A meeting of the Chiswick Area Forum was due to be held on Wednesday 12 March 2025 at Chiswick Town Hall, Turnham Green. The meeting was scheduled to begin with an informal networking event where members of the public could meet with Councillors and council officers. The formal meeting was then due to consider a range of matters.

Additional HMO Licensing Consultation Proposals

Councillors were scheduled to receive a presentation on the proposals for a consultation on an Additional HMO Licensing scheme in Hounslow.

The report, provided by Pat Gilmore, Head of Housing Standards, explains that:

The Council has powers to introduce additional licensing schemes in respect of HMOs ¹ in its area that are not already subject to mandatory licensing.

The report explains that the council's existing Additional Licensing scheme was introduced in August 2020 and is due to expire in July 2025, and so the council is required to consult on whether to implement a new scheme.

The report explains that:

The Council has a duty to consider whether licensing is necessary to achieve its licensing objectives, or whether it is satisfied that existing control powers are sufficient to address the risks and issues in the area

The report sets out the council's proposed approach to the consultation. It says the consultation will run from the 11th of March to the 16th of May 2025, with a decision being made by the council's Cabinet in August 2025.

Health and Wellbeing in Chiswick

Councillors were scheduled to be presented with a report on health and wellbeing in Chiswick by Steven Forbes, Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Kelly O'Neill, Director of Public Health.

The report provides a wide range of data on health outcomes in Chiswick. It explains that Chiswick is generally considered an affluent area, with lower levels of deprivation compared with the rest of the borough. It goes on to say that:

Although Chiswick has lower levels of deprivation than other areas, these figures should not mask pockets of deprivation that exist.

The report sets out the council's aspirations for residents' health. These are:

Children have the best start in life, healthy births, developing well and being school ready. Empower young people to be the best they can be and to be ambitious! Live healthier lives, stay active and be independent for longer, enjoy retirement.

Issue Tracking

Councillors were scheduled to consider the latest updates on the issues raised by residents at previous meetings.

The issues scheduled to be discussed included:

• Enforcement of abandoned e-bikes: This was first raised in June 2023. At the meeting on 11 December 2024 Councillor Thompson said he would follow-up the enforcement of abandoned e-bikes with council officers.
• Zebra crossing at Fishers Lane: This was first raised in September 2023. At the meeting on 11 December 2024, Councillor Biddolph said she had spoken to the developer who said it was hoped that the zebra crossings would be installed in the spring.
• Notifications from ‘fix my street’ app: This was first raised in September 2023. At the meeting on 24 September 2024 Tim Hurley, Hounslow Highways, agreed to take the issue away and report back once a suitable solution was found. At the meeting on 11 December 2024, Councillor Biddolph said that she had provided examples of the ‘closed’ message being received to Tim Hurley at Hounslow Highways.
• Waste from Mogden sewage works: This was first raised in September 2023. The minutes of the meeting on 11 December 2024 say: It was agreed that the issue remain on the tracker as there was an ongoing public consultation with Thames Water
• Contactless card parking machines: This was first raised on 12 March 2024. The minutes of the meeting on 11 December 2024 state that Councillor Biddolph and Councillor Giles had tested the contactless card parking machines and raised the issue at Hounslow’s Borough Council meeting.
• Petition from Abinger Road Resident’s Association: This was first raised on 24 September 2024. The minutes of the meeting on 11 December 2024 state that Councillor McGregor advised that he would monitor the issue and speak to the relevant traffic team at the Council.
• Installation of a lift at Turnham Green station and request for the Piccadilly line to regularly stop at the station: This was first raised on 24 September 2024.
• Hogarth Roundabout Proposals: This was first raised on 11 December 2024.
• Recycling from flats above shops: This was first raised on 11 December 2024
• Gunnersbury Park Events: This was first raised on 11 December 2024

Matters arising from the recently agreed budget

Councillors were scheduled to discuss residents' concerns about street lighting. This follows on from the council's recent budget-setting process.

Police Update

A representative of the Police was scheduled to attend the meeting to provide an update on crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

Open Forum

Members of the public were scheduled to be given the opportunity to raise issues of concern during the open forum session.