Forum Topic

What happened to L.B. Hounslow?

Alarming report in the Richmond & Twickenham Times of a meeting held at Richmond College recently to discuss match day Rugby issues and the impending World Cup. Alarming because there was no involvement or representation from L.B. Hounslow at either member or officer level let alone the police or local residents. Two wards, Isleworth and Hounslow South, are adjacent to Twickenham Stadium and share some of the issues raised. I understand the successful RFU residents liaison cttee. was killed off due to L.B. Richmond's cuts, so we now seem to have a situation where there is no cross borough working. We surely need our council officers, members, police (and including residents) to be working together, at the moment they seem to be working on their own and the RFU with both boroughs. The police were actually talking of potential closure of the A316 at times which could impact on Hounslow as far back as Chiswick, so I really think cross borough close co-operation has to happen, and happen quickly.

Vanessa Smith ● 3854d9 Comments

Well we can see from those adverts which were in the Rich & Twick Times how Hounslow residents are being considered, nice to see our own councillors care so much. I suppose there is nothing to stop Hounslow residents going to anyone of those meetings, although that isn't the point. What the hell are Hounslow doing? Sod-all as per.

Vanessa Smith ● 3837d

Any news of the community engagement strategy ?Can Hounslow residents go to the Richmond briefings on the World Cup arrangements (A316 closure ?) ?http://www.richmond.gov.uk/home/council/news/press_office/campaigns_and_events/rugby_world_cup/community_information_meetings.htm#briefingsResident briefings    Thursday 5 March, 6.30 to 8.30pm, Chase Bridge School, Whitton    Monday 9 March, 6.30 to 8.30pm, Turks Head, St Margarets    Tuesday 17 March, 6.30 to 8.30pm, Clarendon Hall, Twickenham    Monday 23 March, 6.30 to 8.30pm, Richmond Adult Community College (RACC) Parkshot, Richmond

Tim Henderson ● 3837d

Meeting again with Mary Macleod and DEFRA minister Dan Rogerson at the House of Commons tomorrow to try get Thames Water sorted out where Hounslow have failed so miserably

Steve Taylor ● 3853d

The same way as they manage to all but stop it in the run-up to the local elections I would imagine.

Phil Andrews ● 3853d

Well the Leader of the Council is clearly worried about the laughing stock Hounslow will be due to the Mogden pong so he has written to Thames Water's CEO who has replied that every effort will be made to stop the pong during the world cup. I wonder just how they intend to do that as they have failed to stop the pong for two decades!

Steve Taylor ● 3853d

The meeting took place 8th January at Richmond College, what you forget, as has been pointed out, some of us have been here before and we know how valuable cross borough communication and co-operation can be. I look forward to being 'engaged'.......................

Vanessa Smith ● 3854d

Clearly the Leader of Hounslow Council who is always 'Too busy' to deal with key problems affecting so many in the borough, is also not keeping up to speed.Certainly indicative of his comedy letter published in this evenings Evening Standard.Do we not deserve better than this?

Raymond Havelock ● 3854d

As ward councillors in Isleworth I am aware that Vanessa and her then colleague Pat Nicholas were very much involved in the regular liaison which took place between Hounslow and Richmond boroughs - as well as with the RFU, police and other agencies - all of which was essential to the smooth running of the match day operation.I followed up this work later on as a member of the Residents' Liaison Committee, at which the cross-fertilisation of ideas between officers, councillors and residents from both boroughs brought great dividends in terms of co-ordinated action and the identification and eradication of the logistical problems which inevitably accompany the staging of major sporting and other events on this scale.The dissolution of this committee by Richmond is regrettable but is no excuse for the cessation of any meaningful cross-borough co-operation, especially with the imminence of the largest sporting event to be held at the stadium since 1991.As most of the arrangements for managing these events are Richmond-driven it is incumbent upon Hounslow to take the initiative and to ensure that both its officers and its elected members are fully engaged on our behalf, with essential input from residents' groups and associations in the areas which will be affected.  Some reassurance that this will happen would be greatly appreciated.

Phil Andrews ● 3854d

Hi Vanessa, Not sure what meeting the Times was referring to but please be assured that that the two councils have been speaking about this issue.  In fact we met with LB Richmond and England Rugby 2015 just last week to discuss the World Cup and how we minimise the impact on residents.  One of the agenda items was a community engagement strategy, so you’ll be hearing from us soon.

Corporate Communications ● 3854d