Electoral Review Stage Two – Warding Arrangements
Alternative (Opposition / Conservative Group) Submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (March 2019)
Civic Centre Lampton Road Hounslow TW3 4DN
Contents SECTION ONE: Overview of Submission...... 3 Introduction ...... 3 Scope of Review ...... 3 Divergence from Council submission ...... 4 Background ...... 4 Historic Considerations ...... 5 Naming Conventions ...... 6 Summary of Proposals ...... 7 SECTION TWO: Borough Profile ...... 8 Overview ...... 8 Hounslow - The people ...... 8 Transport ...... 9 Economic Information ...... 10 Deprivation ...... 11 Challenges Facing the Council and Council Priorities ...... 11 SECTION THREE: Identifying the new ward boundaries for Hounslow for 2022 ...... 13 Background ...... 13 Proposals ...... 13 Electorate in 2024 forecast by new proposed wards ...... 14 Maps of the London Borough of Hounslow ...... 15 Map 1: Map showing current Hounslow ward boundaries ...... 15 Map 2: Map Showing Proposed New Boundaries ...... 16 SECTION 4: WARD BY WARD PROPOSALS...... 17 The Reasoning for the Proposed Wards for the London Borough of Hounslow from 2024 in Alphabetical Order ...... 17 BEDFONT ...... 17 BRENTFORD ...... 18 CHISWICK HOMEFIELDS ...... 19 CHISWICK RIVERSIDE ...... 20 CRANFORD ...... 21 FELTHAM NORTH ...... 22 FELTHAM WEST ...... 23 GUNNERSBURY AND CHISWICK ...... 24 HANWORTH ...... 25 HEATHSIDE ...... 26 HESTON CENTRAL ...... 27
1 HESTON EAST ...... 28 HESTON WEST ...... 29 HOUNSLOW CENTRAL ...... 30 HOUNSLOW SOUTH ...... 31 HOUNSLOW WEST ...... 32 ISLEWORTH ...... 33 OSTERLEY AND SPRING GROVE ...... 34 PARK HEATH ...... 35 SYON ...... 36 SECTION SIX: Appendices ...... 37 Appendix 1 - Timetable ...... 37
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SECTION ONE: Overview of Submission Introduction
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) is undertaking a review of the London Borough of Hounslow’s local government electoral arrangements. The outcome of the review will be implemented for the May 2022 Council elections. The review is in two stages. The preliminary stage was concerned with determining “Council Size” in terms of the number of Councillors. Having identified the size, the next stage is concerned with determining the warding arrangements in terms of the number, their size and the number of representatives in each. The Opposition Group welcomes the review and the opportunity to submit its preferred option to the Commission. This report, which has been directed by a working party of the opposition group, with support from local communities, and contains the opposition response to the second stage – warding arrangements. An official group response explaining the reasons for our divergence from the proposals voted on at the Council on Tuesday 12th March 2019 is included, on page four, in the section below entitled Divergence from the Council Submission. The Opposition welcomes the outcome of the first phase of the electoral review that the LGBCE is minded to accept the proposal for the Council to comprise sixty councillors for the London Borough of Hounslow and has worked on this as the basis of our warding proposals.
Scope of Review
The review being undertaken by the Boundary Commission covers the entire area of the London Borough of Hounslow. In making its proposals, the Boundary Commission will apply the following statutory criteria making its proposals: The need to secure electoral equality (a consistent number of electors per Councillor) Community identity (strong ward boundaries that reflect communities); and Securing effective and convenient local government (coherent wards) The review was initiated in June 2018 and dealt first with the preliminary stage which was to determine the future size of the Council (specifically the number of elected Councillors who will form the Council from 2022). This phase was completed in November 2018. The second phase which looks at warding arrangements commenced in earnest in January 2019 and concluded in March 2019 when a final position was determined by the Council for submission to the Boundary Commission. In this part of the process, the opposition group was required to identify proposals for ward boundaries (and associated relevant considerations such as the number of
3 wards and the number of members within each) which complied with three criteria used by the Boundary Commission (above). These will then be submitted to the Commission which will consult on the proposals received. A timetable of events for the whole review can be found in Appendix 1. The submission starts with a profile of the London Borough of Hounslow, and then some of the thinking underpinning the proposals contained within it. It also includes maps of the current boundaries, and the newly proposed boundaries. It then concludes with a detailed explanation of the reasoning behind the proposals for each specific ward, including its suggested name. Whilst Council Officers have been supporting Members with this submission, particularly in relation to elector equality considerations, the overall process has been member driven, based on their local geographic and community knowledge as ward councillors.
Divergence from Council submission
When approaching the second phase of the Local Government Boundary Review for the London Borough of Hounslow, the Opposition Conservative Group has sought to maintain community cohesion and a spirit of continuity as core tenants.
In addition to the three statutory criteria, the starting point for our submission was the importance of retaining a consistent pattern of 20 three-member wards to ensure: (i) political equality and parity of representation, and, (ii) that when wards are politically split, a majority decision can continue to be made by the three elected representatives.
Whilst these are not central criteria for the review, the Opposition Group feels that not adhering to these secondary issues could potentially cause future issues and unnecessary complexity for residents of the Borough.
It is the view of the Opposition that including two-member wards within the current warding arrangements could lead to the re-triggering of a future review in the medium term, given their inherent sensitivity to absorbing future population growth.
Our submission has diverged from the majority Labour Group proposal because our proposal identifies that it is indeed possible to adhere to the three-criterion underpinning the review, without the need to split wards or cross over future parliamentary boundaries.
We are pleased to present this alternative submission to the LGBCE for consideration.
Background
The changes arising from the last electoral review in Hounslow were implemented at the 2002 local government elections. On that occasion, the Commission’s final recommendations for future electoral arrangements, were that Hounslow should remain unchanged in terms of its overall number of Councillors (staying at 60).
4 However, unlike the official Council submission of March 12th 2019, we propose to retain the number of wards at the current number of twenty, with changes limited to ensure electoral equality with each uniformly represented by three members per ward in each case. The Council, as part of the 2018-19 review, had proposed that the size of the council in terms of councillors should stay the same, and this position has been used as part of the thinking behind phase two of the process. The requirement for a review, and the associated criteria set by the Boundary Commission to do so, has allowed the Council to reflect on how the Council has changed in the last sixteen years and to ensure that its new ward boundaries reflected demographic shifts, community changes, building development and even changes to natural boundaries. These observations, many provided by ward 33333councillors who had the greatest intimate knowledge of the geography and communities in the borough, have underpinned the proposals in this submission. Whilst growth both in terms of development and communities was strong in some areas of the borough, this was not necessarily true in every case, with some wards having achieved a form of suburban maturity and with it, greater stability in elector numbers. This meant that whilst significant change was needed in some areas – for example the current Brentford ward - this was not the case in others. The proposals in this report reflect this. Fortunately, technology has moved on significantly in the twenty or so years since the last review, and the Borough is proud to have been in the vanguard of pioneering new software, which gave flexibility to the organisation to produce different models and options, at borough and ward levels. It also allowed the opposition group to address the issue of electoral equality with precision and ensure that the proposals in this submission meet this criterion with great accuracy. Consequently, the Opposition has been able to propose 20 three- member wards for the Borough, all of which statistically fall on, around or below the 5% plus or minus variation target to ensure equality.
Historic Considerations
The towns and villages that go to make up the London Borough of Hounslow all have their own identities with long histories. The main clearly distinguished areas are: Bedfont Brentford Chiswick Cranford Feltham Hanworth Heston Isleworth Syon We also have distinctive shopping Centres:
5 Brentford High Street Chiswick High Road Feltham Town Centre Hounslow Town Centre Hounslow West All the above are clear distinctive communities, with areas of community focus, that are reflected in this submission.
Naming Conventions
Members are aware that the current ward names and boundaries have been in place for nearly twenty years and so are well known and understood by local residents, and these in turn underpin the five distinct areas of the Authority area, which are the West Area (also known as Bedfont, Feltham and Hanworth Area Forum), Heston and Cranford, Central Hounslow, Isleworth and Brentford and Chiswick, each of which are served by an active area forum With respect to this, the Opposition has been keen to preserve well known and historically rooted ward names wherever possible. It is considered that this will help any changes seem organic and encourage resident acceptance of the new warding arrangements. However, in some cases this has not been possible or suitable. Consequently, there are 3 proposed ward name changes, as follows: Heathside Park Heath Gunnersbury and Chiswick In the case of the former Hounslow Heath ward, the successor ward no longer includes the Heath itself so this name is no longer appropriate. However, the Opposition consider Heathside to be a suitable name for the revised ward, as this helps retain the historic link and reflect the actual geographic situation. Park Heath is a new name which recognises that the ward consolidates two of the Borough’s most significant green and open spaces, in Hanworth Park and Hounslow Heath (which are adjoining). It means that this ward is unusually focussed on its green space more than its residential estates, which are by necessity, on the outskirts of the greenery and not consolidated in one place. It is therefore proposed to rename this ward Park Heath ward, in recognition of this as the abundant green space is the principle characteristic of the ward. Gunnersbury and Chiswick is the proposed new name for Turnham Green ward. Under the revised proposals for the Chiswick area, the public space of Turnham Green is no longer the primary community asset within the ward. Renaming the ward as Gunnersbury and Chiswick, highlights the importance of Gunnersbury Park as a community asset (reflecting its protected status), whilst also recognising and retaining the ward's historic link and continuing importance as a region within the wider Chiswick region.
6 There are no other proposed ward name changes.
Summary of Proposals
In conclusion, the Opposition has taken great care in considering options for the future warding arrangements for the London Borough of Hounslow. We have been mindful of the three criteria to be considered when identifying changes and has given its reasons against each of these criteria for each ward detailed below. In short, we wish to propose that the Borough retains its current ward number of twenty wards, each represented by three councillors. It is the Opposition’s belief that the warding arrangements as contained in this submission allows for the greatest continuity of warding arrangements with minimal impact on established communities, whilst balancing the need to secure electoral equality and preserve within each warding arrangement the ability to absorb future growth and align with proposed future parliamentary boundaries. It is the Opposition's belief that the proposals in this submission would be the best and most sensible way of operating a ward-based democracy in the Borough in the future from 2022.
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SECTION TWO: Borough Profile Overview
The London Borough of Hounslow is a large west London borough covering 22 square miles and stretches from Chiswick in the east to Bedfont in the west, skirting Heathrow Airport, the international gateway to London. The local areas and communities are very different in character and there is a continuing need to plan and cater for the different needs and demands on public services across the different areas of the borough. 5 area committees (West Area (also known as Bedfont, Feltham and Hanworth Area Forum), Heston and Cranford, Central Hounslow, Isleworth and Brentford and Chiswick) provide a structural means for engaging with local residents at an understood geographic level and help provide community leadership, reflecting the diversity of Hounslow.
Stretching from Transport for London’s Zone 2 to Zone 5, the borough has some of the most beautiful parks and open spaces in London, as well as being home to global employers such as Sky TV, GlaxoSmithKline, Cable and Wireless, IBM and DHL. It also contains many tourist attractions such as Syon House, Osterley Park, Chiswick House, and Boston Manor.
Hounslow - The people
The population of Hounslow has increased by 19.6% from 212341 people in the 2001 Census to 253957 people in the 2011 Census, with current estimates of 293167 in 2024.. This compares to a growth rate of 14% for London as a whole, over the same period.
From 2011 to 2018 the population growth rate was 9% which was the same growth rate for London over the same period (GLA 2016). From 2001, the population increase in each individual Ward has differed with 5 Wards having seen their
8 population increase by over 30%, including Hounslow Central which has increased by over 40%.
Hounslow is now the 19th largest of the London boroughs by population with the total population expected to be 278,264 by 2018 according to GLA population projections. The population density of Hounslow is expected to increase to 49.7 per hectare.
Hounslow is one of the most culturally diverse boroughs in the United Kingdom. In 2015 over the quarter of the population In Hounslow, did not speak English as a first language and more than half of school children did not have English as their first language.
The statistics show that in 2018, 51.67% of the population are from the Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds with 20.7% of the population from the Indian community.
Transport
Members serve not just residents who live in Hounslow but also people who work and visit here. Transport links across the borough are excellent and extensive which makes working and visiting easy, which in turn means that the members representative role is considerably broader than it first appears.
The borough is served by public transport by the London Underground (Piccadilly and District Lines), the North London, Hounslow Loop and Waterloo to Reading over-ground rail lines and numerous bus services which primarily serve to link communities within town centres and major employment areas.
Over 50% of residents surveyed in 2004 rated the ease of accessing public transport and the frequency of public transport during the week as good (BMG 2004)
9 32% of households do not own a car (compared to figures 31% in Outer London, 42% across Greater London) (Tfl 2017)
1,506 million vehicle kms were travelled in Hounslow in 2013 (5.2% of all London traffic) (Tfl (2017)
Hounslow residents make 2.4 trips per person per day (compared to figures 2.5 per person in Outer London and 2.6 per person in Greater London) (Tfl 2017)
22% of trips are made on public transport (compared to figures 22% in Outer London, 29% across Greater London) (Tfl 2017).
Source: Transport for London 2017 (http://content.tfl.gov.uk/hounslow-june-2017.pdf)
Economic Information
The Borough has one of the largest economies of all the London boroughs, comprising around 143,400 employee jobs and 12,500 businesses. The Council is working on two Local Plan Reviews to develop substantial areas of the Borough. The ‘Great West Corridor’ sits along the main route into central London when approached from Heathrow Airport along M4/A4, and the ‘West of Borough’ sites includes the centres of Hanworth, Feltham, Hounslow West, Bedfont, Cranford and Heston. The development plans provide a vision for the next 15 years, and will aim to support housing delivery, job creation and the provision of new infrastructure to serve the local community and new development. The ‘West of Borough’ plan forms part of the Heathrow Opportunity Area that the Mayor of London has designated for business growth and housing development.
155,000 residents (almost 81% of the working age population) are economically active – a larger proportion of the population than London or, indeed, Great Britain. The transportation and storage sector employs some 40,000 people locally and information and communications generates 21,000 jobs across the borough – both
10 sectors are significantly more represented in Hounslow than they are in London as a whole.
According to NOMIS Official labour market statistics the percentage adults who are economically inactive (Includes students, long-term sick, retired, looking after home, others) within Hounslow in 2015 was 30.6% and the percentage of economically inactive adults not wanting a job was 79.9%. Deprivation
The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2015 is the official measure of relative deprivation for small areas (or neighbourhoods) in England. The Index of Multiple Deprivation ranks every small area (known as a Lower Super Output Area (LSOA)) in England from 1 (most deprived area) to 32,844 (least deprived area).
The overall level of deprivation in the borough is close to the England average, Hounslow ranked 151st out of 326 England Local Authorities in the 2015 Index of Multiple Deprivation. However recent trends indicate that relative deprivation has become slightly worse with 16 areas now becoming classified in the 20% most deprived in the country in 2015, compared to 12 areas in the 2010 classification.
Challenges Facing the Council and Council Priorities
The Council’s 2014-2019 Corporate Plan (which can be found online here: https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/downloads/file/156/corporate plan) sets out the Authority’s thematic priorities and areas of focus. The 2019-2024 Corporate Plan is currently under development and considers the changing realities of life in the
11 borough and the developing organisational context. The Borough has delivered almost £150m of savings since 2010 but our operating environment is increasingly challenging. Elected Members need to commission or oversee delivery of a range of services whilst also holding other organisations to account. They need to undertake impactful casework whilst also playing a crucial role as democratic representatives of place. These diverse activities take place against a backdrop of increasing expectations of residents and a growth in demand for a number of Council services – some spurred by citizen behaviours, or changing demography, others by central government policy or macroeconomic conditions.
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SECTION THREE: Identifying the new ward boundaries for Hounslow for 2022 Background
The Council currently has twenty wards, each with three councillors, making a total of sixty members across the Authority area. In Hounslow, as in the rest of London, all councillors are elected at the same time at four yearly intervals. The next Council election in London is scheduled for May 2022. This submission proposes new warding arrangements for the London Borough of Hounslow that seeks to retain the current arrangement of twenty wards in total, with each ward to be represented by three councillors. This retains sixty councillors as was proposed in the first phase of the review process. The Opposition is aware that, as there has been no change in the warding situation in the last twenty years, the local current arrangements are well embedded in the local communities and so significant changes would only be appropriate where needed. This is why we have worked hard to ensure that the current number of wards, as well as their representational equivalence (3 councillors per ward), are retained. However, as stated already, some of the current wards in Hounslow have achieved a form of suburban maturity and have seen as a result minimal changes in elector numbers. In these wards, there has been less proposed change than in others, and this is reflected in the proposals and the justification for them later in this submission. However, this is not the case in other parts of the Borough. At current, the council has eight wards with an electoral variation of greater than 10%. It is in these areas that the most significant changes have been proposed. The Council’s approach has been to find suitable boundaries across the Authority area using the following principles: Securing electoral equality Achieving community identity (strong ward boundaries that reflect communities); Securing effective and convenient local government (coherent wards);
Detailed explanations of the proposals in each case are detailed below. Proposals
The proposals in this submission are known as scenario 5 and can be seen online using either of the following hyperlinks: https://rds.statmap.co.uk/map/map.html?login=hounslow viewer&scenario=S CENARIO 1 - CONSERVATIVE RESPONSE V0.01&sid=2a3a611d13df27dd95a0fc631ff2 56ce
13 https://maps.hounslow.gov.uk/map/Aurora.svc/run?script=%5cAurora%5cWar ding+Arrangements Scenario+5.AuroraScript%24&nocache=2095831363&re size=always Using this page, interested parties can compare the proposals in this scenario with the current ward boundaries, and also see how both situations relate to the proposed Parliamentary constituency boundaries (which are not part of this exercise). The webpage also provides information on the number of current electors and expected electors, as well as the number of seats proposed for each ward in future. It allows for a layered comparison of the Council’s official submission (entitled ‘Scenario 4) against the Opposition’s proposal as outlined in this submission (entitled ‘Scenario 5). Electorate in 2024 forecast by new proposed wards
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Bedfont Bedfont 10038 10536 -498 -4.7 Brentford Brentford 11084 10536 +548 5.2 Chiswick Chiswick 10545 10536 +9 +0.1 Homefields Homefields Chiswick Chiswick 10795 10536 +259 +2.5 Riverside Riverside Cranford Cranford 10156 10536 -380 -3.6 Feltham Feltham 10191 10536 -345 -3.3 North North Feltham Feltham 10197 10536 -339 -3.2 West West Gunnersbury Turnham 10286 10536 -250 -2.4 and Green Chiswick Hanworth Hanworth 10643 10536 +107 +1.0 Heathside Hounslow 10882 10536 +346 +3.3 Heath Heston Heston 10049 10536 -487 -4.6 Central Central Heston East Heston East 10128 10536 -408 -3.9 Heston West Heston West 10196 10536 -340 -3.2 Hounslow Hounslow 10783 10536 +247 +2.3 Central Central Hounslow Hounslow 11105 10536 +569 +5.4 South South Hounslow Hounslow 10196 10536 -340 -3.2 West West Isleworth Isleworth 11092 10536 +556 +5.3 Osterley and Osterley and 10936 10536 +400 +3.8 Spring Spring Grove Grove Park Heath Hanworth 10056 10536 -480 -4.6 Park Syon Syon 10819 10536 +283 +2.7
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Maps of the London Borough of Hounslow
Map 1: Map showing current Hounslow ward boundaries
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Map 2: Map Showing Proposed New Boundaries (Scenario 5)
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SECTION 4: WARD BY WARD PROPOSALS
The Reasoning for the Proposed Wards for the London Borough of Hounslow from 2024 in Alphabetical Order
BEDFONT
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Bedfont Bedfont 10038 10536 -498 -4.7
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 Bedfont is an area that can be described as maturely suburban and we propose only one minor change. The change to this ward would bring in the North Feltham Trading Estate and the adjoining residential areas. The residential areas used to be part of the village of Hatton which was once a ward in its own right and in terms of identity is much more associated with Bedfont, a significant part of which is taken up with the arterial Hatton Road. Incorporating Hatton into Bedfont would reunite these communities. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
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BRENTFORD
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Brentford Brentford 11084 10536 +548 +5.2
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 Brentford and its adjoining neighbouring area Chiswick are long established, distinct and strong communities. As such, it is the Opposition’s aim to retain both areas as distinct entities. Given the need to amend boundaries to resolve previous electoral inequalities in both areas, the two have been looked at together to find a suitable boundary proposal. Brentford is currently the largest ward by population. The greatest pressure from future population growth within this ward comes from a development area known as Capital Interchange Way. This undeveloped area, isolated because of natural boundaries (railway lines and M4), this area has no current community identity. We have proposed that it is logical to move this area to the adjoining Chiswick Riverside ward to rebalance electoral representation. In addition we propose moving Gunnersbury Park and the surrounding roads into Turnham Green Ward (to be renamed “Gunnersbury and Chiswick”). Turnham Green ward residents use 333Gunnersbury Park as their main community asset and recreational area. Gunnersbury Park has links to Chiswick, especially through the International School of London that adjoins the park and is itself already in Turnham Green ward. In addition this change would bring Gunnersbury Park, the Gunnersbury Triangle community asset and the Gunnersbury Triangle Club within the same ward. The final proposed change brings the Centaurs Business Park and the adjoining residential areas into the ward. Moving this area into Brentford helps consolidate the business park with its neighbouring facility that runs parallel to the Grand Union Canal. This would allow the business district to be better represented. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
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CHISWICK HOMEFIELDS
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Chiswick Chiswick 10545 10536 +9 +0.1 Homefields Homefields
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 Given the need to amend boundaries to resolve previous electoral inequalities in both Chiswick and Brentford, the three Chiswick wards have been looked at together to find a suitable boundary proposal. It is the view of the Opposition that the three proposed Chiswick wards retain their three current councillors to ensure that each ward within the Chiswick area maintains parity with each other. Chiswick consists of three unique sub-areas, relating to the historic and cultural areas of Homefields / Duke’s Meadow, Riverside and Turnham Green / Gunnersbury. Chiswick has long been represented by three wards, who together work to represent the wider Chiswick and Gunnersbury community, representing this area’s unique needs and heritage. The main change affecting Chiswick Homefields is that Chiswick House and Gardens, along with the surrounding roads, be included within the ward. This consolidates a range of open spaces and community sporting facilities within one ward. An additional change brings in the area surrounding, and including, Chiswick Common, which is a continuation of the Thornton Estate that already exists within the current Chiswick Homefields ward. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
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CHISWICK RIVERSIDE
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Chiswick Chiswick 10795 10536 +259 +2.5 Riverside Riverside
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 Given the need to amend boundaries to resolve previous electoral inequalities in both Chiswick and Brentford, the three Chiswick wards have been looked at together to find a suitable boundary proposal. It is the view of the Opposition that the three proposed Chiswick wards retain their three current councillors to ensure that each ward within the Chiswick area maintains parity with each other. Chiswick consists of three unique sub-areas, relating to the historic and cultural areas of Homefields / Duke’s Meadow, Riverside and Turnham Green / Gunnersbury. Chiswick has long been represented by three wards, who together work to represent the wider Chiswick and Gunnersbury community, representing this area’s unique needs and heritage. Chiswick Riverside is an area that can be described as maturely suburban. The only change that we propose is the inclusion of the Capital Interchange Way area, which is congruent to the existing ward. As previously explained in the Brentford section of this proposal, this area is not a pre-existing community, and is separated from Brentford by two sets of railway lines and the M4, which act as a natural boundary. Whilst this area does not constituent a pre-existing community, residents of Chiswick, including numerous school related clubs, utilise the leisure facilities included within this area, which is appropriate as it is a point of local community focus. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
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CRANFORD
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Cranford Cranford 10156 10536 -394 -3.7
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 Cranfield is an area that can be described as maturely suburban and only minor changes are proposed. The main change moves the border of the ward to the natural boundary provided by the M4. Additionally, this border change places Cranford Community College in Cranford which is appropriate as it is a point of local community focus. The other change we propose is the inclusion within the ward of a small parcel of land at Parkland Court. The area as outlined is not a defined community but consists of multiple flats for rent whose residents are primarily transient. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
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FELTHAM NORTH
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Feltham Feltham 10191 10536 -345 -3.3 North North
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 This ward is essentially mature suburban in nature and only one change is proposed. The only change proposed is the inclusion of a small triangular spur of land at the south of the ward between the B3377 and A244, to bring Feltham station, and the main shelter back in to Feltham, instead of the current Hanworth Park ward. Returning the transport hub once again into Feltham is appropriate as it is a point of local community focus. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
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FELTHAM WEST
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Feltham Feltham 10197 10536 -339 -3.2 West West
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 This ward is essentially mature suburban in nature and we propose two minor changes. The change we propose brings in a small parcel of land at Stone Crescent into the ward. The overall effect is to help make distinct and consolidated communities with appropriate local focuses across the whole of the ward. The other change sees Ellington Road, Cranleigh Road, Hamilton Road and adjoining closes go into the Park Heath ward. The inclusion of this area would not create a schism as residents of this estate already have close historical ties to the current Hanworth Park Ward. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
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GUNNERSBURY AND CHISWICK
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Gunnersbury Turnham 10286 10536 -250 -2.4 and Green Chiswick
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 Given the need to amend boundaries to resolve previous electoral inequalities in both Chiswick and Brentford, the three Chiswick wards have been looked at together to find a suitable boundary proposal. It is the view of the Opposition that the three proposed Chiswick wards retain their three current councillors to ensure that each ward within the Chiswick area maintains parity to each other. Chiswick consists of three unique sub-areas, relating to the historic and cultural areas of Homefields / Duke’s Meadow, Riverside and Turnham Green / Gunnersbury. Chiswick has long been represented by three wards, who together work to represent the wider Chiswick and Gunnersbury community, representing this area’s unique needs and heritage. Turnham Green Ward is essentially mature suburban in nature so only one change has been proposed. The change we propose is the inclusion of Gunnersbury Park, which is currently in Brentford ward, to be brought into Turnham Green ward. Turnham Green residents look to, and have long used, Gunnersbury Park as their main community asset and recreational area. This makes sense as Gunnersbury Park has long had links to Chiswick, especially through the International School of London which adjoins on to the park (and which is already in the current Turnham Green ward.) Additionally, this would place Gunnersbury Park and the Gunnersbury Triangle community asset area, Within the same ward. With the inclusion of Gunnersbury Park into the ward we propose that the ward be renamed Gunnersbury and Chiswick Ward to reflect the reunification of these two long associated areas. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
24 HANWORTH
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Hanworth Hanworth 10643 10536 +107 +1.0
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 This ward is essentially mature suburban in nature and so only two small changes are proposed. The first involves the Wigley Road estate being transferred into Hanworth ward from Park Heath ward. This is a distinct housing area and has greater geographical connection with Hanworth ward (it is connected to the Butts Farm estate in Hanworth ward but not connected with the De Brome estate in the other direction in the current Hanworth Park ward). The main access to the Wigley Road Estate is via Pevensey Road in Hanworth ward. The Uxbridge Road connections into the estate from the current Hanworth Park ward are closed off. In addition to the above, we also propose the boundary between Hanworth and Park Heath wards is adjusted to follow Hounslow Road which is a natural boundary. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
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HEATHSIDE
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Heathside Hounslow 10882 10536 +346 +3.3 Heath
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 There are four main changes identified for this ward, formerly known as Hounslow Heath ward. One has already been identified and explained on the page for Park Heath which is included elsewhere in this document and relates (mostly) to the relocation of Hounslow Heath into that ward. The second sees the Argyle Avenue estate move from Hounslow South to Heathside. This estate has an independent identity and also closely affiliates to the residential area it adjoins (across Whitton Road). The third involves the Ivy Road area and would see this transferred into Heathside Ward. This follows the natural border of the railway line (already utilised as much of the south west border of this ward) and includes the residential area adjacent to the Treaty Centre. The final change is also a result of natural borders of Grove Road and Whitton Road. This allows for a separation between commercial usage and residential, separating the Treaty Centre from the small residential area. However, as the overall effect of the main change on this ward is to remove the Hounslow Heath from it, it is no longer appropriate to retain the current name of Hounslow Heath ward. It is therefore proposed that a new name of Heathside ward be used to reflect both the historic connection of this area with the Heath (i.e. its former ward name) and its geographic proximity to it. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
26
HESTON CENTRAL
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Heston Heston 10049 10536 -487 -4.6 Central Central
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 This ward is essentially mature suburban in nature and only three small changes are proposed. The first change proposed brings in a small parcel land consisting of Heston Avenue and The Croft from Heston West. This change would create no community-based concerns as residents of this area already identify with Heston. The second change places Westbrook Primary School in Heston East which is appropriate as it is a point of local community focus and draws the majority of its students form this area. The third change sees the border change to follow the arterial Sutton Road. This is appropriate as this is a natural boundary. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
27
HESTON EAST
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Heston East Heston East 10128 10536 -408 -3.9
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 This ward is essentially mature suburban in nature and only three changes are proposed. This first change places Westbrook Primary School in Heston East which is appropriate as it is a point of local community focus and draws a significant number of its students form this area. The second change enables the ward border change to follow the arterial transport link Sutton Road which already exists as a natural boundary. The third change consists of relocating the residential area around Raleigh Road from Heston East into Heston West wards. As access to the estate is only obtainable from the latter extending this to follow the natural boundary provided by Thorncliffe Road is appropriate and logical. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
28
HESTON WEST
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Heston West Heston West 10196 10536 -340 -3.2
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 The main change consists of relocating the residential area around Raleigh Road from Heston East ward. As access to the estate is only obtainable from the latter extending this to follow the natural boundary provided by Thorncliffe Road is appropriate and logical. The other change moves the border of the ward to the natural boundary provided by the M4. Additionally, this border change places Cranford Community College in Cranford which is appropriate as it is a point of local community focus. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
29
HOUNSLOW CENTRAL
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Hounslow Hounslow 10783 10536 +247 +2.3 Central Central
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 There are three main changes identified for this ward The first is a result of natural borders of Grove Road and Whitton Road being utilised as boundaries. This allows for a separation between commercial usage and residential, separating the Treaty Centre from the small residential area. The second involves the Ivy Road area and would see this transferred into Heathside Ward. This would see the boundary follow the natural border of the railway line (already utilised as much of the south west border of this ward) and includes the residential area adjacent to the Treaty Centre. The third sees a new southern border to the ward along the London Road - an historic road and a natural boundary. This would see an exchange of land from Hounslow Central ward to Hounslow South and helping to create a differentiation between the focus on commercial/shopping activity in the former ward and the mature suburban residential character of the latter. The result of these changes, the Hounslow Treaty Road Shopping Centre would become consolidated in Hounslow Central ward meaning that the wider Hounslow Shopping Centre would now come under three councillors rather than nine as has previously been the case which is good for residents and helps make a coherent ward with convenient local government. Placing Hounslow town centre in one single ward is also consistent with the approach taken for other town centres across the Borough. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
30
HOUNSLOW SOUTH
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Hounslow Hounslow 11105 10536 +569 +5.4 South South
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 There are two changes proposed to the borders of this ward. One is the exchange of land from Hounslow Central ward to Hounslow South, using the historic London Road as a natural border, and helping to create a differentiation between the focus on commercial/shopping activity in the former ward and the mature suburban residential character of the latter. It also allows Inwood Park and the associated allotments to be included as part of the more residential Hounslow South ward which is a more natural fit with a suburban residential area. The second sees the Argyle Avenue estate move from Hounslow South to Heathside. This estate has an independent identity and also closely affiliates to the residential area it adjoins (across Whitton Road). 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
31
HOUNSLOW WEST
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Hounslow Hounslow 10735 10536 +199 +1.9 West West
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 This ward is essentially mature suburban in nature and no changes have been proposed. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
32
ISLEWORTH
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Isleworth Isleworth 11092 10536 +556 +5.3
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 This ward is essentially mature suburban in nature and only one change is proposed. The change we propose is move the northern boundary of Isleworth up to the natural boundary of Linkworth Road and then follow the arterial Twickenham Road to the natural southern border of the Syon ward formed by the grounds of Syon House. This change allows Isleworth Railway Station to be located in the Isleworth ward which had not previously been the case. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
33
OSTERLEY AND SPRING GROVE
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Osterley and Osterley and 10936 10536 +400 +3.8 Spring Spring Grove Grove
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 We propose to move the Centaurs Business Park and adjoining residential area in to the Brentford ward. The overall effect of this would be to consolidate the business park with its neighbouring facility that runs parallel to the Grand Union Canal. This allows for better representation of the business district and the potential it offers the surrounding community. Additionally, we also propose to move the Brentford Executive Centre and adjoining Trading estate into Syon Ward so that it is located within the same ward (of Syon) as its neighbouring business district located around Commerce Road and the business community that continues to develop around the dock area. The main change into the Osterley and Spring Grove Ward that we propose is the extension of the ward to the east, from the railway line to the arterial London Road to incorporate the Green School for Girls and the Malborough Primary School and Nursery - which are both points of community focus. Additionally, we propose to include within the ward the Frazer Nash Close estate from Syon Ward. The estate is an independent, self-defined community that is surrounded by three major roads. However, the estate, and the Nishkam School located on the estate, are closely linked to the St Mary's Sports Ground - which provides the main recreational and cultural space for residents and students - is located within the Osterley and Spring Grove Ward. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
34
PARK HEATH
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Park Heath Hanworth 10056 10536 -480 -4.6 Park
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 There are three main changes identified for this ward, formerly known as Hanworth Park ward. Firstly, we propose bringing in Ellington Road, Cranleigh Road, Hamilton Road and adjoining closes go into the Park Heath ward. Residents of this estate already have close historical ties to the current Hanworth Park Ward. Secondly, we propose to bring in the Wigley Road estate from Hanworth ward. This is a distinct housing area and has greater geographical connection with Hanworth ward (it is connected to the Butts Farm estate in Hanworth ward but not connected with the De Brome estate in the other direction in the current Hanworth Park ward). The main access to the estate is via Pevensey Road in Hanworth ward because the Uxbridge Road connections into the estate from the current ward are closed off. The third change is to include the ancient and historic area of Hounslow Heath, and a very small part of the estate adjoining the Heath, into the ward. This would consolidate the vast open, green areas of the Heath and Hanworth Park (that are connected) into one ward. This ward, is unusual in not having one main residential core. However, the distribution of residential housing in green areas like this tends, to be on the periphery. Consequently, the focus is on open space rather than a residential / commercial centre. It is recognised that this creates an unusual shaped ward, but still meets all three criteria. The proposed northern border of the ward is the existing boundary of Staines Road and so the housing estates around Frampton Road and Munster Avenue, known as the Heathland estate, are served by the Heathland School are retained as a discrete community connected with the Hounslow Heath itself. In order to recognise that the ward consolidates two significant green and open spaces, it is proposed to rename this ward Park Heath ward, which recognises both Hanworth Park and Hounslow Heath. This green space is the principle characteristic of the ward. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government
35 SYON
Proposed Previous Forecast Target of Variance % New Ward name(s)* of electors electors Name Syon Syon 10819 10536 +283 +2.7
Criteria Notes 1 This proposal meets the need for electoral equality as the proposed number of voters in the ward falls within the accepted elector to member ratio 2 The main change to the ward will see a small, but densely populated residential area, affecting four roads, comes into the ward. This would move the boundary from backstreets to follow the railway line on one side, and the major thoroughfares of Brook Road South, Braemar Road and Ealing Road - whilst leaving the site of Griffin Park within the Brentford ward. We propose to move the unpopulated industrial area consisting of the Brentford Executive Centre and adjoining Trading estate into Syon Ward. The overall effect of this would be to co-locate within one ward (Syon) the two neighbouring business districts located around Commerce Road and the business community that continues to develop around the dock area. This allows consolidation with the adjoining industrial area. In addition, we propose moving 999the area between the railway line and the arterial London Road (incorporating the Green School for Girls and the Malborough Primary School and Nursery) in to Osterley and Spring Grove ward. Finally, our proposal would see the southern border of the ward move from up from St John's Road and the Duke of Northumberland's River to Linkfield Road, following Twickenham Road to the bottom of Syon House's grounds. 3 These ward proposals create a coherent ward and so allows for effective and convenient local government.
36
Cooper, Mark
From: Councillor Sam Hearn
Dear Martin,
As per our telephone conversation I am pleased to send you the amendments to our original submission. You will need to view our screen grabs in conjunction with that submission. The total number should now agree with your figures.
Since we do not know where within each ward the population differences arise we cannot be 100% certain that we have strictly adhered to the numbers criteria. We have however done our best to provide amendments that meet the three criteria and are internally coherent as a pcakage.
We look forward to speaking to you next week as arranged. Have a good long weekend.
1 SUMMARY
Heathside: loses 1,351 (1039+312) , gains 1,528 (782+746). Change = +177 New total = 11,975 *** Hounslow South loses 2,433, gains 746. Change = -1,687. New total = 10,895 *** Hounslow Central loses 3,772, gains 2,433. Change = -1,339 . New total = 11,930 *** Hounslow West loses 4,428, gains 5,169. Change = +741. New total = 12,094 *** Cranford loses 1,968, gains 3,374. Change = +1,406. New total = 11,278 *** Heston West loses 0, gains 1,408. Change =+1,408. New total = 11,492 *** Feltham North loses 1,765, gains 1,427. Change = -338. New total = 11,062 *** Bedfont loses 770, gains 2523. Change = +1,753. New total = 11,460 *** Feltham West loses 904, gains 1005. Change = +101. New total = 10,502 *** Hanworth Park loses 782, gains 904. Change = +122. New total = 10,608 *** Isleworth loses 108, gains 0. Change = +108. New total = 11,699 *** Syon loses 1264, gains 108. Change = -1,156. New total = 11,751 *** Osterley & Spring Grove loses 766, gains 1,264. Change = +498. New total = 11,451 *** Brentford loses 473, gains 766. Change = +293. New total = 11,793 *** Chiswick Riverside loses 0, gains 473. Change = +473. New total = 10,969
HEATHSIDE
Heathside to Hounslow South
Hanworth Park to Heathside
Heathside to Hounslow West
HOUNSLOW SOUTH
Hounslow South to Hounslow Central
Heathside to Hounslow South HOUNSLOW CENTRAL
Hounslow South to Hounslow Central
Hounslow Central to Hounslow West HOUNSLOW WEST
Heathside to Hounslow West
Hounslow Central to Hounslow West
Hounslow West to Cranford
Hounslow West to Feltham North CRANFORD
Hounslow West to Cranford
Cranford to Feltham North
Cranford to Bedfont
Cranford to Heston West
Cranford to Heston West
HESTON WEST
Cranford to Heston West
Cranford to Heston West FELTHAM NORTH
Hounslow West to Feltham North
Cranford to Feltham North
*The previous two changes should be transferred to Feltham North with the adjoining green spaces (which includes a singular additional elector) to ensure congruity.
*It is recommended that the Eastern boundary of the new Feltham North ward follow the River Crane. This would add three extra electors.
Feltham North to Feltham West
Feltham North to Bedfont BEDFONT
Cranford to Bedfont
Feltham West to Bedfont
Bedfont to Feltham West FELTHAM WEST
Feltham West to Hanworth Park
Feltham West to Hanworth Park
Feltham North to Feltham West
Bedfont to Feltham West HANWORTH PARK
Hanworth Park to Heathside
Feltham West to Hanworth Park
*It is recommended that the adjoining green space (arable land) be transferred from Feltham West to Hanworth Park. This area contains no electors.
Feltham West to Hanworth Park ISLEWORTH
Isleworth to Syon (South side of Linkfield Road only). SYON
Isleworth to Syon (South side of Linkfield Road only).
Syon to Osterley & Spring Grove OSTERLEY & SPRING GROVE
Syon to Osterley & Spring Grove
Osterley & Spring Grove to Brentford
BRENTFORD
Osterley & Spring Grove to Brentford
Brentford to Chiswick Riverside CHISWICK RIVERSIDE
Brentford to Chiswick Riverside