All Change at Hounslow Council

Colin Ellar new leader but Tories blast 'no ability' executive members

Cllr. Colin Ellar has become Leader of Hounslow Council as part of a series of changes in the executive announced in a recent Council Meeting. Cllr. Ellar had previously been selected unopposed at a meeting of the borough's Labour Group.

His predecessor John Chatt is to remain on the executive with responsibility for managing key regeneration projects in the borough such has Hounslow Town Centre and Brentford.

Brentford Councillor, Ruth Cadbury, moves from responsibility for transport to education (Children and Lifelong Learning). She will also have a brief to monitor airport related issues for the borough. The transport portfolio is to be taken on by Ron Bartholemew who will also have responsibility for recycling issues. He is the only new face on the executive.

Cllr. Amrit Mann's Executive Portfolio will cover - Promoting Community Cohesion and Community Safety to include diversity, culture and community cohesion, reducing fear of crime and serious crimes, IT and e-governance.

The Tory opposition group identified six member of the executive who they said they could not support. As well as the leader Colin Ellar they named Cllrs Wason, Chatt, Chopra, Grewal (Hounslow Heath) and Lal.

Councillor Thompson, Conservative Group Leader said: “My colleagues and I could not honestly support these Members. We believe that an Executive Member should demonstrate at the very least, ability, competence and integrity, and sadly they all fall short.”

He said that senior and high calibre Labour Members were being sidelined and that a competent executive was needed at a time when residents are facing ' facing shocking increases in Council tax and delivering poor service in certain areas.'

Cllr Dalbir Cheema (pictured left) has been appointed the new Mayor for the borough. The position of Mayor is mainly a ceremonial role. He has been a Councillor for the Hounslow Heath ward since 1994. He has three children, who all attended Heathland School, of which he is a governor. He said, "I am delighted and very honoured to take on the role of Mayor of our borough" he said. "I am looking forward to a year when I can do my very best to promote this borough, serve our community and work towards a safe and harmonious Hounslow.

He promised to dedicate his time to promoting and raising funds for local charities. This year the Mayoral charities will be Shooting Star, the Teenage Cancer Trust and the Parkinson's Disease Society.

Cllr Cheema takes over from Cllr Roger Clarke.

May 20, 2004