Opposition Protests Cancellation of Area Forums Ahead of Election

Most council meetings before May no longer taking place

A previous area forum meeting. Picture: Hounslow Council

March 8, 2026

Hounslow’s political groups are at odds over the decision to cancel most remaining public council meetings in the run‑up to May’s local elections, with Conservatives accusing the Labour administration of weakening scrutiny. The cancellations include the final Full Council meeting of the municipal year, which had been scheduled for 24 March, and all Area Forums including Brentford and Syon which was due to take place on Monday 9 March as well as Hounslow South, Isleworth and Osterley & Spring Grove which was on 20 April. The only such meeting happening ahead of the election is the Chiswick Area Forum on 17 March which is chaired by a Conservative councillor. The move comes during the pre‑election period, often known as purdah, when councils traditionally limit certain types of public business, although the extent of cancellations varies between authorities.

The announcement was made by Labour Mayor Amy Croft, who said the Full Council meeting was being withdrawn due to a lack of substantive business. Conservative councillors dispute that assessment, arguing that the borough faces significant issues that warrant debate. Cllr Peter Thompson, Leader of the Conservative Group, said he did not accept that there was nothing to discuss at a time when residents were concerned about council tax, service pressures, planning decisions and the council’s financial position. He described Full Council as the central democratic forum of the borough and said cancelling it reduced accountability.

Cllr Jack Emsley, who will be chairing the Chiswick meeting at Chiswick Town Hall said he was proud to chair a forum that allowed residents to question councillors directly. He argued that chairs receive an additional allowance to run these meetings and suggested that councillors unwilling to hold them should return the payment or step aside.

In response to suggestions that holding the cancelled meetings would have been a waste of money, Cllr Thompson said democracy was not a luxury that could be paused for administrative savings. He said he understood the political pressures facing Labour nationally but argued that reducing opportunities for public scrutiny was the wrong response. He added that the Conservatives would set out proposals in their 2026 manifesto to increase the number of Full Council meetings, strengthen the rights of councillors from all parties to propose motions, and give Area Forums greater influence over local budgets and priorities. Their plans also include commitments to clearer consultation processes, more transparent publication of findings and communications that focus on informing residents.

Chairs of these forums receive an annual allowance of £8,780 for their role.

A Hounslow Council spokesperson said, "In the run up to an election, necessary council meetings go ahead, in compliance with any regulations.

£However, as at any time, if a meeting does not have sufficient business to consider, the Chair of that meeting is asked if they want to cancel it, or not. The Chair makes this decision.

"This was the case with all cancelled meetings over the next few weeks. Each associated Chair was asked their view and decided not to hold the meeting in question."

The Hounslow Labour Group added, "The work of area forum chairs is a year-round responsibility, which extends to more than just chairing the occasional meeting. It includes working with officers to progress the action plan tracker and generally holding the Council to account over decisions affecting the local area.

"The decision not to go ahead with area forum meetings, many of which were scheduled during the pre-election period, was not taken for party-political reasons.

"The same cannot be said for the political grandstanding of Councillor Emsley.

"We share the Conservatives' belief in the importance of Area Forums. We were surprised, therefore, to see that their budget amendment proposed cutting the number of staff who facilitate them and who work with local voluntary organisations."