1. About Hillingdon

The London Borough of Hillingdon is the second largest borough in London. 

Map of Hillingdon

2. Hillingdon Council

What is a borough and a council? 

London is by far the largest city in the United Kingdom, and is split up into 32 smaller units called London boroughs, and each is governed by a London borough council.

Councils are responsible for social care and provide some aspects of transport, housing, and education. They are also in charge of a range of neighbourhood services including libraries and waste collection.

Each of the 32 London boroughs are divided into wards. Each ward is usually represented by three elected councillors. Elections are held every four years.

Hillingdon Council 

The London Borough of Hillingdon is the second largest borough in London. 

Hillingdon Council  runs most of the day-to-day services across the London Borough of Hillingdon. The council is responsible for housing, social services, street cleaning, waste disposal, roads, local planning and many arts and leisure services. 

The main council offices are located in the Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge.

The council is made up of 65 councillors. 

Councillors are not paid, but receive allowances from the council to ensure that they are not financially penalised for carrying out their duties.

All councillors meet together as the full council and meetings are normally open to the public.

At these meetings, councillors decide the council's overall policies and set the budget each year. They debate issues of current interest, consider and approve proposals from the Cabinet and appoint councillors to sit on the various council committees and outside bodies.

Find your councillor by entering your postcode. You can also find your councillor by name, political party or ward.

The office for your local council is called a surgery. 

Find your nearest council surgery location and opening times 

Mayor of Hillingdon

Each year a Mayor is appointed to lead the ceremonial and civic duties of Hillingdon. 

The Mayor is elected annually from among the councillors and takes office after the Council meeting in May.

The Mayor is the First Citizen of the London Borough of Hillingdon. During his/her term of office, he/she has a specific role to play for the local authority.

The Mayor's office is not political and he/she represents the council at many civic and ceremonial events in Hillingdon, as well as other boroughs.

The Mayor attends many different types of functions throughout Hillingdon, including the official opening of events or new facilities, talking to clubs and societies, and visiting schools.

One of the Mayor's most important tasks throughout the year is to chair council meetings in the Council Chamber, to keep order and ensure the rules of debate are followed.

The Mayor hosts visits to the Mayor's Parlour (office of the Mayor) from various organisations and is always happy to receive a request.

In a non-political way, the Mayor is responsible for furthering the interests of the borough whenever and wherever an appropriate occasion arises.

While hosting Citizenship Ceremonies and during any official visits to the borough, the Mayor has the role of receiving Members of the Royal Family.

The Mayor also acts as host to distinguished visitors, including national representatives of various organisations and foreign visitors.

*Information and images as shared on the Hillingdon Council website

3. Rule of Law

Rule of Law (including information on police and courts)

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

We hope that you will not come into contact with the Criminal Justice System (CJS) but  it is worth knowing the basics of how things work in the UK. 

POLICE IN THE UK

• Your area has a Safer Neighbourhood Team who help with local problems (noise, graffiti, anti-social behaviour, providing independent scrutiny to policing and influencing crime solutions).  

4. Safeguarding

Safeguarding, your security and information on the Home Office

• The first duty of the government is to keep citizens safe and the country secure. 

• The Home Office plays a fundamental role in the security and economic prosperity of the United Kingdom.

CLICK:   Home Office

This has a list of all the different parts of the Home Office:

Citizenship and the EU Settlement Status for those affected by BREXIT

5. Democracy

Democracy and the political system in the UK

How Does The Government Work?

The Political System In The United Kingdom

• The two biggest political parties in the UK are the Conservative and Unionist Party and The Labour Party. 

• There are many other parties including the Liberal Democrats, the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru

• The UK is divided into 650 areas called constituencies. 

• At every general election, the voters in every constituency choose a Member of Parliament (MP) to represent them. 

• Your MP represents you. You can contact them about problems or things you are concerned about. 

• Citizens of the UK, the Commonwealth and the Republic of Ireland (if resident in the UK) can vote in all public elections.

• Citizens of European Union (EU) states who are resident in the UK can vote in all elections except national parliamentary elections.

• These national elections choose who will be the next Government and are known as ‘General Elections’. 

• A General Election is held every five years. 

MPs represent all the people in their local area, including the people who voted for them and the people who did not. They can speak out in the House of Commons about issues that matter to you.

Use our helpful guide to find out who your MP is, how to contact them and how they may be able to help you.

Download or order free copies:  You and your MP booklet

Click to find your MP:           Find my MP

                                                 Your Local MP

To vote in an election you need to be on the Register of Voters.

How do I register?

You can register if you are:

• 16 years old or over (you must be 18 or over to vote)

• A citizen of Britain, a Commonwealth country or an EU country

• Every year the Council will send a form to your house. If you are allowed to register, put your name on the list.

You only need to register once - not for every election.

CLICK:     Register Online    

Or

You can ask for an Electoral Registration form from:

Electoral Registration Office

Civic Centre

High Street

Uxbridge 

UB8 1UW

How do I vote?

• If you have registered then before an election you will receive a voting card.

• On the day of the election take the card (or your passport) to the address on the card (the Polling Station) and you will then be able to vote.

      CLICK:    Apply for a Postal Vote   

What elections can I vote in?

• Elections for your local council (e.g. Hillingdon)

• The European Parliament

• Mayor London and London Assembly

If you are a citizen of Britain or a Commonwealth citizen you can also vote in:

• A General Election (when the whole country votes)

• A By-election (when people in your area vote for a new MP)

UK Parliament Awards 2022

6. Citizenship and the EU Settlement Scheme

Citizenship and the EU Settlement Status for those affected by BREXIT

This section is divided into 2 parts:

1. Citizenship, Passport application and Life in the UK test
2. BREXIT and EU Settlement Status 

6.1. UK Citizenship

To Check if you can become a British Citizen:   British Citizenship

Which test do I need to do for citizenship or to settle in the UK?

If you are 18 or over and applying for citizenship or to settle in the UK (known as ‘Indefinite leave to Remain’), you may need to do life in the UK test and prove your knowledge of the English language.

Prove knowledge of the English Language:

You can prove it by having either:

• an English qualification at B1, B2, C1 or C2 level

• a degree taught or researched in English

British Citizenship Ceremonies 

• You need to bring the invitation letter sent to you by the Home Office.

• You must attend a ceremony within 3 months of getting confirmation that your application was successful.  
  

• You pay a fee to the Home Office.

• Ceremonies are at the Civic Centre.  You will get a Certificate of Naturalisation, and sign a Citizenship Register. You can bring 2 guests.

• The ceremony itself will take approximately one hour.

• You may want to take photographs at the end of the ceremony.

Fees for a Private Ceremony

• Monday to Friday £100 per person.

• Saturday £125 per person.

  CALL:  (01895) 250418

6.2. BREXIT and EU Settlement Scheme

BREXIT 

What is Brexit? 

Brexit - British exit - refers to the UK leaving the EU.

What happens after Brexit day?

The UK formally left the EU on 31st January 2020, but there is still a lot to talk about and months of negotiation to come.

Transition Period:

There is now a transition period until the end of 2020 while the UK and EU agree on additional arrangements.

The current rules on trade, travel, and business for the UK and EU will apply in the transition period.

New rules will start on 1st January 2021.

Travel to the EU:

You can continue to travel to the EU as usual during the transition period.

From 1st January 2021 there will be new rules to travel to the EU, or to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

CLICK:    Travel to EU from 1st Jan. 2021

EU SETTLEMENT SCHEME

Staying in the UK if you’re an EU citizen

Check if you need to apply to the settlement scheme if you or your family are from the EU, or from Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

CLICK:  Continue to Live in the UK

Living and Working in the EU:

Living and working in an EU country depends on the rules in that country.

You may need to register or apply for residency. You should check that you are covered for healthcare.

You may also need to exchange your UK driving licence for a licence issued by the EU country where you live.

CLICK:  UK Nationals Living in the UK

EU Settlement Scheme

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you and your family can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK.

The deadline for applying is 30 June 2021. You must have started living in the UK by 31 December 2020.

 It is FREE to apply to the Scheme.

What you will need to apply:

• Proof of your identity

• Proof of your residence in the UK, unless you have a valid permanent residence document, or valid indefinite leave to remain in or enter the UK

How to Apply:  

You can apply online :      Apply Now

Use the EU Settlement Scheme contact form to get help online.

If you want  to stay in the UK without applying:    Stay in the UK without applying

How can we at HACL help? 

Call us at our Brookfield office  on 01895 556455

7. Census collection

Census collection and how we can help you

What is a census?

The census is a survey that happens every 10 years and gives us a picture of all the people and households in England and Wales. The census is unique. There’s simply nothing else that gives so much detail about us and the society we live in.

All kinds of organisations, from local authorities to charities, use the information to help provide the services we all need, including transport, education and healthcare. Without the census, it would be much more difficult to do this.

By taking part, you’ll be helping make sure you and your community get the services needed now and in the future.

Census 2021 - Online

Census 2021 will be the first digital-first census. It’s easy to do and can be done on any device. You’ll get an access code from us at the Office for National Statistics. Simply go online and enter the code into our secure website to get started.

How can we at HACL help? 

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO THE CENSUS 2021 WEBSITE