Subscribe to updates
You'll receive weekly summaries about Hounslow Council every week.
If you have any requests or comments please let us know at community@opencouncil.network. We can also provide custom updates on particular topics across councils.
Borough Council - Tuesday, 22 July 2025 7:30 pm
July 22, 2025 View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
The Hounslow Borough Council met on 22 July 2025, and approved the appointment of Mandy Skinner as the permanent chief executive, and approved the updated Statement of Licensing Policy. Councillors also discussed and approved motions relating to fly-tipping, free school meals, and culture in the borough.
Here's a more detailed look at the key topics discussed:
Tributes to Councillor Sukhbir Singh Dhaliwal
Following apologies and announcements, the council paused to honour the late Councillor Sukhbir Singh Dhaliwal, who died on 18 June 2025. Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of the Council, described him as embodying the diversity of the community, adding:
He was one of those that wouldn't put his hand down when it came to sitting on a committee and he would make sure he'd go and he'd make sure he'd contribute something that would advance the work of that committee.
Councillor Ghazala Bhatt noted that Councillor Dhariwal was truly a man of Cranford.
Councillor Gerald McGregor, speaking for the Conservative Group, said that he always respected his calmness and his thought and, of course, his kindness and his genuine commitment to the people whom he represented.
Councillor Grewill recalled Councillor Dhaliwal's kindness from his childhood, and noted that he always took care of everybody.
Approval of Statement of Licensing Policy
The council approved the revised draft licensing policy, which sets out the council's approach to exercising its responsibilities and functions under the Licensing Act 2003 and regulating licensed activities in the borough. Councillor Prittam Grewal, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Customer Experience and Enforcement, said that the revised policy strengthens the link between licensing and other council policies, and provides additional information for applicants, residents and members.
Councillor Jack Emsley questioned the low number of responses to the consultation on the policy. Councillor Grewal responded that while the number of responses was low, it was typical for licence consultations. Councillor Joanna Biddolph asked why the policy did not include the 'Ask for Angela' scheme1. Councillor Grewal said he was unaware of the scheme and would respond in writing. Councillor McGregor questioned the amount of legislation that licence holders and applicants were expected to review.
Councillor Giles noted that she was glad to see some of her previous recommendations included in the report. Councillor Tom Bruce noted the importance of strengthening the local plan focus in the licensing policy. Councillor Rajawat noted that while only 19 people responded to the consultation, 383 people were aware of it and clicked on the pages. Councillor McGregor described the consultation as an abject failure
.
Scrutiny Annual Report 2024/25
The council noted the Annual Scrutiny Report 2024/25. Councillor Sayyar Raza, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, introduced the report, highlighting the work undertaken to improve services and hold the executive to account. He thanked the councillors who served on the committee and scrutiny panels, and those who focused on developing high quality recommendations.
Councillor Emsley asked why the report did not include a status update on the 11 outstanding recommendations from 2021 and beyond. Councillor McGregor asked for details of risk mitigations to ensure that scrutiny does its job. Councillor Emsley expressed concern about the relationship between scrutiny and the administration when it comes to implementing recommendations. Councillor Giles said that the report had not taken into consideration the work currently being done on flood resilience. Councillor Rajawat said that the risk on page 329 of the agenda actually talks about the risk of Council not receiving this report, and that scrutiny has a lot of respect from him as leader and his cabinet. Councillor Bidoff said that a lot of time is spent in the Housing and Environment panel meeting outside experts, but none of that is translated into the very short summary that is provided in this report and to others.
Appointment of Chief Executive
The council approved the appointment of Mandy Skinner as Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service. Councillor Rajawat said that Ms Skinner was absolutely brilliant at interview and the decision of the panel was absolutely unanimous.
He added that he had absolute faith that Ms Skinner would execute her role brilliantly for all of the council and prosperity of the borough.
Appointments to Committees and Other Bodies
The council noted the change to the cabinet, with Councillor Pritam Grewal appointed as Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Customer Experience and Enforcement. The council also appointed Councillor Marina Sharma to the Planning Committee and Councillor Emma Siddhu as Chair of the Planning Committee.
Councillor Emsley raised a point of order relating to membership of committees and concerns section 4.3 of the council's committee procedure, which clearly states that the licensing panel must contain three members of the licensing committee. He noted that Councillor Ranjit Gill presented himself to a licensing panel meeting as a member of the licensing committee, but was not a member. Benita Edwards, Director of Law and Governance, confirmed that Councillor Gill was not a member of the committee, and that the meeting was not properly convened and any decisions made were null and void. Councillor Stroud clarified that Councillor Gill was not misrepresenting himself, and genuinely thought he was a member of the committee.
Motions
Declaring War on Waste Criminals
The council approved a motion to declare war on waste criminals. Councillor Tony Louki, who proposed the motion, said that fly-tipping blights streets, is unsightly and can be dangerous, and it wears away at civic pride. The motion resolves to recognise the good work already being done by Hounslow Highways and the council's special waste service team, and to publicise successes in bringing fly-tippers to justice.
Councillor Chowdhury said that residents had contacted her about placement of CCTV to tackle fly-tipping. Councillor Lambert welcomed the initiative, but asked what resource would be allocated to extend the Special Waste Service across the whole borough. Councillor Bidoff said that the council isn't tackling the causes of fly-tipping, such as the closure of Stirling Road Centre, a lack of knowledge of the bulky waste service, and no space in tiny homes to hang on to stuff. Councillor Sharma said that the administration has invested in the Special Waste Service and raised fines to the legal maximum of £1,000. Councillor Lau said that it's important to publicise successful actions that are taken against fly-tippers, and that enforcement alone will not solve the problem. Councillor Giles said that the motion was a PR perspective with no actual policies to tackle the causes of fly-tipping.
Feeding brighter futures: tackling child poverty through the Free School Meal extension
The council approved a motion to tackle child poverty through the Free School Meal extension. Councillor Ranjit Gill, who proposed the motion, said that when a child is hungry, they cannot learn, try, or reach their full potential. The motion celebrates the extension of free school meals to every child up to year 11 from a family in receipt of universal credit.
Councillor Ajmer Grewal said that no child in the borough should be expected to learn on an empty stomach, and hunger should never be a barrier to education or opportunity. Councillor McGregor said that the Labour Party has been in charge of the council for 54 of the last 60 years, and has failed to deal with child poverty. Councillor Butt welcomed the government's announcement of new Best Start Family Hubs, as well as the legacy of Sure Start2. Councillor Emsley said that the numbers don't add up, the government isn't properly funding the policy, and it will lead to lower quality meals for pupils. Councillor Dennison said that the policy is underfunded, and the Labour Council has cut council tax reduction scheme funding for the poorest families in the borough.
A named vote was called for, and the motion was carried.
West London Cultural Corridor: celebrating our Summer of Culture and committing to put culture at the heart of our growth strategy
The council approved a motion to put culture at the heart of its growth strategy. Councillor Salman Shaheen, who proposed the motion, said that the Summer of Culture has grown to 150,000 people coming to events across 50 venues across the borough, uniting diverse cultures and communities and really putting Hounslow on the map. The motion also recognises the funding that the council gives to organisations and initiatives and art centres, and the support for the creative industries.
Councillor Mitchell said that Hounslow is a rich and diverse borough, and that where there is freedom of expression linked to imagination, there is culture. Councillor Emsley said that there is no clear timeline on the new arts centre in Brentford, and that the council has failed to deliver on its promise. Councillor Chopra said that the Summer of Culture benefits communities, allowing residents to understand the different cultures in their neighbourhoods. Councillor Giles said that she wondered why this wasn't a motion in 2018 or 2019, and that she struggled with how this is going to be funded. Councillor Bruce said that the art centre in Brentford does not belong to Hounslow Council, and that the council is trying to do its best to work with the owners to deliver the new art centre.
Other Matters
The council noted that there were no items on the emergency arrangements. The date of the next meeting was scheduled for 16 September 2025.
Attendees





























































Topics
No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.
Meeting Documents
Additional Documents