Blue plaque
for World
War One hero
Council tax frozen
Residents’ survey
– your views
March/April 2011
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2
HOUSING
CHEATS
When somebody with a council or housing association home rents it out
without permission or obtains a home through providing false information, they
are guilty of housing fraud. They are using up valuable housing spaces and
depriving families and vulnerable people on the waiting list. It’s
not fair.
If you suspect someone of unlawfully sub-letting
call us on
0800 389 8313 or
email us at [email protected]
Your report will be treated in the strictest confidence and can
be given anonymously.
March/April 2011 hillingdon people magazine
hillingdon contents
March/April 2011
A
s you
read this
edition of
Hillingdon People,
you will be aware
that council tax
and many fees
and charges have been frozen for a
third year for Hillingdon residents.
We have been able to do this and
maintain the services you value such as
weekly waste collections and libraries
by managing our finances effectively
and reducing unnecessary back-office
costs. However, the real measure of
how well we are doing is what our
residents say about us. So how well
are we doing? The results of our recent
residents’ survey show high levels of
satisfaction with waste and recycling,
sports and leisure, libraries and parks
and open spaces. These are services
that you tell us are important and so we
are focussing on maintaining these.
As the borough’s older people’s
champion, I am delighted that
our residents value initiatives
such as free burglar alarms and
our brown badge scheme.
At a time when councils across
the country are reducing services
and closing facilities these results
show our residents recognise and
value a financially efficient council
that puts its residents first.
In addition to maintaining universal
services, we are continuing with our
programme of civic pride events that
families from across the borough can
enjoy. This year, as well as our summer
programme, we have the addition of a
Royal wedding. We want to ensure as
T
many residents as possible are able to
enjoy and take part in commemorative
events. To help you we have made
the process of organising events as
simple as possible and even waived
the normal charges for things such
as road closures. I hope you will
take advantage of the extra holiday
and join in the celebrations.
While libraries are closing all
over the country, in Hillingdon
we are building new libraries
in South Ruislip and Hayes End
and we are refurbishing those in
Northwood Hills and Eastcote.
Although public finances are
tight, in Hillingdon we will continue
to put our residents first and
deliver the things that matter
most to you and your family.
10 Cover story
A First World War hero is the latest
former resident to be commemorated
through the council’s blue plaque
scheme
09 Older People’s Page
Monitoring and alert system offered
free of charge to over 85s
11 Council tax frozen
No council tax increase for all
residents for the third year running
16 Pinkwell Children’s
Centre opens
The latest centre opens thanks to the
council’s children’s centre programme
18 Residents’ survey
Residents’ satisfaction with the
council remains high
20 ASB campaign
Spitting is the latest anti-social
behaviour offence targeted by the
council’s campaign to ‘take ASB out of
the picture’
25 Putting residents first 24/7
A range of services is available online
to residents 24 hours a day
y
hillingdon surve
29 Recycling
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bags are now available in
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18
Cllr Ray Puddifoot
Leader of the Council
hillingdon people magazine
March/April 2011
77 per cent
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4 News
27 Hillingdon volunteers
30 What’s on?
33 Hillingdon contact numbers
service
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levels of satisfac and believes it
with 76 per cent
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money for local
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offers value for residents would
Cllr Ray Puddi
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C o v e r ph o t o f r o m t he l at es t
blue pl a q ue u n v e il in g e v e n t
hillingdon people
magazine
hillingdon people
magazine
19
March/April 2011
Editorial and advertising enquiries
01895 250828
Libby Jones
[email protected]
March/April 2011
TT-COC-002452
After reading, please
recycle this magazine
Published by London Borough of Hillingdon
© 2011
Design Phil Burton 01895 250670
Printed by Warners Midlands PLC
Hillingdon People, 3E/07 Civic Centre,
High Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW.
Products and
services advertised in
this magazine are not
necessarily endorsed
by the council.
For a copy in large print or on tape,
call 01895 250828
3
Libraries expand into virtual space
Council
sets the bar
for housing
services
online
Hillingdon is the first
West London council to
launch an online service
that allows housing register
applicants access to tailormade advice and assistance.
The Targeted Housing
Options service was
launched in December
2010 and is now
available to all housing
register applicants.
The programme,
which is accessed
through the council’s
lettings system Locata,
offers each household
on the housing register
tailor-made advice and
assistance based on their
individual circumstances.
Hillingdon is the first
local authority in West
London to use this
innovative system. Since
launching the programme
other boroughs are now
developing their own
service using Hillingdon’s
programme as a guide
to good practice.
Since going live there
have been more than
67,000 viewings of
online articles and over
1,500 applicants have
expressed an interest in
the information provided
through the scheme.
It is hoped the
programme will help
households in Hillingdon
to gain access to advice
and support about their
housing options 24 hours
a day, 365 days a year.
For more information
visit www.locata.
org.uk/hillingdon
4
Residents can access thousands of books either online or in person
Hillingdon’s libraries
have expanded
their range of titles
into virtual space
by launching a new
innovative and free
service for library
members to enjoy.
The Bloomsbury
Public Library Online
is the latest addition
to the library services’
online resources and
will allow Hillingdon’s
library members access
to themed digital
bookshelves, allowing
them to read a wide
variety of titles without
leaving the comfort
of their own home.
Hillingdon is one of
the only councils across
London promising to
keep its library doors open
and has seen a significant
increase in visitor numbers.
Cllr Henry Higgins,
Cabinet Member
for Culture, Sport
and Leisure, said:
“Hillingdon’s libraries
are always looking to
new technologies to
complement traditional
books and the new
Bloomsbury Public
Library Online is a
great resource for
our members. From
Shakespeare and Faber
poetry to Britain and
Empire, from crime and
paranormal romance
to parenting – there
really is something for
everyone’s tastes.”
For residents wishing
to drop into their local
library there are also
a number of regular
events to get involved
in. Playreading groups,
safer neighbourhood
team advice sessions,
evening reading groups
and ancestry sessions
are just some of the
activities that are on offer.
Find out more about
Hillingdon’s libraries
at www.hillingdon.
gov.uk/libraries
Council leads by example
Councils from across the
country are learning from
Hillingdon’s experience
of supporting parents
who need extra help.
Hillingdon Council
showcased how it supports
families with complicated
problems at an event
in London, organised
with the Department for
Education and the London
Borough of Enfield.
Hillingdon’s Parent
Support Service helped
more than 300 families
last year, carefully tracking
each case from beginning
to end. Every month a
dedicated panel, made
up of representatives
from lots of organisations
which help parents in
the borough, looks at
all requests for help to
find the right types of
support for each family.
Now, through this event,
the effectiveness of the
council’s way of working
has been recognised.
Cllr David
Simmonds, Cabinet
Member for Education
and Children’s
Services, said: “We are
happy to share the lessons
we’ve learnt about what
works with our peers.
This event was also a
great opportunity for us
to benefit from others’
experience and challenge
our own ways of thinking.”
Help available for parents
in the borough includes
local children’s centres,
parent support advisors
based in schools and
dedicated support groups
for children of different
ages or with different
needs. The council also
offers parents intensive
one-to-one sessions with
experts in parenting.
Visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk
March/April 2011 hillingdon people magazine
hillingdon news
Hillingdon’s autistic
children benefit from
unique programme
Young autistic children
are getting a head start
in Hillingdon before
beginning school thanks
to a new programme
provided by the council.
The four-step ‘Attention
Hillingdon’ programme
employs a range of toys to
improve the engagement
and communication
levels of young children.
It was developed, with
Hillingdon Council’s
support, by specialist
speech and language
therapist Gina Davies.
Based on her 25 years
of experience, it uses
the principle of making
learning irresistible for
children affected by autism.
Staff at playgroups,
nurseries and day care
centres have already begun
training in these new
methods to better engage
with children at all levels
of the autistic spectrum.
Recently a demonstration
session was run by
Attention Autism and
council staff for the
Institute of Education (IoE)
after they became interested
in what the council was
doing. The session attracted
twice as many people as
available places. As a result
the IoE is working with
the council and Attention
Autism to formally
evaluate the effectiveness
of the programme
up to July 2011.
Cllr David
Simmonds, Cabinet
Member for Education
and Children’s
Services, said: “We are
very proud of the difference
that our training is already
making to the lives of
autistic children and we’re
excited by the prospect of
spreading this knowledge
even further. We welcome
the IoE’s involvement and
hillingdon people magazine
look forward to measuring
the progress that children
are making, which
could seriously increase
their chances in life.”
So far the programme
has delivered impressive
results, improving the
attention skills both
of children who are
developing typically and
of children with autism.
This has persuaded the
council to extend the
training for other preschool professionals so that
more children can benefit.
Gina Davies said: “I’m
delighted that the Attention
Hillingdon programme is
proving so successful and
practical in supporting
the development of
children with autism
spectrum disorders and
other difficulties. It’s
a fantastic experience
working with the excellent
team at Hillingdon.”
The needs of preschool age children with
autism can sometimes
be the hardest to meet
because they are often
visual learners who
don’t follow instructions
well, understand social
situations or join in with
group activities. The
council’s programme uses
four steps to gradually
extend the children’s
attention span using visual
prompts and song rather
than spoken language,
which is processed
differently by the brain.
As a result children
learn to be part of a
group and focus for
longer periods of time
enabling them to see an
activity through from start
to finish. This improves
their social skills, allowing
them to benefit more from
their education as they
graduate through school.
March/April 2011
inbrief
Learning
opportunites for
older residents
The University of the
Third Age (U3A) is
starting a new branch
in Northwood.
The group aims to
provide opportunities
for retired residents
to continue learning
and socialising with
like-minded people.
Established for 10
years, the Hillingdon
branch has more than
900 members from the
Ickenham/Uxbridge area.
The first meeting will
be on 6 April from 10am
at Fairfield Hall, Fairfield
Close, off Windsor Close,
Northwood Hills.
For more information
contact 01895 635138
or 01895 632275.
Housing advice
surgeries
Monthly housing advice
surgeries are available
at four children’s centres
across the borough.
Appointments can be
made to meet with an
outreach advisor who is
able to help and provide
information on a range of
housing issues including
Locata enquiries,
tenancy support and
landlord/tenant issues.
These are at: Barra Hall,
Wood Green Road, Hayes,
UB3 2SA, last Tuesday of
every month (contact 01895
277877); Colham Manor,
Violet Avenue, Hillingdon,
UB8 3PT, last Friday of
every month (contact
01895 448228); Oak
Farm, Windsor Avenue,
Hillingdon, UB10 9PD, first
Wednesday of every month
(contact 01895 254408) and
Hillside, Northwood Way,
Northwood, HA6 1RX, first
Thursday of every month
(contact 01895 671995).
All surgeries are from
9.30am to 1pm and are
by appointment only.
Please bring any relevant
documents with you.
No increase in
parking charges
Parking Services has
received a number of
enquiries from concerned
residents about increases
in the cost of resident
parking permits.
This follows recent
press reports about many
other London boroughs,
which are increasing
the cost of their resident
parking permits, as
well as a range of other
parking charges.
However, Hillingdon
is continuing to put its
residents first and can
confirm that resident
permits and visitor voucher
costs will remain the same.
Charges for parking,
both in council car
parks and on-street,
also remain the same
for borough residents
when using their
HillingdonFirst card.
In addition, you can still
get half an hour of free
parking in most locations.
Satellite dishes
Residents are being
reminded to be sensitive
to the special character
of an area when installing
satellite dishes.
Two antennas or dishes,
provided they are no
higher than the top of the
chimney or to a maximum
of 60cm height from the
ridge of the roof, can be
installed without planning
permission. Where there
is no chimney the antenna
should sit below the
highest part of the roof.
In conservation areas,
planning permission must
be granted for antennas
on chimneys, walls, roofs
or if visible from the road.
Colour and cabling should
also blend with the building
and dishes no longer in
use should be removed.
For more information
contact the conservation
team on 01895 556000
or email contactcentre1@
hillingdon.gov.uk
5
hillingdon news
Are you
up for a
challenge?
Hillingdon Sports and
Leisure Complex has
thrown down the gauntlet
to residents with an
invitation to help raise
money for the Marie Curie
Cancer Care Trust and join
in the 2011 Swimathon.
The event, which will
take place between 8 and
10 April, is the world’s
biggest fundraising
swim and a nationwide
challenge providing a
goal to train for and a
great cause to support.
Individual swimmers can
complete 1.5k, 2.5k or 5k
in the water or take part
in a team 5k challenge.
Neil Cutting, from
the leisure complex,
said: “Last year we had
only just opened, and
we managed to raise
an impressive £4,000
with 42 swimmers. This
year we’re hoping to
get 200 swimmers and
every penny counts
for this vital cause.
“It’s a tough challenge
but anyone can take part
and we hope a lot more
Hillingdon residents
will be inspired to
take part in what is the
world’s biggest swim.”
Council
tackles ‘car
clocking’
A second hand car
dealership and its
manager have been fined
for fiddling car mileage.
Ylbert Azemi, the
manager of Beri Services
Ltd, Ruislip, was found
guilty of ‘clocking’ cars
and misleading purchasers.
Hillingdon Council’s
Trading Standards team
received a complaint
from a member of the
public who had bought
6
Duncan Goodhew sets Hillingdon residents a challenge
There are 580 pools
throughout the UK hosting
Swimathon sessions
including Highgrove
Pool and Fitness Centre,
Hillingdon Sports and
Leisure Complex and
Botwell Green Sports
and Leisure Centre.
Cllr Henry Higgins,
Cabinet Member
for Culture, Sport
and Leisure, said:
“Swimathon provides
a great opportunity for
people to give themselves
a personal swimming
challenge while at the same
time raising money for a
very worthwhile cause. It
is also a great opportunity
to try out our fantastic
pools in the borough.”
More than 20,000
swimmers took part last
year raising more than
£2m for the Marie Curie
Cancer Care Trust.
Duncan Goodhew,
Olympic gold medallist
and Swimathon
President, added: “As
we approach a quarter of
a century of Swimathons,
I’m delighted to report that
last year’s event enjoyed
an astonishing 38 per
cent rise in swimmers and
what’s really exciting is that
around 2,500 of those who
dived in told us that they
only started swimming
again because they entered
the event. From these
grass roots right up to our
overflowing international
trophy cabinet, it seems
that Britain’s love affair
with swimming really
is back to stay.”
More than £35 million
has been raised for
charity since Swimathon
started in 1986.
The highest national
Swimathon 2011 fundraiser
will also win a fantastic
trip for two to their choice
of SwimTrek’s European
holiday destinations.
To enter go online to
www.swimathon.org or
call 0845 36 700 36.
a car from Beri Services
before discovering the
mileage had been reduced
by more than 60,000 miles.
Car clocking can
be dangerous because
the reduced mileage
does not give a true
impression of the wear
and tear of the car.
A further complaint was
made by another member
of the public who noticed
the car mileage had
been clocked by more
than 50,000 miles.
Evidence of the
mileage was in the car’s
service book, which had
been left in the glove
compartment, leading
to enquiries by Trading
Standards officers that
revealed the cars had
been clocked while in the
company’s possession.
Cllr Jonathan Bianco,
Cabinet Member for
Finance, Property and
Business Services,
said: “Beri Services and
Mr Azemi’s fraudulent
behaviour has misled
customers and put people
in danger. Hillingdon
Council will take the
toughest action against
any business in the
borough that fails to
fulfill its legal obligations
to consumers.”
The case was heard at
Uxbridge Magistrates’
Court in January where
the company and Mr
Azemi were each fined a
total of £150. The victim
was awarded £2,500 in
compensation and the
company was ordered
to pay £3,314 in costs.
For help and advice
on consumer matters
visit the Consumer
Direct website at www.
consumerdirect.co.uk or
contact 08454 040506.
March/April 2011 hillingdon people magazine
hillingdon news
Council silences noisy neighbours
Hillingdon Council’s
Anti-Social Behaviour
Investigations team has
taken successful court
action against two
noisy neighbours who
failed to heed warnings
over loud music.
Kelly Ellis, of St.
Luke Close, Uxbridge,
and Rashard Robinson,
of Yeading Fork,
Hayes, were found
guilty of separate and
repeated offences.
Ms Ellis pleaded guilty
in February for breaching
a notice requiring her to
keep noise levels down.
She now has a criminal
record and was forced
to pay £115 in fines and
costs as well as being
instructed by the court
that any further nuisance
will result in a stiffer
penalty being imposed.
Mr Robinson was
previously found guilty
at Uxbridge Magistrates’
Court in September 2010
and was ordered to pay
£265 in fines and costs
and given a criminal
record. However, Mr
Robinson did not heed
further warnings leading
to the removal of his
TV and music system.
Cllr Douglas Mills,
Cabinet Member
for Improvement,
Partnerships and
Community Safety,
said: “We have residents’
best interests at heart
and will continue to
take action against the
inconsiderate few who
make life a misery for
their neighbours.
We have had
numerous letters
of thanks from
residents we
have helped
and I think until
you suffer at the
hands of noisy
neighbours
people may not
realise how much
it can affect you.”
Hillingdon
Council’s
campaign to raise
awareness of all types
of anti-social behaviour
(ASB) has recently
focussed on being a
considerate neighbour.
While Hillingdon has
some of the lowest levels
of anti-social behaviour
in London and levels
Leaflet littering curbed inbrief
Under or over
by new measures
crowded?
The council has
introduced new
measures to prevent
businesses handing
out printed material
in certain areas of
the borough without
prior approval.
The move comes as
increasing numbers of
flyers are being handed
out to passers-by in areas
such as town centres in
Uxbridge, Hayes and
near Brunel University.
These are then often
dropped on the street.
Businesses will still
be able to apply for a
licence from the council
to distribute flyers and
advertisements at a
small charge but this
will enable the council
to control the number
of businesses operating
at any one time and
also ensure that they
remove any dropped
flyers from the area.
hillingdon people magazine
Cllr Jonathan
Bianco, Cabinet
Member for Finance,
Property and
Business Services,
commented: “We are
not against businesses
promoting their
products as long as
they act responsibly
and ensure that the
distribution of their
free printed leaflets
and flyers does not
create litter in our
public spaces. We are
committed to keeping
our streets and towns
clean so they can be used
and enjoyed by all.”
The new measures
have been introduced at
the request of businesses
that felt the frequent
distribution of leaflets
was becoming a nuisance
to visitors in some areas
of Hillingdon. The
measures came into
force in mid-February.
March/April 2011
An organisation is offering
assistance to help residents
who wish to move to a
more suitable property.
Room2Move works with
social housing tenants in
under-occupied or over
crowded households to
identify their needs and
advise them of their options.
Until 28 March there
are financial incentives
available to residents willing
to downsize. Residents
moving into a home smaller
by one bedroom could
receive £750, which goes
up to £1,000 if the home is
smaller by two bedrooms or
£1,250 if smaller by three or
more. There is also a £499
incentive to fit new carpets.
Overcrowded households
could benefit from space
saving furniture as well
as advice and assistance
with a deposit if considering
moving into private housing.
For more information
email room2move@
hillingdon.gov.uk or
call 01895 556293.
have fallen significantly
over the last five years,
the council is keen to
ensure that ASB levels
are kept low and that the
concerns of residents
continue to be addressed.
Find out more at www.
hillingdon.gov.uk/asb
Jailed fraudster
claimed
thousands
A benefit cheat from
Hayes has been
sentenced to a 12
week jail sentence
after fraudulently
claiming more than
£9,000 of benefits.
Huzaifa Jariwalla,
of Dunsmore Close,
Hayes, appeared at
Uxbridge Magistrates’
Court on 14 December.
Solicitor Mr
Jariwalla pleaded
guilty to two counts of
knowingly making false
statements in order
to obtain housing and
council tax benefit.
The council
investigation found he
deliberately misled the
local authority by stating
on claim forms that he
was renting his home
when in fact he owned it.
If you suspect a benefit
fraudster in the borough
call 0800 389 8313.
7
hillingdon news
inbrief
Beginner Bowls
open day
Cllr Burrows and Lucy sample the winning recipe
‘Love your
leftovers’
winner
The winner of West
London Waste’s
Christmas competition
was announced
last month.
Lucy Cole from
Uxbridge was the winner
of the Christmas leftovers
competition with her
sprout risotto recipe.
Lucy’s recipe was
selected by a panel of
judges for being the
tastiest recipe that used
leftovers creatively.
West London Waste
ran the competition to
reduce food waste and
encourage residents to
re-use their leftovers.
Cllr Keith Burrows,
Cabinet Member for
Planning, Transportation
and Recycling
presented Lucy with
her certificate and a
£100 voucher to spend
at a local restaurant
which is a member
of the Sustainable
Restaurant Association.
Lucy Cole said:
“Using leftovers has
always been important
to me and being
able to combine new
ingredients together
helps to prevent waste,
save money and bring
out my inner Delia.”
Cllr Burrows added:
“Lucy’s recipe shows that
leftovers can be re-used
to create a delicious meal.
As well as preventing
waste, re-using leftovers
is also economical with
the recent increase
in food prices.”
Visit www.
westlondonwaste.gov.
uk to find out tips on
how to reduce food
waste and for a copy of
the winning recipe.
Council to review music service
The council provides
nearly 800 different
services to the 260,000
residents of the borough
and as part of our
efficiency programme
we are reviewing a
significant number of
those services to ensure
they are providing value
for money. As part of that
programme, which has
already reviewed services
ranging from those for
the elderly and vulnerable
to parks and open spaces,
we are reviewing music
tuition in the borough.
The music service
in Hillingdon in its
present form costs
more than £1.4 million
8
a year, of which the
council subsidises
nearly three quarters
of a million pounds.
Leader of the
Council, Cllr Ray
Puddifoot, said:
“Whilst as a council
we pride ourselves on
our financial efficiency,
occasionally we will
come across an area
such as the music
service that, although
undoubtedly providing
a much valued service,
is unable to provide
justification for the
level of subsidy
that it receives.
“We remain committed
to supporting music
tuition in Hillingdon
but we have a duty
to all residents of the
borough to ensure
we offer taxpayers
value for money.”
The current service
will continue to run until
the end of the summer
term in July on the same
basis as now. The review,
which will be led by
Cllr Judy Kelly, will look
at all aspects of music
tuition in the borough
including the way it
is currently delivered,
the cost and options
for supporting young
musicians in the future.
The review is due to
report back in May.
Ruislip Bowls Club is
celebrating its 93rd
season with an open
day for beginners.
The club, which is next
to Ruislip Library in Bury
Street will be hosting the
open day including free
taster sessions on 14
May from 11am to 5pm.
Visitors should wear
comfortable clothing
and flat-soled shoes.
All other equipment
will be provided.
Families welcome.
For more information
call 01895 470527 or visit
www.ruislipbowls.info
Benefit cheat
jailed for six
months
A Hayes man has been
given a six month jail
sentence after using
a false passport and
committing benefit fraud.
Jean Schilling, of
Boltons Lane, Hayes,
appeared at Harrow
Crown Court on 22
February following
an investigation by
Hillingdon Council, the
Department of Work and
Pensions and the police.
Using false identities,
Mr Schilling fraudulently
claimed £16,224 in
housing benefit and £1,381
in council tax benefit.
When arrested, he
stated his name was Sid
Ali Azzouk. He had also
been working under the
name Osman Berber.
Garry Coote, Corporate
Fraud Investigation
Manager at Hillingdon
Council, commented: “Mr
Schilling shamelessly
lied about who he was
and his employment
to purposely cheat
taxpayers out of
thousands of pounds.
We are pleased to see
he had received an
appropriate punishment
for his crimes.”
March/April 2011 hillingdon people magazine
hillingdon older people
Helping Hillingdon
Residents to
Stay Safe and
Independent
F
rom April a free monitoring
and alert system is being
offered to older and
disabled residents thanks to
extra council funding.
The service, known as
TeleCareLine, supports residents
to live safely and independently in
their own homes, is being offered
free of charge to those aged 85 plus
and to residents who are eligible
for social care support (subject to a
financial assessment). Over the next
four years, up to 3,000 residents will
benefit from this innovative scheme.
Hillingdon TeleCareLine is
an alarm system which means
help is on hand 24 hours
a day, 365 days a year.
It offers a range of equipment
that raise an alarm by alerting
another person such as a neighbour
or relative, who may live nearby,
and a locally based monitoring
centre in an emergency.
The service is being launched
alongside the new reablement
Free advice sessions
Age UK is offering free
benefit and financial advice,
information and health checks
to residents aged 65 and over.
Regular advice sessions are
held at: Ascott Court, Farmlands,
Eastcote; Wallis House, Cottage
Close, Ruislip; Drayton Court,
The Glebe, West Drayton; Childs
Court, Hemmen Lane, Hayes;
Barden Court, Hall Drive,
Harefield and The Buntings,
Boniface Road, Ickenham.
Drop-in sessions are also
available every first Monday
of the month from 10am –
12pm at Harlington Library,
Pinkwell Lane, Hayes.
To make an appointment call
Debbie Goode on 020 8756 3040.
hillingdon people magazine
March/April 2011
service – an intensive six weeks
of support for people who have
reached a critical point where their
independence is threatened. The aim
is to prevent them being admitted to
hospital, or to support their recovery
after they have been discharged.
The Leader of the Council
and Older People’s Champion,
Cllr Ray Puddifoot, said: “By
offering a TeleCareLine service to
our older residents, free of charge
in some circumstances, we are
taking a preventative approach so
that more of our older and disabled
residents are able to remain living
independently in their own homes.
“We will continue to work hard
to meet the needs of these residents
through the Older People’s Plan
and my Leader’s Initiative.”
TeleCareLine equipment consists
of a range of detectors and sensors.
Examples include fire, flood, gas,
carbon monoxide and falls detectors,
bogus caller alarms and bed and
door exit sensors. This approach
has shown real benefits for those
in need of support, their relatives
and families. It increases security,
is non-intrusive and provides
peace of mind and reassurance.
When an alarm is activated,
an operator based at the
Hillingdon Community Alarm
Service (TeleCareLine) can
speak to the resident to establish
the nature of the problem.
They stay in contact with the
resident until satisfied they are
safe or until support arrives. This
may be a friend or relative or,
if they are unable to respond,
the mobile response service.
One 88-year-old Hillingdon
resident had a TeleCareLine bed
occupancy sensor fitted to detect
if she fell out of bed in the night
as well as a falls detector to wear
in the day after undergoing a
hip replacement operation.
She said: “Although my daughter
helps me with the shopping and
around the house in the day time,
we were both concerned about
me falling over and not being able
to get up especially at night.
“Having the system has given
us both peace of mind. I feel
much more confident and can
now do all the things I did
before I had the operation.”
The new service is also available
to other Hillingdon residents who
do not currently meet the criteria
for a free service. The weekly cost
will vary depending on the level
of support required and ranges
from £1.13 to £12 a week.
Eligible residents under the age of
85 who receive social care services
will need to undergo an assessment
to determine their individual
needs and a financial assessment to
determine the affordable charge.
To use the TeleCareLine system a
resident needs a landline telephone.
For more information and
to ask for an assessment log
onto www.hillingdon.gov.uk; or
contact Hillingdon Social Care
Direct on 01895 556633.
contacts
For more information and to
request an assessment log
onto www.hillingdon.gov.uk;
or contact Hillingdon Social
Care Direct on 01895 556633.
9
hillingdon heroes
C
Blue plaque
commemorates
war hero
Cecil John Kinross VC
ecil John Kinross VC (18961957) was born in Harefield
before moving to Alberta,
Canada when he was 16. He was
awarded the Victoria Cross by King
George V at the age of 21 for his
courageous action at the Battle of
Passchendaele in October 1917 during
the First World War. The Victoria
Cross is the highest military honour
a country can bestow on a citizen.
The plaque was officially unveiled
by the Mayor of Hillingdon, Cllr
David Yarrow on 17 February in
Harefield. Also attending was Mr
Claude Boucher, Deputy High
Commissioner for Canada and Cllr
Ray Puddifoot, Leader of Hillingdon
Council, along with members of
the Canadian Forces’ 49th Loyal
Edmonton Regiment who travelled
from Canada for the ceremony.
The Leader of the Council,
Cllr Ray Puddifoot, said: “It’s
important to recognise Hillingdon’s
heritage and people of importance
who have been part of our
community. Cecil John Kinross
VC was a truly remarkable man
whose act of bravery is something
Hillingdon should be proud of.”
10
The latest commemorative blue
plaque in Hillingdon has been
unveiled to mark the birthplace
of a First World War hero.
Mr Boucher, said: “Cecil John
Kinross VC is a symbol of the
enduring relationship between
Canada and Britain and his legacy
as a valiant soldier in the Great
War will be remembered with
this plaque placed in his honour.
Like Mr. Kinross, the hundreds of
thousands of British and Canadian
soldiers who fought side by side many giving up their lives - were
ordinary men confronted by
extraordinary circumstances. They
are a model of courage and service
for generations to come and we owe
them a debt of gratitude. It is for
us to ensure that the sacrifices of
Mr. Kinross and his generation are
never underestimated or forgotten.”
Hillingdon Council’s blue plaque
scheme was launched in February
2008 as part of the council’s aim
to celebrate and remember people
of national or local importance
who have lived in the borough.
Blue plaques have in the past
been awarded to campaigner in
Parliament for the abolition of
slavery William Wilberforce, biologist,
pharmacologist and Nobel Prize
winner Alexander Fleming, actor,
writer and director Lord Bernard
Miles and fellow VC recipent and
First World War hero Robert Ryder
who also lived in Harefield.
The council would like to
thank the owners of Dews Farm,
where the latest plaque has been
installed, for their support.
contacts
Find out more about the
scheme including maps
showing current blue
plaques and how to nominate
someone you think might
qualify for a commemorative
plaque at www.hillingdon.
gov.uk/blueplaques
March/April 2011 hillingdon people magazine
Putting our
residents first
hillingdon savings
Once again, the council is
putting its residents first by
freezing council tax for the third
year running and for residents
who are over 65 this will be the
fifth year that there has been
no increase in council tax.
T
he council has also frozen
most fees and charges for
residents for key services
such as parking, homecare,
Careline and meals on wheels,
meaning you will be paying the
same charges as last year.
This is against a background
of less funding for councils from
central government as part of
tackling the public finance deficit.
In Hillingdon’s case, funding from
central government has been
reduced by £11.6 million this year.
The council has also committed
to maintaining services such as
weekly rubbish and recycling
collections, street cleaning and
road repairs. The council will keep
all of the borough’s libraries open
with enhanced opening hours
and complete its programme of
library refurbishments, which
will also include new libraries
in South Ruislip and Hayes.
Cllr Ray Puddifoot, Leader
of the Council, said: “Through
strong financial management
we have been able to keep our
commitment to residents to
maintain those universal services
they value most. Our approach has
been to reduce the running costs
through things such as improving
our back office processes and fewer
senior managers so that we can put
the money into front-line services.
“Although we are all affected by the
measures that have been put in place
to deal with the state of the country’s
public finances and we all have to
hillingdon people magazine
March/April 2011
play our part in dealing
with them, in Hillingdon
we are better placed than
many for dealing with the
challenges that face us.”
Support for older residents
will continue with the free
burglar alarm initiative, brown
badge scheme and from April,
the council’s TeleCareLine
service, a 24-hour, seven-day-aweek alarm system, which will
be offered free to Hillingdon
residents who are aged over 85.
The council is also investing
millions of pounds to ensure
every child in Hillingdon has
a primary school place and
putting more money into the
borough’s youth centres.
The council’s civic pride and
heritage programme will also
continue with projects such as
improving facilities at Ruislip Lido.
The next phase of investing in the
borough’s leisure facilities will be
completed with the refurbishment
of Highgrove Pool and the council
is also leading a project, with
NHS Hillingdon, to provide a
new health centre for the residents
of Yiewsley and West Drayton.
Residents will also continue to
get preferential rates on council
services and discounts at more than
350 local shops and businesses
by using their HillingdonFirst
card. For more information
and for the full directory of
participating shops and businesses
go to www.hillingdon.gov.uk
Investments in
services at a glance
• Free TeleCareLine service
for the over 85s
• Free burglar alarms
for the over 65s
• A new health centre
for Yiewsley
• Extra money for pothole
and road repairs
• Library refurbishments and
extended opening hours
• Refurbishment of
Highgrove Pool
• Improvements to Ruislip Lido
• Improvements to Northwood
Hills, Ruislip Manor and
Hayes town centres
• Extra staffing for youth centres
• Road safety
• £1 million investment
in environmental
improvements through the
Chrysalis programme
11
hillingdon census
Making sense
of Census
Did you know that by completing your Census form the
council will qualify for more government funding, which will
help us to keep providing the services that residents value?
T
he England and Wales Census will take place on
Sunday 27 March and is used to decide where
money and resources for housing, healthcare
and education will be invested for years to come.
It is vital that residents complete the form
to ensure government funding for Hillingdon
reflects the needs of the borough.
Hayes One Stop Shop
49-51 Station Road, Hayes, UB3 4BE
Tuesday 29 March, 10am to 1pm
Thursday 7 April, 10am to 1pm
Uxbridge Library
14-15 High Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1HD
Monday 28 March, 10am to 12pm and 3pm to 7pm
Saturday 2 April, 10am to 12pm
Monday 4 April ,10am to 12pm and 3pm to 7pm
Saturday 9 April, 10am to 12pm
Ruislip Library
Linden Avenue, Ruislip Manor, HA4 8TW
Saturday 2 April, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm
Saturday 9 April, 10am to 12pm and 2pm-4pm
Harlington Library
Pinkwell Lane, Hayes, UB3 1PB
Tuesday 29 March, 10am to 12pm
Tuesday 5 April, 10am to 12pm
Botwell Green Library
Botwell Green Sports and Leisure Centre, East Avenue,
Hayes, UB3 2HW
Saturday 2 April, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm
Saturday 9 Apri,l 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm
Charville Library
Bury Avenue, Hayes, UB4 8LF
Wednesday 30 March, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm
Wednesday 6 April, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm
Saturday 9 April, 10am–12pm
West Drayton Library
Station Road, West Drayton, UB7 7JS
Thursday 31 March, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm
Thursday 7 April, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm
Saturday 9 April, 10am to 12pm
Yiewsley Library
High Street, Yiewsley, UB7 7BE
Friday 1 April, 2pm to 5pm
Friday 8 April, 2pm to 5pm
Saturday 9 April, 10am to 12pm
Yeading Library
The Census takes place every 10 years and is run in England
and Wales by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Every household will receive a questionnaire and
any information provided is strictly confidential.
If you are having difficulties completing the
form, there are teams that will explain more
about the Census, how the information gathered
will be used and how to fill in your form.
Come along to one of the sessions (right), or visit
the Census bus on Saturday 2 April when it comes
to Uxbridge town centre for help and advice.
12
Yeading Lane, Yeading, Hayes, UB4 0EW
Thursday 31 March, 2pm to 6pm
Thursday 7 April, 2pm to 6pm
Saturday 9 April, 12pm to 3pm
Uxbridge Citizens Advice Bureau
Colonnade, Civic Centre, High Street, UB8 1UW
Friday 1 April, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 3pm
Friday 8 April, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 3pm
contacts
If you have any questions, call
0300 0201 101 or go to www.census.gov.uk
March/April 2011 hillingdon people magazine
hillingdon vote
Use your
vote
in the
referendum
On Thursday 5 May, a national
referendum is being held to determine
the voting system for all future
UK Parliamentary elections.
P
olling stations will be open
in all 22 wards within
the London Borough of
Hillingdon and to make sure you
can have your say about which
system is used to elect MPs to the
House of Commons in future, you
need to be on the electoral register.
Lloyd White, Returning Officer
for the council, said: “I would
encourage everyone who is eligible
to vote to make sure they are on the
electoral register so you can have
your say about this crucial national
issue. It is really simple to make sure
hillingdon people magazine
March/April 2011
you can vote and it could make a
big difference to the way elections
are decided in your lifetime.”
Full details of the referendum,
the question to be asked, what will
happen if the majority of people
vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ can be found on
the Electoral Commission website:
www.electoralcommission.org.uk and
will be supported by two public
awareness campaigns on TV,
the internet and radio including
the production of a public
information booklet which will
be delivered to every household.
The facts
• The Parliamentary Voting System and
Constituencies Bill makes provision
for a referendum to be held on the
UK Parliamentary voting system. It
is expected that this referendum
will be held on 5 May 2011
• The referendum will be held
under the framework provided
by the Political Parties,
Elections and Referendums
Act 2000 (PPERA), while the
administrative arrangements
are set out in the PVSC Act
• If you want to vote by post, the
deadline to apply is 5pm on
Tuesday 14 April. Please contact
the council on 01895 250251
for an application form
• Polling stations across the borough
will be open from 7am to 10pm.
Your nearest station will be listed
on your polling card which will be
delivered to your door in April
• The local results will be available
on the council website, www.
hillingdon.gov.uk the day after
the election and in the July/Aug
edition of Hillingdon People
• The national results will also
be available on the Electoral
Commission website
13
hillingdon schools
Primary
school places
With primary school places at a premium across the
country and in particular in London, Hillingdon People
looks at what Hillingdon Council is doing to create more
places for all the children who will need them.
L
ike all boroughs, in Hillingdon
there is a growing pressure on
the number of school places
available in our primary schools.
This is due to the increasing
number of births over the last few
years and in Hillingdon, more
and more people are settling in
the borough as a good place to
live and work. For the 2011-12
school year alone, an extra 15
classes or ‘forms of entry’ are
needed across the borough.
As soon as the additional need
was identified, the council started
to work on options, planning for
the extra places. This has involved
a substantial amount of work
talking to head teachers/governors
to carry out a school-by-school
assessment to see where there is
potential to expand. This work has
14
included a detailed assessment of
the highest priority areas of the
borough – those where we predict
the greatest demand for places.
So what are the plans? The
council has already proposed
a first phase of extensions to
selected primary school buildings
in the borough. After weighing
up all of the possibilities, we’ve
identified schools where there is
room to expand and planning
permission has now been granted
for Colham Manor, Grange Park,
Brookside, Cranford and William
Byrd Primary Schools. A further
application for Whitehall primary
school has been submitted.
In addition, it is proposed to
provide some primary school
places at Rosedale College. All
of the new classrooms will be
suitable for children with special
educational needs and disabilities.
Cllr David Simmonds,
Cabinet Member for Education
and Children’s Services, said:
“We are committed to ensuring
that there is a primary school place
for every Hillingdon child and
the council is putting significant
funding into ensuring this happens.”
The council is investing more than
£10 million to provide the extra school
places needed in the coming year with
the total cost over the coming years
likely to be more than £100 million.
Cllr Simmonds added: “At
present there are enough places
at secondary schools to meet
local demand, but we continue
to monitor the situation in order
to ensure that there are sufficient
places as these children grow up.”
March/April 2011 hillingdon people magazine
Permission
to build
hillingdon planning
Hillingdon Council is reminding residents to make sure they have
the correct planning permission in place before constructing
new buildings otherwise they could be liable to take them down.
Before and after
Failing to comply with
an enforcement notice
can lead to being
forced to demolish
unauthorised buildings
T
he council’s planning
enforcement team investigates
around 1,000 complaints
from residents each year concerned
with the construction of buildings
without the appropriate permission.
Central government sets out what
developments are allowed, not
Hillingdon Council, which can lead
to some frustrations for residents
who feel a neighbour’s proposed
extension is inappropriate.
Where a breach is identified
the council will issue a notice or
enforcement order, which can
require unauthorised structures
to be demolished, no matter how
large they are, within a set period
of time. Failure to comply with a
notice will be taken to the courts
and can typically lead to costs of up
to £20,000 and legal costs awarded
to the council. Applicants will also
have to comply with the notice
and may get a criminal record.
hillingdon people magazine
March/April 2011
Cllr Keith Burrows, Cabinet
Member for Planning,
Transportation and Recycling,
said: “The council takes a
tough stance on unauthorised
development and the many recent
prosecutions show that we will
take action against those who
flout planning regulations.”
In February the council
successfully ensured the
prosecution of a resident who
converted his house into flats
without planning permission.
Atma Singh Kaur Kandola of
Moray Avenue, Hayes pleaded
guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates’
court on 1 February 2011 to
failing to comply with a planning
enforcement notice. The notice
required Mr Kandola to restore his
property in Little Road, Hayes back
to a single dwelling house, which
had unlawfully been subdivided
into three self-contained flats.
Mr Kandola was also ordered
to pay the council’s full costs
of £2,249, as well as a fine of
£12,000. The investigation
was launched following
complaints to the council.
Cllr Burrows added: “This
case sends out a clear message
that anyone found in breach
of planning regulations will be
prosecuted and could face a
hefty fine. Hillingdon Council’s
planning team is available
to answer questions and to
discuss ideas when residents
are considering building work
and I would encourage that any
work is undertaken only after
planning approval is granted.”
contacts
For more information visit
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/
planning or call 01895 556000.
15
hillingdon families
Centre to support
families opens
There is now more support on offer to
families living in the Hayes and Heathrow
Villages areas following the opening of
a new children’s centre last month.
P
inkwell Children’s Centre
offers a wealth of advice
and support to parents and
the under fives living in the Hayes
and Heathrow Villages areas.
It is the13th centre, covering
the largest area, to open as part
of the council’s children’s centre
programme, which also has a
further five centres in the pipeline.
The Mayor of Hillingdon, Cllr
David Yarrow, officially opened the
site and Iggle Piggle and Upsy Daisy
from the TV series ‘In the Midnight
Garden’ also made an appearance.
Four staff currently run the
facility and work alongside a further
four dedicated parent volunteers.
It offers a variety of advice and
support for parents and carers,
at all stages of their child’s first
few years – from pregnancy right
through to when a child enters
reception class at primary school.
From July last year, even
before the building was ready,
centre staff were running
services from community venues,
including Harlington Library, in
preparation for the opening.
The Mayor
Hillingdon po of
with ‘In the ses
Garden’ char Night
acters
Cllr David Simmonds,
Cabinet Member for Education
and Children’s Services, said:
“This latest of our children’s centres
will have an important job to do in
supporting families in a large area
of the borough. The commitment
that the staff and volunteers have
already shown to get services up
and running even before they had
a permanent home shows they are
absolutely up to that task. With
the council’s support, I’m sure this
centre will quickly become a very
valuable asset to the community.”
Children’s centres bring all the
different support agencies together
to offer a range of services to meet
families’ needs all in one place.
Pinkwell Children’s Centre includes
a colourful, dedicated play room and
a ‘sunshine’ room, which is available
for hire by the local community
and has already taken bookings for
fitness classes. A consultation room
also enables the centre to offer oneto-one family support, a midwives’
clinic and other useful services.
Based next to Pinkwell Primary
School in Pinkwell Lane, Hayes,
the centre has made the best
possible use of the space available
by converting existing buildings
before adding in some new
purpose-built extra buildings.
contacts
Children and parents
enjoy the new
facilities on offer
16
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/
childrenscentres
March/April 2011 hillingdon people magazine
hillingdon young people
Latest young people’s
centre opens its doors
S
outh Ruislip Young People’s
Centre, in Victoria Road,
is the seventh young
people’s centre to be opened by
the council in the borough.
Cllr David Simmonds,
Cabinet Member for Education
and Children’s Services, who
opened the centre on 28 February,
said: “While other councils are
closing facilities for young people,
through careful planning and
prioritising we’re able to maintain
and improve these important
services. This excellent new centre
will not only provide state-ofthe-art entertainment but also
a helping hand for our young
people to fulfil their potential
and to guide them at a vitally
important time in their lives.”
The brand new, purpose-built
premises are packed with services
and facilities to attract young
people, whatever their interests.
There is a kitchen with multiple
cooking stations, offering young
people the chance to learn cookery
skills, a performance studio for
budding singers, dancers and
musicians to hone their skills
and a hall for team sports.
There are computers with
internet access and printers,
gaming stations and TVs, as
well as information, advice and
guidance that will help young
people shape their future. All of
this is provided in a coffee-shop
style environment with high
quality furnishings and fittings.
All young people aged 11 to 19
who live, work, study, or are in
the care of the London Borough
of Hillingdon can use the centre,
although because of its location
it is anticipated that the centre
will be mostly used by young
people living in the South Ruislip,
Manor or Cavendish wards.
hillingdon people magazine
March/April 2011
Support, advice, sports, computing and
games are now on offer to 11 to 19-yearolds in the South Ruislip area thanks to
the opening of Hillingdon Council’s latest
dedicated centre for young people.
be on
taff willisitors
s
’s
e
tr
cen
ng v
The new help any you
hand to
contacts
and C Cllr Alan K
ll
try ou r David Simauffman
t the n
m
ew fac onds
ilities
For the latest information
and advice visit
young.hillingdon.gov.uk
17
hillingdon survey
Resident
levels rem
ch
The most recent survey of Hillingdon residents has
shown that satisfaction with the council and the
services it provides remains high at a time when local
authorities are under increasing financial pressures.
T
he survey of almost 2,000
residents, which was
conducted in November and
December, is one of the largest we
have ever done in the borough and
shows high levels of satisfaction in
a range of key service areas. The
results for waste collection (88 per
cent of residents satisfied) and
recycling (83 per cent of residents
satisfied) are particularly high.
Following the success of
Hillingdon’s ongoing library rebuild
and refurbishment programme,
not only are more people visiting
local libraries than ever before,
three quarters of residents say
18
they are satisfied with what’s
on offer in them. Satisfaction
with the borough’s parks and
open spaces also remains high
with 76 per cent of residents
saying they are ‘satisfied’.
Cllr Ray Puddifoot, Leader
of the Council, said: “At a time
when public services are being cut
to help tackle the national debt
burden, these results show that our
policy of putting the views of our
residents first is clearly working.
“Local authorities face significant
funding pressures at the moment
but I am confident that the strong
financial foundations we have
laid will enable us to deliver the
services that our residents tell
us are important to them and
maintain levels of satisfaction.”
Overall, the survey shows good
levels of satisfaction with the way
the council is run and believes it
offers value for money for local
taxpayers. More residents would
speak highly of the council than
be critical and residents feel
that the council does its best to
protect the environment and the
borough’s heritage – both of
which are council priorities.
Residents have also shown strong
support for specific initiatives
March/April 2011 hillingdon people magazine
hillingdon survey
satisfaction
main high during
hallenging times
for our older residents such as
additional support for victims
of crime (93 per cent) and the
council tax freeze (88 per cent).
Following the launch of the
council’s anti-social behaviour
awareness campaign last year, 51
per cent of residents say they are
satisfied with the way the council
and police deal with anti-social
behaviour and more than twothirds say they feel safe living in
Hillingdon. However, of those who
don’t feel safe, only a quarter say
they know who to contact with
their concerns. The council and
the police are already working
to improve this with clearer
information and contact points.
Chief Superintendent Julian
Worker, Borough Commander
for Hillingdon, said: “Hillingdon
Police is also enjoying similar public
satisfaction levels at 79 per cent. It
is encouraging that the work we
are doing in partnership with the
council, particularly through our safer
neighbourhood teams, is reducing
crime and anti-social behaviour. Police
initiatives, such Operation Bumblebee,
are tackling burglaries and other
partnership operations designed to
combat crime are having an impact
and helping residents to feel safer.”
For customer care, 77 per cent
said staff were helpful when
they contacted the council and
two thirds say that they were
satisfied with the information.
High numbers of residents say the
council keeps them well informed
and once again, Hillingdon
People is residents’ preferred
method of getting information.
Nearly 1,000 of the respondents
have agreed to be part of a group
available for consultation on
council services and initiatives.
If you would like to be added to
the panel, please contact us at
[email protected].
Residents have reported high levels of satisfaction for a wide range of services
contacts
To see a copy of the full
survey results, please go
to the council’s website at
www.hillingdon.gov.uk
hillingdon people magazine
March/April 2011
19
hillingdon community
ASB
campaign
clamps
down on
spitting
H
illingdon Council along with
its partners is clamping down
on spitting in the borough
as part of its ‘taking it out of the
picture’ campaign which aims to
target anti-social behaviour and
raise awareness of ASB issues.
The campaign will initially
focus on the Botwell, Townfield
and Yeading areas and will target
all forms of spitting including
chewable paan and khat as well
as the discarding of cigarette
butts and chewing gum.
Spitting paan is especially antisocial as it leaves unsightly dark
red stains on the streets, which
are time consuming and costly to
clean up. Anyone caught spitting
or dropping litter will be asked to
clean up or face a fine of £80.
Cllr Douglas Mills, Cabinet
Member for Improvement,
Partnerships and Community
Safety, said: “Spitting paan, khat
and gum is an eyesore as it leaves
stains, which costs the council a
lot of money to clean up. It is also
unhygienic. We hope that through
education and the deterrent of an
£80 fine people will refrain from
spitting in our streets and we can
help to keep this kind of anti-social
behaviour out of the picture.”
Hillingdon Council launched
the ‘keeping it out of the picture’
campaign last September to raise
awareness of all types of anti-
20
social behaviour and to highlight
how the council and its partners
are working with local people
to ensure our open spaces and
neighbourhoods are ASB free.
Hillingdon has some of the lowest
levels of anti-social behaviour
in London and levels have fallen
significantly over the last five years.
The council is keen to ensure
that ASB levels are kept low and
that the concerns of residents
continue to be addressed.
For more information visit
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/asb
Supporting victims of ASB
Victim witness project
Residents who are affected by antisocial behaviour and make a report
to the council have a range of tools
and support offered to them. One of
those is the Victim Witness Project.
The project matches
volunteers with residents who
have been affected by ASB, like
neighbour disputes, and aims to
provide emotional support and
practical advice to victims.
Hillingdon
Volunteer: Holli
People spoke
with volunteer
Holli ShelleyFraser, who
first signed up
to volunteer
at the project
last summer.
She said:
“We work alongside council officers
and Safer Neighbourhood Teams
as a port of call for anyone who
needs to chat if they’re a victim of
ASB. It involves supporting them,
talking to them, and giving them
potential options for the future.”
As part of the project Holli
underwent a CRB check and
had two days training covering
issues such as local crime
rates and how to interact with
those affected by ASB.
The 21-year-old criminology
and psychology graduate initially
applied to volunteer to build on
her university experience.
She added: “The volunteers
are all different ages and from
different backgrounds. I started
doing it because I was really
interested in the justice area. My
degree covered some of this but
it was very two dimensional.
Volunteering is an opportunity
to talk with real people
about real life issues.”
March/April 2011 hillingdon people magazine
hillingdon community safety
Scheme launched
to banish burglars
Hillingdon Council has joined forces with a not-for-profit
company to help clear over-grown gardens and ward off burglars.
L
ast September the scheme
was launched as a joint
initiative between the council
and Blue Sky Development and
Regeneration – a charity that
provides six months paid work
to ex-offenders to help break
the cycle of re-offending.
The partnership has led to a
number of gardens, primarily owned
by elderly and vulnerable residents,
being cleared of overgrown plants
and out of control hedges in a bid
to reduce the number of breakins and distraction burglaries.
Cabinet Member for
Improvement, Partnerships
and Community Safety, Cllr
Douglas Mills, said: “Overgrown
gardens can be an attractive
target to burglars and distraction
burglars, particularly if they think
the owner of the property might
be either elderly or vulnerable.
“Schemes like this are an
excellent way of deterring
would be burglars and helping
our residents to stay safe and
protect their homes.”
One resident who wished
to remain anonymous was
delighted with the results.
She said: “My husband took care
of our garden but when he died
I wasn’t able to do the garden by
myself. I looked out of my window
everyday and would feel down
to see it overgrown. The workers
turned up one morning and in a
few hours transformed my front
garden. Now I can see the street
where the hedge used to be.”
Hillingdon Council has worked
with Blue Sky since 2007 on a
number of projects including Little
Britain Lake, Lake Farm Park and
Harefield Civic Amenity site. They
also clear allotments and maintain
countryside parks in the borough.
hillingdon people magazine
March/April 2011
Before and after
A number of gardens have been
cleared of overgrowth to deter burglars
Residents can also help
by following a few simple
tips to deter burglars:
•Close windows and doors
before leaving your home
•Have a burglar alarm fitted
•Ensure your valuables are
safely stored out of sight
•Draw your curtains and
leave some lights on when
going out in the evening
•Multi point locking doors, such
as UPVC doors, should be
properly locked, remembering
to use the key at all times
Crime Prevention Officer,
David Tennyson, added: “As
we move towards spring and you
have the chance to get out into
your gardens, it is a very good
time to review your garden and
home security. Leaving side gates
open, garden tools available
to force entry and untrimmed
hedges can all provide an
opportunity to the burglar.”
contacts
For further crime
prevention advice and
information contact Crime
Prevention Officer
David Tennyson on 020
8246 1779, Hillingdon
Neighbourhood Watch
on 020 8246 1869 or visit
www.metbumblebee.org
21
hillingdon apprentices
Hillingdon Training apprentices
commended
T
Centre (l-r): former BBC1 Apprentice winners, the council’s Chief
Executive, , Cllr Seaman-Digby with the borough’s apprentices
he hard work and commitment
of 20 apprentices working
in Hillingdon has been
recognised at a special event
held in the Civic Centre to mark
National Apprenticeship Week.
Lee McQueen and Yasmina
Siadatan, winners of BBC1’s The
Apprentice in 2008 and 2009,
were guest speakers at the event,
along with Hugh Dunnachie,
Hillingdon Council’s Chief
Executive and Cabinet Member,
Cllr Scott Seaman-Digby.
Yasmina Siadatan commented:
“It was heartening to see the
success of these apprentices
and the value they’re clearly
gaining by taking part in the
programmes with Hillingdon
Council. Apprenticeships have a
lot to offer young people and are a
fantastic gateway into a meaningful
career and the world of work.”
Cllr Scott Seamen-Digby,
Cabinet Member for Coordination & Central Services,
added: “Enthusiasm, hard work
and gaining relevant skills are the
keys to success as well as factors
that employers are looking for when
hiring new talent. The council’s
apprentices are already acquiring
these strengths, which will give
them a distinct advantage in
today’s competitive job market.”
Apprentices from Hillingdon
Training’s Business and
Administration and Health and
Social Care programmes shared
their own experiences, with
many commenting on how they
found their on the job training
highly rewarding, and a valuable
insight into the world of work.
Daniel Stewart, Learning &
Development Apprentice, said:
“The skills I have gained through
my apprenticeship are endless – it
gives young people an opportunity
to gain that all important work
experience employers look
for, whilst working towards a
qualification. These kinds of events
are what motivate us to work hard.”
To find out more about developing
your skills with Hillingdon Training
call 01895 671976, email info@
hillingdontraining.co.uk or visit
www.hillingdontraining.co.uk.
No time for yourself...
because you support another adult?
Then you are a carer.
Hillingdon Carers
is an organisation
that works with the
council to provide
information and
advice to support
you. Contact them
now on
01895 811206
HOME
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www.hillingdon.gov.uk
22
March/April 2011 hillingdon people magazine
hillingdon support
Support set to boost
independence
Personal budgets are being offered
to residents supported by Hillingdon
Council’s social services as part
of measures to give residents
more independence.
T
he self-directed support
system empowers
residents, who receive
social care assistance, to take
control and make decisions
about what support they receive
and how it is managed.
Residents are given a personal
budget to cover the cost of the
support they require, calculated by the
council, which can be used how the
resident feels best suits their needs.
Residents can choose to manage
all or part of their budget as
well as organise the services they
receive online.
Financial
management advice
is also provided
beforehand to
equip residents
with the necessary
skills to organise
their finances.
Cabinet
Member for
Social Services,
Health and
Housing,
Cllr Philip
Corthorne,
g
in
iv
e
said: “By
c
re
Residentsassistance
providing this
re
a
c
ore
social
will gain m
e
service we are
c
n
e
independ
moving away
hillingdon people magazine
March/April 2011
from a 9am – 5pm culture to a much
more practical system where help is
on hand as and when it is needed.
“We hope this will give residents
the confidence and skills to live
as independently as possible.”
By 2012 the government wants
everyone who receives social care
services to use self-directed support.
The process involves six steps:
assessing the current support
provided; completing an assessment
questionnaire; creating a personal
budget; creating a support plan;
arranging support either by
providing a direct payment or
appointing a broker to organise
the necessary services and finally
reviewing how things are going.
Sue Tarling, Carers
Development Manager, said:
“Through the personal budget
process residents will have the
control to make decisions about what
support they receive and how they
manage it. Service users and carers
will also be able to call for a review
of their support at any time if they
feel their needs have changed.”
contacts
Further information is
available from libraries,
online at www.hillingdon.gov.uk
or by calling 01895 556633.
23
advertisements
Refuse and Recycling
Easter
Bank Holiday 2011
Normal collection day Revised collection day (red week)
Monday 18 April
Monday 18 April
Tuesday 19 April
Tuesday 19 April
Wed 20 April
Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 April
Thursday 21 April
Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 April
Friday 22 April
Thursday 21 April
Enjoy the Royal Wedding on a big screen
at Manor Farm, Ruislip, HA4 7SU
Bring the family along to historic
Manor Farm for the big event of 2011
and watch the wedding ceremony of
HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton.
The wedding will be shown from 11am
on large outdoor screens and
a large TV Screen in the Great Barn.
There will be a free ‘wedding breakfast’ of
bacon and sausage rolls and hot drinks from
10am followed by a hog roast
lunch for which a donation of £1
per person is recommended in
aid of the 90th anniversary of the
Royal British Legion.
Bring your own picnic if you prefer.
Normal collection day Revised collection day (blue week)
Monday 25 April
Tuesday 26 April
Tuesday 26 April
Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 April
Wed 27 April
Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 April
Thursday 28 April Thursday 28 and Friday 29 April
Friday 29 April
Friday 29 April
•Please leave your rubbish out for collection between
6 am and 6 pm on the revised collection days.
•Where two revised days are given, please put your rubbish out
on the first day. If it is not collected on the first day, it will be
collected on the following day.
•Please leave your rubbish near your front gate,
but not on the pavement.
•If you have any queries, or would like to report a missed
collection, call the council’s contact centre on 01895 556000.
All changes to collections are available at
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/recycling
Do you have
good quality unwanted
furniture or electricals?
There will be a range of family activities to
make this a really memorable day.
www.hillingdon.gov.uk
24
March/April 2011 hillingdon people magazine
It’s as easy as
1 2 3...
hillingdon online
Click onto www.
hillingdon.gov.uk
24-hours a day
Did you know there is a range of
council services that are available at
the click of a button – day and night?
T
he council’s website has a
dedicated section which allows
you to register your details
and access services at a time that
is convenient for you. The section,
which is called ‘do it online’,
groups together a range of council
services that can be accessed
24-hours a day, seven days a week.
These include ordering more
recycling bags, reporting problems
such as abandoned vehicles,
booking a football pitch or adult
education course and paying for
services, including your council tax.
So how does it work?
It works in the same way as when you
do your shopping or banking online
and means that for some services you
will only need to register once. You
will be asked for your email address
and then all you have to do is select
a password. After that you can log in
any time, day or night, to check on
the progress of your service request,
manage your HillingdonFirst card
online and even make payments
to the council. It means you also
save time filling in forms.
What are the services that
I can access in this way?
The council is adding services
all the time and you can already
access services such as:
•Abandoned vehicles – report it
•Fly posting – report it
•Fly-tipping - report it
•Graffiti – report it
•Potholes – report road
and pavement potholes
•Recycling bags – requests for more
•Recycling collections
(missed) - report it
hillingdon people magazine
March/April 2011
The first online services to go live
were missed rubbish collections
and recycling bags. In the first
48 hours, nearly 300 residents
registered – and that’s before
the main launch in March.
Cabinet Member for
Improvement, Partnerships
and Community Safety, Cllr
Douglas Mills said: “This really
puts our residents first – twentyfour hours a day, seven days-aweek – giving access to council
services at a time and in a way
that is convenient for them.
“We also recognise of course
that not everyone has access to the
internet or wants to access council
services in this way and so you
will still be able to access services
in the more traditional ways.
“It is interesting that in our
recent residents’ survey, many
residents are using our website
and more people have said they
would prefer to be contacted
by the council using email
than by letter or telephone
showing that residents are
starting to prefer electronic
solutions to access services.”
The initiative is part of
the council’s transformation
programme to help improve access
to services for our residents. Not
only does it improve services, it
also improves efficiency and saves
money. Changes to the way we
handle payments, giving residents
more flexibility to pay for services
online, has already saved the
council more than £300,000 which
helps to protect front-line services.
To find out more, go to
www.hillingdon.gov.uk
Go to ‘sign in’ and
choose your own
unique password
Start accessing
council services
Saving you time and saving
everyone money
Did you know that every time you
fill in a form, book a leisure session
or get information about a council
service online it saves money?
Every phone call to the council
and every face-to-face visit costs
more than dealing with service
requests online... and it’s faster.
Hillingdon
goes mobile
As part of the improvements we are
making to the council’s website, we
are introducing a new mobile phone
service for residents. This will give
you access to the council’s website
on your mobile phone. As we retire
our old digital TV service, these
improvements will give residents stateof-the-art technology on the move.
If you would like to access council
services on your mobile phone, just
go to www.hillingdon.gov.uk/mobile
25
hillingdon environment
Cleaner, greener
Be a ‘champion’ in your local area
Would you like to get
involved in helping
to improve your local
neighbourhood and have a
say in how money is spent
in your local area? Then
why not sign up to become
a Street Champion?
Nearly 5,000 residents
have already joined the
council’s street champions
scheme, reporting
problems and helping
improve their local area.
You can do as much or as
little as you like - some of our
street champions simply look
out for local problems such as
potholes, broken street lights,
graffiti, or abandoned vehicles
and report these to the council.
Existing Street
Champion, Phillip, said: “I
wanted to make a difference
so instead of moaning about
that broken street light or graffiti, I
ring the contact centre and it gets
removed or repaired very quickly.”
g
by becomin
Have your saympion
a Street Cha
To find out more visit www.
hillingdon.gov.uk/streetchampions,
email streetchampions@hillingdon.
gov.uk or call 01895 277040.
Loan shark ordered to pay
forty thousand pounds
A convicted loan shark
has been ordered to pay
nearly forty thousand
pounds or face 15 months
imprisonment following
a confiscation hearing at
Isleworth Crown Court in
December. His Honour
Judge McGregor-Johnson
ordered Heide Wahida
Baker, of Bourne Avenue,
Hayes, to pay a total of
£39,881.59 within six
months. In March, 2010
Baker was sentenced at
Isleworth Crown Court,
having pleaded guilty
nds
a
s
u
o
h
t
at an earlier hearing
e
d
a
an shark mpassports
lo
d
e
t
to illegal money
ic
v
n
The co s and confiscated
d
lending, two counts
n
u
of po
of money laundering,
26
fraud and two counts of illegally
possessing people’s passports.
She falsely told her ‘clients’ that
the transactions took place within
the Philippine Embassy, and were
therefore governed by Philippine
law, and kept original and copies of
passports as ‘security’. Her victims
were all low paid workers from
the Filipino community in Brent,
Barnet, Fulham, Southwark and
Redbridge. The previous hearing
found that in 2008 alone her
‘business’ had a turnover of almost
four hundred thousand pounds. To
report a loan shark call the 24/7
confidential hotline 0300 555 2222,
text ‘loan shark + your message’
to 60003, email reportaloanshark@
stoploansharks.gov.uk or log-on to
www.direct.gov.uk/stoploansharks
March/April 2011 hillingdon people magazine
r Hillingdon
Enforcement order secured
against car hire company
Hillingdon Council’s Trading
Standards Service has successfully
obtained a court order against the
owner of a car hire company after
receiving numerous complaints
from customers. Darren Sharpe,
director of Rent a Banger Car Hire
Ltd. and owner of Fox Hills Motor
Company, based in Ickenham,
was given an enforcement order
following complaints about unfair
trading. On 5 January, having
ignored officers advice and failing
to sign a written undertaking
assuring Trading Standards
that he would abide by his legal
obligations to consumers, Darren
Sharpe was ordered by Uxbridge
County Court to trade fairly and
comply with a wide range of
consumer protection legislation
including the Sale of Goods Act
1979. Importantly, he has to make
sure that proper disclosure is made
of his ownership of any business.
Mr Sharpe told the court that he
was not the partner or owner of any
business and presently only worked
as an employee of Happy Days
Self Drive Hire. Failure to obey
the order could result in a fine and
imprisonment for up to two years.
Are you proud to live in Hillingdon?
A new initiative,
coming this summer,
will celebrate what
makes residents proud
to live in Hillingdon,
encourage involvement
in community events
and help decide how
money could be spent
in an area to make it
a better place to live.
The council’s new
Pride of Place
initiative will give
residents the
opportunity to
suggest how we can
improve your
neighbourhood.
Residents can nom
Look out for the
inate the
improvements they
Your Place: Your
in their neighbourh ’d like to see
Priorities meetings
ood
across the borough.
The first event
will focus on
Harefield, Northwood, Northwood
For more information on
Hills, Eastcote and East Ruislip
this meeting and to register your
with a Your Place: Your Priorities
attendance visit www.hillingdon.gov.
uk/prideofplace or call 01895 250118.
meeting scheduled for 29 March.
hillingdon people magazine
March/April 2011
hillingdon environment
inbrief
Responding to concerns
on traffic congestion
In response to concerns about
traffic congestion in Long Lane,
the council has worked with
Transport for London (TfL) to
convert the zebra crossing, south
of Freezeland Way, to a signalised
puffin crossing linked to the signals
at Hillingdon Circus. The works
were completed in December. The
council is currently liaising with TfL
to determine any final adjustments.
New pedestrian crossings
A new zebra crossing has been
installed in Queens Walk.
The scheme was developed
in response to local residents
wanting to improve safety near
Field End Junior School.
A new central island at the existing
zebra crossing was also installed.
Waste and recycling
weekends
The series of waste and recycling
weekends in the south of the
borough are set to continue. The
next event is scheduled for 26/27
March and has been arranged by
the council following the closure
of Rigby Lane Civic Amenity
site by SITA and will take place
between 9am and 4pm at Railway
Sidings, Tavistock Road, West
Drayton. See www.hillingdon.gov.
uk/recycling for more information.
Sign up for
road work alerts
Sign up for free email and
text alerts about current and
planned road works and road
closures at www.hillingdon.gov.
uk/roads or by contacting Traffic
Management on 01895 250993.
Noisy neighbour fined
The council’s Anti-Social Behaviour
Investigations Team has taken
court action against a noisy
neighbour who failed to heed
warnings over his loud music.
Frew Dejene, of Waterloo
Road, Uxbridge, was found
guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates’
Court last month for breaching
a noise abatement notice.
He was fined £500, ordered to
pay a £300 contribution towards
costs, a £15 victim surcharge
and now has a criminal record.
27
Do something
about it
Photo posed by model
Photographed by Isabelle Plasschaert
Report it
confidentially
01895 556633
on.gov.uk
reportabuse@hillingd
k/reportabuse
www.hillingdon.gov.u
Abuse
recognise it
Report it
Stop it
advertisement
28
March/April 2011 hillingdon people magazine
Recycling
your
rubbish
hillingdon environment
What goes where?
R
ecycling bags are now
available to residents in all
of Hillingdon’s libraries
and in the main reception at
the Civic Centre, Uxbridge.
The bags had been unavailable
following reports of a small
number of people abusing the
system and taking large numbers
of rolls costing the council
significant sums of money.
Residents will now need to show
their HillingdonFirst card to library
staff to get their free roll of clear
recycling bags (52 bags per roll).
In addition, each household in
the borough will still be given a roll
of bags periodically and this will
continue with the next boroughwide delivery taking place over a
five week period starting in March
2011. Residents are encouraged
wherever possible to wait for this
delivery before collecting additional
bags from libraries or requesting
bags through the council’s website.
Cllr Keith Burrows, Cabinet
Member for Planning,
Transportation and Recycling,
said: “Residents tell us they like
using the simple weekly recycling
system which combined with their
enthusiasm has led to increased
recycling rates in Hillingdon,
making us one of the best recycling
boroughs in London. I hope the
reintroduction of recycling bags
into libraries will help our residents
continue their good work.”
hillingdon people magazine
March/April 2011
Hillingdon is committed to weekly
rubbish collections. Here is a
brief guide to what goes where:
• Clear plastic recycling bags,
which are collected weekly,
should be used for: aerosols,
books (with hard or plastic covers
removed), cardboard, paper
cartons, catalogues, directories,
drinks and food cans, cardboard
egg boxes, envelopes, glass
bottles and jars, junk mail,
magazines, metal bottle tops and
jar lids, plastic bottles, wrapping
paper that isn’t made from foil,
Christmas cards and paper.
• White garden waste bags, which
are collected fortnightly, should
be used for: dead flowers, fruit
and vegetable peelings, hedge
clippings, leaves, twigs and weeds.
• Refuse collection sacks, which
are collected weekly, should be
used for: bubble wrap, butter
tubs, disposable nappies,
plastic egg boxes, flower
pots, foil, light bulbs, plastic
bags and trays, polystyrene,
cartons with wax covers and
foil linings and yogurt pots.
• A recycling guide can
be downloaded from the
council’s website as well as
information on the borough’s
new dedicated recycling service
for residents living in flats.
Details of where to recycle
household batteries, collection days
and times, how to order recycling
and garden waste bags as well as
information on collections for large
household items are available at
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/recycling
contacts
Find out more about
the council’s recycling
scheme at www.hillingdon.
gov.uk/recycling
29
advertisements
NHS Wellbeing Centre
Helping you stay
happy & well
in Hillingdon
Have you made a will?
The Will Group
Boots
Chimes Shopping Centre
High Street
Uxbridge UB8 1GA
Phone: 020 3214 5699
offer a professional service
Single will £60 (inc VAT)
Pair of wills £85 (inc VAT)
FREE home visits
daytime or evenings
We also offer:
Will storage with free updating
Inheritance tax planning
Opening times
Telephone to arrange an appointment
Monday – Wednesday:
9.00 – 18.00
Thursday: 9.00 – 20.00
Friday: 9.00 – 19.00
Saturday: 9.00 – 19.00
To advertise in
this magazine telephone
Libby Jones on 01895 250828
Free youth opportunity
up for grabs
Orienteering, rock
climbing and canoeing are
just some of the activities
on offer through the Rotary
Youth Leadership Award.
The activities, which
will take place in the
Snowdonia national park,
are part of the Rotary’s
international programme
for young people.
The opportunity is
offered to residents
between the ages of 18
and 25, in education or
working, and is totally free
to successful applicants
from the borough through
sponsorship by the Rotary
Club of Uxbridge.
Applications must
be made by 31 March
for the course which
will take place between
24 and 30 July.
An induction day on
2 July will also be held
locally to prepare for
the 30 hour mental and
physical challenge.
For more information
email Simon Nash at
[email protected],
visit www.combro.net/
ryla2008 or go to www.
rotaryclubuxbridge.org.uk
Please mention Hillingdon People
when responding to adverts
Do you have a property to let?
The Finders Fee Team are here
to help let your property
We offer:
• competitive rents • good rental demand
• no fees• free advice and assistance
• tenancy support service
For further information
and free advice please call the Finders Fee Team on
01895 277600 or 250399.
Alternatively email them on [email protected]
We have clients waiting to
move into property
now!
www.hillingdon.gov.uk
30
March/April 2011 hillingdon people magazine
Volunteer Centre takes
new direction to meet the
challenges ahead volunteer inprofile
H
illingdon Volunteer
Centre’s (VC)
new priority
for 2011 is to increase
development support for
voluntary and community
organisations ensuring
they feel ready and
confident to develop new
volunteer opportunities
for Hillingdon residents.
The VC has always
provided support to
its organisations but
volunteer recruitment
has often dominated
leaving a reduced amount
of time to work with
them individually. This
is about to change; 2011
will see the start of a new
strategy to ensure that
organisations receive the
support and guidance
they often need.
Over the past two
years the VC has seen
a large increase in the
number of new potential
volunteers registering
with them. This has
been due to the VC’s
successful recruitment
campaigns and also
unfortunately, increasing
levels of unemployment
nationally. Residents also
recognise that volunteering
is a hugely valuable and
worthwhile experience. The
VC now needs to ensure
that there are suitable
voluntary placements for
all the residents that are
kind enough to volunteer
their time and energy.
Tracy Johnson,
Volunteer Centre
manager, said: “We
have been very successful
recruiting new volunteers
and every day they make
an essential contribution
to the delivery of services
within the voluntary
and community sector.
However, with such
challenging times ahead
for so many of our
organisations, we believe
that they must now
become our priority.
“The VC will
be working with
organisations to develop
their existing volunteer
programme or supporting
them if they are starting
from scratch and
recruiting volunteers for
the first time. Individual
support is crucial as an
organisation’s need differs
greatly and a ‘one size
fits all’ approach simply
wouldn’t be effective.”
The VC is committed
to supporting
organisations through
these uncertain times
feeling that some
pressure may be eased
by developing services
and encouraging the
use of volunteers to
help lighten the load.
If your organisation
would like to work
with the VC, then
contact Tracy Johnson
on: 01895 442 730 or
[email protected]
Want to volunteer?
•Ruislip and Northwood Old Folks Association,
and Hillingdon Community Transport are looking
for mini bus drivers. Free training in mini bus
driving and the use of specialised equipment
with a MIDAS certificate will be given.
•Cancer Research UK is looking for a number of
event volunteers to assist with the Hillingdon
2011 Race for Life on Sunday 29 May 2011.
hillingdon people magazine
March/April 2011
Fred Hall
Where do you volunteer?
I am a volunteer with
Hillingdon Community
Transport (HCT), Uxbridge.
I have been a volunteer
driver for 18 months and
three months ago I was
asked to be a trustee.
Have you done other
volunteer roles?
I also volunteer with
Hillingdon Police and
take minutes at their
ward meetings. Last
year I also ran for
councillor representing
the Townfield Ward
How did you get involved?
I’d been made redundant
and decided that I would
take early retirement. I
wanted to stay active so I
contacted the Volunteer
Centre at HAVS and they
gave me a few volunteer
opportunities that
they thought I may be
interested in – HCT was
one of them. I gave them
a call and within a week
I’d attended training,
completed the paper work
and was volunteering.
What are your day
to day activities?
My activities vary,
some weeks I can be
volunteering two or three
times. Other weeks, I may
only do one day. It’s nice
to have the flexibility as
you can fit it in around
any other commitments.
What are the benefits
of volunteering?
For 20 -30 years I was
locked into a routine
– volunteering has
opened up a whole new
world and given me a
new outlook on life.
I have found it so
interesting. You are
meeting new people from
all different walks of life;
with my volunteering
post I also get to visit
lots of different places.
The people I meet often
enjoy a good conversation
and they regularly have
a fascinating tale to tell.
What would you say to
potential volunteers?
I think taking the first
step is often the hardest
but if you have got spare
time on your hands I
would encourage you to
volunteer -it’s worth it.
contacts
For more information and advice
on the opportunities available
contact the volunteer centre
(part of Hillingdon Association
of Voluntary Services).
Ring 01895 442730, or visit
www.havs.org.uk/volunteering
31
With the ‘joys of spring’ rapidly
approaching why not unwind
with one of these exciting
events? For more activity ideas
visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk
Des O’Connor
Des O’Connor is a world-class star and ultimate
entertainer. Since landing his first television
series in the UK in 1963 he has starred in his
own mainstream television show every year –
longer than anyone anywhere in the world.
Recent TV includes Des O’Connor Tonight specials,
his award-winning ITV1 daily celebrity talk show,
Today with Des and Mel, with co-host Melanie
Sykes and in January 2007 Des took over the helm
of the hugely popular daily quiz Countdown.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see a true
show business legend live on stage for a wonderful
evening of comedy, laughter and music.
When: Sunday 27 March, 7.30pm
Cost: £21.50
Where: Beck Theatre
Contact: Box office, 020 8561 8371
Cinderella
The story of Cinderella is one of the best known fairytales
and Vienna Festival Ballet’s full length version has all
the familiar ingredients. A downtrodden young girl, a
glass slipper, two comical ugly step-sisters and a handsome
prince combine to make this the perfect piece of storytelling.
The fairy godmother enables Cinderella to go to the ball
where she falls in love with the prince. The production
includes a specially commissioned score, created solely for
Vienna Festival Ballet by Chris Nicholls, with music from
some of Rossini’s most famous operas – La Cenerentola,
the Italian Girl in Algiers and Silken Ladder – which add
to the magical fantasy world of the ballet Cinderella.
When: Tuesday 12 April, 7pm
Cost: £16.50, £22, children, £12, family ticket, £60
Where: Beck Theatre
Contact: Box office, 020 8561 8371
Frankenstein Live
Angus & Ross Theatre Company presents a production
by Tom Needham. Based on the classic horror
story by Mary Shelley, this gripping new adaptation
explores the extraordinary attachment between Dr
Frankenstein and his creation – an attachment, they
both grow to realise only death can break. The play
was produced in partnership with The Georgian
Theatre Royal, Richmond and written specially for this
increasingly successful company by Tom Needham,
whose TV credits include Cold Blood, Silent Witness,
Dalziel & Pascoe, more than 60 episodes of The Bill;
and the plays The Wreckers and Won’t Be Long.
When: 26 April, 7.30pm
Cost: £10
Where: Compass Theatre
Contact: Box office, 01895 673200
32
Concerts
Hillingdon Choral Society
Saturday 19 March, 7.30pm
Programme includes Alan
Bullard, performing Travelling
Tales, performances by
Hillingdon Primary Schools,
Carl Orff and Carmina
Burana. The evening’s
music will be conducted
by Peter J Williams.
Cost: £12, children
aged under 12, £6
Contact: Box Office on
01895 631039 or 020
85820931, email esmith@
hillingdongrid.org , visit
www.hillingdonchoralsociety.
org.uk, or send an SAE to 16
Westbury Close, Ruislip, HA4
8EF , with a cheque payable
to Hillingdon Choral Society.
Brunel University
Sports Centre
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Wednesday 23 – Saturday 26
March, 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Hillingdon Musical Society
will be performing this
spectacular show, based
on the Julie Andrews film
of the same name. The
production includes a full
orchestra, professional
lights, set, costume and
enthusiastic performances.
Cost: From £10
Contact: Visit www.
hillingdonmusicalsociety.
co.uk to book tickets, call
the HMS box office on
07890 73 22 44 or the Beck
Theatre on 020 8561 8371
Beck Theatre
Sine Nomine Spring Concert
Saturday 26 March, 7:30pm
Sine Nomine welcome
back their conductor,
Helen Vickery, for their
spring concert, Cherubini:
Requiem in C Minor.
Contact: Jess Luscombe
on 07766 314282 or
email mail@sinenomine.
org.uk for tickets
All Saints Church
Strictly Sinatra
Friday 8 April, 7.30pm
Local charity the Ruislip
Lions Club, which raises
money for causes in the
borough, is holding a tribute
concert to Frank Sinatra.
Cost: £12
Contact: Box Office:
07806 766993
Winston Churchill Theatre
Eastcote Choral Society
Spring Concert
Saturday 16 April, 7.30pm
A performance of Mozart’s
Coronation Mass and
Solemn Vespers.
Contact: Tickets are
available from Northwood
Cards and Gifts, on the
door or from 01895
904556. Visit www.
eastcotechoralsociety.org.
uk for more information.
St. Edmund’s Church
March/April 2011 hillingdon people magazine
Theatre
Singing 4 Fun’s
Musical Theatre Revue
Proscenium plays
Wednesday 16 – Saturday
19 March, 7.45pm
Proscenium presents
three plays – the Hebrew
Lesson, It Should Happen
to a Dog and the Bespoke
Overcoat by the author of
A Kid for Two Farthings,
Wolf Mankowitz. Witty and
wistful, Mankowitz’s work
is full of human desires
and inadequacies based
on his Jewish heritage.
Cost: £10
Contact: Box office
01895 673200 or visit
www.proscenium.org.uk
Compass Theatre
California Suite
by Neil Simon
Friday 25 – Saturday
26 March, 7.30 pm
Inside four suites at a
luxurious California hotel
four comedic stories
unfold: A couple from
New York argue over
the custody of their
daughter; a woman and
her friend from Britain are
excited about her being
nominated for an Academy
Award; two couples from
Chicago discover that they
cannot stop competing
and arguing with each
other and a man from
Philadelphia tries to hide
his mistress when his
wife arrives for a surprise
visit. The witty and fun
comedy is from award
winning playwright Neil
Simon and is performed
by 360 Youth Theatre.
Cost: £5, concessions £3
Contact: Box Office
01895 673200
Compass Theatre
Leisure
Clan Social Club
Third Wednesday of
every month, 7.30pm
Clan Social Club is
a friendly club for
unattached people aged
50 plus. Come and meet
the members, make
new friends and find out
more about the club.
Contact: 020 8230 8680
Middlesex Arms
Yoga
Every Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday,
various times
New summer courses
and evening sessions
available with 10 different
classes to choose from
that cater for all abilities.
Contact: Jackie on 01895
675426 or visit www.
yogawithjackie.co.uk
Cavendish Pavilion
and the Fairway
hillingdon people magazine
Friday 1 April, 8pm
Join the Singing 4 Fun
singers at their end of term
show. Enjoy an evening of
songs from your favourite
musical theatre shows,
including, Oklahoma, Grease,
Chicago, and Wicked, in a fun
and friendly atmosphere.
Cost: £4 (£3 in advance)
Contact: www.singing4fun.com
email [email protected]
Ickenham Village Hall
Singing 4 Fun Singing Day
Sunday 10 April, 12pm to 5pm
Our singing days are a chance
for you to sing songs you
love in a relaxed and fun
atmosphere. This time sing
your heart out to popular
songs from the 60s to present
day: from Beatles, Abba,
Motown era and many more.
Cost: Members £8 (£6 in
advance), non members
£16 (£15 in advance)
Contact: www.singing4fun.com
email [email protected]
Compass Theatre Studio
Family Open Day
Monday 2 May
A great opportunity for all
the family (8+) to try a range
of activities. With land based
activities in the morning
including climbing & high
ropes (10+) and water based
activities in the afternoon
including sailing & kayaking.
Cost: Members £10 per
session or £15 all day,
non members £12 per
session or £20 all day
Contact: 01895 824171
or visit www.hoac.net
Hillingdon Outdoor
Activities Centre
Flower Arrangement
Society – Bob Harris
Look Good, Feel Good
Sun day 20 March,
9am to 4.30pm
A day for ladies to be pampered
with one or more treatments
and therapies by qualified
professionals. Treatments and
therapies available include
aromatherapy, reflexology, Reiki
and Indian head massage.
Taster sessions may be booked
on the day. Vouchers available.
Contact: Ophelia
Chambers-Henry on 01923
844829 or Trish Mulé on
01923 844726 for details.
Michael Sobell House Hospice
Hillingdon Autistic
Care and Support
Saturday 2 April, 9.30am
World Autism Awareness Day
is on 2 April and HACS have
secured Dr Wendy Lawson
as a speaker at the HACS
biannual conference on
autism. Dr Wendy Lawson is an
adult with autism and will be
speaking on ‘The Passionate
Mind: How Individuals with
Autism Learn’. HACS is one
of the Mayor of Hillingdon
Charities of the year and Cllr
David Yarrow will be opening
this conference for HACS.
Cost: parents/carers, £40,
professionals £65 including
refreshments and buffet
lunch. Creche available
(booking necessary) cost £15
Contact: 020 8606 6780,
fax 020 8606 6781 or email
[email protected].
For more information
visit www.hacs.org.uk
Harlington High
Community School
All Saints Church
Long Lane, Hillingdon, UB10 9BT
Beck Theatre
Special events
Compass Theatre
Tuesday 15 and
Thursday 17 March
As part of the international
Brain Awareness Week,
Brunel University’s
researchers invite you to a
series of free public talks
and activities. Come and
join us to find out more
about your amazing brain!
Cost: Free
Contact: Visit www.brunel.
ac.uk/brain, or email
[email protected].
Brunel University
March/April 2011
Pink Academy and Pulse
Urban Dance School
Every Monday, Wednesday,
Thursday, Friday,
Saturday in term time
Classes available for
all ages and abilities,
including ballet, tap,
pointe work, street,
contemporary, disco and
jazz. The school also
offers little feet classes
for 2-3yrs, private lessons
and glamour parties.
Contact: Email admin@
pinkacademy.co.uk, visit
www.pinkacademy.co.uk/
www.pulseurban.co.uk or
call Clare on 07956 571685
Pink Academy
Club Ceroc
Every Monday 8pm, West
Drayton Community Centre
and every Thursday 8pm,
Uxbridge Civic Centre
Ceroc is a fusion of jive
and salsa which is easy to
learn and great fun. It’s a
fantastic way to keep fit
while having fun and a very
sociable way to spend an
evening. You don’t need
to bring a partner and
beginners are welcome.
Cost: £8, free membership
and free first night
entry for new members
with this ad.
Contact: 020 8933 4350 or
visit www.clubceroc.com
West Drayton Community
Centre and Uxbridge
Civic Centre
Venues
Tuesday 3 May, 7.30pm,
doors open 7pm
National demonstrator Bob
Harris will be presenting ‘A
Magic Carpet Ride’. There
will also be a raffle, sales
table and refreshments.
Cost: Members, £3, visitors, £5
Contact: 01923 829621
Northwood College
Brunel Brain
Awareness Week.
Dance
Grange Road,
Hayes, UB3 2UE
Brunel University
Sports Centre
Kingston Lane,
Uxbridge, UB8 3PH
Cavendish Pavilion
Field End Road,
Eastocte, HA4 9PG
Glebe Avenue,
Ickenham, UB10 8PD
The Fairway,
Ruislip Golf Club
Ickenham Road, West
Ruislip, HA4 7DQ
Ickenham Village Hall
33 Swakeleys Road
Ickenham, UB10 8DG
Michael Sobell
House Hospice
Mount Vernon Hospital,
Northwood, HA6 2RN
Middlesex Arms
Long Drive, South
Ruislip, HA4 0HG
Northwood College
Maxwell Road,
Northwood, HA6 2YE
Pink Academy
Oxford Road, New
Denham, UB9 4DW
St. Edmund’s Church
Pinner Road, Northwood
Hills, HA6 1QS
Harlington High
Community School
West Drayton
Community Centre
Hillingdon Outdoor
Activities Centre
Winston Churchill Theatre
Pinkwell Lane, Hayes, UB3 1PB
Dews Lane, Harvil Road,
Harefield, UB9 6JN
Harmondsworth Road,
West Drayton, UB7 9JL
Pinn Way, Ruislip, HA4 8EY
If you wish to publicise an event, please email details to
[email protected] or send to Hillingdon
People, 3E/07 Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW.
Events are selected at the editor’s discretion.
33
Photo posed by models www.johnbirdsall.co.uk
Fostering is...
Simple things
Simple
can
makethings
a big
candifference.
make a big
Foster for
difference.
Why Hillingdon.
not foster?
0800 783 1298
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/fostering
Do it online 24/7 at
www.hillingdon.gov.uk
Golden numbers
Environment and
Street Scene
01895 556000
Mon – Fri, 8am to 6pm
Anti-Social Behaviour
0800 694 0240
Mon – Fri, 8am to 6pm
Council Tax
01895 250000
Mon – Fri, 8am to 6pm
Housing
01895 556666
Mon – Fri, 8am to 6pm
School Admissions,
Childcare and
Early Years
01895 556644
Mon – Fri, 8am to 6pm
Families’ Information
Service
0800 073 4800
Council Main
Switchboard and
out-of-hour service
01895 250111
Mon – Fri,
8am to 6pm
Planning, trees
and landscapes
01895 250230
Mon – Fri, 8am to 6pm
Fraud Hotline
0800 389 8313
Hillingdon Social
Care Direct
01895 556633
Mon – Fri, 8am to 6pm
HillingdonFirst
01895 556677
Electoral Services
and Registrars
01895 558250
Mon – Fri, 8am to 6pm
Learning
Library information desk
01895 250600
Advice and guidance
(young people)
01895 257855
Enquiries about
school transport
01895 250008
Truancy hotline
01895 250858
hillingdon people magazine
Advice and
support
Age UK Hillingdon
020 8756 3040
Consumer advice
08454 040506
Citizens’ advice Bureau
0844 848 7903
Hayes One Stop Shop
01895 556004
hayesonestop@
hillingdon.gov.uk
Hillingdon Independent
Domestic Violence
Advocacy Service
020 8246 174
Hillingdon
Women’s Centre
01895 259578
NHS Wellbeing Centre
Boots, High Street,
Uxbridge
020 3214 5699
P3 Jobshop –
Employment Services
020 8581 1056
P3 Navigator Hayes
Housing Advice and
Support Centre
020 8581 1054/5
navigatorhousing@
p3charity.org
P3 Navigator Yiewsley
Housing Advice and
Support Centre
01895 462074/5
Victim Support Hillingdon
01895 421200
Community
information
Hillingdon Fire Station
Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon,
Middlesex UB10 0PH
020 8555 1200 ext 38228
hillingdongroup@
london-fire.gov.uk
NoTRAG (No Third
Runway Action Group)
[email protected]
Samaritans
01895 253355
Social Security
(Benefits Agency)
020 8426 3000
Three Valley Water
0845 782 3333
March/April 2011
Environment
and street scene
Current and proposed
roadworks in Hillingdon
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/
roadworks
Environmental
Protection Unit
01895 277406
Food, Health and Safety
01895 250190
Noise Team and
animal welfare
01895 250155
Pest Control
01895 250184 / 277417
Ranger Patrol
Safety issues in parks
01895 239241
Trading Standards
01895 250164
Local
democracy
Councillors’ names,
addresses and
advice surgeries
01895 250600
Council meeting
dates and agendas
01895 250636
Conservative
group office
01895 250316/250728
Electoral registration
01895 250251
electoralservices@
hillingdon.gov.uk
Labour group office
01895 250780/250271
Mayor’s Office
01895 250763
Leisure
sportsdev@
hillingdon.gov.uk
Botwell Green Sports
and Leisure Centre
020 8561 0956
Hillingdon Sports
and Leisure
Complex, Uxbridge
0845 130 7324
Highgrove Pool, Ruislip
01895 630753
Queensmead Sports
Centre, South Ruislip
020 8845 6010
Active Lifestyles
Gym, Minet
020 8573 2956
Planning
Building control
enquiries, inspection
requests and
dangerous structures
01895 250804
/05/06/07/08
Dangerous structures
(out of hours)
01895 250111
Land charges enquiries
01895 250689
Care services
Careline
01895 250380
Adoption and fostering
01895 277850
Drugs or sexual health
for young people
up to 21 years
01895 257285
Hospitals
Harefield Hospital
01895 823737
Hillingdon Hospital
01895 238282
Mount Vernon Hospital
01923 826111
Northwick Park
Hospital
020 8864 3232
Watford General
Hospital
01923 244366
NHS Direct advice line
0845 4647
Police
Metropolitan Police nonemergency number.
0300 123 1212
Textphone
18001 0300 123 1212
hillingdon.enquiries@
met.police.uk
Community Safety Unit
(to report race crime)
020 8246 1766
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