Mayor Of London Opens New Hounslow Council Headquarters
Sadiq Khan cuts the ribbon at official opening of the modern, eco-friendly building
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, this week (Tuesday 30 April) officially
opened Hounslow House, the multi-million pound new council HQ, following
the release of the old Civic Centre site for housing.
Hounslow House, a six-floor building with a striking steel exterior, is the heart of the town centre, is a smaller, modern and more energy-efficient building with a community focus.
The new council HQ has improved green credentials, with an improved energy rating, and solar panels. There is no car park for either staff, visitors or councillors,to encourage less car use. In future, council meetings will be held in a Civic Suite on the sixth floor, which can also double up for community meetings.
The old Civic Centre in Lampton road now contains 160 houses, with another 750 to follow. Funding for the new centre comes from a variety of sources, including the housing project and GLA grant.
The new council HQ has improved green credentials, with an improved energy rating, solar panels. There is no car park for either staff, visitors or councillors,to encourage less car use.
There is a greater emphasis on technology and less on face to face interaction.
More services are being digitised so residents can self-serve on a number
of issues, from applying for something, paying for a service, reporting
an issue or requesting an appointment or information.
The Council says: " New technology means that staff can work more
efficiently, going out to meet clients instead of needing residents to
come to the council for appointments, or to drop off forms or ask for
information."
Hounslow Library has also moved to the new building, bringing it back
to the town centre, in addition to adult education classrooms. Other partners
include the NHS (Hounslow Clinical Commissioning Group) and the Metropolitan
Police.
A Civic Suite on the sixth floor includes a modern Council Chamber, which
can also be used as community or event space.
Councillor Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council, said: “Hounslow
House is a landmark building that will revitalise the western end of the
High Street and give a real boost to the town centre. It also supports
the creation of one of west London’s most vibrant retail, leisure
and culture centres through the wider Hounslow town centre development.
“I was delighted to welcome Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London to officially
open our new offices today, we have already benefited from 160 new homes
for residents at the former Civic Centre site, with a further 750 to follow.
I am grateful to the Mayor who has given us additional funding to secure
50 per cent truly affordable homes.
“I would also like to thank our partners Bouygues and their development
arm Linkcity, who have delivered Hounslow House and high-quality homes,
in partnership with Notting Hill Genesis, one of London’s leading
housing associations”.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m delighted to open
Hounslow House officially. This is a fitting home for Hounslow Council’s
efforts to make life better for those who live, work, visit and study
in the borough, and it’s great news that a wide range of community
groups and events will be able to call this new building home for years
to come. The council should be congratulated for delivering this project
as part of their ambitious plans to increase the delivery of much-needed
genuinely affordable housing in this area.”
Fabienne Viala, UK Country Director for Bouygues Construction, said: “This
important project demonstrates the power of working together in delivering
positive outcomes for local communities. The result of collaboration between
our Group companies Linkcity and Bouygues UK and wider partners including
Hounslow Council, the GLA and Notting Hill Housing Group, this scheme
is already making a real difference to local people.
“As well as providing a modern and efficient workplace for the council,
police and health services to continue delivering vital services to the
community, it is also freeing up space for over 900 much-needed new homes,
including affordable housing. It’s great to see this striking building
opened and we look forward to working with our valued partners on future
projects.”
The old Civic Centre in Lampton Road, Hounslow, was built in the late
1970’s and was no longer fit for purpose, with high running costs.
The Council says downsizing to a smaller building will also save money
in the long term, as well as allowing the site to be used for housing
for local residents.
They say that the digitisation of council services, making it easier
to do business with the council online, whether from a computer, tablet
or mobile phone, allows residents to choose when and how they contact
the council, 24/7, and more services are being added all the time.
May 1, 2019