Why has city taken such a hammering?

WHAT is happening to this city of ours? It is very concerning and depressing that:

Shops closing, council tax rising, bins only being emptied every two weeks, it’s one of the worst cities for standard of numeracy and literacy, Tile Hill North is one of the most socially deprives areas in the country.

It seems like a shanty town of those in the 1930s. The football team is on course to be relegated again.

We boast two of the best Universities so why have this city taken such a hammering? It’s like another recession.

So what is the answer? I’m sure the pluses outweigh the negatives so please can we have some good news in the local rag about this historic city of ours. Not depressing news as so many find it hard to survive at the best of times. So come on, Theresa May, Coventry City Council, and a fairy god mother to get us out of this situation.

Jim Pinks Tile Hill South Coventry

Sick and tired of councillors

I WOULD like to thank Sandra Camwell (Letters, February 16) for yet again highlighting the fact that several councillors, most notably in Sherbourne ward have gone AWOL. While there are many great councillors in Coventry, I for one am sick and tired of the complete lack of engagement shown by our very own three councillors in Sherbourne who promise the earth at election time and deliver absolutely nothing once elected.

Coundon and indeed the whole of Coventry has seen crime and anti-social behaviour spread to epidemic levels in recent months, yet not once have I seen any of our three absent musketeers even attempt to address this serious issue, or any other issue for that matter.

Well councillors, relying on your colleagues in neighbouring wards to speak and act on your behalf is completely unacceptable.

Is it really too much to ask that you occasionally take the lead, address our concerns, hold ward forums or at least pretend to care about your own constituents?

You were elected to represent the people not ignore them so either start engaging or do the decent thing and go.

Matthew Baston Coundon Coventry

Rebuild ties with Commonwealth

WHEN Brexit is confirmed and Britain has left the EU the time will be opportune to reverse one of the most shameful decisions of our modern government.

When joining the Common Market in 1972, Britain shamefully ditched trade with the nations of the Commonwealth and has been banned since then from making agreements with them.

We turned our back on peoples from all over the world, who volunteered to fight for us in two World Wars.

Most of them have our language, democratic culture, and monarch. I hope Theresa May will take this opportunity to rebuild the close relationship that we have with these wonderfully loyal people.

Peter Wilson Nuneaton Warwickshire

Providing effective political leadership

I WOULD like to praise the excellent work Of Councillor Kevin Maton, the lead member for Education and skills.

Like Councillor George Duggins who in the past was also very effective in this role, Kevin Maton has not sought personal publicity and has not confused the roles of political and professional leadership. He has given effective political leadership to the education service and allowed Gail Quinton, as Executive Director People, space to give effective professional leadership.

Paul Graham Nuneaton Coventry

Jobsworth should be one for censure

WHAT I find most annoying is in these times of people being told to ask for identification this jobsworth council official refused to show theirs. [Re: man fined for feeding swans].

If Coventry council had a scrap of decency they would drop the fine altogether. The person being censured here should be the official who wouldn’t show their identification to an elderly gentleman doing a kind act.

John Corden Bulkington Warwickshire