A motion short enough to tweet could mean Merton Council has to interact more with residents on social media.

The Merton Conservatives have submitted the statement, which at 134 characters is short enough to tweet, as part of an effort to make a "more responsive council". It will be debated at a full council meeting on Wednesday, November 18.

Many residents use social media to contact the council about issues including litter, fly tipping, noise pollution and anti-social behaviour, but some residents said they very rarely receive a response.

Two anti-litter campaigns started on the social media site recently resulted in action by the council at Mitcham Parish Church and a Mucky Merton campaign gathered online support from a number of residents who posted photographs of overflowing bins and rubbish in the streets. 

November 12: 'Mucky Merton' campaign seeks financial backing after receiving public support

August 4: Kicking up a stink: Neighbours take to social media in bid to get huge rubbish pile cleared

But the council leader Stephen Alambritis has dismissed the opposition's motion as a gimmick.

Coun Alambritis, said: "This gimmicky motion shows how out of touch the Conservatives are. Unlike them, our street cleaners do not spend all day on Twitter, but are hard at work.

"To report a problem with people littering or fly-tipping it is obviously better to contact the council in a way that allows us to take details of the location and assign staff to clear it, rather than just sharing the issue with mates on social media."

Andrew Boyce, of Morden Road, Wimbledon, submitted the question of responding to tweets to a full council meeting on September 9, but was told by cabinet member for finance, Mark Allison, that "social media is not always the most appropriate or most effective media to access services or to respond to enquiries."

Mr Boyce maintains that Twitter is the chosen forum for many residents to express their concerns and frustrations to the council, and so the council has a duty to respond to them.

Councillor Hamish Badenoch, who drafted the motion, said it was partly done in response to the way Mr Boyce’s question had been answered.

He said: "It’s just about how we can create a council that is engaged with resident’s concerns, and better able to respond to them. The council is there to serve residents.

"Sometimes it feels more like the council is communicating to residents, instead of listening to them."

Mr Boyce said: "Merton is one of only two Labour-run councils in London that won’t respond to residents on twitter. If that’s someone’s method of engaging with the council, it’s the least they can do to respond.

"Other people should be able to see what the council responds to you. It’s about transparency. They should want to be transparent."

He added: "It feels like they are sliding out of touch with people. This would show they are engaging, it would show they are listening. It would show the council is proactive."

The Conservative motion reads: 

“Merton Council must listen to residents more and resolves to engage with their concerns through Twitter to achieve this. #Mertonlisten”

Do you think the council should respond to questions over twitter? Comment below, tweet @wimbledonnews or email pippa.allen@london.newsquest.co.uk and let us know.