Hounslow Borough Liberal Democrats

Chiswick Lib Dems comment on proposed CS9 scheme

2017-11-03T12:00:00Z

Chiswick Liberal Democrats ask TFL to investigate 'on-carriageway' and alternative solutions to ensure CS9 works for all.

While being fully supportive of increasing the use of walking, cycling and public transport to improve health, air quality and safety, Chiswick Liberal Democrats say they have concerns about the proposed Chiswick section of the CS9 cycle super highway in its current form.

"In our view TFL have failed to provide evidence that the CS9 scheme will deliver on these benefits for Chiswick. It's the right principle but is being implemented incorrectly", said Helen Cross, Liberal Democrat Council Candidate for Turnham Green Ward.

"This scheme is expected to cost up to £70 million pounds and should support all the forms of transport it is supposed to. This appears to be a classic case of top down targets driving decisions with little consideration of local needs. Chiswick Liberal Democrats want TFL to investigate 'on-carriageway' and alternative or complementary solutions to ensure CS9 works for all", she continued.

Our survey among local Lib Dems showed that while many want a 'greener' Chiswick, there were many concerned about the impact of the scheme on pedestrians, public transport, traffic and businesses. Following this feedback, Helen and fellow Turnham Green candidate Chris Gillie reviewed the TFL proposals. They highlighted the following concerns:

1. Wrong solution for community, consumers and business: The proposal of a fully segregated off-carriageway cycle route treats Chiswick High Road as a commuter 'through road' and is at odds with its crucial function as the community and local shopping hub for Chiswick. The proposed plans make crossing the road more difficult (all pedestrian crossing times are up significantly, some by 400%), impeding the ability of people to access businesses and amenities on both sides of the road. TFL's own planning guidance advises against putting fully segregated off-carriageway solutions on 'high street' type roads.

2. Reduced accessibility: This planning approach has led to an over emphasis of cycling at the expense of walking and public transport in Chiswick. We believe this presents significant accessibility challenges for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups (those with disabilities, children, or the elderly) as buses are one of the most affordable and accessible forms of transport. TFL have projected generally increased bus travel times, by as much as 5 - 10 minutes at peak times eastbound, and they have failed to publish any assessment of the critical E3 and 272 bus routes that connect north and south Chiswick.

3. Diminished pedestrian experience: Due to reduced pavement size, generally increased traffic journey times and having to cross a two-way CS9 lane to get to bus stops, Chiswick High Road will be more crowded, feel less safe and potentially have increased pollution. The current design of CS9 in Chiswick is also fundamentally at odds with the Healthy Streets Approach adopted by TFL that is supposed to encourage pedestrians and communities. The plans conflict directly with 6 of TFL's 10 Healthy Streets Indicators, and we are particularly concerned that an impact assessment on levels of pollution has not been carried out.

"Chiswick Liberal Democrats want to work with TFL to get the right CS9 approach for Chiswick. The current proposal diminishes the experience for pedestrians, impedes access to public transport for vulnerable groups, potentially increases pollution and is bad for local businesses. We will continue to push TFL to take concrete actions to address our concerns and develop a better solution that works for all."

See our detailed analysis and demands of TFL here. This document was submitted to the consultation on 31 October 2017. For further comment, contact Chiswick Liberal Democrats at liberalchiswick@gmail.com.

The Healthy Streets Approach document is available here: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/healthy-streets-for-london.pdf with the 10 Health Streets Indicators at page 12-13.

For the original Healthy Street Check document from Lucy Saunders and Brian Deegan for TFL, please click here.

Published and promoted by Sean Bourke at 104 Boston Manor Road, Brentford, TW8 9LN and Carl Pierce on behalf of Hounslow Liberal Democrats at 3 The Greenway, Hounslow, TW4 7AJ
Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

Tories out of touch about foodbanks

2017-05-30T20:02:00Z

Dominic Raab, a Tory former justice minister, says a typical food bank user has a "cash flow problem" rather than living in poverty.

Commenting on the reports, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Brentford and Isleworth, Joe Bourke said:

"These Tory ministers are woefully out of touch and have no idea how much real people are struggling. We are seeing nurses, police officers and the just about managing here in Hounslow having to go to food banks as their paychecks won't stretch any further. People are hurting and the Tories, with comments like this, show they just don't care."

"The real reasons people have to go to food banks are low incomes, benefit delays exacerbated by the introduction of Universal Credit, debt and homelessness."

"These are deeply offensive comments by Dominic Raab and he should apologise. This is the Alan B'Stard view of politics that shames him and his party."

Notes

On the Victoria Derbyshire show, Dominic Raab said:

"What they tend to find is the typical user of food banks is not someone that is languishing in poverty, it is someone who has a cash flow problem episodically."

"Six to fix" - Hounslow Lib Dems launch Local Election Manifesto

2010-04-06T23:00:00Z

Hounslow Liberal Democrats have today launched their local election manifesto setting out a radical approach to tackling unemployment and guiding our community towards a more healthy, green and resilient lifestyle.

Cllr Andrew Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats and Prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth constituency, said:

"We are proposing a clear raft of measures that would make a huge difference to peoples' lives in Hounslow. Our "Six to Fix" sets out our core policies and shows that a real change can be made by voting Liberal Democrat."

The "Six to fix" are:

1. Pilot a change of Jobseekers Allowance to a 'part-time employment guarantee'.

2. Push for improvements in our local health services.

3. Empower communities to make local decisions for justice in cases of Anti Social Behaviour.

4. Rebuild our roads and pavements.

5. Invest in our Primary and Secondary schools.

6. Support all our communities in transitioning to low carbon lifestyles.

In his introduction to the Lib Dem election manifesto for Hounslow, Cllr Andrew Dakers, writes:

"Local government touches the lives of every resident. From nursery education to rubbish collection to tackling climate change, councils have a responsibility to ensure that local services are provided in a responsive, efficient and effective manner, in accordance with the needs and wishes of local people. The Local Council elections on Thursday 6 May will decide how local services costing £186.1 million are run and how they are paid for.

"35 years of Labour control and then 4 years of the Tories mean that local government does not fulfil its responsibilities; real decision-making is remote from local people and conducted in an arrogant manner - a survey of residents in 2008 found that only a third of people in Hounslow ﴾34 per cent﴿ feel they can influence local decisions.

"You, the people of Hounslow, have a clear choice at this election - a choice between four more years of Tory muddle, or the opportunity of a radical approach to tackling unemployment and transitioning our community towards a more healthy, green and resilient lifestyle."

Jin Jhooti, Lib Dem council candidate in Bedfont ward, added:

"If you read our manifesto you will see that it is different from the others. We don't only propose policy changes. We also want fundamental changes in the way those policies are decided.

"We don't have the financial means of the Labour and Conservative parties to deliver endless glossy publications through the letter box. We hope that voters looking for a better way of running politics will take the time to look at the policies on our website. Our manifesto can be downloaded from www.hounslowlibdems.org.uk."

Lib Dems attack extreme cuts proposed by Tories to keep Council tax increases at 0%

2009-11-24T00:00:00Z

Lib Dem Group Leader Cllr Dakers this evening attacked a range of cuts proposed by the Tories ahead of the March 2010 budget. He said that whilst the Lib Dems were committed to keeping Council tax low there was a need for common sense to be applied and that removing school uniform grants for the borough's poorest children and subsidies to community organisations using facilities in schools was a step too far.

Cllr Andrew Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats, said:

"We supported the motion to throw out a number of the most ridiculous proposed cuts that ranged from significantly reducing support for community groups that use local school facilities to removing school uniform grants for the borough's poorest children. The Tories should not even be considering cuts in these areas.

"Most worrying for residents is the lack of communication from the Tory leadership of the Council to the Independent Community Group. It is appalling the Tories produced the budget cuts paper without involving their coalition partners. As lead partner in the coalition that runs the borough the Tories need to get their act together and stop letting down local residents with this poor leadership."

Brentford High Street's struggle continues as Magpie and Crown Pub closes

2009-11-02T00:00:00Z

Now closed: Magpie & Crown, High Street Brentford

Andrew Dakers, Councillor for Brentford Ward and Chair of Brentford High Street Steering Group, has raised serious concerns about the end of the lease on the Magpie and Crown pub on High Street Brentford.

Cllr Andrew Dakers, said:

"From everything I hear, I wonder whether the freeholders and their property managers have recently visited Brentford High Street?

"All things considered, with development blight on High Street Brentford and the recession, the Magpie & Crown was still doing a reasonable trade. Its real ale product offer was also fairly unique locally, which is why I am doubtful another pub landlord would be able to generate much more turnover.

"This highlights again the urgent need for London Borough of Hounslow to put a Town Centre Manager in place in the area."

Resources of note from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA):

Public house viability test - http://www.camra.org.uk/download.aspx?o=182043

Save your local pub - http://www.camra.org.uk/download.aspx?o=181996

Pub is the hub best practice leaflet - http://www.pubisthehub.org.uk/assets/downloads/PITH_Good_Practice_Guide.pdf

Cllr Dakers attends celebration of opening of borough's first Sri Lankan community centre

2009-09-18T23:00:00Z

Guests come together for group photo to celebrate community centre opening

Cllr Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats, today joined Independent Community Group councillors Phil Andrews, Paul Fisher and Shirley Fisher, and the Mayor of Hounslow Cllr Paul Lynch at a special function at the Civic Centre to celebrate the recent opening of the borough's first community centre. The centre will provide specific services for the Sri Lankan community.

Cllr Dakers and other guests listen to the speeches

The centre, in Chamberlain Walk, Hanworth, will give members of the Sri Lankan community a chance to meet on a regular basis and facilities will include tea and coffee hours, games such as carrom and chess and those wishing to catch up on news from Sri Lanka will be able to read a collection of Sri Lankan Sinhala, Tamil and English newspapers.

Guests light traditional Sri Lankan candles

Guests included the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, who all enjoyed an evening rich in Sri Lankan culture and entertainment. Guests were also treated to a range of freshly prepared Sri Lankan dishes including various types of hopper, chicken curry, seenisambal and potato curry. The meal was rounded off with a traditional Sri lankan desert of bananas and kiri with kitul treacle.

Cllr Andrew Dakers said after the event:

"The work that the Sri Lankan community are doing in Hounslow deserves this sort of recognition at the Civic Centre. I hugely enjoyed the food and entertainment.

"I was also able to have a fascinating conversation with the Sri Lankan High Commissioner regarding the challenges the country presently faces, and international perceptions of the recent conflict."

Contact details for the centre are:

Sri Lankan Community Centre (SLCC),

Community Resource Centre,

Chamberlain Walk,

Hanworth, TW13 6YG

Tel: 020 3011 2534

Email:slcc@officeliveusers.com

Web: www.srilankancommunitycentre.giving.officelive.com

Lib Dems welcome support for Locata reform proposals

2009-02-22T00:00:00Z

Local campaigners Cllr Andrew Dakers, Dinti Batstone and Mona Naqvi surfing Locata website (photography: Andrew Dakers)

Lib Dem campaigners Cllr Andrew Dakers, Dinti Batstone and Mona Naqvi welcome support from Hounslow Council's Executive for proposals first advanced by the Liberal Democrats in 2007 for auto-bidding on the Locata housing allocation system. If a pilot for the system proposed by a cross-party Scrutiny group is successful, as auto-bidding has been elsewhere, it will help vulnerable applicant groups such as the elderly, individuals with language difficulties, or those with limited internet access, ensure they do not miss out on housing bids on Locata. The Lib Dem campaigners are now calling on the Council to set a date for the pilot to go live to reduce further stress for applicants.

Cllr Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats, said:

"Currently housing applicants search Locata through the magazine or on the website and place bids manually when they spot suitable properties. With the introduction of auto-bidding system applicants requirements set in the database in advance and matched against properties as they become available in the area an applicant is interested in.

"It is now vital that we get a specific date from Hounslow Council and the Locata Company as to when the pilot system will go live."

Mona Naqvi, local campaigner, added:

"We must strive to make an already distressing and difficult process for many applicants, who have been waiting a long time to move home, as simple and as easy as possible. By removing the stress of having to constantly place bids, this will improve the lives of those with limited access or other difficulties in using the Locata system.

"With an auto-bidding scheme in place on Locata, it will be far more effective in achieving fairness."

Keens must lobby harder for Post Offices - Dakers

2007-01-27T00:00:00Z

Cllr Andrew Dakers in front of the Isleworth Post Office which was closed in the early 1990s

Hounslow Liberal Democrats celebrated tonight after their motion to full council calling for Hounslow's remaining post offices to be saved was carried with the full support of the Council. A proposed amendment by the Labour group suggesting that MPs Alan and Ann Keen were already lobbying government was met with scorn by the other council members and was not supported.

Cllr Andrew Dakers said:

"Nineteen Post Offices have been lost between 1999 and 2005 in Hounslow Borough (8 in Brentford & Isleworth constituency/ 11 in Feltham & Heston constituency). This is a reduction of about fifty percent in six years.

"Post Offices have provided a heart to many of our local communities for decades. For older members of our community they have been a convenient, safe and secure location to access a range of key services.

"As a result of the closures people walk further than ever before to access a post office and experience longer queues. If more close I do wonder how the elderly will be able to cope.

"Local retail businesses, for example at Albany Parade in Brentford, have already felt the impact of reduced trade when the local post office disappeared. This trend is backed up by national research from the New Economics Foundation.

"Hundreds of local residents have raised disappearing post offices as a concern on the doorstep and in surveys I've run over the past few years."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Save Hounslow's remaining Post Offices

Proposer: Cllr Dakers

Seconder: Cllr Drew Morgan-Watts

This Council regrets the loss of 19 Post Offices between 1999 and 2005 in Hounslow Borough (8 Brentford & Isleworth/ 11 Feltham & Heston) and notes with concern the announcement by the Government on 14th December 2006 of Ministers plans to close 2500 Post Office branches across the UK.

This Council further notes the social importance of Post Offices to the well being of both communities and individuals in Hounslow.

This Council believes that the recently announced closure programme is unnecessary and calls on the government to:

1. End the branch closure programme;

2. Remove the Royal Mail restrictions on the Post Office to open up further business opportunities for the network;

3. Carry out a review of which additional local and central Government functions could be carried out through Post Offices as many existing services go online;

4. Invest in the Post Office network.

This Council welcomes the decision of the Government to withdraw its previous proposals to scrap completely the Post Office Card Account (POCA), but calls on Ministers to ensure that any replacement POCA should be open freely to all pensioners and benefit recipients who wants one.

This Council calls on the Government to avoid putting pressure on current and future POCA users to switch to having benefits and pensions paid directly into bank accounts.

This Council calls on the MPs for Brentford & Isleworth and Feltham & Heston to lobby Ministers to save the Post Office from gradual demolition and to protect this vital service for the people. This Council further calls on the MPs to report back to this council on their actions.

Statement on London Bombings - Dakers & Khalsa

2005-07-08T23:00:00Z

Commenting on Thursday's terrorist bombings in Central London Satnam Kaur Khalsa, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Feltham & Heston, said:

"It is a great tragedy that these bombings have taken place, and we feel for the families who have lost their dearest ones, and pray for the recovery of the injured.

"What a contrast with last week, when many people in Hounslow, from all communities and of all ages, were campaigning hard as part of the Make Poverty History campaign.

"Thursday morning's carnage mars the positive picture of staff and pupils of the Lampton School forming a human white band.

"We hope that the people of Hounslow will retain this positive mindset, and will not let the terrorists damage the good relations between people of different backgrounds in the borough."

Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth, commented:

"In a city as diverse as London these indiscriminate attacks on people of all ages, races and religions does nothing to further the causes of these terrorists. The fanatics that carried out the attacks in our great city must be brought to justice.

"Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims and those fighting for their lives at this time. We also pay tribute to the emergency services that responded on the day and now have the gruelling task of recovery at the bomb sites."

ENDS

LIB DEMS OFFER A REALISTIC APPROACH TO ASYLUM - Dakers condemns Tory asylum policies

2005-03-15T00:00:00Z

The Conservatives want to send all asylum seekers to an "offshore processing centre" while their claims are considered, but they admit they have no idea where this would be or how it would work.

In response, the Lib Dem Prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth Andrew Dakers commented,

"No less an authority than the UN High Commission for Refugees has condemned the Tories' 'Fantasy island' policy.

"The Tories seem intent on using asylum and immigration issues as a cheap way to try and boost their poll ratings. Andrew Lansley MP (now their Shadow Health Secretary) admitted this (in 1995) when he said that immigration was an issue which 'played particularly well in the tabloids and has more potential to hurt [Labour].'

"Michael Howard said last year that as the son of a man who was given asylum in Britain he owed his life to this country. The next day he announced plans for arbitrary quotas on the numbers of refugees which would mean Britain turning away people genuinely fleeing persecution. His own father would almost certainly have been removed from Europe to a far away refugee camp under the Tories' policies."

THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS APPROACH TO ASYLUM, IMMIGRATION & BORDER CONTROL

For centuries Britain has had a proud record of granting safe refuge to those fleeing persecution, and in turn, refugees have enriched our culture and wealth immeasurably. However, Labour has presided over an inefficient and unfair asylum system. One in five decisions are found to be wrong on appeal.

The Liberal Democrats would take asylum decisions away from the Home Office and give the job to an independent agency. Our asylum system must be firm and efficient to ensure that those who need our help get it, while those who don't qualify are quickly removed. The Lib Dems would end asylum seekers' dependence on benefits, allowing them to work so they can pay their own way, and use their skills to benefit us all. A common European asylum policy would make sure that there are common standards and fair sharing of refugee settlement.

Immigration should based on economic need, not arbitrary quotas. We should see immigration as an opportunity, not a threat. Migrant workers make a net contribution of £2.5bn a year to the UK economy and social care & health services, for example, would collapse without the support they provide.

The Lib Dems would increase openness by commissioning an independent assessment of the level of need for migrant workers every year, by sector of industry. For industries with a need for migrant workers we would operate a sector-based 'Green Card' scheme to run parallel to the mainstream work permit system. We would also re-introduce exit controls to alert the authorities when an individual's leave to remain has expired but there is no record of them leaving the UK.

More, better equipped police would be more effective at combating terrorism than ID cards. The Lib Dems would set up a National Border Force to tackle cross-border terrorism, drug smuggling and people trafficking.

Parmjit Singh Gill MP welcomed to Hounslow Gurdwara

2005-03-01T19:18:00Z

Andrew Dakers Lib Dem prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth, Parmjit Singh Gill MP, Satnam Kaur Khalsa Lib Dem prospective MP for Feltham & Heston, Harjinder Singh and members of the parbandhak committee

Parmjit Singh Gill, Liberal Democrat MP for Leicester South, was today welcomed at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Hounslow. Parmjit was joined by Andrew Dakers, Lib Dem prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth and Satnam Kaur Khalsa, Lib Dem prospective MP for Feltham and Heston. Together Parmjit, Andrew and Satnam spent an hour meeting the Gurdwara's women's group and touring the Gurdwara.

The Gurdwara has on a number of occasions invited councillors and council staff to inform them about Sikhs and Sikhi. Parmjit, Andrew and Satnam took the opportunity to ask the women, and the parbandhak committee members present, what their concerns are. Issues raised included the right of Sikhs to where kirpans, racial abuse, university tuition fees and healthcare.

Parmjit Singh Gill MP said:

"I am very impressed with the amount of local support behind Andrew, Satnam and the Liberal Democrats. Clearly there is great momentum building across the Borough of Hounslow with support moving away from Labour to the Liberal Democrats."

Andrew Dakers, Lib Dem prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth, added:

"For Hounslow's Sikh community the Gurdwaras are an important place of worship and a wonderful heart to their community. All of Hounslow's residents benefit from the cultural richness that the Gurdwaras and Sikh community add to Hounslow's diverse culture.

Satnam Kaur Khalsa (Lib Dem prospective MP for Feltham & Heston), Parmjit Singh Gill (Lib Dem MP for Leicester South) and Andrew Dakers (Lib Dem prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth) outside the Gurdwara

"It is clear from the conversations we have had that the issues that matter to Liberal Democrats: the cost of tuition fees, the war in Iraq, unfair council tax and the need to improve preventative healthcare, also resonate with many Sikhs."

From Fiji to Fulham: Creating a world free from poverty

2005-02-25T17:51:00Z

Andrew Dakers and Alan Bullion at Polish Federation, Hammersmith

Yesterday evening (Thursday 24th February) local Liberal Democrat prospective MPs Alan Bullion and Andrew Dakers gave a Cook's Tour of the world at the Polish Centre, Hammersmith, from an environmental and international development perspective. Topics covered in the talk 'From Fiji to Fulham' included aid, trade, agriculture, debt, justice for the poor, the tsunami and the impact of global warming.

Andrew Dakers, Lib Dem prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth, spoke on his work in Uganda, where AIDS/HIV is having a devastating impact, and Fiji, where the sugar industry is under threat. Alan Bullion, prospective MP for Hammersmith & Fulham, related his experiences in Sri Lanka, where although the tsunami affected people of all communities, the necessary aid is still not getting through to many in the north and east.

At the end of the talk, Alan and Andrew explained how the global could be linked up with the local by combating climate change, using public transport, recycling waste and energy-saving devices. Alan gave the example of Chelsea Football Club, which has recently installed heaters in its prestigious West Stand, which will literally raise the temperature in the stadium.

Andrew commented:

"A world of inequality and deprivation is less secure and more prone to conflict. This is why a Liberal Democrat government would ensure the UK spends 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) on overseas aid by 2011 at the latest to help achieve the 2015 UN Millennium Development Goals. This is two years earlier than the current Government."

Liberal Democrats challenge Labour to secure Brentford Football Club's future

2001-09-29T23:00:00Z

Andrew Dakers, concerned at Hounslow Council's inability to act promptly and secure Brentford Football Club's future

Liberal Democrats took the plight of football clubs, including Brentford and Wimbledon, onto the national stage last week. An emergency debate was dedicated to Franchising in Football at the Party's annual conference in Bournemouth.

Brentford-born Liberal Democrat Andrew Dakers told the conference:

"I love the Club and recognise its importance to the local community's culture and economy".

In a nationally televised debate Andrew spoke against aspects of the motion that would threaten Brentford FC's survival. Conference delegates supported moves to refer the motion to a Federal Policy Committee. The party will now consider a full review of the football industry and develop innovative solutions to the problems many clubs face.

BROKEN PROMISES

In the last Local Elections Hounslow Labour Party stated: "Every effort will have been made to develop a 25,000 seat multi-purpose stadium in the Borough." Apart from the inappropriate size of stadium, do you believe every effort has been made? Unfortunately the lack of initiative in addressing the problems faced by Brentford Football Club are simply one more page in a catalogue of failure from Hounslow Council's ruling Labour group.

POSITIVE ACTION

Liberal Democrat Councillors on Hounslow Borough Council have already established a reputation for working hard in their local communities. Brentford Lib Dems believe:

Transition to supporter/ community ownership of Brentford FC should be proactively supported by the Council over the next few years;
The Council and FC must be open and honest about their respective needs and aspirations. Project timeframe requires pragmatic assessment and prompt agreement by both sides;
Councillors should consider selling Feltham Arenas and reinvesting the capital raised in an alternative site;
Brownfield sites closer to Griffin Park should be investigated;
Proactive management of all stages of this project is now essential.