Saturday 10 September 2011

Labour doing the dirty on stoke on Trent residents again


labour council do it again hit the vulnerable

 DO THE LABOUR COUNCIL NOT CARE THE DISTRESS CAUSED WHEN LOVED ONES GRAVES ARE DAMAGED OR DEFACED FOR GODS SAKE HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE TO LOCK A GATE.
I IMPLORE EVERYONE READING THIS TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLOR AND PROTEST
THIS IS JUST ANOTHER WAY TO HURT THE GOOD PEOPLE OF STOKE ON TRENT



CEMETERIES across Stoke-on-Trent are being left open all night because of the rising cost of locking them.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has launched a month-long trial in which gates at eight of the nine cemeteries are not being secured in the evening.
They are usually closed shortly before sunset throughout the year to keep thieves and vandals from entering overnight.
But the council said the cost of securing them, handled by a private company, has increased and is not economical.
Only Carmountside cemetery will have its gates locked as several council environmental staff are based there.
Now residents are warning the cemeteries could become "villains' hideaways."
Retired Mavis Blurton, of Sneyd Hill, lives in a house which backs directly on to Burslem cemetery.
The 70-year-old is concerned she will be disturbed by youths entering the cemetery at night, and that the grave of her husband Terrence will be damaged.
She said: "I don't understand why we should have to put up with yobs being allowed in to drink around the graves.
"There are also going to be cars cutting through as it is a shortcut.
"The council changed the gates a few years ago and I don't understand why they have spent all that money if they are just going to leave them open.
"Already I have had to face litter and beer bottles when visiting my husband's grave and with the gates left open all night it can only get worse."
Jim Keogh, of Hanley Road, next to Burslem cemetery, said: "There have been many incidents there already, that's why they have already installed cameras.
"They will become villains' hideaways if people are allowed to come and go overnight.
"Part of me wants something to happen so the council can see the error of what they are doing, but on the other hand it is a beautiful place."
Councillor Gwen Hassall, cabinet member for housing and neighbourhoods, said last night: "We are, at this point, only trialling leaving the gates open at city cemeteries overnight.
"Increases in security costs have made it difficult to provide the service in its current form.
"This trial has been running since the start of September and, so far, there have been no reported incidents of anti-social behaviour.
We will continue to monitor the situation over the next month to see if it is appropriate to continue."