One stop shop for residents to raise their concerns

West Lindsey District Council teamed up with Lincolnshire Police and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service for three days of action this week.
West Lindsey District Council, Lincs Police and Lincs Fire Service held a drop in surgery on Stanley Street in Gainsborough. Pictured are PCSO Mel Crabtree, Hannah Cann, Empty Property Officer at WLDC, Alison White from Lincs Fire Service G130604-3aWest Lindsey District Council, Lincs Police and Lincs Fire Service held a drop in surgery on Stanley Street in Gainsborough. Pictured are PCSO Mel Crabtree, Hannah Cann, Empty Property Officer at WLDC, Alison White from Lincs Fire Service G130604-3a
West Lindsey District Council, Lincs Police and Lincs Fire Service held a drop in surgery on Stanley Street in Gainsborough. Pictured are PCSO Mel Crabtree, Hannah Cann, Empty Property Officer at WLDC, Alison White from Lincs Fire Service G130604-3a

Officers from all three organisations offered advice, information and services to residents in the Stanley Street area of Gainsborough from Monday to Wednesday.

Residents were invited to drop in to a mobile office for a chat with officers or to raise any community issues or concerns they had.

They were also able to get help and advice on a host os issues including waste, recycling, housing, empty properties, fire prevention, crime and anti-social behaviour.

Coun Malcolm Parish, chair of the council’s Prosperous Communities Committee, said the council wanted to ‘improve the quality of life’ for local residents in the area.

“It’s one of our priorities to make the South West Ward of Gainsborough an area where people want to live and work,” said Coun Parish.

“Stanley Street in particular has got a high proportion of empty properties, which is something that we want to tackle.”

“We’re trying to increase demand for the homes by offering owners advice on how they could get them back into use.”

“We’re pleased to be working closely in partnership with the police and fire and rescue service to support residents and ensure people are safe and well in their homes,” he added.

The days of action also included both fire and crime prevention advice.

The council’s waste vehicles were also in the area to help residents dispose of unwanted large items or to accept waste from houses and back yards.

A spokesman for West Lindsey District Council said that the three-day event had been a success.

“It has been very well attended by both property owners and local residents,” she said.

“Deprivation data shows this is a deprived area and we want to make life better for residents and bring down the number of empty properties.”

“The south-west ward of Gainsborough is a priority area for the council.”

And following the success of the last three days, there are plans to run similar sessions in other areas around the district in the future.

“This is a pilot and we would like to repeat this in other areas in the future. This is something we will be looking into,” she added.

To contact West Lindsey District Council for help and advice with any council services, visit www.west-lindsey.gov.uk, call 01427 676 676 or call into the office at the Guildhall in Marshall’s Yard.