Health Centre Update, Covid-19 and Life After 5 May
Chiswick Homefields ward councillor Patrick Barr reports back on his week
Councillor Patrick Barr
There has been an increase of casework into my inbox in recent weeks which I am grateful for as I like to do what I can to make a difference to the lives of Chiswick residents. It is always varied, from asking the council to look at some abandoned houses in the ward, which are an eyesore and attracting anti-social behaviour, to pointing residents to the online resources to help them claim support from council services.
The increase in energy prices is set to affect many, and residents have been raising their concerns. The government has put in place measures to help us to offset the increase. If you are in council tax band A-D you will get an automatic £150 rebate on 1st April 2022, which will go a little way to offsetting Hounslow Labour’s decision to raise council tax by the maximum amount once again…
I am currently assisting a local nursery in getting official parking for drop off and pick up times to make it safer for all. When I approached the department at the council it was very much “computer says no”. When I challenged the automated response officers agreed to do a site visit which is what we are planning now. I do hope it’s not lip service and that action is taken.
There are inevitable questions about the experimental C9 cycleway and the work that is going on along Chiswick High Road at the approach to the junction with Chiswick Lane. Colleagues meet virtually every other week with officers to discuss the impact of the work on residents and local businesses including the reduced pavement width, which clearly disadvantages those of us who choose walking as our primary method of transport, which so many of us do, and the impact of construction vans parked on pavement.
Please keep the requests for help coming, it’s always great to hear from you and assist where I can.
Storm Eunice
I hope you and your families have got through the storm without too much disruption to your lives and you are all safe and well. Should you still wish to report any debris, fallen trees or alike please do not hesitate to get in contact with me.
Borough Council cancelled in January
The Borough Council meeting due at the end of January was cancelled as there was “not enough business to discuss”. We, as the Conservative group, opposed this. It seems to be an annual occurrence for the Labour-run Council. There is always business to discuss no matter what time of the year it is. There are always motions/questions to put forward for our residents. Life in the borough doesn’t stop in January. It’s a shame Hounslow Labour doesn’t think residents’ concerns are worth discussing.
Campaigning
In Chiswick Homefields ward we are currently out in force campaigning for the up and coming local elections on 5th May 2022 to get Gerald McGregor and John Todd, two sitting councillors with a good track record of getting things done, re-elected and to introduce our newbie, Jack Emsley. We know he will be an invaluable addition to the team, bringing fresh and innovative ideas to ways of supporting Chiswick residents. Jack is not new to campaigning. He has been an activist with us for several years and assisted me greatly in when campaigning for the local elections in 2018. He also has plenty of experience helping with community projects across the borough, from the laptop donations drive through to his work supporting shielding residents during the pandemic. He will be a superb councillor and I encourage you to vote for him.
We pledge a cleaner safer borough, a listening council, quality developments, safer roads and cycling and an accountable local government. I am pleased to say that my colleagues and I are experiencing overwhelming support for us on the doorstep locally. I always say the Lib Dems can’t and Labour won’t. Meanwhile, the nine of us have been hard working and not afraid to take up issues that are of concern locally, even if that means challenging national policy. In our party, councillors are expected to do that.
Chiswick Health Centre update
Although Chiswick Health Centre isn’t in Homefields ward, it is used by residents across Chiswick so I thought I would pass on the update provided this week to my Turnham Green colleagues.
LBH’s Lampton GreenSpace 360 will remove some trees around the health centre during next week (from 21st February) and the wood from the felled trees will be recycled and re-used on other sites in the borough. Given that the health centre will continue to operate until the Autumn, Cllr Joanna Biddolph asked why the trees have to be removed so early and was told that the NHS Property Services has delayed removing the trees until the last week possible, which is the week before nesting season begins when tree removal is forbidden. If this were delayed until Winter 2022 it would delay the construction period by several months as contractors will need to accommodate a site compound on land to the west to start site investigations and begin demolition.
On the business side, the process of LBH buying the land on which the residential section will be built is progressing. Contracts will be exchanged in due course then the development will be put out to tender for a contractor to deliver the entire development. It is expected the transferring health services to the Stamford Brook site will take place in Autumn this year.
Covid-19 update
I don’t mean to preach but, in the case of the ever-changing measures pertaining to the Covid-19 pandemic, it's always good to recap. As cases of Covid-19 continue to fall, hospital admissions relating to the virus fall, intensive care admissions fall, and the number of deaths falls. Omicron is incredibly infectious, and many friends have caught it despite being as careful as ever. My husband is currently at home with Covid-19 during his half term break.
On the whole and generally, most people appear to have had mild symptoms. I welcomed the Prime Minister’s statement on 19th January, bringing conservatism into full play, giving us the freedom of choice and personal responsibility. With the NHS’s tremendous efforts at having already administered the booster jab to in excess of 37 million people, and the Omicron virus having peaked, we returned to plan A: no need to work from home, compulsory mask wearing ceased. The self-isolation period was brought down from 10 days to a full five days with two days of negative tests, which could be on days five and six. Also, in time, there will be no legal obligation for people to self-isolate just as they don’t with flu. We do now have to learn to live with it.
However, if you’re not vaccinated against Covid-19 and/or are clinically vulnerable I strongly urge you to get vaccinated. It’s never too late. As the data suggests those who are not vaccinated are at a higher risk of being admitted to hospital and having to be admitted to ITU. Despite the government’s new stance, it is important to remain cautious and take personal responsibility, so if in a crowded space or enclosed setting, wear a mask.
Remember the very basic of precautions to omit the transmission of any virus. HANDS, FACE, SPACE!
Life following 5th May 2022
As you probably know, I am not standing again as a councillor at the local elections on 5th May this year. My primary focus must now turn to my family. So, following May 5th it will be a work (hospital)/life balance.
It has been an honour serving you, the residents of Chiswick. Those of you who I have met have had a real impact on me. If we’ve howled together with laughter, I’ll always remember. If we’ve had a difference of opinion, I'll forget and remember what we did agree on. I have made some wonderful friends within the Chiswick, Brentford and Isleworth (and other) local Conservative associations – association officers, activists, my fellow councillors, local community groups, Chiswick residents, we’ll always be friends. I've made strong professional relationships with council officers and even with some in the Labour Party. Chiswick, thank you for giving me the privilege of serving you. I’ll leave my communication with you open as, for me, it's once in public life, always in public life. And, of course, I remain available as your councillor until 5th May so please contact me if you need help.
Councillor Patrick Barr
Chiswick Homefields ward
Patrick.barr@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 703263
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Most council meetings are now taking place in person at Hounslow House though a few, such as licensing panel meetings, continue to be held virtually. Even if they are held in person, you can watch them live (or later) on the council's YouTube channel . Please check for each meeting by looking at the agenda reports pack for each committee.
The key council meetings coming up are:
- 1st March – 7.00pm Borough Council annual budget setting meeting
- 3rd March – 7.00pm Planning
- 15th March – 7.00pm Overview and Scrutiny
- 22nd March – 7.00pm Cabinet
- 8th March – 7.00pm Licensing panel
- 15th March – 7.00pm Overview and Scrutiny
- 22nd March – 7.00pm Cabinet
- 28th March – 5.00pm Audit and governance
- 5th April – 7.00pm Licensing panel
- 7th April – 7.00pm Planning
- 19th April– 7.00pm Cabinet
SURGERIES ARE BACK!
We are now able to hold face-to-face surgeries again and, as before, will be available in Chiswick and in Gunnersbury. Chiswick: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Chiswick Library (the nine Conservative councillors take this surgery in turn). Gunnersbury: First Saturday of the month from 10am to 11am at The Gunnersbury Triangle Club, Triangle Way, off The Ridgeway, W3 8LU (at least one of the Turnham Green ward councillors will take this surgery).
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
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February 19, 2022