Festive Engagements, Local Policing and Leaf Clearing

Chiswick Riverside councillor Amy Croft reports back

Cllr Amy Croft with local police officer and a resident clearing leaves

December 6, 2025

Out and about

Working in Central London, I took the opportunity on Thursday to stop by Trafalgar Square on the way back home to watch the Lord Mayor of Westminster turn on the lights on the 20-meter Norwegian Spruce tree donated every year from the Mayor of Oslo to London. Signalling the unofficial start of Christmas in London, the short service was focused on the bond between the two cities but also the coming together of communities and celebration of the festive season. Both important things for us all to have in mind.

Last week I also attended the Met Police Borough Commanders Commendation Ceremony, which recognised the exceptional courage, professionalism, and lifesaving actions of officers across the West Area, in often extremely dangerous situations. The police often bear the brunt of heavy criticism, but the reality of what officers put on the line every day to serve their communities is sobering. So, I just wanted to give a shout out to our officers across the Borough for all that they do, to keep our community safe. I can certainly attest to the visibility of our community policing team in Riverside, who are always out and about, serving our community.

Live, Love, Leaf!

I am getting a lot of queries from residents about leaves and so wanted to provide some more information about what Hounslow Highways, residents and volunteers have been up to.

Hounslow Highways are responsible for clearing the leaves that accumulate from our wonderful (and numerous) street trees, the leaf clearing schedule began in week commencing 3 rd of November and rolls through into the new year. You can find details of when your road is scheduled for leaf clearing here.

Some extra resource has been put into the programme and so a slightly updated list will appear in due course as extra roads are cleared, at the link above. Do not fear if your road does not appear on the list, it means that this will be picked up by the fortnightly scheduled street clean as part of the existing schedule.

If you and your neighbours want to clear your area, ahead of the clearing schedule, then you can email businessmanagement@hounslowhighways.org to request some of the orange bags, which when filled can be collected via a Fix My Street request (through the app or the website). If you or your neighbours have an area that is not due to be cleared soon and would like help in leaf clearing then I am happy to come along and assist with some wonderful volunteers. Last Sunday, following requests from residents, together we cleared about 60 bags of leaves from Sutton Lane South, and will be out again this weekend weather permitting (I have discovered it is quite good exercise and much more fun than the gym!).

A road in Chiswick cleared of leaves

Festive Cheer

Now that the nights are drawing in and the temperatures are dropping it certainly makes it start to feel very festive. If you fancy a bit of pantomime to get you in the mood, Hounslow Arts are running Mother Goose until the 30 th of December at Hounslow Arts Centre, A Christmas Carol in historic Boston Manor House from 9 th-28 th of December and for the little ones (2-6) the Nutcracker from the 12 th to the 24 th in Boston Manor House, tickets are available here .

I hope everyone enjoys the countless festive events that will be happening all over the Borough in the next couple of weeks, I hope to see some of you at the Chiswick Horticultural and Allotment Society Christmas Party on December 14 th 12pm – 3pm, at the Trading Hut, Staveley Road, or at the Grove Park Christmas Carols from 6pm on the 11th at the Grove Park Road Piazza, if last year is anything to go by, you are in for a treat! I wish one and all a very happy festive season.

The tree donated by Norway in Trafalgar Square

Get in touch

Residents can now access a range of Council backed activities and support closer to home, with the opening of the Chiswick Community Hub, based in Chiswick library. Open 9:30am until 5:30pm everyday excluding Sunday, with extended late opening until 8pm on Monday and Thursday. You can talk to a member of staff about a range of issues, they will help you access services and support available from the Council.

I have my Surgery the 1 st Saturday of every month at the St Michael’s Centre, Elmwood Road from 10:30am to 12pm, drop ins welcome.

I am also happy to meet residents outside of these times and can also be contacted by call or WhatsApp on 07816 067 890 or via email at amy.croft@hounslow.gov.uk .

Cllr Amy Croft

Chiswick Riverside Ward

DEMOCRACY: DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Anyone can attend public meetings of the council. Most meetings take place on the 6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, TW3 3EB. Hounslow House is fully accessible. The nearest tube is Hounslow Central which does not have step-free access. Parking in local roads is limited.

Principal meetings are broadcast live on the Council’s YouTube channel

Tuesday 3 February 2026 Audit and Governance Committee  7:00 pm

Tuesday 10 March 2026 7:30 pm Budget Setting Meeting for the Annual Budget 2026/27 (moved from 24 February 2026). Including setting the Council Tax for April 2026 onwards

Chiswick Area Forum

• Monday 17 March 2026 6.30 for 7.30pm

Normally at Hogarth Hall, Chiswick Town Hall, Heathfield Terrace, Turnham, W4 4JN, but moveable around Chiswick (please check the website)

Informal Meeting at 6.30pm. Formal Meeting commences at 7.30pm

Both meetings are open from 6.30pm allowing residents to meet officers of Hounslow Council in Adult and Child care Social Welfare, Education, Housing and other Services

(Residents are encouraged to stay on for the main agenda)

Emergencies

You can report emergencies outside office hours by ringing the council on: 020 8583 2222.

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