Since you are asking an almost sincere question I will give you a full reply John, you should know by now I do not speak for my wife, however we do share common themes and values . I will give you an answer of where I am coming from so as you can understand a little of the position I am taking on this matter.In the 80s I was very involved with the Tenants movement if it had not been for the social provision of housing I may well of stay on the streets as seen in the story in the local newspaper last week as a homeless person.It was the tenants movement at that time that took on the Conservative government of the day as the then policy of the Tories was what was called H.A.T’s which was the wholesale of council estates to private landlords, I am sure there will be people who could still remember Rackman in the 60s and its those days that we need to avoid. The tenants movement had to be non-political and there where many who tried to jump on the bandwagon motivated by the need for political gain. It was an important victory as it was the first time the then Tory government had done a U turn on one of its major policy’s , this was only the beginning of the battle for residents because what was uppermost in the minds of the people who helped to fight of the wholesale of council housing was the need for real participation and consultation in the redevelopments of peoples estates.When I was a Cllr it was a privilege to be asked as a guest to residents meetings , I see the role of a Cllr as being one of listening and helping the Tenants movement understand policy as well as taking the views and concerns of the residents forward, I do not see the role of Cllr as one of High jacking meetings or trying to bandwagon the Tenants cause for political gain.Hounslow has been very lucky in the resident movement that has evolved , this involvement has been set in a working document called The Tenants Compact which HAFTRA has worked on over many years to encourage residents and tenants to become involved with the running of their estates this document provides a working relationship and partnership between Hounslow Homes and the Tenants it is an on going working document as time changes so will the needs of the Tenants.It is imperative that the residents movement is one of a non-political organisation that will campaign for the needs of the estates of Hounslow and one that encourages everyone in the community to be involved in the process of consultation and participation.Community Organisations big or small will from time to time fall out or disagree but in keeping a society based on the democratic consensus this will happen and most will move forward in order to fulfil the wishes of the community as a whole, it is important for people to be involved in the partipation process.I as you would John treat people and make sure they have equality of opportunity. To use the council with out fear nor favour, however this does not seem to be the agenda of the ICG and time and time again these people have tried to treat people who do not have the same pathetic slavish view as them are treated as second class citizens.It has come to a point where there is no honest debate with these people as they would seek to use even a person disabilities in order to score cheap political points or to bully and harass a person. Or in the case of Simon Anderson to use this until he falls back in to line with their brand of dogma.I do not see these qualities of good community governance and leadership being advocated by the likes of the ICG who seem bent on destroying the good things that make Hounslow a great place to live.
Dave Hughes ● 6853d