Over the past week, there has been an increase in coronavirus cases in Hounslow, as there has across much of London. Cases are highest in people aged between 20 and 50 years old and my thoughts go out to anyone suffering from the virus at this current time. We know a small number of people are in hospital.

This serves us all a strong reminder of the realities of this pandemic – the danger is still very real, and the infection can spread rapidly. It’s important to remember that if you have symptoms to get tested at one of our local testing sites immediately and self-isolate from others.

The Government has now issued new rules, starting from Monday 14 September, that you must not meet socially in groups of more than six indoors or outdoors unless it meets one of the exemptions. When you are out, don’t forget the simple ways to keep yourself and others protected – wear a face covering, wash your hands regularly and remain two metres apart from others where possible. None of us want to risk another lockdown or making one of our family or friends sick. Let’s all work together to stop the spread of the virus and keep everyone in Hounslow safe.

This week, we announced that we reached a mutual agreement with Fusion Lifestyle for the Council and our trading company Lampton 360 to take over the operation and running of leisure services and public halls in the borough. We know how frustrating the delay in being able to reopen our leisure centres and public halls has been for members and users of the services. We will work as quickly as possible to transition services and staff over, and work towards a phased opening from 1 November. Our website and frequently asked questions will be regularly updated.

We have also called for urgent support for aviation communities following a report which predicts thousands of job losses and a possible £1 billion hit to the borough’s economy. It’s vital we act now to support our communities at risk, because underneath the numbers and predictions are real people, whose livelihoods depend on the aviation sector and its supply chain. We are already engaging with our partners across west London, with Government and other local authorities across the UK, to draw up a proposition for an Aviation Community Fund, that responds to our needs in Hounslow and other impacted communities.

On Monday we are excited to be hosting our virtual borough conference with local partners. It will be a chance for us to discuss the borough’s recovery plans in the wake of the coronavirus. It will also give us the opportunity recognise the amazing work of community groups, businesses, faith leaders, public sector partners and residents who have played a vital role in the borough's response to the pandemic. I look forward to updating you further next week.

Finally, now schools are back, I want to encourage everyone to leave their cars at home and make the most of our school streets programme by walking, cycling or scooting to school in safety if they can. It’s a fantastic way to get active and helps us to provide space for pupils to social distance.

Have a great weekend and stay safe.

A major conference hosted by Hounslow Council and its partners will take place online on Monday to discuss the borough's recovery plans in the wake of coronavirus.

The virtual conference will bring together and recognise the community groups, businesses, faith leaders, public sector partners and residents who have played a role in the borough's response to the pandemic. Conference attendees will hear about, and help shape, a joint vision for Hounslow's recovery through workshops and discussions.

The conference is part of the work of the Hounslow Recovery Programme Board which over the summer gathered a series of board meetings to explore how to mitigate the impact of coronavirus and build a stronger and more resilient future.

The conference will take place online on Monday 14 September 2020 between 2pm and 5pm.

Read more about the conference and the Hounslow Recovery Programme Board.

The Council is calling for targeted support for aviation communities following a report by Oxford Economics which forecasts thousands of job losses and a possible £1 billion hit to the borough’s economy.

The independent report by Oxford Economics estimates that 2020 could see a further 4,000 job losses in the borough directly due to the reduced number of visitors to Heathrow, and tens of thousands more at risk due to the impact on related sectors.

In turn, this could lead to £480 million being lost from the local economy in 2020, extreme hardship for local families and communities whose livelihoods depend on the aviation sector, and extra pressure on government support services. It is forecast that the economy is not likely to recover until 2023, incurring further losses of about £410 million in 2021 and £70 million in 2022, taking the total projected loss to Hounslow’s economy to almost £1 billion over three years.

The report studied the effect of reduced activity at Heathrow Airport and its implications for the borough. It estimates that Heathrow supports more than 16,000 jobs and, given Hounslow’s proximity to the airport and the M25, this creates a catalytic effect that attracts businesses to the area, especially transport and logistic companies. It is estimated that this catalytic effect brings the final total to between 29,000 and 43,000 jobs, nearly a third of Hounslow residents’ employment, the future of which could be in doubt.

To mitigate the impact, protect communities and maximise the economic potential in the borough and support the UK’s economy, the Council is calling for revenue and infrastructure investment to include:

• Skills development and training so that those losing their jobs can take up opportunities in growth sectors, such as the green economy for example, through expansion of its successful Skills Escalator Programme.
• Support to entrepreneurs and micro-businesses to re-focus on opportunities outside the airport eco-system.
• Transport links connecting communities to other employment hubs, and driving growth in jobs and homes.
• Investment in digital infrastructure to support growth sectors.
• Local infrastructure priorities to ensure continued economic activity in communities.

The Council will also be leading an exploration, alongside the West London Alliance and other local authorities impacted by the downturn in aviation, of proposals for an Aviation Community Fund.

Read more about the report and the Council's full statement.

From Friday 18 September the hospitality sector will be required by law to record contact details of customers, visitors and staff on behalf of NHS Test and Trace.

This includes businesses and other public settings where people meet socially including hospitality, close contact and leisure venues.

Staff and customer details must be stored for 21 days and shared with NHS Test and Trace, if requested, with fixed penalties for organisations that do not comply. 

If you do not provide these details you may be refused entry.

The contact details include:

• Name
• Contact number
• Date of visit
• Arrival time
• Departure time, if possible

All collected data must comply with GDPR guidelines and will not be kept for longer than necessary.

Read more about the Government's new changes. 

To control the spread of coronavirus and reduce the risk of a local lockdown, it’s vital people get tested if they think they have symptoms

There is a range of local testing options available to you, including a mobile testing site with a mixture of walk-in and drive-through appointments available on Sunday 13 September at the private car park on Hanworth Road, TW3 3TY and at Syon Park, Brentford TW8 8JF on Wednesday 16 September.

You can also book a home test or visit a regional testing centre at Twickenham Stadium or Heathrow Airport. Find out more on our website.

NHS Test and Trace is an essential part of the Government’s response to stopping the spread of coronavirus and to save lives. Get tested and do your bit to protect your friends and family. 

For more information visit the NHS website.

The Great British September Clean kicks off today and runs until 27 September 2020.

We are thrilled to support this year’s Great British September Clean after the Great British Spring Clean was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Now we are calling on you - our #LitterHeroes - to be part of the pick and do your bit to care for Hounslow’s wonderful parks and open spaces, as we join forces to collect and safely dispose of litter from our country's streets, parks and beaches.

So join us, as we stand together and declare that litter – which degrades the beauty of our environment and threatens to harm wildlife – is not acceptable.

There are two ways you can get involved and show support for our Great British September Clean:

1. Organise a private group clean-up with up to five family & friends
2. Pledge to do your own individual clean-up, you can give as little as 15 minutes to the campaign.

We can provide you with litter picking equipment and arrange to have your separated waste picked up after your event. Please contact Cleaner.Greener@hounslow.gov.uk with details once you have registered your event.

Read more about how you can participate in Hounslow. 

Hounslow Adult and Community Education is running film making courses for adults, where you will understand how to bring a story to life.

Choose a course in documentary filmmaking for beginners or video editing skills.

You may be eligible for a free course if you are unemployed, looking for work and in receipt of a means tested benefit, or in paid employment and earn less than £20,962 a year. 

For course enquiries or enrolment, call 020 8583 6000.

Find out more www.hace.ac.uk. 

Bell Square will host Luke Jerram's Gaia, a 7-metre model of the Earth, on Saturday 19 September, from 10am to 9pm. 

If you've ever wondered what it might be like to be an astronaut looking back at planet Earth, now's your chance to find out.

Luke Jerram's GAIA is a giant model of the earth featuring 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the earth’s surface.

It is especially stunning after dark, so why not pop along in the evening and support some of the local restaurants at the same time. 

Find out more information at www.bellsquarelondon.com/

All-Ability cycling is an inclusive cycling session open to all abilities and disabilities, from ages 10 years+. It is a fantastic way for everyone to have fun, gain more independence and enjoy a sense of freedom.

We have a diverse range of adapted bikes to suit all abilities including side-by-side bikes, hand cycles, recumbent cycles and trikes. We encourage riders to try several different bikes during the sessions to find a bike that best suits them. Our experienced instructors will be on hand to help.

• Sessions will strongly adhere to COVID-19 social distancing rules and bikes will be sterilised between riders. Sessions must be booked in advance. 
• Sessions take place in Inwood Park in Hounslow on a dedicated cycle track for inclusive cycling.
• There are toilets onsite and disabled parking bays available on Inwood Road.
• Helmets, high-visibility tabards and support straps are provided to ensure cycling is comfortable for all.
• Support workers for individuals are welcome. 

The next session takes place Saturday 19 September from 10.30am to 3:30pm.

For more dates and to book go to visit our website.

Are you new to cycling or would like to brush up on your skills?

Book a free one-to-one session with an experienced instructor. The training is tailored to your cycling ability whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or experienced cyclist, it can be adapted to your needs.

Lessons take place at a location convenient to you and, if required, bicycles and helmets can be provided.

To book go to: www.bikeworks.org.uk/hounslow or call 020 8980 7998 or email enquiries@bikeworks.org.uk.

You must be 16 years of age or above and a £5 deposit is required to book, which will be refunded once you have completed your training.

Read more about cycling in Hounslow.