Brent Planning in a time of climate and ecological emergency - online 7pm Monday

 

Just  quick reminder of Monday’s Meeting at 7pm about Planning and Sustainability, How can we ensure that new developments protect and enhance our enviornment and prepare for extreme climate events. AN INVITATION FROM BRENT ACTION ON CLIMATE EMERGENCY (ACE Brent) NOVEMBER 3RD  7PM ONLINE Dear friends, colleagues, and neighbours,   We are writing to invite  you to a meeting about ‘Planning and the Climate and Ecological Emergency’ to be held on Microsoft Teams on November 3rd7pm-9pm. Brent ACE (Action on the Climate Emergency) have convened the meeting that will include councillors and council officers as well as campaigners and community groups.   It is 6 years since Brent declared a ‘Climate and Ecological Emergency’. We all know that enormous changes are happening in our borough and its local neighbourhoods, and these are often controversial. People often feel left out of decision making or that their views are ignored. Meanwhile climate change and the loss of biodiversity accelerate.   Planning and regeneration are major issues locally, so ACE is holding a meeting devoted to that subject.   This is a chance to air your views at a meeting chaired by ACE.   The draft agenda will include: - Planning and trees, access to green space, reclaiming front and back gardens for biodiversity and drainage - Public consultation / involvement - Brent Local Plan review  MEETING DETAILS 7pm November 3rd We recommend trying the link beforehand in case of difficulty. Microsoft Teams Need help? Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 367 702 632 966 Passcode: S5PX3vm6   We look forward to seeing you at the meeting if you can make it and attach details about ACE and its activities and how to join us.   You can contact ACE for more information: ace@brentfoe.com   MEMBERS OF ACE  Brent Cycling Campaign | Brent Friends of the Earth | Brent Parks Forum | Brent Pure Energy | Brent XR | Divest Brent | Cycletastic | Brent Healthy Streets | Friends of the Welsh Harp | One Kilburn Transport Committee | Life in Kilburn | Brent Eleven Streets Residents Association | Friends of Woodcock Park

LETTER: Regeneration has made no difference to deprivation index in South Kilburn

 

 

Dear Wembley Matters,

 

The government has just released its "English indices of deprivation 2025" https://deprivation.communities.gov.uk/ . The media has been full of this story, looking at the most deprived areas of the country, making for depressing reading. The site allows you to put in your full postcode and find where it fits in the national picture, narrowed down to areas with about 1,500 residents.

 

Its not a competition, no area should have to endure the multiple deprivation revealed, but I thought I'd look a bit closer to home. My part of South Kilburn is rated among the 20% most deprived areas of the country. This despite 20 years of regeneration which, we were told, would raise the standard of living in the area (the rest of South Kilburn has roughly similar results). One Councillor at the start of regeneration was always keen to tell us how bringing in people with higher salaries would raise the standard of living for everyone in the area (an understanding of basic arithmetic was never their strong point). Rather, it has made no difference. Hardly surprising, given the poor quality of the new housing, the general neglect of the area by the Council and the fact that they have introduced expensive housing into the area.

 

Given Brent Council now tells us that regeneration of South Kilburn will continue for another 30 years, your readers may understand the cynicism of residents who feel that whoever is benefiting, it's not them.

 

Pete Firmin, South Kilburn resident

 

Brent Council issues details on how it will comply with Awaab's Law to ensure safe and hazard free council housing

 Brent Renters Union launch #NotAnotherWinter Campaign 2023

 

I wrote recently about Brent's Housing Revenue Account and the strain it is under financially and regarding capacity to implement repairs and Awaab's law.

Today the Council issued an update regarding Awaab's Law:

Awaab's Law  A new law came into effect on Monday 27 October to ensure social housing is safe, healthy and free from serious hazards. The law is named after Awaab Ishak, aged two, who tragically died in 2020 after prolonged exposure to damp and mould in his home. Under this law, social landlords like us must act quickly whenever residents report issues such as damp and mould. When you report emergency hazards or damp or mould, here’s what will happen: Emergency hazards (for example, dangerous electrical faults, damaged external doors or windows, or major leaks) will be investigated and made safe within 24 hours Significant damp or mould will be investigated within 10 working days and made safe within five working days If further work is needed to prevent the hazard returning, we’ll start or plan the repairs within five working days. All work will begin within 12 weeks at the latest You’ll receive a report and action plan within three days of our visit We’ll keep you informed throughout the process If there’s significant damp and mould, we’ll support you through the next steps If you notice any of the following, please report it as soon as possible: Damp, mould or condensation that keeps coming back Leaks or plumbing issues Cracks in walls or ceilings Broken windows or ventilation Any condition that affects your health or safety To report an emergency, urgent, routine or standard repair call: 020 8937 2400. You can also report non-urgent repairs online via My Account.

Preventing Damp and Mould While Awaab’s Law ensures your home is safe and free from hazards, there are also simple steps you can take to help keep damp and mould at bay this winter: Let air flow Open windows regularly, especially after cooking or bathing Keep trickle vents or air bricks clear and open Avoid blocking air vents or covering radiators with furniture Control condensation Use extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms if fitted Wipe away moisture on windows and sills in the morning Cover pans when cooking Dry clothes outdoors when possible, or use a vented tumble dryer Keep your home warm Try to maintain a steady temperature - cold homes are more prone to condensation Use your heating system efficiently; small amounts of heat throughout the day can help Report problems early Tell us about leaks, broken extractor fans, or recurring mould straight away Don’t try to paint over mould - this only hides the problem temporarily If you have any questions about damp and mould please get in touch with our dedicated team by emailing: dampandmould@brent.gov.uk.

Meanwhile the law applies only to social housing but there is a huge problem in the private rented sector. The Brent Renters Union launched their 2023 campaign with this statement calling on Brent Council to take action against private landlords:

 

More than 10,000 private rented homes in Brent have a serious health hazard. Damp and mould are making us sick, leading to asthma, respiratory issues, skin conditions, and  mould poisoning. 

Our children’s health is in crisis because landlords are being allowed to get away with not keeping our homes safe. Damp and mould mean people can’t use some rooms, and are overcrowded in the others. This meant that Church End had the highest Covid death rate in the country. 

Brent council has a legal duty to make sure our homes are safe but their current plan isn’t good enough. In the areas of Brent where housing is most dangerous, they’re only promising to deal with 10% of the most serious problems this year. What about the other 90% of renters left with unsafe homes?

It doesn’t have to be like this. Members of the London Renters Union in Brent have come together to create an action plan for how the council can hold landlords accountable and keep us safe. Add your name to our campaign. Together we can win safer homes for everyone. 

If you are part of an organisation, please ask them to support the campaign by sharing this petition, and 

For background info, see our factsheet here

 

 

Almost half of Brent Labour councillors missing from tonight's Labour Group Meeting

In what might be seen as an indication of a collapse in morale, the Brent Labour Group meeting this evening was barely quorate.

The defection of Rajan-Seelan to the Tories, rumours of other defections, continuing anger about  the candidate selection process and deselections, plus poor polling on the doorstep, have all contributed to a high level of dissatisfaction amongst Labour councillors.

Presumably there were some vital issues to discuss ahead of next Full Council on Monday November 10th given the financial situation of the Council and the potential cost to the Housing Revenue Account of the repairs that have to be done in response to the Social Housing  Regulator's adjudication. In addition there is now the cost of complying with Awaab's law that gives tight guidelines on dealing with mould and other health issues in social and council housing. 

Brent Green Party sets out councillor defection process

 Brent Green Party released the following statement on their website on Monday:

Following the deselection of 8 Brent Labour councillors last month and ex-Labour Cllr Rajan-Seelan crossing the floor to join the Conservative Party today [actually he became an Independent], we are aware that there is some speculation about current Labour Party councillors joining the Green Party - and potentially becoming the first Green Party councillors in Brent. 

We would be delighted to welcome anyone who shares our values of social justice, environmental responsibility, and community wellbeing to join a membership that has more than doubled since mid-October and continues to grow.

In this context, we think it’s important to inform everyone that joining the Green Party as an elected representative is a formal process of due diligence that may or may not result in a defection to the Green Party. 

The interested party needs to express an interest in joining the Green Party - they won’t be invited to defect to the Green Party. They also need to go through an interview process with the central Green Party office. 

Following this interview and a general scrutiny process, the central office will give their opinion about a possible defection and the local party will have a say in the matter as well. 

We have started our selection process for May 2026  and we’ll continue to do so over the coming weeks. 
 

Does a small anticipated crowd for Springboks v Japan on Saturday justify full road closures?

With a full road closure in Wembley Park scheduled for 12 noon to 7.40pm for the Springboks v Japan match at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, despite a smaller than usual anticipated crowd, a Wembley resident has contacted Wembley Matters to ask if this disruption is necessary:

It would seem we having full road closure when they anticipate only 15-20,000, what nonsense is this.  With only 12,500 for a full Arena maybe they will start closing the roads for Arena events?  20,000 is well under the 50,000 and should not be considered a major event to close all the roads.

As a cosequence of the road closures bus routes will be disrupted or curtailed. 

 

 

 

Ex-Labour councillor Rajan-Seelan appears on the Brent Council website as an Independent this morning

 

There was no official announcement from Cllr Rajan-Seelan or Brent Conservatives yesterday hat the Wembley Central councillor was defecting to the Conservative Group. This could be because, quite rightly, the Tories are carrying out due diligence on his request to join them.

Currently he joins Cllr Kathleen Fraser as an Independent.

Michael Maurice's Merry-go-round as Bob Blackman comes to his rescue

 

Cllr Maurice

Cllr Rajan-Seelan's defection to the Tories today makes things rather difficult for Brent Tories as there are only 5 seats in which they stand even a slight chance in the 2026 Brent Council election.

It appeared that there might be a spare when rumours emerged that Cllr Michael Maurice hadn't made it through the first stage of the Conservative's selection process at Brent West constituency and had lost an appeal against the decision. 

However, someone then had the bright idea of applying through the Brent East constituency and Maurice received backing from Harrow East MP, Bob Blackman, Chair of the Monday Club, and is back in the selection process - helped by higher echelons of the party,

As commented on this blog recently, other Tory councillors have looked a trifle uncomfortable during some of Cllr Maurice's recent speeches and interventions  particularly on the Nablus partnership issue and the racism debate. 

Tensions may now appear between the Brent East and West constituency parties over 'An embarrassment saved by his mates.'