A Chiswick Area Forum That Gives Both Sides Their Voice |
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Chiswick Gunnersbury councillor Ron Mushiso reports back on his week
It is just the beginning Last week I chaired the Chiswick Area Forum, where our residents were able to put questions directly to Cllr Dunne, the lead member for Traffic and Transport matters in the London Borough of Hounslow. The issues of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN) schemes, road closures and C9 have dominated our online and face to face debates in Chiswick for nearly 3 years. That is why as Chair, for the first, I sought to bring these talking points out in the open. I was prepared for a frank and honest Q&A and debate. That is exactly what we got. Yes, it was tough at times, and yes, temperatures did run a little high at times, but we succeeded, nonetheless. We succeeded in bringing people together. For this reason, and the fact we got to hear both sides of the debate, I believe that the Area Forum was a success. It was by far the most well attended Chiswick Area Forum that I can remember. We had stalls, we information services pods, we had desks of different charity groups, we had an information desk for the Met Police and many more. It felt like I was at a fridge event networking before the start of a formal meeting. Chiswick Townhall was bursting with energy. There were close to 200 people, all packed inside the main room of the Townhall at the start of the proceedings. Hundred others were following it on social media as I later found out. The meeting can now be viewed here Chiswick Area Forum Part 1 and here Chiswick Area Forum Part 2 In the meeting, residents rightfully expressed their concerns to the policy maker Cllr Dunne and the policy deliverer Jefferson Nwokeoma (Assistant Director of Transport, Parking & Environmental Strategy). The following day’s article on Chiswick W4 article of 23rd November stated, “Fractious Area Forum Meeting Fails to Find Consensus” slightly missed the mark in my view. When you have a meeting that declares from the outset, its intention to hear both sides of the debate, of course, it is bound to get a little heated. Residents needed to express their views before we are able to explore new solutions.
Indeed, the article rightly pointed out that the, “majority voicing opposition to the council’s policies particularly the cycle lane and the South Chiswick Liveable Neighbourhood Scheme.” This the position we all recognise as Chiswick Councillors. There is no hiding from the fact that the majority of our constituents do not support these schemes. However, as Chair, it would be irresponsible of me not to give the floor to the opposing view. I felt that these points were well made. In addition, opponents to the schemes, rightly acknowledged too, that there had been areas in the past where Hounslow Council has moved its position. We have been told that several schemes are now nearing the end of their trial/experimental period. Therein lies the opportunity for this new administration to demonstrate their manifesto promise; to listen to residents. I am not holding my breath. Although as Chair, I am prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt. I want to believe that somewhere within the Labour administration, there is regret about the way the LTN strategy was geographical focused in one area. A reasonable person, may rightly ask, out of 22 Wards in the Borough, why, after almost three years, are nearly all the schemes-based Chiswick? Don’t people cycle in other parts of the Borough? Don’t they have children that go to school too? Why aren’t residents in Hanworth, Heston and Hounslow coming forward begging for an LTN?
Is this our reward for being the cash-cow for Hounslow perhaps? Regardless of the answers, I hope that the Chiswick Area Forum showed a glimpse of what we would do if the Conservatives were in administration. We would bring people together; we would give everyone a platform and we would govern with transparency across the Borough. I have already reached out to Cllr Dunne with a view to open new channels of communication. To her credit, she responded positively, and I look forward to making a full report at the next Area Forum in February 2023. Our Chiswick Litter Picking Action Day of the Year. A message from Jill Spencer: The Environmental Champion for Chiswick Gunnersbury This Sunday 27 November will be our last litter pick of the year - do join us if you can. Meet as usual at 2.30pm outside Christ Church Turnham Green, for about an hour of litter picking on the Green and the surrounding residential streets. Then back to church at 3.30pm for tea -and cake, and time to chat. Please remember to bring gardening/protective gloves if possible. Renaming our bus stops. Eagle eyed amongst you will have spotted the name changes at the bus stops near Dukes Road on the South side of Chiswick High Road. Similarly, the bus stop immediately in front of the M&S , close to Windmill Road on the North side. I have been informed through Tfl and Nicholas Rogers AM, that the name of Old Market Place, does not officially exist and therefore the bus stop names will change shortly to Duke Road and Windmill Road respectful. Celebrating Advent with our Prime Minister Last week I received an invitation from the Prime Minister’s office to join him other at Downing Street to mark the start of advent. I will of course take Prime Minister Rishi a flyer advertising our Christmas themed Chiswick Flower Market on 4 th December. Cllr Ron Mushiso 07976 702887 CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR SURGERIES We are back to our usual routine of holding face-to-face surgeries in Chiswick and in Gunnersbury. Chiswick: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Chiswick Library (the eight Conservative councillors take this surgery in turn). Gunnersbury: First Saturday of the month from 10am to 11am at The Gunnersbury Triangle Club, Triangle Way, off The Ridgeway, W3 8LU (at least one of the Chiswick Gunnersbury ward councillors takes this surgery). DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Tuesday 29 November at 7:30 pm: Borough Council Our Current Service Support to Chiswick CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS and CONTACTS Chiswick Gunnersbury (was Turnham Green) ward Cllr Joanna Biddolph joanna.biddolph@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 703446 Cllr Ranjit Gill ranjit.gill@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702956 Cllr Ron Mushiso ron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702887 Chiswick Homefields ward Cllr Jack Emsley jack.emsley@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 396017 Cllr Gerald McGregor gerald.mcgregor@hounslow.gov.uk 07866 784821 Cllr John Todd john.todd@hounslow.gov.uk 07866 784651 Chiswick Riverside ward Cllr Peter Thompson peter.thompson@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 395810 Cllr Gabriella Giles gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk 07966 270823
December 3, 2022
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