the essential
On the occasion of Citizenship Week in the bastide, a workshop bringing together elected councilors looked at the problem of nuisance and incivility.
The atmosphere is studious but good-natured, Saturday morning, in the room of the Château de Rogé. Several work tables are set up in the large room of the building on the banks of the Lot for one of the highlights of Citizenship Week in Villeneuve-sur-Lot. Around these tables, elected officials from neighborhood councils, invited to work on a theme directly linked to “better living” in the city: “All actors with residents to better fight against incivility”. A vast theme, often highlighted during the public meetings organized since the establishment of these bodies, of which there are eleven across the bastide.
The problem of incivility and nuisance, as vast as it may be, was tackled head-on by the elected representatives of the neighborhoods, guided by the two “citizenship” representatives of the City, Cécile Mano and Claire Civel. In turn, they had to identify the main lifts, made in each of their perimeter. But above all, put forward solutions in order to fight effectively. Excessive speed of motorists, hearing nuisance from dogs, music that is also too loud, the list of complaints is non-exhaustive.
A mediator linked to the municipal police?
The first element highlighted by the neighborhood representatives is that the City must favor local communication in the face of these small hassles which, in certain cases, can ruin the lives of residents. Awareness, reports, fines, all highlight the need to mobilize an external person to resolve these nuisance problems. Beyond one referent per neighborhood, the neighborhood councils recommend creating a status of “mediator”, who would be in contact with the municipal police of Villeneuve to resolve certain conflicts. An identified person who, in conjunction with the authorities, could collect all the elements and thus resolve the problems.
More concrete actions as well, as for the problem of nuisance caused by canines. From droppings to unwanted barking, the idea of setting up training courses for owners who are overwhelmed – or a little too lax – was well received.
Carpooling for more cohesion
However, what emerges from these workshops is that solidarity and better knowledge of one’s neighborhood can only bring good to “living better together”. “The objective is to find how to involve residents in the life of the neighborhoods” supports the municipal representative in charge of the file, Laurence Mandile-Picot. “How to get to know each other better” is one of the missions that neighborhood councils will have to take on. Some have already identified actions to carry out, such as “street cafes”, just to exchange ideas in a friendly setting.
But it also involves mutual aid. The idea of encouraging carpooling, particularly for seniors, will allow for better cohesion. There is also the question of “knowledge sharing”, exchanges of services between neighbors. But it is above all the “vigilance” aspect which is highlighted by the participants in this morning of work.
So many ideas but one question remains: what about financing these actions? Because if the envelope granted for each mandate is several tens of thousands of euros, the use of the money is primarily focused on investment in public interest equipment. It is now up to the City to decide.
