Star comment: Disputes between neighbours stretch precious resources
Not all neighbours get along. That’s been true since time immemorial and is unlikely ever to change.
There has been a move to regulate disputes and councils have a statutory duty to intervene where genuine nuisance is caused. The police also have a role to play.
In an era where resources are remarkably short, however, it is no surprise that authorities prioritise matters that are of greater importance.
Should a council invest its scarce resources in child protection, for instance, or in monitoring local disputes? Should the police tackle cybercrime or crimes of violence, rather than devoting resources to issues involving neighbours?
The answer, of course, is that authorities should be across all bases. Yet, in reality, choices have to be made. Our public services are insufficiently resourced to attend to all of the issues manifest in society.
Tackling what might be considered low-level nuisance at a time when council resources are clearly very stretched is difficult. Equally, sifting through complaints - such as disputes between neighbours - is time-consuming and rarely straightforward.
Yet such issues are important. They have a major impact on the day-to-day lives of individuals and must not be ignored. It is incumbent upon our councils to ensure they treat these issues seriously and ensure that responses are timely and proportionate.
Systems must be in place, transparency and accountability are key, and councils must deliver on their statutory duties. All too often, neighbourhood disputes can escalate – showing the importance of nipping things in the bud when initial complaints are first made, to reduce issues later on.
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After the news earlier in the week that food inflation was slowing, overall inflation slowing to 6.8 per cent - the lowest figure in 17 months - is further good news for consumers and businesses. But as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has acknowledged, we still have some way to go.
The squeeze will continue and people remain worse off, broadly speaking. Those at the bottom of the pile are suffering the most, while those at the top are better able to weather the economic storms that have buffeted the UK for some time.
Higher interest rates remain the blunt tool with which the Bank of England is seeking to bring down inflation, and they too are problematic for both businesses and individuals.
There is clearly light at the end of the tunnel, though there will be further pain before we move into calmer, economic waters. It has been a hard road and gradually things will improve.