Dear Editor,

NOW that the local elections are over and the political nonsense is now in abeyance with no change for at least a year, I would like to address the ongoing issues in my area of Potter Street.

The residents’ have been badly let down by our councillors, two of which should be ashamed given they currently hold important portfolio’s within the council.  

The longstanding issue of Osler House is a sore that keeps on hurting despite this organ endlessly covering the issue. Indeed there has been no visible movement in getting it sorted out by this council despite the current leader telling me work was due to start in February 2022. 

Osler House should have been a versatile and thriving well-being hub by now with some NHS medical assistance available given the assurance of Dr. Jane Halpin the now lead officer in the new local integrated health authority who told me she supported the develop of the hub. Instead the building remains in a derelict state and has been since 2018.

The other issue is the lack of council services in the area. The disgraceful closure of the local council neighbourhood office in 2003 just makes another sore bleed. The building has now been empty for twenty years and looks like it will remain so for another. The residents want it reopened for the benefit of the community just like it did back in 2003. 

The recent ending of our local bus service just suggests this council has no interest in my community and is prepared to let it rot and disintegrate just like the buildings within it. No wonder the turnout was disgracefully low just a week ago. 

The residents’ in this community deserve better but with a council so immersed in warm words and BS and a leader who I told had no discernible leadership skills nothing will change.

In 2024, all councillor positions are up for election but will anything change for my community? Yes Osler House and the neighbourhood office will have deteriorated for another year. 

You couldn’t make it up, so I haven’t!

Yours

Gary Roberts