Gravesham Borough Council Avis 

I am writing to express my disappointment regarding Gravesham Council’s recent refusal to conduct litter picking in our area, especially in light of the recent increase in council tax. The situation has worsened due to strong winds and gusts that have scattered rubbish and trash across the streets and in front of our homes. This has not only created an unpleasant environment but also raised concerns about hygiene and community well-being.

Despite the promise of improved services to justify the tax increase, it is evident that the council’s actions have not matched its commitments. The visible accumulation of litter and the lack of responsive action from council workers undermine the rationale for higher taxes. Residents expect a certain standard of service in exchange for increased financial contributions, and it is disheartening to see these expectations unmet.

I urge the council to reconsider its position on litter picking and to take immediate action to address the cleanliness of our community. Restoring regular litter collection would demonstrate accountability and respect for the residents who support the council through their taxes.

My Elderly mother and I travelled to Gravesend today (7th Feb 2026) from Allhallows, to do some shopping.
We parked up in the Disabled parking, and she strolled towards the escalators near the Asda Store. As we approached we saw that not only was the escalator going up, not working, the elevator was also out of order. As we turned away to go back to our car, several people said how disgusting it was that all the money spent in the area and the elevator and escalator both were not working (again)!. I could have walked up the non working escalator, but that was out of question for my Mum with her shopping trolley, it was just too steep, and no way could she have done that. I am visitor here in the UK, I was so sad to see that this is the way the City deals and considers their elderly community. It was shocking and all those that witnessed it agreed.

Gravesham council seem to think its appropriate to harass and threaten a mentally ill disabled woman and a man who's just had a heart attack and cannot even walk to the car most days. We had the pleasure of Keith Moorhouse showing up to our house unannounced with ‘contractors’ and spoke to my father disgustingly when he was refused access to the property and threatening financial and court action before storming off. Then decided to discuss our situation and private information with our neighbours. We later received an email threatening action that is unlawful without a court order, and apparently decided hes a doctor now and ‘disagrees with our circumstances’ and can tell us what a bed bound woman and a man who is under investigation for repeated cardiac events, can do physically. Absolutely disgusting behaviour from this member of the gravesham council staff, all known issues have been complied with considering half of this communication wasn't addressed to the occupants of the house and was returned to the council.

Fantastic support and understanding from the housing officer Kam Sandhu. It was a hard case but she kept us updated and informed at every step.

Moving to Gravesend has been the biggest mistake of my life. I’m no longer the person I was. Between my neighbours and this council I’ve been beaten down so much my life’s not worth living. I just don’t get it. I’ve done up my property, I’m out for 10 hours a day but apparently I’m a terrible evil person. Why am I being persecuted? In Swanley there’s a man running a car business from his house and every road is full of his old cars so the residents have no where to park. The council does nothing. Another person I know the people next door have loads of tree trunks delivered at all hours and they have buildings which turn them into fence posts. Noisey Lorry’s loud machinery, council does nothing. But I’m threatened with court action over such petty things!!! Do I really deserve to be taken to court over a cat deterrent? It’s a solar thing which makes a noise cats hear which keeps them away. Loads of places sell them. Is this what they spend our hard earned wages on? This council needs to rethink how they deal with the public. They have hounded me so much for no reason until I have now reached rock bottom. I’m miserable all the time. I dread coming home as I’m so scared about what the next letter will say. In 5 years I’ve had 6 threats of court action and fines. Purely for living my life. Anyone would think I’m having 24/7 raves or something and am a horrible human being, but I’m not. One court threat was because I have a windchime and the latest apparently my solar cat deterrent from Amazon which is in the garden is too loud. The neighbour who made this complaint DOESNT use their garden. It’s a tip! How can I disturb an empty garden and you certainly can’t hear something designed for cats hearing indoors. It’s petty!! I really cannot take anymore. Much of this is to do with my horrible neighbours. They side with them. I’m new here and they hate me. They don’t know me. Have never even tried speaking to me. I do not deserve to be treated so badly. I’m not who I was anymore. Ive been beaten right down and most days I’m in tears. I feel I can’t go on anymore. If I’m too scared to come home because I’m soooo frightened of the post incase Gravesham council are threatening me again. I can’t continue to live. I can’t move. I can’t live like this. Cheers Gravesham. You should be ashamed at how you deal with things!!

If I can hear the neighbours have a wee. This proves the walls are THIN! I’m NOT noisey! I’m having to sleep on the sofa as THEY keep waking ME up, but that’s ok. I’m the obnoxious neighbour who this Council dictates too and controls me! Put me in prison. I won’t have to see them then!

It’s a worry if any of these threatening letters goes astray in the post. Do I automatically get fined £2,500 and get a court date? I’m sure the judge would wonder why I’m there. It’s not like I have loud music pumping 24/7.

If you are reading this. Don’t send out “one size fits all” letters. It does say online that you need to talk to neighbours about issues. Mine go straight for the jugular. Apart from not being the lady who lived here for 30 years who went into a care home. What have I really done wrong? There’s far worst people out there than me!!! The people over the back who do have parties until 4am. Mr 4 exhausts who revs up his car… My neighbour who loves very loud music in the garden. For 5 years now the neighbours have been throwing grapes and biscuits in my garden. I feel very uncomfortable outside. I made a nice garden. Desperate to sit in the sun and read a book but can’t because of the neighbours here.

The street where I live is appalling now, covered in huge weeds. Never used to be like that. Sevenoaks council goes around spraying their streets with weedkiller. Not them

I need access to the back of my home to get kitchen appliances indoors. The alley is now impassable. Was clear when I moved in. So next time I need a new fridge or washing machine, the delivery men won’t be able to deliver it and I won’t be able to wash my clothes or cook or keep food.

THIS COUNCIL WASTES MONEY ON LETTERS AND HARASSING PEOPLE. Making them feel so low that there’s only one way out…….

ALSO… last year they discounted my council tax. Then nearly a year later I get a letter saying you owe £. Pay it back in 3 days or go to court. No explanation. I wrote to them (hand delivered) asking what this was about. NO RESPONSE! I worked it out myself that they were again threatening me over a discount THEY APPROVED. I paid the DD THEY SET and then threatened with fines and courts! NOT A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE GRAVESHAM!!!

So in the last 2 months I’ve been threatened with court action over 2 entirely different matters. Boy this court must be busy. I should go. See what the judge thinks about all this…..

THE STRESS AND THE CONSTANT WORRY HAS FINISHED ME.

Now they’ve got the mental health people onto me because of the way I worded my complaint. Bringing me even more stress. Thx

I reported my food waste hadn't been collected and in minutes the bin had been emptied so it was dealt with very promptly. Well done Gravesham Borough Council.

Gravesham Borough Council think it’s ok to leave me and the 3 boys in a flat that is currently leaking and was flooded this morning with it even going into the fire alarm. Drenching the walls and the stairs. They think it’s acceptable to do this!! Been calling and chasing them since 5am