Hounslow set for two by-elections after double council resignations
There will be two council by-elections in Hounslow in the upcoming months following the resignation of two councillors. The affected wards include Brentford East and Syon and Brentford Lock.
Former Councillor Balraj Sarai was forced to resign his position after failing to attend meetings. The law dictates that should a councillor remain absent for a period of six months, their seat will automatically be vacated.
In 2024, he missed 73 per cent of meetings he was expected to attend. Despite this, he received his £12,000 annual councillor allowance. The former councillor regularly finished bottom of the Hounslow Council table for casework undertaken.
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Rhys Williams, councillor for Brentford East revealed he was resigning for personal reasons. In a post shared to social media he said: "Over recent months I have been considering whether I could continue to effectively balance my responsibilities as a councillor representing my residents with my responsibilities as a partner and a father to a young daughter alongside working full time.
"Spending the Christmas period in Australia with family gave me the opportunity to reflect on my priorities at this time in my life, and I have decided that I need to put my family first.
"I am grateful to the leadership of the Hounslow Labour group, and my Ward colleague councillor Marina Sharma for their unwavering support.
"My final words are for the residents of Brentford East. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your local councillor. It has been a great privilege and an incredible experience to have spent the last 3 years representing this wonderful community.
The by-elections will take place on Thursday March 6. More information on how to vote is available on the Hounslow Council website.
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