Councillors need to be accessible

For the past 17 years, Matthew Shunmugam has diligently served Ward 3 as a councillor.

He feels, however, that the community needed to be educated on the role of a councillor and procedures that should be followed.

“People don’t understand the function of a councillor and bring up personal issues such as grievances between them and a landlord,” he began.

In terms of problems within the suburb itself, certain steps needed to be followed.

Within the municipality, Cllr Shunmugam said there were administrative and political aspects.

“As a councillor, if there is an issue within the ward, it gets reported to me and I then take it to the relevant department to implement,” he explained.

After reporting a problem, he continued, residents may feel it was the councillor’s responsibility to ensure it is addressed immediately.

“We need to follow the legal steps and cannot interfere with administration. We have 31 wards in Newcastle and the services need to be spread out evenly. Budget plays a role at times as well.”

Cllr Shunmugam requested that people be more patient and co-operative. “Also, if a matter is resolved, it would be nice for the community to get back to the councillor. This way, we know that we do not have to make the same request over and over again.”

The Ward 3 War Room is dealing with various issues such as social grants, identity books, or supplying food to the needy.

“The War Room is used because we are at war with social problems and concerns. Residents in Ward 3 can go to the War Room and report problems and we can see how they can be resolved.”

Currently, 170 chronic medication patients collect their medication at the War Room every Tuesday.

“The waiting period is faster since the medication is brought to their doorstep. There is also a programme where children under the age of five are checked in terms of their height and weight, ensuring that they become healthy adults. If people have problems with anything in the ward, there is a person at the premises who will take note of the problems and then give it to me at the end of the day. I’m currently looking into having a suggestion box made, to help improve the running of the ward.”

As a councillor, Cllr Shunmugam said he was always accessible to the community whenever possible.

“But I cannot work 24/7; residents are welcome to contact me during the day if need be.”

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