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.
