Roads, Drains and Reporting Headaches, from a Parish Councillor’s Perspective
Hi, I’m Stephanie Akerman – parish councillor, charity chair, trustee, community volunteer, and founder of Savvy Business Management. I support councils, community organisations, and local groups who are facing the very real pressures that come with sustaining local services and spaces. Whether it’s helping with funding bids, project development, or improving how groups communicate their impact, I’m committed to the kind of work that holds communities together.
My day-to-day is full of practical problem-solving, systems navigation, and persistence, chasing repairs, coordinating community projects, or getting funding for things that matter.
This edition of Beyond the Noticeboard gives you a glimpse into that everyday reality, and the real work that sits behind those “small” improvements we often take for granted.
Why This Edition Matters
It’s easy to assume that keeping a village ticking over is mostly about events or big community meetings. But the truth is, it’s usually the small stuff that has the biggest impact. This week, I’m sharing what it’s really like dealing with roads, drains, and footpaths, the everyday issues that make a place safe, accessible, and liveable.
It might not sound exciting, but these are the exact areas where community members feel the effects most. The newsletter is a reminder that behind every fixed drain or improved footpath, there’s often a long thread of reporting, chasing, and persistence.
The Work You Don’t Always See
When I first joined the parish council 10 years ago, I thought most of the work would involve strategy and planning. But what I quickly learned is that a huge part of the job is getting the basics right.
It’s about trying to get potholes filled, drains cleared, and footpaths made safe. And when something goes wrong, like a dangerous crossing point or a street that floods, it’s our job to step in, report it, and chase it through the system.
The challenge? Those systems aren’t always user-friendly.
The online reporting tools for things like highways issues or overgrown hedgerows can be slow, clunky, and confusing. Even as someone who uses them all the time, I still find myself double-checking if I’ve submitted something properly or following up on a fault logged weeks ago.
Why It’s So Complicated
One of the biggest issues is knowing who’s responsible for what. Drains, roads, streetlights, hedgerows, responsibility could fall to the County Council, a water provider, a private landowner, or even a housing management company. Often, we don’t know until we’ve already sent off the wrong report and have to start again.
As a parish council, we don’t have the power to fix things directly, we’re there to represent residents and fight their corner. We report, escalate, and try to make sure issues don’t get ignored. But it often takes more time than people realise.
Community Spirit – And Quiet Victories
What keeps me going? The little wins. Like seeing a new road crossing approved after months of meetings and follow-ups. Or a resident clearing an overgrown footpath because they care about the space, not because they were asked. Or seeing the community rally around when heavy rain hits and drains start backing up.
In February, when rainfall hit hard, I saw the best of our community, people clearing drains outside their homes, helping each other out, and taking initiative without waiting to be told.
And even though the systems we rely on for reporting and fixing issues can be frustrating, those efforts made a difference.
What the Community Can Do
If you notice a blocked drain, pothole, or an overgrown path – report it using your local council’s website or app. I know these systems can be tricky, but every report helps build a case for action.
If it feels overwhelming, or you're not sure how to go about it, speak to your parish councillor. We're here to help.
Your voice matters. And while you might not always see immediate results, that persistence builds pressure, and eventually, progress. It’s also a reminder that change doesn’t just come from formal meetings it comes from everyday people noticing, acting, and caring.
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode: Roads, Drains and Reporting Headaches
This edition is based on Episode 3 of Beyond the Noticeboard, my weekly podcast sharing the stories, efforts, and decisions that shape community life.
🎙️ Episode 3: Roads, Drains and Reporting Headaches from a Parish Councillor's Perspective
▶️ YouTube
🎧 Spotify
Watch the full episode right here:
Conclusion
When systems are hard to navigate and responsibilities are unclear, it’s easy to feel powerless. But through persistence, collaboration, and showing up, whether for your street or your entire community, we do move forward.
If you’re running an organisation, on a council, or leading in your community, I hope this edition reminds you you’re not alone in dealing with slow progress.
Keep going. And if you ever need support untangling what to do next, whether it’s reporting, funding, or project planning, I’m here to help.
Support & Resources for Your Organisation
At Savvy Business Management, I offer guidance and practical tools for rural businesses, charities, and councils.
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Thank You for Reading
Thank you for taking the time to read this edition of Beyond the Noticeboard. These are the moments that reveal just how much effort it takes to keep communities liveable, and why that work deserves to be recognised.
Stephanie Akerman
Founder, Savvy Business Management | Local Councillor | Community Volunteer | Chair of Great Wood Community Hall
