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| Paul Lorber with Volunteer Library supporters and users |
The Committee is not quite as neutral as it sounds as it is peopled entirely by Brent Cabinet members Pavey, Denselow, Hirani, McLennan and Southwood. In essence it is a 'mini-Cabinet'.
The applicants who would pay £7,000 per annum for up to 15 years are Pivot Point Community Development Fund and the Friends of Barham Park Library.
The Trust's Property Adviser has recommended Pivot because of its strong record of community engagement but this needs to be set against the Friends of Barham Library who have been successful in running two community libraries in Sudbury and Wembley High Road and gaining support from the local community.
The full report is HERE.
Former Brent Liberal Democrat leader Paul Lorber has been an active member of the campaign against library closures since the closure decision was made by the Ann John administration and is a major force behind the Friends of Barham Library.
In the circumstances the Trust's decision will be under intense scrutiny for transparency and objectivity.
It appears Brent Council recognises the issues involved as this note on the Forward Plan indicates:
Decision maker: Barham Park Trust CommitteeDecision due: 8 Oct 2015Lead officer: Richard BarrettNotice of proposed decision first published: 30/09/2015
Reason for urgency:
It is impracticable to defer the decision until the usual Forward Plan period, i.e. 28 days, has expired because it was only recently decided that, in the interests of openness and accountability, the delegated authority given to the Property Advisor to the Trust Committee and the Chair of the Trust Committee to select a successful bidder should not be exercised and instead the decision should be made by the Committee itself. As it is in the best interests of the Trust and the prospective bidders that this decision is made as soon as possible, providing the full Forward Plan notice is impracticable.
The decision has already been made. NO way on the planet will they allow FoBL to have the space. The only reason Kensal and Cricklewood have had any - minimal! - support from Brent is because they're not seen as being as "outspoken" as Barham.
ReplyDeletefriends of Baraham Library have by far the stronger bid and by far the best for the local community
ReplyDeleteThey do indeed, Francis. But that's been the case before and they've always crapped on FoBL. :(
DeleteThere's always a butt
ReplyDeleteMight have something to do with the fact that this is Paul Lorber's ego trip / way of worming his way into Wembley Central.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you think of Lorber, spending forty hours or more a week working on Barham Library is a stunningly inefficient way of worming yourself into a ward.
DeleteLorber will take Stopp's seat.
DeleteLol. Except that Stopp's not standing again.
DeleteStopp must be doing a Sarah Teather then, standing down because he knows he'll lose the seat.
DeleteI agree with EvaDiva (2 October at 18:14) below. If working hard, voluntarily, for a cause you believe in, and which is of great benefit to the community you are part of, is an 'ego trip', then let's hope that more people decide to embark on such journeys.
DeletePhilip Grant.
Well said, Philip and EvaDiva.
Deleteafraid of the library because it's supported by everyone. shame on you.
DeleteWhoever you are 'Anonymous', you should be ashamed of your nasty comment above. Mr Lorber and the FoBL have worked tirelessly and voluntarily to provide a much needed community space - it's not just about the library service - it's also to do with providing a place to go to, to bring together local people of differing ages, backgrounds, nationalities, vulnerabilities, religions etc. This is crucial in Brent, never more so when we have recently been voted the third unhappiest borough in London in which to live; we need to be forging more friendships and spreading a few more smiles & getting to know our neighbours better. FoBLdo this and have been bringing varied members of the whole community together for enjoyment and leisure of reading. Titus Barham had the same wish when he made his philanthropic bequest to local people ie for his estate to be used for the benefit and enjoyment of the community. What's so wrong in trying to get at least some of the Barham Park building back in use for that ever growing local community - it doesn't matter who's out there fighting for it - just as long as they are doing so! Which leads me to ask you 'Anonymous', rather than waste time making snide remarks, why don't you volunteer and do something USEFUL instead for your community.
ReplyDeletehttp://wembleymatters.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/the-case-presented-by-friends-of-barham.html?m=1
ReplyDeletePlease see the bid document
Tomorrow is D day I will be there
ReplyDelete