Housing crisis arrives on Town Hall doorstep

The housing crisis came to the steps of Brent Town Hall yesterday evening when the Counihan family and their supporters demonstrated as the Brent Executive met to rubber stamp a series of far reaching decisions.

Their reception was mixed with some members of the Executive wanting to find out about the  family's plight while others told the family that  they had no choice but to move out of London in order to get affordable housing.

As the benefit income cap and housing benefit cap bite, along with changes in council tax benefits, more and more Brent families will be suffering the same fate. Although the demonstrators recognised that the changes have been brought about by Coalition Government policies they did expect more of a fightback on behalf of Brent residents from a Labour Council, rather than acquiescence in disastrous policies.

The Queen is dead! Long live the King!

Outside Brent Town Hall tonight

In fact Muhammad Butt's first Executive meeting as leader was a muted affair - no fanfares, cheers or even a 'well done, chum' from his colleagues. Instead a few mumbles about the order of business, a murmured exchange or two with Anne Reid, and we were away.

If there was any tension in the Executive after it was split by the leadership election it didn't show in any obvious way. Perhaps more councillors than usual arrived at the last minute to take their seats and there was little social interchange, but it was heads down and on with the agenda.

It was left to the public to inject a bit of life and passion into the proceedings and this they did through making representations on the Progress Report on the Library Transformation Project. All the contributors congratulated Muhammed Butt on his election win  and called on him to engage with the community.

Philip Bromberg for Brent SOS Libraries Campaign said the report reminded him of the saying 'the operation was a complete success but the patient died'. He had figures to show a huge drop in the number of visits and book issues at the remaining libraries and queried the escalation in the cost of the Kilburn Library refurbishment from £117,000 to £650.000.  He showed the audience and Executive a leaflet produced by Brent Labour Party asking people to 'Join Labour Campaign for Our Libraries' with a quote from Dan Jarvis shadow Culture Secretary. Bromberg reported that earlier in conversation Jarvis had express 'serious concern about what is happening in Brent over libraries'.

Martin Redston, speaking for the Keep Willesden Green Campaign urged Butt to be proactive, engage with the community and see the issue of the Willesden Green regeneration with fresh eyes. He pointed out that the only increased space int he new building would be for council offices and that the actual library would be smaller. English Heritage had recognised the community's valuing of the 'meaning of space' provided by the 1894 building. Redston pointed out the contradictions between the flowery words of the planning brief and the actual plan, which included a small door as an entrance to the new building, in contrast to the substantial entrance of the 1980s building. He urged Muhammed Butt and the Executive to 'stop, listen and reflect', because the majority of the local community did not want the scheme.

A speaker from Cricklewood Library spoke for how local nurseries and schools had been deprived of their library and older students of their study space.  She urged Muhammed Butt to restore good relations with the community by keeping the building open,

Cllr Paul Lorber said that the Executive had not been provided with proper financial information and said that the suggested 'savings' had not factored in the cost of rent and business rates for the closed buildings. He asked regarding Cricklewood and Kensal Rise's reversion to All Souls, 'Why give away buildings with £1.5m'. He claimed it was the Executive's responsibility to safeguard local assets. Speaking about the Barham pop-up library he said that most of the people who were using it were precisely those most affected by the closures: children brought along by their parents and mainly from an Asian of African Caribbean background.

A Conservative councillor urged that ward working money should instead be spent on keeping libraries open.

In response Cllr Powney said that most of the people who had spoken were just saying that they disagreed with the decision to close libraries that was taken last year. That decisions was to keep six 'excellent' libraries (one of which his Executive has since declared unfit for purpose and scheduled for demolition'  and develop those. He claimed that he had always said the the increase in the number of visitors and borrowers would not happen until 2014 when the refurbishments had finished and the new Wembley Library at the Civic Centre had been opened. He said, to heckling, that by 2014  the figures would be 'higher than now'. He confirmed that reversion of Cricklewood and Kensal Rise to All Souls had been completed, and that was the opinion of both council officers and All Souls.  In response to the questions about the increase in Kilburn refurbishment costs he said that the £117,000 had just been minor repairs and redecoration and the £650,000  was for a more extensive refurbishment.

At the end of the item, Muhammed Butt said he was meeting with Kensal Rise campaigners tomorrow and promised to meet with the Preston and Keep Willesden Green campaigns.

All other items on the agenda, including the Air Quality Action Plan, Animals at Events policy, and the provision of a Brent Carers' Hub were approved without discussion.

Leaflet Licence Call In motion published

The Call In Overview and Scrutiny Committee will now be held at a later date due to a technical issue regarding the timing.

This is the Liberal Democrat motion:

Item heading 11. Control of distribution of free literature on designated land

Reason(s)

(1) The report does not quote the relevant passage of the act, nor explain that interpretation of the act would be a matter for the courts.

(2) The report does not explain the evidence base for the problem. There should be a context paragraph explaining why they think the problem will get so much worse, why existing measures are inadequate and what action other London boroughs are taking.

(3) The report should either time limit these powers or make explicit that they are being requested permanently. At the moment the report implies they are just for the Olympic period from the way it is worded.

(4) The issue of enforcement, in particular the circumstances which would lead to action by council officers, is unclear.

(5) Equalities issues are dealt with inadequately: for example many small businesses in Brent are owned by members of particular ethnic minorities and small non-commercial group which are not charities or political organisations may be disproportionately affected given the level of fees proposed.

(6) The report does not sufficiently make clear whether small organisations which are not charities or political organisations and do not cause litter will be compelled to take out licenses and risk fines. 

Actions the Executive could take:

Clarify how the controls will be enforced and who they will affect.

Consider whether further information is needed about the equalities impacts of the decision

Recommend that if the council goes ahead with the proposal it should consult on and adopt a code of practice for enforcement of the controls, including guidance as to how officers will use their discretion, particularly in the case of small unlicensed distributors (commercial and non-commercial) who are not causing littering.

Executive approve Willesden Green Regeneration Report but plenty to fight for

Brent Executive unanimously passed the Willesden Library Regeneration Report this evening. Representations had been made on the lack of consultation, particularly over the Brent Archive; a suggestion that the Cricklewood and Kensal Rise libraries should be reopened during the rebuilding; a plea for more study spaces to be opened up during rebuilding; and my request that the Willesden Bookshop be allocated space in the new Cultural Centre that will replace the Willesden Green Library Centre.

The first two representations were not responded to by Cllr Crane who leads on regeneration. Cllr Powney said that council officers were actively looking for more interim study space for students in the area. Cllr Ann John, sidestepping the demand for allocation of retail space in the new development, tried to prompt Cllr Crane into making a response, 'I am right in saying aren't I that the bookshop is being helped to find new premises?' She was assured there were a large number of empty properties in the High Road and the officers would be helping the bookshop. She pressed further, 'The bookshop isn't under any long-term threat then is it?' Apparently satisfied by the grunted response she said, 'We do want the bookshop to continue.'

The issue is of course that we want the bookshop allocated space in the Cultural Centre if it goes ahead and that the high rents in the High Road and not very suitable premises, may mean the Willesden Bookshop will have to close if this is not done.

I print below the speech I prepared for this evening which sets out the case for the Bookshop. The sections in italics were not delivered in order that I meet the 3 minute speaking limit. I retain them because they strengthen the argument with other voices.

I am speaking to you as a Brent resident and as someone who, working in Brent schools, has been a literacy coordinator, children’s librarian, class teacher, reading recovery teacher and a headteacher and is now a school governor who volunteers to help children gain pleasure from their reading.

In all these roles I have found the Willesden Bookshop’s wide range of books tailored to Brent’s diverse population, and their amazingly knowledgeable staff,  hugely useful.

I am not the only one.  There has been consternation in Brent’s educational community at the potential loss of the bookshop. Last year they dealt with 1,000 orders (invoices not individual books) from Brent schools that get a 10% discount and free delivery.

A review in PaperTigers (Children’s International  Book Review) said:

 I have been a frequent visitor to the Willesden Bookshop over the years. It's a veritable honey-pot for anyone looking for "Children's Books from Around the World": they stock many books it is difficult to find elsewhere in the UK.

Local author of children's books, Odette Elliot says: 

Willesden Bookshop 'celebrates the rich cultures and languages of its community'

The Bookshop has been invited to provide bookstalls for three Spring events at the Centre for Staff Development which unfortunately coincide with when they have to pack up and quit their premises. So that will be another loss to education. The Runnymede Trust and National Literacy Campaign recommend the Willesden Bookshop and the Guardian said:

 A wonderful bookshop, great selection including large stock of children's books, and really friendly and helpful staff.

The Report before you on the Willesden Green Library Centre redevelopment states categorically that space will not be provided in the new Willesden Cultural Centre but gives absolutely no reason for this. At the same time space is allocated to a café when there are lots available on the High Road.

A well-established local bookshop would add to the ‘offer’ at the Cultural Centre, in the same way as bookshops add to the attractiveness of the much larger offer at the South Bank.

As well as contributing to the education of our children, the bookshop with its wide stock, reflecting the many cultures of Brent, helps with community cohesion and its support and promotion of local authors raises local aspirations.

The mother of a now internationally famous local author sent me this message:

If they close the bookshop and the library, they will effectively rip the heart out of Willesden.  Both serve people right across our communities. We need a hell of lot of signatures.  What about standing in the street, outside supermarket etc and getting people's signature I am happy to stand there for entire Saturdays or Sundays if that is what it takes.

Yvonne Bailey Smith (Zadie Smith’s mother)

 Nicolette McKenzie wrote to me:

I am most concerned about the proposed redevelopment of the Willesden library.  When six libraries were closed last year it was not made clear at all that the main library would be closed for two years.  This is unacceptable.

Also, the lack of provision for the bookshop, a real local asset, is scandalous.

The lack of publicity about this, and the 'unfortunate' lack of access to the e-petition  all over this past weekend, I consider appalling.

Please do what you can to have this disaster pulled back from the brink of a planning abyss.

Always on the lookout for ‘below the line’ reasons for Council policies I have checked with the Bookshop and they tell me that they have always paid the rent required by the Council and paid it on time – so that’s not the issue.  It can’t be that you can’t cope with businesses on the site as you are planning a café  here and the new Civic Centre has retail space -and anyway, shouldn’t  the Council be championing successful small local businesses that add value to the community?

I call on the Brent Executive, at this early stage in the development of the Cultural Centre, to ensure that Willesden’s Wonderful Bookshop has a place there,

Loss of Willesden Bookshop would be a 'tragedy'

Before tonight's meeting a Willesden Bookshop customer sent this message to Brent Executive members:

Dear Councillor,

As a member of the Executive who will be attending this evening's meeting I am writing to you to register my dismay at the proposed redevelopment plans for Willesden Green, which currently do not accommodate The Willesden Bookshop. 

As a Brent resident for the last ten years I have valued this establishment and with each year I use it more and more.

I am not sure if you are aware of the invaluable resource that the bookshop provides, supplying stock to countless individuals and schools in the borough and beyond, cognizant of the diverse cultural community which it serves and reflecting those needs in the books that it sells. The depth of knowledge of the staff there is comprehensive impressive and provides a great service for those of us who prefer to browse and have a face to face conversation about a title or genre with someone whom we know will help us. It is efficient in ordering books for customers when they do not carry the titles on their own shelves, and are always courteous and helpful. My primary school aged children and secondary school aged son spend hours selecting books there and would be devastated not to be able to couple their visits to the library with one to the bookshop. There are numerous local authors whose work is regularly and prominently displayed. It's one of the few beacons of cultural success in Willesden Green and is a successful small business that we as individuals as well as local and central government should be championing. 

The current cafe space in the Library Centre area has always been unsuccessful. This may be down to the fact that there is a great deal of competition when it comes to cafes in the High Road and yet the redevelopment has plans for one. Willesden doesn't need another cafe. It needs to keep its only general bookshop, and I would like the developers to explain to Brent residents how one can have a Cultural Centre without having a bookshop, reflecting the culture of the area and the needs of its residents, at the heart of it.

I would please ask you to reconsider the plans in order to accommodate the Willesden Bookshop. It would be a tragedy for it to be lost.

Willesden Bookshop Petition available again

The whole democracy section of the Council's website became inaccessible this weekend. I won't make any comment about the symbolism of this!

It is now up and running again and you can sign the Willesden Bookshop petiiton by following this LINK. The petition calls on the Council to allocate retail space to this well-used and much appreciated local bookshop in the new Cultural Centre which will replace the Willesden Green Library Centre. The Centre currently houses the bookshop which has been told to quit their premises by April 17th.

Save Willesden Bookshop - sign this epetition

Waiting for the bulldozers

Readers will be aware that Brent Council is planning to redevelop the Willesden Green Library Centre and has allocated no space in the new development for the Willesden Bookshop which is the gateway to the present site.

I will be speaking on the issue at the Brent Executive on Monday and have set up an epetition calling for Bookshop, who have been given notice to quit by April 17th, to be allocated pace in the new development.

Signing the petition is an easy process - just follow this LINK

We the undersigned petition the council to to include retail space for the Willesden Bookshop in the proposed Willesden Green Cultural Centre which is to replace the Willesden Green Library Centre.

Plans for the new centre make provision for a cafe so why should there be no space for a bookshop? Alongside any proposed café this would provide a similar mix on a smaller scale to that provided at the South Bank Centre.

The Willesden Bookshop is:

• A successful small business with an excellent record in serving the needs of the local community and providing employment.
• An invaluable resource and support to local schools with nationally recognised expertise in catering for a diverse pupil population
• A positive cultural force in the borough through its encouragement of local authors and events such as Black History Month
• Able to enrich activities at the Cultural Centre, linking its stock with particular events and reflecting the diversity of the local community. 
• An exemplary long-term tenant of Brent Council.

Started by: Martin Francis

This ePetition runs from 12/01/2012 to 21/02/2012.

Willesden Green Library report now due at January Executive

I am grateful to Cllr. Ann Hunter (Lib Dem, Willesden Green) for this information from Brent officers on the redevelopment of Willesden Green Library.

A recommendation on the Willesden Green Redevelopment Project will be taken to the Executive on 16th January 2012. The Executive Report was delayed as officers required more time to ensure the proposals could meet the Council’s objectives. Please note I will be inviting the local ward Councillors to another briefing session the first week back after Christmas. 

Due to the programme delay it is now envisaged the Willesden Green Library Centre will be closed between, September 2012 – March 2014 (inclusive) to enable its redevelopment. However please note to secure vacant possession by September 2012, the WGLC decant will begin in July 2012. It is also envisaged a number of the third party tenants may vacate the site prior to July 2012. 

I presume the last sentence mean that the notice to Willesden Bookshop to leave by April 17th could  remain in place despite redevelopment work not starting until September.

I urge  Brent residents to rally around the bookshop and insist that they are offered some viable and affordable premises to continue their invaluable work.

Willesden Green Library Report Now Going to December Executive

The Brent Executive will now consider the report on the redevelopment of Willesden Green Green Library at their December meeting. The item was originally tabled for discussion at Wembley's meeting but no report was available on the Council website.

Redevelopment would involve the demolition of the existing building and a rebuild that would include flats and possibly retail outlets. The Council is searching for developers interested in such a scheme. The delay may indicate that the proposals are hitting problems in the current economic climate but could also be linked to the High Court appeal being heard on Thursday and Friday of this week.

If the development were to take place the library would be closed for two years with only minimal alternative facilities and would add a further library to the six already closed by the council.

Willesden Green Library Report Missing From Executive Agenda

It appears that officers are going right up to the line over the proposals for the redevelopment (and thus a two year closure) of Willesden Green Library. The Executive Agenda lists the item and states:

This report summarises the procurement process undertaken by the Council to procure a developer partner to redevelop the Willesden Green Library Centre site and requests delegation to the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects in consultation with the Director of Legal and Procurement to award and enter into a Development Agreement with the preferred developer partner.

No report is attached despite the meeting only being a week away.  Other councillors and the public will have little time to peruse the document and prepare any submissions they might wish to make to the Executive. At the same time delegation to officers means little further involvement by our elected representatives.

Monday: Council Executive Meeting, Library Fundraiser, and Climate Change Talk

There is an interesting choice for activists tomorrow, Monday October 17th. The first choice is between two sets of comedians...

At 7pm the Council Executive meets. Among the items on the agenda are the petition to reverse street cleaning cuts and the new Green Charter. Despite some revisions after consultation, the latter has been criticised for still having no targets, no extra staff or resources, and no measurable outcomes. Cllr Powney's foreword has been declared insipid. There is also an item on the procurement of a decentralised energy system on the South Kilburn estate. AGENDA

The Executive whizzes through the agenda so there should still be time to go on to:

STAND UP FOR LIBRARIES (Phil Jupitus, Robin Ince,  the legendary Robyn Hitchcock and others) - Queens Park Community School - Doors 6.30pm - show 7.30pm. I understand that Alexi Sayle may also be appearing.

OR...

China Miéville, award-winning fantasy fiction writer and author of the young adults' novel, “Un Lun Dun” will be appearing at the Willesden Green Library Centre on Monday 17^th October at 7.30pm to talk about creative fiction writing and the challenge of climate change.

Don't just sit there - DO SOMETHING!

DON'T MISS THIS FRIDAY 10 JUNE: STAND-UP FOR LIBRARIES

A fantastic line-up of brilliant comedy to raise funds for Brent SOS Libraries hosted by Kayla Forde. Featuring:

- Nathan Cassidy – “an incredible act…..gloriously entertaining” - Chortle
- Inel Tomlinson – Multi award winning. “inspired and original..definitely one to watch” - Chortle
- Chuquai Billy – “insightful, poignant and funny” – Three Weeks

+ Surprise friends and raffle
+ Bar and food available
+ BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
http://www.facebook.com/l/3fc1aaBXgVjP2eVbsPEYuHcjoLQ/www.wegottickets.com/event/121259

At THE NORTH LONDON TAVERN, 375 Kilburn High Road NW6 7QB
nearest tube - Kilburn
Doors open at 8 for an 8.30 show

SATURDAY June 11th  - FIGHTING ACADEMIES AND FREE SCHOOLS, Congress House, Great Russell Street, WC1 Details

SUNDAY JUNE 13th 3pm Brent Town Hall - Meeting on NHS organised by Barry Gardiner (I cannot go to this as have prior arrangement in Fryent Country Park - it would be great if someone could make notes on it and write up for Wembley Matters/BrentGreens blog) Details

MONDAY JUNE 13th - BRENT EXECUTIVE MEETING 7pm Brent Town Hall  - agenda items include cutting festival funding and mental health day opportunities Details

SUNDAY JUNE 19th GLADSTONBURY FESTIVAL, GLADSTONE PARK Details

MONDAY JUNE 20th Brent Governors Conference, Wembley Plaza Hotel, (next to Wembley Stadium station) from 8.45am - Sarah Teather will be speaking

Executive Rules OK - all reports and recommendations approved with little discussion and no dissent

Tonight's Executive Meeting started promisingly when it looked as if there might be some debate and thus calling into question the views I express below. Parents who had concerns about proposals on short-term residential provision for children with disabilities made a presentation and were supported by Cllr Helga Gladbaum. I have asked the parents for further information on their concerns and hope to publish it shortly.

Cllr Gladbaum said she had visited both units which provide short-term breaks at Crawford Avenue in Wembley and Clement Close in Willesdsen. The proposal is to close Crawford Avenue and she wanted to know if there had been consideration of the closure of Clement Close, the smaller of the units and utilise the spaciousness of Crawford Avenue. In answering, Krutika Pau, Director of Children and Families said that the closure of Crawford would save more money as it was rented from Barnardos and that it lacked a lift. In answer to Cllr Gladbaum's question about what alternative provision would be available if parents chose direct payments, instead of the council short-break provision, Krutika Pau said that there had been some successful purchasing of alternative provision and that this method would offer flexibility.  Ms Pau confirmed that the new facility at the Village School would be open in the Autumn of 2012, before the main school building which was scheduled to open in September 2012.  The Executive then voted in favour of the Officer's recommendation to cease short breaks at Crawford Avenue from October this year.

Apart from a small flurry when Paul Lorber tried to extend the period libraries will remain open for study, the pattern of the evening returned to the usual form. Lead councillors summarised reports, often barely audibly, and then the officers' recommendations were approved without discussion.  Eighteen decisions, with often far-reaching consequences, were taken in less than an hour.

The updates on Libraries and Waste Management, despite the issues covered earlier in this blog, were noted without dissent and the awarding of a 10 month contract to Brent Play Association for delivery of services at Stonebridge Adventure Playground and Special Educational Needs Afterschool Clubs was approved with no discussion of the longer term future of these facilities.

So, every recommendation approved with minimal discussion.