So What Exactly is a Greater London Assembly Member?
Chiswick Gunnersbury councillor Ron Mushiso reports back
Cllr Ron Mushiso at a recent flower market in Chiswick
April 13, 2024
As many of you will know, I have put my name in the hat to be elected as the London Assembly Member for South West London. That means that if I am successful in my bid, I will serve a dual role, representing constituents both as a councillor in Chiswick and as an Assembly member at City Hall.
With the upcoming mayoral elections drawing near, I wanted to shed light on the function of the London Assembly and its impact on our community - especially as many people don’t really know what an Assembly Member actually does.
The London Assembly Member works collaboratively with the Mayor of London, who oversees essential services such as policing, fire services, planning, and culture. Since its inception in the early 2000s, the Mayor has wielded significant authority over London. The current Mayor now operates with a substantial budget totalling £21 billion. To ensure accountability, the Mayor is scrutinised by 14 elected members of the London Assembly representing a patch of London, and 11 list candidates without a specified patch.
Key responsibilities of the Mayor include managing Transport for London (TfL), setting fares, implementing policies on road usage (including congestion charges and Ultra Low Emission Zones), and overseeing the 30% of the total allocation of the Met Police budget. Additionally, the Mayor works with local authorities and planners to set housing targets and promote London's rich cultural landscape and creative industries.
The Mayor also raises money from other areas including government grants, council tax precept, congestion charges and ULEZ fees.
If I am elected as your London Assembly Member, I will represent residents in the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames, the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames and of course the London Borough of Hounslow. It is a big job, but I am ready. I seem to have been preparing for this role all my life. I am committed to being a visible presence through monthly GLA surgeries, ensuring that constituents have a voice in the corridors of power at City Hall.
Cllr Mushiso with Cllr Thompson at a demonstation outside the Watermans
Accountability lies at the heart of the London Assembly's function. Through committee work and Question Time sessions held ten times a year, we scrutinise the Mayor's policies, ensuring they serve the best interests of Londoners. If elected, I will still be reporting back regularly here on ChiswickW4.com and other platforms, and will address directly concerns raised by constituents, shining a spotlight on issues affecting our community in Chiswick and wider communities across the South West.
My track record as a councillor demonstrates that I will be active. From spearheading initiatives like the living wall at St. Mary's Primary to organising litter-picking campaigns and supporting local markets, I strive to make a tangible difference in our community. Together, we've collected over 1000 second-hand laptops to support disadvantaged young people and children of refugees across Southwest London, demonstrating our commitment to inclusivity and support.
As your Assembly Member, I pledge to work across political divides to find pragmatic solutions to our region's challenges. By championing collaboration and accountability, we can empower South West London and ensure a brighter future for all.
Cllr Ron Mushiso
07976 702887
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2024/25
Cabinet Meetings
Tuesday 16 Apr 2024 7:00 pm
Tuesday 14 May 2024 7:00 pm
6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB
Council Meetings
Tuesday 28th May 2024 7.30pm - (The Annual Statutory General Meeting of the Borough Council)
6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB
Open to the Public
Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Monday 13th May 2024
6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB
During weekends, residents can still access council services on-line or via emergency numbers:
To inform the council of an emergency, call 020 8583 2222
CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR SURGERIES
Chiswick: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Chiswick Library (the eight 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 Chiswick Gunnersbury ward councillors takes this surgery).
CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS and CONTACTS
Chiswick Gunnersbury (was Turnham Green) ward
Cllr Ranjit Gill ranjit.gill@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702956
Cllr Ron Mushiso ron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702887
Chiswick Homefields ward
Cllr Jack Emsley jack.emsley@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 396017
Cllr Gerald McGregor gerald.mcgregor@hounslow.gov.uk 07866 784821
Cllr John Todd john.todd@hounslow.gov.uk 07866 784651
Chiswick Riverside ward
Cllr Gabriella Giles gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk 07966 270823
Cllr Peter Thompson peter.thompson@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 395810
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