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Note: Anyone who posts a defamatory comment does so at their own risk and must take responsibility personally."Terrapin has a superb track record of helping our clients achieve successful planning consents right across Greater London." – Political lobbyist Peter Bingle, The Terrapin Group.SHOULD COUNCIL LEADER STEVE CURRAN HAVE ACCEPTED FOUR DINNERS WITH LOBBYIST PETER BINGLE? WHAT WAS THE BILL? Mr Bingle works for big developers including two currently active in Hounslow Borough – Fairview New Homes (Heidelberg site, Brentford) and A2Dominion (Hounslow West). As Council Leader, Cllr Curran oversees Planning and Regeneration. Hospitality is acceptable as long as Cllr Curran correctly declares it, as he did. But is it a good look?Some might think it would be more appropriate for him to meet Mr Bingle over a desk in Hounslow House where their discussion could be fully minuted. Instead Mr Bingle took Cllr Curran for dinner. Four dinners are declared across two dates, perhaps two of the meals being for Cllr Curran's spouse (who works for Hounslow Council). We are not told. It might have been in La Rosetta, Brentford (low prices). Or it might have been in Mr Bingle's native habitat around Parliament (more swish and expensive). How much did it cost?In his declaration of interests, Cllr Curran does not say. Perhaps he will now tell us the details.In Parliament Labour has been rigorously scrutinising any potential conflict of interest amongst Conservative ministers and MPs, even when it is declared. It seems fair to apply the same scrutiny to our councillors so people can make up their own minds with the May 5 local elections coming up.Recently Osterley & Wyke Green Residents' Association asked: "“Is it acceptable for the Leader of the Council (also Cabinet Member for Corporate Strategy, Planning and Regeneration) to accept hospitality at sports events e.g. international rugby and cricket matches, from developers who are submitting planning applications in the borough?”The Council replied: “Members are entitled to accept hospitality so long as it is declared in accordance with statutory requirements.”What exactly does Mr Bingle do, in his role representing Fairview and A2Dominion and others? His company says: "Terrapin understands the London political scene. Our consultants are experienced advisers who are able to derisk large, complicated schemes at the start of the planning process and then work with clients to ensure a successful outcome."It adds: "The relationship between London councils and City Hall is constantly evolving. Clients need advisers who understand that critical relationship and are able to assist them navigate through a sea of complexity."Terrapin Communications delivers the following services :"Political audits of individual London councils."Targeted political engagement programmes."Stakeholder engagement."Public exhibitions."Strategic advice on planning in London."Terrapin has a superb track record of helping our clients achieve successful planning consents right across Greater London. If you would like to discuss a potential assignment please contact : peter.bingle@terrapingroup.co.uk"Terrapin is a member of the PRCA and is a strong and public advocate for strong industry rules which are ruthlessly enforced. Public affairs is a force for good in the Body Politic. We therefore welcomed the creation of the Public Affairs Board and adhere to its rules. We are also registered with the Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists."Terrapin discloses all our clients on the PAB’s public register and expects our team to act with integrity and ethics at all times."There is no suggestion of wrongdoing. It is a matter of judgment.

Vanessa Smith ● 1692d38 Comments

WHO IS PETER BINGLE, THE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT LOBBYIST WHO APPEARS TO HAVE WINED AND DINED CLLR STEVE CURRAN (OVERSEEING THE BOROUGH'S REGENERATION)?On Vice.com Andy Jones reports: "Peter Bingle is one of London's most prolific lobbyists. He spends his days schmoozing local councillors in the capital's finest restaurants in a bid to get his clients picked for big deals, picking up enough tabs for him to tweet that he's "'trying to end austerity singlehandedly'."The London Lobbyist with Ties to Billions of Pounds of Gentrification (vice.com)Mr Bingle represents property developers active in the Borough (scroll for linked reports). There is a more recent article from Inside Croydon, by Steve Downes. "In Southwark, activists who have been campaigning against a massive transfer of public property over to private developers have described their council offices as having 'revolving doors', seeing local authority staffers and councillors walking straight into the arms of lobbyists for big business."(Legal note: There is absolutely nothing wrong with cosy relationships between councillors, developers and lobbyists as long as hospitality is properly declared.)MORE HERE: After billions in regeneration deals, might Bingle eye Croydon? | Inside Croydon

Vanessa Smith ● 1692d

I used to work with him. Nice chap. The problem is with the council.

Claire Moran ● 1692d

Some people met Hitler and said he was quite charming!

Basil Finnis ● 1692d

Note: Anyone who posts a defamatory comment does so at their own risk and must take responsibility personallyWINING AND DINING FREEBIES ARE NOT A GOOD LOOK FOR THE PATRON OF OUR LOCAL FOODBANK. THE STEVE CURRAN ERA MAY BE DRAWING TO A CLOSE."I'D LIKE TO STAY COUNCIL LEADER FOR EVER," CLLR CURRAN TOLD BRENTFORD TV IN 2020. "BUT THERE ARE ELECTIONS IN 2022."It is not wrong for a Councillor to accept four dinners from a property development lobbyist as long as they are declared, as Steve Curran's were. But is it wise, especially when you are overseeing the Borough's multi-million pound regeneration – and are Patron of the local food bank, Hounslow Community FoodBox?That's the question being asked of the Council Leader following our reports that he has allowed himself to be wined and dined by Peter Bingle, of The Terrapin Group (scroll for linked items). Cllr Curran speaks frequently of the unemployment and poverty afflicting the Borough and he campaigns to alleviate it. So wining and dining freebies are not a good look. The same might also apply to other declared freebies.He has been Council Leader since 2014, a period which has seen massive redevelopment change the face of much of the area. Some residents approve, some don't. When we asked what he'd like his legacy to be, he replied: "Brentford High Street developed…the football club moving…more council housing…more business…looking after the homeless."It's a record which makes him a pivotal figure in the Borough's history. Recently he was praised when Hounslow won "Council of the Year". But some fellow councillors believe the time has come for a change. Large redevelopment is not universally popular – the Tesco/Homebase public inquiry starts on 15 March – and now his cause has not been helped by his dining with lobbyist Peter Bingle whose company boasts: "Terrapin has a superb track record of helping our clients achieve successful planning consents right across Greater London."How? What role does wining and dining play?Cllr Curran and Mr Bingle could quite easily have held their discussion more formally in Hounslow House where their points, no doubt important, could have been fully minuted for the record.The Council elections are on 5 May. As the likely majority, Labour Councillors will then meet to, in effect, elect the Leader of the Council. Cllr Curran says he will throw his hat into the ring. Others will stand too. It will be finely balanced. But it looks as if the Steve Curran era may be drawing to a close.

Vanessa Smith ● 1691d

Most meetings are in a safe place on neutral ground, that has always been the case as far as I can remember.

Janice Evans ● 1691d

It is more difficult to have a 'business meeting' when you have all those glasses of wine, and plates of food getting in the way on the table though, isn't it Janet?

Andrew Jones ● 1691d

Ignoring

Janice Evans ● 1691d

'Most meetings are in a safe place on neutral ground, that has always been the case as far as I can remember.'I can't speak for what circumstances you are referring to, but I do know as a councillor who was also on the planning committee, we were advised by the Borough Solicitor (which we used to have) that we should never meet with any developer unless we had an officer with us, and preferably meet in the council offices. Should any gifts/token of appreciation be received you had to declare it, which I did - giving a bottle of wine given to me to the Mayor's charity. You really do have to consider how things look and be as transparent as possible in public life.

Vanessa Smith ● 1691d

Was it during working hours? were deals made during meals or later?

Janice Evans ● 1691d

Cannot see anything wrong in this if it was just discussions and don't seewhy an officer should be present unless important decisions are beingmade

Janice Evans ● 1691d

The discussions (or otherwise) are surely only happening (over lunch) because the person being dined is a member of the council.

Andrew Jones ● 1691d

'Cannot see anything wrong in this if it was just discussions and don't seewhy an officer should be present unless important decisions are beingmade'Really? Because you leave yourself wide open to accusations of doing deals and ultimately corruption, whether or not that is the case. Also notes/Minutes of meetings should be taken so that everyone knows what was said and by whom. Some of the developments in Brentford for example have been for millions of pounds as is the current Tesco/Homebase proposal which has been called in by Michael Gove. The public have a right to know why it was felt necessary for the leader of the council, whose portfolio covers planning and development, to meet with a developer over a cosy lunch, and not with officers present in Hounslow House. Not once but several times.

Vanessa Smith ● 1691d

Petty, or accusing.

Janice Evans ● 1691d

As I said, Petty, or accusing.

Janice Evans ● 1691d

Who is petty or accusing Janet?If it's me you are referring to what specifically have I written that you think is petty or accusing?

Andrew Jones ● 1691d

Explanation required - to what are you alluding?

Vanessa Smith ● 1691d

I don't reply to you ooops! Andrew

Janice Evans ● 1691d

Why did the person post this are they accusing of something or questioningwhatever, if there is a 'problem' with meals why was it not stop after thefirst one.

Janice Evans ● 1691d

Ok - thanks Janice.

Andrew Jones ● 1691d

It's known as freedom of the press (media) and they are shining light in some murky corners. As far as I can see no accusations have been made - apart from a lack of clarity as to why these cosy lunches took place and were they  necessary? Have there been any other 'jollies' we should be aware of? How could it be stopped? The people involved clearly had no intention of doing so and the rest of us hadn't a clue anyway. We do - however stupidly, rely on the integrity of those involved in politics both locally and nationally.

Vanessa Smith ● 1691d

O.K no accusations that's good, would have thought lunches were necessary in Business deals but with Councils? not sure maybe theCouncil should be informed before any such lunch meetings take place.

Janice Evans ● 1691d

Or who would he inform, The Mayor ?

Janice Evans ● 1691d

I wouldn't have thought so -personally I'd have thought legal advice.

Vanessa Smith ● 1691d

I sympathise entirely with your concerns, Vanessa. It's rather reminiscent of the annual MIPIM jolly, sorry, convention in Cannes which several of LBH's councillors are obliged, no doubt reluctantly, to attend.

Colin Jordan ● 1691d

Don't leave out their counterparts at the Peoples Republic of Ealing, mainly the new leader 'Del Boy' Mason!

peter king ● 1691d

Now there's building plans galore I'm sure these fine upstanding people will be unpacking their swim trunks for Cannes again?

Basil Finnis ● 1691d

God forbid anyone from seeing these people in their swim trunks!

Steve Taylor ● 1690d

Betcha their Budgie Smugglers would be well padded with 'Arry Redknapp type large brown envelopes!

peter king ● 1690d

NO SCHMOOZING, WE'RE HOUNSLOW. "…meet the most influential players from the international real estate industry, a networking platform to forge deals."Although there is nothing wrong with property developers paying for Councillors and officers to fly to the South of France if it's fully declared, some people don't think it is a) a good look, and b) what they voted for. In 2019 – on the Council's last visit to MIPIM before Covid – the team was "fully funded" by companies with interests in the Borough including: Ballymore (The Brentford Project); Willmott Dixon (Brentford High Street & Feltham); Fairview (Heidelberg, Brentford); and A2Dominion (Hounslow West). Presumably they helped pay for plane tickets, accommodation, nice meals and a teeny weeny drop of refreshment. They're too shy to give us the details.MIPIM is the world's biggest property market, held every year in Cannes. In the past Hounslow Council has taken a stand. It is serious business involving potential million pound deals. In 2019 the Hounslow team included Cllr Curran (Planning and Regeneration) and officers such as Peter Matthew (Housing, Planning and Communities). As Cllr Curran said: "As a borough, it is essential that we promote ourselves on a global stage, to secure investment, job opportunities and homes that we need.” No one is suggesting it was a junket. But this was the Riviera. Wining and dining is available.In 2020 and 2021, that was ended by Covid. Hounslow was unable to attend. This year it was thought the Council might return. But the event is on 15-18 March which coincides with the public inquiry into the Tesco/Homebase redevelopment, a very hot potato. That might not make a great headline, especially bearing in mind the comments Cllr Tony Louki made to the developer about MIPIM: "You think this is a done deal just because you speak to Cllr Curran…You've gone ahead with what you've discussed down in Cannes or wherever else you do your deals round the back with. I'm not saying you've done the deal particularly anything nefarious but the discussions prior to come to this…”Any controversy would coincide with the run-up to the Council elections on 5 May. Wining and dining on the Riviera, whatever the self-sacrifice involved, is unlikely to prove a vote winner, a view fortified by some of our recent disclosures of Cllr Curran being entertained by property lobbyist Peter Bingle who happens to represent some Hounslow developers.As its own website says: "MIPIM is the real estate event to meet the most influential players from all sectors of the international real estate industry. It brings the entire value chain together and gives unrivalled access to the greatest number of development projects and sources of capital worldwide. MIPIM is a unique exhibition and networking platform to forge deals."But this year they're giving it a miss. It'll have to survive without the enthusiastic participation of Cllr Curran and Co.

Vanessa Smith ● 1689d

"MIPIM is a unique exhibition and networking platform to forge deals." Not the only deals that go down either where money is concerned

Julian Pavey ● 1689d

Great post Vanessa. How anyone can defend this a normal behaviour is beyond me!

Basil Finnis ● 1689d

Not my work I'm afraid - credit to Brentford Debate not Hate on Facebook.

Vanessa Smith ● 1689d

Well thanks for highlighting here anyway :)

Basil Finnis ● 1689d

HOW MUCH WAS TREAT FOR TWO AT LORD'S? QUESTION TO COUNCIL FROM BRENTFORD TODAY & TV: "Council Leader Steve Curran, overseeing Planning and Regeneration, accepted two tickets for the first day of the 2nd Test against Australia at Lord's on 14 August 2019. This was paid for by the property developers, The Berkeley Group, redevelopers of the Tesco/Homebase sites at Osterley/Brentford. They also provided hospitality. Why is this not listed on Cllr Curran's formal Register of Hospitality made to the Council and available to the public? "We sent that question at 10am this morning (Tuesday). Four hours later, it suddenly appeared on his Declaration of Hospitality (along with other omitted items).Cllr Curran's special day out, with companion, was revealed by the Council after a Freedom of Information request made by the residents' group, OWGRA. Last year Berkeley presented its proposals for the Tesco/Homebase redevelopment and they were approved by the Council's Planning Committee (on which Cllr Curran does not sit). Those proposals – controversial because of their size and mass – are now to be the subject of a Public Inquiry starting on 15 March.Of the Lord's trip, Cllr Curran did make a "Notification by Member of a Local Authority of Receipt of Gift of Hospitality over the value of £25". It is dated 15/08/2019, the day immediately after the visit. But it did not appear on the Register, available to the public. Until this afternoon, it still didn't. Then it popped up.Cllr Curran's public Register lists hospitality from other quarters, some also connected to property developers in the Borough. Unlike fellow councillors, he does not give the value of the benefits he has received. How much would his Lord's freebie have cost? The cheapest tickets at Lord's for England v India this July are £365. Presumably it would have been more expensive than that, and there would be fine food and drink on hand, for him and his guest.It would be interesting to know the value.

Vanessa Smith ● 1688d

STEVE CURRAN'S UNDECLARED FREEBIES FROM BOROUGH PROPERTY DEVELOPERS: BRENTFORD TODAY & TV PUTS QUESTIONS TO NIALL BOLGER, HOUNSLOW COUNCIL'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE, AND TO RACHEL McCOY, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF GOVERNANCE AND MONITORING OFFICER. The questions are also forwarded to Cllr Curran to respond if he wishes.

Vanessa Smith ● 1687d

"All declarations by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Steve Curran, have been correctly and contemporaneously registered in the Register of Gifts & Hospitality in line with the Members Code of Conduct." – HOUNSLOW COUNCIL STATEMENT.Here the statement in full: "To be absolutely clear at the outset, there is no evidence of wrongdoing. Cllr Curran has and continues to demonstrate diligent compliance with the requirements of the Members Code of Conduct with regards to the accepting and registering of hospitality in the course of the business of running an ambitious and successful Council."The Members Code of Conduct requires that gifts and hospitality which exceed the sum of £25 are registered, along with the source of the gift(s) and/or hospitality, if accepted by members in the conduct of the business of the Council."All declarations by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Steve Curran, have been correctly and contemporaneously registered in the Register of Gifts & Hospitality in line with the Members Code of Conduct."The legal requirement is that declarations of hospitality by members are kept in hard copy in Members Services and are inspectable by the public by appointment in accordance with the law. As there is no breach, there is no basis for an investigation."Delivering Greater Transparency"As part of an ongoing drive to be an exemplar Council in terms of democratic participation and transparency, from 2020 the current administration introduced a practice, over and above the legal requirement, for hospitality declarations to be published online. This has happened diligently in line with the Council’s own aspirations to demonstrate transparency and best practice – and anyone, anywhere can access these."Understandably officers and members have been focused on continuing to steer the borough through a very difficult period, however it has always been our intention to continue our voluntary drive for greater transparency and publish retrospective entries from the start of this administration."Complaints procedure"A core purpose of improved transparency is to enable residents to hold the Council to account, as Councillors themselves do by abiding by the Members Code of Conduct. The Council’s monitoring officer will investigate formal complaints alleging a breach of the Members Code of Conduct. Complaints should be clearly articulated and supported by evidence. Details of how to make a complaint concerning a breach of the Member Code of Conduct can be found on the Council’s website."

Vanessa Smith ● 1687d

"Jenny Steen, sales director at Irish property developer Ballymore – which has several London projects – said she has noted increased Middle Eastern buyer interest in non-traditional areas such as West London’s The Brentford Project." – Arabian Business."Close to Heathrow airport and next to prestigious areas like Chiswick and Kew, Brentford offers people the chance to buy into great growth opportunities,” she said. “It’s an unusual place that is home to natural spaces, as well as proximity to great schools and employment opportunities at a lower price point. Middle Eastern buyers are looking at opportunities for growth in West London, which still have parks, green spaces and access to water in an appealing price bracket,” she said. “The Brentford Project appeals to owner-occupiers who would also like to rent out if they decide to.”MULTIPLE PURCHASES. Arabian Business also reported: "According to Barratt London (which is developing Hounslow Town Centre) 12 multiple property purchases were transacted in the last six months from Middle Eastern family offices, compared with one in the 12 months before. Between six and 10 apartments is the average number per transaction with purchasers. While typical purchase values are between £460,000 and £600,000."The property firm has seen a move towards Gulf investors purchasing more affordable outer London homes, which offer rental yields of around four percent – higher than central London at 3.6 percent."https://www.arabianbusiness.com/.../469671-why-gulf...

Vanessa Smith ● 1686d

I used to live in Dubai and a lot of money going through there was dirty money washed from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia and Middle Asia.I'm pleased that Hounslow is at the forefront of working for its citizens. Gives me a warm feeling.

Basil Finnis ● 1686d