tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354206232789946642024-02-07T04:30:07.342+00:00The Cowan ReportThe Cowan Report was started by Stephen Cowan in 2007. It sought to tell the story of what was happening, in what had become known, as "Cameron's favourite council". Stephen became the leader of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham in 2014 after residents gave him and his fellow Labour councillors a landslide election victory. Now, Stephen reports on what he and his colleagues are doing for the people of H&F.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger552125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-47353458873807161992021-07-13T00:07:00.002+01:002021-07-28T20:03:17.327+01:00Councillor Colin Aherne<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="color: #404040;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9vDaIZynyPE8Vk1vevK_t82vnlSidCwoSecgi5hn8vWgodTqqKoXFpm20EQmRvFlXa1e_2OeeAd5AN6I79On68oi410z4UZND_PyloPHXqNyKxxChZA2C3_WTpoYXIF1Hk6BShiByuE/s1600/C925C7A2-0124-4F8F-ABD3-23A0BD2C7326.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9vDaIZynyPE8Vk1vevK_t82vnlSidCwoSecgi5hn8vWgodTqqKoXFpm20EQmRvFlXa1e_2OeeAd5AN6I79On68oi410z4UZND_PyloPHXqNyKxxChZA2C3_WTpoYXIF1Hk6BShiByuE/w400-h266/C925C7A2-0124-4F8F-ABD3-23A0BD2C7326.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">I am heartbroken to announce that Councillor Colin Aherne, the Chief Whip of H&F Council’s Labour Group and councillor for Wormholt and White City, died in Hammersmith Hospital yesterday following complications arising from a heart attack. All of us that knew and loved Colin are devastated. <a href="https://www.theonlinebookcompany.com/OnlineBooks/CouncillorColinAherne/Content/Filler">This is the link</a> to the condolence book.</span><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">The immense shock people feel across the council is in part because Colin remained a bold, vital, and cherished part of our lives right up until the end. He was 77 years old.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">Colin would tell how he was, <i>“A proud Welshman, with an Irish name, living in England”</i>. Out of respect, three Flags of Wales futter at half-mast outside the council offices on King Street.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">Colin was particularly proud to live in Shepherds Bush and to represent the people of his ward, which he did with care for 35 years. He would often characterise his assiduousness by explaining <i>“I’m a belt and braces man”</i>, something he applied to: his constituents’ case work; his 35 years on the planning committee; his 35 years on the licensing committee; his nearly four decades as a school governor; his time as chair of the adoptions board; and his over 30 years as chair of governors of Wormholt Primary School. He was a diligent elected representative.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKOnoxi7zXE">This clip of Colin</a> talking about the importance of empowering people and listening to and respecting the needs of young people really captures his approach.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"><b>Fierce champion</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsI4czJu44trecKX0iTe7ChWNdycm5GPHK5PjHYUzEY_bhqTdHnh1diAeWd9LEptQBhqmIfqDYFv9uGswSDeDYGkGgR-ce3lWbRP7mKHpZtSbEcnuwbnw3fmTSa44_a6_BtelzTnmCEPA/s1024/175A68D5-CD17-4A45-BA1C-21F7CB0DEEF8.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsI4czJu44trecKX0iTe7ChWNdycm5GPHK5PjHYUzEY_bhqTdHnh1diAeWd9LEptQBhqmIfqDYFv9uGswSDeDYGkGgR-ce3lWbRP7mKHpZtSbEcnuwbnw3fmTSa44_a6_BtelzTnmCEPA/s320/175A68D5-CD17-4A45-BA1C-21F7CB0DEEF8.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">Colin was a fierce champion of the people he represented. His convictions were borne out of the genuine hardship of his early life. He was born in 1944 in Tredegar into a loving family whose home had no electricity, no gas, and an outside toilet. His mother and father’s struggles to provide food, clothes, coal to heat the home, or pay for a doctor if anyone in the family fell ill was something, that back then, was commonplace for people in that small Welsh community – something that gave Colin a burning life-long passion to fight social injustice.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">Faced with working in the local pits, Colin joined the Army instead, having been enticed at 15 years of age by a John Wayne movie he and his friend had seen at the local cinema. He saw action during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation sometimes telling how he spent his eighteenth birthday being shot at in Borneo. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzJntFaW9vCgmkJIzSnubqBhSeHR0Ik1enqPv5_f2v3o11Dp-IT5gvHXPyrrV5dUKzOo-tooFCo-nfsrq5vKUMqa7b_sXdPEp_Lqd0VBCPF7QxpPB1EZf-rF45SQy2yRLohY7TKtONnM/s533/729519FE-0CE9-449E-80A1-E70CE17A0777_1_105_c.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="533" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzJntFaW9vCgmkJIzSnubqBhSeHR0Ik1enqPv5_f2v3o11Dp-IT5gvHXPyrrV5dUKzOo-tooFCo-nfsrq5vKUMqa7b_sXdPEp_Lqd0VBCPF7QxpPB1EZf-rF45SQy2yRLohY7TKtONnM/s320/729519FE-0CE9-449E-80A1-E70CE17A0777_1_105_c.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">Colin with his father visiting a doctor</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">This harsh life could have produced a harsh, bitter man. But Colin was quite the opposite. He was one of the kindest, sweetest, most caring, and optimistic people I have ever met. The tributes pouring in already reflect that. </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><br /></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"><i>“There’s no such thing as the good old days”</i> Colin would say, pointing out how things are now so much better for most people in Britain because good people campaigned and fought to change the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"><b>A better world</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">Colin spent his lifetime doing what he could to change the world for the better. He was an active trade unionist much admired across the trade union movement for his integrity and hard work. In the early 1980s, he was arrested and fined for collecting money to send food parcels to striking miners. By 1986, he was elected to Hammersmith & Fulham Council. He became the Chief Whip shortly afterwards – his meticulous approach proudly giving him a reputation as the best barrack-room lawyer anyone had ever come across.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">In 2006, Colin was a crucial member of the borough’s opposition leadership, and since 2014 he has been a key force behind some of the administration’s most compassionate programmes which have included:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">being the only council in England to abolish charges for adult social care</span></li><li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">providing free breakfast for all local primary school children</span></li><li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">providing food in and out of term time for children needing support</span></li><li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">saving the West Kensington and Gibbs Green estates</span></li><li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">funding the law centres so the poorest people have access to legal advice, and</span></li><li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">introducing an <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/business/industrial-strategy">Industrial Strategy</a> linked to the borough’s schools which is bringing local young people some of the best career and business start-up opportunities anywhere in the world.</span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">There is so much Colin achieved. It is impossible to list all of it here. He was a well-read, thoughtful, and insightful person.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"><b>Brave</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">Two weeks ago, when Colin was first in hospital, I was with him when he explained to a wonderful nurse how the doctors and nurses had asked him lots of questions - <i>"But there was one thing they didn’t ask"</i> he said. <i>“What was that?”</i> she enquired: <i>“To pay” </i>he answered before going on to tell how he comes from the same town as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aneurin_Bevan">Aneurin Bevan</a>, the founder of the NHS.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPu_AJDcnmbq3FiCgne_QFzDeiSYsRlzjPWcAS88PRPpN3pScdLpRyXUyTe9QYMRGHyoJByd0EAHi4zI37Q-8y8nL-iG5k0ud86FxCEgbkNiJP6j64CQlV2EePVf_0qK6pVjYmzYiDUE/s4032/Flags+of+Wales+at+half+mast+for+Cllr+Colin+Aherne.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPu_AJDcnmbq3FiCgne_QFzDeiSYsRlzjPWcAS88PRPpN3pScdLpRyXUyTe9QYMRGHyoJByd0EAHi4zI37Q-8y8nL-iG5k0ud86FxCEgbkNiJP6j64CQlV2EePVf_0qK6pVjYmzYiDUE/s320/Flags+of+Wales+at+half+mast+for+Cllr+Colin+Aherne.jpeg" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">Yesterday after the call came to rush to the hospital, I was ushered into the Intensive Care Unit to find 12 medics standing around Colin. There was a wide variety of beeping sounds and flashing lights as he was rapidly being prepared for emergency surgery. He gave the biggest smile and presented a thumbs up. One of the medics announced to the others how <i>“Colin is part of the team that saved Charing Cross Hospital”</i> at which point they all began to thank him. As he was wheeled past me, he put his hand out for a high five. He was very brave and a fighter to the very end.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">Colin was so proud of his nieces and nephew. He loved his family very much. I know he considered the Labour Group and his friends in the party as a part of his wider family – something all of us are proud to be.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">And he loved Hammersmith & Fulham. The place he’d made home and where his work over four decades has changed this part of the world so much and for the better.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana;">Colin Aherne was a gentle, considerate man. He was one of the finest, wisest people I've ever known. He was a great friend. He was a rare and good human being. We will always miss him.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #404040;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-10422129266629591012021-04-12T13:11:00.005+01:002021-04-12T13:12:33.711+01:00Alderman Mike Cartwright<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycBsD9aSbDVPdCkvswy_NFq_ufaSl8aKD_dX5C0fH_sfNZzWTlc4goB9jNw_IsQvl3cMT1ARBvbCWPpadm060_J0_l6pddvyws_l-hrfokflPqI7S571HSZrJy4tWq8trTUqSjGYAYBg/s1024/Mike+Cartwright.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycBsD9aSbDVPdCkvswy_NFq_ufaSl8aKD_dX5C0fH_sfNZzWTlc4goB9jNw_IsQvl3cMT1ARBvbCWPpadm060_J0_l6pddvyws_l-hrfokflPqI7S571HSZrJy4tWq8trTUqSjGYAYBg/w400-h300/Mike+Cartwright.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am very sorry to report that Aldermen Michael Cartwright, former Mayor and Deputy Leader of the Council, died peacefully at 5am this morning after a long illness.</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike was first elected as a Member of the Council in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham in 1992 following a by-election in Hammersmith Broadway. He held that post and for 26 years being returned by the residents by the Hammersmith Broadway ward as their elected representative at another six elections - only stepping down at the 2018 council elections because of illness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Throughout, his time as an elected representative. Mike consistently stood out as a diligent public servant.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As Deputy Leader of the Council from 2014, Mike helped steer the direction of our Borough at a critical time and took bold measures to improve things for residents such as leading the Administration to introduce the largest number of council funded police in the Borough’s history. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">While chair of the Association of London Government’s (now London Councils) Transport and Environment Committee, Mike was key to saving and expanding the London Freedom Pass. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike was also a local magistrate for 13 years becoming Chair of the Bench. He was instrumental in a series of measures that improved how the court supported women dealing with the nightmare and trauma of domestic violence.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike was a governor of two schools in the Borough from 1992 - Sacred Heart School, and Larmenier and Sacred Heart Primary School. He chaired the Mortlake Crematorium Board for 9 years. He served on the Western Riverside Waste Authority. Prior to his time in our borough, he was a councillor in Ipswich and Suffolk - first elected when he was just 23 years old. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike served on the Planning Committee nearly all his time as councillor. As a chartered surveyor he was an expert. That combined with his experience to make him a formidable force for good on that committee.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike finished his time on Hammersmith & Fulham Council as the Mayor – a role he took to with grace.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike Cartwright was a giant in the public life of our borough for three decades. He deployed his considerable skills for the betterment of other people’s lives throughout his life and made a huge contribution to our borough. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike dedicated his life to public service.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Such was his stature, in 2019 Mike was given the extraordinary honour of Freedom of the Borough and was made an Alderman following a unanimous vote of thanks by all the Borough’s councillors – something which I know meant a lot to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike was a dear friend. As Deputy Leader of the Borough’s Opposition for eight years, he was the rock we relied upon, the foundation of everything we all went on to build together. I will miss Mike’s good humour, his story telling, his wit, his wisdom, his kindnesses and his friendship. He was a lovely human being.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-59531679230609864192021-03-14T10:27:00.001+00:002021-03-14T10:27:33.616+00:00Let us renew our vow that all of us to make the world fairer, safer and better for women<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe2uNJlkP32TPIdC8JpZl8P8-JDW_qr4m2sQro52RmN1XGUZpR51J7lqi4D6Eosujf70TlvJDwO52Cw5V0Tgi_zcnt9NtUJTiYZlNUL3eiQ5qSBM0-nFCM0_2L2ORhpEzTVaSlFSUIAc/s1280/UN+International+Women%2527s+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe2uNJlkP32TPIdC8JpZl8P8-JDW_qr4m2sQro52RmN1XGUZpR51J7lqi4D6Eosujf70TlvJDwO52Cw5V0Tgi_zcnt9NtUJTiYZlNUL3eiQ5qSBM0-nFCM0_2L2ORhpEzTVaSlFSUIAc/w400-h225/UN+International+Women%2527s+Day.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This week began with International Women’s Day and will end with many of us celebrating Mothering Sunday.</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">It was prescient last year of the United Nations to report how “globally, women make up the majority of workers in the health and social sector”. In the UK, women are 70% of the healthcare workforce as well forming the backbone of third sector organisations and volunteering operations, such as running food banks and checking in on neighbours.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">That’s as true in H&F as it is nationally. The Smile Brigade, run by Monique Newton, is just one of so many volunteer-led initiatives in the borough that have literally helped save lives. When the pandemic hit, the Smile Brigade had 20 volunteers running food kitchens for 70 clients. That swelled to 1,100 clients and 457 volunteers, delivering hot food and care packages directly to the homes of those who needed them.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">This week the Office for National Statistics confirmed what many of us know, that women have borne a disproportionate burden of the pandemic and lockdown. They have spent more time on unpaid childcare and housework than men, they’ve done the lion’s share of home schooling and rates of violence towards women have rocketed, as the appalling events of this week remind us. And, as in every economic crisis, women over the past year have been at greater risk of losing their jobs or of having their wages cut or frozen.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">To put this in a wider context, last year’s Marmot Report on health inequalities revealed that life expectancy for women living in our poorest communities has declined over the past decade, for the first time in a century. As Professor Marmot said: "If health has stopped improving, that means society has stopped improving."<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">The International Monetary Fund has pointed out why society as a whole gains if we make the world fairer for women. It published research underlining how adding one more woman to a company’s management structure is associated with a boost in returns of up to 13%. Picking up on this theme, to mark International Women’s Day three years ago, Christine Lagarde, the first woman president of the IMF, said: “It’s just a no-brainer that economies would grow, productivity would improve, and we would have more stability.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">So this Sunday, as we thank our mothers, grandmothers, and aunts, following a year when so many women have led the fight against the pandemic - publicly and in the home - let’s also renew our vow to make the world a fairer, safer, better place for all women – the type of world fit for our daughters to inherit.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">Happy Mother’s Day<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-21954239560740551462020-04-02T15:58:00.002+01:002020-04-20T11:32:33.426+01:00Brendan Bird<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am very sorry to report that ex-Councillor Brendan Bird sadly died this morning following a long illness. He was extremely proud of and loved his family very much. My thoughts are with them.</div>
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The flags are flying at half-mast over Hammersmith & Fulham Town Hall to honour the positive contribution Brendan made to people's lives in our borough and across London. </div>
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I first met Brendan in the 1990s and came to know him as a social housing expert, a much-loved Labour councillor for Sands End between 1994 to 2006, a campaigner and a very kind and decent man. </div>
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After losing his seat in 2006, Brendan continued to work for his local community often phoning me to brief me on what was happening and what he thought I should do both as the borough’s leader of the opposition and later as leader of the council. His advice was always considered, insightful and wise.</div>
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In opposition, he fought against the Conservative run council to save <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2007/09/h-tories-shut-another-school.html" target="_blank">Peterborough Primary School</a>, their sell-off of the <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2008/03/thirteen-police-warnings-sent-to-sands.html" target="_blank">Castle Club Youth Centre</a> and their closing of other Sands End youth facilities, and he successfully fought against their <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2008/04/secondary-head-accuses-h-council-of.html" target="_blank">closure of Hurlingham</a> and Chelsea Secondary School.<br />
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Brendan played a critical part in the <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/search?q=Sands+End+community+centre" target="_blank">Save Sands End Community Centre</a> campaign in 2009 and in the <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/search?q=sulivan" target="_blank">Save Sulivan campaign</a> in 2013 and 2014. <br />
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He was a governor of Holy Cross Primary School and an avid Fulham Football Club fan, table tennis player, and lover of R&B.<br />
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He ran as Labour's candidate for Sands End in the <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2008/04/labour-selects-local-champion-to-fight.html" target="_blank">2008 bi-election</a> and in the 2010 and 2014 local government elections but sadly was not returned to office.<br />
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Brendan was passionate about Labour being electable and being in power and was a trusted member of the Executive Committee of the Chelsea & Fulham Labour Party contributing to our landslide local election victories in 2014 and 2018. <br />
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He was a Labour man as people used to say, but was friendly towards his political opponents, working across party lines to get things done for his community.<br />
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I’ll miss Brendan Bird. He was a good friend, I learnt a lot from him and came to admire him. He was always on the side of the angels something I know he'll be remembered for and which his family and friends are all so rightly proud of.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-55861251172057322222020-03-18T12:29:00.000+00:002020-03-21T10:46:31.926+00:00Responding to Coronavirus (COVID-19) together<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP59aQisSB5dLCNP2QzIgIcBlgIQXM8Ki951ouEdZa-0d7pJoiqzum5xV1h0dcHyJSOtN6C_MD6jAydJCyu60__0Luh8gBkujc1BEuh_jRWnTSc6bf9jE1USPJxOjWVIrqf3nwyjBtk5U/s1600/C58ADAEA-1E97-4388-8D23-E3E0AC38BF22_4_5005_c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP59aQisSB5dLCNP2QzIgIcBlgIQXM8Ki951ouEdZa-0d7pJoiqzum5xV1h0dcHyJSOtN6C_MD6jAydJCyu60__0Luh8gBkujc1BEuh_jRWnTSc6bf9jE1USPJxOjWVIrqf3nwyjBtk5U/s320/C58ADAEA-1E97-4388-8D23-E3E0AC38BF22_4_5005_c.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Coronavirus is a huge challenge for everyone in our community. People are understandably worried about their health, the health of their friends, neighbours and loved ones, and how they will cope. So I want to reassure everyone that Hammersmith & Fulham Council has been doing everything we can to prepare for this and is on your side. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have adopted a <i>people first</i> approach which means we’re taking all the necessary actions and are providing all the necessary resources to help keep people safe and able to cope with this crisis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We’re working with the NHS, the government and partner agencies alongside the private and third sectors to build up our borough’s resilience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are many people in our borough who are extremely vulnerable: from people needing daily home care, families in food poverty, to homeless people rough sleeping on our streets. We have an extensive plan to help them. We will always do everything we can to support our most vulnerable residents. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you'd like to donate, the Council has partnered with the charity <a href="https://unitedhf.org/" target="_blank">UNITED in Hammersmith & Fulham</a>. You can <a href="https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/displayCharityCampaignPage.action?charityCampaignUrl=covidhf" target="_blank">contribute on this link</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Please <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/health-and-care/public-health/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-information-and-advice" target="_blank">check this link</a> for regular updates and you can sign up for email updates <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/hf-weekly-e-newsletter" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here are some of the things we’re doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Focus on Coronavirus<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last week I authorised the following measures:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The appointment of a Director of COVID-19 Response to manage the engine room of our operation and coordinate how we work with all our partners and residents. We're building up our borough’s capacity and the capabilities needed to best respond to all the issues that will arise. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The establishment of a Borough Emergency Control Centre (BECC), to increase our ability to act effectively and with speed. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cancellation of all council meetings so we can re-skill and re-allocate our staff because we’re determined our organisation maximises its focus towards supporting people in our community and maintaining our ability to provide essential services.</span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hammersmith & Fulham Community Aid Network – H&F CAN<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We’re lucky to have so many kind people living and working in our borough and are keen to capture all the goodwill and potential for volunteers. We need to do that in a way that is safe for the volunteers and safe for our residents whom they will be helping. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There’s already an extensive network of people and organisations who volunteer. People who run foodbanks, homeless shelters, youth clubs, community centres, residents’ groups and much more. We’re working with them to set up H&F CAN – a resilience network which will:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Co-ordinate a borough-wide volunteer operation</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Provide an easy way to donate money that will be used to support vulnerable people </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can find out more about how it will work and how you can register on <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/help-your-neighbours-volunteering-our-community-aid-network" target="_blank">this link</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNddJ_GqDzKX7DdWZJUzA3tPKDVu_vhwQXhqZrJ6go6J8vIE18Cay2nZj89MbB_wdmpD4lDL70-mrGxLWpcNBQ_3-4n9Tg8bIdlGBGMsUweRwXrL86WJqjpCW9ZZ_HItO_WuI84ncy5IY/s1600/49BC5736-8CC2-481D-B37D-AABA5F2316D2_4_5005_c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="96" data-original-width="300" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNddJ_GqDzKX7DdWZJUzA3tPKDVu_vhwQXhqZrJ6go6J8vIE18Cay2nZj89MbB_wdmpD4lDL70-mrGxLWpcNBQ_3-4n9Tg8bIdlGBGMsUweRwXrL86WJqjpCW9ZZ_HItO_WuI84ncy5IY/s320/49BC5736-8CC2-481D-B37D-AABA5F2316D2_4_5005_c.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A <i>people first</i> approach <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We are prioritising people’s health and safety over all other considerations but recognise that many people face financial hardship because of coronavirus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have spoken to many people running local businesses and community institutions and understand how anxious they are about staying afloat. Other people on zero-hours contracts, or working as freelancers, or who are losing their jobs are worried about paying their rent, bills, loans and simply getting by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The government has announced a Hardship Fund, Business Rate Relief and other constructive measures which we will implement as soon as we’re given details. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We’re also looking at emergency grants to voluntary organisations and considering the different ways our community can come together to help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The scale of the economic problems we now face is unlike anything we’ve seen in the post war period. I believe we need a suite of emergency measures bigger than <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Deal" target="_blank">Roosevelt’s New Deal</a> in the 1930s. That should include: a trial universal basic income for the next twelve months; action on rents, loans and mortgages; and support for businesses and others facing bankruptcy. The government has moved quickly on some of these measures, but more is needed so all of us can get through this together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thank you<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So many people are doing everything they can to protect their fellow citizens and keep services running - sometimes putting themselves at risk: doctors, nurses and health workers; social workers, care workers, police, and teachers; people who clean our streets and buildings and collect our refuse; people who run our food banks and homeless shelters; those who care for friends and neighbours who are elderly or Disabled. There are too many to mention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">H&F Council’s chief executive Kim Smith and her team of officers are rising to this challenge. I’ve lost count of all the exhausted, sleep-deprived people who tell me they’re working all hours to get us ready. I know our residents and businesses will join me in thanking all of them for what they’re doing for all of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These are surreal times. All of us are making changes to our lives we never imagined we’d be doing. But this is real, and we can get through it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Staying at home will save lives. Please keep washing your hands and take actions to be physically fit and mentally occupied. Nobody is alone in facing this crisis, we’ll find new ways of rising to this challenge as we move forward and we’ll do that together.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-89963130517667887162018-03-24T18:51:00.001+00:002018-03-24T19:30:23.621+00:00Much done, much more to do - and an awful lot to lose.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know I speak for all of us<br />
when I promise we won’t let you down</td></tr>
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It hard to believe that this <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27514805" target="_blank">BBC News report was filmed four years ago</a>. But it was. I know that, like me, my fellow Labour councillors and our candidates, remain as determined now to make our residents proud as we were that election night, when local people across our borough hired us to do their bidding - and when I gave that interview.<br />
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These are challenging times but there’s much we’ve done: we’ve hired the best lawyers and health advisers in the country to<a href="http://www.hammersmithfulhamnews.com/2016/09/h-council-rejects-new-threat-to-charing.html"> join our fight to save Charing Cross Hospital</a>. We’ve put the <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2015/01/h-labour-budget-report-council-tax-cut.html">largest ever amount of council-funded police onto our streets</a> in the borough’s history and we are the only administration in London to <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2018/02/hf-freezes-council-tax-again">cut council tax over the last four years</a>.<br />
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People sometimes think politicians are all the same. I understand why. But since our residents elected us into office in 2014 my colleagues and I have been striving to prove we’re different - by our deeds, not words.<br />
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In a few weeks time, on May 3, there is a real and stark choice on what happens to our community over the next 4 years. For many decades now our borough has only ever elected Labour or Conservative councillors. </div>
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Whatever the rights and wrongs of our voting system, no other political party stands even a close chance of getting any of their candidates elected. A vote for any of them will help let the Conservatives back in.<br />
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<b>The Conservatives are hoping you’ll forget what they did last time, so they can do it all again</b>. So just a quick reminder of some of the things Conservative councillors did when they ran Hammersmith & Fulham just 4 years ago: </div>
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<li>They <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tV7oK0Olvk">sold off council homes</a>, sold off <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2011/02/h-big-society-shut-down-and-sold-off.html">community centres</a> and sold off <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2007/11/h-council-sells-youth-centre-for.html">youth clubs</a> - all at knock-down prices during the biggest property boom in the post war period</li>
<li>They <a href="http://www.hammersmithfulhamnews.com/2015/03/h-conservatives-half-million-pounds-cut.html">slashed funding to street cleaning</a> and set about privatising our local parks e.g. <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2013/08/cllr.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2010/11/h-conservatives-bogus-debt-argument.html">here</a></li>
<li>They sold off the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/mar/09/battle-earls-court-council-estates">Gibbs Green and West Kensington</a> estates at a knock-down price and with such bad contractual obligations, they were highly likely to have bankrupted the council if the deal was ever implimented</li>
<li>Closed <a href="https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/residents-message-council-hands-sands-5994850">Sands End Community Centre</a> and tried to close <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/davehillblog/2014/may/18/sulivan-school-hammersmith-and-fulham-council">Sulivan Primary School</a></li>
<li>They vastly increased council charges, putting <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2010/11/h-conservatives-fifty-five-per-cent.html">parking fees up 55%</a> and <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2009/01/cameron-turns-blind-eye-as-h.html">raising meals-on-wheels charges</a> by £700 a year and <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2007/07/council-used-telephone-interview-to-end.html">cruelly cut services</a> to our most vulnerable elderly citizens</li>
<li><a href="http://www.hammersmithfulhamnews.com/2015/06/reviewing-h-conservatives-approach-to.html">They took lavish hospitality</a> from property speculators enjoying free meals, free entertainment and free sports tickets - all while sanctioning the building of vast numbers of luxury flats for overseas investors. They <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2014/02/is-there-such-thing-as-free-lunch-h.html" target="_blank">even voted to keep doing so</a> when tried tried to stop them</li>
<li><a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2013/03/residents-accuse-conservative.html">Worst of all</a>, <b>the Conservatives backed plans to bulldoze Charing Cross Hospital and replace it with a small clinic.</b></li>
</ul>
We know that if we lose our hospital, our parks and our genuinely affordable homes, we will never get them back.</div>
<div>
<br />
<b>Some of the change we've brought</b></div>
<div>
From the start, we sought to be ruthlessly efficient with taxpayers’ money. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We took a tough approach to negotiating with property developers and won an initial £52.15 million for our residents by <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2015/07/weve-negotiated-for-510-new-affordable.html" target="_blank">re-negotiating deals the Conservatives had already closed</a>. Now, at this point, our hard-nosed stance towards developers has won our borough a record £310 million. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We have cut £70 million of wasteful council spending. And we have built partnerships with residents, businesses and local institutions so we can get more things done together. So:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.fulhamsw6.com/shared/hfnewcouncil1802.htm">As well as cutting council tax</a> over the last four years, we have also frozen parking charges, slashed meals-on-wheels charges and reduced 85% of all council charges to our residents as featured on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StephenECowan/videos/1295201567177851/">BBC's Daily Politics</a> programme</li>
<li>As well as <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2014/11/h-new-labour-administration-funds-more.html">putting in extra polic</a>e, we have invested in new CCTV and taken new measures to target and <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2018/03/meet-hammersmith-charity-keeping-young-men-out-prison">deter those at risk</a> of getting involved with crime</li>
<li>We are fighting hard to save the <a href="https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/council-demands-return-of-earls-court-estates-54087">Gibbs Green and West Kensington</a> estates and undo one of the worst financial deals done in modern local government history</li>
<li>We have made a huge investments to make <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2017/01/residents-work-our-street-czar-help-keep-hf-spotless">our streets cleaner</a> and improve the <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/sites/default/files/section_attachments/212_56ds_report_of_the_hf_air_quality_commission_rev5.pdf">quality of our air</a> and put in the largest amount electric car charging bays in the UK and delivered a <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2017/07/tackling-air-pollution-with-h-new.html">new electric car club</a> for our residents - As <a href="https://audioboom.com/posts/6011654-bbc-radio-4-you-yours-h-f-s-electric-car-club">this BBC radio feature</a> details</li>
<li>We are building <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2014/10/mipim-boris-johnson-and-h-new.html">the largest number</a> of genuinely affordable homes in 10 years</li>
<li>We <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/labour-saved-popular-school-tories-3756333">saved Sulivan Primary School</a></li>
<li>We negotiated funds from Chelsea Football Club and Thames Tideway to build a brand new <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2018/03/fulham-celebrates-work-begins-new-sands-end-arts-and-community-centre">Sands End Arts & Community Centre</a> which will be run by local people for local people</li>
<li>We're <a href="http://www.hammersmithfulhamnews.com/2014/12/still-north-end-road-but-with-more.html">rejuvenating North End Road</a> market as you can <a href="https://audioboom.com/posts/6729542-h-f-labour-s-cllr-ben-coleman-on-making-fulham-great-again">hear about here on BBC Radio London</a></li>
<li>We are the only council in the country to abolish charges for adult social care as featured in <a href="https://audioboom.com/posts/5596022-the-today-programme-how-h-f-labour-run-britain-s-only-council-that-s-abolished-home-care-charges-and-cut-council-tax">this BBC Radio 4 Today Programme,</a> <a href="https://audioboom.com/posts/2768047-stephen-cowan-on-bbc-radio-4-s-you-and-yours">You and Yours</a>, and the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4215950/Council-scraps-500-000-year-propaganda-magazines.html">Mail on Sunday</a></li>
<li>We're the first council to <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/hammersmith-fulham-council-tax-bailiffs-11567395">stop using bailiffs</a> to collect council tax, have introduced a huge new <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2016/03/tackling-food-poverty-ground-breaking-hf-hub">support programme for food banks</a>, have taken <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2015/07/council-bucks-trend-and-now-has-no-families-children-emergency-bed-and-breakfasts">all children out of homeless B&B</a> accommodation and are setting the high bar for <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2018/03/hf-work-experts-end-rough-sleeping-once-and-all">ending rough sleeping</a></li>
<li>We have a new <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2017/07/local-businesses-back-hf-industrial-strategy">ground-breaking Industrial Strategy</a> in partnership with a local university which aspires to bring our residents the best possible jobs and business opportunities for decades to come - as this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=10&v=W1etDAKzt6Y">BBC News report tells</a></li>
<li>We are <a href="http://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/hammersmith-fulham-council-eu-1-5370167">campaigning to ensure voters have the final say</a> on the Brexit deal Theresa May ends up negotiating alongside the option an stay in the EU. <a href="https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/a-vote-on-theresa-may-s-brexit-deal-with-the-option-to-stay-in-the-eu">Sign our petition here</a></li>
<li>And, of course, <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2017/07/special-feature-governments-charing.html">we are fighting to defend Charing Cross Hospital</a>.</li>
</ul>
My colleagues and I are seeking to run a different kind of council, one that listens more and works with our residents to find smarter, more creative ways to take us forward. The Conservatives will just take us back.<br />
<br />
The outcome of your vote on 3 May will have a huge impact on our borough and this neighbourhood for the next four years. There is so much to lose.<br />
<br />
So on May 3rd, please vote for all our Labour candidates. I know I speak for all of us when I promise we won’t let you down.</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-29601708490038340142017-07-22T18:58:00.001+01:002017-12-20T09:51:18.867+00:00SPECIAL FEATURE: Government's Charing Cross Hospital Demolition Shenanigans Exposed<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDA1pmjCg2opJHH9AQn9aTgeBLWutP2-zvcbzhyphenhyphenZ8TFhnz48UZ5fm8f9JQdUuYWR1uNmxJXMJgZZgH-cVFPuMmqdgHOknU9FqFBgZVq4oI9wsDSycgv7n0X6yArZyC23NFsc-70rG3Xg/s1600/Charing+Cross+Hospital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1600" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDA1pmjCg2opJHH9AQn9aTgeBLWutP2-zvcbzhyphenhyphenZ8TFhnz48UZ5fm8f9JQdUuYWR1uNmxJXMJgZZgH-cVFPuMmqdgHOknU9FqFBgZVq4oI9wsDSycgv7n0X6yArZyC23NFsc-70rG3Xg/s640/Charing+Cross+Hospital.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
At 3.44 p.m. on Friday 16 June 2017 the Guardian published this exposé: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jun/16/most-of-central-london-hospital-to-be-sold-off-secret-plans-reveal">Most of Central London Hospital to be Sold Off, Plans Reveal</a>. What ensued goes to the very heart of the dishonest approach the Conservative government has taken concerning its plan to demolish Charing Cross Hospital and replace it with a small clinic, and close its A&E and replace that with an Urgent Care Clinic - which it admits it proposes to do after 2021.<br />
<br />
Within an hour of the story going online, the Department of Health had got onto the Guardian to tell them the they'd got it wrong. They encouraged the story to be pulled from the next day's newspaper and insisted that The Guardian added this paragraph to their online article:<br />
<br />
<i>“The proposals in question are exactly that - proposals – and no final decisions have been made. As with all such cases across the NHS, decisions will be made after a public consultation and must have the full support of local doctors in order to secure the best outcomes for patients.”</i> </div>
<div>
<br />
However, that statement from the Department of Health was not true. By Monday 19 June, they came clean and admitted that.<br />
<br />
Indeed, they even asked for the paragraph they'd wanted inserted 3 days earlier to be removed from the on-line story. The Guardian did as they asked but added a new paragraph stating that the Department of Health has now <i>"confirmed that these plans </i>[<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jun/16/most-of-central-london-hospital-to-be-sold-off-secret-plans-reveal" target="_blank">correctly reported in their original story</a>]<i> were consulted on and agreed in 2012/13, so the reconfiguration of those services is underway".</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That episode is typical of the consistently underhand approach the Conservative government has taken in its determination to stop the public having a full understanding of what they actually plan to do to Charing Cross Hospital.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
The government's "<i>reconfiguration of those services"</i> is the ironically titled Shaping a Healthier Future plan for North West London. That was signed off by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretary_of_State_for_Health" target="_blank">Jeremy Hunt</a> MP (Con), the Secretary of State for Health, in 2013 and details how they will:</div>
<ul>
<li>Demolish the current Charing Cross Hospital</li>
<li>Sell off most the Charing Cross Hospital site </li>
<li>Replace the current hospital with a series of clinics on a site no more than 13% the size of the current hospital</li>
<li>Re-brand the clinics as a <i>“local hospital” </i></li>
<li>Replace the current A&E with an Urgent Care Clinic</li>
<li>Re-brand the Urgent Care Clinic a "C<i>lass 3 A&E</i>" </li>
<li>Lose more than 300 and possibly all the acute care beds </li>
</ul>
Anyone viewing the government's <a href="http://www.centrallondonccg.nhs.uk/what-we-do/our-plans/shaping-a-healthier-future.aspx" target="_blank">Shaping a Healthier Future website</a> will find it hard to see any of this detail. Instead, the language is rich in disingenuous double-speak.<br />
<br />
For example, that website explains the closure of four hospitals in North West London by saying <i>“the existing nine hospitals will be transformed into five major acute hospitals”.</i> In the case of Charing Cross Hospital, their use of the word <i>“transformed”</i> means demolished.<br />
<div>
<div>
<br />
In that same spirit on 27 March 2017, two government heath bureaucrats <a href="https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/news/trust-and-ccgs-confirm-commitment-to-charing-cross-hospital" target="_blank">wrote</a> to me and asserted <i>"there have never been any plans to close Charing Cross Hospital"</i>. The complaint was from Dr <a href="https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/who-we-are/our-board#Dr Tracey Batten" target="_blank">Tracey Batten</a>, the <a href="http://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/londons-fat-cat-hospital-bosses-revealed-60-nhs-chiefs-earn-more-than-the-prime-minister-a2918566.html" target="_blank">highly paid</a> Chief Executive of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and <a href="http://www.westlondonccg.nhs.uk/about-us/governing-body.aspx" target="_blank">Clare Parker</a>, the Chief Officer for North West London Collaboration of Clinical Commissioning Groups.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhcxlomAhA57AYrKhBZ67tBohqEIjQzM0lxikOA7X4hj6AT-5pMPByszBUrGbGfaUlqxhwHGxU789GhFu7x-H6q2cjkpFxJ_vYedmyht8movvuwSxVyHyJJx1MZRW-GO85ha2JQEugVM/s1600/Letter+to+Parker+and+Batten+page+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1133" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhcxlomAhA57AYrKhBZ67tBohqEIjQzM0lxikOA7X4hj6AT-5pMPByszBUrGbGfaUlqxhwHGxU789GhFu7x-H6q2cjkpFxJ_vYedmyht8movvuwSxVyHyJJx1MZRW-GO85ha2JQEugVM/s320/Letter+to+Parker+and+Batten+page+1.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
I wrote back to them pointing out that they are <em>"playing fast and loose with the English language".</em> For example, when they wrote <em>“there have never been any plans to close Charing Cross Hospital” </em>their case <i>"appears to rely on the fact that they are planning to name the new clinic, that [they’re] planning to open, a 'local hospital'”. </i><a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/sites/default/files/article_attachments/letter-to-ms-parker-and-dr-batten.pdf" target="_blank">You can read my letter in full here</a><i>.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pWTmjoo9jrLUzBjTew3qMFT_D48jx3jTRET-rsoSw-0NeNV-mbazBPFjse8HvRhz_-oHk4-DAaRtun0Cl26PSBJSr-N_pSmXbsXfE2oV7Zp7KZ_ITMPASaS19iOY83_IcE4gw4LTNLY/s1600/Letter+to+Parker+and+Batten+page+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1133" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pWTmjoo9jrLUzBjTew3qMFT_D48jx3jTRET-rsoSw-0NeNV-mbazBPFjse8HvRhz_-oHk4-DAaRtun0Cl26PSBJSr-N_pSmXbsXfE2oV7Zp7KZ_ITMPASaS19iOY83_IcE4gw4LTNLY/s320/Letter+to+Parker+and+Batten+page+2.jpg" width="225" /></a>We viewed Tracey Batten and Claire Parker's letter as a deliberate attempt to gag Hammersmith & Fulham Council from informing our residents about what is proposed for Charing Cross Hospital.<br />
<br />
They followed their letter up with a statement controversially given to <a href="http://www.prweek.com/article/1435595/war-words-hospital-closure-plan-escalated-following-general-election-say-nhs-chiefs#PPhQYCBOjfEY3out.99" target="_blank">PR Week</a> during the recent general and council by-elections which included an intimidating threat that they will <i>"take it to the next level"</i>.<br />
<br />
Our <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2014/03/h-conservatives-have-voted-to-demolish.html" target="_blank">local Conservative councillors have long been at the front of all these attempts to mislead</a> the public on the future of Charing Cross Hospital. In 2013, when they ran the council they left the cross-party campaign to save the hospital and then spent public money to falsely claim they had already <i>"saved"</i> Charing Cross and <i>"retained"</i> its A&E after they and government health chiefs came up with the ruse to re-brand the new small clinic a <i>"local hospital"</i>.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFieqKqr-dm5xm7Fg63v6ZPWhuBY-fw1swUji4k93FtOaBTWSOgvM5-77KoncyRH4cvAQKeo2srBTe6dlzat9td-tT3Y2Thv6F5-1do8UFgWeGk5-F7OKU6j4sjzYVJpXKq_hMMtOr6Bk/s1600/Charing+Cross+Hospital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1189" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFieqKqr-dm5xm7Fg63v6ZPWhuBY-fw1swUji4k93FtOaBTWSOgvM5-77KoncyRH4cvAQKeo2srBTe6dlzat9td-tT3Y2Thv6F5-1do8UFgWeGk5-F7OKU6j4sjzYVJpXKq_hMMtOr6Bk/s200/Charing+Cross+Hospital.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conservatives<br />
wrongly claiming<br />
Charing Cross<br />
'Saved'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They're still doing that now. On 5 April 2017, I received an email from <a href="http://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=1713" target="_blank">David Morton</a> just after he had been selected as one of the three Labour council candidates for Avonmore & Brook Green. He wrote that<i> "at 7:30 pm last night I received an unexpected visit to my home from Cllr Joe Carlebach. [Con]" </i>and reported that Joe Carlebach had told him<i> "he was prompting the NHS to take legal action against us for claiming that there was an intention to close Charing X hospital."</i><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6c8zZL9SLaDvw_Sxe9NvuEwqDDWn10w-VZ7lADsdjkyh2ZF9a3CkImG5IGKide3rJPYDqIbfB6UmdngNavmz0dmbnJuJsrGyjHSR4wr8bpaNE4py7rRxqkzqdpxpLhc70IDahXC8MfA/s1600/H%2526F+Council+misleading+A%2526E+leaflet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1179" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6c8zZL9SLaDvw_Sxe9NvuEwqDDWn10w-VZ7lADsdjkyh2ZF9a3CkImG5IGKide3rJPYDqIbfB6UmdngNavmz0dmbnJuJsrGyjHSR4wr8bpaNE4py7rRxqkzqdpxpLhc70IDahXC8MfA/s200/H%2526F+Council+misleading+A%2526E+leaflet.jpg" width="146" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conservatives<br />
wrongly claiming <br />
A&E 'retained'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Cllr Joe Carlebach is the borough's current leader of the Conservative opposition but at the time he was the chair of the Hammersmith Conservative Association with responsibility for all election material they put out during the recent general and local elections.<br />
<br />
Hammersmith Conservatives printed and delivered a variety of election material claiming that those reporting that Charing Cross Hospital and its A&E are under threat are lying. They even re-printed Tracey Batten and Clare Parker's letter and delivered it across Hammersmith repeating the line that <i>“there have never been any plans to close Charing Cross Hospital”</i>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4xbMp0l2UJuSsCkZsZIovXeftuZcZqoYSOXftdHkZ2jJGa54duiSOJjaHYHVAyS27Dpsx0DIMdwVIamymAtZkMpnGLxFzjkvsq0qQ_TcJYTChW5UTP5ZexGj0yK0hKmwlrAfVAay8fg/s1600/Greg+Hands+MP+repeating+Charing+Cross+Hospital+clinic+guff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="614" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4xbMp0l2UJuSsCkZsZIovXeftuZcZqoYSOXftdHkZ2jJGa54duiSOJjaHYHVAyS27Dpsx0DIMdwVIamymAtZkMpnGLxFzjkvsq0qQ_TcJYTChW5UTP5ZexGj0yK0hKmwlrAfVAay8fg/s320/Greg+Hands+MP+repeating+Charing+Cross+Hospital+clinic+guff.jpg" width="320" /></a>Meanwhile, in the south of the borough, Greg Hands (Con) the MP for Chelsea & Fulham also repeated the nonsense that Charing Cross Hospital and its A&E are not under threat while accusing both the Council and Labour candidates of <i>"falsehoods" </i>for pointing out all of the details listed in the government's Shaping a Healthier Future plan.<br />
<br />
As recently as last Wednesday night's Full Council Meeting, Conservative councillors were dismissively yelling out that the closure of Charing Cross Hospital is a lie. Their deputy leader joining in such heckling just moments after he and his colleagues had indicated they may want to change their public position following the recent election results - having realised Hammersmith & Fulham's residents had not been taken in by their shenanigans and were punishing them at the ballot box.<br />
<br />
Carlebach and Hands both fully understand what the government's Shaping a Healthier Future plan will mean for the current Charing Cross Hospital. They have simply been sticking to the Conservatives' long-standing line. The same line that on 7 September 2014 had <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2746480/A-E-unit-London-faces-axe-PM-promised-personally-stay-open.html">The Mail on Sunday</a> attack David Cameron in <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2746480/A-E-unit-London-faces-axe-PM-promised-personally-stay-open.html" target="_blank">this article</a>. They reported how <i>"days before council elections in May, the Prime Minister visited Hammersmith in London and stated that Charing Cross Hospital in nearby Fulham ‘will retain its A&E and services’... But the organisation that runs the hospital intends to close the department and replace it with an ‘urgent care centre’, NHS papers show".</i><br />
<br />
I have been formally reviewing the issues around the closure of Charing Cross Hospital since they first began to unfold around 2011 as I was a member of the borough’s Housing, Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee between 2010 and 2014.<br />
<br />
That committee had a statutory duty to scrutinise all matters to do with public health in our borough. If any reader puts <i>"Charing Cross Hospital"</i> into the search bar of this website they can read the many reports I've made as this issue has unfolded.</div>
<div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8TZjNNbABREc-Edb05GPSmsva8QLru8CUzNON4WBYTPB9Q-qrUikf9m7D9vyV2GObkz0hWJMaKT__lsmfAAOIwGP6Dj-G2VwvHKymv4RF_h5FnkpJCtOQpcvay1-aAbcoc7XvGTLX2s/s1600/Michael+Mansfield+QC+Independent+Healthcare+Commission.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1132" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8TZjNNbABREc-Edb05GPSmsva8QLru8CUzNON4WBYTPB9Q-qrUikf9m7D9vyV2GObkz0hWJMaKT__lsmfAAOIwGP6Dj-G2VwvHKymv4RF_h5FnkpJCtOQpcvay1-aAbcoc7XvGTLX2s/s320/Michael+Mansfield+QC+Independent+Healthcare+Commission.jpg" width="226" /></a>After being elected as the Leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council in 2014, I believed it was important to cut through all the misleading information being put into the public realm by the government, health bureaucrats and local Conservative councillors. I asked the eminent Michael Mansfield QC to chair a public inquiry into the the Shaping a Healthier Future plan.<br />
<br />
<div>
Along with Ealing, Hounslow, Brent and Harrow councils, we funded the <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/sites/default/files/independent-healthcare-commission-report-final-lowres.pdf" target="_blank">Independent Healthcare Commission for North West London</a>.<br />
<br />
The commissioners were Michael Mansfield QC (Chair), Dr Stephen Hirst, and Dr John Lister. It was advised by health experts Roger Steer and Seán Boyle. The Mansfield Commission (as <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/sites/default/files/independent-healthcare-commission-report-final-lowres.pdf" target="_blank">it</a> also became known) was run like a court and was supported by Katy Rensten
(counsel to the Commission), and Marcia
Willis Stewart (Birnberg Peirce, solicitors to
the Commission). It carried out extensive public hearings across North West London. Its key findings were:<br />
<ul>
<li>There is no completed, up-to-date business plan in place that sets out the case for delivering the Shaping a Healthier Future (SaHF) programme, demonstrating that the programme is affordable and deliverable. </li>
<li>There was limited and inadequate public consultation on the SaHF proposals and those proposals themselves did not provide an accurate view of the costs and risks to the people affected. </li>
<li>The escalating cost of the programme does not represent value for money and is a waste of precious public resources. </li>
<li>NHS facilities, delivering important public healthcare services, have been closed without adequate alternative provision being put in place. </li>
<li>The original business case seriously underestimated the increasing size of the population in North West London and fails to address the increasing need for services.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<div>
You can read the Independent Healthcare Commission for North West London report in full <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/sites/default/files/independent-healthcare-commission-report-final-lowres.pdf" target="_blank">by clicking here</a>. Its main recommendations remain:</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>The Shaping a Healthier Future programme needs to be halted. </li>
<li>Local authorities should consider seeking a judicial review of the decision to implement the programme if it is not halted.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
The Independent Healthcare Commission for North West London indicated that the government would find it impossible to stick to its original schedule for closing Charing Cross Hospital. Indeed, the people charged with closing the hospital have not even met any of the half dozen or so deadlines they had set themselves for publishing their business plan. So now they have delayed the closure of Charing Cross Hospital until after 2021 and are scrambling to meet the demand they failed to predict - just as lots of people told them they would.</div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2016/12/huge-public-support-councils-refusing-sign-hospital-closures">Hammersmith & Fulham and Ealing councils resisted the attempt</a> to sucker us into helping them plan their NHS cuts by refusing to sign up to the government's new Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) - which was little more than a re-packaging of their failing Shaping a Healthier Future plan. That was despite the (what turned out to be a completely false) threat that they'd damage our adult social care budget if we didn't.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3ElJ_Y41X8aaCl7sClF3Vw0QQmCwaAZHifAbAhxBgDqwnIkTvsWw_p8m6zcrKhIT8bZmF8l6HpaKrcSoMuEUVkriLx_DCFUy05V1VIWf8JHQVmBp5jZS9VVOsvEdgy-9Mf5f5nysAk8/s1600/health-and-social-care-in-north-west-london.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="358" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3ElJ_Y41X8aaCl7sClF3Vw0QQmCwaAZHifAbAhxBgDqwnIkTvsWw_p8m6zcrKhIT8bZmF8l6HpaKrcSoMuEUVkriLx_DCFUy05V1VIWf8JHQVmBp5jZS9VVOsvEdgy-9Mf5f5nysAk8/s320/health-and-social-care-in-north-west-london.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div>
Along with <a href="http://ealing.cmis.uk.com/ealing/Councillors/tabid/63/ctl/ViewCMIS_Person/mid/383/id/19/Default.aspx">Julian Bell</a>, the leader of Ealing Council, we commissioned Roger Steer, Dr John Lister and Seán Boyle to do a further review which was titled Health and Social Care in North West London <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/sites/default/files/section_attachments/shaping-a-healthier-future-report-rev3.pdf">which you can read here</a>. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
The Shaping a Healthier Future plan has also proposed that Ealing Hospital will close. It is being <a href="http://www.ealinglabour.com/tories_hospital_closure">valiantly defended</a> by Ealing Council - with Conservative councillors taking a similarly cynical approach there as they do in Hammersmith and Fulham.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
Since winning control of Hammersmith & Fulham Council my fellow Labour councillors and I <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2017/05/were-working-to-deliver-best-value.html" target="_blank">have re-engineered services and are cutting</a> and re-assigning £63 million of wasteful council spending. So we're all for modernising services and saving money in any public institution. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My fellow Labour councillors and I agree that there needs to be much greater coordination between councils delivering adult social care and hospitals discharging people back into their homes. That's one of the reasons why Hammersmith & Fulham Labour are the only council administration in the country to <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2014/12/tax-on-disability-scrapped.html" target="_blank">abolish charges to our residents for adult social care</a>. But what the government are doing to our local hospital is ill-conceived and wrong. I have been consistently setting out that case such as here in this video:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6jHz-bHI-88/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6jHz-bHI-88?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hammersmith & Fulham Council is the body responsible for public health in the borough. My fellow Labour councillors and I, along with our officials and advisers, have consistently sought assurances from the people behind the Shaping a Healthier Future plan to work with us to change it in light of the considerable amount of evidence we have presented that says they should. But they have repeatedly refused to do that.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Instead they hired a Conservative government <a href="https://www.prweek.com/article/1381752/camerons-deputy-spokesman-christian-cubitt-comms-role-nhs" target="_blank">spin doctor</a> and a <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2017/03/hospital-bosses-hiding-truth-about-closure-plans-says-hf-council-s-leader" target="_blank">high profile advertising agency</a> to re-engineer the English language so it misleads the public about what exactly it is they propose to do to our local NHS services.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Conservative government's approach to the NHS that underlies Shaping a Healthier Future is thoroughly ideological. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hammersmith & Fulham's Labour administration will continue to defend Charing Cross Hospital and work with others to protect our NHS. We have hired some of the best advisers and lawyers to help us do exactly that.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Shaping a Healthier Future plan is deeply flawed. We cannot see how the government can move forward with it without putting lives at risk.<br />
<br />
When the people charged with delivering this for the government recognise the very real need for Charing Cross and Ealing Hospitals and change their approach, they will find the door is still open for them to work with us to help them make that change.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-23277184977457090692017-07-04T11:22:00.003+01:002017-07-04T11:46:57.879+01:00Tackling Air Pollution With H&F's New Electric Car Club And More Electric Car Charging Points Than Anywhere Else In The UK<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRUOoGCf2pHe1nyfQvqcFoO3Ycc_P6IxJf2ecrCWr6Ci12LmOU6YUtMPDDcc6U0Oh59ktEJOoU9Q5yonG3A7huTUR_dQFLzPvJhEGwHv-3QAkXsXBU1GU7-a0FpxbvHDYHP34YQyPfxM/s1600/Bluecity+at+H%2526F+Eco+Fair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="712" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRUOoGCf2pHe1nyfQvqcFoO3Ycc_P6IxJf2ecrCWr6Ci12LmOU6YUtMPDDcc6U0Oh59ktEJOoU9Q5yonG3A7huTUR_dQFLzPvJhEGwHv-3QAkXsXBU1GU7-a0FpxbvHDYHP34YQyPfxM/s640/Bluecity+at+H%2526F+Eco+Fair.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blue-city.co.uk/" target="_blank">Bluecity</a> car club <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2017/06/bluecity-launch-and-first-eco-fair-buzzing-success" target="_blank">launched at H&F's Eco Fair</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Over the last eighteen months, my fellow Labour councillors and I have introduced 100 <a href="https://www.sourcelondon.net/">Source London</a> electric vehicle (EV) charging points in Hammersmith & Fulham. That is the most in the country and many times more than any other council. We aim to have 250 by the end of the year.<br />
<br />
We’ve also introduced the <a href="https://www.blue-city.co.uk/">Bluecity</a> electric car club and negotiated a deal that allows our residents to try the club for free. <br />
<br />
The electricity provided by Source London and used by Bluecity is <a href="https://www.ssebusinessenergy.co.uk/solutions-for-business/green-energy/">SSE Green</a> which is 100% clean, coming with a zero emission rating - mostly generated from wind and hydro-electric sources.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Driving one of the Bluecity EV cars has the pleasant effect of putting a smile on your face but that isn’t our primary motivation. We believe we need to make a determined push to clean our air.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
I was pleased to join Source London's Cédric Bolloré and Christophe Arnaud to speak at City Hall on 21st June about the urgent need to improve air quality and how their excellent schemes will help us to do that. Here is a snippet of my remarks:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qJ9C3thvZLk/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qJ9C3thvZLk?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
Air pollution is linked to chronic lung problems, asthma, heart conditions, breast cancer, dementia and even diabetes. London’s air is the most dirty in the country.<br />
<br />The south side of the Hammersmith Broadway gyratory is the fifth worst polluted black-spot in the country. Our borough has 4 of the UK’s other locations for Britain's worst polluted air.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Back in 2015 we set up one of London's first <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2015/07/rosemary-pettit-to-chair-new.html" target="_blank">Air Quality Commissions</a> which undertook an <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/environment/pollution-and-air-quality/air-quality-commission" target="_blank">extensive public inquiry</a> producing <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/sites/default/files/section_attachments/212_56ds_report_of_the_hf_air_quality_commission_rev5.pdf" target="_blank">this report</a> last year.<br />
<br />
We have also been taking a number of actions to improve air quality since local residents gave us control of the borough in 2014. Those include introducing new safe cycle routes, planting plants that absorb pollutants, deterring lorries and rat-running cars from entering residential areas and lobbying the government and London’s Mayor to replace the Hammersmith Flyover with a flyunder. But, the Source London network and the Bluecity car club has the potential to make a generational shift and change how all of us live and travel as EVs and the EV car club catches on in London and other parts of the country. </div>
<div>
<br />
We aim to increase the number of EV charging points and to keep building the network and encouraging demand to increase. <br />
<br />
The scheme is run by the Bolloré Group, a French company, who have invested £3 million into our borough. Their electric cars are made in the European Union bringing new jobs and economic growth with this new life style choice.<br />
<br />
I say new… Actually electric cars were popular from the 1880s until the early twentieth century. But as the internal combustion engine was refined and gasoline became cheap and plentiful they lost out and the twentieth century took a different path. It’s not hard to see how different modern history might have been without our reliance on oil.<br />
<br />
So how should we plot the course for the next 140 years? What will future generations say about us if we don’t urgently clean our air and find new ways of getting around and living in a way that sustains our environment? <br />
<br />
We have to act and in Hammersmith & Fulham, I am determined H&F Labour remain in the vanguard in doing so.</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-91542029994479585942017-06-14T22:07:00.000+01:002017-06-16T07:54:45.408+01:00The Grenfell Tower Fire Tragedy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2yj6ehd7R-1_N-i_c_Ps8PYTu9RC-62Ns0G3A7k1LaZ3Bq18zLHL3yEBf_EM9wAA5gzA_bDXSd5no2nV9l6NDkX-u12GGDA-T3g5tKnlS-6NkkItdEbyFrwoVx75XhCPn5zVwF6vSSc/s1600/A+sign+in+a+rest+centre+following+the+Grenfell+Tower+fire.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2yj6ehd7R-1_N-i_c_Ps8PYTu9RC-62Ns0G3A7k1LaZ3Bq18zLHL3yEBf_EM9wAA5gzA_bDXSd5no2nV9l6NDkX-u12GGDA-T3g5tKnlS-6NkkItdEbyFrwoVx75XhCPn5zVwF6vSSc/s400/A+sign+in+a+rest+centre+following+the+Grenfell+Tower+fire.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sign in a Rest Centre this afternoon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Twelve people have now been confirmed dead, 75 people are being treated in six hospitals and 20 people are in a critical condition following the fire in Grenfell Tower in Kensington. My thoughts go to all those people who have lost loved ones and who have been frantically trying to find out what has happened to their loved ones. They have lost their homes and everything they own. <a href="https://thekandcfoundation.com/donate/" target="_blank">You can make a donation here</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div>
The emergency services have done and are doing an amazing job. Our NHS, fire, police and ambulance services have been outstanding as have council officers, volunteers and community groups - many still working now.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvjvMvXtCMu7srKUE-giqJaUeK0mBSpdMr1YfBlhL_Wwdd-Wgje-U1fOqnoXgnOQVcZP4J45UN66yifk0mGq1bYCHn972oTYeGHVLNJCyoo5qHfhPzFuts5ZF3B4Q6D-k77uUabMij2k/s1600/Food+and+drink+in+Edward+Wood+Community+Centre.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvjvMvXtCMu7srKUE-giqJaUeK0mBSpdMr1YfBlhL_Wwdd-Wgje-U1fOqnoXgnOQVcZP4J45UN66yifk0mGq1bYCHn972oTYeGHVLNJCyoo5qHfhPzFuts5ZF3B4Q6D-k77uUabMij2k/s200/Food+and+drink+in+Edward+Wood+Community+Centre.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Edward Wood <br />
Community Centre <br />
this afternoon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Along with many of our residents, Hammersmith & Fulham council quickly offered help and we have been assisting our neighbours in Kensington and Chelsea council who are doing everything they can.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hD7baoK50ExWNZoW3NYyMjkDp6Fnrsv57UzzUFOjlW2nT_DJhw9LZFAhxWxWivJfC-PQap-xfwIcQ12kbGKDh14WKmvj6gasoP6lOrBirUE49vxyuizd_0obmczEX1aFf5-V8GDnX8A/s1600/Clothing+in+Edward+Woods+Community+Centre.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hD7baoK50ExWNZoW3NYyMjkDp6Fnrsv57UzzUFOjlW2nT_DJhw9LZFAhxWxWivJfC-PQap-xfwIcQ12kbGKDh14WKmvj6gasoP6lOrBirUE49vxyuizd_0obmczEX1aFf5-V8GDnX8A/s200/Clothing+in+Edward+Woods+Community+Centre.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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<div>
<a href="http://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=1277" target="_blank">Sue Fennimore</a> and I were in the area this afternoon - at the Community Centre on the Edward Woods Estate and at St Clements Church on Sirdar Road in Kensington which is one of two Rest Centres being run by a Hammersmith & Fulham council officer. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Faith groups, businesses and lots of compassionate people have been dropping off food, drink, clothing, toiletries, children's toys and books, and other vital supplies. Their many, many kindness showing London at its best. I am advised that while we have enough supplies at the moment, <a href="https://thekandcfoundation.com/donate/" target="_blank">cash donations are still very welcome</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-56464006996686155352017-06-06T12:40:00.000+01:002017-06-06T12:44:36.582+01:00London Stands As One<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXVeNee-_7sbdqW3O07Ox1YWtGsuclCS8kQ7WxEa2mRPsOBRt0tXQLRVCS7FtPjYmm9pGfq7Nl_5xGJD4XLVWw31_V_yFDJ8nTGjUwan79ZeDHhCoVYk3co5eoK17_L9k6TXbIWP1vqU/s1600/Vigil+for+London+Bridge%252C+Borough+Market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="962" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXVeNee-_7sbdqW3O07Ox1YWtGsuclCS8kQ7WxEa2mRPsOBRt0tXQLRVCS7FtPjYmm9pGfq7Nl_5xGJD4XLVWw31_V_yFDJ8nTGjUwan79ZeDHhCoVYk3co5eoK17_L9k6TXbIWP1vqU/s640/Vigil+for+London+Bridge%252C+Borough+Market.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">London stands as one at the vigil for the victims of the cowardly attack <br />
on London Bridge and Borough Market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last night <a href="http://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=1277" target="_blank">Sue Fennimore</a>, Hammersmith & Fulham’s deputy leader, and I stood alongside London’s leaders and thousands of Londoners at the vigil for the victims of the London Bridge and Borough Market atrocity.<br />
<br />
The shock and sorrow that all of us feel is shared by people across the world following the hateful attack by three deluded cowards.<br />
<br />
The defenseless victims killed and injured come from many different countries and backgrounds – all peacefully enjoying their Saturday night because London is a city where people live, work and get along together like no other place on earth.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Those that attacked us did so because their poisonous ideology sees that as a threat to how they think the world should be.<br />
<br />
We must stand firm against them and we must win. That’s why our Labour administration has put the largest number of council-funded police onto the streets in the history of our borough, is increasing CCTV coverage and taking new measures to keep our residents safe. <br />
<br />
But we must beat those that attack us with our ideas and way of life too. We must continue to show our solidarity and love for one another and in doing that we will face down this evil.<br />
<br />
Last night, as we walked back from the vigil through the London Bridge area, it was heartening to see Londoners defiantly carrying-on – working, hanging-out with friends and typically refusing to be cowed.<br />
<br />
I’d like to invite you, your friends and family to celebrate our diversity and solidarity with our borough’s second ever <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2017/05/hf-unites-defeat-racism-and-hate-11-june-join-us">Unity Day</a> on Sunday 11 June. We will be gather at Shepherds Bush Green at 11am and walk to Ravenscourt Park where there will be music, dance and food from the wide range of cultures that enrich our borough. The event will last until 4.30pm.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-59851893437329272322017-05-26T13:21:00.000+01:002017-07-09T11:46:23.084+01:00We're Working To Deliver The Best Value Council In The Country<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2LMowXfslREbtYQjGopEQSHZ-KAwLdCVzfGEWMWXt9RwgXt9ydqJh6SurVmlPvM82IlEB0_VxuSWegufKlPvWXusIkp8ZgAsnSYhPrPkIeCiEUzvjJSBDUV-STZcj7ABfghZMsRPaMc/s1600/What%2527s+delivered+visual.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="783" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2LMowXfslREbtYQjGopEQSHZ-KAwLdCVzfGEWMWXt9RwgXt9ydqJh6SurVmlPvM82IlEB0_VxuSWegufKlPvWXusIkp8ZgAsnSYhPrPkIeCiEUzvjJSBDUV-STZcj7ABfghZMsRPaMc/s1600/What%2527s+delivered+visual.jpg" /></a></div>
Last Monday was the three-year anniversary of the council elections in which local people voted to give the job of running our borough to my fellow H&F Labour councillors and me. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27514805" target="_blank">This is the BBC News report</a> from that evening.<br />
<br />
People voted for us from across a wide variety of political persuasions. My colleagues and I have always remained grateful to all of them and absolutely determined to make our residents proud.<br />
<br />
There's much we've done, which I'll report on over the coming weeks. Here's a report on some of the things we're doing with the <a href="http://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/documents/g5001/Public%20reports%20pack%2022nd-Feb-2017%2019.00%20Full%20Council.pdf?T=10" target="_blank">borough's finances</a>.<br />
<br />
Over the last six months or so, the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4215950/Council-scraps-500-000-year-propaganda-magazines.html" target="_blank">Mail on Sunday</a>, BBC Radio 4's <a href="https://audioboom.com/posts/5596022-the-today-programme-how-h-f-labour-run-britain-s-only-council-that-s-abolished-home-care-charges-and-cut-council-tax?t=0" target="_blank">Today Programme</a>, The Standard, The Sunday Times and a host of other media have all reported that Hammersmith & Fulham’s Labour administration runs the only council in the country to <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2014/12/tax-on-disability-scrapped.html" target="_blank">abolish charges for Adult Social Care</a> while being one of the only councils in the UK to freeze council tax this year.<br />
<br />
The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StephenECowan/videos/1295201567177851/">Daily Politics</a> programme reported that we're the only council in the country to offer our residents better value now than we did twenty years ago.<br />
<br />
Our Conservative predecessors had enjoyed a generous government <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/final-council-tax-freeze-grant-allocations-2015-to-2016">Council Tax Freeze Grant</a> but the Conservative government abolished that two years ago and instead urged us to raise council tax by 7.75%. Despite that, my fellow Labour councillors and I are the <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2015/03/ten-months-into-running-h-council-and.html" target="_blank">only administration in London</a> to cut council tax this electoral term.<br />
<br />
Our Conservative predecessors had <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2014/03/budget-report-hammersmith-and-fulham.html" target="_blank">introduced 600 stealth taxes</a>, but we are the only administration of any political colour to cut 85% of all the Council's charges for our residents.<br />
<br />
And while our Conservative predecessors put parking charges up by 25.3% and <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2014/12/h-conservatives-planned-147-parking.html" target="_blank">budgeted to put them up 14.7%</a> immediately after the council elections, we've frozen parking charges for each of the 3 years we've been in office.<br />
<br />
This year, we're adding an additional £4.4 million of new funding to the Adult Social Care budget - which is £1.1 million more than that department’s officials asked us for.<br />
<br />
We've done this and more at a time of punitive government cuts to our budget.<br />
<br />
Most council funding has traditionally come from a central government grant - not from council tax. By the end of the next financial year, the Conservative government will have cut H&F's central government grant by 74% since they and their former Liberal Democrat partners came into office in 2010. That will be a reduction of £83 million for our borough.</div>
<div>
<br />
So how have we been able to do all of this?<br />
<br />
<b>We saw the problems we inherited as opportunities to save money and do things better</b><br />
<div>
We came into office with a critical view that local government was a long way off where it needed to be if our residents were to favourably compare their council with the very best organisations in the world. However, we were surprised to find we had inherited an organisation that was simply not fit for purpose across many areas of its responsibilities.<br />
<br />
To be fair, some useful improvements happened under the former Conservative administration and there were areas of the council's work which remain impressive but they had bequeathed us a corporate culture that was dated, wasteful, self-satisfied and had too little regard for our residents. Too often, the approach to complex challenges was amateur. When things went wrong, as they inevitably did, the cultural reflex was often one of blame, denial, ducking responsibility and indifference rather than forensic analysis, fixing the problem, learning and moving on.<br />
<br />
All this wasted time and money and all of this was exacerbated by the Byzantine structures of a '<a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2017/03/tri-borough-conservative-boroughs-call.html">tri-borough</a>' arrangement the Conservatives had agreed with two other councils.<br />
<br />
We were immediately confronted with the scale of the changes we needed to make during our first summer in office. The first and worst example of this culture being the new tri- borough Special Educational Needs Transport Service for disabled children which had gone live just over a month before the election. It was horrendously bad and it put the children at risk. Parents, teachers and carers were desperately worried. Fixing that service - which we did - was made so much harder by all of the above.<br />
<br />
In fact, the Conservatives had procured some astonishingly costly and disastrous contracts. They had employed some of the <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2010/12/h-pays-retired-bureaucrat-equivalent-of.html">highest paid officials</a> in the UK and had too many of them too. There was little effective training and development of the council's employees with too many staff carrying out important work which they did not have all the necessary capabilities for.<br />
<br />
And the Conservatives sold billions of pounds of public land to property developers at knock-down prices - with no regard for the fact that on some of that land were the <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2012/03/daryl-browns-speech-defending-residents.html">council homes of hundreds of local families</a>.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, Conservative councillors had squandered millions of pounds: adorning our streets with vanity banners hanging from lamp post featuring their super-sized photos; <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2009/08/evening-standards-andrew-gilligan.html" target="_blank">a newspaper</a>; and over half a dozen different <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2011/07/defiant-tories-re-launch-controversial.html" target="_blank">self-aggrandizing magazines</a> - all promoting their North Korean style <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2010/04/cross-party-parliamentary-committee_2063.html" target="_blank">political propaganda</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Fixing this is a work in progress, but we are making significant progress</b><br />
The world has moved on compared to even ten years ago. People socialise differently and buy products and services differently. The most effective organisations use big data to better predict demand and they re-engineer and contentiously improve services to make them better for their customers. But the Hammersmith & Fulham Council we inherited 3 years ago acted, looked and felt like an organisation from 30 years ago. We set about a programme of change and modernisation.<br />
<br />
So far we're making £62.6 million year-on-year savings in the council's revenue account. Those are being made by:<br />
<ul>
<li>Closing down council magazines, removing vanity banners and other politically inspired wastefulness</li>
<li>Using big data to better predict demand to make earlier and thus less costly interventions</li>
<li>Remodeling services taking advantage of new technology and working practices</li>
<li>Proactively raising commercial revenue - even selling our big data service to other councils</li>
<li>Better procurement, negotiation and management of contracts</li>
<li>Paying off the council's debt</li>
<li>Rationalising the number of council offices</li>
<li>Cutting senior management and restructuring the council, while retaining and recruiting some of the best people in local government and training and up-skilling our staff so they're empowered to do more.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
We've also negotiated a record £219 million from property developers which will benefit the capital account as those schemes come forward in future years. Of that sum, we won <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2015/03/ten-months-into-running-h-council-and.html" target="_blank">£52.25 million</a> more by immediately re-negotiating 7 property deals shortly after the 2014 council election - deals which Conservative councillors had already agreed at much lower sums and closed the book on.</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>The borough's Conservative opposition</b><br />
They're not an active group of local elected representatives. <a href="http://www.hammersmithfulhamnews.com/2015/02/let-them-drive-cars.html" target="_blank">As this link shows</a>, Hammersmith & Fulham's Conservative councillors don't do many surgeries for their constituents and simply don't turn up to a staggering amount of council meetings.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELpfvsh86JOWkkA_rY4bYFVdAiMa1C5nnWU2XRfjyHeuFAEjC1sJGWIZXhz27lwW9CZkspcVn47znAJRPwTzmo-LccGWUjO2qLZHrip-JsNkTvUZRB0O0q41AWZ9yzl7Ep_OZY8AkS-k/s1600/Cllr+Greg+Smith+%2528Con%2529+tax+payer+funded+lamp+post+vanity+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="236" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELpfvsh86JOWkkA_rY4bYFVdAiMa1C5nnWU2XRfjyHeuFAEjC1sJGWIZXhz27lwW9CZkspcVn47znAJRPwTzmo-LccGWUjO2qLZHrip-JsNkTvUZRB0O0q41AWZ9yzl7Ep_OZY8AkS-k/s400/Cllr+Greg+Smith+%2528Con%2529+tax+payer+funded+lamp+post+vanity+banner.jpg" width="117" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greg Smith<br />
when Deputy<br />
Council Leader<br />
on a <br />
lamp post<br />
vanity banner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's also evident that the Borough's Conservative opposition do not understand rudimentary aspects of public finances.<br />
<br />
This first became apparent at our first <a href="http://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/documents/g3561/Public%20reports%20pack%2025th-Feb-2015%2019.00%20Full%20Council.pdf?T=10" target="_blank">Annual Budget Meeting</a> on 25 February 2015 when Cllr. Greg Smith, the opposition leader and former deputy leader of the council, set out the Conservatives' view on how the borough should meet the £71 million year-on-year budget gap in the council's revenue account by 2018/19. We had inherited this huge gap from the former Conservative administration just nine months earlier so Conservative councillors had plenty of time to form a considered view. However, with Greg Smith's colleagues cheering him on, H&F Conservatives' official budget response had as its centerpiece this statement:<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>“</i><i>I find it curious that he </i>[me]<i> boasts of £50 million extra from developers - and we’ll come onto the detail of that later - where he says he’s already saved £24 million and he brought in £50 million: well if he got to find £71 million worth of savings in total, I don’t know what his problem is, he’s already got all the money in!”</i> as <a href="https://audioboom.com/posts/5194348-h-f-s-tory-opposition-leader-demonstrating-how-he-doesn-t-understand-the-difference-between-one-off-capital-receipts-and-an-annual-revenue-budget?t=0" target="_blank">you can listen to here</a>.<br />
<br />
That statement demonstrated that they had mixed up the difference between the revenue account and the capital account and had no understanding of the fact that this was not a one-off gap to be met in a single year but an accruing year-on-year gap that would need to be reached by 2018/19 and again (plus a greater amount) each year thereafter.<br />
<br />
The following year, the main suggestion in H&F Conservatives' budget response was that H&F Council should abolish the meals-on-wheels service which, apart from being cruel, would not save very much money at all. That had them attacked as <a href="https://politicalscrapbook.net/2016/02/tory-wants-to-axe-meals-on-wheels-for-those-who-cant-cook-tesco-could-deliver-cold-food-instead/" target="_blank"><i>"clueless"</i> by this website</a>.<br />
<br />
On 13 January 2016, the Conservative leader attended the Audit Committee as a representative of Riverside Studios. Under questioning from Councillors <a href="http://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=600" target="_blank">PJ Murphy</a> and <a href="http://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=1282" target="_blank">Ben Coleman</a> he said he did not recognise Section 106 money as public money despite it being agreed by Parliament as such in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_and_Country_Planning_Act_1990#Section_106" target="_blank">Town and Country Planning Act 1990</a>. He then spent quite a long time explaining his philosophical view that he didn’t support the term <i>“public money”</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>We're working to give our residents and businesses the best</b><br />
<div>
We want Hammersmith & Fulham to be the best council in the country. Actually, we want it to be comparable to some of the best, most effective organisations anywhere.<br />
<br />
Getting public finances right is crucial to that but can only be sustainable if we modernise how the council operates.<br />
<br />
We know that the best way to make improvements is to do it with the people using the services. For a council that is the local residents and businesses we serve. That's why we've; set up resident and business led policy <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/councillors-and-democracy/resident-led-commissions" target="_blank">commissions</a> which has helped us do more, better and quicker; we introduced a new public <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/councillors-and-democracy/councillors-committees-and-decisions/scrutiny" target="_blank">policy and accountability</a> process to give residents more influence on what the council does; and we try to work with our residents and businesses rather than have the council do things to them.<br />
<br />
We think our borough has a chance at being the best place for business, the best place to live and work and the very best council. Delivering that is what motivates my fellow Labour councillors and me. We remain ever grateful to all of the 22,163 people who voted for us three years ago and gave us the opportunity to do this.</div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-81102840900860239442017-05-23T14:50:00.002+01:002017-06-02T22:44:03.336+01:00Manchester ❤️<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTklLATdgPChVPcct_inWThK7cPxeEO2cpEmNpn4Z8pIDr8MAjTcR9l1BijDOrL3tLHpWjRtNvmYK4bsYyhJd8Kq_arszNWoxVQ4SV3YtT2AYtOCNJlxYdgfycCt2KO66pyko-GXOmbeU/s1600/Manchester+attack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTklLATdgPChVPcct_inWThK7cPxeEO2cpEmNpn4Z8pIDr8MAjTcR9l1BijDOrL3tLHpWjRtNvmYK4bsYyhJd8Kq_arszNWoxVQ4SV3YtT2AYtOCNJlxYdgfycCt2KO66pyko-GXOmbeU/s1600/Manchester+attack.jpg" /></a></div>
Once again, the flags fly at half mast over Hammersmith Town Hall after the heartbreaking news that at least 22 people have been murdered and 59 injured by a coward's bomb at a pop concert in the Manchester Arena.<br />
<br />
At the time of writing, we have learnt of the first two reported victims. Georgina Bethany Callander was just 18. Georgina died, with her mum at her hospital bedside. Saffie-Rose Roussos, an 8-year-old little girl, had gone to the concert with her mum and sister for what should have been a beautiful evening.<br />
<br />
As we learn more of the people taken through this vile act I know that all in Hammersmith & Fulham will share the deepest sadness and want to send the clearest message of love and solidarity to those suffering the consequences of this atrocity.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Manchester Evening News has set up a crowdfunding page to support the victims' families. <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/westandtogethermanchester" target="_blank">You can donate here</a>.<br />
<br />
In targeting an Ariana Grande concert, the individuals who planned and perpetrated these murders deliberately chose to target children and young people. They are beneath contempt.<br />
<br />
<div>
The people of Manchester have shown why it is one of the greatest of cities. Those of all faiths and no faith have rallied: opening their homes to offer shelter; queueing to donate blood; ferrying victims home to their loved ones and more - demonstrating the solid, compassionate strength that has always defined that city's character and proving how in the darkest of times we can still witness the best of humanity.</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-21573783204815032102017-05-18T22:10:00.000+01:002017-05-19T09:01:30.250+01:00Robert Largan and Robert Largan<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsi6wV48ussUwAliZFC9BnlV-5kBhdNO10lEnzvuKfQ2BJzEbEddfrH7VnKjbxeXHdw-cZI6HNgmeD4Hhp12CKhHPtvQa01a-tHZi-S-sYNV_Vimn06z7mNeNXujOtzkNyNZoAPQi4Do/s1600/Robert+Largan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsi6wV48ussUwAliZFC9BnlV-5kBhdNO10lEnzvuKfQ2BJzEbEddfrH7VnKjbxeXHdw-cZI6HNgmeD4Hhp12CKhHPtvQa01a-tHZi-S-sYNV_Vimn06z7mNeNXujOtzkNyNZoAPQi4Do/s640/Robert+Largan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert Largan from Fulham, London (left) and <br />
Robert Largan from Bury, Greater Manchester (right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've been sent <a href="https://www.buryconservatives.org.uk/robert-largan-bury-south">this link</a> to the local Conservative Party website for Bury, Greater Manchester. It states that <i>"Whitefield resident, Robert Largan, has been selected to be the Conservative Candidate for Bury South".</i> That Robert Largan bears a remarkable resemblance to the man we came to know as Councillor Robert Largan who, as recently as 13 April, sent an email out to his constituents stating his residence as Sulivan Court in Fulham some 227 miles from Bury in London.<br />
<br />
The Bury Robert Largan appears as a salt of the earth 29-year-old whom, as the Conservative website tells, started work on the fish counter in ASDA before making it as a chartered accountant.<br />
<br />
The Fulham Robert Largan is a long-time political hack who'd worked for the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Way_Forward" target="_blank">Thatcherite</a> Greg Hands MP for Chelsea & Fulham and, until just over two weeks ago, was a junior Conservative Councillor representing Sands End ward in Fulham since 2014. He had also unsuccessfully sought to get elected onto Hammersmith & Fulham Council 7 years ago.<br />
<br />
Let's hope this Robert Largan chap in Bury would never <a href="http://hfconwatch.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/trump-largan-and-alternative-facts-in.html" target="_blank">behave like this</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-59883402095835272282017-03-29T17:50:00.001+01:002017-06-19T15:46:47.729+01:00Tri-borough: Conservative Boroughs Call It A Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwQXX-ul5Uw4_cWt4y05KDPeCRBaZMDpR8IvCr2F3aayITmyeA6ngi5-R7cXAaX-EGaA7GLwfTSmROdcWWrp4JsP9QgcggyFymInl7Plq6lOfvhsfJTABhUqDIUCuwTGZTzPaa8UQmc4/s1600/H%2526F+Labour+cut+council+tax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwQXX-ul5Uw4_cWt4y05KDPeCRBaZMDpR8IvCr2F3aayITmyeA6ngi5-R7cXAaX-EGaA7GLwfTSmROdcWWrp4JsP9QgcggyFymInl7Plq6lOfvhsfJTABhUqDIUCuwTGZTzPaa8UQmc4/s1600/H%2526F+Labour+cut+council+tax.jpg" /></a></div>
In November 2015, a senior 'tri-borough' official told my colleagues and me they had attended an away-day at Westminster City Council during which they had modelled pulling out of the tri-borough arrangement - advising us Westminster proposed to trigger their plan in 2017. When I raised that with their political leadership they denied it.<br />
<br />
On Monday night, the Conservative-run Westminster City Council and Kensington & Chelsea Council both put out a press release stating they intended to formally serve notice to pull out of the tri-borough arrangement. Meanwhile, Hammersmith & Fulham’s Conservatives distributed ill-judged leaflets containing the same petty political posturing. It is evident that this was a long-planned and coordinated move.<br />
<br />
I had met with the two borough leaders last Thursday. It was a cordial meeting. They did not mention that they had both arranged emergency cabinet meetings for Monday night and had synchronised their press announcements detailing their plans to walk out of the tri-borough deal.<br />
<br />
So I thought I might illuminate what’s happening with some facts.<br />
<br />
The tri-borough began with an announcement by the Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP (Con) on 22 October 2010. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11603545" target="_blank">He told the BBC</a> his new tri-borough initiative was targeted to save £100 million. It has never come close.<br />
<br />
At its worst, the tri-borough has lost all three councils millions of pounds, put the lives of disabled children at risk and made it difficult for staff to undertake the most basic day-to-day functions.<br />
<br />
In our last two budgets, Hammersmith & Fulham’s Labour administration found £31 million of savings but the tri-borough contributed no more than £200,000 of that, which is less than 1%.<br />
<br />
Problems with tri-borough contracts, procured by Westminster City Council, have cost Hammersmith & Fulham over £5 million. <br />
<br />
Many of the savings attributed to tri-borough were savings that would have been made anyway. Indeed, when other councils kindly opened their books we saw that they had made similar and sometimes better savings by themselves.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the losses caused by the tri-borough have never been formally listed as such or quantified but run into many millions of pounds.<br />
<br />
Senior tri-borough officers have had to try and balance conflicting goals such as Hammersmith & Fulham Labour’s determination to keep Charing Cross Hospital open against the Conservative administrations in Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea’s support for closing it.<br />
<br />
While there were benefits, the tri-borough suffered from too many politicians and officials having a vested interest in keeping the myth going that the tri-borough was simply wonderful in every way. That is possibly why a culture developed where problems were brushed under the carpet.<br />
<br />
On too many occasions, leading Conservative politicians in the other two boroughs were kept in the dark by their officials when potentially catastrophic problems occurred. While this Emperor was wearing some clothes, he was naked in all of the wrong places. <br />
<br />
Given all this, it should surprise no-one to hear that Hammersmith & Fulham has been carrying out a review. <br />
<br />
Hammersmith & Fulham’s Labour administration aspires to run the best value, most effective council in the country - the best place for residents to live and for businesses to prosper.<br />
<br />
Despite record funding cuts by national government, we’ve built a reputation for improving services to residents while cutting taxes. <br />
<br />
While our neighbours in Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster City Councils have increased council tax by 2% and 4%, Hammersmith & Fulham is one of only a few councils in the country to freeze council tax this year.<br />
<br />
In fact, H&F Labour have managed our finances to ensure we’re: <br />
<ul>
<li>The only London council to cut council tax this electoral term</li>
<li>The only council in the country to abolish charges for adult social care</li>
<li>The only council to cut 85% of all charges for our residents</li>
<li>The only council to freeze parking permit charges for each year we have been in office </li>
</ul>
We are fortunate to have so many excellent staff working hard in the face of numerous challenges to deliver high quality services for Hammersmith & Fulham. All went into public service because of they share a profound belief in public service being fundamental to a good society. That belief goes to the very heart of what our Labour administration is about.<br />
<div>
<br />
When residents gave my colleagues and me control of Hammersmith & Fulham in 2014, we found we had inherited an institution that looked and felt a lot like something from 30 years ago. Services had been run down by the Conservatives who, across the tri-borough, demonstrated a callous indifference when it became evident they had put our most vulnerable residents at risk. It was not fit for purpose.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As we move on, we will attract more of the very best people to work with us as we continue to build an organisation that is in the vanguard of modernising local government. <br />
<br />
We believe the residents and businesses of Hammersmith & Fulham deserve the very best possible services and the smartest most effective support. That is precisely what all of us in Hammersmith & Fulham Labour will continue to strive to deliver.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-20165807352666692882017-03-23T09:35:00.000+00:002017-03-25T00:45:47.746+00:00The Westminster Attack<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTM4p1V1Slby6ZMrPPjbhlUWpXXIY6ZtAXMNiHykpu90TLHYYup-shhhoITfVbcfQLuWDs7Yh35-UzbklL3LZeR38cIwriFU9ukFJFTcRTQrekkvwbmpYnttHSOx_t_EnTmiFghmfwuE/s1600/PC+Keith+Palmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTM4p1V1Slby6ZMrPPjbhlUWpXXIY6ZtAXMNiHykpu90TLHYYup-shhhoITfVbcfQLuWDs7Yh35-UzbklL3LZeR38cIwriFU9ukFJFTcRTQrekkvwbmpYnttHSOx_t_EnTmiFghmfwuE/s640/PC+Keith+Palmer.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC Keith Palmer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On Thursday night, Councillor <a href="http://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=1277" target="_blank">Sue Fennimore</a> and I represented Hammersmith & Fulham at a candlelit vigil in Trafalgar Square. It had been called by Mayor <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sadiqforlondon/videos/437936273219202/" target="_blank">Sadiq Khan</a>. We were joined by leaders of many faiths and people from different backgrounds and nationalities, sending an image of London united in our abhorrence at the previous day’s vile act of terrorism.<br />
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Four people were murdered. Around 50 people from 12 different countries were injured. I know all the people of Hammersmith & Fulham join me in expressing our deepest sorrow to those suffering injuries and to the families and loved ones of the innocent people killed.<br />
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One of those whose life was taken was PC Keith Palmer. PC Palmer had served in the Royal Artillery before becoming a member of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Squad which he had served in for the last 15 years. <br />
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We should never forget that when attacks happen, and as civilians are ushered towards safety, it is the police and security services that take the opposite course and confront danger head on.<br />
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PC Palmer was just 48. He was a husband and a father of a 5-year-old daughter. He courageously faced down the attacker. I can only imagine the grief his family feel today. They do not mourn alone.<br />
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Around the world people joined to send their messages of solidarity. The terrorists will not win. Our diversity, our unity and our democracy makes us stronger. Our respect for human rights, our belief in the rule of law and our compassion make us stronger. These are the values that confront the hatred they espouse. They cannot win.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-3258705686484980492016-07-07T17:37:00.000+01:002016-07-07T18:19:36.836+01:00A Chance To Stand Up To Racism And Xenophobia And Celebrate H&F's Diversity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGZ-P41XkOk4HeJBUTzeFDt2ZgR3tDKwl5drkOQCBoaCZuisShUIHtvlhnUam1BsHEN3qHCGBfzvgmeCdFst-YN2A3PK7ZtGFmkWsQ-pepXmcNqO1a2of4DF4Tcj1jTGEYaPcfRFKkqw/s1600/H%2526F+Unity+Flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGZ-P41XkOk4HeJBUTzeFDt2ZgR3tDKwl5drkOQCBoaCZuisShUIHtvlhnUam1BsHEN3qHCGBfzvgmeCdFst-YN2A3PK7ZtGFmkWsQ-pepXmcNqO1a2of4DF4Tcj1jTGEYaPcfRFKkqw/s640/H%2526F+Unity+Flyer.jpg" width="462" /></a></div>
Generations of good, brave people fought to kick racism out of British society. If anyone had looked at the '<i>Isles of Wonder'</i> we showcased to the world on the 27th July 2012 they'd have believed our war had been won as that day, just four years' ago, was the day this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4As0e4de-rI" target="_blank">London Olympic opening ceremony</a> put in lump in our throats and made our chests burst with pride.<br />
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But racist incidents are on the increase. A small number of people unfortunately feel they have been given permission by recent events to let their inner ignorance speak out.<br />
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Last week <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2016/06/a-statement-on-polish-center-atttack.html" target="_blank">Hammersmith's Polish Center</a> was daubed with racist graffiti and there has been a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/30/police-report-fivefold-increase-race-hate-crimes-since-brexit-result" target="_blank">500% increase in the number of reported hate crimes</a>. In recent weeks too many of our friends and neighbours have been confronted by racist and xenophobic incidents: people asked why they're still here; told to go home; told we voted for you to leave and worse.<br />
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That's just not the country we are and it certainly is not the country we are going to become.<br />
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On Sunday, 17th July the vast majority of us will have a chance to stand up and state that we are proud of all the good people that have made their home in Hammersmith and Fulham: those who came from the other <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2016/06/the-eu-referendum-result-and-warm.html" target="_blank">27 EU countries</a>, and those from everywhere else in the world. H&F's Unity Day will begin with a chance for us to walk <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsRkMG2JqT8&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">together against racism and xenophobia</a>. It will finish with a festival of celebration of the many cultures that make our London borough one of the most wonderful places to live anywhere in the world.<br />
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Please come and please tell your friends and neighbours.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-20782309129466608852016-06-27T01:26:00.001+01:002016-06-27T13:30:17.723+01:00A Statement On The Polish Center Atttack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Early Sunday morning racist graffiti was found scrawled onto the walls of the Polish cultural center in Hammersmith. Such an attack is both outrageous and an affront to the values that have defined British culture for a very long time.<br />
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The Polish Social and Cultural Association (POSK), was founded shortly after the Second World War during which Polish forces fought for Britain to defeat Nazism. Since and more recently Polish citizens have become one of the communities that define and add to our modern society.</div>
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I am very grateful to have POSK in Hammersmith and Fulham and reaffirm that we in this borough will always stand with the Polish people and people of Polish origin against small-minded ignorance and bigotry whenever it raises its ugly head.</div>
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I will shortly visit the Polish center (as I often do) and offer the full practical support of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-71852044141961774542016-06-24T08:07:00.002+01:002016-06-24T09:56:39.607+01:00The EU Referendum Result And A Warm Message Of Friendship To H&F's EU Citizens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The residents of Hammersmith and Fulham voted 70% in favour of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland remaining in the European Union. Thirty per cent voted to leave.<br />
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Hammersmith & Fulham’s results reflected other similar views across London, Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, as we now know, other parts of our country did not share that position and have voted to leave.<br />
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The result is a shock to many and so on this particular day, this administration wants to send a very clear and very warm message of welcome to the thousands of EU citizens that have made our borough their home. We are deeply grateful for: the businesses they’ve started; the hard work they do; and for how our culture has been enriched because they have chosen to live with us in our beautiful corner of West London. We will do everything we can to ensure all H&F's EU residents feel as welcome today, and each day thereafter, as they did yesterday.<br />
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What happens next for our country and its relationships with other countries is unclear. The turmoil on the financial markets reflects some of that. But we in H&F will continue to work hard to support local businesses and do everything in our power to fight for the prosperity and well-being of all who live here.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-62004456364385189212016-06-16T19:43:00.002+01:002016-06-17T01:07:21.704+01:00Jo Cox: A statement from Hammersmith and Fulham's Labour councillors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are devastated by the death of Jo Cox who died from her injuries following an attack on her as she left her constituency surgery. She was a compassionate campaigner and the world is a colder place without her.<br />
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Our thoughts, sorrow and love go to her husband Brendan Cox, her children and her family and friends. <br />
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This is the statement from Brendan Cox which we wanted to share…<br />
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<em>"Today is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. More difficult, more painful, less joyful, less full of love. I and Jo's friends and family are going to work every moment of our lives to love and nurture our kids and to fight against the hate that killed Jo.<br /> <br />"Jo believed in a better world and she fought for it every day of her life with an energy, and a zest for life that would exhaust most people.<br /> <br />"She would have wanted two things above all else to happen now, one that our precious children are bathed in love and two, that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her. Hate doesn't have a creed, race or religion, it is poisonous.<br /> <br />"Jo would have no regrets about her life, she lived every day of it to the full".</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-28158522943416783192016-06-13T20:17:00.000+01:002016-06-14T00:23:01.025+01:00LGBT Pride Flag, The Stars And Stripes And The Union Flag Over Hammersmith And Fulham<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tonight, over Hammersmith Town Hall, the rainbow coloured LGBT Pride flag flies at half-mast alongside the Stars and Stripes and the Union Flag.<br />
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The mass shootings by Omar Mateen, an American citizen, in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando was an act of hate. Hate that led Mateen to murder forty-nine people, wound 53 more and devastate the families and loved ones of those he attacked.<br />
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We send our love and deep sorrow to all those suffering the loss of someone they cared about and in flying the LGBT flag, we send a message that we stand in proud solidarity with all who are LGBT.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-66442378127733457172016-06-13T17:03:00.000+01:002016-06-23T10:14:59.490+01:00Keeping Great Britain's Seat At The EU Negotiating Table Versus Years Of Damaging Uncertainty And Hardship For British Households? I'm Voting To Remain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The vote on 23 June, that will decide whether or not the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will remain in the European Union, will be the most important vote I ever cast.<br />
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The consequences will: affect our country; they will affect the borough I have the privilege to lead and care about; and they will affect my family for generations to come.<br />
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There are many positive reasons for staying in Europe as I set out below, but at the time of writing this, <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/06/14/ftse-100-slides-towards-6000-and-pound-falls-as-brexit-fears-dri/" target="_blank">the FTSE 100 has fallen by £100 billion in just four days</a> - which isn't scaremongering, it's actually something that has already happened based on no more than the fear of Brexit. It is also worth noting that <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/britain-flirts-with-economic-insanity/2016/05/01/bb8d7a4a-0e1f-11e6-bfa1-4efa856caf2a_story.html" target="_blank">this article in The Washington Post</a>, titled <i>"Britain flirts with economic insanity"</i> was written to inform an American audience - not to influence a British one.<br />
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So, I strongly believe that remaining in the European Union is the right thing to do. Here are some of my personal reasons:<br />
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<b>Board rooms rather than battle fields: this is a much better way of doing business than what we had before</b><br />
When I was a small child in the 1960s the majority of countries in Europe were governed by either fascist or communist dictatorships. War had been the way change came to Europe throughout our long history but that post Second World War generation chose a different way and set up the beginnings of what later became the European Union.<br />
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Now democracy spreads across our continent, in large part, because <a href="http://europa.eu/about-eu/countries/member-countries">each country</a> wanting to belong to the EU has to pass our criteria of being a fully functioning democracy and demonstrating how they respect the rights and freedoms of each of their citizens.<br />
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Nobody knows what the world will be like in 100 years time but we do know that 100 years ago Europe was in the middle of the first horrific world war that saw millions of its citizens killed. The EU's track record of bringing peace to our continent is now both decades long and unprecedented. It can continue to do that for future generations if we keep it and continue to influence it.<br />
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I believe if any of the brave women and men who fought and died (in their millions) to liberate Europe in either of the 20th century's two great wars could know that this is how we now bring change and hammer out our differences, they would think the EU to be a wonderful thing. I don't think it's right or sensible that Britain steps away from that.<br />
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<b>A seat at the EU negotiating table - now and for generations to come</b><br />
But Europe isn't perfect. There is a lot that needs radical reform. So how do we in Britain make that happen? Leaving the room where the negotiations occur is just not the answer.<br />
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Far from 'taking control', as the leave campaign slogan somewhat disingenuously suggests, Britain will lose a large amount of our influence if we leave. That would be bad now but with each passing decade it will continue to weaken our ability to protect our national interests and get things done. </div>
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Hard facts need to be at the heart of any decision of this magnitude. Yet there are many inaccuracies on everything <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/this-chart-shows-how-wrong-vote-leave-are-on-immigration-a7083476.html" target="_blank">from immigration</a> to trade. <a href="http://infacts.org/" target="_blank">This is a good website</a> to fact check.<br />
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Speaking from a partisan perspective, I believe Britain is at its best in the EU when there is a Labour government. The EU helped the 1997 Labour government secure better working conditions and improvements for the average British citizen. It's helped bring peace to Northern Ireland and it's helped increase the standards of living for hard working British families.<br />
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No matter who is in charge, Britain is a vocal and powerful member of the EU. We are on the <a href="http://ukandeu.ac.uk/facts-behind-the-claims-uk-influence-in-the-eu">winning side of all EU votes 95% of the time</a>. For the past 43 years we have shaped much of how the current EU is and how it operates. <br />
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The EU is our biggest trading partner and it is the biggest investor in the UK economy. If we leave, no matter what arrangement we come up with, we will still have to abide by its laws in one form or another. For example, one option preferred by many in the Brexit camp, (although likely to be blocked by EU member states) is after we leave the EU we become a member of the <a href="http://www.europarl.europa.eu/atyourservice/en/displayFtu.html?ftuId=FTU_6.5.3.html">European Economic Area</a> (EEA). That would mean Britain would still have to pay into the system and still have to accept all EU laws on the free movement of goods, people, services, capital and more. But we will simply no longer have a role in deciding what those laws are.<br />
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Playing an active role in the EU and with an ambitious agenda that continues to influence what the EU does is the best way of protecting Britain's sovereign national interests.<br />
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<b>Leaving creates years of damaging uncertainty</b><br />
But what is the alternative? Exactly what is the Brexit campaign arguing for? Well, as yet there isn’t anything that even resembles another proposal, let alone a plan which the Brexit campaigners agree on.</div>
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I appreciate that the future is by its very nature unpredictable but the Brexit campaign cannot even tell us what they think will happen later this summer if we leave - as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StrongerInCampaign/videos/1190299551010367/">this video</a> shows. </div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slaughter_and_May">Slaughter and May</a> (an international law firm) have done a more thorough <a href="https://www.slaughterandmay.com/media/2535258/brexit-essentials-alternatives-to-eu-membership.pdf">independent analysis of our options which you can read here.</a> None of the leave options offer anything but many years of highly damaging uncertainty.</div>
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Uncertainty always negatively affects mortgage rates, it affects food prices, it causes unemployment so it will negatively affect the livelihoods of Britons up and down the country.<br />
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Most commentators agree that Britain will be seeking to negotiate an alternative European agreement at a time when the remaining EU countries are likely to feel pretty sore with Britain for leaving and so destabilising their economies and national security.<br />
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Any of the remaining 27 EU countries could veto a new agreement with Britain for any reason.<br />
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Germany's finance minister has already said <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/10/no-single-market-access-for-uk-after-brexit-wolfgang-schauble-says">Germany will block our entry into the single market</a>. The <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/19/the-eu-will-play-hardball-with-post-brexit-britain/">Telegraph offers this</a> insight into how other European countries will react. If you want to know what the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/20/world/europe/britain-referendum-brexit-european-union.html" target="_blank">New York Times thinks the other EU countries will do if Britain leaves, click here</a>. Even our friends in the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/11962277/Major-blow-for-Brexit-campaign-as-US-rules-out-UK-only-trade-deal.html">United States say that they will not negotiate a special trade deal for Britain</a>.<br />
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Meanwhile only 18 months ago, one of the main reasons Scotland voted to remain in the UK was because they were told they would not enjoy automatic membership of the EU if they left. If the UK leaves the EU it will legitimately reopen the question for the Scots whether they should leave the UK and rejoin the EU.<br />
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Nigel Farage, the UKIP leader, has suggested that Britain's alternative economic approach will be to accelerate the effects of globalization by getting rid of all tariffs on goods traded with all countries. The effects of globalization is the very thing most people considering voting to leave the EU are against. Farage's plan would decimate British jobs.<br />
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What's clear is the Brexit camp have no alternative plan should we exit the EU and even if they did there is absolutely no other country or economic block that is even considering working with us on it. It is not even clear what 'us' will mean. Do the Brexiters believe they would be negotiating on behalf of the UK as it is now or a new smaller country without Scotland?<br />
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<b>A long economic recession?</b><br />
While there is no plan other than uncertainty coming from the Brexit camp, the following highly respected independent organisations have all given their opinions on what will happen if Britain leaves the EU:<br />
<ul>
<li>The Governor of the Bank of England said leaving the EU will be the "<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35751919">biggest domestic risk to financial stability</a>".</li>
<li>The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said "<a href="http://www.oecd.org/economy/oecd-study-finds-britons-will-be-paying-a-heavy-brexit-tax-for-many-years-if-uk-leaves-eu.htm">A UK exit from the EU would immediately hit confidence and raise uncertainty which would result in the average British household being £2,200.00 per year worse off</a>".</li>
<li>The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it will have "<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36284200" target="_blank">pretty bad, to very, very bad</a>" consequences.</li>
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The response to these warnings from those wanting Britain to leave is to seek to fudge and confuse people by putting up the odd individual economist (no serious independent organisation has backed Brexit) to say they don't think things will be that bad.<br />
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The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StrongerInCampaign/videos/1151306088243047/">Brexit camp are prepared to admit</a> that leaving will not make us richer. In reality they know full well it will make most British working families poorer - they just think that's a price worth paying.<br />
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<b>I'm NOT with them</b><br />
Russian President Vladimir Putin is no friend of Great Britain but he wants us to leave. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/TrippingUpTrump" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a>, the US property speculator turned bizarre-Republican presidential candidate says he hopes Britain leaves.<br />
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In Britain, the largest majority of politicians lining up to argue for Brexit are right-wing Conservatives and members of UKIP who have never shown any concern for the rights of hard working British families or public services like the NHS.<br />
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<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/you-wont-get-back-your-country-if-you-vote-for-brexit-youll-give-it-to-the-most-right-wing-uk-a7079581.html" target="_blank">Iain Duncan-Smith</a> has spent the last five years attacking and undermining some of the poorest people in Britain. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/dec/05/pinochet.chile">Norman Lamont</a>, the former Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer, was a prominent apologist for the murdering Chilean ex-dictator General <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/10/AR2006121000302.html">Augusto Pinochet</a>. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/02/21/boris-johnson-eu-brexit-supports_n_9286400.html">Boris Johnson</a> appears to have flipped his position from remain to exit because he thinks that will help him become the next leader of the Conservative Party. And Nigel Farage said he wanted to <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nigel-farage-caught-on-video-suggesting-the-nhs-should-be-run-privately-9857389.html">close down the NHS</a> and move to an American style insurance system - which leaves millions of people without health cover.<br />
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Those people have their own agenda and they're not being straight with us about what it is. I'm absolutely certain it is not an agenda that cares about the average British family because they've never demonstrated any genuine concern before.<br />
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<b>I'm voting to remain</b><br />
The EU will most likely, and hopefully, be an institution that survives and develops for decades to come. If we leave its current boarder would be just 22 miles off our southern coast. I want to make sure my country continues to influence it and that means voting to stay in.<br />
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There are many positive reasons for staying: it has brought decades of peace and continues to spread democracy across the European continent; it brings much greater security, helps tackle crime and helps us fight terrorism; it brings cheaper and better holidays; cuts mobile roaming charges; protects and improves our environment; brings better food at better value; supports a stronger UK economy and a better standard of living for the average British household; and undoubtedly brings more and better jobs.<br />
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That's why <a href="http://www.strongerin.co.uk/experts#iJ2vCcaibstjCTJp.97">friends of Britain like</a> US President Barack Obama, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and many more want us to stay.<br />
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But most important of all, staying in the EU is in the best interests of hard working British families now and in the future and that's why I am voting to remain.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-91932731016442253022016-05-02T19:05:00.000+01:002016-05-02T19:11:49.466+01:00President Obama's Shout Out To H&F Labour's Councillor Ali HashemHow time flies: just a couple of days ago President Barack Obama gave his last speech at the White House Correspondents' Dinner as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA5ezR0Kh80">you can view here</a>. However, the week before, when he was here in the UK, he addressed people selected to take part in the US Ambassador's young leaders project and took a moment to shout out to H&F Labour's excellent Councillor <a href="http://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=1276" target="_blank">Ali Hashem</a> as you can view here:<br />
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Along with fellow Labour Councillors <a href="http://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=1275" target="_blank">Larry Culhane</a> and <a href="http://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=607" target="_blank">Daryl Brown</a>, Ali Hashem was elected to represent the residents and businesses of North End ward on 22nd May 2014. They're a fantastic team and have been doing an excellent job working hard for their constituents ever since.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-46693257492972674492016-03-27T12:30:00.000+01:002016-03-27T12:56:27.657+01:00New Independent Start-Up: Café De Nata's Pastéis De Nata Brings Some Portuguese Sunshine To Hammersmith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5O8iRfAYwkkWQhT6ddVQ0TGBgntDZXCgLJxWyaJ9AB2bSC-dsadxQdlSwLHFV5cr01jpWuYq7QNQH0tzP_pqYYF2Oy5iEx-A_mD6JbtZc9ewACXBxLiTZmrt4Va9R1b9_4zvf8kkrozY/s1600/Cafe+de+Nata%252C+Hammersmith+Broadway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5O8iRfAYwkkWQhT6ddVQ0TGBgntDZXCgLJxWyaJ9AB2bSC-dsadxQdlSwLHFV5cr01jpWuYq7QNQH0tzP_pqYYF2Oy5iEx-A_mD6JbtZc9ewACXBxLiTZmrt4Va9R1b9_4zvf8kkrozY/s400/Cafe+de+Nata%252C+Hammersmith+Broadway.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pastéis de nata - those delicious Portuguese custard tarts - can now be found, freshly baked in the centre of Hammersmith.<br />
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Made to head chef Lucio's secret recipe, Café de Nata produce a perfectly crisp flaky pastry and creamy smooth custard filling that will brighten your day and ruin your diet.<br />
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Proprietor Diogo Esteves hopes to make the pastel de nada a popular treat in the UK - just as it is in Portugal and many other parts of the world.<br />
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They are really delicious and go well with Café de Nata's excellent coffee. So he appears to have a very good chance of doing that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_LVMsNu14v16vyCrZukKTXIHm0m77vL0lV6qEb7SH5eWnGGK8K5_W3Pq9lThNsioq1Qbx65XYq_xmzKbXzsFV2L8x4Q1zuIuMQh8rZ2Yv6AiMUmizXcmKqpgRHCndojjuMDgN9r4cCg/s1600/+Cafe%25CC%2581+de+Nata%2527s+Paste%25CC%2581is+de+Nata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_LVMsNu14v16vyCrZukKTXIHm0m77vL0lV6qEb7SH5eWnGGK8K5_W3Pq9lThNsioq1Qbx65XYq_xmzKbXzsFV2L8x4Q1zuIuMQh8rZ2Yv6AiMUmizXcmKqpgRHCndojjuMDgN9r4cCg/s320/+Cafe%25CC%2581+de+Nata%2527s+Paste%25CC%2581is+de+Nata.jpg" width="320" /></a>Pastéis de nata were first baked at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jer%C3%B3nimos_Monastery">Jerónimos Monastery</a> in Belém, Lisbon. But in 1834 the monastery closed. Three years later, after having purchased the monk's recipe, the <a href="http://pasteisdebelem.pt/en" target="_blank">Antiga Confeitaria de Belém</a> took over. They've been making them ever since. In 2009, The Guardian was so taken with these delicacies, it urged people to visit Belém in an article titled: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/sep/13/best-foods-in-the-world">The 50 best things to eat in the world and where to eat them</a>. But as the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cafedenata/reviews">Facebook reviews</a> of Café de Nata say, you can save yourself the journey and enjoy perfectly fresh, warm pastéis de nada straight out of the oven in Hammersmith Broadway.</div>
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Café de Nata are based in a small shop at 25B, Hammersmith Broadway Shopping Centre that's a part of the bus and tube station.<br />
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You can view their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cafedenata">Facebook page here</a> and follow them on <a href="https://twitter.com/cafedenata" target="_blank">Twitter here</a>.<br />
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Hammersmith and Fulham is fortunate to have attracted retail entrepreneurs who have brightened the borough's landscape. There's amazing gelato ice creams at <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2012/04/london-story-thats-produced-best-ice.html">Bertotti Pure Italian</a>, stunning French breakfast pastries, cakes chocolates and breads at <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2014/09/new-business-taste-of-paris-in-heart-of.html">Patisserie Sainte-Anne</a>, the ever wonderful <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2012/03/treat-in-heart-of-hammersmith.html" target="_blank">Brackenbury's Delicatessen</a> and more.<br />
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I wish Diogo Esteves and his partners good luck with their new enterprise but going by the reception Café de Nata is getting from their customers, I really don't think they'll need it.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-7223345482423121492016-03-25T00:44:00.000+00:002016-03-25T21:53:52.289+00:00At Half-Mast: Belgian and Union Flags Over Hammersmith And Fulham<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sadly, the Belgian and Union Flags flutter together over Hammersmith Town Hall this week, mourning those murdered in the barbaric attacks on Brussels on Tuesday, and sending a message of support to the Belgian people.<br />
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Thirty one people's lives were taken and 300 more were injured. Such attacks are not a reflection of any religion, they are simply indicative of the poisoned minds of the perpetrators.</div>
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I know the good wishes of everyone in our borough will go to all those suffering loss because of this terrorist atrocity and to the friends and families, sitting by the hospital beds, of the 63 people still in a serious condition. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535420623278994664.post-25148654062953831702016-03-21T23:39:00.000+00:002016-04-03T00:19:03.447+01:00H&F Labour's 2016/17 Budget: Tough On Wastefulness; Winning £140 Million From Developers; Putting More Money In Residents' Pockets; Modernising And Improving Services; And Resisting The Government's Attempts To Force Us To Raise Council Tax By 3.75% Each Year For The Next Four Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hammersmith & Fulham’s Labour administration is one of only a handful of councils in the country to freeze rather than increase council tax this year. Last year we were the only administration in London to cut it. We’ve managed to do that while also:<br />
<ul>
<li>Cutting 16 of the council charges we inherited </li>
<li>Freezing 178 other council charges this year</li>
<li>Cutting, in real terms, 85% of all council charges as measured by the income they raise</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa3d0OTWcCg" target="_blank">Cutting meals on wheels prices from £4.50 to £2.00</a></li>
<li>Abolishing <a href="http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/hf-scraps-elderly-disabled-home-8236822" target="_blank">the £12 per hour charge</a> for home care for elderly and disabled residents and this year abolished the 15-minute-only visits to give people more time for the care they need</li>
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My colleagues and I have added to what we <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2015/01/h-labour-budget-report-council-tax-cut.html" target="_blank">started last year</a> making H&F council take a more business-like approach to stripping out waste from its budget - as we said we would (see page 4) in our <a href="http://gallery.mailchimp.com/f29e63ad0717fb2c8bb51fe61/files/5d4e2853-a38b-4ffa-ad4d-e87126e2425f.pdf" target="_blank">manifesto</a>. That means we have:<br />
<ul>
<li>Introduced zero-based budgeting to focus on outcomes important to residents rather than just spending on things because that’s the way it’s always been done</li>
<li>Taking a new tough line to negotiating with developers winning a record £140 million for borough residents</li>
<li><a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2015/07/raising-commercial-revenue-for-h-will.html" target="_blank">Selling council services</a> commercially</li>
<li><a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2016/01/cuts-senior-town-hall-salaries-help-hf-protect-vital-services" target="_blank">Cutting the numbers of expensive senior management</a></li>
<li>Re-configuring how the council operates and making it start to work more effectively across council departments and with other local agencies to save money and improve outcomes</li>
<li>Better debt reduction</li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The <a href="http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/is-your-council-tax-going-up-this-year-find-out-with-our-borough-by-borough-breakdown-a3207016.html#commentsDiv" target="_blank">Evening Standard</a>'s graph <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.32px;">demonstrating how <br />H&F Labour's sound financial management <br />is helping to deliver London's greatest <br />percentage reduction in council tax</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.32px;">for the second year in a row.</span></span></td></tr>
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I am very grateful to Cllr. <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2013/05/h-labour-appoints-cost-cutting-tsar-to.html" target="_blank">Max Schmid</a>, the borough’s cabinet member for finance, and his team of finance officers. Max is an accountant who had previously worked at PwC where he worked to help councils and central government be more efficient. I'm glad he's now leading on that for us.<br />
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We're also keen to see how we can encourage more local services which adds to what the council does and improves life for residents so we're exploring new things like <a href="https://www.casseroleclub.com/" target="_blank">The Casserole Club</a> and looking at how we can better work with the voluntary sector to get things done.<br />
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This new results-focussed approach to council finances has allowed us to do the following:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMQea7IARAc" target="_blank">Defend Charing Cross Hospital</a></li>
<li>Put the <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2014/11/h-new-labour-administration-funds-more.html" target="_blank">largest number of council funded police</a> officers onto the streets in the borough’s history to <a href="http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/police-cuts-figures-suggesting-met-would-lose-10-of-its-cash-were-incomplete-home-office-admits-a3140896.html" target="_blank">counter government cuts</a> and and keep residents safer</li>
<li>Pay for 529 (so far) new genuinely affordable homes to be built for local residents to buy or rent</li>
<li>Become accredited as <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2016/03/hf-celebrates-london-living-wage-commitment" target="_blank">a London Living Wage employer</a></li>
<li>Protect street cleaning and refuse collection - <a href="http://www.hammersmithfulhamnews.com/2015/03/h-conservatives-half-million-pounds-cut.html" target="_blank">halting the former Conservative administration's</a> <a href="http://www.hammersmithfulhamnews.com/2015/03/h-conservatives-half-million-pounds-cut.html" target="_blank">trend of cutting these services</a></li>
<li>Fund new actions to reduce homelessness</li>
<li>Introduce new green measures such as <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2016/03/council-leads-charge-boosting-uptake-low-emission-vehicles-new-charging-points" target="_blank">electric car charging stations</a> and finding new ways to <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2015/07/rosemary-pettit-to-chair-new.html" target="_blank">tackle air pollution</a></li>
<li>Improving our economic infrastructure such as <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2016/03/councils-push-new-fulham-crossrail-station-gathers-pace" target="_blank">seeking a new Crossrail 2 station</a> at Imperial Wharf</li>
<li>Fund a <a href="http://www.londonlive.co.uk/news/2016-03-14/council-funds-new-foodbank-in-fight-against-food-poverty-in-the-capital" target="_blank">new smarter approach to tackling food poverty</a></li>
<li>Invest in new improvements to local parks and <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2013/12/send-them-your-comments-about-new.html" target="_blank">saving Hammersmith Park</a> from H&F Conservatives' planned privatisation</li>
<li>Save the Lyric Theatre with a £4 million grant and fund the Bush Theatre with a £1 million investment</li>
<li>Guarantee to always pay Independent Living Fund for severely disabled people - when the government was considering cutting it</li>
<li>Fund the H&F Law Centre ensuring legal advice for those most in need but least able to pay</li>
<li>Introduce a 25% increase in funding to the voluntary sector so we work better with charities to tackle poverty and improve civic life</li>
<li>Involve residents in new ways from <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2015/01/public-have-their-say-impact-heathrow-expansion" target="_blank">policy making</a>, <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2016/03/residents-drive-new-vision-hammersmith-town-centre-regeneration" target="_blank">land development</a>, <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2014/12/north-end-road-festive-market-inspires.html" target="_blank">neighbourhood regeneration</a> and planning</li>
</ul>
You can read more of about the changes we've chosen in the official <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/sites/default/files/hf-council-annual-report-2016-rev21-web.pdf" target="_blank">H&F Council 2016/17 Annual Report</a>.<br />
<br />
We've done this against a backdrop of punitive measures to our finances undertaken by the Conservative government. These include:<br />
<ul>
<li>Cutting the government grant to Hammersmith and Fulham Council by 66% since 2010.</li>
<li>Removing the additional annual <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/council-tax-bills-frozen-in-spending-review" target="_blank">government grant<span id="goog_1428609636"></span> specifically given to councils to subsidise council tax cuts</a> or freezes</li>
<li>Giving councils a number of costly new responsibilities but neglecting to provide any new funds to pay for them. For example, new schemes like Staying Put are good ideas but that programme will alone cost H&F roughly £500,000.00.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/498417/CORE_SPENDING_POWER_final_explantary_note.pdf" target="_blank">Basing future government grants</a> to councils
on the assumption that all councils will have increased council tax by 3.75%
each year over the next 4 years. In Hammersmith and Fulham that means the
government will subtract £2 million a year from all future annual grants in the
expectation we will raise that sum by putting council tax up by 3.75% each year.</li>
</ul>
Hammersmith & Fulham's Conservative councillors had little to say about any of this. They <a href="http://www.hammersmithfulhamnews.com/2015/02/let-them-drive-cars.html" target="_blank">haven't been around much</a> since losing the local elections in 2014 but the borough's <a href="http://politicalscrapbook.net/2016/02/tory-wants-to-axe-meals-on-wheels-for-those-who-cant-cook-tesco-could-deliver-cold-food-instead/#more-57337" target="_blank">opposition leader did argue against H&F Labour having reduced meals-on-wheels charges</a>, implying we should continue with <a href="http://www.thecowanreport.com/2010/02/meals-on-wheels-users-slashed-by-half.html" target="_blank">their aggressive approach</a>. He also claimed that the government's dramatic cuts to council funding were part of a strategy he supported that would free up councils to do their own thing on finances which is, er... an interesting take on things.<br />
<ul>
</ul>
H&F's Labour administration will not raise council tax. We will continue to take a tough, cost-cutting approach to wastefulness so we genuinely put more money back into residents' pockets while modernising and improving council services.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0