Category: Democracy & Council

Hillingdon Council is continuing to offer light displays, free parking for residents to support shopping locally and a range of festive events and activities.

Once again, the council is supporting 28 council-led and four community-led Christmas lights schemes, which will illuminate areas across Hillingdon’s 21 wards, including the display at the Civic Centre forecourt on Friday 15 November which will be switched on by the Mayor of Hillingdon, Cllr Colleen Sullivan. Residents are invited to come along from 5.45pm and enjoy free mulled wine, mince pies, tea and coffee while listening to festive tunes from a brass band and carol performances by local schools and choirs.

Residents are also being encouraged to shop locally to support the borough’s high streets and independent businesses. The council is once again providing free parking to HillingdonFirst cardholders on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15, and Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 December. This offer is available in council-owned car parks and on-street parking bays. Residents using PayByPhone must register their HillingdonFirst card on the app. For more information, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/festive-parking.

Many local businesses offer residents with HillindgonFirst cards discounts on their products and services. For a list of participating businesses, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/businessdirectory.

From Monday 2 December, the council’s Rural Activities Garden Centre on West Drayton Road, Hillingdon will be selling real Nordmann non-drop premium real Christmas trees. Priced competitively between £40 to £60, depending on height, these high-quality trees are perfect for adding a festive touch to your home. A variety of potted trees grown at the centre, alongside a collection of handcrafted Christmas wreaths, festive gifts and decorations will also be available.

Hillingdon theatres will be putting on performances of The Santa Show and Snow White starting from Thursday 5 December at the Compass Theatre in Ickenham. For the full listings and to book, visit discover.hillingdon.gov.uk/theatres.

Libraries across Hillingdon will be hosting festive children’s storytime sessions, light-up Christmas card, advent calendar and snow globe making workshops, and Christmas-themed coffee mornings with carol singing from local schools for older residents. Free mini wreath making sessions will be hosted at Cranford Park on Saturday 30 November, Sunday 1 and Saturday 14 December from midday to 2pm. And The Battle of Britain Bunker will have Mess Hall crafts and trails around the museum on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December from 11am to 3.30pm.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Ian Edwards, said: “We are continuing to invest in our communities and put up Christmas lights, offer free parking over two weekends and host a range of festive events and activities in our libraries and heritage sites.

“These events are a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, and I also encourage everyone to shop local and support our independent businesses as we celebrate the season of giving.”

For more information on Christmas events and to book spaces (where necessary), visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/events.

The consultation on the review of the Strategic Climate Action Plan was launched on 11 November 2024.  It runs until 12 January 2025.

The review sets out the actions for the next three-year cycle to ensure we maintain the right priorities and allocate resources accordingly.  We are therefore very keen for people to engage with this consultation, to share views and thoughts and to be involved in the way we continue to respond to the climate emergency.

The consultation can be found on this link: https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/climate-strategy-consultation

There is a survey within the consultation page that allows you to feedback your views, share your ideas and make suggestions.

If you have any questions, please e-mail climate-emergency@hillingdon.gov.uk

We very much welcome and encourage views from all our residents and communities.

A Blue Badge amnesty has been launched by Hillingdon Council to reduce incidents of disabled parking permit fraud.
The amnesty from 18 November to 2 December is an opportunity for residents to hand in badges they have that they are not entitled to with no questions asked or any ramifications.
More than 14,000 residents have Blue Badges issued by the council. The service is highly valued by people with disabilities and serious health conditions who struggle with mobility.
Residents can return Blue Badges that have expired, belong to another person or are no longer necessary to the collection boxes in the reception areas at the Civic Centre, Uxbridge, Botwell Green Library and Northwood Hills Library.
As part of Fraud Awareness Week (17 to 23 November) the council is also raising awareness of common types of fraud, how it’s tackling them and how residents can play their part in reporting deception.
The council’s counter fraud team has identified savings related to fraud and prevented the loss of more than £5.8 million so far this financial year and the team is ranked one of the best in the country for recovering the most social housing (103 properties) thanks to its proactive investigative work.
Cllr Martin Goddard, Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation, said: “Blue Badges help people with disabilities and health conditions park closer to their destination but sadly they can be abused which is unfair on those that rely on the exemptions and dedicated parking spaces.
“We have prosecuted 11 people for Blue Badge fraud in the past year with each receiving a fine, and we are giving people who may be misusing them this opportunity to return them with no questions asked.”
If you suspect that someone is committing fraud against the council, you can report it directly to us in confidence at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/reportfraud or by calling 0800 389 8313.

Please see details below of this consultation, which may be of interest.

Working Age Council Tax Reduction Scheme consultation – Hillingdon Council

Kind regards
Customer Engagement Team
London Borough of Hillingdon
Tel: 01895 277038
www.hillingdon.gov.uk

Hillingdon Council has appointed commercial theatre consultants to support its procurement of a long-term operator for the Beck Theatre in Hayes.
The council had been seeking to negotiate a new lease with Trafalgar Theatres for them to continue its management of the facility at a peppercorn rent with the council being responsible for essential repairs and maintenance. Trafalgar has insisted that, in addition, the council pay an ongoing subsidy. The council has determined that this is no longer appropriate with public finances under such pressure, noting Trafalgar Theatres is a profit-making company that pays dividends to its owners.
In the absence of an agreement, Trafalgar’s contract with the council will cease on 13 January and the Beck Theatre will close while the consultants seek new management.

Cllr Ian Edwards, Leader of Hillingdon Council, said: “We recognise the valuable contributions our theatres make to our communities and are committed to retaining a strong community arts and culture offer.
“Council officers and elected councillors continue to work tirelessly to secure the venue’s long-term stability as a commercial theatre without financial subsidy from the taxpayer.
“The consultants will begin their work immediately.”
The council will provide further updates in due course.

The outstanding commitment and unwavering support of Hillingdon Council’s foster carers have been recognised at a special awards ceremony.

Hillingdon Council’s Foster Carer Appreciation Event celebrated carers with a combined total of 120 years’ fostering experience with the council recognised for their long service at the Battle of Britain Bunker Exhibition and Visitor Centre, Uxbridge on Friday 11 October.

Amanda and Peter Botterill, and Lynne and Michael Moore were each recognised for 25 years’ service.

Satinder and Jagmohan Gill were honoured for 15 years, while Bernadette and Christopher Hills-Scott, Rachel and Andy Langford, and Garry and Elise Simkins received awards for 10 years’ service. Kerriann and Carl Follett, Mary and Kerry Hennessy, Vanda Hewett, Jeanette Isaacs and Julie Reynolds were all recognised for five years of fostering with the council.

They received their awards from Cllr Heena Makwana, Chairman of the council’s Children, Families and Education Select Committee and Emma Kavanagh, the council’s Assistant Director for Corporate Parenting and Fostering.

Satinder and Jagmohan, from Uxbridge, have fostered 37 children. Satinder said: “You have to put in a lot of time, but it’s very rewarding just to see them grow and change. The house is full of laughter and giggles, it’s lovely and brings your house to life. I just love looking after children and it’s very rewarding to see them thriving.

“We’re just really proud to be part of the borough and I’ve been really well supported by the council for the last 15 years.”

Garry, from Eastcote, was recognised alongside his late wife Elise. Together they had fostered 16 children. He said: “We had time to do it, a good family home and a loving family and we thought we had something to offer children in need.

“If you have got time to give, the rewards come back to you, and you see how much they improve in your care. Every child has left us, I believe, better than when they arrived.”

A further eight awards – Embracing Change, Compassion in Fostering, Fostering Mentor of the Year, Fostering Ambassador Award, Exceptional Care Award, Resilience in Fostering Award, Newcomer of the Year Award and the Sibling Support Award – were also presented.

These awards recognised foster carers who have gone above and beyond in supporting their peers and children in remarkable ways.

Roy and Filomena Taylor, from Hillingdon, won the Exceptional Care Award. They are currently caring for four children and have fostered more than 20 children in the past 13 years.

Filomena said: “We enjoy seeing the children progress, providing them with a home and just giving them the love and nurturing they need.”

Roy said: “When you’re doing the school run and the child starts holding your hand it’s so monumental that you’re making that link and that bond with them.”

Cllr Susan O’Brien, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, said: “The commitment and dedication of the council’s foster carers has made a profound and positive impact on the lives of so many children and young people, and this was the council’s way of saying ‘thank you’ for their continued dedication.

“The event was a wonderful opportunity to recognise the life-changing support our foster carers provide and celebrate their achievements. Congratulations to all our award winners.”

Since the council launched its campaign to recruit more foster carers in May with an unrivalled payment and benefits package, it has received more than 100 enquiries.

The council offers the most competitive package in London, where foster carers can now earn up to £1,500 per week and receive a 25 per cent reduction in council tax when looking after a child in care.

This also includes £1,000 off utility bills, a winter fuel allowance and a family Merlin and leisure pass. This equates to an annual salary of up to £72,000.

Find out more about the council’s fostering service by visiting www.hillingdon.gov.uk/fostering

Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet has agreed a new digital strategy and £9 million investment to improve the way residents access services.  The plan builds on previous successes and sets out an innovative vision for the next three years.

It includes:

• improving residents’ experiences when accessing services and information so they can carry out basic transactions quickly and only need to make contact once
• creating a modern, digitally skilled council workforce equipped with the systems and technology to do their work and put residents first
• understanding residents’ needs using technology to combine data and get insights to shape service improvements
• improving services while maintaining or reducing costs.
• The strategy sets out four main principles to deliver the vision, which include prioritising residents’ needs, carrying out an agile approach to delivery, delivering new business models driven by data, and adopting a ‘One Council’ approach by creating project teams and shared goals.

And five workstreams will be created, which will focus on building services online by default; sourcing better data to make better decisions; modernising council infrastructure and systems; building digital capacity and inclusion; and delivering a digital place.

Hillingdon Council has already made great strides in its digital journey by:

• becoming the first in the country to introduce an automated voice and web chat function on its phone lines and website
• supporting residents who are unable to use technology
• making its digital infrastructure more modern and reducing the number of applications
• quickly adapting to hybrid working
• improving digital connectivity across the borough by increasing bandwidth at council sites to give residents better access to the internet.

Cllr Douglas Mills, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, said: “While we have, to date, already made a host of digital improvements, this new strategy and investment of £9 million in digital technologies will significantly propel our vision of being a more digital council into reality and immensely improve our resident, visitor, business and staff experience.

“The document provides a broad, overarching framework for effective business planning and strong performance management within the council to drive the transformation of services to continue to meet the changing needs and expectations of our residents and allow people to transact with the council quicker and more effectively.”

To read the digital strategy and for information and support to help you get online, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/digital-everyone.

Hillingdon Council has launched a new campaign to encourage residents to recycle more and further reduce contamination by double-checking items before placing them in their clear bags.

Residents are being asked to ‘take two seconds to check your recycling’ and make sure the contents of their clear, dry mixed recycling bags can be recycled.

The contamination rate in Hillingdon currently stands at around 15 per cent, which matches the average rate for London, however the council’s ambition is to improve on this. Contamination occurs when an item which can’t be recycled via the council’s kerbside collections, such as clothing, is put in residents’ clear bags. Too many contaminating items can lead to good recycling being rejected at the sorting facility and the whole load instead going in general waste.

Reducing contamination, while increasing uptake of free kerbside food waste and textiles collections provided by the council and its partners, will all contribute to a net reduction in contamination rates.

Why not take two seconds to check what you can and can’t put in your clear recycling bags in Hillingdon? Visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/dry-mixed-recycling.

The new campaign is visually inspired by ‘Top of the Pops’ style music chart countdowns, listing the top five contaminating items found in the council’s kerbside collections: crisp packets, batteries, nappies and sanitary products, clothing and textiles and the number one contaminant: food items.

The campaign launched on Monday 14 October to coincide with Recycle Week – a national awareness campaign to encourage people across the UK to minimise their household waste by recycling as much as they can.

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “We know most Hillingdon residents recycle the best they can, but we could all improve if we take two seconds to check we’re only putting items out for collection that can be recycled.

“Our residents have various free services available to them for dealing with items which can’t be placed in the clear bags, including our food waste, garden waste and textiles collections – while our two civic amenity sites will take most other things.

“Recycling correctly is better for the planet as it means less waste is being produced. This small change in behaviour also helps save money and allows us all to play a part in creating a greener future.”

Some items incorrectly put in with the dry mixed recycling can be hazardous, particularly lithium-ion batteries hidden in objects like Bluetooth headphones, old mobile phones and electric toothbrushes. These can risk starting a fire if they get caught up in processing machinery.

Hillingdon Council has launched a WhatsApp channel to send residents news, updates and important alerts making it easier for them to stay informed.

Following the channel is quick and easy to do:

*         download the WhatsApp app on your smartphone

*         open WhatsApp and click on the ‘Updates’ icon

*         search for ‘Hillingdon Council’ and ‘follow’

*         remember to unmute the bell icon so you will be notified when there are new posts.

Cllr Ian Edwards, Leader of the Council, said: “The launch is part of the council’s continuing efforts to be more digitally enabled and create meaningful and efficient engagement with our communities.

“The new WhatsApp channel makes it even quicker and easier for the council to cascade news and important timely updates to our residents. Posting on WhatsApp allows residents to share information with their contacts – especially with anyone who isn’t using Facebook or other social media platforms”.

Alongside the new WhatsApp channel, you can follow Hillingdon Council on Facebook, Instagram, X and Nextdoor, and sign up to receive regular e-newsletters straight to your inbox on the latest news and events at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/enews>.