From Potholes To Piazza, A Local Councillor's Busy Life
This week Councillor Michael Denniss writes about his work in the community
It’s been a year since I was first elected councillor for Chiswick Riverside
ward. Since the election I’ve been familiarising myself with new responsibilities
and challenges and meeting residents and community groups. Hounslow council’s
induction course introduced new councillors to its key structures and
procedures and informed my work as a councillor.
I have spoken several times at meetings of the borough council. For instance
I endorsed and voiced my support for the council’s acceptance of the International
Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s interpretation of anti-semitism (all
nine of us supported it, of course). After several residents raised concerns
about the complicated language in the council’s annual budget I asked
the council’s cabinet to consider simplifying the language and to produce
an accompanying document that summarised the key points. I do feel that,
at all levels of government, transparency such as this provides legitimacy
in a democracy.
I’ve have taken on several roles outside the council, on groups on which
there is formal council representation. One of these is the board at Mortlake
Crematorium which oversees how the crematorium is governed, how it manages
its financial arrangements and how it forecasts future risks. It’s also
a chance to ensure that the crematorium serves residents effectively.
The Grade II-listed building is beside the Thames and is a stunning Art
Deco design. The atmosphere there is entirely tranquil and provides enormous
comfort after a long day in the office!
Measuring potholes
This year I’ve taken on new roles and am now a member of the housing
scrutiny panel. This role will allow me to study and contribute towards
the council’s plans for housing, ensuring that they are being run soundly
and that they deliver value for money.
Another of my new tasks in the Conservative group is to keep abreast of
and promote online petitions that affect residents in Chiswick. This is
so that residents don’t miss out on adding their voice on matters that
they care about. One of these is the current petition to oppose Transport
For London’s proposed Cycle Superhighway 9 (CS9) which the council will
vote on perhaps as soon as September or October. Last weekend I promoted
the petition on Chiswick High Road at a stall with Shaun Bailey and Nicholas
Rogers, the Conservative candidates for Mayor of London and the Greater
London Assembly respectively. The petition is live until 3rd September
and you can sign it here: http://petitions.hounslow.gov.uk/Stop-cs9/.
The system only allows for one name for each email address so if you share
an email address and would like a paper copies to complete, please let
me know.
I’ve also attended meetings of local community groups such as the Grove
Park Group Residents Association and the Strand on the Green Association.
This is a chance for me to find out what these groups are planning and
what their common concerns are. It’s really encouraging for me to see
residents getting together and taking action on issues that matter, such
as the Grove Park Piazza, local crime and rubbish collections. It’s great
to have this focused understanding of the key topics and also to catch
up with residents. The Conservative group recently hosted two large meetings
with local and borough police in Chiswick which drew large numbers of
residents. The other councillors and I met attendees and collected formal
feedback on concerns about crime and how safe they feel in Chiswick.
Another key activity is regularly to walk around Chiswick Riverside ward,
either on my own or with your other Riverside councillors, Gabriella Giles
and Sam Hearn. These have the dual effects of learning about or better
understanding existing problems and developments in the ward, and raising
our profile amongst residents. We recognise the issues that residents
have raised with us, for instance the number of cars driven to and left
near Chiswick Station on a work day and the number of potholes, especially
on Grove Park Gardens. We take different routes so that we cover the whole
ward. I particularly enjoy the walk along the river between Kew Bridge
and Strand. Chiswick Riverside is a lovely place to live in and I am lucky
to have grown up in such an area.
If you have any comments about any of the issues that I have raised then
please do get in touch.
Dates for diaries
• Hounslow Borough Council: Tuesday, 18 June at Hounslow House (papers
are online now).
• Chiswick
Area Forum: Tuesday, 25 June (papers will be published a week
before)
• Chiswick surgeries: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Chiswick
library, upstairs in a private room.
• Gunnersbury surgeries: First Saturday of the month from 10am to 11am
at The Triangle Club, The Ridgeway, W3 8LN, usually a group discussion
but privacy can be arranged.
Councillor Michael Denniss
Email: michael.denniss@hounslow.gov.uk
Phone: 07976 703274
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June 16, 2019