People are always ready to let someone else do the job.
A few neighbours were complaining about parties every weekend on the street, (one went on till 5am!) one of the neighbours was telling others to ring the police, why he didn't do it himself is not clear, unless its the fact that he is always out chatting to the offenders!
If the police were called and came (questionable anyway) he could truthfully say 'well it wasn't me who rang them'

Funny Charly it is true what you said.

When I had a clash with a neighbour over certain matters I was threatened a few times and had reasons to call the police.

He was a very scary and a bully. Then one day I had enough when he threatened me again and this time I turned round and challenged him and asked what he was going to do if I did not get back in my own house?

He was rather shocked and looked scared himself. He walked away and I had no problems after that. Then I was told by other neighbours he had caused problems before.

Though I have seen him since he tends to be quiet and does not say a word. Does come as a shock sometimes to others when you turn round on them and find they you are capable of defending yourself.