Image above: Tommy Robinson receiving his award

Chiswick School wins prestigious Tes Excellence in Creative Arts Award 2023

Chiswick School has been awarded with the prestigious Tes Excellence in Creative Arts Award (2023).

The awards ceremony, which is on of the most prestigious events in the UK education calendar and dubbed the ‘Oscars of Education’, is now in its landmark 15^th year and celebrates the extraordinary commitment, quality and innovation shown by teachers and support staff across the UK.

The 2023 Tes Schools Awards brought together the best teachers and schools from UK state and independent settings, including early years, primary schools and secondary schools. The panel of awards judges included school leaders, experts and education researchers.

Tommy Robinson, Creative and Performing Arts Coordinator said:

“We have spent the last four years developing and encouraging the Arts at Chiswick School among the students, staff and wider community. In that time we have grown from a very humble beginning (one or two projects per year) to now producing well over 30!

“This award is testament to the hard work of everyone in the Arts; but mostly to the commitment and sheer determination of the students that follow us on our quest to be the best! Also to the parents for their commitment and support of the school.”

Image above: Tes awards 2023

Chiswick School “doing something extraordinary”

Chiswick School said the award is a true reflection of the extraordinary reach of the Creative Arts department both at school and in the community. Judge Lucy Cuthbertson said:

“Chiswick has a broad offering across the arts, and all of them are great with everyone taking part. They are clearly doing something extraordinary. They go out of their way to stretch their students and not do the predictable.”

Tes editor and chief judge of the Tes Schools Awards Jon Severs said:

“With these awards we honour the education community, who we’ve served for nearly 113 years. This year has seen some incredibly high-quality entries.

“These awards showcase just how vital our education professionals are to every facet of this country. Teachers, leaders and support staff all play such an important role in schools: this is our chance to say thank you for all that they do.”

Image above: Ron Mushisho and Tony Arbour (L to R)

Chiswick Gunnersbury ward councillor chosen to represent south-west London

The Conservative Party has announced Chiswick councillor Ron Mushiso as its candidate for the upcoming London Assembly elections in the South West London constituency. The seat, which covers the boroughs of Hounslow, Richmond, and Kingston, is currently held by Conservative politician Nick Rogers, who recently declared his intention to step down.

Councillor Ron Mushiso, who represents Chiswick Gunnersbury ward, grew up as a foster child in Chiswick, Ron has dedicated his political career to championing crucial issues such as social care and youth services. Alongside his role as a school PE teacher, the former professional rugby player actively organises litter picks in his ward and has voiced his opposition to Cycleway 9.

Despite his candidacy for the London Assembly elections, Ron has decided to retain his seat on Hounslow Council until the election takes place.

He faces a challenging campaign to retain the seat, as the election is scheduled for May 2, 2024, coinciding with the Mayoral election.

In the previous election in 2021, Nick Rogers managed to secure victory with less than one-third of the total votes in a three-way contest against the Liberal Democrats and Labour candidates. Before Rogers, the seat was held by Tony Arbour, a long-serving Conservative representative who fully supports Mr. Mushiso’s candidacy.

Recently, Nick Rogers had initially sought to become the Conservative Party’s candidate for London Mayor. He withdrew his candidacy and endorsed Paul Scully, who did not make the shortlist.

Image above: Outgoing SW London Assembly Member Nicholas Rogers

Nick Rogers stepping due to ‘personal circumstances’

Explaining his decision not to contest the Assembly seat, Mr. Rogers said:

“It’s a combination of various factors, but ultimately, it’s a highly personal decision. It concerns the direction I want to take in my life. People may know me from my recent involvement in London politics, but I have been involved in this field since I was 15 years old, in one way or another.”

Rogers, who will turn 38 at the next election, expressed his desire to explore other opportunities beyond politics while emphasising his unwavering commitment to the Conservative Party.

The Conservative Party membership will soon vote to determine their candidate for London Mayor, and the results are expected to be announced on 19 July.

Image above: The Victorian house at 17 Hartington Rd

Developers appeal against Hounslow Council planning committee’s refusal to let them build luxury riverside houses

Residents of Grove Park described as “outrageous” that key documents supporting a developer’s appeal against a planning decision have only been published a few days before an important hearing with the Planning Inspector.

Last January LB Hounslow’s planning committee turned down an application from Residence One for the development of four luxury houses in the riverside garden of 17 Hartington Rd, despite the recommendation from their planning officers that they should accept it.

Local residents persuaded the committee of the case against the development, arguing that new residential housing should not be built in a conservation area which was also liable to flood. They raised 545 signatures on a petition against the proposed development.

Residence One’s appeal will be discussed at an informal meeting with a Planning Inspector (a member of the executive agency the Planning Inspectorate, independent of Hounslow Council) at Hounslow House on Tuesday 27 June at 10am.

Image above: Mukti Jain Campion representing Grove Park residents at last January’s planning committee meeting, with Cllr Sam Hearn and independent consultant Adam Gostling

Hundreds of pages of documentation supporting the appeal

Members of the public with an interest in the development are entitled to attend the meeting but Mukti Jain Campion, who represented Grove Park residents at last year’s planning committee meeting, told The Chiswick Calendar she had discovered the additional documents only by accident over the weekend.

She spotted them on Hounslow’s planning website when she was looking for something else, ploughing through several hundred pages of the developers’ case. She received about 40 calls and messages on Monday morning as word got round.

“I say what everybody around here in Grove Park is saying: it’s outrageous. If you look at the guidelines, any additional late information should only be considered if interested parties have had a chance to look at it.

“We have raised money to get professional advice. Every time they change the procedure we have to get new advice, which costs money. We’re talking about thousands of pounds.

“We are doing the work which the Council’s planning office should have done.”

The residents have known about the developers’ appeal since January and a timetable was set out for the delivery of documents. The developers submitted additional documents setting out their case to the Planning Inspectorate in April but these were only published by Hounslow Planning on 22 June.

“Even then they did not inform interested parties such as local objectors” said Mukti. “The late documents are substantial and we should have adequate time to review them in advance of the hearing.”

Image above: Back garden at 17 Hartington Rd

Development turned down as the site is at risk of flooding, planning committee found

The development was turned down in January 2022 after the committee spent several hours discussing a number of problematic issues with the proposed development.

Arguments against the application were that the development would be inappropriate within a back garden; that it was in contravention of the Council’s own policy as set out in the Local Plan; the scale and design were unsuitable for a Conservation area, and that it would be harmful to biodiversity as the garden contained well-established wildlife habitats.

It would do nothing to help the housing crisis, as these would not by any stretch of the imagination be described as ‘affordable’ flats.

Most importantly they argued that the site is at risk of flooding. Opponents demonstrated the site was at risk of flooding both from the river and from surface water. The land is designated as ‘3B’, the category most likely to be affected by river flooding.

Independent expert Jonathan Cage, Managing Director at Create Consulting Engineers Ltd, submitted that it would be “irresponsible” to build there.

In their appeal, Residence One disagrees with all these points, except the point about the development not meeting the Council’s goal of building more affordable housing.

Cllr John Todd asks for the meeting to be deferred so residents can have a fair hearing

Cllr John Todd

Cllr John Todd has contacted the Leader of the Council Shantanu Rajawat, the Chief Executive Niall Bolger and Executive Head of Planning Phil Creswell, asking for an explanation for this ‘unacceptable delay’ in publication and requesting they ask the Planning Inspector to defer the date of the appeal to allow residents to respond adequately.

Campaigners against the development say this delayed publication is patently unfair and places them at a serious disadvantage at the hearing as they and their expert advisers will have little time to review the new information.

Hounslow Council apologises for late publication

Hounslow’s Director of Planning and Buildings Vincent Lacovara has replied to Cllr Todd saying:

‘We have processed the application/ appeal correctly insofar as the notifications are concerned and the appeal statements are publicly available.

‘However, although the Statements of Case submitted by both the Local Planning Authority and appellant were made publicly available there was a rebuttal submitted by the appellant that was not added to our online website.

‘Upon discovering the issue the case officer took steps to remedy the situation and added it online, but this only took place last Thursday 22^nd June 2023. I can understand that some parties would feel at a disadvantage with this and would like to apologise for this on behalf of the Council.’

He goes on to say the Inspector will be informed of the issue, but it would be up to the Planning Inspectorate to decide whether to defer the meeting.

‘The decision to refuse the application was made by the Local Planning Authority, in this case by members of the Planning Committee. It is now for officers to defend this decision at appeal which they will do to the extent of their abilities.’

Specialist planning consultant working for the developer used to work for Hounslow Council

The developers are represented in the appeal by DP9, a specialist planning consultancy where Sunny Desai is one of the directors. Mr Desai worked previously for Hounslow Council, for ten years as Deputy Planning Manager before he was promoted to Team Leader Strategic Projects in 2014. Although no wrong doing is alleged, opponents of the development are uneasy about the link.

The Chiswick Calendar has asked the Council’s Leader whether he was aware of this and whether this was not even more reason for care to be taken that the planning process was transparent and inclusive.

In his reply to Cllr Todd, Vincent Lacovara adds:

‘We are aware that the agent for the appellant worked at the London Borough of Hounslow up until 2015. It is not for the Council to object to any agent working on behalf of the appellant and it will not alter how the appeal scheme is processed by the authority.’

Image above: Left to right: Dawid Wlodarczyk, Monika Wlodarczyk, Maja Wlodarczyk and Michal Wlodarczyk; Photograph Metropolitan Police

Police conclude that Dawid, Maja and their mother Monika were murdered 

A mother and her children who were found dead in Hounslow were murdered, the Metropolitan Police have concluded.

Dawid Wlodarczyk, three, suffered multiple stab injuries and Maja, 11, a knife wound to the heart, according to post-mortem examinations. Their mother Monika Wlodarczyk, 35, was also found by the post mortem examination to have been subjected to multiple sharp force injuries.

The family were found dead along with Monika’s partner Michal Wlodarczyk, 39, at the flat in Staines Road, Bedfont, on 16 June, after Maja’s school called police when she had not attended since 12 June and the family had not replied to messages.

The cause of death for Mr Wlodarczyk was given as sharp force injuries to the neck. The force said they are not able to provide further details on his death at this stage.

“Unimaginably difficult time” for victims’ family

It is not yet known on what date the family died. Inquests were opened and adjourned on 20 June at West London Coroner’s Court.

Detective Chief Inspector Linda Bradley, who is leading the investigation, said:

“Specialist detectives continue to investigate the circumstances which led to this tragic incident.

“We are continuing to support family members at this unimaginably difficult time, and we thank the local community for their understanding in recent days whilst we conducted enquiries at the scene.

“The situation remains that we are not currently seeking anybody else in connection with the incident.”

Image above: Richard Johnson on Dragons Den

Comments on application can be made up until Sunday (2 July)

A second application to set up a monthly street food market in the centre of Chiswick has been sent to Hounslow Council.

Richard Johnson applied for a licence in March but was turned down. He is now applying again to run the event on the fourth Sunday of the month. After the Chiswick Flower Market was introduced on the first Sunday, the Antiques and Vintage market on the second Sunday and the Chsiwick Cheese Market on the third Sunday, many people in Chiswick have wondered whether there would be something to attract people to the High Rd on the fourth Sunday.

Richard says the Licensing Panel rejected the plan for the market when he applied in March due to ‘a couple of technicalities’.

The original bid attracted 12 objections and three comments in favour. Much of the opposition to his proposal suggested it would be unfair competition for existing cafes and restaurants in the area which have to pay business rates on property.

Supporters of the application say that, like other markets, a street food market would boost footfall on the High Road, benefitting all traders.

The market, if approved would have 64 pitches from 137 to 209 Chiswick High Road, in the area known as Old Market Place.

Mr Johnson is a journalist and entrepreneur in the field of street food markets. Earlier this year he appeared on Dragons’ Den but failed to persuade any of the dragons to back his street food related idea.

Conservative Councillor Joanna Biddolph led opposition the previous application, claiming it would take business away from Chiswick’s bricks and mortar businesses.

Comments on the application can be made to licensing@hounslow.gov.uk up until this Sunday (2 July).

Image above: Hammersmith Hospital

£60,000 allocated to bolster security at Hammersmith Hospital and Wormwood Scrubs

Hammersmith Hospita in west London is taking steps to enhance security and prevent further “incursions” by Travellers.

The hospital has been the site of multiple “incursion” incidents, leading to the eviction of Travellers who occupied the staff car park on three separate occasions in March, April, and May of this year – where staff reported they were regularly intimidated and had their vehicles vandalised.

In response to these incidents, Hammersmith & Fulham Council has allocated a £60,000 budget to bolster security measures not only at the hospital but also at the adjacent Wormwood Scrubs. The planned enhancements include the installation of height restriction barriers in car parks, bollards around green space entrances, and reinforced fencing in specific areas.

The Wormwood Scrubs committee recently approved the proposed security plans unanimously during a meeting held on Wednesday, 21 June. Hospital officials assured attendees that the implementation of height restriction barriers would not inconvenience staff, patients, or emergency vehicles.

Andrew Dawson, Deputy Head of Facilities at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, emphasised the importance of collaboration between the hospital and local authorities to prevent future disruptions. He said:

“We are continuing to work with the local authority on plans to prevent future disruption for staff and patients who use the North car park at Hammersmith Hospital. This includes installing additional barriers and extending our CCTV so we can improve our monitoring of the space.”

Image above: A Traveller site elsewhere; library image

Travellers rights group criticises proposals

As part of the proposed security measures, the hospital will also improve its CCTV system to better monitor any potential return of Travellers. The Council say these efforts aim to strike a balance between ensuring the safety and convenience of hospital personnel and patients while addressing the concerns and accommodation needs of the Traveller community in the borough.

But the proposed security measures have drawn criticism from the Traveller community and Travellers’ rights groups, who argue that the lack of legal encampments in the borough leaves them with limited options. Ilinca Diaconescu, policy and campaigns coordinator of London Gypsies and Travellers, said:

“In Hammersmith and Fulham, and London more widely, there are currently no transit sites or stopping places. This means that families who are traveling are often forced to stop in unsafe and unsuitable places.”

Diaconescu further urged the local authority to consider alternative approaches, such as negotiated stopping, which would allow for mutually agreed-upon locations with adequate facilities and waste disposal for nomadic Gypsies and Travellers.

Provision for Gypsies and Travellers, sites where they can legally camp, has dwindled since legal protections for their sites were removed in 1994.

Image above: A SWR train at Chiswick Station

Strikes to take place on 20, 22 and 29 July

The RMT union has declared another round of strike action, lasting three days, in its ongoing dispute over pay with 14 train operating companies. The strike is scheduled for 20, 22, and 29 July and commuters can expect continued disruptions even after the strike days.

The most significant impact is expected to be felt by South Western Railway (SWR), which services Chiswick Station and Gunnersbury Station, where a considerable number of drivers are members of the RMT union instead of ASLEF. The majority of the approximately 20,000 workers participating in the strike nationwide will include guards, train managers, and station staff.

During previous industrial action, the company had to implement a drastically reduced timetable, resulting in fewer serviced stations and restricted operating hours. Consequently, the strikes are anticipated to pose challenges for individuals travelling to the fourth and fifth Ashes tests, as well as golf’s Open Championship.

The RMT union is demanding a pay increase in line with inflation, while employers have proposed a backdated increase of 5% and an additional rise of 4% subject to changes in working practices.

Image above: RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch

Government accused of “shackling” rail companies to prevent them from settling dispute

The RMT membership voted in May to continue industrial action for another six months, further prolonging the ongoing dispute.

Expressing his frustration, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said:

“This latest phase of action will show the country just how important railway staff are to the running of the rail industry. My team of negotiators and I are available 24/7 for talks with the train operating companies and government ministers. Yet quite incredibly neither party has made any attempt whatsoever to arrange any meetings or put forward a decent offer that can help us reach a negotiated solution.”

Mr. Lynch added:

“The government continues to shackle the companies and will not allow them to put forward a package that can settle this dispute. Our members have now voted three times to take strike action over the last 12 months – the most recent of which coincided with having the full details of the substandard offer from the rail operators. They voted by 9-1 to renew their strike mandate, and RMT will continue its industrial campaign until we reach a negotiated settlement on pay, working conditions, and job security.”

Image above: A SWR train at Chiswick Station

More strikes “unnecessary” says Rail Delivery Group

Responding to the union’s announcement, a spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents the train operating companies, said:

“More strikes are totally unnecessary. After a year of industrial action, all the RMT has achieved is losing their members more money than they would have received in the pay offers they refused to put out to a vote, despite having agreed to the terms with the negotiators in the room.”

The spokesperson added:

“We have now made three offers that the RMT executive have blocked without a convincing explanation. We remain open to talks and have repeatedly expressed our desire to give our people a pay rise. However, until the union leadership and executive are united in their demands and engage in good faith with the 30% revenue shortfall the industry continues to face post-COVID, it is difficult to move forward. Sadly, our staff, our customers, and the communities across the country that rely on a thriving railway are the ones suffering as a result.”

In response to the situation, a Department for Transport spokesperson said:

“After a year of industrial action, passengers and rail workers alike are growing tired of union bosses playing politics with their lives.”

Image above: library image

Thames Water play down the prospects of a hosepipe ban

Thames Water have said a hosepipe ban is not yet on the cards, but have urged their customers to use less water as the hot weather continues.

London’s water supply is deemed to be in a satisfactory state due to a wet spring, but similar bans have already been imposed or planned in various areas across the country. One water company, South East Water, has blamed the ban on more people working from home. Their customers, on the other hand, have criticised the company’s lack of investment and a petition has been launched calling for a change of ownership.

Thames Water previously implemented a ‘Temporary Use Ban’, or hosepipe ban, across London and the Thames Valley from 24 August 24 to 22 November last year due to the driest July in 135 years.

While a hosepipe ban is not currently in place in London, Thames Water urged customers to take note of water-saving tips, such as using watering cans instead of hosepipes, washing cars with buckets and sponges, and limiting showers to four minutes.

Recently, a freedom of information request found that the leakage rate from Thames Water pipes is the highest for five years and the company will not meet its target to plug them this year. On average, the company loses 630m litres of water a day to due leaks in its infrastructure – which is almost 24% of the water they supply.

Image above: Visualisation of Thames Water’s Teddington Weir water abstraction infrastructure

Over 20,000 people oppose Thames Water drought proposals

Thames Water’s draft water resources management plan for 2024 outlines several projects aimed at finding new water resources for London and the south-east as droughts become more frequent. But the Environment Agency has reservations about the proposed solutions, raising concerns about environmental impact, including increased water temperatures and changes in river salinity affecting fish and biodiversity.

Meanwhile, a petition launched by opponents to Thames Water’s plans to siphon off water from the River Thames in Teddington and replace it with treated effluent – to help cope with droughts – has drawn over 20,000 signatures. The petition has gained over 10,000 signatures since national press covered the story.

The plans drew criticism from the Environment Agency, which has instructed the company to address its significant water leakage problem before resorting to sourcing water from the River Thames or Wales.

The agency has expressed concerns about the company’s leakage levels, stating that it leaks more water than any other water supplier.

While neighbouring counties such as Kent and Sussex have implemented hosepipe bans due to water shortages, Thames Water maintains that water resources in London are well replenished, with reservoir levels “above average”. Approximately 70% of Thames Water’s water supply comes from rivers, while the remaining 30% is sourced from groundwater.

Image above: A burst water main in December 2022

Wet spring has put London’s water supply “in a good place”, says Thames Water

On the prospect of a hosepipe ban in the coming weeks, a Thames Water spokesperson said:

“The wet weather in the spring has put us in a good place. We received higher than average long-term rainfall across London and the Thames Valley in seven of the last nine months. Our reservoir levels are above average for this time of year with London at 96%, Farmoor at 98% and ground water levels are mostly normal for the time of year.

“Water efficiency messaging is a key part of our business-as-usual strategy and following last year’s hot and dry summer we made the decision to start communicating with our customers from March. We have regularly shared a range of water saving tips via radio adverts, press alerts and customer newsletters.

“As the weather heats up, so does the demand for water, which is why we are encouraging customers to use water wisely. Customers with outdoor space use up to 50% more water on hot days (temperatures above 25 degrees celsius).

Read more stories on The Chiswick Calendar

Image above: Ruth Cadbury MP in the House of Commons

Brentford and Isleworth MP says households could see increases of more than £5,900 in their mortgage payments

Ruth Cadbury, the MP for Brentford and Isleworth, has issued a stark warning regarding the impending financial burden facing more than 10,000 households in her constituency.

Her figures come from new analysis which shows a predicted rise of £5,900 in mortgage payments which will have an impact on 10,900 households in Brentford & Isleworth.

The warning comes as banks are withdrawing many of their existing mortgage deals as interest rates are increasing.

Data from Moneyfacts indicates that the average rate for a two-year fixed-rate loan has surged to nearly 6%, nearly doubling from the previous year. Additionally, the Resolution Foundation estimates that the rise in mortgage rates, following the disastrous mini-budget by Liz Truss’ government, will impact approximately 6.5 million households by 2026.

Economists have this week highlighted the potential for job losses and a severe recession. The latest economic growth forecasts indicate the UK is struggling to regain momentum, with a meagre projected growth rate of just 0.2% for the year.

Image above: Ruth Cadbury MP

Government’s handling of the economy has been “disastrous” says Ruth Cadbury

Ms. Cadbury commented on the analysis, criticising the Government’s handling of the economy over the past 13 years:

“The Government’s mishandling and mismanagement of our economy over the past 13 years is having a disastrous impact on people locally and across the country. Food prices are skyrocketing and now mortgage repayments are set to increase while wages and pay remain low.

“It is wonderful working with such a brilliant group of students, staff and parents” says modest music teacher

Chiswick School welcomed the Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan, today (21 June) to honour the achievements of its teachers, with special recognition given to Zac Moxon, the Head of Music.

Mr. Moxon was presented with the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Silver Award by Sharon Hague, the Managing Director of Pearson Qualifications, and the Mayor of Hounslow, Cllr Afzaal Kiani. Students from Chiswick School and Cavendish Primary School joined in the welcoming the Secretary of State.

Zac Moxon, selected from thousands of nominations, received the Silver Award for Outstanding New Teacher in a Secondary School. His commitment to changing the lives of his students and providing high-quality lessons impressed the awards judges, as supported by positive feedback from parents, colleagues, and pupils.

Mr. Moxon’s accomplishments have now placed him among the shortlisted candidates for one of the 16 Gold Awards, the winners of which will be revealed and celebrated at a gala ceremony in London on 25 November. The ceremony will be televised on the BBC, with winners featured on The One Show.

Zac said:

“It was such a surprise to win a silver award and I am very honoured. It is wonderful working with such a brilliant group of students, staff and parents and putting music at Chiswick School on the map.”

Under his leadership Chiswick Voices Choir travelled to Oxford University, Somerville College, to sing in their Choral Contemplation. Chiswick students also take part in community events around Chiswick and Brentford.

Their Steel Pans appeared at Strand on the Green for the coronation celebrations, their rock band “The Q” has performed in South Acton and their Performing Arts Choir has entertained the crowds at the Chiswick Flower Market.

Chiswick School Head “delighted”

Laura Ellener Headteacher of Chiswick School said:

“We are delighted that Zac’s achievements have been recognised. In addition to Chiswick School’s  excellent examination results, the Arts and Music are a key part of life at Chiswick School. All of our teachers do an exceptional job, as do those across Hounslow and the country, and it is important to recognise this through events like these’

Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan said:

“People go into teaching to change lives, and so many of us are lucky to have been shaped and influenced by the best of the teaching profession.

“These awards mark the exceptional contribution that incredible headteachers, teachers and support staff make every single day, nurturing the potential of our young people across the country.

“Congratulations to each and every winner and thank you for all you do for our children.”

Image above: The midwife team at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Trust; photograph Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Council relents after midwives from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Trust receive PCNs

Hounslow Council has granted an exemption to community midwives from the recently implemented traffic restrictions in Grove Park.

Several midwives have received Penalty Charge Notices after driving to attend patients. The majority of the Chiswick area is served by the Community Midwife Team at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, which is responsible for postnatal visits to women and babies in the area as well as facilitating home births.

After receiving fines, members of the midwife team got in touch with Cllr Peter Thompson, who took up their concerns with the Council. Initially, their appeals were rejected, as they were not considered exempt and were classified under the same category as tradespeople and delivery drivers.

Cllr Thompson said:

“I was shocked to hear that the midwives were considering discontinuing their work in Chiswick due to the unaffordable fines.

“Community midwives play a crucial role in providing essential and often urgent healthcare to women and newborns. I am pleased that the Council has decided to include Community Midwives in the list of exempt groups, such as District Nurses, GPs, and Pharmacists.”

Hounslow Council announced it was introducing exemptions for carers when they decided recently to make the latest traffic restrictions permanent. They say exemptions for midwives were already planned as part of that change.  A Council spokesperson said:

“The issued Penalty Charge Notices were cancelled after direct representation by the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital team. As part of the broader exemption for carers, we have now officially categorised midwives under the district nurses’ exemption.”