The 'Coalition Against COVID-19'

Cllr Gerald McGregor on how political differences are put aside during the crisis

Hounslow residents are increasingly concerned to find answers to the epidemic of Corona virus that is affecting London and the rest of the UK. To this end, some good news. To counter the impact of the epidemic on our daily lives in Chiswick and the rest of the Borough senior staff and political leaders have got together to evaluate the current situation and deliver important quantified plans and programmes covering vulnerable residents.

Huge thought has been given to the political, economic and social impact of the current crisis (described by the World Health Authority as a “Pandemic”)

This week a high-level special review meeting was called by the Leader of Hounslow Council, Councillor Steve Curran (Cllr Syon Ward) in order to brief the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Joanna Biddolph (Cllr Turnham Green Chiswick Ward). Niall Bolger, the Chief Executive Hounslow Borough Council (providing the brief) and I (Cllr Chiswick Homefields Ward) were also present.

Following Mr Bolger’s admirably clear briefing, the party leaders agreed to an immediate suspension of party-political activity in the Council to deal with the increasing gravity of the situation. Councillor Biddolph expressed her full support for the work being done by the crisis team under Mr Bolger’s leadership, ensuring that council business would continue to be fully undertaken

I raised concerns about healthcare, discharge from hospital, provision of maintainable social care as well as the impact on our Looked After Children. I am glad that since we met the Government has agreed a broad definition of “key worker” so that their children, and those children in particular need, will still be able to attend school.

The Council is of course concerned about the well-being of its staff and the impact of school closures on them and on parents more widely.

There were also deep concerns raised about the local economy and local employment, particularly the high number of local residents employed in supply chains and logistics at Heathrow Airport.

Councillor Biddolph responded to the briefing quickly and decisively, saying the position required immediate cross-party support and importantly pledging that the Conservative Party would be supporting the plan of holding the necessary Borough Council meeting in reduced circumstances to deal with legally required business, which should take place as scheduled on March 31st. We are waiting guidance on how future meetings should be conducted from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

I suggested a variety of measures to provide the councillors (both Labour and Conservative) with a voice if (because of public health and wellbeing fears) they were not able to come to the Borough Council in person.

There was further good news about possibilities of holding future meetings during the current emergency using remote access technology.

During the crisis period Council staff will often be working from home in accordance with Government guidelines but a crisis group under the Chief Executive is meeting daily to ensure that the most critical services (such as for adults needing care, public health and waste disposal) continue to function. We must look after the most vulnerable at this difficult time.

Councillor Biddolph indicated that both the human dynamic of healthcare for workers, their immediate safety and security (including those keeping schools open) and the economic impact on traders, shops and employment were critical in this situation. We all welcome the Chancellor’s decisive action, and in particular the support for the wage bills of the most affected businesses.

There is a huge amount of information to digest from local and central government. Meanwhile keeping local administration and services on track and to budget is still a priority for both political parties at Hounslow whilst awaiting the latest decisions and financial releases from Westminster. Councillor Curran and Councillor Biddolph agreed to establish further regular meetings on a cross party basis.

I hope you and your family are safe and well at this difficult time. If we continue to work together as a Council and a community, we will get through this crisis.

Please note

All face-to-face councillor surgeries have been cancelled until further notice but you can still contact councillors, click here for further details .

Cllr Gerald McGregor

March 21, 2020