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Note: Anyone who posts a defamatory comment does so at their own risk and must take responsibility personally."Terrapin has a superb track record of helping our clients achieve successful planning consents right across Greater London." – Political lobbyist Peter Bingle, The Terrapin Group.SHOULD COUNCIL LEADER STEVE CURRAN HAVE ACCEPTED FOUR DINNERS WITH LOBBYIST PETER BINGLE? WHAT WAS THE BILL? Mr Bingle works for big developers including two currently active in Hounslow Borough – Fairview New Homes (Heidelberg site, Brentford) and A2Dominion (Hounslow West). As Council Leader, Cllr Curran oversees Planning and Regeneration. Hospitality is acceptable as long as Cllr Curran correctly declares it, as he did. But is it a good look?Some might think it would be more appropriate for him to meet Mr Bingle over a desk in Hounslow House where their discussion could be fully minuted. Instead Mr Bingle took Cllr Curran for dinner. Four dinners are declared across two dates, perhaps two of the meals being for Cllr Curran's spouse (who works for Hounslow Council). We are not told. It might have been in La Rosetta, Brentford (low prices). Or it might have been in Mr Bingle's native habitat around Parliament (more swish and expensive). How much did it cost?In his declaration of interests, Cllr Curran does not say. Perhaps he will now tell us the details.In Parliament Labour has been rigorously scrutinising any potential conflict of interest amongst Conservative ministers and MPs, even when it is declared. It seems fair to apply the same scrutiny to our councillors so people can make up their own minds with the May 5 local elections coming up.Recently Osterley & Wyke Green Residents' Association asked: "“Is it acceptable for the Leader of the Council (also Cabinet Member for Corporate Strategy, Planning and Regeneration) to accept hospitality at sports events e.g. international rugby and cricket matches, from developers who are submitting planning applications in the borough?”The Council replied: “Members are entitled to accept hospitality so long as it is declared in accordance with statutory requirements.”What exactly does Mr Bingle do, in his role representing Fairview and A2Dominion and others? His company says: "Terrapin understands the London political scene. Our consultants are experienced advisers who are able to derisk large, complicated schemes at the start of the planning process and then work with clients to ensure a successful outcome."It adds: "The relationship between London councils and City Hall is constantly evolving. Clients need advisers who understand that critical relationship and are able to assist them navigate through a sea of complexity."Terrapin Communications delivers the following services :"Political audits of individual London councils."Targeted political engagement programmes."Stakeholder engagement."Public exhibitions."Strategic advice on planning in London."Terrapin has a superb track record of helping our clients achieve successful planning consents right across Greater London. If you would like to discuss a potential assignment please contact : peter.bingle@terrapingroup.co.uk"Terrapin is a member of the PRCA and is a strong and public advocate for strong industry rules which are ruthlessly enforced. Public affairs is a force for good in the Body Politic. We therefore welcomed the creation of the Public Affairs Board and adhere to its rules. We are also registered with the Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists."Terrapin discloses all our clients on the PAB’s public register and expects our team to act with integrity and ethics at all times."There is no suggestion of wrongdoing. It is a matter of judgment.

Vanessa Smith ● 810d3 Comments

Make of this what you will!"All declarations by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Steve Curran, have been correctly and contemporaneously registered in the Register of Gifts & Hospitality in line with the Members Code of Conduct." – HOUNSLOW COUNCIL STATEMENT.Here the statement in full: "To be absolutely clear at the outset, there is no evidence of wrongdoing. Cllr Curran has and continues to demonstrate diligent compliance with the requirements of the Members Code of Conduct with regards to the accepting and registering of hospitality in the course of the business of running an ambitious and successful Council."The Members Code of Conduct requires that gifts and hospitality which exceed the sum of £25 are registered, along with the source of the gift(s) and/or hospitality, if accepted by members in the conduct of the business of the Council."All declarations by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Steve Curran, have been correctly and contemporaneously registered in the Register of Gifts & Hospitality in line with the Members Code of Conduct."The legal requirement is that declarations of hospitality by members are kept in hard copy in Members Services and are inspectable by the public by appointment in accordance with the law. As there is no breach, there is no basis for an investigation."Delivering Greater Transparency"As part of an ongoing drive to be an exemplar Council in terms of democratic participation and transparency, from 2020 the current administration introduced a practice, over and above the legal requirement, for hospitality declarations to be published online. This has happened diligently in line with the Council’s own aspirations to demonstrate transparency and best practice – and anyone, anywhere can access these."Understandably officers and members have been focused on continuing to steer the borough through a very difficult period, however it has always been our intention to continue our voluntary drive for greater transparency and publish retrospective entries from the start of this administration."Complaints procedure"A core purpose of improved transparency is to enable residents to hold the Council to account, as Councillors themselves do by abiding by the Members Code of Conduct. The Council’s monitoring officer will investigate formal complaints alleging a breach of the Members Code of Conduct. Complaints should be clearly articulated and supported by evidence. Details of how to make a complaint concerning a breach of the Member Code of Conduct can be found on the Council’s website."

Vanessa Smith ● 805d

It's more to do with this unacceptable culture that has been allowed to propagate and is not unique to any one borough.The junkets to Cannes are exactly the same. The brokering of done deals by Regeneration and Development executives ( who are not elected and seem to forget that are Public Servants) who then scuttle off and take big salary directorships and posts inside development corporations is equally, if not more concerning.  Elected people are either used or led up the garden path, preyed upon even. Like the Pied Piper.Other organisations just like this are active in the same way and one or two have even had Councillors in their employ. I believe they did at least declare conflict of interests.Worst of all this is that local people and communities get sidelined and end up as mere tokens when it comes to planning issues in particular. Consultants and legal manoeuvres plus resources leave the balance somewhat askew.But core of this is the fact that it is sort of allowed even if not really morally acceptable practice.It needs reform.

Raymond Havelock ● 809d

Note: Anyone who posts a defamatory comment does so at their own risk and must take responsibility personallyWINING AND DINING FREEBIES ARE NOT A GOOD LOOK FOR THE PATRON OF OUR LOCAL FOODBANK. THE STEVE CURRAN ERA MAY BE DRAWING TO A CLOSE."I'D LIKE TO STAY COUNCIL LEADER FOR EVER," CLLR CURRAN TOLD BRENTFORD TV IN 2020. "BUT THERE ARE ELECTIONS IN 2022."It is not wrong for a Councillor to accept four dinners from a property development lobbyist as long as they are declared, as Steve Curran's were. But is it wise, especially when you are overseeing the Borough's multi-million pound regeneration – and are Patron of the local food bank, Hounslow Community FoodBox?That's the question being asked of the Council Leader following our reports that he has allowed himself to be wined and dined by Peter Bingle, of The Terrapin Group (scroll for linked items). Cllr Curran speaks frequently of the unemployment and poverty afflicting the Borough and he campaigns to alleviate it. So wining and dining freebies are not a good look. The same might also apply to other declared freebies.He has been Council Leader since 2014, a period which has seen massive redevelopment change the face of much of the area. Some residents approve, some don't. When we asked what he'd like his legacy to be, he replied: "Brentford High Street developed…the football club moving…more council housing…more business…looking after the homeless."It's a record which makes him a pivotal figure in the Borough's history. Recently he was praised when Hounslow won "Council of the Year". But some fellow councillors believe the time has come for a change. Large redevelopment is not universally popular – the Tesco/Homebase public inquiry starts on 15 March – and now his cause has not been helped by his dining with lobbyist Peter Bingle whose company boasts: "Terrapin has a superb track record of helping our clients achieve successful planning consents right across Greater London."How? What role does wining and dining play?Cllr Curran and Mr Bingle could quite easily have held their discussion more formally in Hounslow House where their points, no doubt important, could have been fully minuted for the record.The Council elections are on 5 May. As the likely majority, Labour Councillors will then meet to, in effect, elect the Leader of the Council. Cllr Curran says he will throw his hat into the ring. Others will stand too. It will be finely balanced. But it looks as if the Steve Curran era may be drawing to a close.

Vanessa Smith ● 809d