New Systems, Old Problems, Who is in Charge?

Chiswick Gunnersbury councillor Joanna Biddolph reports back

Cllr Joanna Biddolph

May 30, 2026

Time, since Covid, has moved extremely weirdly. It’s three weeks since the local election results were announced and, although exhaustion still hangs around, the hurried trudging of the campaign and the tense hubbub of the count seem decades ago. I think it’s because nothing has changed: the entangled mess of out-of-bay e-bikes, the potholes that don’t meet the threshold to be fixed, the grubbiness of overflowing bins over the bank holiday weekend … the life of a re-elected councillor carries on as before.

Some things do change, though. The council’s logging system for councillor’s casework has been in need of a bit of a review, with Cllr Gabriella Giles and me suggesting improvements from time to time (perhaps others did, too) and cheering when changes were made. A few more significant tweaks were needed but, broadly speaking, it worked. After being told a few days after the election that an entirely new system had been launched, my imagination took off. My outstanding suggestions had all been taken on board! No more bureaucratic frustrations! Councillors are in charge!

Oh, how fantastical my dreams can be. I don’t need to go into the detail but it was inevitable that a new system that was not tested first through councillors using residents’ real-life problems would generate universal despair. Officers’ ideas for what we need seldom match reality. More interesting than the view of a harried councillor with a backlog that seems impossible to clear, were the comments from our new councillors. They have nothing to compare the new system with, and a fresh unsullied approach to tech, so words such as “disaster”, “really needs improvement” and “if we had an effective process, it would make everyone’s life easy” told those of us with a somewhat jaded view of council systems that it really is disappointingly poor. There has long been an increasing sense that officers are trying to overrule and rule over us. You can imagine how long the email was detailing the views of Jo.

Residents who have been unable to submit comments on planning applications will know what we are going through. The new planning portal was launched without first being tested by residents and many sent thunderous comments, quite rightly, when they found it didn’t work. It seems that hoping that new systems would never again be launched without being tested by the people who will use them most was yet more fantastical dreaming.

Don’t worry, though. We have found ways of avoiding the worst aspects while changes are made. Please keep on asking for help. In Chiswick Homefields ward, Cllr Linden Grigg and Cllr Michael Denniss (Chiswick Riverside councillor from 2018 to 2022), and in Chiswick Gunnersbury ward, Cllr Vickram Grewal (new to Chiswick but with eight years’ experience as a councillor), are waiting to hear from you just as much as we Chiswick old-timers are.

Running dry

The Victorian water fountain at the top of Turnham Green Terrace was reinstated, after restoration, with more great hope. Masterminded by someone I now have to call “former councillor” John Todd it has been vandalised and repaired then went wrong and was decommissioned while Hounslow officers considered what to do. Prompted by a resident who, understandably and reasonably, wanted to refill her water bottle during this week’s heatwave, I checked emails and found that this state of limbo began last August. I have asked for an update (not unreasonable I feel, eight months later) reiterating my suggestion that, if the magnificent water fountain can’t be made to work, the council could instal a modern water fountain (like the discreet sleek one at the rockery on Turnham Green) a few yards away and put up a sign explaining the significance of the historical one and where to find water nearby.

Festivals – fewer and more

As everyone knows, this year’s festivals in Gunnersbury Park have moved. Residents have respite from the decibels and vibrations, the defecating and urinating, the litter and drug paraphernalia, the blocked off acres and the daily grinding of vehicles back and forth behind homes from early till late. And that’s only part of the problem. Meanwhile, Brentford Football Club is proposing to hold music events during the summer next year. You lose some and you win some.

A marriage made in heaven, some say – move the Gunnersbury Park festivals to the Gtech stadium. I don’t know the details yet, but knowing how hallowed the football turf is, having festival goers tramping over it won’t serve BFC players well and I can’t see festival fans swaying serenely in the stands. The vibes are different.

Meanwhile, the Gunnersbury Park Garden Estate residents’ association has published an alternative plan for raising funds to keep the park going. It deserves to be taken seriously. Residents negatively affected by the festivals recognise the need for substantial funds to run the park. The question is how.

No special treatment for Chiswick

You know the refrain. Hounslow treats Chiswick with disdain. It still hasn’t cracked the grotty problem of overflowing bins over a sunny bank holiday weekend. The answer is – more emptying. Walking behind M&S last Sunday evening made this councillor shake her head sorrowfully at both bins and reach for her phone to capture the mood.

Overflowing bins on the Bank Holiday Weekend

It’s not just a problem here, though. Walking between Hounslow Central tube station and Hounslow House for the borough council meeting last Tuesday evening and my head shook again. It’s waste – but not the same kind. Perhaps residents of the flats above the shops there had put out their sacks on the wrong day, perhaps it was normal weekly build-up. Either way, it indicates something has to change. Hounslow’s answer is usually more bins to clutter up our roads. My answer is the same as for the Chiswick bins: more emptying. As for the stench … no imagination needed.

Pile of bin bags in Hounslow

Surgeries

We’ve had a slight hiatus with our Chiswick surgery rota for which many apologies. I took the surgery last weekend expecting it to be quiet so was surprised that two residents came together with a very concerning case and one person came for general guidance about something that she could take away and deal with herself. Cllr Gabriella Giles was there this Saturday and was similarly kept busy. We will soon announce who is available when. Generally, we are thinking of changing the start time from 9.30am to 10.30am. What’s your view on that? Do tell us.

Thank you!

It is really good, if overwhelming, to be back and thank you for all the votes, every one of which I appreciate hugely. Polling day was highly confusing, with many people saying they had decided not to vote for us so the resounding win was a big surprise. I am still a bit dazed. I have also fallen very behind and have not yet replied to the lovely messages I’ve received but I will. And please keep us all busy. It was what we were elected for.

Councillor Joanna Biddolph

Chiswick Gunnersbury ward

joanna.biddolph@hounslow.gov.uk

07976 703446

DEMOCRACY: DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Anyone can attend public meetings of the council. Hounslow House is fully accessible. Hounslow Central tube station is not step-free. The 237 bus stops nearby. Parking in local roads is limited.

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

Planning Committee : 11 July at 7pm

Planning Committee : 25 July at 7pm

Overview and Scrutiny Committee : 2 July at 7pm

Planning Committee : 9 July at 7pm

Cabinet : 14 July

Borough Council : 21 July at 7.30pm

CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR SURGERIES

Chiswick: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Chiswick Library (Conservative councillors take this surgery in turn).

Gunnersbury: First Saturday of the month from 10am to 11am at The Gunnersbury Triangle Club, Triangle Way, W3 8LU (at least one of the Chiswick Gunnersbury ward councillors takes this surgery). 

CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS CONTACT INFO

Chiswick Gunnersbury ward

Cllr Joanna Biddolph  joanna.biddolph@hounslow.gov.uk  07976 703446

Cllr Vickram Grewal   vickram.grewal@hounslow.gov.uk   07904 184099

Cllr Ron Mushiso ron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk  07976 702887

Chiswick Homefields ward

Cllr Michael Denniss  Michael.Denniss@hounslow.gov.uk

Cllr Jack Emsley  jack.emsley@hounslow.gov.uk  07977 396017

Cllr Linden Grigg   Linden.Grigg@hounslow.gov.uk   07779 436258

Chiswick Riverside ward

Cllr Gabriella Giles  gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk  07966 270823