Cabinet Endorses Council's New Corporate Plan

Ambitious for Hounslow sets out priorities for the next four years

Cllr Shantanu Rajawat wants a 'fairer, healthier, greener and safer borough'

The first meeting of the new Hounslow Council cabinet has endorsed a Four Year Corporate Plan which sets out the broad objectives of the new administration.

‘Ambitious for Hounslow’ aims to provide the strategic framework for how the Council will work up to the next election.

The new council leader says that an overhaull of how it listens to and empowers residents is central to the plan.

Six priority areas are set out within the plan. The council is seeking to maintain the pace of social housing provision in ‘A Liveable Hounslow’ with a pledge to build 1,000 more council homes, purchase more properties for social rent and invest £300 million in improving the quality of its council estates. Lampton Investment360 has already purchased 400 properties and the intention is to buy around 200 a year to be let to people on the borough’s housing waiting list.

‘A Greener Hounslow’ includes a pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 50%, invest £5 million in parks and to plant 20,000 trees. Noting that people in the borough tend to weigh more and move less than the London average, ‘A Healthier Hounslow’ marks a commitment to encourage people in the borough to live healthily and become more active using lessons learned during the pandemic about how to improve public health.

The target for reduction in flytipping over the life of the administration is 25% which is part of the ‘A Cleaner Hounslow’ plan to reduce litter in the borough and which also includes a £2 million investment plan for pavements. Recognising that the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crises has been a set back for the borough’s economy with a rising number of people on benefits and dependent on foodbanks, 'A Thriving Hounslow' sets out ways the council believes it can support economic activity and education . ‘A Safer Hounslow’ pledges £15 million investment to create safer neighbourhoods and to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Presenting the plan, Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, the new Leader of Hounslow Council, said, “We are at an important moment in our borough’s history. The pandemic has proven incredibly tough for our borough and the cost-of-living-crisis looms large over our population.

“The proposals in our corporate plan will not only get Hounslow back on track – but ensure we build a fairer, healthier, greener and safer borough - where everyone has the equal opportunity to thrive.

“Central to our ambitions is an overhaul of how we listen to and empower residents, so that the best talents and insights of our communities are at the centre of tackling the big issues we face as a borough.

“I’m absolutely clear that Hounslow has huge potential and a bright future, but this can only be realised if residents, businesses and community groups come together to make a difference.”

The full corporate plan can be read here.

It will go to a vote at full council on Tuesday 19 July.

July 8, 2022