tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189021335579222470.post2910665112354454358..comments2024-03-15T09:19:54.968+00:00Comments on Mr Mustard (mrmustard@zoho.com): Zero tolerance - not the best approach.Mr Mustardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522242686839965655noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189021335579222470.post-13263667405877661342017-09-20T14:18:18.736+01:002017-09-20T14:18:18.736+01:00Dear Mr M,
I, too, received a more-or-less identi...Dear Mr M,<br /><br />I, too, received a more-or-less identical letter in August, though in my case it was addressed to me personally, and bore the reference number of an application for building regulations consent; it arrived some six weeks after my initial application, and curiously it was dated the day before the completion certificate was issued, and actually arrived the day after!<br /><br />I was very miffed:<br /><br />1) I object very strongly to the threatening tone.<br /><br />2) Was the letter sent by Barnet Council, or by a private limited company (“Re”)? It’s not clear. If I am to be threatened in this way, I’d rather know by whom.<br /><br />3) No doubt the cost of these letters is borne by the Council Tax payers one way or another, and I object to the waste of money involved in trying to shut the stable door long after the horse has bolted.<br /><br />4) The sentence “Should it be noted at such time that damage to the footway has occurred over the course of the works, the Highway Authority may repair any damage and recover any expenses incurred from the owner of the land or the person responsible for the damage.” carries with it the presumption of guilt. Since when have property owners been presumed to be responsible for any damage to the pavement outside their properties?<br /><br />5) In my street there has been a long-running battle between the residents and the Council about the bad state of repair of the pavements at one end of the street, and the failure of the Council to make good the damage. So it’s one rule for the resident, and another for the Council itself is it ...?<br /><br />6) Furthermore the pavement referred to above is in a poor state of repair because vehicles are forced to drive over it in order to pass large delivery lorries parked - and we are told by the Council parked perfectly legally - at the opposite side of a very narrow street, a situation brought about by the failure of the Council to ban the parking of delivery lorries on this completely unsuitable side street in the first place.<br /><br />Keep up the good work. Much appreciated!<br /><br />Yours etc.,<br /><br />A Barnet Resident<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com