Holding The Council To Account On 'Positive Performance Data'

John Todd on public finances, Sunday weddings and being a Dog Show judge

My turn again!

Delighted to get funding from LBH for a Chiswick primary school to replace a tired toilet block.

Persuaded our registrars to officiate at weddings on Sundays. We were the only borough in London not to do so. This disadvantaged those who wanted to use Chiswick House, in Homefields ward, and other wedding venues in Hounslow.

At our Licensing Committee we had an application from a pub licensee who wanted, because of poor trade, to extend his closing time to 2am. The pub is in a residential area and, following local representation, we refused his request.

Mobikes continue to annoy when they are arbitrarily dumped. An email to support@ukmobike.com does seem to produce remedy. London Councils, a cross party organisation that represents and supports all 32 London Boroughs plus the City of London, is working on new regulations to minimise this nuisance.

Scrutinising and challenging finances, decisions and performance

Challenged the new Chief Executive and his Head of Scrutiny regarding the, in my view, selective performance data now published in the Cabinet papers. No more the red, amber and green performance indicators but cherry-picked data, mainly positive – a strategy favoured by senior officers, it seems. The Cabinet member explained that the council will continue to improve this new initiative! By way of example, a figure of around 99% was shown against bin collection in the recycling section but there was no mention of our ever-sinking recycling rate of 31%. A one line entry on finance failed to replicate the overspent budgets, nor the huge capital budget remaining unspent because of underperformance on the related projects. I‘m promised more performance detail and will use the FOI process if it’s not forthcoming.

The LBH Pension Fund is performing well now and is in the top eight of all the local authority funds. At our recent meeting we met our advisor, managers and actuary. It is valuation time and we will review our investment strategy, too.

I’ve met with a number of residents from the Edensor Estate. The council wants to build a total of 28 flats on top of the current flats. I’d also attended an early meeting with housing officials which left many questions – about suitability, construction method and adequate foundations – unanswered. I’ll ensure these matters are adequately addressed.

I attended the Safer Neighbourhood Panel of Homefields Ward which meets above the Mawson pub at Fuller’s. Flavia Beckwith is the robust and probing chair supported by local residents. Our local ward police actively support this worthwhile venture.

Community events offer chance encounters

I attended the annual Chiswick Dog Show where I judged one year old and two year old dogs. A huge variation in breeds made the final choice difficult to select. I was glad to be materially assisted by a Spanish vet from Young’s Veterinary Practice. It’s a great event at a wonderful venue – Chiswick House and Gardens.

I met that wonderful photographer, Jon Perry, at Tidefest. He tells me he’s moving to Marlow. I’ll certainly miss his unique photographic work.

Water fountains will be flowing soon

The refurbished drinking fountain on Turnham Green Terrace will finally get water in early November. Thames Water needs to do some work to connect to their supply.

We look forward, too, to a new fountain on Turnham Green funded by S106 funds.

Bridges update

At last, we start the Barnes Footbridge river survey on 14th October after lots of negotiations. A key aspect of our work is to minimise any risk in construction.

The Barnes Garden Bridge project is still being pursued by a dogged group of Barnes residents endeavouring to engineer a credible step-free access to the bridge. We’ve liaised with this team as there was a possibility of a link with our bridge.

A very varied councillor life!

DATES FOR DIARIES

Clean Up Sunday: Sunday, 29th September at 2pm on Turnham Green

Borough Council: Tuesday, 29th October at 7.30pm in Hounslow House

Chiswick Area Forum: Postponed, new date to be decided

Surgeries

· Chiswick: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Chiswick library, upstairs in the private room.

· Gunnersbury: First Saturday of the month from 10am to 11am at The Triangle Club, The Ridgeway, W3 8LN, usually a group discussion but privacy can be arranged.

Councillor John Todd

Chiswick Homefields Ward

Email: john.todd@hounslow.gov.uk

Phone: 07866 78465

September 28, 2019