The Week That was, and the Week That Will Be
Chiswick Gunnersbury councillor Gabriella Giles reports back
Cllr Gabriella Giles
February 17, 2024
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a councillor is when meeting people from all across the borough who are actively contributing to their communities in a variety of different ways. I was reminded of this, and my own experience of growing up in Hounslow this week when I met, alongside Jo Biddolph, the stellar team at the Arts Centre Hounslow on Tuesday.
Founded in 1988, the youth theatre group is currently run by alumni who were able to cut their theatrical teeth in a safe and welcoming space, and it was fantastic to learn about some of the routes that previous members have taken in the arts. What was originally supposed to be an hour-long meeting quickly evolved into a two-hour overview and tour of the facilities based at the Treaty Centre, and a discussion about youth activities in the borough. With the future of the Treaty Centre still in negotiation, it also provided space to discuss what the future of the Arts Centre could be.
Another reason for this meeting was to meet ahead of the next Chiswick Area Forum, where we will be Celebrating Culture and Bridging the Digital Divide; I’ve asked the Arts Centre to present and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. Planning for the Area Forum, which will take place on 12 March, starts about two months ahead of the event, and this quarter we will be hearing from officers of the council, which will include insight to the borough’s Summer of Culture 2024, the Arts Centre, and The Digital Poverty Alliance, a group set up to tackle digital exclusion. The open networking session that takes place ahead of the formal meeting is a chance to speak to all these teams and also other lesser-known groups from across Chiswick. There will also be food available, so even if you’re not interested in the topic, come and grab a bite!
Lime, lime, lime, it goes on…
I have written quite a few times about the Lime e-bike trial across the borough, and back in August, I wrote about my own experience with the bikes, however, it would seem that while there has been a 93-96% compliance rate with parking across the borough, councillors are still receiving emails about parking bay locations and abandoned bikes.
Or, certainly, that’s the case in Chiswick Riverside. There are a number of locations that are not quite working for residents, so we’ve been feeding back this information to officers in the council to help shape their decision making.
According to a briefing note received on 31 January, the intention for the council to conduct a public consultation in February was still on the cards, however, on 15 February, we received an updated note stating that this would no longer be the case. I’m not too sure of the reasons behind this decision as yet, but having requested a call over a week ago for insight, I am looking forward to finding out more next week.
The week ahead
Talking of the week ahead, my diary is looking quite full.
We have been told that construction on the Grove Park Public Realm Improvement Scheme will start on Monday. This has been an ongoing project to look at the space outside of Grove Park Road, around the shops and the Station House Pub. Plans to widen the footpath and re-tarmac the carriageway have been agreed, and while minor works will start on the 19th, major construction will start on 26 February.
On Monday, the Riverside Police Panel will be meeting. We have a new chairman, so this will be a good opportunity for members to set the police priorities for the next quarter and discuss past crime statistics for the ward. I’m also pleased to report that we now have a full Safer Neighbourhood Team with two PCs, and our PCSO. If you’re interested in becoming a member of your local neighbourhood watch, then please sign up via OWL.
Tuesday will be a morning of calls with council officers starting with the traffic department about the Lime bikes, then another planning meeting for the Chiswick Area Forum.
Wednesday involves a meeting of the Thames Landscape Strategy, once a quarter the Executive Review Board meets to discuss ongoing projects. This is made up of councillors from the partnering local authorities, and officers from the Strategy. Normally, a two hour meeting that has taken place in beautiful locations such as Syon House and Hampton Court Palace, this one will be on Teams, which means I get to cut down on my travel time!
The evening will mean attendance at the Chiswick Medical Practice Patient Group meeting at Chiswick Methodist Church to discuss the merger of the three practices in Chiswick – Wellesley Road, Grove Park and Chiswick Family Doctors.
Thursday evening will be a meeting of the Conservative councillors in Hounslow at Hounslow House.
And finally, Friday afternoon will be spent at Brooks Lane to discuss the co-design project with Strand on the Green Schools. From 3pm, there will be a series of events for residents and interested parties where the council will present their concept design for Brooks Lane.
Thankfully, since I wrote about this in September, we have been able to bring teams from the council together with National Rail, the headteachers at Strand on the Green Schools, and members of the Strand on the Green Residents Association to discuss future plans for the footbridge at Brooks Lane. We had a very informative meeting on a very cold day in January, and expect this to be just the start of some very interesting plans to improve this route for everyone - especially anyone with young children needing to access the schools from Chiswick Village.
As always, casework continues, not all of which can be discussed publicly, and there are a number of open consultations on the council’s consultation page, namely the opportunity to nominate a building for the Hounslow Local List.
Wishing you all a safe and happy week
Councillor Gabriella Giles
gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk
Mobile: 07966 270823
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Tuesday, 20 February 2024 at 7:00pm Cabinet
Tuesday 27 February 2024 at 7:30pm Borough Council budget-setting meeting
Tuesday 13 March 2024 from 6.30pm Chiswick Area Forum Celebrating Culture
Monday 18 March 2024 at 7:00pm Cabinet
Tuesday 26 March 2024 at 7:30pm Borough Council
THEN:
- Tuesday 19 Mar 2024 7:00 pm
- Tuesday 16 Apr 2024 7:00 pm
- Tuesday 14 May 2024 7:00 pm
- Tuesday 21 May 2024 7.30pm (The Annual Statutory General Meeting of the Borough Council)
6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB
During weekends, residents can still access council services on-line or via emergency numbers:
To inform the council of an emergency, please call 020 8583 2222
CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR SURGERIES
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).
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 Gabriella Giles gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk 07966 270823
Cllr Peter Thompson peter.thompson@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 395810
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