We spoke to candidates from the Hounslow Conservatives and Liberal Democrats
The local elections in Hounslow will have a big impact on how services such as housing, social care, and street cleaning are managed after May 7.
As part of our local election coverage the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has offered every party leader in Hounslow the opportunity to sit down for an interview about their priorities and pledges. Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, the current Labour Leader of the Council was interviewed and the LDRS laid out his party’s priorities and plans if they retain control, in a separate article.
Challenging Cllr Rajawat and the Labour group is Cllr Peter Thompson, leading the Hounslow Conservatives , and Roger Crouch, Chair of Hounslow Liberal Democrats and former Richmond councillor. The Greens and Reform were invited to an interview with the LDRS, however did not respond to the invitation.
Main priorities
Cllr Thompson (Conservatives) said that his main priorities include fixing the basics – focusing on “bread and butter issues” that affect daily life – value for money, and restoring democracy in Hounslow.
He said: “I would say as a Conservative we do strongly believe that money is the residents and we’re sort of stewards of that money. So we want to make sure that it’s all spent well and I think we look across Hounslow and we see you know,despite the bigger picture issues that do affect us, we see areas where the council perhaps is not spending wisely or is adopting ways of delivery that don’t seem to be the best for our residents”
Roger Crouch (Liberal Democrat) outlined reconnecting with residents, reforming local governance, and pragmatic environmentalism as his main priorities. He added: “I think Labour have become rather distant from their residents and have been focusing on both national politics and their internal politics…
“We are champions for our residents and we stay in contact with them not only at election time but between elections trying to resolve the many and varied issues that need fixing.”
Tax
Cllr Thompson (Conservative) included a commitment to try and freeze council tax whenever possible, however he admits that due to the current funding formula, that this would be a “big ask” due to an incentive to increase council tax by 4.99 per cent.
He added: “I suppose if [a tax freeze] proves to be impossible, our pledge is that there will be sufficient improvements and what [residents] see around them as they walk out of the door, that means that at least they think it’s been spent wisely and not wasted on vanity projects that don’t really benefit too many people.”
The Liberal Democrat manifesto attacks Labour for increasing council tax, however Mr Crouch admitted that without fairer funding from national government (something he would lobby for), that councils have to increase tax. He added: “There’s also the issue that fixing issues doesn’t necessarily save money.
“Hounslow Council really needs to invest in repairing the many varied problems in Hounslow rather than doing temporary works. So for example, potholes filled in, a week later they’re potholes again.”
Manifesto commitments
Much of the Conservative manifesto is built around proposed savings, including the pledge for a new HMO enforcement team. Cllr Thompson said: “I think the Lampton setup that we have that looks after housing… isn’t working as we were promised.
“And the idea is that when we do find, and I’m sure we will find these savings, you know, we can invest that into things like housing enforcement… We are going to make savings.” Cllr Thompson went on to clarify that savings would not impact frontline services.
It was put to Cllr Thompson that these savings can take years to materialise. He responded: “We say what we’re going to do and if we fail to deliver that’s going to be obvious and transparent… if we invest in these services I think often there are real savings down the line.
“We’re pledging to have a youth zone in Feltham, but actually the model there is one that’s really funded by local businesses and voluntary groups… Ultimately, I suppose if we don’t, then folks will know and hopefully they will vote accordingly.”
On fly-tipping, Cllr Thompson says the council will implement a fair system rather than unfair fines, with penalties aimed at repeat offenders. When asked how this will be distinguished on the ground, and whether first time offenders will get away with it, he said: “I think it depends on the scale…
“If it’s like household carelessness or silliness… they tell you they warn you, I think there is a lower level of fine, it’s not £1,000 for a silly mistake. If you know a builder dumps a lot it’s not saying you send them a warning letter and say, [they did] it again they can get the book thrown at them but it is a bit of common sense that we need.”
The Liberal Democrats have pledged to work with the Metropolitan Police to tackle crime in the borough. When asked how this would lead to change, Mr Crouch said: “Councils do have a role in policing in their local authorities and again even as opposition councillors, you should be lobbying for your local area and lobbying for the Met to provide policing where there’s a high level of crime…
“Obviously, as Liberal Democrats, we will lobby politically for the Mayor of London to be given more funding for more police.”
Mr Crouch was asked whether plans to retrofit council buildings with insulation and solar panels, and a pledge for joined up cycle lanes across the borough had been costed. He admitted that it hasn’t as the party is so small locally, and does not have a single councillor, describing the manifesto as things that would be pushed for by new councillors.
Predictions and potential coalitions
Cllr Thompson told the LDRS that he believes the Conservatives will do better than expected in Hounslow, and he admitted it would be difficult to work with parties such as the Greens or Reform. On whether he will be the next Leader of Hounslow Council, he said: “If it were to be the case, that would be wonderful and exciting. But ultimately, it’s an area of my life that’s out of my control.”
Mr Crouch admitted that it is unlikely that the Lib Dems will take control of Hounslow Council, however he believes there is a good chance that there will be Liberal Democrat councillors in Hounslow after May 7 – measuring a first councillor in 16 years as a success that can build the “foundations for future growth.” He also ruled out working with Reform UK.
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