Happy Ending To Lengthy Battle By Local Gym

Patrick Barr blogs on championing residents, part of his job as a councillor

Patrick (2nd from left) with volunteers in the recent clean up Chiswick day

We have watched parliament in painful paralysis for weeks with opposition parties trying to thwart what this country voted for. What do we want? A second referendum (a people’s vote) or to remain in the European Union? It’s a highly contentious and emotionally charged issue that has spilt this country, political parties, families and friends.

When opposition party leaders speak on Brexit, I detect enormous insincerity. Jeremy Corbyn (a leaver throughout his political career) was neutral on Brexit and now leads the party that wants a people’s vote. The Liberal Democrats initially said they would back whatever this country voted for. They now
want to stop Brexit. What is going on?

Recent events have seen the Benn Act passed when the Prime Minister was forced to request a delay to ensure a no-deal was taken off the table or a deal could be reached. A brief ray of light was the backing of the Brexit deal at a second reading in parliament when it appeared we were finally united. However, the timetable to pass it was voted down. A General Election has been called for 12th December. No matter how you voted in the 2016 referendum it is so important we now come together.

We have a fantastic Conservative parliamentary candidate – Seena Shah. She is a true representative of the area we live in – aspirational and multicultural with a strong voice. I am also on the parliamentary candidates’ list and will be sent somewhere to fight the General
Election. Despite this, the residents of Chiswick will remain at the forefront of my mind. I will still be dealing with casework, attending local residents’ group meetings and taking the councillor surgery on 30th November at 09:30 in Chiswick Library.

Championing residents – a slow process
A notable recent triumph was that the Combat Temple, (a martial arts and boxing gym under the arches by Stamford Brook Tube station) will not only stay open but is due to move to a newer, larger plot a few arches down. The gym is an integral part of the local community: a place for all warriors, young and old. Combat Temple is led by Reza Khodai and his inspirational team. Reza stopped paying rent in 2012 when his lease ended (as did other businesses under the arches) due to not being able to make contact with TFL, despite numerous attempts. This went on for 42 months until a new lease was signed in 2016. Reza was paying the back rent from 2012 as well as the rent for the new lease. He had wanted to occupy the second floor of this plot; however he was unable to afford the extra £8,000 per year.

Following a call from Reza, I visited him at his gym in June 2018 when he highlighted all TfL's failings and the financial implications on him, his family and his business as result of TFL’s neglect. He further spoke about his aspirations for his gym and to move his business next door due to increased demand from the local community. I contacted Tony Arbour, the London Assembly member for South West London, who probed TFL to respond to countless requests for help from Combat Temple. I then facilitated a meeting in September 2018 at Combat Temple with Reza, a consultant for TFL and a property surveyor for TFL aiming to come to a resolution to Reza’s ongoing issues with TFL. I am so delighted for him that, nearly 18 months later, works have started on the new premises. Reza is a truly inspirational person with a selfless vision for local residents. Exercise is a good medicine for us all, both mentally and physically. I’m glad I could help.

Casework is a constant
Casework remains constant. Amongst all the cases residents have brought to me, I have picked out three, each of them raised by several residents demonstrating how much of an issue each on is. I’ve recently been addressing uneven/cracked pavements and the covering of unswept leaves that seem to have been present most of the summer along various Chiswick paths in Chiswick Homefields ward. I have recently sought an update from TFL following their promise of traffic mitigation in Chiswick as a result of the closure for Hammersmith Bridge. Finally, I am supporting the Chiswick Dental Practice based in Chiswick Health Centre which is under threat as it has not been included in the plans for the new Health Centre on Fishers Lane. I am working closely with the practice and hope to, with them, find a solution soon.

Another successful community clean up
I recently supported the regular monthly Chiswick Clean Up with a group of committed local residents led by Cllr Ron Mushiso. We got under bushes, behind fences, anywhere we could fit, collecting bags and bags of rubbish. It was a display of community at its finest and I really felt we were making a difference. It was also a great opportunity to meet many tireless people who contribute to keeping Chiswick looking spectacular.

As always, for casework you can contact me by phone on 07976 703263 or by email on
patrick.barr@hounsow.gov.uk and I’ll be happy to help.

DATES FOR DIARIES
• Chiswick Area Forum: Tuesday, 19th November at 7.00pm at Chiswick Town Hall
• Borough council: Tuesday, 26th November at 7.30pm at Hounslow House
• The future of policing in Chiswick public meeting: date to be announced soon
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 Patrick Barr

Chiswick Homefields ward
patrick.barr@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 703263

November 2, 2019