In my last blog, I mentioned concerns raised by residents about Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and accessibility. There is now a much broader opportunity to shape the next 25 years across the borough, through the council’s new consultation on Hounslow Vision 2050. As I said back in April and May, the traffic consultation process was superficial, incomplete and deeply inadequate. But this new conversation is different. It’s about how residents want to live, and the kind of borough we want to build, socially and economically, for future generations.
On a personal level, I want to see much more commitment to tackling the financial poverty and social deprivation that still affects around 2 in 5 Hounslow households, that’s approximately 70,000 people.
Hounslow Council says it's ‘embarking on a journey to collectively imagine the future’, and Vision 2050 is more than a document: it’s meant to be a long-term process. But it will only succeed if it escapes the short-termism that often dominates council policy, from in-year budget pressures to election-cycle thinking and reacting to the crisis of the day.
We need to plan ahead with realism and ambition. That means scenario planning, mapping possible futures at both a micro (local) and macro (borough-wide or regional) level, and acting as responsible stewards of Hounslow’s future.
Take the example of low-paid and insecure work, a major driver of inequality and instability in many households. Or the climate: recent heatwaves may become the norm. Could parts of Feltham become viable centres for wine production? Might the Thames flood more frequently across ancient flood plains or, even more radically, dry up?
These are not science fiction scenarios; they’re serious challenges for long-term planning.
Key areas for Vision 2050 could include:
Social:
• Housing quality and affordability in Hounslow
• Educational provision and lifelong learning
• Fair and accessible healthcare distribution.
Economic:
• Sustainable welfare spending and local prosperity
• Future of Hounslow’s Council Tax base and fairness.
Environmental:
• Responding to climate change and extreme weather
• Domestic waste management and recycling
• Ensuring clean, sustainable energy and water.
Political:
• Getting the size and responsibilities of the elected council right
• What local authorities can realistically deliver
• Hounslow’s relationship with the mayor of London and the national government.
These are just starting points. Residents should feel free to send in their suggestions or comments, either through the Vision 2050 consultation or directly to their local councillors.
