Health Matters and Tributes To Sir Tom Moore and Carers
Chiswick Homefields ward councillor Gerald McGregor reports back on his week
Cllr Gerald McGregor
This week the emphasis is on Health and tributes to carers and to Sir Tom Moore.
The Youth Programme 2021 Charities and social care and development in youth clubs come next
Other more mundane matters follow including Finance and Your Council Tax
NATIONAL HEALTH AND WELFARE
At the national level the Government has achieved impressive milestones with 13.5 million of the population receiving at least a first injection and another half a million who have had the second inoculation. We can all be grateful for the role of Kate Bingham. When it comes to managing big projects Catherine Bingham stepped up to the mark.
She has chaired the UK Government 's Vaccine Taskforce , deploying staff and expertise, steering procurement of vaccines (what a boon!) and the strategy for their deployment during the COVID-19 pandemic . Born and growing up in West London, Kate Bingham was educated at St Paul's Girls' School , London, before going up to Christ Church, Oxford , where she graduated with a first-class degree in Biochemistry ( MA ).
Bingham then pursued further studies at Harvard Business School , taking the degree of MBA. She then worked in business development for Vertex Pharmaceuticals and consultants Monitor Company before joining Schroder Ventures in 1991 (now SV Health Investments). She became a managing partner specializing in biotechnology , and has served on the boards of companies in the UK, US, Ireland, Sweden and Germany.
We can be proud and celebrate that t his is the sort of free market record and the sort of person that only a country like Britain can produce
LOCAL HEALTH AND WELFARE
At the local level, Chiswick Health Practice on Fishers Lane, one of several hosts in the borough for the administering of residents’ vaccines, has become a continuing bastion of hope in the pandemic. The throughput is remarkable in itself, and the communication of appointments and the sheer commitment and expertise of the staff is equally remarkable. They represent the local manifestation of the national effort brilliantly and we should be so proud of them as a group of outstanding professionals.
Congratulations and thanks are their due.
We cannot describe our pride, without remembering Sir Tom Moore following this tribute paid by his Foundation on his sad demise.
“While the family grieve privately the wider team at The Captain Tom Foundation would like to express our heartbreak at the news:
“We are heartbroken by the passing of our Founder and inspiration Captain Sir Tom Moore.
As well as uniting the nation and giving hope when it was needed most he has been our beacon of light every single day.
He was so passionate about The Foundation’s vision for a more hopeful world and equal society and was immensely proud of the growing legacy it was establishing in his name.
We have been working with Captain Tom to create positive impact around causes close to his and the families hearts, from combating loneliness to championing education and equality and of course supporting the incredible NHS carers and frontline workers whom he held in such high regard.
Captain Tom’s actions inspired people across the world and he was extremely honoured that The Foundation might inspire a new generation of Captain Toms. We can all make a difference and through our continued work we will aspire to ensure Tom’s message of hope becomes an enduring legacy.
Whilst we mourn his loss, we celebrate his life and will be forever grateful for his optimistic philosophy and wonderful spirit.
Thank you Captain Sir Tom. Because of you tomorrow will be a good day for so many more.”
Captain Tom united the nation and gave hope when it was needed most. Carrying on his journey, and as a result of the unprecedented support he and his family have received, The Foundation has been set up to continue to inspire people and ensure Tom’s message of hope becomes an enduring legacy.
The Foundation supports causes close to Captain Tom and his families hearts, these include:
- Combating loneliness
- Championing education and equality
- Continued support for the wonderful NHS
YOUR HEALTH AND WELFARE
Remember , if you are concerned about your health but have no symptoms you may book a without cost ‘rapid’ test online via the Hounslow Council website www.hounslow.gov.uk/rapidtest . The ‘rapid’ actually refers to the speed of the response with swift (30-40 minutes) results, which require no laboratory involvement.
DURING THE WEEK: Hogarth Charitable Trust’s Wine Tasting Event
The trust held a remarkable fund raising event for their 2021 Youth Programme. Thus far the trust have raised over £6,000 from wine tasting ticket sales (139), corporate sponsorships and donations, with additional pledges from last night still rolling in. This is a great start to their fund raising efforts for this year. A lmost everyone who purchased a ticket was able to join the live event run by wine expert Tim Syrad. He added a huge dimension to people’s knowledge of a tricky subject. Tim’s immense knowledge, passion and charm, the very lively chat room banter and interaction made for a most enjoyable and memorable evening.
DON’T MISS OUT, THIS YOUTH PROGRAMME IS TOO IMPORTANT!
For those unable to join the live event, a video recording is available on this link for the next 28 days. Passcode: k%#kE6K1
Please visit the Trust's website if you would like to know more about the terrific work of Denny and his team (and the Centre space that is available to hire for events when lockdown restrictions are eased).
As a participant on the night, I urge readers to donate to the Charity, via a JustGiving page. No donation is too small, regular donations are terrific, all donations are very gratefully received. All money is ring-fenced to the Youth Programme for local adolescents who really need help and support. The Youth Programme 2021 will start as soon as schools are allowed to re-open.
LOCAL CHARITIES NEED SUPPORT TO ENSURE THE WELFARE OF OUR COMMUNITY
Every charity in the UK is experiencing huge funding challenges due to the pandemic, so your decision to support the Hogarth Charitable Trust is really appreciated
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT
The continuing traffic disruption in the Centre of Chiswick and the embarrassment of further roadworks cutting Chiswick off from Shepherds Bush without long detours for buses and lorries is continuing to make a mockery of the ill thought out traffic management schemes put in place by TfL and their partners in crime, Hounslow and Ealing Councils.
Your Chiswick Councillors and a large number of community action groups are continuing to work hard on achieving better solutions to these man-made misconceived creations that have ended up pleasing none of the interest groups concerned. Cyclists safety is compromised, pedestrians are more fretful about safety on and off pavements and road users generally are perplexed by the range of barriers to progress. It is a continuing saga. So you will continue to hear more.
FROM HEALTH AND WELFARE TO A FINANCE HEALTH WARNING
Your Chiswick Councillors, who represent you in the Borough of Hounslow, have been hearing about the administrations’ budget proposals. This includes a five percent increase in Council Tax across the board (inflation rate is a third of this increase for householders) from Hounslow, and a total 6 percent increase in Council Tax demanded with the added precept by a Mayor of London who has completely failed the population of London.
Our administration is carrying forward missed savings targets, trying to create an internal consultancy policy (One Hounslow) that has failed to provide meaningful efficiencies and has led to council tenants facing huge delays in maintenance and repairs to their homes from the in-house teams, and often inadequate services and breakdowns. It is no fun being in their position, and probably worse for leaseholders who are being gauged with fancy charges for works that subsidise the council housing revenue account when they are paid for.
Our administration blames Covid 19 and unrecovered costs. This is simply misleading. HM Treasury and Rishi Sunak have provided adequate funds and future commitments that will leave no reasonable expense to be paid for by local ratepayers across England. The council has a huge range of reserves and financial support in provisions and contingencies that are merely there to fill more gaps created by the administrations’ own failures to manage costs. The real crunch will be coming at the end of March 2022..
The opposition has done the numbers and the arithmetic indicates that there is no need for any increase in council tax at the level being demanded by the mayor and by this administration that is consuming itself in sloganising, smoke and mirrors, and wrecking the human urban landscape of the borough. The problems are splits in their party and a breakdown of internal discipline as policy matters end up as personally toxic. Motions of no confidence and scrutiny call ins of cabinet decisions are creating a siege mentality. It is not pretty.
Homelessness
The council advises that, if you believe that you have nowhere to stay, you should immediately call them on 020 8583 3942 or if you have access, by email at myindependence@hounslow.gov.uk
Casework
If you are a resident of Chiswick and believe the administration has let you down or you need information about local policies or council activities, please contact one of your Chiswick councillors from the list below. We are here to help and assist you by speeding up action against problems and providing solutions for unmet needs.
Cllr Gerald McGregor
Councillor for Homefields Ward Chiswick
Leader of the Opposition London Borough of Hounslow
078 66 78 48 21
DATES FOR DIARIES
Surgeries, a great opportunity to meet local councillors in person, remain closed but when they reopen there will be a Conservative councillor at the Chiswick Library from 9.30am or at The Triangle Club, The Ridgeway, from 10am.
VIRTUAL DATES FOR YOUR VIRTUAL DIARY
Meetings are now taking place virtually and residents can attend online. Joining instructions will be on the council website, in the agenda reports pack for each committee, here
2 nd March: Licencing Panel
7.30 pm Tuesday 2 nd March - New Date – Borough Council Meeting (Budget Setting Delayed by one week as Mayor not ready to present his demand formally)
4 th March: Planning Committee
18 th March: Planning Committee
23 rd March: Meeting of the Cabinet
30 th March: Borough Council
8 th April: Planning Committee
20 th April: Meeting of the Cabinet
Surgeries have not yet been reinstated. When they resume you will be able to meet a councillor in Chiswick library every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am and at the Gunnersbury Triangle Club on the first Saturday of every month from 10.00am to 11.00am. . You can, of course, still contact your local councillors by email or phone; see their contact details below:
Chiswick Homefields ward
Cllr Patrick Barr
patrick.barr@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 703263
Cllr Gerald McGregor
gerald.mcgregor@hounslow.gov.uk
07866 784821
Cllr John Todd
john.todd@hounslow.gov.uk
07866 784651
Chiswick Riverside ward
Cllr Michael Denniss
michael.denniss@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 703274
Cllr Gabriella Giles
gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk
07966 270823
Cllr Sam Hearn
sam.hearn@hounslow.gov.uk
07833 376222
Turnham Green ward
Cllr Joanna Biddolph
joanna.biddolph@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 703446
Cllr Ranjit Gill
ranjit.gill@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 702956
Cllr Ron Mushiso
ron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 702887
February 13, 2021