LAST week we reported how Moggie Mills, who has lived in a Newport City Homes (NCH) flat in Aberthaw Road since 2001, had been slapped with an £80 fine for putting a small pot plant outside her front door.

Miss Mills said she has had a small plant outside her door for the last four years, but the housing association said it is taking a "zero-tolerance" approach to items left outside residents' doors.

Needless to say, commenters on the Argus website had a range of opinions on the issue.

Here's what they said.

If it weren't for people trying to improve the visual amenity of their neighbourhoods Newport would be better.

So, like, people should abandon all communal areas and take no pride in them?

Meanwhile a village somewhere is winning Best Kept Village because the residents take ownership of communal spaces and try to improve them with pot plants and the like.

NCH should put up a hanger or wall mount and encourage her to continue to improve the visual aspect.

pbhj

Judging by the very large number of comments on this, a lot of people care but not necessarily about the plant having to be moved but the manner in which Newport City Homes has dealt with this.

Common decency and politeness cost nothing.

Their lack of common sense and their "Do as I tell you or else" attitude will not gain them any brownie points.

Was it beneath them to go and knock on this ladies door and politely explain why the plant needed to be moved?

If the reason given was genuinely for fire safety reasons, and the tenant then refused to remove it then NCH would have a right to take action.

Who was it who decided that the amount for failing to remove a plant should be £80? What would that £80 be used for.

Would it be a massive tow truck to take it away or maybe to buy a load of plants to brighten up their new office in Upper Dock Street?

Residents are no longer permitted across the threshold of NCH' main office, Nexus House.

I suggest that every NCH tenant who has not already done so requests a copy of their Customer Service Standards booklet, this is also available on their website. It makes very interesting reading.

WhatIThink!

Some of you with any functioning intellect left will realise that recently a lot of people died in a block of flats in London.

This has resulted in a new focus in fire safety and naturally fire exits have to be kept clear.

Sparebulb

If it's not part of her flat why is she doing sticking pot plants in there?

Not her area, not hers to do as she pleases, move it or pay the fine, the conditions are quite clear.

bobbajob7

Forgive my ignorance but if someone was to accidentally trip over this or any other obstacle left by a resident in shared area and hurt themselves who would be paying the compo claim?

NCH for having said obstacle in area or the person leaving said obstacle? Cmon, in this litigation, quick buck culture how could they ignore the rule. Rules are rules for a reason.

Hera NP19

Sounds like someone justifying their job, bloody jobsworth.

Pafkay

Rules are rules, it should be left clear at all times. No jobsworth, just doing his or her job.

People need to realise you will always get others spoiling things, they will end up putting a tree or something else there, then when they are asked to move it, ah well my neighbour got a plant by her door. RULES. Just stick to them END OF.

let us be honest

The problem is that once such rules are introduced, they get more and more ridiculous.

Frigid Frog

If I was told to move it or face a fine, I would have moved it from one side of the doorway to the other.

Daz Mondeo

I suppose rules are rules.

Today a small potted plant, tomorrow two potted plants next week a bush.

Dolieboy

I suppose special branch were involved. It's time to nip these serious crimes in the bud or we will end up with anarchy.

ortz44