Zoë Garbett Green Assembly Member to London Mayor: You are ignoring the reality of estate regeneration

 This may resonate with South Kilburn residents:

Shortly after handing in a petition from residents of the Lesnes Estate for the Mayor to ‘call-in’ the proposed development, Zoë Garbett AM questioned the Mayor over his failure to acknowledge how much he has ignored the reality of Londoners suffering through the city’s ongoing estate regeneration.

Quoting lived experience of those residents from the Thamesmead estate, Zoë pointed to the real-life impacts of estate regeneration on individuals and communities across the city, drawing on their awful living conditions, uncertainty, and displacement.

Following the exchange, Green Party London Assembly Member Zoë Garbett said:

Estate regeneration is displacing Londoners, ripping communities apart with no accountability for the developers and landlords tasked with improving housing across our city. Refurbishment should always be the default option.

Estate regeneration can drag on for years, decades even. There are very few safeguards to make sure this doesn’t happen. It's a lottery – and the Mayor needs to listen to residents to prevent more councils, housing associations and developers embarking on more disastrous regeneration schemes.

My biggest thanks to the residents of the Lesnes Estate for showing me around their community, and for forcing this issue onto the Mayor’s desk before the crisis gets any further out of hand.

In response to the concerns raised, the Mayor said:

I’ll undertake today to get my Deputy for Housing to look into this issue, but also to work with you, Zoë, to try and ameliorate the circumstances [residents] are living under.

To view the full exchange, please click here

UPDATE: Drivers ignoring Wembley High Road ban WILL be fined, Brent Council confirms. Fine £130 or £65 if paid within 14 days.

 

Following rumours that the cameras on the closed section of Wembley High Road are not being used to catch drivers ignoring the 'Buses and Emergency Vehicles Only' restriction, a reliable source at Brent Council has said that the cameras are working and are catching unauthorised vehicles. The motorists will all receive a fine.

UPDATE:

 Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: 

People using the emergency/bus lane without authorisation will receive a fine of £130 or £65 if paid within 14 days. We've communicated the closure widely, officers have been on site to speak with motorists, and we've also increased signage around the area to make the situation crystal clear.

 

Ofsted insection of Brent services for children and young people with special needs or disabilities - Give your views before 9am on Tuesday 21st January

 

From Brent Council

 

On 13 January 2025, Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) announced that they would be undertaking Brent’s local area SEND inspection between 13 – 31 January. 

You can read more about what to expect from a local area SEND inspection here: https://orlo.uk/EZMVA

Get involved! 

As part of the inspection, the inspectors are seeking the views of children and young people with SEND, their parents and carers, and practitioners. 

You can give your views here: https://orlo.uk/TxBcz The survey is open until 9am on 21 January 2025. 

If you need an easy-read version of the summary, or need any assistance to complete the survey, you can ask at any of Brent’s Family Well-being Centres, or contact the Brent Parent Carer Forum by emailing admin@brentpcf.org or call Mirela on

07575128582.

SEND SURVEY LINKS COMPLETE BEFORE 9am TUESDAY 21ST JANUARY

 

 

 

Local Area SEND inspections explained - information for parents and carers

 

We have created this page to help answer any questions or queries about the Local Area SEND Inspection process, carried out jointly by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

 

The Local Area SEND inspection is an inspection of services jointly provided by education, health and social care services. The inspection is undertaken by inspectors from Ofsted who also inspect schools and the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

 

The aim is to hold the Local Area of Brent to account, by reviewing how the Local Area meets their responsibilities for children and young people aged 0-25 who have additional needs and disabilities. 

 

Feedback for the inspectors from parents and carers

 

As part of the inspection process parents and carers are asked for their feedback. You are invited to share your experiences of the help and support available to children with SEND in Brent through a survey.

 

The survey will ask you about any support your child gets for their education, health and care needs, their social life, and to prepare them for the next stage of their life. This feedback will give the inspectors a good understanding of the current SEND provision across Brent. 

 

The survey can be completed online and if you have more than one child with SEND you can use the same link to complete a separate survey for each child.

Complete the online Ofsted survey for parents and carers

The survey will close on 9am on Tuesday 21 January 2025.

• Read information about the parent and carer survey
• View the parent and carer survey easy read document

 

Please view a video that explains what will happen during the inspection and details of the survey. To view the video in BSL, please view Area SEND inspections: information about ongoing inspections - GOV.UK and it is the second video.

 

The survey is voluntary, and you do not have to take part. Responses will complement evidence collected by inspectors for the inspection. You will not be asked for your name.

 

If you wish to complete a paper copy, this needs to be submitted by 3pm on 20 January 2025 and sent to data.areasend@ofsted.gov.uk with Brent Local Area Partnership as the subject line. You can also leave a copy for Michelle Gwyther to submit on your behalf in the Reception at the Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ.

 

Feedback for the inspectors from children and young people

 

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are visiting Brent to carry out an inspection. They are looking at arrangements for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

 

Ofsted/CQC would like to hear your views about the support that you get and how it is helping you. You can do this by completing an online survey.

Complete the online Ofsted survey for children and young people

 

Your views are important to us and the inspectors. They will help the inspectors understand your experience of SEND arrangements in your area. The survey will close at 9am on Tuesday 21 January 2025.

You do not have to take part if you do not want to. You will not be asked for your name. 

Please view a video that explains what will happen during the inspection and details of the survey and  information about the children and young people survey.

 

 

Refugees International on Ceasefire: Humanitarian aid is a right under international law, not a bargaining tool.

Statement from Refugees International

Yesterday, Israel and Hamas announced a temporary ceasefire and a pathway for the exchange of hostages in return for a surge in humanitarian aid, relief supplies, and fuel, along with the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza and the return of internally displaced Palestinians to their homes. 

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas offers a reprieve from the relentless and indiscriminate Israeli military assaults that have devastated Palestinian civilians for the last 15 months, and an end to the terrifying ordeal for the hostages and their families. The Israeli military has killed an estimated 47,000 Palestinians to date, with potentially tens of thousands more deaths that have not yet been recorded. Thousands more are missing and injured. The initial six-week pause outlined in the agreement must evolve into a permanent ceasefire–one that provides the necessary space for sustained recovery, long-term solutions to the root causes of this crisis, and adherence to international law by both Israel and Hamas.

The scale of the assault on and destruction of Gaza’s civilian population and infrastructure is unprecedented. The systematic targeting of essential infrastructure and restrictions on critical humanitarian supplies have unleashed famine, disease, and untold suffering. All warring parties must commit to the immediate and unconditional protection of civilians, an end to attacks on civilian infrastructure, and unimpeded humanitarian access. 

The deal, while a start, does not go far enough in outlining the explicit protections Israel and Hamas are obligated to provide Palestinian civilians. We are particularly concerned that the agreement ties the delivery of humanitarian aid and civilian protections—which are obligations under international law—to both sides’ compliance with prisoner exchanges. Every ceasefire attempt between Israel and Hamas has ended in violations, and this should not be permitted to again imperil humanitarian action. 

Humanitarian aid is a right under international law, not a bargaining tool. Humanitarian access must be ensured under any scenario, and the Israeli government must allow unimpeded humanitarian aid and access into all parts of Gaza, through all functional border crossings. Israel’s well-documented practice of restricting critical aid must be reversed, and the international community must hold Israel accountable and ensure the unconditional, uninterrupted flow of aid to Gaza.

Israeli forces have forcibly displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza. Their withdrawal from populated areas, while necessary, is not sufficient to address the plight of hundreds of thousands who cannot return to homes in northern Gaza and other areas systematically depopulated by Israeli military operations. Refugees International calls on Israel to guarantee the freedom of movement for all Palestinians, including access to areas it has unilaterally designated as “military zones.” They must also release Palestinian doctors and aid providers taken and forcibly disappeared after being captured during Israel’s sieges of Gaza’s major hospitals and clinics.

This is a hopeful moment in a conflict that has seen few of them. But it is a midpoint, not an endpoint. All international partners must deploy all tools of diplomatic leverage to hold the warring parties accountable for fulfilling these terms and producing a definitive end to this horrific war.

 

Tulip Siddiq: The findings of the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards in full

 Brent residents who were constituents of Tulip Siddiq when she was the MP for the Hampstead and Kilburn constituency, will have been following the alleged corruption story with interest. The findings of the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards are perhaps more nuanced than she claimed in her resignation letter yesterday. Here it is in full:

Tony Slattery, Stonebridge boy

 Tony Slattery

A reader has asked my if I will write about Tony Slatter - a  'Stonebridge boy'.  The actor, comedian and master of improvisation was indeed born on the Stonebridge Estate.

He was born into an Irish working class family - the youngest of 5 children to parents Michael and Margaret Slattery. Some write that there was a big gap between him and his older sister that made him a bit of a loner.

He did very well at school and went to Gunnersbury Boys Grammar School and then Cambridge.

It emerged very late in his career that at the age of eight he had been sexually abused by a Catholic priest but had never told his parents. This contributed to  mental health problems covered in a Horizon documentary 'What's the Matter with Tony Slattery?'

This much I can glean but if there is anyone out there who knew Tony in his Stonebridge days and can do him justice, please do contribute in comments below or email me at martinrfrancis@virginmedia.com

The first day of the 18 week Wembley Triangle/part High Road closure. How was it for you?

From a Wembley Central resident

You would not believe the number of drivers that cannot read "Road Closure except buses" the camera sign, camera on posts at  both ends of the closure.  I  questioned one of the workmen who said unless you live in Elizabeth House or Wembley Place apartments and you have submitted your registration all other vehicles will be ticketed and fined.

At Ecclestone Place the sign on Wembley Hill Road just says Access Only Road Closed Two Way street.  This morning the amount of vehicles trying to access the High Road despiet th ban was unbelievable.

 

 I did witness Council Officers around 11.00 am checking the roads etc and looked like they were on their way to Park Lane earlier today. 

 

 

 

Willesden Green Barclays occupied over alleged genocide and apartheid links

 

 Barclays Bank is the only surviving bank in Willesden Green and closes on January 31st.

Brent and Harrow Palestine Solidarity Campaign occupied the branch on Saturday morning in protest at the bank's links with arms companies and the Israel government. Unfortunately, all banks are complicit to some extent but Barclays is the major investor. 

Customers were urged to use the closure as an opportunity to move their accounts to another bank or building society, striking a blow at Barclays similar to that which it suffered when boycotted over its support for apartheid South Africa.

The PSC state:

 Barclays is bankrolling Israel's genocidal assault on Palestinians.

Our research has uncovered that Barclays bank now holds over £2 billion in shares, and provides £6.1 billion in loans and underwriting, to 9 companies whose weapons, components and military technology are being used by Israel in its attacks on Palestinians.

By providing investment and financial services to these arms companies, Barclays is facilitating the provision of weapons and technology for Israel’s attacks on Palestinians.

In addition, Barclays has an agreement with Israel to act as a 'primary dealer' for its government bonds. This means it helps Israel directly to raise money to fund its genocide and apartheid against Palestinians.

Barclays is also a target for climate campaigners over its investments in fossil fuel industries that contribute to climate change and extreme weather events.

If you have a current account with Barclays, the free Current Account Switch Service makes it easy to switch to a different provider and transfer all your payments in one go. It is available to use for both personal and business current accounts.

The demonstration was determined, as can be seen on the video, but the demonstrators made it clear that they were not personally attacking staff or the public but bringing the bank's complicity to their attention.

Police arrived on the scene after demonstrators had left the bank and assembled peacefully outside. They went away apprently satisfied after speaking to participants.

 

If you have time do watch this moving video: