If you want to vote in the local elections this May, you must register by Thursday, 14 April by midnight. It only takes five minutes to register www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Can’t get to the polling station? 

Anyone who is registered to vote can apply to have their ballot paper sent to them in the post. To apply, visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/voting-by-post and download an application form. The deadline for the elections office to receive applications to vote by post, or written notifications of changes to existing postal or proxy arrangements is 5pm on Tuesday, 19 April 2022. 

If you would like someone else to vote on your behalf, you must submit a new proxy vote application. To apply, visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/voting-by-proxy and download an application form. The deadline for the elections office to receive new applications to vote by proxy is 5pm on Tuesday, 26 April 2022. 

Completed application forms can be returned as a scanned attachment to elections@hounslow.gov.uk or by post to Electoral Services, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow, TW3 3EB. 

Existing Postal Voters 

For residents who already have a postal vote in place, these are due to be sent out next week. Those who have applied to vote by post after 14 April 2022 will receive theirs in a second batch to be sent out shortly after the deadline. 

• Do you live in Hounslow & have children?
• Want to improve Hounslow for young people and children?
• Want to share your opinions & experiences?

This research is part of a borough-wide research programme conducted by Hounslow Young Researchers & Parent Researchers groups facilitated by Participation People. We are gathering opinions of children, parents and carers and our group of Young Researchers will present all their findings to the Council to come up with solutions which will form future planning policies.

Do you know your Pipistrelle from your Noctule?

They’re both types of the small flying mammal that is a firm favourite in scary movies and the odd superhero story.

And if you’re planning on visiting Boston Manor Park, you may be in with a chance of seeing some Great British bats first-hand.

The team at the historic Brentford park has been busy encouraging greater biodiversity at the site, by providing purpose-built homes for all sorts of woodland creatures.

The latest addition is 33 new bird and bat boxes, which have been made by volunteers from the Friends of Boston Manor Park.

There are plenty of wildlife events taking place at the park, including a Spring Nature Walk on Thursday, 14 April, from 10am and guided bat walks at dusk where you can use detectors to spot and identify the bats in the park – dates to be confirmed.

You can sign up to hear about these and upcoming event and activities in the park by emailing: bostonmanorpark@hounslow.gov.uk

As of 1 April, the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage have increased.

This is the largest ever uplift to the National Living Wage for workers aged 23 and over.  Apprentices will also get a 11.9% increase to their minimum hourly pay, with 21- to 22-year-olds seeing an immediate 9.8% rise.

To find out more about your entitlements and whether you're being paid the correct amount.

The Public Health Team is conducting three important surveys to help shape the future of health services in Hounslow. If you are a local resident, and would like to have your say, you can find out more and take part below.

Health and wellbeing services - tell us what you would like to be included in Hounslow's health and wellbeing services: take part here.

Infant feeding - tell us how we can support better parents in the borough: take part here.

Sexual health - do you access sexual health services in Hounslow? Can you spare a few minutes to tell us how we could improve these: take part here.

The Children’s Book Project takes donated books which children have grown out of and give them to children who have few, if any, of their own.

Brentford Football Club and London Irish Rugby Club are hosting a book drive at the Bees Superstore, TW8 9QR, from 23 April until 8 May 2022. You can drop your preloved children’s books from baby to teen any day of the week to staff at the store.

This year the Children’s Book Project will give away over 250,000 books, the majority going to children who live in households with incomes of less than £7,500 a year.

Help find new homes for old books and send your books on new adventures. Books will be donated to schools across the borough.

Hounslow Council is inviting all women and girls who live, work, study or travel in the borough, to tell us about their experiences of violence. This will help 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, every Wednesday from 10am-2pm.