A Channel 4 documentary airing tonight at 10pm will tell the story of a case with strong local links to Ruislip and Eastcote. Do You Know This Man? follows Mary Sharp, Laura Hughes and Lauren Preston, whose evidence helped secure the conviction of Martin Butler in 2023. The women all knew Butler through the Ruislip […]
Archive | Issues
The Theo’s Café Contradiction: What Cabinet approved and what was signed – and why it matters
Expected by Cabinet, restricted by contract: how the Cowley Meeting Hall lease raises questions about an £18,000-a-year arrangement. Hillingdon Council’s own records appear to show a simple but serious contradiction at the heart of the Cowley Meeting Hall lease. In March 2022, Cabinet approved a heavily discounted lease for the Hillingdon Foster Carers Association, with […]
A year of promises, still no plan: Ruislip Lido enters peak season without promised safety review
The Easter school holidays are in full swing, and the notoriously busy early May bank holidays are just around the corner. Ruislip Lido has officially entered its peak season. Yet, exactly a year after the Leader of the Council promised immediate action to address “obvious risks” at the site, residents are still waiting to see […]
Best Value or Best Mates? The £18,000 Question at Cowley Meeting Hall and Theo’s Cafe
Over the last year, Hillingdon Council has repeatedly emphasised that it must achieve “best value” when managing or selling public assets. Residents recently saw this argument used during the sale of the former Uxbridge Library building. The Council rejected a higher offer because it was conditional on planning permission, instead accepting a lower bid that […]
Government IS granting Hillingdon Council the £150m EFS bailout – avoiding bankruptcy
We have written much about our Council’s perilous financial position. Thankfully the government have agreed in-principle this afternoon to grant Exceptional Financial Support to 35 councils, including Hillingdon. This means our Council can borrow £150m as part of an emergency bailout. It’ll cost us all with repayments in the long term, but it allows the Council to […]
