Cabinet Question Time

Why are leisure service ie gym swimming so expensive. Older and individuals with underlying medical condition should have a discount to use facilities outside core hour usage. No doing so has an impact on NHS and residents long term health and well-being.

60+ classes need to continue for the physical &mental wellbeing of Hounslow residents.
Stopping classes with no mention of replacement is terrible. Many people who come to the classes are on their own and this is their chance to get out into the community.
We understand that budgets are tight but the long term effect on residents will cost more!

If you had met anyone attending the 60+ Activities Program you would not be in any doubt about the exceptional impact it is having on the lives of the senior citizens of Hounslow Council and how perfectly targeted it is.
It offers a dedicated setting with committed instructors taking care of their specific needs in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that fosters friendships, harmony and social cohesion.
Have you considered, how huge a loss to this now quite large community, the abrupt termination of this vital service would represent and how steep the cost of the fallout would be to the NHS, Social Services and ultimately, to the Coucil itself?

Why has the decision to cancel the 60+ programme been decided without talking to any of the participants?
How much does this programme cost the Council compared to other events?

Re. 1 Burlington Lane planning application

Why wasn’t the fact that there was a formal objection from Richmond Council or the fact that the proposal harms a protected view taken into account at all? The report says and relies upon the fact that the view is only glimpsed, and pays no attention to its status.

Given how important this is and therefore its significance when taking any decisions, shouldn’t the matter be re- reported and reconsidered?

Why are the council permitting a taller building than was permitted by the national planning appeal in Chiswick House Conservation Area that also overlooks and will impact on the Old Chiswick Conservation Officer. Why didn’t they listen to the hundreds of objections including from Richmond and Hammersmith, Historic England and apparently their own conservation officer who objected to the 10m increase in height. How can Hounslow Council be trusted as it does not appear to be able to value and protect Chiswick as a very special part of the borough.

Isn't it financially better for the Council and the NHS to ensure that elderly people are as healthy as possible? Surely prevention is better and cheaper than cure. To spend a little to keep the classes for the 60+ opened would in the long term be beneficial for everyone and it is short sighted of the Council not to see that.

How do you plan to maintain the community connection these classes created?

Why are pensioners being punished and ignored?

Hello. Can some members of the Cabinet & decision making committee who are due to decide on the funding for the 60+ Activities Programme actually attend in-person at a variety of these 60+ events where they will see there has been enormous positive effect *BEFORE* they make their final decision? Thank you.

Why is the 60+ Activity Programme ending before a clear replacement is in place, given its proven success for older residents? Has the Council assessed the cost to the NHS and social care if this preventive programme ends? If so, will you publish these figures?

The Council has confirmed that Better Care Fund support for the 60+ Activities Programme will end in September 2025, with the programme itself scheduled to close in November. We recognise that budgets are under pressure, but this programme is widely acknowledged as low-cost and high-impact, improving health, reducing loneliness, and preventing avoidable NHS and social care costs.
Given its proven success and the disruption that closure would cause, can the Cabinet guarantee that there will be no gap in provision, and confirm what alternative sources of funding are being explored or secured to maintain the programme beyond November?

Will councillor Dunne add Lime to the LBH mix of e-bikes or are the deals done with Voi and Forest prevent this? I’ve stopped using them because I need to use 2 bikes to get to Richmond. This is not a London issue - this is a LBH issue

When are you going to stop renting the park out week after week after week for irritating concerts?? The key for the park is surely paid out of council Tax ??

This is the 3rd day of non-stop bass from Gunnersbury Park hitting Chiswick. Neighbours report 79dB+ at homes, above the 75dB licence limit. Why is Hounslow Council not fining organisers? Do we need to take this to court? Shockingly, the event’s own Sound Management Plan (Vanguardia, 27 June 2025,P/2025/1376) for Waterworks 2025 asks for 90db: “A maximum overall ‘C’ weighted level of 90 dB LCeq,15 mins is also proposed as a cap on low frequency bass noise.” They claim the premises licence allows 90db. It does not. Licence H01288 clause 17.6 states: “Noise… shall not exceed 75dB(Laeq,15min) at 1m from the nearest noise sensitive premises.” Why is planning overwriting licensing, already above the 65dB Pop Code applied in Hyde Park(25/01965/LIPDPS)?They are selling tkts for next year already

The Council must act to stop the frequent very loud & disruptive music events in Gunnersbury Park, which are the despair of local residents trying to live their lives, avoid headaches, their children to sleep - and are destructive of the park because of the huge footfall & vehicles setting up and taking down. These events regularly render a large area of the park inaccessible to normal park users.

When will the council take into account the residents' concerns with the number of commercial music events in Gunnersbury Park and the unreasonable disruption they create ?

We're currently sitting inside our house with the windows closed and we are being disturbed by the noise from the Waterworks festival in Gunnersbury Park. This has been going on all afternoon. We're in West Acton. How does Hounslow Council consider it to be acceptable to sanction events that disturb tens of thousands of people? There are plenty of indoor arenas for artists to play in. This smacks of commercialism by the council at the expense of the people who live in the surrounding area.

We are litteraly sitting in our home today(Sat 13th Sep) being blasted with 90db noise by Waterworks in Gunnersbury Park. The licence allows only 75db but Hounslow planning overwrote it and allowed 90db! Our baby can't sleep, we cant work! Seriously considering legal action against Hounslow council for allowing this year after year and ignoring those who voted for you. After 116 days of renting out our local park this summer to multimillionaire promoters we are sick of it! Will you stop this torture now or do we need to take the council who granted the licence and planning permission to court?

I am a resident on Jersey Road, near Osterley park. It is disgusting and a health and safety issue to tolerate the Food with Love kitchen. they leave fruits, food, bread, etc. outside, in rain, sun, etc. and all the rats and birds are just eating that and making more mess. not to mention the smell. I have pictures and videos, I did raise this with counsel, and nothing happened. The rubbish liquid that is on street is smelly, the area is disgusting. No matter how much I told the council, nothing append. Food with Love will be closed in any civilized country if they do what they do here. Why we tolerate them and WHY we must live with this mess and disgusting place, because council is blind.