This meeting of Hounslow Council will include the presentation of the State of the Borough report for 2024/25, as well as the formal ratification of the interim appointment of a new Monitoring Officer following the recent resignation of the previous postholder. The meeting will also discuss a number of petitions that have been submitted to the Council, and Councillors will ask questions of the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet.

The State of the Borough

A report pack for this meeting included the Council's State of the Borough 2024 pg 1-19 report for 2024/25.

The report draws on publicly available data to provide a summary of life in Hounslow. It considers a range of issues affecting residents and businesses in the borough, such as the local economy, housing, health, and the environment.

The report notes that Hounslow is a place of contrasts with a high Gross Value Added (GVA)¹ but relatively low wages. The borough is also home to a diverse population, with a significant number of residents who have made the UK their home since 2001.

The report highlights a number of challenges facing the borough, including the cost of living, the availability of affordable housing, and the need to tackle climate change.

The report also notes that Hounslow has a strong track record of partnership working, and that the Council is committed to working with partners to address the challenges facing the borough.

Winter Fuel Allowance

A motion titled Winter Fuel Allowance was submitted to the Council by Councillor Peter Thompson and seconded by Councillor Jack Emsley.

The motion expresses concern about the impact of the government's decision to scrap the universal winter fuel allowance. The motion notes that this policy will affect up to 28,000 older people in Hounslow.

The motion calls on the Council to take a number of actions, including:

• Formally and publicly supporting Age UK's petition to save the winter fuel allowance.
• Beginning a borough-wide information campaign to encourage those who qualify for pension credit to apply for it.
• Working with local community groups to develop an action plan to mitigate the policy's impact.

Protecting our Communities in Hounslow

Councillor Raghwinder Siddhu proposed a motion titled Protecting our Communities in Hounslow. The motion was seconded by Councillor Farah Kamran.

The motion expresses concern about the unacceptable violent unrest that took place across the UK.

The motion states that Hounslow has a proud history of welcoming and embracing individuals from different backgrounds.

The motion also notes the Council's commitment to the safety and well-being of all Hounslow residents.

The motion calls on the Council to continue working with the police and other partners to promote equality, fairness, social justice and inclusion.

Defending Democracy

Defending Democracy is the title of a motion that has been submitted to the Council. This motion was proposed by Councillor Amy Croft and seconded by Councillor Bandna Chopra.

The motion expresses concern about the increasing levels of harassment, abuse, and intimidation faced by Councillors and officers.

The motion notes that this can harm democracy by:

1. discouraging members from speaking or voting in line with their conscience
2. discouraging people from standing for election (or re-election).

The motion calls on the Council to:

• Produce a report setting out clear steps to improve and strengthen protections against Harassment, Abuse and Intimidation.
• Create a single point of contact for resolution with a clear timeline.
• Provide appropriate, bespoke training.
• Establish a Police single point of contact for regular meetings to share trends, patterns and ensure clear pathways for escalation.
• Lobby government to be aware that this problem affects Councillors and that there are far fewer protections for them, especially with online abuse.

Interim Appointment of Monitoring Officer

A report titled Monitoring Officer Appointment Ratification for September Council 2024 was included in the meeting pack. It requests formal ratification from the Council for the interim appointment of a Monitoring Officer, Louise Round, to replace the previous postholder, who recently resigned.

The Monitoring Officer is a statutory role with responsibilities for:

• reporting on matters that are, or are likely to be, illegal or amount to maladministration
• matters relating to the conduct of Councillors and officers
• the operation of the Council's constitution.

The report notes that it is a legal requirement for the Council to have a Monitoring Officer in place.

The report explains that the Council intends to recruit permanently to the vacancy but an interim appointment is required due to the timing of the previous postholder's departure. It is expected that Ms Round will remain in post until the successful recruitment and appointment of a permanent Monitoring Officer in 2025.

Petitions

A report titled Petitions Report on info template has been submitted by Councillor Ajmer Grewal, Cabinet Member for Residents Support, Communities and Equalities. It lists five petitions that were received by the Mayor.

The petitions cover a range of issues, including:

• A request to improve safety at the Bassett Gardens and Jersey Road junction in Osterley and Spring Grove ward.
• A request to change the enforcement of parking in Northumberland Crescent, Kingston Ave and Longford Ave in Bedfont ward.
• A petition for the introduction of a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ)² in Chrislea Close in Heston Central ward.
• A request concerning fire remediation works at Topaz Apartments.
• A request for changes to recycling wheelie bin arrangements across the borough.

The report notes that the petitions have been forwarded to the appropriate bodies for consideration.

Questions from Members

A number of questions have been submitted by Councillors to be asked during the meeting.

Councillor Jack Emsley submitted a question to Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of the Council, concerning empty council homes. The question refers to the council’s Q1 [First Quarter] Financial Monitoring Update which stated that higher than budgeted levels of empty council homes alone led to a Housing Revenue Account overspend of half a million pounds in the first three months of the financial year. Councillor Emsley asked what needs to happen for the administration to finally get a handle on the scandal of empty council homes.

Councillor Ron Mushiso will ask Councillor Rajawat about potential cuts to the council tax support scheme. Councillor Mushiso noted that the Leader of the Council has confirmed he is looking to plug some of his administration's £30m financial black hole by cutting the scheme, and asked what other cuts are being considered.

Councillor Gerald McGregor will also ask Councillor Rajawat about the Council's finances. Councillor McGregor stated that earlier this year, the Leader of the Council claimed that Hounslow had a balanced budget, but we now discover the council’s finances actually have a £30 million black hole. He asked what has changed.

Councillor Unsa Chaudri submitted a question to Councillor Katherine Dunne, Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport, requesting an update on conversations that took place during a recent visit to Hounslow by the Commissioner of Transport for London.

Councillor Adesh Farmahan will ask Councillor Tom Bruce, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Assets, Regeneration and Development, about IT issues affecting Hounslow Building Control. Councillor Farmahan stated that he had heard from residents affected by problems which meant individuals were unable to carry out property searches. He asked what the Cabinet Member and their department are doing to resolve this issue.

Councillor Emma Yates has submitted a question for Councillor Rajawat concerning the Household Support Fund. Councillor Yates noted that the new Labour Government has announced a £421 million boost to local authorities to help vulnerable people through the extension of the fund. She asked what impact this will have on Hounslow residents.