More Wasted Time

Following another "anonymous" complaint  (that makes 2 so far this year) Liz Joyner of Bristol City Council told me she would call around this afternoon (Wednesday, 24th May) to check the garden and take photos.

I waited until 1700 hrs/5pm and nothing.  No phone call or any other sign of her.  My solicitor was with me from 1430~1530hrs and had to leave.  He called back at 1625hrs and was annoyed at the "cavalier attitude" being shown by the council.

My solicitor pointed out that since 1995 the council had between 2~5 "anonymous complaints" and on each occasion a council visit proved the complaint groundless.  Also, had only one photo per year over 20 years been taken the council had 20 photos of my garden. But taken into account the visits he estimated the council has upward of 160 photographs of my garden.  Where are they?  Also it was pointed out that council officials had to get my approval for their photographing which they never have asked for and on four occasions council officers looked around the [property and took photos while I was not present.

In future I am to record all conversations and refuse to give permission to take photographs.

20 years and every time "all clear" ~and 60 visits at least.  THAT is harrassment.

And it continues....

I moved into the property in 2004. As we were moving in the council phoned as there was a complaint about the garden being a mess ~they were supposed to have cut everything back BEFORE we moved in.

Every year since then, that is 14 years, 3~5 times a year we get the call about the mess, someone calls round and "nothing wrong".  For the second time this year I have been told of another "anonymous complaint" and someone will call around Wednesday to take photos and close the case.

14 years.  This official will be told that the council must not phone or harass me with "anonymous complaints" again.  Everything in writing.  And next time I'll take legal action.  This is either someone at the council behind this....well, that's all I can come up with. 14 years of anonymous complaints resulting in nothing 3~5 times a year.  How thick do you have to be to not realise?

Try and get a repair done though.....nothing.

After the previous council official harassment I had the head of estate management Paul Bannerman call around.  He apologised for what his officers had said and done and even instigated long overdue repairs.  The officers were not punished in any way.