Yasmin Parnham has called out Hounslow Council for failing to engage with local Showmen, despite a recent needs assessment undertaken by the authority which found the community urgently requires additional sites outside its existing base in Feltham.

Singling out councillor and cabinet member for regeneration and development, Tom Bruce, for his lack of communication, Parnham criticised the way in which Showmen continue to be overlooked when it comes to the provision of resources.

“No matter how many emails I send to Tom Bruce and even copying in our MP Seema Malhotra and other councillors they don’t even have the decency to reply,” said Parnham.

“Instead of helping us this councillor, Tom Bruce, is just tying us into another Feltham masterplan and evading what he should in fact be doing.”

Having already had to fight the council to remain on the land they own on Station Estate Road, and fight they did, Parnham denounced the fact that Showmen continue to be left out of discussions regarding their own homes.

“Year after year the Council tells me, ‘Oh yes, it’s all in hand, we have a dedicated team.’ Then lo and behold they leave, another lot take over and they fob you off with these and have to get up to speed with it, and yes you’ve guessed it! By the time they do, they leave. What an insult to our intelligence!”