Attendees: Perminder Sahota (Chair), Gary Bains, Mike Chadha, Peter P, Shakil Khan, Joya Roy
No apologies
Introduction
The Chair opened the meeting with MC and SKs’ feedback from the 25th January 2019 meeting with Hounslow Council’s Customer Relations and Improvement Manager, Tina Dunkin.
Item 1
Follow up of action points from the Clean Up Hounslow Group’s previous meeting (4th October 2018): To promote Clean Up Hounslow’s mission statement and to raise awareness at every level, including schools and the education department of the borough.
• That this action point is ongoing, and to be further taken forward with agreed actions as per below:
Suggested ideas:
- PS suggested large scale distribution of clean street and clean neighbourhood awareness materials in individual neighbourhood areas, handed out in person to residents and local businesses encouraging them to display Clean up Hounslow posters. Members to work in pairs as a team and displaying group IDs/badges
- SK suggested considering targeting certain shops who are known to not take care of their surroundings, such as local chicken shops and take out establishments.
- PP suggested awareness posters to include pictures of litter items such as Coke cans and juice boxes
- MC suggested handing out small merchandise items displaying Clean Up Hounslowawareness slogans such as beer coasters; involving schools/education department – introducing competitions for children to take part in a Clean Up Hounslow’s slogan/poster competition – winning slogan/poster can be widely displayed at community places, local businesses etc. Seeking as many sponsorships as possible from businesses such as the Marriott hotel (who have already committed to a competition prize). This would help with media and any publicity matters.Action Points
- MC and PP to explore cost of merchandise items;
- SK and PP to explore costs of t-shirts, caps with logos, IDs, badges;
- MC to approach The Daily Mirror to support group objectives and work;
- PS to approach a well-known internet company (PS to provide the name please) for supportand sponsoring the group;
- Peter to approach local businesses such as the chicken shop etc with wider aims in futureItem 2
• There was a brief discussion on funding requirements. Everyone present expressed consideration to help build a fund for the group as printing IDs, t-shirts, etc for the members are important requirements to officially represent the group’s cause in public.
Item 3
• Going forward the group agreed to actively engage with the council at the decision-making level and to work with the council in a manner that may be mutually beneficial for all. For example, arrange a meeting with the new CEO, the chief councillor and the Customer Services Manager Tina Dunkin, who has been supportive and responsive to the group’s cause.
Suggested ideas and action points:
For a high-level meeting with the council to be effective:
- Each member to suggest a clear and strong item for inclusion in the meeting agenda.
- Each member to upload as many pictures as possible on to the Council’s Highway page asevidence of litter spread across the Hounslow.
- Prior to any meeting with the council, the group needs to define1. A mission statement (detailed draft already in place and on the current website – the group needs to draw out the main lines).2. Formally appoint a Chairperson and a Secretary to the group within the scope of the next two group meetingsItem 4
- Discussion around how to change culture of littering and why residents are resorting to such practices that stem out of other negative social environments within the Borough. Effectiveness of the elected Councillors must be questioned within these contexts.Action Point
- To highlight above at the future meeting with the CouncilAOB
- Sharing of good practices of other councils – Ealing Council clearing out pavements and front garden areas
- GB to find out more on this and provide feedback so the Group can approach Hounslow Council with suggested actionsPriority Action point: SK
- To liaise and co-ordinate with Ian May (web site) leading on updating and managing the website
- Create email addresses for each member under the Clean Up Hounslow banner, provide them with login details. The website and email address to be printed on individual group member ID cards. Please mark following dates for diary:
| Date | Item |
| 22nd March – 23rd April 2019 | Great British Clean Up |
| 27th March 2019 | Group Meeting |
| 29th May 2019 | Group Meeting |