Forum Topics

Looks like Hounslow Labour have lied again

Just been reading the Hounslow Council Press Statement which proclaims that the Council Tax has been frozen again but does anyone recall the promises made which were shoved through our letter boxes before last years local elections?They promised to cut Council Tax this year and where are the extra 100 uniformed officers in each area we were promised and I think we have all given up on seeing the teams of grime busters!!Over to you Vanessa as you seem to their main defender?

Paul Fisher ● 5726d17 Comments ● 5724d

Stop Rupert Murdoch

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_rupert_murdoch_3/97.php?cl_tta_sign=2c8cd03ee8539027d847354a4911fca4

Phil Andrews ● 5726d2 Comments ● 5724d

Joan Catterall

So sorry to read of Joan's death (on the front page), I made Joan's acquaintance when she was a co-opted member on the Isleworth & Brentford area committee some years ago. I didn't know Joan very well but I did know of her long standing hard work for Gunnersbury Park and the Friends,no-one could ever doubt her committment to preserving the park for others to enjoy, as someone who spent much of their childhood in and around Gunnersbury park - many years later I can appreciate how much dedication and time goes into this type of activity and how much we owe to the unsung heroes like Joan.

Vanessa Smith ● 5725d1 Comments ● 5725d

Letter the Home office won't answer

This is an email sent twice to Claire Harmon, once to James Brokenshire and once to Mary McCleod. The first two still haven't responded despite a month elapsing, Mary McCleod has responded (03/02/2011) that she has asked the Home Office to respond, they still havn't For the attention of James Brokenshire MP.Dear Mr Brokenshire I have sent two emails to Claire Harmon which have so far not been acknowledged or answered, I have recently been informed that they should have been sent to you so I am sending them to you now and look forward to your response.Email 1:Dear Clair could you please confirm the home offices intention to re- classify cannabis as a schedule four drug, to enable the full use of Sativex AKA Cannabis tincture as it was known and available from any chemist as pre 1968. This was of course before the handing over  of £10 of taxpayers money to re- brand it.Or is it the case that only Cannabis mixed with alcohol and peppermint that can be deemed as having medical benefits.(Odd as any stoner will tell you not to mix the two). This seems some what odd as Sativex has exactly the same cannabidoils as other forms of cannabis approximately 400 of them or has the home office thought up some kind of new name for cannabis when mixed with alcohol in order to falsify its downgrading whilst not admitting its CANNABIS. Can you also confirm that peppermint is now banned from medical preparations within the EU and as such must now be removed from the Cannabis, peppermint, alcohol cocktail that cost I believe 10x as much as Good quality cannabis that has no patents attached.Just one area left that I would like clarification on; Their are millions of Muslims in this country who are banned from ingesting alcohol, is their an alcohol free form of medicinal cannabis that Muslims can take that does not lead to arrest, criminal conviction, and the destruction of home and family life or is it still Government policy to keep access to cannabis prohibited for certain religious groups.Email 2: this is the same but with an additional paragraph that reads as follows:Dear Clair I am resending this email originally sent 21/01/2011 as it would appear you have not yet acknowledged its receipt let alone replied to it. These are important questions deserving of an answer. I do realise that your Government would dearly wish to pretend questions like this did not exist but they do and even those worthless taxpayers like myself and those that use cannabis whether medicinally or because its less dangerous / more pleasant than alcohol, do expect and deserve an answer.Yours hoping for an responsePhilip WalshFor Applewwods Hydroponica Limitedwww.hydroponica.co.uk

Philip Walsh ● 5744d4 Comments ● 5725d

Don't be old in LBH

Some may  already know that Hounslow Council plans to close:Chiswick Day Centre (Older People)Bedfont Day Centre (Older People)Acorn Day Service (People with Disabilities)We now know that the cost of attending a day centre is going to increase.The old charges and the new proposed charges are:Heston Day Centre (Older People)£3.90 per day increased to£25 to £51 per dayActon Lodge Day Centre (Disabilities)£3.90 per day increased to£80 to £128 per dayTriangle Day Centre (Disabilities)£3.90 per day increased to£80 to £128 per dayTwo Bridges Day Centre (Disabilities)£3.90 per day increased to£80 to £128 per day

John Todd ● 5731d29 Comments ● 5726d

If Slough can do this WHY?? are LBH closing our Libraries!!

I had a smashing free newspaper through our letterbox called MAYA, it is brilliant it took me around the world also covered many many borough's and gave this insight into Slough Council's attitude toward Govt Cuts they put the people first..Quote from Councillor Rob Anderson:-Wexham,Chalvey & Colnbrook New Libraries."While other boroughs are looking at closing libraries we are planning to open more, bringing the world of books right into the local community. The cuts we have received are savage but we believe library facilities are fundamental to improving local residents' lives and opportunities and we aim to increase access to libraries with these three new facilities. We have already increased library opening hours by 22% and soon more residents than ever will be able to access the library right around the corner from where they live.And when all three of the satellite libraries are open the library hours will have increased by more than 61% on 2009." Sites have already been chosen for the Colnbrook and Chalvey library services.Obviously if Slough can build new libraries then the question that must be answered by Hounslow Council as to why they have allowed Laing to refurbish our libraries only to close them, all council's are having to cut cloth, just some of them are more community minded!!! They are to be much admired!!

Dawn Hardy ● 5728d10 Comments ● 5727d

Brentford Magistrates court to close

Article from the bbc website.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10391126Another part of historic Brentford goes.

Neil Chippendale ● 5856d51 Comments ● 5727d

Woman on benefits owing £3,500 rent can't be evicted

An article in the Daily mail says that a women owes Hounslow Council thousnads in unpaid rent but can't be evicted as it breaches her human rights. Oh dear. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1360046/European-human-rights-Rent-arrests-tenant-evicted-rules-judge.html#ixzz1EqB9Hzxp

Neil Chippendale ● 5732d48 Comments ● 5727d

Hypocrisy of our local elected representatives

As much as the presence of our local MP and the three Isleworth councillors was welcomed at yesterdays protest against the possible closure of Isleworth Library I have to say that the hypocrisy stinks as there would of course been no such need for a protest if it was not for the actions by themOur MP is under orders from Central Government to push though the savings/cuts that I think everyone agrees needs to be made due to the fact that we left high and dry and skint by Brown and Blair's tenure and our local councillors must have been privy to the discussions when the potential closures of our libraries were first mootedAs I predicted a few weeks ago Cllr Ruth Cadbury would eventually come out of the woodwork and say that she wanted the libraries saved after all despite being the Deputy Leader of the Administration who proposed the closure idea in the first place but still thinks most are gullible enough to believe herPlease remember though folks that if any of our local councillors are whipped/instructed to vote for the closure of either Isleworth or Brentford libraries at the Budget setting Council Meeting then they will do as told and I challenge any of them to say they would not?

Paul Fisher ● 5736d39 Comments ● 5728d

Dear Prime Minister Re meeting with the leader of LCA

Below is a letter based on an original one sent to David Cameron by the leader of the LCA this version has been made available by myself for interested parties to use, it is in support of meeting Peter Reynolds the Leader of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance and the Prime Minister over the continued war on our own taxpaying people which is the reality of the war on drugs;Dear Mr Cameron,I am writing about your answer to the question about Cannabis during the recent Al Jazeera World View YouTube interview.Recently the Legalise Cannabis Alliance (LCA) elected a new leader Peter Reynolds. Who represent the interests of at least two million regular users of cannabis (Many of these are medical need users) and perhaps as many as 10 million occasional users in Britain?  This is a huge proportion of the population and I understand Peter Reynolds; on their/our/my behalf has requesting a meeting with you and I am writing in support of this request.I in common with the millions of educated, well informed, intelligent taxpaying medicinal and chosen pleasure users of cannabis, were/are dismayed, shocked even, at your answer to the question in respect to cannabis legalisation.  With respect, clearly it is you who are in ‘great need of’ education about cannabis.  The information you gave was inaccurate and false.  While we must all respect different opinions, your answer was factually wrong and I believe you must correct it.  Cannabis is not “incredibly damaging”, nor “very, very toxic”.  It is a myth that there is anything significantly different about the cannabis on sale today and the cannabis you and so many of your fellow MPs used in your youth; indeed a recent study has revealed that seized cannabis from the last decade does not differ significantly in strength from cannabis seized during the previous decade and the idea that it causes “in many cases, huge mental health problems” has been comprehensively disproved many times over by scientists all over the world. Here in Britain the Keele University report puts these claims into clear perspective and the LCA can provide you with scientific information which proves that these ideas are false.Recently the LCA have been pursuing various newspapers through the Press Complaints Commission for publishing the same inaccuracies.  I am seriously alarmed when I see the prime minster of my country distributing such untruths.Two key facts:The Therapeutic Ratio of cannabis (ED50:LD50) is 1:40000 (Alcohol = 1:10, Paracetamol = 1:30).Even potatoes are more toxic than cannabis.Professor Glyn Lewis of the University of Bristol reviewed all published research on cannabis and Psychosis in 2009 and concluded that 96% of people have no risk whatsoever and in the remaining 4% the risk is “statistically tiny”.Your suggestion that legalising drugs increases use is also not supported by the evidence. In both Holland and Portugal where cannabis use is not prosecuted, consumption is much lower than in Britain.Finally, on medicinal use it is simply not true that the scientific and medical authorities are free to make independent determinations, the farce of Sativex (rebranded tincture) still not being made available due to scheduling medical truths/fact not fitting drug lies/propaganda clearly underlines that.  The Home Office stamps on any medicinal cannabis use even when prescribed by a doctor. People from other European countries can bring medicinal cannabis to Britain and use it legally under the Schengen agreement but you can’t if you’re British. Here, sick and disabled people are being prosecuted every day for use of a medicine which is scientifically and medically proven; surely you cannot be unaware of this? It is a cruel and evil Policy which shames our nation by legitimising discrimination and promoting hatred; the war on drugs is a war on people and choice.So please, Mr Cameron, will you meet with my representative Peter Reynolds in order that he may show you the evidence and the facts about cannabis? Remember, this was the second most popular question you were asked on Friday and he represent the interests of millions of British citizens many of whom voted for your coalition partners based on manifesto promises. Please make time for him in your diary.I look forward to hearing from you or at the very least, hearing that our request for a meeting has been granted so as fairness and democracy based on truth can be established in our country which has for to long; abused its people due to laws based on fear, racism, bigotry and drug ignorance backed up with lies/mis-information.Yours sincerely,

Philip Walsh ● 5728d0 Comments ● 5728d

Emergency service access/exit to WMUH

As I  predicted on the TW8 web site forum back in January, there was road traffic chaos on the Twickenham Road this week. The Hounslow Chronicle reports that LAS crews responding to emergency calls, along with emergency vehicles exiting The West Middlesex University Hospital.I contacted Mary Macdonald in January pointing out there is another way in and out for ambulances and crucial hospital personnel. One of her aides replied that meetings had taken place and that hospital meetings had taken place and that there would be no problems.It seems that not enough was done. I would like to know who attended these meetings including these meetings. Were Hounslow Police present. If the answer is no I would like to know why.I will be writing to Ms Macdonald for a explanation as to what went wrong and what assurances can be given by her, the police, Thames Water and LBH that lives will no longer be at risk.

Richard Atterwill ● 5730d3 Comments ● 5729d

Busy Mary Macleod MP

Mary Macleod is on ITV television tonight at 11.20pm discussingmulticulturalism with Alistair Stewart according to Twittersphere.If you happen to follow Mary on Twitter you might be aware of activities already.http://twitter.com/MaryMacleodMPSo... 11.20pm tonight!Just to let you know.

Jim Lawes ● 5746d26 Comments ● 5730d

Brentford Library - Freedom of Information Request

Here is the reply from the council in response to a request for details of the J. Laing contract and also details of the accounts of Brentford Library..........not particularly enlightening (unsurprisingly !!!)Environment Directorate Libraries (Environment Department, Leisure & Cultural Services)Civic CentreLampton RoadHounslow TW3 4DNFOI/EIR reference 001330 Date 21 February 2011Dear Mr Silver, RE: Your Request for Information (FOI/EIR)-Brentford LibraryI am writing to provide you with the information you requested under FOI that was received by e-mail on 24- Jan- 11.  Your request has been dealt with by Environment and we have recorded your request as being about Brentford Library (Environment, Leisure). Your FOI reference number is 001330.The information you requested was to get a breakdown of the running costs of the Brentford Library over a year? Are accounts published? Along with, what is the contractual situation with Laing’s if the library were to be closed?In answer to your questions the breakdown of the individual library costs are commercially sensitive.If the libraries were to close there is provision within the contract for this to occur. We would be required to compensate John Laing under the contract. This may include loss of profit and redundancy costs. This is commercially sensitive information and can not be disclosed and is exempt under Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act.Any information that has been provided to you pursuant to your request may be utilised for your own use, including for non-commercial research purposes. The information may also be used for purpose of news reporting. However, any other type of re-us, for example, by publishing information, using it for marketing or issuing copies to the public will require the permission of the copyright owner, namely the London Borough of Hounslow.Should you feel that I have not dealt with your request appropriately or failed to take action within a reasonable timescale you are entitled to ask for a review to be undertaken by any of the following methods:By post to : FOI Review Officer Environment Civic Centre Lampton RoadHounslowTW3 4DNBy email : FOI@hounslow.gov.ukShould you remain dissatisfied following a formal review under the complaints procedure you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner under Section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The contact details for the Information Commissioner are as follows:Information Commissioners OfficeWycliffe HouseWater LaneWilmslowCheshireSK9 5AFFax 01625 524 510DX 20819Web www.ico.org.ukThe Information Commissioner has also produced a guide “Your Right to Know; How to complain” which can be downloaded from www.ico.org.uk.Yours sincerely,Tim DouglasService Improvement ManagerLeisure & Cultural ServicesEnvironment Department

Ian Silver ● 5735d14 Comments ● 5731d

Topnotch health club

In early 2009 my daughter was offered a place by her school, Green School, on a free programme at Topnotch Health Club, Great West Road, opposite Sainsbury's Homebase.  She went on this 6 week programme, which she enjoyed, and then wanted to join the gym.  I joined the gym for her in March 2009, and told them it was for only 6 months, as she was going to a different school for 6th form.  She stopped going to the gym in August 2009.About three weeks ago I was upset to see on my bank statements that my direct debit to Topnotch had continued since August 2009.  This meant that I had wasted over £700, which we can't afford!  I stopped my direct debit, but was then upset and annoyed to receive a letter saying I needed to give a month's notice and so owed them another £39.95.  After many attempts to speak to the membership administrator, I was told that I had to pay.  Of course, I understand about terms and conditions and so on, but my daughter was 15 when I joined for her, and I explained that we only wanted a 6 month membership as she was going to a 6th form in Acton.  I think it would have been a good gesture to have waived the £39.95 as we have lost so much money.

Sasha Corcashvili ● 5734d8 Comments ● 5732d

Hounslow Council Transport Forum – Drop in Session and Public Meeting - Thursday 24 February

Can I draw your attention to the item on the front page of the website?Hounslow Council is consulting on its new twenty year transport strategy (the Local Implementation Plan for Transport 2011-31) and is holding a public meeting on Thursday 24 February at the Lampton Park Conference Centre, Civic Centre, Lampton Road, Hounslow TW3 4DN.This comprises:-  A “Transport Marketplace drop-in session”, 3pm-6.30pm where there will be stalls demonstrating a range of transport issues and initiatives and the opportunity to meet Council officers and discuss areas of interest, one-to-one.-  A Transport Forum Public Meeting starting at 6.30pm, with presentations on the new transport strategy and ample time for questions and answers with a panel of senior officers.Please see the front page item on this website or the Council's website for further information and links to the draft Strategy and a 14 page non-technical summary.If anyone hasn’t been to the Civic Centre, it’s a five minute walk from Hounslow Central tube station (Piccadilly Line) or a ten minute walk from bus routes H91, 235 and 237.  There’s also a car-park at the end of Clovelly Road off Lampton Road, and the Civic Centre is within easy cycling distance of Brentford. Chris Calvi-FreemanHead of TransportLB Hounslow

Chris Calvi-Freeman ● 5744d4 Comments ● 5732d

Massive turn out on Isleworth march to Save Our Library and Public Hall in spite of rain!

When I woke up this morning and looked out of the window I would have settled for a couple of dozen hardy souls turning out.In the event at least 300 people (estimates ranged from this figure up to nearly 500) marched from Isleworth Library to Isleworth Public Hall in the rain to demonstrate their opposition to closures.  When the front of the march reached the Public Hall marchers at the rear were still turning into South Street by the War Memorial.This community-led activity was backed by the (Conservative) MP for Brentford & Isleworth, Mary Macleod, and by all three (Labour) ward councillors for Isleworth.  We are grateful for their participation and support, and the sight of the four of them alongside ICG leader Ian Speed and Christine Diwell of The Isleworth Society (TIS) at the head of the march sends a potent message about the capacity our community has now developed to organise across political boundaries when the occasion demands.The march finished at the Public Hall and we had quite deliberately adopted a "play it by ear" approach to what was to happen when we got there.  In the event the numbers involved were so hugely beyond everybody's expectations that we could only squeeze people into the various rooms and refresh them with tea, coffee and biscuits as even the hall would have been nowhere near large enough to have staged any kind of meeting.I am so intensely proud of my community today.  I hope I am not being presumptuous nor tempting fate when I say that I cannot see anybody threatening to close or restrict these facilities any time soon, not next year nor the year after that.A big well done and thank you to everybody who supported this wonderful event, to those who helped by leafleting and spreading the message, and to the SNT PS Charles Ehikioya whom I know went the extra mile, along with his excellent team of officers, to make this work.  Also to the St. John's Residents' Association and the Four Roads Residents' Association, to Delicacies and Jospeh's Patisserie who both supplied refreshments, and to everybody else involved.The message from Isleworth reverberated loud and clear today - Hands Off Our Community!!

Phil Andrews ● 5737d4 Comments ● 5734d

Mary Macleod MP to attend Isleworth residents' march to Save Our Library and Public Hall tomorrow

I have been advised during the last hour that Mary has kindly accepted our invitation to come along and demonstrate her support for this important activity tomorrow morning.Those attending should assemble outside Isleworth Library at 10.45 am.

Phil Andrews ● 5738d12 Comments ● 5735d

Thames Water - Community Champions

Some of you will remember that the Rose Community Centre on the Syon Estate suffered an attack of arson a couple of years ago.  It was refurbished to a very high standard and is now an attractive venue that can be hired very inexpensively.However, I did hear that the Centre management committee is having to stump up exceedingly high charges for water: it appears Thames Water are charging them for the water the Fire Brigade used to put out the fire. Step forward Thames Water and receive your award for supporting the community!

Jon Hardy ● 5738d3 Comments ● 5735d

Gas Explosion

Some photos of yesterdays gas explosion at Carlyle House, Ealing Rd. Although it's officially Ealing it's right on the border of TW8/W5.

Kevin Farnan ● 5735d3 Comments ● 5735d

Adventure Playground in Redlees Park, Isleworth

As part of the Aiming High for Disabled Children project in Hounslow there is currently a considerable investment going into the Under Fives Centre, including a new log cabin with accessible changing facilities, a sensory room and a social enterprise café indoors, plus some accessible swings and a trampoline outdoors. Due to 'cutbacks' there wasn't enough money to put in any big play structures although disabled children and young people have asked for treehouses, elevated walkways and zip wires.Parents have found some additional funding at Parents for Playgrounds (sponsored by Robinson's Fruit Shoot)and we'd be very grateful for some expressions of support. More here:http://www.readyforten.com/parents-for-playgrounds/1/stages/1/candidates/762The current building works should be finished by the end of March when Aiming High comes to an end and the plan is to have an Open Day in May to launch the project with a new steering group working towards long term sustainability. Watch this space as we will be back to announce more and will be seeking volunteers for the café. But please show your support for the playground in the meantime - this is a much-needed project.Karen AdamsAiming High for DisabledChildren Steering Group

Karen Adams ● 5735d0 Comments ● 5735d