Forum Topic

Good grief,whatever next!!

This is a real shame as I actually thought Cllr Sharma was one of the decent Guys.From the Hounslow ChronicleCouncil accused of 'institutional racism' Jun 4 2008 The leader of Hounslow's Labour party has branded the council racist as the row over planning enforcement rumbles on.Cllr Jagdish Sharma, leader of the Labour group, made the explosive statement in response to a Tory-led crackdown over illegal conversions, prompting furious calls from the ruling coalition for him to withdraw his comments.Cllr Sharma abstained from voting on the latest illegal building to come before the Central Hounslow Area Planning Committee, on May 22. Its owner illegally converted the family home in Charter Crescent, Hounslow West, into two flats, bringing in £1,400 per month, while he and his family lived in an outbuilding.He said: "This policy is being implemented against a section of the community and is perceived as institutional racism. If this is the case I strongly condemn it."When so many people are saying these things it becomes my duty to discuss this issue thoroughly (with the Labour group) and make our position clear."He said almost all the 'victims' were from a small section of the community,many of whom feel they are being 'persecuted'.But deputy council leader Mark Bowen rubbished the accusations and accused him of stirring up trouble.He said: "Cllr Sharma has made these very dangerous references to institutional racism but hasn't followed through on his claims with any evidence. This is typical of Labour, trying to make political gain out of race when it's not an issue."

Paul Fisher ● 6256d9 Comments

I perhaps should add my own bemusement partly stems from the fact that throughout my employment at LBH I always felt I had a friendly yet professional and mutually respectful relationship with every Councillor from all of the different political parties, & if I see any Councillor or ex-Councillor in the street now whom I had dealings with (as I occasionally do) I'm always happy to chat.

Adam Beamish ● 6254d

Many thanks Adam - Understood now

Steve Taylor ● 6254d

Steve, the use of the word 'illegal' is frequently used incorrectly planning wise.  To carry out a development or change of use without the benefit of planning permission isn't illegal, such an action only becomes illegal if the Council serve an enforcement notice which subsequently isn't complied with.  I haven't looked at the committee agenda yet but it's pretty evident this was an Officers report to committee seeking the agreement of Members to serve an enforcement notice against a breach of planning control.What appears to be the basis for all this 'fuss' is that it is being alleged that Council Officers both past & present have treated different groups of society differently - apparently prior to 2006 myself & my colleagues at the time took a relaxed view towards breaches of planning control involved extended families & the Punjabi community, whilst current Council Officers are allegedly carrying out some kind of racially-motivated actions focusing upon ethnic minorities.  The problem with all of this, as I've repeatedly said, is this goes beyond political games (which is essentially what this nonsense is all about) because in the middle of this there are Council employees, both past & present, who are being slandered.

Adam Beamish ● 6254d

"The leader of Hounslow's Labour party has branded the council racist...." "Its owner illegally converted the family home..." "This policy is being implemented against a section of the community and is perceived as institutional racism."Well, I really don't understand this either.  The owner of the property either acted legally or illegally. Surely the leader of the Labour Group shouldn't be upset if the Council's  'policy'  is to enforce the law if the action was illegal?  Law is made by Lawmakers not the Council.  And where on earth does racism come into it? I can't blame the ruling coalition for being furious and can't blame Cllr Bowen from accusing Cllr Sharma of stirring up trouble.One can only sympathise with the coalition for having to put up with this childish nonsense from the other side.

Steve Taylor ● 6254d

I really don't understand any of this, because this goes beyond politics.  Serious allegations are being made by Councillors against Council employees - to me it is the duty of the Chief Executive to investigate these matters and either, if those allegations are found to be substantiated, take the appropriate action against those Officers, or, if those allegations are found to be wholly without foundation, pursue action of whatever formal nature against those making the allegations.  Perhaps this is happening behind the scenes, it certainly should be - I have written to Alan Keen MP demanding a response within 14 days in respect of his previous comments on this subject which effectively slandered me and reserve the right to take further action if & as necessary, I only hope senior Council officers take similar steps to protect their staff if these latest allegations are found to be without substance.

Adam Beamish ● 6254d

"Would this be Mr kad by any chance...."Capital "K" for a community leader with an MBE, please Dave.  Please show some respect for one of your former councillors.

Phil Andrews ● 6254d

So predictable Dave,you have just won me a pint LOL

Paul Fisher ● 6254d

"I have just successfully prevented an enforcement in one such case, where the individual concerned - himself formerly an influential Labour Party supporter in the Cranford area - had constructed an extension under the old régime without following the conventional procedures which involve applying for permission. After intensive representations from the applicant, myself and leading Cranford community activists, officers confirmed that "on the balance of probabilities the extention is likely to be immune from enforcement action".Would this be Mr kad by any chance....if so something really smells bad here...see other threads

Dave Hughes ● 6254d

This is an interesting and thought provoking article by Cllr Phil Andrews on his Blog at http://philandrews.blogspot.comLike everyone involved with the current administration I entirely approve of its policy of enforcing against unlawful development.However, as I argued here last month an unwritten policy recently revealed by the alleged MP for Feltham & Heston, Mr. Alan Keen, may have misled some residents within certain sections of the community into believing that they did not require the benefit of planning permission for their extensions and conversions as the then New Labour administration would turn a blind eye to their activities in exchange for their votes.As a result of this, so I argued, there may sometimes be a case for taking a sympathetic view on an individual basis.I have just successfully prevented an enforcement in one such case, where the individual concerned - himself formerly an influential Labour Party supporter in the Cranford area - had constructed an extension under the old régime without following the conventional procedures which involve applying for permission. After intensive representations from the applicant, myself and leading Cranford community activists, officers confirmed that "on the balance of probabilities the extention is likely to be immune from enforcement action".No doubt there will be more instances of councillors and community leaders having to sort out the mess which is New Labour's legacy in the west of the borough.

Paul Fisher ● 6255d