Chalkhill infill plans passed unanimously by Brent Planning Committee

 Cllr Kathleen Fraser (Independent, Chalkhill ward) speaks to the Planning Committee

 

There were some carefully considered contributions to Brent Planning Committee last night when a Metropolitan Housing Trust application for 61 new homes on the Chalkhill Estate was discussed. New blocks of up to 5 storeys will replace garages and car parking space on the 'Science Blocks' area.

Contributors recognised the need for more social housing and were pleased that ALL the new homes will be at social rent. A rare occurence in Brent!

However, there were some downsides. Mariana, from the most affected block, Einstein House, made a detailed case that a three storey block, replacing one storey garages, would impact on the amount of daylight residents received and were too close, well causing Einstein flats to be overlooked from the balconies of the new block.  Various mitigation measures were discussd, including screening of windows, tree planting etc. None of the proposals seemed to fully answer the problem.

 Cllr Kathleen Fraser, (Independent Chalkhill ward) whilst advocating the case for more social housing, recognised the disruption that would occur to residents and listed their concerns in full. She wanted assurances that existing residents would be fully involved and consulted as the demolition and new build took place.

There was concern that a CPZ would land hard-pressed low income residents with further charges. 

An issue that emerged during the discussion was a lack of confidence in Metropolitan Thames Valley's management of the estate including  management, maintenance, waste, safety, anti-social behaviour and issues such as abandoned cars dumped in estate car parks.  Metropolitan Housing Trust is separate from the daily managment and were not ble to answer fully. Brent Council will need to be in close touch with residents, councillors and Metropolitan when the work gets underway.

The Planning Committee unanimously approved the application. 

 

 

'Strong & inspiring' Woodfield School strikers vote unanimously for further strike action after 'paltry' offer

 What do you do on a wintery picket line? Dance - naturally!

 

NEU members at Woodfield Special School in Kingsbury attended an online meeting in high numbers and voted unanimously to reject a 'paltry' offer from the Trust that runs the school.

Their strike is over wage cuts and the management offer was a pay cut of 2-1/2 hours instead pf 3-1/2.

There have already been 6 days of strike action and members  voted unaminously to continue with 3 days strike next week and another 3 days  when schools return after the winter break.

 NEU leaders described the NEU members as strong and the most inspiring ever.

Messages of solidarity are very much appreciated please send to jennifer.cooper@neu.org.uk and lucy.cox@neu.org.uk 

Educators say No! sent a solidarity message to the strikers:

Solidarity Statement for Woodfield School Workers

We stand in full solidarity with the staff at Woodfield School, who provide essential care and education for children with special needs. These pupils rely on consistent, skilled adult support, yet the Trust is proposing cuts to some of the lowest-paid and most vital workers. Staff have raised serious concerns about financial transparency and reported irregularities in the budget, demonstrating real courage and a commitment to protecting their school community.

At the same time, an inflated CEO salary highlights misplaced priorities that undermine confidence in the Trust’s decisions. Workers are right to defend both their livelihoods and the quality of education their students deserve.

The picket lines at Woodfield have been vibrant, united, and determined, with members electing an additional rep and voting for further action. Their strength and solidarity reflect a deep commitment to their students.

We stand with Woodfield staff—your fight is just, and you are not alone.

 

Peter Murry, Brent Green Party Trade Union Liaison Officer sent a solidarity message to the NEU strikers: 

Brent Green Party sends its support to National Education Union members at Woodfield Special School who have taken six days strike action and propose to take a further three days strike before the holiday, against the insufficient offer being made to them by the school's management trust. We call on the Trust to agree to the strikers'  reasonable and fair demands and  restore a full SEND education service to the communities that Woodfield school serves.

 

'Towerblock' Tatler elevated to the heights on Starmer's recommendation and is joined by ex-Brent MP Sarah Teather

 

Cllr Shama Tatler becomes a Life Peer, a baroness in the Political Peerages announced today and will take a seat in the House of Lords. Known for her fondness for tower blocks that have changed the face of Brent, she cares little for the fact that most Brent residents cannot afford them, as long as they pile up the numbers to meet targets.

Cllr Tatler is also a main force behind the 'Labour YIMBY's' (Yes, in my backyard) as well, allegedly, a prime mover in the recent deselection of many Labour councillors through her role in the upper echelons of the London Labour Party. The deselected councillors' support for Palestine was allegedly frowned upon by Tatler. 

On the national political stage she rushed to replace  Labour Candidate Faiza Shaheen when she was sacked as a General Election candidate by Keir Starmer. Tatler lost to the Tories.

 

 

Keir Starmer, who made the recommendation is clearly impressed by her. 

Above is my personal view, below is the official citation:

Cllr. Shama Tatler - Brent Councillor and Vice-Chair of the London Labour Regional Executive, Patron of the Labour Housing Group and Head of the Labour Group Office at the Local Government Association. 

Shama Tatler was first elected to Brent Council in 2014 representing Fryent ward, and re-elected in 2018, she now serves the residents of Kingsbury ward. Shama was appointed as Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning in Brent in December 2016. Under her leadership, thousands of new homes have
been delivered alongside progressive planning policies. 

Shama currently serves as Vice-Chair of the London Labour Regional Executive, Vice-Chair of Labour Indians, and Patron of the Labour Housing Group. She is a graduate and mentor of the Fabian Women’s Network mentoring scheme. Shama was also a Labour Party Parliamentary candidate in 2024. Shama began her career as a secondary school History and Humanities teacher and she is a life member of the Children’s Cultural Organisation, Shishukunj. She now works as the Head of the Labour Group Office at the Local Government Association (LGA), supporting Labour councillors and councils.

 

Also nominated for a peerage is Sarah Teather, former MP for Brent East, who won the  seat when Labour voters revolted over Labour support for Blair's Iraq War. Her recorded was tarnished over her support for Coalition policy to impose student fees after she had spoken against them in the Commons. On 6 January 2006, 25 Liberal Democrat MPs signed a letter drafted by Teather and fellow frontbencher Ed Davey, indicating their unwillingness to continue working under party leader Charles Kennedy opposing the Tory-Lib Dem welfare reform. She went on to work with refugees.

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey nominated her for the peerage.

The official citation:

 Sarah Teather - Charity leader, former MP for Brent East and Brent Central and former Minister of State at the Department for Education Sarah Teather is a charity leader, experienced Board member and former government minister and MP. She is currently interim Chief Executive of a national children’s charity that helps young people, families and schools to tackle bullying. She also serves on the boards of Barts Health NHS Trust and Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust as a non-Executive Director. 

Previously, she led JRS UK, a charity providing support, legal advice and accommodation to refugees. She was the Minister of State for Children and Families from 2010 to 2012. She served in Parliament for 12 years as MP for Brent East from 2003 to 2010, and then as MP for Brent Central following boundary changes. She stood down from Parliament in 2015

Flu is early this year - and it's nasty! GET VACCINATED!

 

I can tell you from personal experience! 

Message from Brent Council

 

Flu season has come early this year, and the NHS is bracing itself for what could be a tough winter. Brent Council and our NHS partners are urging residents to support the NHS during this period of high strain on our health service. 

 

Eligible residents can get a flu vaccine at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine, making it as easy as possible for those most at risk to stay protected. Due to the severity of this year’s Flu Season, even close contacts of someone with a weakened immune system are eligible for jabs. If you are visiting elderly family during this holiday period, we urge you to get your jab and protect your loved ones and the NHS.

 

It is easier than ever to get vaccinated. Brent Council and the NHS have been going out into communities to deliver the vaccines and provide health check-ups. Pop-up vaccine clinics are available at our libraries, our health buses will be located at local supermarkets, and at your local pharmacist. Visit the North West London NHS page here, to book your vaccination or find your local walk-in vaccine clinic.

 

This approach was just one of the things outlined at a recent Health and Wellbeing Board Meeting to address winter pressures on the healthcare system. Preventing hospital admissions and supporting patients to be discharged as soon as possible will also be crucial to protecting communities this Winter.

 

Councillor Neil Nerva, Brent’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Leisure said: 

 

Together the council and local NHS have been working hard through Brent Integrated Care Partnership to ensure the system works as efficiently as possible during the difficult winter months.

 

I know residents are also keen to do their bit to protect their NHS, which is why we have been making a real effort to explain all the ways they can do that. Getting your jabs if you’re eligible and making sure you only use emergency services for life-threatening situations all makes a huge difference.

 

Bhavna Patel, from Chana Chemist, was one of the team helping with the vaccinations at the health bus. She said:

 

Residents can arrange their jabs through their GP or at their local pharmacist, but we also make the effort to come out into the community to offer the vaccines and other health checks like blood pressure.

 

In addition to getting out and about around the borough, Cllr Nerva has also appeared in a recent video made to promote the key messages and the council has printed posters to appear in parks, housing estates, shops and other community settings to spread the word far and wide.

 

The video that Cllr Nerva made with the Brent Borough Medical Director, Dr Rammya Mathew, is available on Brent Council’s YouTube channel, explaining how residents can use local pharmacies, NHS 111 and out-of-hour appointments via GP Practices to get the help they need.

 

Dr Rammya Mathew advised;

 

As Winter approaches, our NHS is always under extra pressure. We all have a responsibility to try to look after the NHS. The best way to do that is by keeping safe, and there are a number of ways we can do this.

 

The first thing to do is to get vaccinated if you are eligible. The early public health data is showing us that we have had a spike in flu much earlier than usual. Because of that, it is very important for people to get their vaccines early.

 

To support our NHS, residents are advised that if they feel unwell, they should first visit a pharmacy, where they can be advised on treatment or be referred to their GP. By visiting pharmacies first, residents help free up our GP capacity for those who need it most. 

 

To find out whether you are eligible for a flu or COVID-19 vaccination and to book a slot or find out where to access a walk-in clinic, go to the North West London NHS webpage. You can also find out further information there about where to get the most appropriate medical help for any health issues you develop over winter. 

To see all the support we offer over the Winter period in Brent, visit our Winter in Brent page here.

 

 

Green peers recognise they voted wrong way on Employment Rights Bill amendment - they undertake to work closely with trade unions and fight for a better Bill

From the Green Party Trade Union Group

In November, Green peers voted for an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill concerning zero hours contracts. The amendment – which would alter the proposed mechanism to protect workers currently on ‘zero-hours’ contracts – would weaken the proposed protections in the Bill.

Green peers should have voted against it, as Green MPs had done before and have done again today, when the Bill returned to the Commons.

We’ve spoken to the Green peers, and they recognise this. They’re determined to work closely with trade unions to provide the strongest possible protections for workers on ‘zero hours’ contracts in any future legislation.

The Employment Rights Bill never went nearly far enough. Its provisions on union access and rights to industrial action are full of loopholes, ripe for exploitation by big business.

Just last month, the Labour Government broke its promise to workers by refusing to give workers full rights from ‘day one’ – an about-face which all four Green MPs have signed Andy McDonald’s motion against. It is only determined pressure from trade unions that has prevented even more u-turns from a Labour government that is failing workers.

In this context, it is essential that we defend the Bill’s best reforms – and fight for something better. The Green Party’s Trade Union Liaison Officers, Greens in Green Party Trade Union Group and beyond are committed to working closely with our union comrades to do just that.

Failings in Brent Council's social landlord duty continue

 

This morning's Brent Cabinet discussed progress on addressing the improvement plan demanded by the Social Housing Regulator after the Council's self-referral.  'Historic failings' on repairs and maintenance were condemned.

Lead Cabinet member Donelly-Jackson said that the progress report was 'necessarily frank' but the council was now aiming to be easy to contact, quick to respond and with clear communication.

Leader of the Council, Muhammed Butt, said, 'Even one failing for one resident is a reflection on all of us...we are the only ones they can come to. They can't go anywhere else.'

Summarising he said, 'We hold ourselves accountable for all our failings.'

Fine words but the entrance door on a South Kilburn block above, reported on November 14th if not before, has still not been repaired. It is not a fire door as first thought, but is a security door. Despite a council claim that it has been 'made safe' pending repair, it is still open.  This is way byond the 8-10 days promised and well outside the new regulations for urgent safety issues. 

Just yesterday in Harlesden I spoke to a tenant in a Brent Council block where gound floor sewage leakage had been reported frequently for months but never effectively irradicated. 

Clearly there is much to be done before the Council can claim to have solved its long-term 'historic failings.' 

Ask Barry Gardiner & Dawn Butler to intervene on behalf of their constituents on hunger strike

 

 

From Prisoners4Palestine

 

Sign Early Day Motion to help your constituent on a hunger strike in British prison

 

Dear [MP NAME], 

My name is [X] (Y address). I am writing as your constituent to call on you to immediately sign the Early Day Motion ‘Palestine Action hunger strike’ to respond to the ongoing hunger strikes of seven prisoners held on remand for alleged actions in solidarity with Palestine. Qesser Zuhrah, Heba Muraisi (Barry Gardiner) and Lewie Chiaramello (Dawn Butler) are your constituent/s - you have a duty to their health.

 

The hunger strike began on 2nd November and is now entering its second month.

 

5 prisoners have already been hospitalised. During their hospitalisations, they were prevented from contacting their next of kin and legal team, which is a breach of their fundamental rights.

 

We support all of the hunger striking prisoners’ demands. We call on you to grant them immediate bail and the right to a fair trial, and we express grave concern for their rapidly deteriorating health and their reported mistreatment in prison. We also ask for the full disclosure of documentation surrounding their legal case which has so far been censored. 

 

As Member of Parliament you have a duty to your constituent, to ensure their safety and upholding their fundamental rights, and we demand you act without delay.

 

Kind regards, [Name, address - need your residential address or it will not get processed]

 

There is also an e-action on the prisoners from the Palestine Solidarity Camapaign HERE

Write to your MP: Sign the EDM on prisoners on hunger strike in Britain

Seven prisoners associated with Palestine Action are currently on hunger strike in protest over the repressive and inhumane conditions of their detention in British prisons. Their health is deteriorating quickly, so they need urgent intervention.

These prisoners are facing trial for allegedly taking action to prevent arms manufacturers from shipping weapons to Israel, used in its genocide against the Palestinian people. It is the perpetrators of genocide, and the British politicians and companies arming them, who should be facing trial.  

John McDonnell MP has tabled Early Day Motion (EDM) 2386 calling on the Secretary of State for Justice to intervene and make sure the prisoners' conditions are improved and their rights are upheld. 

Please take two minutes to email your MP to ask them to sign EDM 2386.

Stop Air Pollution. Community picture Sunday - Jubilee Clock Harlesden 11am

 

Join us this SUNDAY at the Jubilee Clock, 11 am in #Harlesden, for a community picture. ALL WELCOME! Thanks to The Social Innovation Partnership (TSIP) and Impact on Urban Health: Helping cities & urban areas become healthier places for everyone, for supporting our work on #cleanair to collect data that can inform policies and strategies to reduce #AirPollution. #communitypower #neighbourhoodplanning