Parks Friends Group Welcomes New Cabinet Role
Responsibility for green spaces part of expanded portfolio
The Northcote Nature Reserve cited as example of what co-operation can achieve
May 27, 2026
Hounslow’s parks and green spaces will now sit within a newly reorganised Cabinet portfolio, following decisions made at the Council’s Annual General Meeting on Tuesday night (26 May). Council Leader Shantanu Rajawat confirmed the new line-up of Cabinet posts, with responsibility for parks moving into an expanded Environment, Transport and Public Realm brief led by Cllr Salman Shaheen.
The change has been warmly welcomed by the Hounslow Friends of Parks Forum, which has long argued that parks should be recognised as central to the borough’s environmental ambitions rather than treated as an add-on to leisure services.
Forum Chair Kathleen Healy said the new structure signalled a positive shift in how the borough views its green spaces. “We are delighted that parks will sit within the Environment and Public Realm portfolio,” she said. “Parks have fantastic potential to support biodiversity and help meet the Government’s 30by30 target — 30% of land managed for nature’s recovery by 2030. The Council manages a huge amount of land in the borough. With investment in training and skills and the engagement of Friends Group volunteers, parks could be transformed into havens for wildlife and places for people to enjoy and learn about the natural world.”
She added that the 2030 target aligns with the next cycle of local elections, giving the Council a clear timeframe in which to demonstrate measurable improvements. “Delivering a significant increase in the biodiversity of parks by then would be a proud achievement.”
The Forum pointed to Northcote Nature Reserve in Isleworth as a model of what can be achieved when community groups and the Council work together. Once a “sterile area of mown grass and litter”, the reserve has been transformed by its Friends group into a thriving habitat rich in wildlife and a popular destination for local residents.
Ms Healy emphasised that parks are not only environmental assets but also vital social infrastructure. “More people, including families, live in flats with no garden. Access to beautiful open space supports physical and mental wellbeing and makes people feel safe and proud of their neighbourhood. As household budgets are squeezed, greater access to the rich public wealth parks can offer would make everyone feel better off.”
The Forum also welcomed the return of Cllr Shaheen to a parks-related role. Before the election he served as Lead Member for Leisure and Public Spaces and worked closely with Friends groups across the borough. “Councillor Shaheen was a great support to the Forum,” Ms Healy said. “We are confident he will champion parks’ potential to support the 30by30 pledge and enhance the public wealth potential of parks.”
The new Cabinet structure will take effect immediately, with the administration’s first Cabinet meeting scheduled for July, when priorities for the next four years will be set out.
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