Hounslow Council Axes Pre-Election Meetings Amid 'Nothing to Discuss' Claim
A West London council has sparked controversy by cancelling the majority of its scheduled meetings in the lead-up to May's local elections, with opposition councillors accusing the ruling party of denying residents a democratic voice and calling for financial accountability.
Hounslow Council has scrapped 12 out of 16 meetings set to occur between March and election day on May 7, 2026. This includes all Area Forums chaired by Labour councillors, which are designed to allow residents to raise local issues, as well as a Cabinet meeting and a Full Council session.
Conservative Councillor Defies Cancellation, Calls for Allowance Returns
Conservative Councillor Jack Emsley, who chairs the Chiswick Area Forum, revealed he was asked to cancel his meeting but refused. He argued that Labour councillors who did cancel theirs should repay their extra allowances, highlighting what he sees as a failure to fulfill their duties.
He stated, "It's a huge privilege to organise and chair Area Forum meetings for Chiswick residents, enabling our community to learn about new projects, engage with local groups, and scrutinise council work. I'm proud my forum will proceed as planned on March 17th. It's disappointing every other forum in the borough is cancelled. Area Forum Chairs receive an additional allowance to organise these meetings. If Labour councillors won't do the job, they should either repay this allowance or pass it to councillors who will."
Councillors earn an extra £8,300 annually for chairing area forums, which meet four times yearly, averaging £2,075 per meeting. The Labour councillors who cancelled their forums are:
- Cllr Alan Mitchell – Bedfont and Feltham Area Forum
- Cllr Bishnu Bahadur Gurung – Hanworth Area Forum
- Cllr Daanish Saeed – Central Hounslow Area Forum
- Cllr Gurmail Lal – Heston and Cranford Area Forum
- Cllr Karen Smith – Hounslow South, Isleworth and Osterley & Spring Grove Area Forum
- Cllr Marina Sharma – Brentford and Syon Area Forum
Labour Defends Decision, Accuses Conservatives of Political Grandstanding
When questioned by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, none of the Labour councillors responded individually. However, a spokesperson for Hounslow Labour defended the cancellations, emphasising that the role of Area Forum Chairs involves year-round responsibilities beyond just meetings.
The spokesperson said, "The work of Area Forum Chairs extends to progressing action plans and holding the council accountable for local decisions. Cancelling meetings, many scheduled during the pre-election period, was not politically motivated. In contrast, Councillor Emsley's actions are political grandstanding. The Conservatives have proposed cutting staff who facilitate forums and abolishing allowances for Vice-Chairs. Will Cllr Mushiso repay the £2,770 he received as Vice-Chair of the Chiswick Area Forum?"
Conservative Response and Council Statement
In response, Cllr Mushiso countered, "Labour uses this argument whenever we challenge them on public value for money. If the public elects a Conservative majority, we'll have the mandate to remove unnecessary allowances. Cancelling statutory meetings denies residents their democratic right. When I chaired the forum, a former officer suggested cancelling due to a clash with the Labour Party Conference—I refused. Allowances for cancelled meetings should be returned. Accountability must be restored in Hounslow."
A Hounslow Council spokesperson clarified, "Necessary meetings proceed before elections, complying with regulations. If a meeting lacks sufficient business, the Chair decides whether to cancel. This applied to all cancelled meetings recently; each Chair was consulted and chose not to hold their meeting."
The cancellations have ignited a debate over transparency, public engagement, and the use of taxpayer funds in local governance, with both parties trading accusations as the election approaches.
