RESIDENTS shouldn’t get a “superior service” by contacting their local councillor, members were told in an email seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Independent Cllr Madhuri Bedi (Foxborough) said elected Slough representatives were effectively “pointless” if they could not bring casework to officers in order to sort out a resident’s problem.

In an email signed by council leader James Swindlehurst (Lab: Cippenham Green), Conservative leader Dexter Smith (Colnbrook with Poyle), and newly appointed chief executive Stephen Brown, which was circulated to all councillors, it urged members to tell residents to log their enquiry via the council’s website or by filling in an online form.

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This is to “minimise unnecessary work” and duplications so the council can focus on its recovery. Slough Borough Council is selling up to £600m of its assets to reduce its £760m borrowing debt, making £20m savings, and restructuring some of its departments such as finance.

The email states: “It is extremely important all residents follow the appropriate path to contact the council and don’t feel they are able to get a superior service by going straight to their local councillor.

“We are keen to encourage residents to become more independent and self-serve using our digital platform wherever possible, therefore your support as always would be appreciated in supporting this.”

Slough Observer:

Speaking to the LDRS, Cllr Bedi said she was “very disappointed” and “really sad” by this move, saying some residents have not seen a resolution to their problems despite raising this via the council’s website and filling out an online form.

She said: “This is so wrong. You are elected by residents so that you stand up for them and you are their voice.

“There is a portal but not everyone knows how to use it. What about people who can’t speak English, who are elderly, and those who do not have access to the internet?”

“What matters is the residents, and I don’t feel we [councillors] are fulfilling what we should be,” Cllr Bedi added.

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A council spokesperson said: “The letter to councillors was sent after discussion with, and approval from, both political group leaders on the council.

“There was never any intention to seek to disempower the members from being able to support their wards.

“It is more around empowering our residents to do more for themselves through the most direct routes; to improve their experience, reduce their waiting times and prevent duplication of work by officers. We hoped this approach would be encouraged and promoted with members’ support.”