Learn about Hounslow’s Community Energy Fund and help us reach net-zero
Community groups across Hounslow are invited to apply for a new £100,000 green grant scheme to help fund projects which cut carbon, increase energy efficiency and save money.
As part of its Climate Emergency Action Plan, the Council has created a Community Energy Fund. This supports community-led projects that want to invest in new energy-efficient technology, engage residents and set their neighbourhoods on the pathway to net-zero. The scheme is funded through Hounslow Council's Carbon Offset Fund.
It could support initiatives such as:
- Improving community buildings with wall, floor and roof insulation, double-glazing and energy-saving lightbulbs to cut fuel costs and save energy.
- Installing solar panels on places of worship and using them as venues for energy-saving workshops.
- Installing carbon-friendly heat pumps in energy efficient community buildings to cut CO2 emissions further.
- Creating a community repair hub to extend the lifecycle of appliances such as fridges, saving carbon from being released in landfill.
- Switching transport vehicles for community groups to electric alternatives e.g., e-cargo bikes for a foodbank network.
- The first round of the Community Energy Fund will be launched on Monday, 25 April. As part of the application process, groups will need to estimate how much carbon will be saved by their project. Applications need to be in by Friday, 22 July.
Get involved
Groups can find out more about the Hounslow Community Energy Fund at a special explainer session. This will be held online from 5pm to 6pm on Thursday, 24 March 2022.
We will be joined by representatives from the London Borough of Islington and Power Up North London, which is a grass roots organisation working with Islington Council to generate renewable energy locally.
Representatives from community groups can register by clicking the button below.
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Calling all young people! Share your views for the chance to win a £50 voucher
Hounslow Council is working in partnership with Participation People to ask young people aged 11 to 25 what they think about Hounslow, what they like, and what they want to see changed.
It has been designed by a group of young people aged 12-18 called Hounslow Young Researchers, who are passionate about making change. The findings will be presented to the Council and partners to showcase exactly what young people want.
This is a really worthwhile opportunity for young people in Hounslow to get their voice heard. Complete the survey here.
It will take around 10 mins to complete and as a thank you for taking part, you can enter our prize draw to win a £50 amazon voucher.
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Isleworth Library receives green upgrades
 The reopening of the library was attended by Councillor Chaudhary (second from left)
Isleworth Library reopened its doors this week, boasting a range of new green upgrades for both residents and customers. Having declared a Climate Emergency in 2019, Hounslow Council pledged to become a net-zero carbon local authority by 2030.
The improvement works at Isleworth Library include solar panels and energy-efficient lightbulbs. The Council has also replaced traditional gas-fired boilers with modern Air Source Heat Pumps supplying low-cost energy-saving heating and hot water.
These improvements will reduce costs by 23 per cent and reduce the building’s (Isleworth Leisure Centre and Library) carbon emissions by 50 per cent.
Register now to have your say on 5 May
As the local elections approach, it is important that all eligible residents are registered to vote. You can easily register to vote online by visiting www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and completing an application. It only takes a few minutes. If you aren’t registered by Thursday 14 April, you won’t be able to vote in the local elections.
Key dates to remember.
End of March - everyone in your household, who is eligible, will receive a poll card.
Thursday 14 April at midnight - the last day you can register to vote.
Tuesday 19 April at 5pm - the last day you can apply for and return your postal vote form, or make amendments to any existing voting arrangements.
Tuesday 26 April at 5pm - the last day you can apply for and return your proxy application form.
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Calling all artists
Hogarth's House is looking for artists to lead workshops this year in their new Weston Studio in Chiswick. They want to hear from local talent to support the local artistic and culture community in Hounslow.
They are also particularly interested in hearing proposals from local artists around the theme of Hogarth’s Mulberry Garden or his work generally.
The deadline is 1 April and there is no limit to the number of proposals. To get in touch DM @HogarthsHouse on Twitter or visit www.hogarthshouse.org.
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Celebrate World Poetry Day at Hounslow House
 Hounslow Council is hosting a special poetry recital on Monday, 21 March to mark World Poetry Day.
The recital will feature poetry readings by young people from Hounslow Action for Youth Association (HAY) – a vibrant youth and community organisation based in the heart of Hounslow.
All residents are welcome to join the recital, no booking is necessary, just pop in.
Date: Monday, 21 March
Time: 5.30pm
Location: Hounslow House Library (1st floor), 7 Bath Road, TW3 3EB.
World Poetry Day is a brilliant opportunity to celebrate one of our most treasured forms of words; what better way to mark the occasion than to hear from Hounslow’s young and aspiring poets.
Discover Digital Dock
 Digital Dock Brentford is the first-ever affordable co-working space in the heart of Brentford, managed by Hounslow Council.
This accessible space is perfect for small businesses, freelancers and homeworkers looking to free themselves from the kitchen table.
The space - a converted two storey vacant shop on Brentford High Street - delivers a stylish, flexible and inclusive co-working space and collaborative hub. Ideal for entrepreneurs, start-ups, micros or businesses needing a desk or meeting room at affordable prices.
Digital Dock’s flexibility and super-fast WIFI also makes it the perfect venue to hire for events and workshops, or even as a makeshift studio for content creators (photography, video & streaming).
The co-working space offers pay as you go, monthly and annual flexible contracts through an online booking system with the option to book workstation desks, hire private offices, meeting rooms and the digital studio.
Get in touch today to claim a free tour or trial session by emailing enquiries@digitaldockbrentford.com.
Don’t forget to renew you Garden Waste subscription
 This year’s Garden Waste collection service ends on Thursday, 31 March.
If you haven’t already renewed your subscription for the coming year, now is the time to do it! Residents are advised to sign up before 1 April to ensure they receive the full year service.
The Garden Waste collection service is a convenient, low-cost way to dispose of your cuttings throughout the year. The new service will run from Friday, 1 April, 2022, until Friday, 31 March, 2023.
Collections take place every fortnight by the Council’s collection partner, Recycle 360.
Residents subscribing to the service for the first time will receive a 240-litre brown wheeled bin unless they are exempt from using a wheeled bin and then two 90L brown sacks will be provided.
If you are new to the service, or renewing, you can pay using all major credit and debit cards, excluding American Express.
If you are a current subscriber and paid by direct debit last year, we will renew your subscription automatically, unless you have cancelled the direct debit. Please check your notifications to avoid signing up twice.
Residents without access to a computer can subscribe by calling our Contact Centre on 0208 583 5555.
More information on the service including how to subscribe or renew your subscription please visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/gardenwaste
Women mean business: Female councillors celebrate International Women’s Day with local business leaders
 Deputy Leader of Hounslow Council Lily Bath at Sky's studio's in Isleworth for International Women's day
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Councillor Katherine Dunne – Cabinet Member for Communities – hosted a virtual forum last week with the Deputy Leader of Hounslow, Councillor Lily Bath.
Local business leaders and Brentford FC’s Non-Executive Board Member – Monique Choudhuri – discussed how to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive society.
Read more about the event here.
Cllr Lily Bath also joined the MP Ruth Cadbury for a panel discussion about the role of women in business at Sky’s studios in Isleworth this week. Read more about this event by clicking the button below.
Community Reference Groups recruitment update
 Hounslow Council’s callout for residents to join the borough’s Community Reference Groups (CRG) has seen a terrific response.
So far, 35 people from across the borough have expressed an interest in joining one of our three CRGs.
Many of these have opted to join the Cleaner Greener CRG, so we still need people to come forward for the Climate and Clean Air and Youth groups.
CRGs are groups of people from all backgrounds who have a shared interest in improving their neighbourhood and environment.
The Climate and Clean Air CRG will look at issues including improving the borough's air quality and supporting the goal of Hounslow becoming a net-zero carbon borough.
The Youth CRG is for young people aged between 18 and 25 who want to play an important role in shaping the borough’s response to environmental issues.
We are continuing to appeal for members of these two important groups.
For more information email: environmental.champion@hounslow.gov.uk .
Help us keep Ivybridge safe, together
 This exciting initiative, led by the Community Safety Team at Hounslow Council, will talk to residents of the estate and find out what concerns they have around community safety, so the causes can be addressed. This includes providing support to some of the most vulnerable people affected by crime issues.
Input from the residents themselves is vital so if you live on Ivybridge Estate, please try and complete this simple online survey by Wednesday, 23 March by clicking the button below.
Hounslow Council wants feedback from women and girls in the borough
 Hounslow Council is inviting all women and girls who live, work, study, or travel in our borough, to tell us about their experiences of community safety. This will help us inform and shape the Violence Against Women and Girls plan for the next three years.
Being worried about sexual harassment when heading out or fearing for your safety when at home are things we want to help change. We are keen to listen, understand, and change things for the better for residents in Hounslow.
Remember, there is a FREE, weekly drop-in service for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and other forms of gender-based violence. No appointment necessary for advice and wide-ranging support: One-Stop Shop, Hounslow Arts Centre, First Floor, The Treaty Centre TW3 1ES, Wednesdays from 10am-2pm.
Online events to help Save The High Street
 SaveTheHighStreet.org is launching a series of online events and initiatives, providing support with everything from launching on the high street to increasing local footfall and more.
Launching on The High Street Online Event – Friday 25 March, 12.00pm to 1.00pm – register here.
Do you have a business or an idea you’d like to launch on the high street? Are you a landlord, agent, or anyone else interested in helping new local businesses get off the ground? Learn how to find the right space for your business and generate footfall.
The Hounslow High Street Conference Online Event – Friday 1 April, 12.00pm to 2.00pm – register here.
Are you trading on a high street, in a market or a shopping centre? Are you a local champion, town-centre landlord, industry supplier or anyone else interested in helping your local high streets succeed? You’re invited to The Hounslow High Street Conference to find out what’s happening on high streets near you.
Finally, don’t forget to visit the three winners of the Hounslow High Street Start-up competition who are now trading in The Treaty Centre, Hounslow House, and The Centre Feltham. Learn more about the winners and their businesses here.
New investment for Hounslow’s key services
The Council has now agreed its budget and set the borough’s Council Tax for the year ahead.
Councillors also approved recommendations to increase Council Tax by 2.99%, which includes a 1% increase to be spent on adult social care. The increase is about 77p a week for the average home and well below the current rate of inflation.
Watch the short video which explains more about the Council's work, the budget pressures it's facing and the reason why Council Tax will be increasing this year. Hounslow Budget 2022 - YouTube
The budget also includes new investment in some important services and facilities, including:
- £5.4m for major improvements to local parks.
- £1.5 for community-led transport schemes.
- £2.7m to build a new children’s home in Feltham.
- £850k for the Council’s innovative Community Solutions programme, which provides support to residents before they reach crisis point.
- £1m for wheeled recycling containers for residents and local businesses.
Spring Forward 2022
 Every weekday, until Friday, 25 March, there will be a pop-up ‘Spring Forward’ marketplace on the Ground Floor of Hounslow House.
At Spring Forward, you can:
- Find out what’s going on across Hounslow
- Meet with local partners, including charities and community groups
- Take part in one of our special events
Highlights next week include:
- Grab a selection of free children's books in partnership with your local library. All week.
- Meet with your local Lampton Leisure centre and sign up to one of our fitness clubs with no contract and no joining fee - pay nothing to the end of March. Monday, 21 Wednesday, 23 and Friday, 25 March 9am to 5pm
- Adult Social Care pop-up information and advice shop, including a special guest appearance from Todd, a training therapy dog (11am -12.30pm). Tuesday, 22 March 9am to 5pm
- Children’s holiday activities and food programme. Thursday, 24 March 9am to 1pm
Plus much more – check out the full listings here: Spring Forward March 2022.
No appointment is necessary, simply pop into Hounslow House between 9am and 5pm, Monday - Friday.
Vaccine Bus schedule
 Friday, 18 March 2022
Islamic Integration Centre, 531 Staines Road, Hounslow TW4 5DP 10am – 4pm
Saturday, 19 March 2022
Hounslow High Street, Bell Square 9:30am – 3:30pm
Saturday 19th March 2022
- Hounslow High Street, Bell Square 9:30am – 3:30pm
Monday 21st March 2022
- Hounslow High Street, Bell Square 10am – 4pm
Tuesday 22nd March 2022
- The Bridgelink Centre, 373 Summerwood Road, Isleworth TW7 7QR 10am – 4pm
Wednesday 23rd March 2022
- The Salvation Army, 166 Bedfont Lane, Feltham TW14 9NJ 10am – 12pm
- St Giles Hotel, Hounslow Road, Feltham TW14 9AD 12:00pm – 4pm
*Please note that locations are subject to change at short notice.
Transforming ‘Waste’ workshops at Hounslow House
Do you want to find out more about how to cut down the amount of waste you produce and change your relationship with your old unwanted stuff?
Hounslow Council is hosting a series of free educational workshops and Q&A sessions about the circular economy and how we can all benefit from it.
Tuesday, 22 March - 10am till noon at Hounslow House, Rebekah Philips, who has been running community environmental and social projects for the last nine years, will be holding a Repair and Reuse Community Hubs workshop.
Tuesday, 22 March 1pm - 3pm at Hounslow House, there will be a Community Sharing and Loaning workshop with Bex Trevalyan from Library of Things.
Please register for the events by emailing Cleaner Greener Hounslow at Cleaner.Greener@hounslow.gov.uk
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Swimming club offer
 Free swimming/water safety lessons are available to secondary pupils living in Hounslow who receive free school meals/families on Universal Credit. Sessions are available at these times:
Sundays: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Mondays: 7:30pm – 8:30pm
There is also a 13-week course available from 14 March until 19 June*
*Excluding 4-18 April and 2 May
Project funded by the L&Q Foundation.
For info/bookings email: membership@lbhsc.org.uk
Have your say and shape where you live
 Hounslow Council wants your feedback on the character and design of your area, which will help shape the design of future developments in the borough and identify improvements. More information on the project can be found here.
The consultation takes place between Monday, 4 April and Friday 13 May 2022.
To take part, our portal will go live on Monday, 4 April.
In the meantime, you can sign up to one of our workshops here.
Please email ldf@hounslow.gov.uk with the name of the area you would like to discuss so that we can issue an invite to you.
Living with Covid-19, how to remain safe
 Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted by the Government, including the legal requirement to self-isolate, as part of a "Living with Covid" plan.
As the Government has announced the removal of the remaining domestic regulations in England, and we move to the next phase of living with Covid-19, we continue to advise caution and we recommend you follow the Government guidance through the transition. Individuals can still reduce the risk of catching and passing on Covid-19 by:
- Getting vaccinated.
- Letting fresh air in if meeting indoors, or meeting outside.
- Wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, especially where you come into contact with people you do not usually meet, when rates of transmission are high.
- Trying to stay at home if you are unwell.
- Taking a test if you have Covid-19 symptoms, and staying at home and avoiding contact with other people if you test positive.
- Washing your hands and following advice to ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’.
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