Forum Topic

"Hounslow Matters" to be renamed "Hounslow Liar"?

Having just looked at the April edition of "Hounslow Matters" I was astounded to read on Page 10 "Good News as Housing Rent Cut by Half".The truth in this article is that, following council representations, rents will increase from April by 3.5% rather than the roughly 7% increase originally agreed. With the steep rises in service charges payable by many tenants coming in at the same time, the reality is many people occupying Hounslow Homes properties will be worse off in the coming 12 months than at present.Given that this magazine, which is funded by council taxpayers' hard-earned cash, has become more and more a propaganda sheet over the last few years should we be in the least surprised that its headline writers are reduced to producing blatant falsehoods in order to influence their readers?

John Connelly ● 6274d5 Comments

Maybe Beccy Thorp is trying to say on all threads she is posting  blank messages 'No Comment'  maybe?

Fran Naughton ● 6272d

Why does Beccy Thorp post blank messages?

Steve Taylor ● 6274d

If they'd added the word increase so it read "Good News as Housing Rent Increase Cut by Half" it would be somewhat more accurate.While much has been made of this announcement, details such as from when the revised rent will apply or whether this will be backdated to the beginning of the financial year have yet to filter through.Maybe we should all be writing letters to the editor of HM, whosoever that may be.

Kath Richardson ● 6274d

Beccy Thorp ● 6274d

JohnYou have the advantage over me in that I haven't read the article in question, however if it reads as you state then it is clearly wrong for the reasons you give and I will take it up vigorously with the people concerned.As the current Lead Member for Housing though I do resent your inference that I would wilfully mislead the public, especially in such a way that would insult people's intelligence like this.  Any fool can work out for themselves that council rents have increased above the rate of inflation even after taking into account Margaret Beckett's recent announcement, and if you think my opinion of my constituents is really that low then I must respectfully suggest that you must be confusing me with one or other of my predecessors.The truth of this change of heart by the Minister is that it is too little, too late and will result in additional costs to the council and use of valuable officer time.  I am not sure that we will be in a position to make the adjustment by April and it could well be May before rent accounts are rebated.  This is to be the subject of a debate at Borough Council tonight, at which I intend to make my position on the matter abundantly clear.

Phil Andrews ● 6274d