Back to Work After the Local Election Day
Chiswick Gunnersbury councillor Ron Mushiso reports back
Cllr Ron Mushiso
June 7, 2026
After months of walking the pavements, knocking on doors and speaking to residents across Chiswick Gunnersbury, the pace has finally begun to ease. I am grateful that Chiswick residents resoundingly chose to place their trust in our new look team, comprising of Cllr Biddolph and I, alongside our newest colleague, Cllr Vickram Grewal.
That trust of course, comes with responsibility. That’s why we have not wasted any time when it comes to serving the community and making Chiswick a safer, cleaner and an even better place to live.
W4 Youth
Almost immediately after the election, I attended the W4 Youth event at the Chiswick Cinema. Hosted by Jeremy Vine, the evening brought together local leaders, young people and supporters of an organisation doing remarkable work in our community.
Listening to founder Sally Chaccatte speak about she turned a traumatic experience with her family, into a project of hope for young people was particularly moving. You can watch the entire production here. Well worth it.W4 Youth's ambition to create a permanent community centre is an exciting one, and I hope local businesses, organisations and residents will support them as they work towards raising the funds needed to make that vision a reality.
W4YOUTH event hosted by Jeremy Vine
Andrea’s Film Club
A week later I found myself back at the Chiswick Cinema for Andrea's Film Club to watch Dead Poets Society. I confess it was my first viewing of a film many consider a classic. Andrea's insights into filmmaking and editing added another dimension to the evening. Next month's screening of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, marking its 50th anniversary, promises to be equally interesting.
At the Chiswick Cinema about to watch Dead Poet's Society
Chiswick Litter Pick and Food Market
Community spirit was also on display during a litter pick held in near 30-degree heat. Alongside Cllr Biddolph and local volunteers, we spent the early afternoon helping to keep the sense of civic pride alive through social action. These events may seem small, but they reflect something important about Chiswick: people care deeply about where they live and are willing to give up their time to improve it.
Later that day, I visited Chiswick Food Market and met Bob, an 11-year-old entrepreneur selling banana bread at his first ever stall! As a pupil at the school where I teach, I may be slightly biased, but seeing such confidence and enterprise at a young age was genuinely inspiring. Chiswick's future looks bright when young people are already showing that kind of initiative.
Bob's Banana Bread stall at the Food market
His QR code for Instagram
Chiswick Flower Market
As for the current generation of inspirational people, Chiswick continues to be well served. The Chiswick Flower Market under the leadership of Ollie Saunders and Kathleen Mitra, returns this Sunday, and I will once again be on duty with my fellow volunteers at the market creche, helping shoppers make the most of their visit. Those purchasing plants and flowers can leave them safely at the creche while they explore the market and surrounding independent shops. Shoppers can also leave other purchases there or arrange home delivery, provided they live within a two to three-mile radius of the market.
The Flower Market Volunteers
Local Politics
Following former Cllr Peter Thompson's defeat in the Chiswick Riverside ward at the recent elections, the Conservative Group elected a new leadership team. Cllr Jack Emsley was chosen uncontested as Leader, reflecting the confidence colleagues have in him as we continue to present ourselves as an alternative administration.
I was honoured to be elected by fellow councillors from the three Chiswick wards to chair the Chiswick Area Forum. While there were disagreements over the appointment of the forum's vice-chair, my priority remains ensuring that Chiswick residents receive the services and attention they deserve.
Over the coming year, I will continue pressing the council on issues residents consistently raise with me: potholes, uneven pavements, weeds, fly-tipping, bulky waste collections and community enforcement. Chiswick residents pay their council tax like everyone else and deserve their fair share of resources.
Cllrs Grewal, Biddolph, and me
Some highlight from my caseworks
Several residents raised concerns during the election campaign about electric bikes travelling at speed through Barley Mow Passage. Confusing signage at the Chiswick Library end of the passage has left uncertainty over what is permitted. I have raised this with senior officers and hope we can secure clarification soon.
Another issue is the growing fly-tipping hotspot behind Kent House and Oldfield House on Devonshire Road. Residents are understandably frustrated and enforcement officers are now investigating.
Fostering, Adoption and permanence Panel– My new role on the council
Finally, I would like to share one additional appointment this year, which carries a particularly personal significance:
As someone who spent a huge part of their childhood in foster care across Hounslow, Chiswick and Richmond, being asked to sit on the Adoption, Fostering and Permanency Panel feels like a full-circle moment. The panel helps assess prospective foster carers and adopters, and I am proud to contribute my lived experience.
There are nearly 300 children are currently in foster care in Hounslow. As ever, we are open to boosting the number of foster careers and adopters. Elected Councillors form part of support network for children in care as corporate parents. We all share a responsibility to help those young people achieve their potential. I would not be writing this blog today without the support of foster carers. So, if you have ever considered fostering or adopting and would like to know more, please do get in touch.
Alongside Cllr Vivek Ganachari and the Fostering Panel briefing
As ever, thank you for your support, your emails and your conversations on the doorstep. It is an honour to serve.
Cllr Ron Mushiso
07976 702887
DEMOCRACY: DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Anyone can attend public meetings of the council. Hounslow House is fully accessible. Hounslow Central tube station is not step-free. The 237 bus stops nearby. Parking in local roads is limited.
Principal meetings are broadcast live on the Council’s YouTube channel
Planning Committee : 11 July at 7pm
Planning Committee : 25 July at 7pm
Overview and Scrutiny Committee : 2 July at 7pm
Planning Committee : 9 July at 7pm
Cabinet : 14 July
Borough Council : 21 July at 7.30pm
CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR SURGERIES
Chiswick: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Chiswick Library (Conservative councillors take this surgery in turn).
Gunnersbury: First Saturday of the month from 10am to 11am at The Gunnersbury Triangle Club, Triangle Way, W3 8LU (at least one of the Chiswick Gunnersbury ward councillors takes this surgery).
CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS CONTACT INFO
Chiswick Gunnersbury ward
Cllr Joanna Biddolph joanna.biddolph@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 703446
Cllr Vickram Grewal vickram.grewal@hounslow.gov.uk 07904 184099
Cllr Ron Mushiso ron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702887
Chiswick Homefields ward
Cllr Michael Denniss Michael.Denniss@hounslow.gov.uk
Cllr Jack Emsley jack.emsley@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 396017
Cllr Linden Grigg Linden.Grigg@hounslow.gov.uk 07779 436258
Chiswick Riverside ward
Cllr Gabriella Giles gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk 07966 270823
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