LABOUR GROUP UPDATE

Those who switched off after the Parliamentary elections results on the 7th May, might not be aware that we took back the Leadership of Hounslow Council after 4 years of a Tory/ICG coalition. The Council is now 35 Labour and 25 Tory, with no Lib Dems or Independents.

On Tuesday 25th May at the Council AGM we formally took over. The new Team are as follows:
Leader Jagdish Sharma
Deputy Leader/Housing & Regen: Ruth Cadbury
Executive Members and their Portfolios:
Finance & Performance: Theo Dennison
Environment: Corinna Smart
Leisure & Wellbeing: Pritam Grewal
Adult Social Care & Health: Gurmail Lal
Children’s Services: Lily Bath
Education: Sachin Gupta
Community Safety & Enforcement: Ed Mayne
Communities: Raj Bath

The Mayor is Colin Ellar, with Poonam Dhillon as his Deputy. Matt Harmer is Group Chair, Alan Barber is Chief Whip and Ajmer Grewal, Secretary. Laurie Lopes is our Political Assistant (020 8583 2255) All of us can be contacted via the Members area at the Civic Centre 020 8583 2265. Or see www.hounslow.gov.uk or email us; name.name@hounslow.gov.uk

CUTTING OUR ALLOWANCES
Labour Group has agreed, and Jagdish announced to Council, that we will be reducing the Members Basic Allowance by 5%, and the Special Responsibility Allowances by 20%. We feel that the community of Hounslow will suffer as a result of the budget decisions of the new Government, and Councillors need to demonstrate that we are prepared to set an example to our residents.

LAMPTON PARK CONFERENCE CENTRE
We have instructed Council officers to fully market the Lampton Park Conference Centre (attached to the Civic Centre) for outside functions in order to maximise its full potential for generating income.

OUR 5 PLEDGES
Straight after the election we presented the Chief Executive with our contract with the people of the borough, the 5 Pledges on every leaflet we delivered:
• Action on crime with 100 uniformed officers on the streets in this area and CCTV in crime hotspots
• Extra cash for local schools to improve standards and new school places to give parents a better choice
• A new partnership with local businesses and housing associations to create jobs and build 2,500 affordable homes to rent or buy.
• A 24/7 team of Grimebusters to tackle graffiti, litter and dumped rubbish - and a direct dial phone number for immediate action
• A fresh war on waste and a council tax cut for all residents

We are also committed to delivering a truly listening Council, with effective communications and proper public engagement.

Officers are now working up the delivery plan on all these, and we will be reporting on them regularly.

THE MONTHS AHEAD
We have no illusions that the new Government is going to make life very difficult for Council finances. We won’t know the full details until 22nd June, but we will almost certainly be having to make difficult decisions affecting jobs and services. Notwithstanding that, your Labour Group of Councillors expects to be out knocking on doors, being visible at summer fairs, and listening to the issues concerning local residents