The great honour about being a councillor is the number of interesting people one meets and is able to serve and help. That’s why we put ourselves forward to be elected as councillors.

One day this week I met a lady who lives in a council owned house in South Ealing where the roof leaks badly and the walls are damp, such that her children’s health is suffering. She has tried to get help from the council, but nothing seemed to happen until I escalated it; and all of a sudden she will receive a visit from the surveyor next week. Why should it take the intervention of a councillor to get some action from Ealing’s Housing Department?

Then I met a lady from Hanwell who is desperately concerned for the care her adult son, who has a learning disability, will receive now that Ealing Council is shutting the Learning Curve centre where he son has been attending. “Its all happened so suddenly,” she said.  “Why couldn’t they have given us more notice?”

I met a man, during the week, complaining about the flytip that’s always there behind some shops near where he lives in Northolt. He said, “I’ve reported it countless times, but then the flytip just re-appears." Why should it take the intervention of a councillor to get it sorted? Why won’t the Council act when a member of the public reports it?

During the past week I had the privilege to present some ideas to a group of leaders of the voluntary organisations, who do such a great job for the people of the borough. As Conservative Leader I would rather see more of the work undertaken by the voluntary sector than by Ealing Council. Somehow those who work for voluntary organisations seem to demonstrate more personal commitment to "get the job done". To me, every one of them deserves a medal.

During the week I met the acting head of the police in the borough and lobbied him to maintain the public access to Greenford Police station. It’s so important for residents to feel in touch with the police.

At the beginning of the week I spoke at the meeting in the council chamber where councillors from all parties voted to ask the Health Minister to look himself at the proposed downgrading of the A&E at the local hospitals, because none of us are happy at what is proposed.

Sixty or so residents came to my local Northfields Ward Forum one evening this week we and covered what seemed like every subject under the sun.  The Ward Forums are an appreciable way of councillors keeping in touch with interested residents.

I’ve also given support again this week to a remarkable group of parents in South Ealing who are working hard to set up a new high school using the government free school initiative. There is such a need for more high school places and their dedication is truly inspiring.

I hope I have added some value and helped some residents; but then that’s why we put ourselves forward to be elected as councillors.