Part of the job of politicians is to listen to residents, the people they represent. But on some issues residents think they are not being listened to; issues they want sorted out are not and, in a few areas, things are getting worse.
By-elections are a great way of signalling discontent. Labour went from 52 per cent of the vote in Weavers ward in 2018 to 29pc in the by-election, losing a previously safe seat to the Aspire Party.
For years I have heard residents put crime and anti-social behaviour at top of their list of concerns.
I think the council needs to focus more on what concerns people have and re-balance its spending priorities if Labour wants to be re-elected next May.
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