Forum Topic

Hounslow Council hounds companies from Brentford

Hounslow Council is clearly indifferent to the needs of its Brentford residents to have the opportunity for local jobs. Through neglect it encouraged Brompton to leave. Curiously our Council and its top staff were able time and again to facilitate land for developers' blocks of unaffordable flats but not for a larger factory (with more jobs) in one of our leading companies.Now this week we read that Octink - another thriving Brentford company - is likely to be driven away by Hounslow's unwillingness to manage road traffic.It's hard to judge whether central government or our council is more adept at doing down those who try to earn a living round here.

Hazel Dakers ● 3699d10 Comments

I see that there is an ex Ealing Councillor I remember listed as an advisor.

Philippa Bond ● 3699d

The Councillors (or the power obsessed and ambitious ones) have proved to be little more than Numbskulls blinkered by their own spin and too dense to comprehend, articulate and convey to us great unwashed.But the real problem seems to be with the calibre of overvalued and over salaried officers.The leaders best buddy, the director of Regeneration, has achieved what exactly?More solid jobs which can draw from the local population have been lost than created and what is created are low skill, low paying jobs. The same smoke and mirrors stunt Heathrow likes to use.Apart from quite a lot of expensive junkets,  the CV is rather lacking in solid rock success.  His job title is almost a breach of Trading Standards. 'Degeneration' would be a more apt title.Is this not really where savings to Council budgets ought to be made?And a closer look at some of the advisers to LBH and whom they are related to would be a good idea.  Very, very fishy.

Raymond Havelock ● 3699d

The problem with London councils that the 'best' and most experienced people in life rarely apply to become politically elected councillors.  Most councils across London are filled with second rate inexperienced people who the masses vote for just because they are in a particular party. It is rare to get a really competent, able and listening councillor. In my experience most of these people have delusions of grandeur and are usually not very successful in their other life.  Many years ago I was a local Councillor in another London borough and I know exactly what happens and type of person the job attracts. Very sad but very true.

Nada Salisbury ● 3699d

A rise in council tax properly managed could prevent the damage being done to the most vulnerable at the moment.

Hazel Dakers ● 3699d

Sadly, this is yet another example of our inept Council and its leadership.  From those that I have had the good fortune of meeting their business acumen is next to zero.  Besides us residents who contribute through our taxes to the LBH, businesses do too through their rates.  Drive the businesses out and there is less money in the pot for the Council to mis-spend on Wheelie bins, CPZ signage and ill thought through road closures and traffic diversions.  Council Taxes will inevitably have to rise to plug the gap and we will still keep voting for the same people with the same party allegiances that are getting us into this mess in the first place.

Mark Skuse ● 3699d

Self-important people with power and no CARE for the consequences is my impression. Otherwise one has to simply assume they are complete fools.

Hazel Dakers ● 3699d

Is it secret lobbying or is it people with power and no concept of consequences?

Philippa Bond ● 3699d

The knock on effect on other businesses has already started to manifest itself.    One of my team, who has taken his lunch at the same establishment in Isleworth for the last 5 years has already stopped going there as he cannot get there and back in his allocated lunch break any longer.  Loss to local business about £2,500 per year from an individual.Since the closure I have had almost £1,000.00 worth of items delivered by mail order.    All of these items would normally have been procured from Isleworth based businesses.    This is not possible any more with trips of 1 hour return being not uncommon.    Cost to local businesses around £20,000 per annum.That is almost £25,000 a year gone from the local economy before we start to investigate our procurement chain in detail after Christmas.    As things stand, status quo is simply not an option.    Longer collection times or increased delivery charges are not worthy of consideration.    Extended travel times equal increased costs, lack of progress and increased pollution.Exactly who does win in this game one ponders?

Brian McMillan ● 3699d

Kath,Why has my response to Hazel not shown up,have I been banned from TW8 if so please let me know?

Dawn Hardy ● 3699d

I quite agree with you Hazel,I cannot comprehend the thought's of LBH Councillors on their decisions. We have gone from a thriving Industrial & Commercial Town to a nothing.Why on earth did the Council decide to close Church Street what benefit is there when you have to sit in Traffic for a further 1 hour 30 minutes to go anywhere.Will Councillor Curran have the courtesy to explain his decision on the closure of Church Street considering the far reaching consequences of Company Closures.Peoples livelihoods are at stake.Our Grand daughter has worked for Octink for 10 years it's a Good caring company and should not have to think about closing. Start thinking about Brentford and not how good you look in your New Suit!!!

Dawn Hardy ● 3699d