Hounslow Council regrettably announces the passing of former Councillor Pieter Betlem.

He first served on the council as an Alderman between 1968 and 1974 before being elected as a Conservative Councillor representing the Chiswick Riverside Ward between 1974 and 1990. 

Raised in Chiswick he sat on many council committees and chaired the Chiswick Town Hall Users Group for ten years up to his retirement.

Mr Betlem also served on the Watermans Arts Centre Committee and on the Heathrow Airport Consultative Committee. 

Soon after he retired from Hounslow Council, he moved to Shamley Green in Surrey and served as a councillor for that ward on Waverley Borough Council between 1995 and 2003, and where he was also their Millennium Mayor in 1999/2000.

He then served again between 2003 until 2007 as a ward councillor for Wonersh Ward in the same council.  

Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of Hounslow Council, said: "I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of former Councillor Pieter Betlem. My thoughts are with his wife Doreen, his family and friends. 

"He was a great asset to the Council and our residents but also served our country. He served in the Royal Scots Greys during the Second World War as later served in what was then West Berlin garrison in Cyprus, showcasing his commitment to our country and people, local and national. His absence will be felt by many." 

The council will pay tribute to former councillor Betlem at its meeting in February 2024. 

To mark the death of the Councillor a black ribbon has been placed around the Hounslow Council flag in main reception at Hounslow House. 

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