In our regular councillor’s column, Enfield Lock ward member Birsen Demirel highlights some big issues facing the borough

I became a councillor because I believe they can help make changes in people’s everyday lives – and I was proud to be elected as a Labour councillor in May 2018 for Enfield Lock ward.

Fly tipping, increasing violent crime, drug use, housing, anti-social behaviour, access to GPs and transport problems, especially trains, have been among the biggest issues; concerns for many residents in Enfield Lock and, indeed, across whole of Enfield borough.

As a councillor I intend to focus on improving those areas by working together with my fellow councillors, council officers, police, and local residents’ associations. I would like to create a community spirit where everyone cares about what happens in their neighbourhood. Since being elected, I have been working hard to improve the lives of the residents in my ward. I do this by listening and raising their concerns, by being present and accessible, by being on the doorstep, by holding ward surgeries and ward forums.

Enfield Council has endured enormous cuts since 2010 and is facing further cuts. These threaten to have a big impact on our crucial public services. But as a Labour-run council we are trying our best to make sure we still deliver for all in our communities. It is not easy. Each and every one of us feels the pain of those cuts and impact they will have on our communities. These cuts have already hurt our communities and of course has had a direct link with the reduction of ‘bobbies on the beat’ – hence the level of violent crime has soared in Enfield.

The council is accountable to residents and therefore we have regular consultations about proposed changes. We ask you to participate and make your voices heard. As a newly-elected councillor I am excited and passionate about my role. I love it when residents are also passionate about the area they live in and want to support us in achieving these improvements.

I invite residents to come and see me at my surgeries and make me aware of the issues they are facing. I promise to represent the many not the few.

Cllr Demirel is one of three councillors elected to represent Enfield Lock, alongside Guner Aydin and Elif Erbil (all Labour). Surgeries are held every Saturday 10.30am-11.30am at Ordnance Unity Centre and on the last Saturday of every month, 1pm-2pm at Enfield Island Village Library.
Call 07971 672 759
Email [email protected]

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