Forum Topics

Consultation on Aviation Duty

Thanks to the Chancellor for reminding me that there is another consultation open at the moment considering the changes to Aviation Passenger Duty. Instead of charging per passenger, the government is minded to charge by the plane load . Thus operators flying out of Heathrow with half empty planes will be penalised relative to those who manage to fill them up."This reform will take place on 1 November 2009, and has the objective of sending betterenvironmental signals, and ensuring that aviation makes a greater contribution tocovering its environmental costs, while ensuring that a fair level of revenue continues tobe raised from the sector in order to support public services."Unfortunately, from my point of view, the environmental costs in the consultation are only associated with climate change emissions and not with other environmental disbenefits of aviation (e.g. waking up Chiswick / Richmond at 4.30am each morning). The informal discussions that have lead to the proposal appear to have mainly involved organisations cosily attached to airport use (e.g the European  Low Fares Airline Association and the Popular Flying Association) and not to those suffering the environmental disbenefits. I wouldn't have thought it was beyond the wit of a database to bump up the plane charge by a suitable factor depending on how unsocial the hour it landed or took off.People may also like to express their views as to whether passengers using an airport as a hub should be able to claim exemption from the duty (the government is minded to charge them/ their flights - but is welcoming discussion on the matter).I don't suspect that it will have much effect, but those who have got into the habit of responding to consultations may want to drop a line to the Treasury.The consultation is athttp://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/E/2/consult_aviation310108.pdfClosing date is 24th April

Tim Henderson ● 6814d0 Comments ● 6814d

Consultation on Aviation Duty

Thanks to the Chancellor for reminding me that there is another consultation open at the moment considering the changes to Aviation Passenger Duty. Instead of charging per passenger, the government is minded to charge by the plane load . Thus operators flying out of Heathrow with half empty planes will be penalised relative to those who manage to fill them up."This reform will take place on 1 November 2009, and has the objective of sending betterenvironmental signals, and ensuring that aviation makes a greater contribution tocovering its environmental costs, while ensuring that a fair level of revenue continues tobe raised from the sector in order to support public services."Unfortunately, from my point of view, the environmental costs in the consultation are only associated with climate change emissions and not with other environmental disbenefits of aviation (e.g. waking up Chiswick/ Richmond at 4.30am each morning). The informal discussions that have lead to the proposal appear to have mainly involved organisations cosily attached to airport use (e.g the European  Low Fares Airline Association and the Popular Flying Association) and not to those suffering the environmental disbenefits. I wouldn't have thought it was beyond the wit of a database to bump up the plane charge by a suitable factor depending on how unsocial the hour it landed or took off.People may also like to express their views as to whether passengers using an airport as a hub should be able to claim exemption from the duty (the government is minded to charge them/ their flights - but is welcoming discussion on the matter).I don't suspect that it will have much effect, but those who have got into the habit of responding to consultations may want to drop a line to the Treasury.The consultation is athttp://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/E/2/consult_aviation310108.pdfClosing date is 24th April

Tim Henderson ● 6814d1 Comments ● 6814d

Replacement windows

Many of our double glazed sealed units have blown.  Can you recommend somebody who could replace them?

Sarah Felstead ● 6814d2 Comments ● 6814d

Mapping Brentford with Watermans

Mapping Brentford - would you like to take part in creatively documenting and re-imagining Brentford?Share your personal stories of the local area and create some novel maps. During April and May, artist Christian Nold will be out and about to locate your stories and record your emotions. Together you will be working at Watermans and around Brentford using different creative methodologies and technologies to create a new type of map of Brentford.Everyone - young, old and in-between is welcome to take part The first public workshop will take place on Saturday April 5 from 1pm - 5pm  FREE! Bring your local newspaper, favorite story, images and anything you want to put on the Brentford map!To register your interest in participating in this or one of the other workshops please call Box Office 0208 232 1010 or e-mail: ilze@watermans.org.uk You can find more details on our website www.watermans.org.uk/exhibitions

Leigh Stops ● 6814d0 Comments ● 6814d

Insulting our service people

What a disgusting bunch of thugs and cowards who are abusing our men and women, for wearing their uniforms in public. This offence should be dealt with by the police with a zero tolerance. We have racial and homophobic crimes which are treated with urgency, I suggest that this offence is treated in the same manner.  We have today heard of the bravery of our men and women at a medal ceremony, and these scumbags need to undergo some history lessons, to show what people like these did for us in the Battle of Britain, they may have well been wearing jackboots and speaking German, or worse executed for speaking out, what the bloody hell is this poxy country coming to?

Andrew Michael John Atkinson ● 6819d13 Comments ● 6814d

Question for local councillors

Do you still hold open surgeries on Saturdays?If my memory seves me correctly, there was one held once a month at Brentford library,  one on the Haverfield estate and one at Clayponds.Do these surgeries still take place?

S Passmore ● 6815d2 Comments ● 6815d

Take it outside please

Having been away from the forum for a few weeks (more like 3 months really) I couldn't believe what I read today.I thought this was a site for residents of Brentford to use, the aim to communicate, perhaps educate and maybe even get problems resolved with the help of others. I know that a couple of issues have been resolved for me through this site-thank you residents of Brentford.But why are people using this site to vent what seems like either personal or political venom on others?I can't tell you how fed up I am with certain people that seem to always post nasty little attacks on individuals and repeatedly, as an outsider to this little club it looks easily like eitehr sour grapes or bitter personal resentment driving these people and you know who you are.Has it occured to anyone involved in these little shows that people that act out of spite or jealousy or whatever is the motivation, only make things worse for all. That is a generalisation but isn't this country a miserable enough place to live now without you people adding your measure of personal and unpleasant rantings?Try proposing solutions rather than simply venting your spleen on others, I admit that there may be some people in government, both national and local that perhaps should come clean about some things or stop lining their pockets with public money but do something about it don't just spit hate at them.As someone that works very hard and supports a family that I love dearly I used to be quite upbeat about living in Brentford, mainly thanks to my wife and her family that are long-time residents and living somewhere reasonably nice in London was a small consolation for being away from my family during the week owing to work but reading the forum regularly now makes me pretty depressed as it seems Brentford is populated by some pretty unhappy people these days.

Niel Gavin ● 6822d9 Comments ● 6815d

Ann Keen MP votes against Labour Party Manifesto and betrays her Democratic Mandate

In the 2005 General Election, Ann Keen MP and all other Labour candidates stood on the basis of the Labour Party Manifesto which promised, like the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Manifestos, a referendum on a EU Constitution. In the House of Commons on 5th March 2008, Ann Keen and the vast majority of Labour and Liberal Democrat MP's voted against a Referendum on the so-called Treaty of Lisbon which is a EU Constitution in all but in name.Everybody knows that - and all the other major EU leaders other than Gordon Brown admit it.Many people who oppose an EU Constitution undoubtably voted for Ann Keen on the basis of her promise that there would be a Referendum. Ann Keen has now broken her promise and no longer has any democratic legitimacy or mandate to represent Brentford and Isleworth.She should resign. But she won't because she is a woman without scruples, principles, integrity or shame.

David Giles ● 6820d6 Comments ● 6815d

Its now official,0% Council Tax Increase

I would just to inform readers of this Forum that it was offically voted on last night not to increase the Council Tax for the second year running in Hounslow for 2008-2009.

Paul Fisher ● 6821d2 Comments ● 6816d

Boris Johnson promise to keep the Freedom Pass

so Ken Leaving Soon (62) can avail of it after he retires in May

David Giles ● 6821d3 Comments ● 6816d

Healing in Chiswick

Tomorrow is the 2nd Monday of the month again so healers will be at the London Buddhist Vihara, The Avenue, W4 1UD between 11am and 1pm ready to welcome and give healing to anyone who turns up.  We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.Healing helps any condition, through from stress to physical illness.  The healing takes about 20 minutes.  There is no charge made for the healing (all the healers are working on a voluntary basis, although a donation is most welcome- all donations are given to the Vihara).You do not need to make an appointment or book and the maximum waiting time, if any, is 5-10 minutes.  If you want any further information before coming please give me a ring on 0788 189 6449.

Pat Smith ● 6817d0 Comments ● 6817d

Excellent Chronicle coverage for united residents' group on Ivybridge

A couple of weeks ago I was very critical on this forum of an article which appeared in the Hounslow Chronicle about alleged divisions amongst residents on Isleworth's Ivybridge estate.It is only right therefore that I should now thank the same reporter, Joe Jackson, for the superb, balanced and very positive item which he produced this week featuring two former Chairs of the former Ivytag group as well as the former Chair of the New Ivybridge Tenants' Association (NITA), who now chairs the new United Residents' Association of Ivybridge.There are a lot of exciting and quite significant projects in the pipeline on which the new association is working alongside the London Borough of Hounslow, Hounslow Homes and ward councillors to help improve facilities on the estate.The new association is an unstoppable force on Ivybridge, thanks to the hard work of a lot of people on both "sides" of the previous divide who have worked hard to bring both groups of residents together together.A big well done to everybody concerned.(Chronicle article reproduced in following posting)

Phil Andrews ● 6820d9 Comments ● 6820d

Jim Lawes?

Where is Jim?He hasn't been on the site for sometime, is all ok with him?

Kevin Farnan ● 6822d2 Comments ● 6821d

2-bed flat for rent in Chiswick

I have a compact 2-bed flat for rent from mid-April in Wellesley Road, Chiswick. 5 mins walk to Gunnersbury Station (District Line and Silverlink trains). Flat is in a small block with 2 beds, kitchen/living room and bathroom. Unfurnished. Plenty of storage space and allocated off street parking to rear of block. Min. 6 months rent and no agencies please.

Jim Brown ● 6826d1 Comments ● 6823d

Information Tribunal Decision Published: Keens to reveal all

The Information Tribunal has ruled against the Appeal by the House of Commons against the Information Commissioner's ruling that MP's must disclose the details of how they spend their Additional Costs Allowances e.g. the Keens' claims for their tax-payer funded second home in Central London.The Information Tribunal's Decision was published on 26th February 2008 at:http://www.informationtribunal.gov.uk/Documents/decisions/HOCfinaldecisionwebsite260208.pdf

David Giles ● 6826d3 Comments ● 6824d

Brentford Festival 2007 Sunday 7th September 2008

We have finally sorted a date for the first Brentford Festival 2008 Organising Committee meeting (Tuesday 12th February at 7.00 p.m.in the Pavilion Cafe in Boston Manor Park).  It has been difficult to get all those that have already offered their help to choose a mutually convenient date hence the short notice.  If you want to be involved in the committee you will be more than welcome to come along at 6.30 p.m. where we will be serving a hot supper to get us warmed up for the meeting start at 7.00p.m.  For those that wish to help outside the committee ...more another time.

Linda Massey ● 6847d9 Comments ● 6824d

Alfa Laval Building...any news??

It seems that all has gone quiet on the redevelopment of the Alfa Laval site on the Great West Road. Does anybody have any information as to the current status of its redevelopment?? Last I remember, the prposal had been rejected on the basis of density and style of proposed flats.

Frankie Calvi ● 6826d2 Comments ● 6824d

deep recession feared in America

Free trade theory never intended economies to be in a permanent trade disequilibrium.The United states of America has a trade deficit of $50/$60 trillion which means  each household would have to pay $500,000,if this debt was shared with the people of America.Only 2percent of US economy households could afford this to pay this sum if they were asked. So how will it affect everybody in todays society???????????? I WONDER?Since the Iraq war we have seen everything oil related increase in value to such a vast extent,the war itself has cost AMERICA financially more than vietnam ,so far.Yet not quite as much financially as the second world war.(Not quite sure how close the financial comparison is.)If anyone knows please would you enlighten me.So what is my point?Well it seems the largest community on Earth has built the largest building on Earth WHICH JUST SO HAPPENS TO BE AN AIRPORT.So much for co2 emissions being reduced,the amount of heat,energy and pollution will without doubt create a climate so hostile to nature we will all be wearing lovely oxygen masks and playing i spy to see any green bits on the Earth FROM GOOGLE EARTH.Biofuels may not be the answer as they require alot of Earth to grow and as population increases we will need all the land mass we can muster to feed our ever increasing mouths.We have the technology to do pretty much anything we please and yet we are still not acting as professionally as we should regarding being guardians of this Earth.So whats the answer. What i propose for Brentford is a new direction and objective that will utilise the derelict but not vacant lots ait as a project for enviromental change. Would it be possible for some kind philanthropist to lend me shed loads of cash so that i can with the help of local community and cool organisations develop lots ait into a power house.This would involve raising the existing structure and then covering it in effective solar non reflective panels.Installing wind turbines of the same style as you see outside petrol garages.Maybe we can throw in a few tidal turbines for good measure that can create reverse osmosis to help clean the Thames.Anyone interested???????????????????????????????????? 

Markus Mason ● 6828d2 Comments ● 6825d

Friday joke to get the weekend going!

Father O'Brien keeps chickens in the garden & notices one morning that the cock is missing.'I know' he says to himself, 'they have cock fighting in the village, I'll ask them in church this morning.'Father O'Brien stands up in church.'Has anybody got a cock?'All the men stand up.'No, No, has anybody seen a cock?'All the women stand up.'No, No, has anybody seen my cock?'Six choir boys, two priests & a goat stand up!

Kevin Farnan ● 6827d3 Comments ● 6826d

2nd hand furniture

I would like to get rid of some furniture including matching wordrobes, chest of drawers, double bed and bead head and bed side tables. I've tried a 2nd hand shop but they won't take the wardrobes because they need to be dismantled.

Jane Hanna ● 6826d1 Comments ● 6826d