Low By- Election Turnout Gives Pause For Thought

A week in the life of a local councillor as told by Sam Hearn

Cllr Sam Hearn who represents the Riverside ward in Chiswick, is chairman of the Chiswick Area Forum. He has written this account of his week as a busy local councillor

Friday 3rd July: Canvassing in Brentford.

Saturday 4th July: Canvassing, and delivering by-election literature in Brentford. I flipped nearly 150 burgers this evening as part of the catering crew for an open air production of Midsummers Night’s Dream by St Michael’s Players. The play was performed in the vicarage garden of St Pauls Grove Park so no one was too surprised when a local cat walked across the stage and nearly stole the show.

Sunday 5th July: Catching up on Council emails and preparing for Monday night’s meetings.

Monday 6th July: At the Civic Centre for a meeting of the trustees of the Thomas Layton Collection and then on to Overview and Scrutiny Committee as an observer. Two other councillors are members of the Scrutiny Panel and they unfortunately have to leave the Layton meeting early to attend Scrutiny. I arrive at the Scrutiny Committee just as they finish their light “grilling” of Hounslow Highways. The technical device of ‘calling in’ has been used by a cross-party group of councillors to challenge the decisions of the Hounslow Cabinet in connection with the building of a school on metropolitan open land at Brent Leas recreation ground. The Scrutiny Panel will consider the calling in at a separate meeting next week.

Tuesday 7th July: Supporting residents with a serious ongoing complaint about noise from a commercial facility.

Wednesday 8th July: Canvassing and delivering in Brentford. Excellent late evening curry at Monty’s in Ealing Road.

Thursday 9th July: On a site visit to a controversial road scheme with a local community activist. Knocking up in Brentford. The turn-out will be low.

Friday 10th July: A Labour Victory in Brentford. I am sad for our candidate, Patrick Barr and his many helpers who put so much into this campaign. The low turn-out whilst not unexpected must give us all pause for thought.

July 10, 2015