Nomadic councillors complete fact-finding mission in Eaton
A group of nomadic councillors have completed a six-week fact-finding mission to help their battle against graffiti, littering and overgrown gardens.
The Liberal Democrat trio of Judith Lubbock, James Wright and Caroline Ackroyd have taken their weekly residents' surgeries out of community buildings and on to the streets of Eaton.
And the team hopes their weekend wanderings will give them an even greater knowledge of what residents want doing.
The Evening News joined the Lib Dems for their final walkabout on Saturday, as they toured Norvic Drive, Chalfont Walk, Leng Crescent and Blakeney Close.
Within minutes, Mrs Lubbock spotted graffiti daubed on a green telecommunications box, with Mr Wright taking a picture as evidence.
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But rather than arrange for city council officers to attend the scene, the Lib Dems carry special green paint in their cars and plan to sort it themselves at a later date.
Mrs Lubbock said: 'We have to show zero-tolerance. If they keep thinking it's going to be taken off then they will lose resilience and I think they will lose it before I do.'
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It is not unheard of for the councillors to start clipping back overgrown trees and bushes too. The team also checks to see if rubbish strewn across the street days earlier has been cleared up by the people who it belonged to. The mess is gone and the words of warning appear to have had an effect.
And while Mr Wright and Mrs Ackroyd continued walking around the final streets, Mrs Lubbock travelled on to the Marston Marsh nature reserve to join volunteers working to maintain an access path.
The Big Lottery Community Space Fund awarded almost �50,000 for the project to improve access for people with disabilities and children in pushcairs. Cash is also available to look after the hard-surface path.
Chris Stebbing, vice-chairman of the Eaton Village Residents' Association, said: 'It's been incredible really since the path was put down. People are here all the time as you can get round now.'
Matthew Davies, of the Norwich Fringe Project, which looks after land around the city, added: 'I bring the tools and equipment and it's great to get people involved.'
What could councillors do to help your community? Call reporter Richard Wheeler on 01603 772474 or email richard.wheeler@archant.co.uk
