A NEW community campaign group which launched on Thursday is aimed at providing a ‘collective voice’ for residents when it comes to addressing Coventry city council issues.
Coventry Confidential says it will hold elected councillors to account and has urged residents to report any concerns they have in their local area which they feel are not being addressed.
As well as the ongoing bin dispute, the group said it wants to address other issues, such as blocked drains, planning applications where it seems as if the developer is favoured over the residents.
Anyone wanting to report issues can call Coventry Confidential on 07593 831790.
One Coventry resident Jane Nellist said: “Myself and other residents are really dismayed that we’re not being listened to by our councillors.
“Councillors are deliberately misleading residents over the bin dispute and instead are wasting our money that could be spent on services that we desperately need.
“Coventry has lost so much money but councillors have done nothing to challenge the Government over this.
“There have been cuts to youth and children’s services plus high rise student accommodation has taken over whilst there’s a lack of planning for affordable homes for Coventry families.
“It’s about time that councillors were held to account.”
Lifelong Coventry resident Milan Stojsavljevic said: “Coventry Confidential is a new campaign group that’s ready to take Coventry council to task over any failures.
“We won’t be pulling our punches and we will be making our presence felt.
“We know residents have genuine concerns about the council and Coventry’s councillors.
“Coventry Confidential is giving residents the opportunity to be heard. Our freephone number is now live and residents can call in confidence.”
Coventry Confidential also has a Facebook and a Twitter page.
A spokesperson for Coventry City Council said: “We welcome comment from residents and there are established ways for people to post both complaints and compliments.
“We are committed to putting residents and their needs at the heart of everything we do, but we know that sometimes things can go wrong, and when they do, we need people to contact us and talk to us so we can work with them to make it right.
“These are the correct systems to use, not a faceless, unaccountable social media channel that directly attacks the reputation of the council, its elected members and officers, and does nothing to bring the council and residents together. Of course, ultimately, the best way to hold the council to account is through local elections.
“But our processes work, and if people are not satisfied there is information on how to take the matter further through the independent Local Government Ombudsman.
“We would urge anyone with an issue to contact us directly and we promise to work with them and do our best to find a solution.”
