Horse Play in Isleworth?
There has been much comment on various threads about the leasing of a public amenity in Northcote Avenue, Isleworth, to a private individual for the grazing of horses without, it would appear, any kind of prior consultation with erstwhile users or local residents.Following on from said comment I decided to take a look for myself at what little documented evidence there is available around this decision.The document which refers can be viewed at http://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/documents/s109338/CO%20Grazing%20licence%20Northcote%20Ave.pdfAccording to this "Chief Officer Delegated Approval" - signed by Hounslow's Director of Regeneration, Economic Development and Environment - the grazing licence was agreed "with the permission from Leisure Services, who manage the land and Lead Ward Member Cllr Sampson".I have a few questions arising from this:1. Unless the rules have changed since I was a Hounslow councillor (up until May 2010), only the relevant Cabinet (former Executive) portfolio holder may take a Single Member Decision. Such a decision cannot be taken by a simple ward member, only members of the Cabinet have the right and such decisions must only be taken by each respective councillor within the orbit of his/her area of Cabinet responsibility. Councillor Sampson's portfolio, as listed on the Council's website, is "Communities and Economic Development". The relevant portfolio area for this issue would presumably be "Public Health and Leisure", which is held by Councillor Sachin Gupta. Why then has this decision been signed off by Cllr Sampson as opposed to Cllr Gupta?2. Again when I was a councillor, there was no such thing as a "Lead Ward Member". All three ward members had equal status. When and by what means was the office of "Lead Ward Member" created and where has this decision been publicised? Who appoints/elects a "Lead Ward Member"?3. Lead Ward Member or no, we have established that the appropriate portfolio holder was Cllr Gupta and not Cllr Sampson. Why then did the Director of Regeneration, Economic Development and Environment solicit, or at least accept, the signature of the wrong Lead Member on the document? Was Cllr Gupta consulted about this process and if so why was he not asked to sign the document?4. Why has the Leader of the Council not intervened to correct any of the errors above? Should we assume from his silence that he is happy with the handling of this matter, including the apparent undermining by a senior officer of Cllr Gupta?5. Ditto Councillor Ruth Cadbury, the prospective parliamentary candidate. Has she taken an interest in this development and the ever increasing concern that it is provoking amongst the surrounding community, from which she presumably aspires to attract votes?5. Why was there no public consultation prior to the decision when it impacts upon the residents of an entire estate and a few more people besides? Bearing in mind that the Council is presently employing Community Engagement Officers on substantial salaries, is it reasonable that very highly paid senior officers could "forget" to consult dwellers on an entire estate before removing from them a much used amenity? Was this omission not spotted by ward members, lead or lesser, at the time?6. In her early posts Vanessa Smith, who has been following this matter throughout, seems to be of the view that senior officers have been running this show over the heads of elected members, and implies that this is the impression given to her by elected members themselves. And yet one of the ward councillors is named on the document as having authorised the approval given to a private resident to use the site for grazing. This would appear contradictory, so what is the truth on this please?7. Was the applicant to whom the grazing licence has been granted known to any of the councillors or officers prior to this decision? Does he/she have any connection to the estate? If so, would it be reasonable to me to assume that this fact was declared prior to the decision having been signed off?That's enough to be getting on with, hopefully somebody in authority on this Council may be able to shed some light on this for me. Many thanks.
Phil Andrews ● 4285d332 Comments ● 4219d