View through the community library window
Dear Editor
Thank you for exposing the latest attack on Barham Park by the people who run
Brent Council.
It is more than 10 years since Labour Councillors closed the Council run
Library in Barham Park.
They will not find it so easy to close Barham Community Library that local
volunteers have worked for over 10 years to create and develop as an active hub
for our local Community.
THE FIGHT TO SAVE OUR COMMUNITY FACILITIES IS ON!
The attack is not just on the Community Library as the Barham Veterans Club and
the Gurkhas are under threat too - as are all the other local Community Groups
which use our space at affordable rates:
The Dementia Support Group attended by 40 people every week
Muslim Prayer Group attend by over 60 every week
Tamil School Classes
Our Knitting & Crochet Sewcial Group
Our Yoga, Pilates and Exercise Dance Groups
Our Book Club
Our Art Club
Our Rhyme & Story telling under 5s group
Our Chess Club
And all the people who love to borrow books from us that others have donated
PLUS all the other local organisations & groups, such as Brent Friends of
the Earth, Wembley Central & Alperton Residents Association, Carribean
Muslim Group and many others who use our space for their social meetings and
activities.
The Labour Cabinet Plan being presented at the Barham Park Trust Meeting on 5
September proposes replacing all the Community facilities with:
1. A Hotel or Rbnb accommodation for visitors to Wembley Stadium -
despite the fact that there are hotel rooms above the Pub opposite Barham, Park
already
2. A Restaurant - despite the fact that the Pub opposite already has a
Restaurant and there are many food places in Sudbury Town 5 minutes walk away.
3. Supermarket & Shops - despite a Tesco Express & 2 other supermarkets
and many other shops in Sudbury Town already.
4. A Cafe taking up the whole of our Library space - despite attempts to open a
Cafe in nearby station failed twice in the last 5 years.
5. Offices
None of these proposals meet the Barham Park Charity objects of providing
recreation and enjoyment for local people as the local benefactor Titus Barham
intended.
If the Council Leadership gets away with building their Hotel & Supermarket
in Barham Park then it will open the door to building on other Brent Parks too
- as the local environment and recreation is sacrificed for money making
ventures irrespective of how much damage they cause.
Over 1000 local people signed the Petition to Protect Barham Park from over
development recently. The message from local people to the out of touch
Leadership of Brent Council is loud and clear. HANDS OFF OUR PARKS & OUR
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Come and support us by attending the Barham Park Trust Meeting at the Brent
Civic Centre. Engineers Way Wembley on Tuesday 5 September at 10a.m. (bus No.92
stop outside and other buses nearby) and help us send a message to the
Leadership of Brent Council that our Parks are for public enjoyment and our
recreations and NOT for Rbnb or a "Boutique" Hotels, or Shops and
Supermarkets that local people have not asked for and do not need.
Thank You for your support.
With best wishes
Paul Lorber
Volunteer & Trustee of Friends of Barham Library
21 comments:
Thank you Paul,
The only Trustee that can be Trusted to do the right thing.
If they get away with this it really will set a precedent for building and developing green spaces in all Boroughs. They will just ride roughshod over covenants and promises in their never ending pursuit to fulfil their housing quota. Soon we will see a block of flats on Butlers Green, Sudbury, a hotel on Vale Farm and even further development on all our green recreational spaces. They are running out of sites to build on. Parks are all that is left and I gather that Brent already has one of the lowest areas of green spaces than other Boroughs
While I appreciate the concerns expressed in the letter, it's also crucial to acknowledge that progress and adaptation are inherent to Labour's vision for the future.
Labour values emphasise inclusivity, economic growth, and community well-being. The addition of a hotel, Airbnb accommodations, and restaurants can contribute to local economic development, creating jobs and generating revenue that can be reinvested in community projects. This reflects Labour's commitment to uplifting working-class families and ensuring economic opportunities for all.
Furthermore, our values prioritise social cohesion and community engagement. While the existing community groups and library are undoubtedly cherished, a cafe in the library space could serve as a modern community hub, encouraging interactions among diverse residents. Labour values embrace these social connections and recognise that community spaces should evolve to meet changing needs.
It's also worth noting that clinging to the past might hinder progress. The proposed development doesn't negate the importance of historical and cultural elements; rather, it strives to balance them with the evolving needs of the present. Labour's principles embrace adaptability and inclusiveness, which means valuing heritage while also moving forward with innovative solutions.
It's essential to appreciate that our movement thrives on finding solutions that cater to the needs of the present while honoring our core principles. This involves acknowledging the benefits of development while working collaboratively to address concerns and ensure a better future for all.
Meanwhile, what is it the Liberal Democrats stand for nowadays as your position Cllr Lorber is far from Liberal. Cllr Anton is similarly always complaining about buildings. 13 years ago your party was all for the conservativism, yet here you are with the conservatism again. Now your party is flirting with joining us in a coalition if given an opportunity, but how can you abide that if you do not know progress when you see it?
You say "Labour's principles embrace adaptability & inclusiveness, which means valuing heritage while also moving forward with innovative solutions."
So Labour 'embrace inclusiveness'? If so why have Brent Labour not engaged with any of us local residents about what we want to see in Barham Park? Why did Brent Labour go against locally adopted planning regulations drawn up with the local community, deciding instead in favour of a property developer?Why are you keeping details re the costs the which the developer would have to pay for having the Covenant on the 2 ex park keepers cottages removed a secret? If that money will be spent on the park we need to know exactly how much money so that we can keep track of how it's spent. Why are Wembley residents not allowed to sit on the Barham Park Trust Committee? Why are we not allowed to even address the Barham Park Trust Committee meetings? Why is the Barham Park Trust Committee meeting at the Brent Civic Centre on 5th September at 10.00am, why not hold it at Barham Park Community Library? Why not hold it in the evening or on a Saturday when more people would be able to attend?
Why did Brent Labour give £17.8 million of our NCIL money to multimillion pound property developer Quintain to build the steps outside Wembley Stadium, how did that help raise up the 'working class'??? You have no idea about the meaning of the word inclusiveness - your endless tower blocks and student accomodation blocks are not solving the local 'working class' housing waiting list and not helping build community, they are just creating money making schemes for rich developers and overseas investors.
If Labour value heritage, why are Brent Labour intent on demolishing the historic Altamira building at Morland Gardens in Stonebridge to build yet another huge tower block??? Any decent architect could have designed the new flats/college
around that historic building so that it was retained intact!!!
This is why we don't trust Brent Labour to do the right thing in Barham Park!!!
You say "This involves acknowledging the benefits of development while working collaboratively to address concerns and ensure a better future for all." Does this include all the plastic grass, instead of proper grass, at all the new developments in Wembley Park when you've declared a climate emergency??? How does that help the environment and ensure a better future for all?
If you are addressing concerns why are you not catching the fly tippers and street drinkers at the daily hotspot locations that we've been reporting for years??? You refuse to put up cctv cameras yet Wembley Park has preferential treatment.
Where will all the delivery vans and lorries for the cafe/bar, supermarket and retail outlets park? Please don't tell us that they will turn half of the park into a car park???
Anonymous (30 August at 21.46) sees Barham Park as a party political issue. It is not, and should never be!
It is about what is right for the heritage land and buildings, given into the care of the Council by a generous benefactor, for the recreation and enjoyment of the Wembley community which he had lived among and been an active part of for more than 40 years.
Brent Labour has become the party of Build Build Butt and Towerblock Tatler, pursuing their personal agenda rather than traditional Labour values. Once elected, they feel they can do what they want, and ignore the views of local people.
Paul Lorber may be a Lib Dem councillor, but he has also worked tirelessly, and voluntarily, for the people in the Sudbury area and beyond, so that they can have good community facilities in Barham Park.
He is fighting to uphold what they want, and his actions should be supported and applauded, not sniped at by an apologist for Brent's version of a Labour Party.
Will Brent Labour ever listen and support its residents. I hear them whispering, but we are building homes for Brent residents in need...... What a load of rubbish, the housing waiting list continues to climb higher and higher while Brent allow more and more Student Accommodation to be built, along with Airbnd and various other non-residential developments. We are told that Brent are building Council Homes, but they never say at what rents they are do they. Very few are at Social Housing Rates, consequently Brent residents can't afford them.
Brent Labour should be ashamed, but their hubris sees no limits.
It's essential to clarify that while the use of plastic grass in new developments might seem counterintuitive in a climate emergency, there are nuanced considerations at play. Plastic grass can offer environmental benefits, such as reduced water consumption and lower maintenance requirements compared to natural grass. Additionally, aesthetic reasons cannot be dismissed, as well-maintained green spaces can significantly enhance the overall look and feel of an area, contributing to a vibrant environment that residents can enjoy.
Addressing concerns about fly-tipping and street drinking is indeed a priority. While CCTV cameras might provide a degree of deterrence, it's important to approach this issue with a comprehensive strategy. Focusing solely on cameras might not address the underlying factors that contribute to such behaviors. Labour's approach involves considering the rights of street drinkers and vulnerable individuals, recognisinf that these issues often stem from complex personal circumstances.
Solutions should aim at providing access to support services, addiction treatment, and opportunities for reintegration into the community and lets not forget it was the conservative and liberal democrats who decimated our services in coalition.
As for the preferential treatment perception, it's worth noting that resources are allocated based on diverse community needs. Different areas might require distinct approaches to address specific challenges. Labour's commitment to equity doesn't imply that resources should be equally distributed across all locations without considering the unique demands of each community. The wealthy are part of our community too and it is why Kier Starmer has confirmed we will be inclusive towards their needs and not fall fowl to the green eyes of jealousy by forcing them to pay a wealth tax and such like.
It's important to recognise that wealth often brings with it resources, opportunities, and the means to invest in local communities. While it's true that some wealthy areas may appear well-maintained due to higher levels of investment, it's not accurate to generalise that this is solely a result of poor areas being neglected by a labour council. Through the development of Wembley for example, as well as Alperton and Barham Park we will make the area more appealing to wealthier people and diversify the community bringing benefits to our poorer members of the community alongside it.
Importantly anon 23:32 and please understand - the needs of students should never be dismissed, as they are integral members of our communities and contribute significantly to the diversity and vibrancy of our society. Students represent the future leaders, professionals, and innovators who will drive progress and shape our world.
Dismissing the needs of students is to disregard the potential they hold. Their education and well-being directly influence the strength of our communities and the prosperity of our nation. They are the people who will be contributing towards ensuring the working people in our community have job opportunities for the future and as we know work is the first and foremost intervention against poverty.
Investing in students' education, mental health, and overall development is an investment in a brighter future for us all.
Further, students are not separate from the communities they inhabit; they are an inherent part of them. Whether through their interactions with local businesses, cultural activities, volunteer efforts, or engagement in civic issues, students enrich the fabric of our communities. We are proud that so many of our Labour councillors have been students and many of them have sought to serve the community directly from university. We are also proud of our Labour councillors who serve the community by providing housing with the appropriate landlord licensing.
As for Cllr Lorber working tirelessly, that might be the case, but the politics is important because we have to ask, given the letter above, if he is really on the side of progress within our communities.
In essence, Labour's approach aims to strike a balance between immediate action and long-term strategies. While decisions might seem contentious, they often reflect a broader strategy to achieve comprehensive improvements for the betterment of all residents. It's a multifaceted challenge, and Labour's dedication to fostering vibrant communities involves addressing both environmental concerns and the rights of vulnerable individuals in a thoughtful and balanced manner.
Vote this disgusting Brent Council out!!! They are running a dictator ship. The Leader has half his family on board there. That should not be allowed. Secondly a Leader should not be allowed more than 2 terms, that goes for any party. The scrutiny committee consists of only Labour members! What about democracy? Labour has NO values! Never listens to residents who’s lived in the borough for a long time and it’s evident that 99% of Brent Council members have no knowledge or interest in beautiful English architecture the way they tear these buildings down and build more hideous high rise buildings instead of including the facades of some of these beautiful buildings.
The Scrutiny Committees although heavily weighted ith Labour members do have opposition party members on them. The argument in the past was whether it would be more democratically healthy to have them chaired by opposition members. An idea rejected by Muhammed Butt,
Anonymous August 31st 16.42 - I am intrigued by your last sentence: "Through the development of Wembley for example, as well as Alperton and Barham Park we will make the area more appealing to wealthier people and diversify the community bringing benefits to our poorer members of the community alongside it."
As you used 'we', are you an official spokesperson for the Labour Group or Brent Labour Party? If so could you use your name as I am afraid that otherwise it looks like a spoof comment intended to bring the Labour Party into disrepute and I would not like that to happen.
Are the contributions from our Anonymous Labour Spokesperson a Monty Python style send up?
So...
Closing down the Barham Veterans Club
Kicking out the Nepalese ex Gurkhas
Depriving Dementia Patents and their Carers of facilities
Closing a Community Library - having already closed a Public Library
Denying local people access to local affordable space for their sport and recreation activities
Wasting tens of thousands of pounds of public money on consultants who come up with ideas that cannot be delivered
...is the Labour Party definition of progress.
And of course what the Labour supporting philosopher forgets is that Barham Park was a gift to local people for their recreation and not to be exploited for profit by extra housebuilding, imposing supermarkets, hotels or Airbnb on a Public Park.
The existing volunteers from Tamu Samaj, Barham Veterans Club and Barham Community Library - who would be kicked out under the Labour plans - provide direct local services to hundreds of local people every week. That is actual community action. If Labour want "progress" they could of course reopen the original Barham Park Library and work with local people to provide "progressive" local services that local people want and need. Now that would be a novelty.
Barham Park does NOT belong either to Brent Council or the Labour Party and it is not for the LABOUR Party to dictate how it should be destroyed - either by more house building, shops, hotels.
The aim of the bizarre ideas from the consultants, which cost £25,000 of public money (and will cost much more), is to deny access to the Barham Park buildings to local people and to provide, amongst other things, a "boutique hotel" to visitors to Wembley Stadium.
How does that idea meet the objects of the Barham Park Charity "to provide recreation to local people"?
Any sensible and independent Trustees of the Barham Park Charity would put the Consultants Report straight into the bin where it belongs.
“We” as in Labour, the movement.
Wow, that is one hell of a spokesperson role!
Not like that 😂, more like football supporters talk in the we. Labour til i die, get behind Cllr Butt and are team or get behind the Tories and Lib Dems who want to take over.
Anon 1 September 2023 at 11:28
You give us the choice of three awful solutions for B~ent. In the end, anything would be better than the current bunch of .........
If only Butt and Co actually acted like socialists and represented their residents best interests instead of their friends and relations, plus developers and the private rental sector. Then we'd have someone to vote for. After being a lifelong Labour voter, I am seriously considering voting Green as are many Brent residents who feel totally let down by this self serving Cllr. Butt and his dim witted cronies.
What benefit does student accomodation bring to Wembley??? These premises don't even pay council tax to bolster our local services for the 'betterment of all residents'.
Anyone would be better than current Brent Labour!
Post a Comment