Council taxpayers looked towards the magnificent white wedding cake that is Stockport Town Hall, expecting to see a hive of activity. Lights on. Desks occupied. Phones ringing. Someone, somewhere, answering an email.
Instead…
Silence.
Now, we’re not saying the building is empty. That would be unfair.
The cleaners are definitely there.
The caretaker waves occasionally.
The mystery remains: where has everyone else gone?
Our investigations suggest they may be engaged in what modern management refers to as “hybrid working.” Residents simply call it “trying to find somebody.”
The evidence is overwhelming.
You phone.
Voicemail.
You email.
Automatic reply. If you are lucky.
You complete the online form.
Reference number generated.
Several weeks later…tumbleweed.
One Padden Brook resident claims to have received an email stating:
“I’m away from my desk today.”
Today?
You’ve been away from your desk since Boris Johnson was telling us to stay at home.
Back in the real world, Padden Brook residents continue navigating wildlife crime, disturbance of contamination, flooding, abuses and threats and unanswered correspondence.
Of course, flexible working has many benefits. Less commuting. Better work-life balance. Happier employees.
Residents simply wonder whether one of those flexible days might occasionally include replying to an email.
We don’t ask for miracles.
We don’t expect instant solutions.
We’d settle for hearing the words:
“Good morning, Stockport Council… how can I help?”
At this point, even being placed on hold would feel like progress.
Until next week…
We’ll keep knocking on the Town Hall door.
