An important contribution today was in getting my haircut at my barber’s in Bedfont earlier in the morning. Badly needed.
Hit the streets in Feltham and did some canvassing in the afternoon, during part of which I was joined by a national journalist. I enjoyed the canvassing and I enjoyed the interview.
Evening spent in Cranford!
Knowing how flat out I, and others on my campaign team, have worked not only during this campaign but over a much longer period, this is clearly an impressive result for Labour. Naturally I feel very disappointed. There were things that I did not expect such as the following:
We secured the most votes in Bedfont, Feltham North, Feltham West, Hanworth Park and Hanworth. However, Labour won by a much greater margin in Heston West, Heston Central, Heston East, Hounslow West and Cranford.
Labour invested heavily in this constituency and I saw over 20 different items of literature from them during the campaign. They took the threat of the Conservatives seriously.
I respect and accept the decision of residents in this constituency and congratulate Mr Keen. I do not think I have ever been so tired when giving a speech before but glad I got through it at around 05:30am. My team could not have done anything more to win this and I will always be grateful to them for their passion and loyalty.
Off to another count at mid-day. I hope I will continue as a Councillor for Feltham North.
As I intended originally months and months ago, I will looking out for things until the end of the campaign (and beyond). Here is some more:
1) Highways
A dip in the footway outside 27-29 Westminster Close, Feltham:
An open cabinet outside 44 Waterloo Close:
2) Vandalised bin
Outside 780 Bath Road, Cranford:
3) Graffiti
On Westmacott Drive (near junction with Beattie Close):
Will report on Tuesday.
Remains a problem. Lots of litter and inappropriate disposal of refuse:
Will report the following tagging:
And this one:
No idea why this remains a problem. I will report and ask whether one of the bins could be placed here?
As the following indicates, one of the bins is empty:
Will report later today!
I got to have a good walk around Clements Court this morning:
On the whole, looked very good:
Some nice new turf being laid:
A lot of land at rear – cannot be sure but part of it could be an allotment?
And, I was pleased to read the following:
The estate looked in good condition. Nothing picked up worthy of reporting, except the following to Highways:
The above is located at Clements Court (near the junction with Green Lane). Will report this.
It is worth remembering that it was not only the maintenance of Open Spaces & Parks in Feltham & Hanworth that took a beating from the previous Labour adminstration. Avenue Park did not do well out of Labour either.
It was another great Park experience for me today taking a walk around this one. Here are some pictures:
Some works taking place:
A lot of land not doing a great deal in one part:
Some tagging on the post:
And some tagging on the changing rooms:
But what a really good job is being done with the maintenance of this park.
I picked up the following today:
1) Damaged carriageway outside number 81
2) Outside number 55
3) Tagging at entrance to Cedars
4) A sign in need of a little clean
Will report later today.
Over lunch yesterday, I went to Cranford to attend the official opening of the above. This new facility is going to benefit a lot of people in Cranford and the areas around them. I feel a lot of pride about this mainly about the outcomes but also because I have seen the likes of Cllrs Thompson, Andrews, Lynch, Paul Fisher & Lin Davies investing time int making this a success – it proves that this administration has worked for all parts of the Borough, irrespective of how those areas vote at elections.
Here are some pictures, beginning with the pleasant looking exterior:
A well equipped interior:
Very impressive training rooms:
Lovely landscaping at the side:
And, some pictures of the Mayor performing his duties, in typically brilliant fashion – another top notch speech with no notes:
I wish this Centre every success and it will be interesting to see how things are progressing in six months time.
Here are a couple of stories where I was asked for comment last week:
Attempt to return Messrs Chatt & Ellar to the Council
The Regional Labour Party has decided that the above should be candidates at the local elections in the Cranford & Hounslow Heath wards respectively. I wonder whether Mr Ellar recalls me predicting (wrongly) that he would chicken run before the 2006 from Hanworth Park to Hounslow Heath? At least now, I am only wrong on the timing.
My view is that these two wards, especially Cranford, will be more interesting than in a generation. Labour will not be able to take it for granted and they are wrong if they think that either of these are safe.
It is pretty well known that I am not great pals with either of the above but I make no apology for remaining appalled by what I saw during their times as Leader of the Council between 2002 & 2006. The Borough Council Meetings at the time were a shambles whereby the majority of Executive Members were unable to answer legitimate questions put to them. The amount of things we [as an administration] have turned around since also highlights that the legacy we inherited was not great (lots more things to improve for the next administration but the legacy they will inherit is, on the whole, is a very good one and brilliant in some cases). This all makes these two wards even more important when the campaign gets underway.
My view on the promotions of booze in pubs
I have commented on this issue previously so this will not surprise too many people.
Last Saturday morning, I was in Cranford, as previous postings mentioned. I also went to Park Lane and was thrilled at the standard of some of the environmental works in this street (edge of Avenue Park). I had previously posted about problems of flytipping etc.
I am hugely proud when I see success such as this for it proves that this administration at the London Borough of Hounslow governs and works for all areas with equal vigour. The results in 2006 were quite polarised geographically. We [Conservatives] dominated in areas such as Chiswick, Osterley and, to a lesser extent, in Feltham. Other parts of the Borough, such as Hounslow, Cranford & Heston have not lost out since. Council Tax has been kept down for all and the parks throughout the Borough are better than in a generation.
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