This week in Hounslow:

Special School Expansion Plans Under Consideration

Councillor Tom Bruce was scheduled to consider a proposal for the expansion of Cedars Special School to include Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. This decision, made using his delegated authority, could significantly impact the educational opportunities for older students with special educational needs in the borough. The expansion aims to increase the school's capacity and broaden its curriculum offerings for secondary-aged pupils.

You can find more details about these discussions in the Cabinet Member Single Member Decision meeting papers.

This week in Hounslow:

Religious Education Council to Discuss National Updates and Local Initiatives

The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) met on Thursday, 23 April 2026, to discuss crucial updates impacting Religious Education (RE) across the country and within Hounslow. The meeting aimed to review national trends, local projects, and the ongoing development of the RE curriculum.

Key discussions included:

• National RE Landscape: Stacey Burman, the RE Advisor, was set to provide insights into national RE initiatives. This included feedback from the NASACRE conference and a discussion on Sikhi in RE, led by Baldeep Kaur. The ongoing Curriculum and Assessment Review, which could influence the inclusion of RE in the National Curriculum, was also on the agenda, alongside the government's White Paper, Protecting what Matters. These national discussions are vital for ensuring RE provision remains relevant and robust, impacting how students across the country understand diverse beliefs and values.
• Local Projects and Initiatives: The council was to hear about local RE efforts, including teacher sessions and the creation of an interfaith calendar in memory of Lesley Prior. This calendar project, featuring artwork from primary school pupils, aims to celebrate religious and secular events and foster understanding within the community. Such local initiatives are essential for bringing RE to life for young people and promoting tolerance.
• Membership and Syllabus Review: The meeting was scheduled to review SACRE's membership, with potential new members invited. A significant item was the discussion around the future of the current agreed syllabus, Widening Horizons, and the potential for a new syllabus. This follows Ofsted's guidance that RE curriculums should focus on meaningful questions rather than isolated topics. The decisions made here will shape the RE curriculum taught in Hounslow schools for years to come.
• Collective Worship and Visits: Guidance on collective worship and advice for schools regarding visits to places of worship were also on the agenda. This is particularly important for addressing parental concerns and promoting a safe and inclusive environment for educational experiences.

The effective functioning of SACRE is crucial for ensuring that Religious Education in Hounslow schools is of high quality, inclusive, and prepares students for a diverse society.

You can find more details about these discussions in the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education meeting papers.

Licensing Panel Considers Alcohol and Entertainment Licence for Isleworth Venue

The Licensing Panel met on Monday, 20 April 2026, to consider a premises licence application for London Spark at Grasshoppers RFC, Syon Lane, Isleworth, TW7 5PN. The application sought permission for the supply of alcohol, outdoor live music, and other entertainment on Sundays.

The application had generated significant concern from local residents and the Osterley & Wyke Green Residents Association (OWGRA). Objections focused on potential issues such as public nuisance, noise levels, traffic congestion, and the impact of large events on the local community. Residents requested stricter conditions, including limits on attendee numbers and operating hours, to mitigate these concerns.

The panel's decision, guided by the Hounslow Licensing Policy 2025, will aim to balance the applicant's objectives with the need to uphold the four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm. The outcome could significantly affect the quality of life for residents in the vicinity and the types of events permitted in the area.

You can find more details about these discussions in the Licensing Panel meeting papers.

Other Matters

Several scheduled meetings, including the Cabinet, Shareholder Committee, Hounslow South, Isleworth and Osterley & Spring Grove Area Forum, and the Hounslow Health and Wellbeing Board, were cancelled.

This week in Hounslow:

Community Event Licence Sparks Noise and Traffic Fears in Isleworth

The Licensing Panel is set to meet on Monday, 20 April 2026, to consider a controversial application for a premises licence for London Spark at Grasshoppers RFC, Syon Lane, Isleworth, TW7 5PN. The charity, which supports the Polish community, is seeking permission to supply alcohol and host outdoor live music and entertainment on Sundays, with an anticipated attendance of 4,000 to 4,500 people for events like a Polish Food Festival.

This application has generated significant concern among local residents and the Osterley & Wyke Green Residents Association (OWGRA). Objections centre on issues from a previous event in 2025, including excessive noise from an inappropriately located stage, inadequate noise monitoring, and poor communication. Residents are worried about the potential for increased traffic congestion, parking problems in residential streets, and the overall impact of large-scale events on their quality of life. They are requesting stricter controls, including reduced attendee numbers, improved noise management, and better communication channels.

The applicant, London Spark, argues that their proposed measures are adequate and that some of the requested conditions are commercially unreasonable. The panel will need to weigh these competing concerns against the applicant's stated aims of supporting the Polish community and the council's own Statement of Licensing Policy 2025, which guides decisions to promote the four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm. The outcome could significantly affect residents living near the RFC and set a precedent for future community events.

You can find more details about these discussions in the Licensing Panel meeting papers.

Pension Board Reviews Fund Performance and Future Plans

The Pension Board met on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, to review the Hounslow Pension Fund's performance and its strategic direction. The meeting covered the forward plan for the upcoming year, the administration performance report, and compliance with pooling and good governance guidelines.

Key discussions included:

• Pension Board Forward Plan 2026-27: The Board was set to consider its work programme for the next year, with a mandatory training day for members scheduled for 4 June 2026.
• Pension Fund Administration Performance Report: This report, covering October to December 2025, highlighted strong performance against most Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) provided by the West Yorkshire Pension Fund (WYPF). However, areas like Interfund Linking and Transfer processes were underperforming, partly due to the complexities of the McCloud remedy. The report also noted an underspend in shared service costs, which requires monitoring to ensure it doesn't affect service delivery.
• Compliance with Pooling and Good Governance: Updates were provided on the progress towards pooling pension assets, a requirement for London local authorities to achieve economies of scale. The report discussed how Hounslow's fund would interact with the London CIV, an entity established to pool pension fund assets. Concerns were raised about the potential impact of pooling on local funds and the loss of direct contact with fund managers.

The effective management of the Pension Fund is crucial for the retirement security of former council employees and the council's overall financial health. The Board's oversight ensures that the fund is administered efficiently and in compliance with regulations.

You can find more details about these discussions in the Pension Board meeting papers.

Other Matters

The Central Hounslow Area Forum and the Hanworth Area Forum scheduled for Monday, 13 April 2026, and Thursday, 16 April 2026, respectively, were both cancelled.

This week in Hounslow:

Gunnersbury Park Licence Review Sparks Noise and Access Concerns

The Licensing Panel met on Friday, 27 March 2026, to consider a significant review of the premises licence for Gunnersbury Park, a decision that could profoundly impact local residents. The review was triggered by the Gunnersbury Park Garden Estate Residents Association, who have raised serious concerns about the park's operations failing to uphold the four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm.

The core of the residents' objections centres on noise levels, which they claim consistently exceed acceptable thresholds, and restricted public access to the park. They report that for over 98 days in 2025, access to large parts of the park was limited due to events. Concerns also extend to the safety of children exposed to high noise levels, and issues of drug use, antisocial behaviour, and public urination. The sheer volume of objections – 105 from local residents and one from a Ward Councillor – underscores the depth of community concern about the impact of large-scale events on their daily lives and the local environment.

The panel also reviewed the Hounslow Statement of Licensing Policy 2020-25, which guides the council's approach to licensing. This policy aims to balance the promotion of licensing objectives with fostering a vibrant local economy. The panel's decision on the Gunnersbury Park licence could set a precedent for how future event applications are handled, directly impacting the balance between community amenity and the use of public spaces. The report pack detailed legal considerations, including Section 52 of the Licensing Act 2003, and referenced legal precedents such as the High Court ruling in Friends of Brockwell Park v Lambeth LBC.

You can find more details about these discussions in the Licensing Panel meeting papers.

Council Resilience and Resident Experience Under Scrutiny

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday, 26 March 2026, to examine how the council is performing in key areas affecting residents' daily lives and its preparedness for emergencies. A significant focus was placed on Resident Experience, with the committee reviewing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and new targets designed to improve service delivery. The introduction of the MyHounslow Resident Portal aims to provide a more integrated and accessible experience for residents, a crucial step in ensuring all members of the community can access council services.

The committee also delved into the council's emergency planning and resilience preparedness. As a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, Hounslow Council has statutory duties to manage risks, maintain emergency plans, and communicate effectively with the public during crises. The report detailed the council's resilience arrangements, which are vital for protecting residents, particularly vulnerable populations who may be disproportionately affected by unforeseen events. The committee reviewed performance against the Resilience Standards for London, noting that while most standards were assessed as established, Community Resilience was still developing.

Furthermore, the committee reviewed recommendations from its Scrutiny Panels' deep-dive work. These included proposals for improved support for vulnerable families through the Families First Partnership Programme, addressing pressures in adult social care, and enhancing land ownership records for the Housing and Environment Scrutiny Panel. An update was also provided on the work of the North West London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC), which scrutinises NHS services across multiple boroughs.

You can find more details about these discussions in the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting papers.