We had an e-mail from one of the activists in the Vange Hill Community Group the other day which shows the frustrations they’re experiencing in holding the authorities to account for the conditions on the ¾ estate. Basically, it’s buck passing with no one willing to stand up and say ‘this issue is my responsibility and I’ll see that it gets sorted’.

This extract concerning the requested removal of a dumped armchair on Gambleside and dumped wood on Vange Hill Drive illustrates the way various sections of Basildon Council try to bounce responsibility for clearing up items off each other rather than getting the job done: Today spoke to men sent to clear armchair dumped between 12-14 Gambleside and they were only going to pick up chair. I said that I was fed up as I always put out various other rubbish so they should collect everything there. Apparently told by James Hendry not their job as that is dustmen’s job (Ha Ha) as we all know they do not collect it. Street sweeper has said same, told not to collect things as not his job. Basically told that it is enforcement’s job and to leave.

This e-mail was also copied to the local ward councillor, Melissa McGeorge, who by now should be in no doubt as to the frustrations felt by residents who cannot get a straight answer from the council for love nor money: I think Melissa it is about time the heads of these sections stopped acting like children guarding their marbles and get on and sort out how to do their jobs properly. This is not acceptable at all, they are paid to provide a service and they are not…Lets be clear here, the council is failing in its duty here and is also being obstructive in providing information allowing our group to keep these sections on its toes regarding health and safety [for residents] and the environment, all areas I personally have experience in. I am dismayed that the council are so indifferent to peoples need to live in a clean and safe area.

There’s one interesting nugget of information that has come to light courtesy of a helpful unnamed source at Essex County Council (ECC) – all roads, parking areas, paths and steps on the ¾ estate are their responsibility. On paper that is… Take a walk round the estate and it’s pretty clear these only get looked at once in a blue moon! So ECC, cheers for admitting these areas are your responsibility – the residents of the ¾ estate are eagerly awaiting the arrival of your operatives to sort out the potholed roads, broken kerbs, uneven paths and wonky steps… Knowledge is power and this map gives the residents a fair bit of that as they now know who to badger in order to get a problem fixed. Here’s the map…

Regardless of whether it’s Basildon Council, Essex County Council, Circle Housing or Swan Housing, the frustrating experiences of the Vange Hill Community Group (and in previous years, Basildon & Southend Housing Action) in trying to get straight answers from them and do the job they’re paid to do proves one thing beyond doubt – they’re dysfunctional. In fact, it’s not an exaggeration to say that none of them are fit for purpose as they continue to treat the resident of the ¾ estate in Vange with contempt.

At the moment the Vange Hill Community Group facilitated by Basildon & Southend Housing Action are trying to hold the line by holding the authorities to account. At some point in the not too distant future, looking at ways of taking responsibility for the estate away from the authorities and giving it to the residents has to be on the agenda. Bitter experience has shown that the authorities have failed the people and that the point is coming where the people will have to take over…