A new group has been set up aiming to hold Bromley council to account for an alleged “catalogue of failures”.

They say they are concerned about treatment of elderly people, disabled children, whistleblowers and school provision.

The council have hit back, claiming that the campaigners, who they believe are an offshoot of Unite the Trade Union, are trying to create “political mischief”.

Cray Valley resident David Christian said: “Backing Bromley is being launched so residents can come together to hold the council to account over its failures and we will be making our presence felt.

“We want our Council to succeed but we believe that its leaders should be more responsive to us, the people of Bromley. 

 “The leader of Bromley council, Stephen Carr and the deputy leader Colin Smith will no longer be able to rest on their laurels while  old, young and vulnerable are let down because a new campaign group is here to stand up for Bromley.”

News Shopper:

The group put up more than 1000 “estate agent like” signs around the borough aiming to “put their councillors on alert that they are no longer prepared to accept elected leaders falling short of their responsibilities to the young, the old and the vulnerable.”

 Bromley Council’s Deputy Leader Cllr Colin Smith said: “We are obviously aware of Unite the Trade Union’s crude attempt to cause political mischief locally by sponsoring misleading information across parts of the Borough under the banner of ‘Backing Bromley’.

“That is clearly their business and we will deal with the politics and falsehoods of their claims via the usual channels in due course.

“Far more importantly to your readers though, no matter how much others might attempt to misrepresent the facts, Bromley Council retains a long and proud record of delivering services that meet the needs of our residents.

“That will continue, despite the significant cuts being suffered to its budget by Central Government as part of their own efforts to close the national budget deficit.

 “Wherever valid and substantiated concerns about local public services are raised we will, as always, continue to deal with the issues on a fact driven case-by-case basis.

“To date it should be noted that this group has conspicuously failed to raise any issues that the Council isn’t already aware of, has dealt with already or is in the process of dealing with.”