We’ll come to the usual menu of CPZs and other jollity in a moment but first something personal, if I may. You may or may not know that I’ll cease being a councillor after May’s council elections. Some people have asked if I’m retiring as a councillor; I usually reply that this isn’t in my gift and that it’s people who vote who decide that. However what I’ve done is not put myself forward for selection by party members as a candidate, which means I won’t be a candidate in the elections and won’t be a councillor.

So what, you may ask. Well, I realised that I’ve done a lot of my business by email and phone and so there are many people out there I’ve never actually met. And I’m sure that people are quite happy about that. But if you fancy a goodbye drink my ward colleagues Ruth and Mel are kindly putting together a quick Goodbye drink.

 

So if you are so inclined do come down to the King's Arms  pub on the corner of Orchard Road near the London platform of Brentford station (there's a map here) between 6pm and 9pm on Friday 9th May. We can have a drink, maybe a bite to eat. I’m unsure whether election expense rules will allow me to buy you a drink – there are some advantages to politics, it seems – and I don’t know if I’m allowed to have some chips on the bar but I’ll see what I can do. We can chat about anything – even CPZs – in a friendly environment. I’m not going to say that it will be a politics-free environment as I'd like you to meet the woman I hope will replace me on the council, but supporters of all parties and none are welcome.

If you think you can come that’s great – Myra Savin has agreed to help organise this so if you could let her know on myra.savin@gmail.com that will work well. But don't worry if you haven't emailed, just come down. Thanks.

To save talking about CPZs on the day (hmmm) here’s the latest. First, the roads around Griffin Park. I start by saying that I couldn’t vote on this because I live on one of them. Councillors chose to consult on the single most popular option, Mon – Sat controls from 9.30 to 5.30. I’ve had emails saying introduce this now or I’m moving and emails saying how dare you do this. I understand a petition is on the way to us, organised by a resident or residents in Grosvenor Road, saying that two separate one hour periods in the day would be sufficient.
 

And you know what, now I know that I won’t be one of the people making the decision, I agree with them. When I fill in my form I will say that an hour in the affy and an hour early evening will do the job just fine.

Perhaps I will see you at the decision-making meeting on July 3rd. Actually, I won’t, I will be developing new hobbies like watching TV, but will look out for a tweet or something.  #Freedom.

 

North of the A4, we agreed to one day consult on extending the controls around the Lord Nelson to Saturday one day, if the need arrives. But nothing will happen until we know what is happening around Griffin Park, in Whitestile and Windmill Roads and also on the roads to the north of Whitestile Road that come under the Borough of Ealing. If councillors get feedback that consultation is necessary then it’ll happen but nothing yet and, quite possibly, nothing ever.

So there you have it for now. Once again, hope to see you on the 9th at the Kings Arms.