Our vision for future local government in Hounslow is as a community leader, not simply a provider of services.
We will build on our experience and strengths to continue to bring our residents closer to the local democratic process through our area committees and consultation, so we can understand their priorities and meet their diverse needs. We are committed to modernisation and enthusiastic to seize the challenges and opportunities it brings.
We will continue to be an enabling council, working in partnership with the local community, voluntary and statutory agencies and the private sector to maximise social and economic development in the borough.
Hounslow was one of the first wave of councils to take up the challenge to modernise local government in early 1999. A pilot model - of leader and executive, scrutiny panels and local area committees - was developed in consultation with local people. Their views on issues such as local decision making and the role of the executive were taken into account. The successful eighteen-month pilot was then used as the basis of the current arrangements where we now have the following democratic arrangements in accordance with the Local Authorities Act 2000:
A leader of the council
A cabinet of ten members including the leader
An overview and scrutiny committee setting up scrutiny panels to look at the work of the executive
Area committees
Some formal decision making and advisory committees often created as a result of statutory requirements
Political structure
Following the election in May 2010, Labour controls the council.
The borough comprises twenty wards with sixty elected members overall who, together, form the full council which meets about ten times a year.
There are 35 Labour councillors and 25 Conservative.
Council policy is decided by all 60 elected councillors meeting in full council. Formal council meetings are held to agree the council tax base and budget, elect the mayor and other post holders and decide the main policy framework.
Cabinet
A cabinet of ten councillors is responsible for bringing forward strategic policy proposals to be considered by the council. This cabinet is responsible for overseeing the operational management of the council and for ensuring that agreed policies are carried out within the agreed budgetary framework. Each cabinet member is responsible for a specific crosscutting area of work. More on the cabinet portfolios
Area committees
Five area committees are responsible for monitoring the delivery of services in their areas. Up to three local people can be co-opted on to the committees to help with this work.
The area committees are:
Chiswick
Isleworth and Brentford
Heston and Cranford
Central Hounslow (Hounslow South, Central and West and Hounslow Heath)
West (Feltham, Hanworth and Bedfont)
Larger developments, and environmental issues of borough-wide or regional importance, are dealt with by the sustainable development committee.
Overview and scrutiny arrangements
Hounslow also has a well established overview and scrutiny committee. This committee sets up scrutiny panels to consider the issues in detail. These panels may co-opt up to three people to help them in their work and can invite people to give evidence. The results of their reviews are reported to the executive who are charged with bringing forward proposals for change and improvement.
Departmental structure
There are four main directorates:
Environment
Children's Services and Lifelong Learning
Community Services
Corporate Services
In April 2002 the council established Hounslow Homes, an arms length management organisation, to deliver housing management services. Statutory and strategic housing functions continue to be retained by the council.
Since July 2008, leisure and cultural services have been provided by John Laing Integrated Services and Fusion Lifestyle.