What do councillors actually do? - A quick guide to what a local councillor gets up to...

Written by Andy Darley on Thu 27th Apr 2006

John Howliston is campaigning for a new skate park

Every four years people across Hounslow Borough elect 60 councillors to work in their local areas representing residents, running services like housing and education, and solving problems.

John Howliston is one of three Bedfont councillors. As well as working to support Dave Reader develop Bedfont Sports Club, he is busy across the whole area.

A typical week might see him helping people having trouble with the council over housing, social services or potholes, listening to local concerns about planning, or working at the Civic Centre holding Hounslow's Labour Party rulers to account.

He holds a regular advice centre at Bedfont Library on the first Thursday of the month between 6pm and 7pm, where people can see him with problems (you can also phone him on 8384 0937).

His recent work has included campaigning for the new skate park, and pushing successfully for a pedestrian refuge in the Staines Road near the Fairholme Estate.

John is helped by Lib Dem campaigners Girish Rach and Reeten Banerji, who hope to join him on the council at May's elections. John says: "Reeten and Girish will work hard for Bedfont if elected - and having their support will allow me to do more too."