News from your council November/December 2016 Hillingdon’s living advent calendar Open a new door every day Heathrow decision Council continues opposition In bloom success Parks and green spaces win Gold Thriving community hubs Libraries offering programme of activities CHRISTMAS OFFERS NEW FACILITY BIGFEST DELIGHTS advertisements people Are you receiving Contents single person discount November/December 2016 on your council tax? ▸ Cover stories The spotlight is on you if more than ▸ 9 Heathrow decision s we approach the end of another year, I look The council continues to oppose Heathrow Airport back on my almost-seventeen years as Leader one adult is living at your address. expansion. Aof Hillingdon Council with a mixture of both 10 TeleCareLine saved my life! satisfaction and dismay. Satisfaction in that, despite having Don’t wait for that knock on your door Hillingdon resident shares story of how her pendant to deal with cuts in funding and a rise in population, helped her. we have achieved so much in Hillingdon, and dismay Call us today 0300 123 1384 that governments of all political colours can still be so ▸ 12 Award winning parks, green spaces, produce and gardens detached from reality as regards to the wellbeing of London and Hillingdon in Bloom results, Autumn our people, our environment, and value for money. You can be prosecuted Show displays and new Green Flags raised. To commit billions of pounds to a scheme to build a railway line to Birmingham that has no credible business for a false claim 15 School rebuild revealed case, with poor connectivity, and that will get passengers, If you suspect someone of falsely claiming single person discount Northwood School rebuild offers pupils state-of- if they can afford the fare, there slower than the current the-art facilities. call 0800 389 8313 or email [email protected]. service is bad enough. However, to try to resurrect the Your report will be treated in the strictest confidence 16 Parking management schemes explained failed scheme to build a third runway at Heathrow really is and can be given anonymously. How your requests to address all-day parking issues indicative of the detachment of central government from are dealt with by the council. the people and the environment, and a failure to deal with the issue of increasing runway capacity in a realistic manner. ▸ 18 Hillingdon’s living advent calendar Countdown to Christmas this December with a Putting a new pair of trousers on the same old elephant range of festive events. will not make it fly, and it will waste so many more years. www.hillingdon.gov.uk In the years between 2010/11 and 2015/16, we have, 21 Could you be the one to foster? at local level in Hillingdon, delivered £94 million in Local foster carers describe how they show the children and young people in their care efficiency savings to cover cuts in funding, inflation and new experiences. a rising population, but still managed to protect services, improve facilities, freeze council tax and accumulate ▸ 22 Thriving community hubs a record level of cash balances to help us through the Wellbeing and learning and development at tough years that we know are still ahead of us. In the Primary school admissions the heart of a varied programme of activities in current year, we have already banked the majority of the Hillingdon’s libraries. £17 million necessary to balance the 2016/17 budget. Regulars As we continue to work on the budget for next year and Do you have a child born between 4 Hillingdon News 25 Volunteers the four following years, we estimate that we will need to find a further £57 million and, whilst it will be tough, 27 What’s on? 31 Contacts it will be very much business as usual in Hillingdon. COVER PHOTO: REINDEER AND HANDLER FROM THE REINDEER In this edition of Hillingdon People, you will find 1 September 2012 CENTRE, BETHERSDEN, WHO WILL HAVE LIVE REINDEER AT THE RAGC AS PART OF THE LIVING ADVENT CALENDAR (SEE PAGE 18) a number of examples of how the council and our residents continue to make Hillingdon special. As in previous years, there will be Christmas lights and 31 August 2013? across the borough and free weekend parking in our car parks in December for Hillingdon residents. If so, you must apply for a school place by 12 15 Finally, I would like to thank the staff of Hillingdon Council for their work and dedication this year and Advertising deadline for next edition: Friday 25 November. wish them and all Hillingdon residents a merry Editorial and advertising enquiries Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. 15 January 2017 Emma Gilbertson 01895 250828 [email protected] For full details, key dates and www.hillingdon.gov.uk/hillingdonpeople After reading, please to apply go online recycle this magazine Cllr Ray Puddifoot MBE Published by London Borough of Hillingdon © 2016 LEADER OF THE COUNCIL Hillingdon People, 3S/05 Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW. Design Gpex 01753 887450 Printed by Warners Midlands PLC Products and services advertised in this magazine are not necessarily endorsed by the council. www.hillingdon.gov.uk/schooladmissions For a copy in large print or as an audio version call 01895 250828 2 November/December 2016 November/December 2016 3 news news Craegmoor are on hand 24 used to my new home Free parking this Christmas Supporting residents to live hours a day to assist him. and a new way of life. I Why not shop locally this bank holidays (Christmas independently His new home gives really like living here, it’s Christmas and make use of Day, Boxing Day, him control over his a better environment for the council’s free weekend Tuesday 27 December, Hillingdon resident Nicky the council’s help has now environment and me and I’m able to do a parking in December with New Year’s Day and 2 Alcorn is overjoyed to moved into a new specially independence that he lot more things for myself. your HillingdonFirst card? January) at each of the have moved into his adapted flat in Hayes, didn’t have previously. The I love being next to the Residents will get council’s car parks and own flat with support where care provider equipment and facilities park and the theatre.” free parking with their on-street parking bays. from the council. allow him to do more for Cllr Philip Corthorne, HillingdonFirst card in Your HillingdonFirst Nicky, 34, has cerebral himself (including cooking). Cabinet Member council-owned car parks card will also give you palsy which affects The location means he for Social Services, and on-street parking a range of benefits, his co-ordination and can go straight to the Housing and Health bays at weekends this including discounts from movement. His physical park by himself or to the and Wellbeing, said: December. Residents local businesses who disability means that shops, take part in activities “Hillingdon has a range should use their card to participate in the scheme. he needs support with and become involved in of supported housing purchase tickets, following For more information personal care and certain the local community. accommodation tailored to the instructions on the about HillingdonFirst household activities. Nicky said: “The care people with learning and machine’s yellow label, businesses, the card and He had previously home wasn’t really for me physical disabilities. They so you’re not charged. how to apply for one been living in a residential anymore and I couldn’t help people to live as Parking will be free for visit www.hillingdon. care home outside of see any future for myself. I independently as possible Lights to spread festive cheer everyone on the festive gov.uk/hillingdonfirst. Hillingdon for several decided I really wanted to and be empowered to Christmas light displays Uxbridge near the station, years, which restricted his move. When I did, it felt become socially included in Hillingdon’s town at the Common, Harefield independence, but with a bit odd but I’m getting in the wider community.” centres will be sparkling and Eastcote High Street. throughout December. Leader of the Council, Eastcote, Glebe Cllr Ray Puddifoot, said: Estate, Harefield, “We will be investing more New facility opened Harlington High Street, than £130,000 to ensure The council formally countryside, woodland Harmondsworth and that many town centres opened a new facility at and conservation staff Sipson, Harmondsworth and high streets across Ruislip Lido in October taught children from Road in Sipson, Hayes, the borough are lit up this to replace the former Coteford and Whiteheath Hillingdon East, Ickenham, Christmas. I hope residents boathouse and provide Junior Schools about the Northwood, Northwood enjoy these displays and a community space for environment at the Lido Hills, Ruislip, Ruislip the festive celebrations.” residents and staff on-site. using the new activity area. Manor, South Ruislip, Uxbridge lights will be The new wooden- Leader of the Council, Uxbridge and Yiewsley switched on on Sunday cladded, one-storey Cllr Ray Puddifoot, and West Drayton have 27 November at 4.30pm building, which is part of said: “Our continued all received funding. outside the station and the ongoing Ruislip Lido investment in Ruislip Lido The council will also Hayes will be turned on on enhancement project, is providing high quality NOW OPEN install Christmas trees in Wednesday 23 November. was opened by the facilities for residents and Mayor of Hillingdon, visitors and I hope that this four hours. A two hour benches and resurfacing to the needs of local Cllr John Hensley. new building and leisure New car stop and shop stay is just the high street.