A Week Full of Unexpected Events
Chiswick Gunnersbury councillor Ranjit Gill reports back
Cllr Ranjit Gill
June 1, 2024
A week in politics is a long time, but a day can feel just as lengthy! This past week has been full of unexpected events.
What’s been happening in the council recently?
On Tuesday, 28th May, during Annual General Meeting of the Council, Feltham Councillor Kuldeep Tak switched from the Conservative Party to Labour. This move came as a shock, especially since just minutes earlier in a Conservative meeting, he had assured me he was set to be deselected for the 2026 local elections. No hint of his imminent switch was given. Following this, the Conservative Group issued the following statement: “Residents in Feltham North have voted for a Conservative representative on Hounslow Council twice in four years - if Cllr Tak believes the views of his constituents have changed, he should do the right thing and let them have a say by standing down and calling a by election.”
I echo these words as I believe residents of Feltham North have been negatively affected by the way this council has treated them, from supporting the expansion of ULEZ, to increasing their council tax to the future introduction of LTNs and Cllr Tak has many times in the past criticised the Labour Administration for such bad decisions. His move to Labour leaves us all confused.
In other council surprises, the details of the new cabinet positions can be found on the Council's website, with the notable changes being Councillor Katherine Dunne no longer serving as Deputy Leader, a role now held by Councillor Tom Bruce and Cllr Guy Lambert leaving Cabinet.
In a not-so-surprising move, Labour Councillor Noor Kaleem, member for Hanworth Village has resigned, prompting a by-election. Noor Kaleem has been quite absent from the council for some time, and I do not recall seeing much work from her relating to the council or the borough.
The borough recently welcomed its new Mayor and Deputy Mayor, and new cabinet roles were announced. While the Labour-run council touts these changes as steps toward improved governance, it's important to remain critical of their performance and transparency. There have been many murmurs in and around the Labour Group on Hounslow Council of deep internal division within the Labour administration. I do not want this to affect how we deliver services to our residents but I am afraid with a weak council leadership there is always collateral damage involving our residents.
On a brighter note, Hounslow Council is also gearing up for a vibrant Summer of Culture, set to start in June, promising a range of events for all ages. Please check out the website for more information on this.
On the infrastructure front, Hounslow Council showcased its growth plans at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) 2024. The council is positioning Hounslow as a prime investment destination, emphasising its strategic location and vibrant sectors like media, technology, and logistics (Hounslow Council). However, I will emphasise that these plans should be scrutinised to ensure they truly benefit local residents and do not merely serve external investors. Residents must always come first.
Efforts with Friends of Gunnersbury Park & Museum
I have been actively working with the Friends of Gunnersbury Park & Museum to ensure the council reconsiders its decision on the proposed Humanitarian Aid Memorial. The initial planning application lacked detailed community consultation and failed to fully address the heritage impact on the historic parkland. Together, we have raised concerns about the design's appropriateness and the location's suitability for a memorial intended for quiet contemplation. Our collective efforts aim to find a more fitting solution that honours humanitarian aid workers while preserving the park's integrity.
General Election
Our general election is fast approaching on July 4th, and the political landscape continues to evolve rapidly. As we look forward to potentially weeks of good weather, let's take the time to enjoy it and stay informed about the developments in our local government. Please remember, deadline for registering to vote in the General Election is by 11:59pm on 18 June 2024. The deadline to apply for a postal vote in the general election is 5pm on Wednesday 19 June.
Stay critical, stay informed, and make your voice heard.
Cllr Ranjit Gill
07976 702956
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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