Forum Topic

Congratulations Councillor Luke Kirton

Tonight elected Chair of the Isleworth & Brentford Area Committee.I've no doubt he will do an excellent job, along with Councillor Barbara Reid who continues in the role of Deputy Chair.

Phil Andrews ● 7267d10 Comments

Surely this is only what has been done for ages within the political arena.  Don’t look at suitability, experience and rotating roles to add to the position, but just vote in the best buddy to keep the same flavour going?  With the balance of Cllrs becoming more diverse and independents being voted in, there is a strong likelihood that this could change after the next elections?

Sarah Felstead ● 7263d

I was looking at the Hounslow Civic Centre webcam last night..and  watched the election for the new Mayor on the 24th May..and his installation.It doesn't seem to have been widely reported that there were two candidates for that post for high office and that the subsequent voting installed another gentleman from Hounslow.Cllr Paul Lynch (Chiswick Conservative Councillor) was the second candidate proposed...and this was eloquently recommended by Cllr Macgregor (Chiswick).  What more, I ask, does the hard working,talented and very experienced Cllr Paul Lynch have to do...to be acknowledged as the most suitable local statesman to hold the chairmanship of Borough Council meetings and wear the Chain of Office of Mayor..which he so richly deserves.The majority block Labour vote ...on the Borough's Council...would appear to have ignored Cllr Lynch's suitability...and just voted for their man.Chiswick!  you are being given the V sign!

Jim Lawes ● 7263d

Corrina Smart is a very good person to have in the chair of any meeting, as I have discovered from working for three years with her on the Gunnersbury Park Committee. Whilst we come from opposite ends of the political spectrum it would be daft not to acknowledge her ability.Likewise, Brentford and Isleworth are lucky to have a Councillor of the experience and quality of Barbara Reid as its Vice Chairman.Luke has proved himself to be a hard working Councillor over the past three years and he deserves this oppotunity to shine.  Best of luck to you, Sir!

Cllr. Adrian Lee ● 7264d

It was taken at face value, Sarah.  I just felt the need to explain why I did what I did, just in case anybody wondered. :-)I'm not sure what the rules are in politics about paying "opponents" compliments or acknowledging their achievements, but from where I'm standing it is churlish to knock another person when they are doing something right just because they happen to run with a different gang.  Heck, this is precisely the kind of rubbish which I got into community politics to put a stop to!There are a lot of talented people on the Isleworth & Brentford Area Committee from across the political spectrum, and I can't see any value in trying to deny the fact.  Luke is no exception, and he totally deserves his "promotion".

Phil Andrews ● 7264d

Jim, I was hoping that your next project would be an 'audible' sound track to accompany postings on the forum, although lordy knows what the track might be to the geezer in the swimming pool ... per-raps the project should be placed on hold.I was thinking of the fanfare going in around the bit where Phil is setting genuine praise towards Corinna.  Now you mention it, I do recall some fine comments being made without political attachemnts, as you have detailed.Looooover-ley stuff.

Sarah Felstead ● 7267d

Sarah:You're right..on these Forums..and on several occasions.. praises have been spoken for the fine performance of many Councillors in the Borough. And cross Party praises too.Phil has highlighted Corinna's fine chairmanship many times..and Cllr Adrian Lee, (Chiswick Conservatives) has lauded many too...including John Connelly too..and such displays of non-political respect is very pleasing to read.I didn't wish to give a "verbal trumpet fanfare"! to Cllr Luke  without mentioning the hard working and talented performance of Corinna.By the way ..have you seen today's Brentford and Chiswick Times..page 9?    It reports of Cllr Colin Ellar's (Hounslow 's Labour Party Group Leader?) saying "GOOD RIDDANCE!" about one of the Borough's talented Councillors...in his Labour Party! More on this to follow no doubt.

Jim Lawes ● 7267d

Hey!  Phil, please take my comment at face value!  I know nothing about the meeting last night and may or may not read any comments about it.  I just registered that you had made a nice comment about another colleague Councillor on a prevous occasion, across the political divide.The effect of this praise at the time was to leave me, as a non political rate payer, all warm and fuzzy after all the negative spats which had been going on.  It may well have been a 'first' in Borough politics?(Trumpet, fanfare arrangement please Jim)

Sarah Felstead ● 7267d

Corinna was a very good Chair.  I proposed Luke because we are a mixed committee (5 Labour, 3 ICG, 3 Conservative, 1 ABeeC) and I felt our appointments should reflect that fact.Word from Labour had been that the party was proposing to nominate Councillor Val Lamey for Deputy Chair as well as Corinna once again for Chair.  As Labour doesn't even hold an overall majority on the Committee, this was presumptuous if not downright cheeky.I felt that a point needed to be emphasised, and the point was emphasised.  Corinna's abilities were not the issue.There is more on this on our updated website at www.communitygroup.org.uk.

Phil Andrews ● 7267d

... and I am sure I remember Phil complimenting Corinna, on a posting, too Jim.

Sarah Felstead ● 7267d

Thanks for letting us know about that Cllr Phil..and pleased to hear that you give him a high rating.Poor chap must be knee deep in paper with all the statistical research I believe he does..and I certainly was impressed with what I witnessed a couple of times. Corinna was excellent as Chair too I thought...

Jim Lawes ● 7267d