Three ways to make sure your voice is heard in Hounslow

Councillor Joanna Biddolph, who represents Chiswick Gunnersbury, discusses the importance of local democracy and public consultation in this week’s Conservative Group column.

I am writing this immediately after the penultimate meeting of the full borough council of the 2022-2026 municipal term. It was the annual budget-setting meeting and quite a show with the Labour chief whip gesticulating to the mayor, rubbing his head in his hands, throwing his head back – because he dislikes the sound of any voices other than his own and those of his obedient followers.

They all wish we were silent: in the chamber, in our wards, in the media. They aren’t that keen on democracy, either, as residents know from consultations, which Labour argues are not ‘referendums’ which is code for ‘they can therefore be ignored’. And now, because although I described last night’s borough council meeting as the penultimate one, it was in fact the last one because Labour has cancelled the next one.

Chiswick Area Forum

Labour has also cancelled all this spring’s area forums across the borough. Well, not quite all. We refused to cancel ours. We want to be held to account and we want to hear from you. Policing is on the agenda as is the usual public forum; please come along … to have your say: Tuesday 17th March at 7.30pm at Chiswick Town Hall (browse information stalls from 6.30pm).

Gunnersbury Park festivals licence review

What has been the impact on you of music festivals in Gunnersbury Park? For many, the sound levels (decibels and the thumping/vibrations of lower frequencies) can be intolerable. So, too, is the relentlessness of so many events; the anti-social behaviour; being unable to use the park, your garden or open windows or work; coping with young children who can't settle or sleep; litter; damage to the park; being unable to park; the E3 slowed down in restricted traffic lanes … residents are clear: the disruption has gone too far. Everyone knows the park management team needs to raise money to manage the park but, eight years since Lovebox/Citadel burst into our eardrums, shaking sofas and rattling pictures, windows and doors, residents have had enough.

A group of sensible and thoughtful people in the Gunnersbury area of Chiswick have triggered a licence review calling for reasonable improvements and changes. If you would like to comment, please do so by midnight on 9th March. Find the details here: https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/alcohol-premises-licensing/pending-premises-licensing-reviews then have your say by emailing licensing@hounslow.gov.uk.

If you would like to know more, please get in touch: joanna.biddolph@hounslow.gov.uk or 07976 703446.

Elections on Thursday 7th May

Have we knocked on your door yet? If you were out, you will have come home to one of our calling cards. Yes, it’s election time and all candidates are canvassing, hoping for your support. We know some prefer not to say how they will vote; the reason we ask is to know where our supporters are so we can remind them to vote on polling day. There is nothing sinister in this; all candidates are doing it in every London borough but not in the way depicted by Chiswick’s William Hogarth in his series of four paintings, Humours of an Election.

Keep a watch for our manifesto which is currently confidential though I can reveal that its focus will be very solidly on core services. We know that what residents want is their pavements fixed, their roads swept, and potholes filled. We also promise no vanity projects, no ideologically-driven insensitively-imposed spend, spend, spend wastefulness. Just a plain and simple return to doing what councils are supposed to do: deliver value for money, high quality public services, and respect for the people we serve: you.