Cllr Teo Benea
Cllr Muhammed Butt has appointed Cllr Teo Benea who represents Sudbury ward, alomng with Lib Dem leader Paul Lorber, to the Cabinet as lead member for Regeneration. Planning and Property. This is a slight variation on Shama Tatler's portfolio that has been held by Cllr Butt for some months. Presumably 'Property' refers to Brent Council property which is currently under review to achieve maximum market rates.
In a message to fellow Labour councillors, Cllr Benea wrote:
I just wanted to let you know that I am delighted to have been appointed Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Property and I am looking forward to working with colleagues, officers and residents to support regeneration and planning projects that benefit all residents across the borough
Brent Labour's website gives details of her background including working at a consultancy on planning and regeneration:
Teo has lived in Brent for several years, she has long been the champion for closer relations with our European neighbours. As a first-generation migrant herself, she is also particularly passionate about supporting under-represented groups to vote – including EU and Commonwealth Citizens. She currently works in a public-affairs consultancy in the planning and regeneration sector. When the war started in Ukraine, Teo coordinated the collection of donations and organised the logistics for these to be delivered at the border between Romania and Ukraine in partnership with other Romanian organisations and partners. Teo and the then Sudbury councillors managed the donations that came in at St Andrew’s Church in Sudbury over 4 days. Donations were collected from all locations across London and 5 trucks of goods were loaded and sent to Ukraine.
Teo has a strong track record in campaigning and working hard for local residents and has a background as an Organiser for the Labour Party and also previously worked for a Labour MP in Westminster. In council Teo advocates for Sudbury to get its fair share of investment – including more new roads and pavements, cleaner streets and improved green spaces in Barham Park, Vale Farm and elsewhere. Another priority is to ensure that the Eastern European communities have a voice on the council, building community cohesion among the diverse communities that live in Brent.
6 comments:
As Sudbury Councillor she will no doubt make a firm stand against the George Irwin plans to build more and much bigger houses in Barham Park especially since Labour are now breaking their promises to protect Open Spaces and agreed a secret Heads of Terms with the Fun Fair Operator to release him from a Covenant which the Council put in place specifically to protect Barham Park against the type of over development which is proposed.
Experience has shown me to be wary of the trust placed in Councillors, irrespective of their political background, regarding their crucial role in decisions about Regeneration, Planning, and Property. I strongly assert that the planning and eventual regeneration of Chalkhill Estate serves as a prime example, underscoring the importance of having a proven track record before proceeding with actions and decisions. The circumstances surrounding Chalkhill Estate act as a warning, demonstrating how misguided choices by a key figure, along with years of inadequate funding and neglect, can lead to significant disappointment and disillusionment, ultimately fostering a complacent mindset that gives rise to various negative, distressing, and frustrating challenges.
Teoblocks, or Towerblock Teo or maybe Towerblock Benea?
she'll obviously do as she's told, that's why Butt selects these ineffectual people to cabinet and planning.
Exactly what experience does she have dealing with "Regeneration, Planning and Property"???
As the other Sudbury Councillor may I suggest the first action that Councillor Benea can take is to support long established Community Groups such as the East Lane Theatre Club and the LNER Sports Club, both based in Sudbury, by telling her Leader and her Property Director to lay off and not demand unrealistic rents aimed at destroying these long established community groups. These, and many other community groups across Brent, need the support of all Sudbury (and other) Councillors against the Labour Council's excessive rent demands.
Only then will local people be able to judge the reality of the claimed "strong record in campaigning and working hard for local residents".
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