18/04/2012 12:33 PM
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is attempting to cut back on its budget by telling residents to open and close security gates themselves.
Neighbours in Palmers Green, Hartshill, were warned at the end of February that the barriers, which were installed in 2007 in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour, would have to be operated by the community once a future is determined.
Currently Stoke council has the gates closed every day between 19:00 BST and 08:00 BST by a private firm but the authority wants to end this arrangement in a bid to cut expenditure in its budget.
Now residents have been left in limbo whether to either permanently close or open the gates or have a member of the community carry on the job of the private firm.
Adrian Knapper, cabinet member for transport and planning for Stoke council, told The Sentinel: "The use of a private company is not cost effective and we are working with the community to look at all future options. We are in discussions to see if residents would be willing to take on the function."
Contact us for a security fencing quote.
Neighbours in Palmers Green, Hartshill, were warned at the end of February that the barriers, which were installed in 2007 in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour, would have to be operated by the community once a future is determined.
Currently Stoke council has the gates closed every day between 19:00 BST and 08:00 BST by a private firm but the authority wants to end this arrangement in a bid to cut expenditure in its budget.
Now residents have been left in limbo whether to either permanently close or open the gates or have a member of the community carry on the job of the private firm.
Adrian Knapper, cabinet member for transport and planning for Stoke council, told The Sentinel: "The use of a private company is not cost effective and we are working with the community to look at all future options. We are in discussions to see if residents would be willing to take on the function."
Contact us for a security fencing quote.
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