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| The volunteers |
New voluntary body, Clean Air for
Brent (CAfB), formally launched at Willesden Library on the evening of
Wednesday 11 October 2017. Fiona Mulaisho of Kensal Rise chaired an
enthusiastic meeting of some 30 people who enrolled as members and elected a Steering
Group to take the organisation forward. Priorities for action were identified.
Clean Air for Brent
is a coalition of residents’ associations, community groups and individuals in
Brent focused on raising awareness, changing behaviours and lobbying for better
measures to tackle air pollution to improve public health outcomes.
Tulip Siddiq MP had
hoped to attend but was detained by Parliamentary duties. In a message to the
meeting she said:
“I believe
Sadiq Khan is saying the right things about air quality in London and it is
high time local authority action plans’ ambition matched his own. Ultimately,
however, it will be down to government to introduce the sweeping changes needed
to make local air cleaner and within legal limits… I look forward to working
closely with Clean Air for Brent in the coming months to advance their
campaigning objectives.”
Cllr Ellie Southwood, Cabinet Member for
Environmental Services, explained that Brent’s Air Quality Action Plan will go
to Council for approval in November but there are many initiatives already
underway. Recently all Brent schools had been sent an anti-idling toolkit to
promote efforts to reduce pollution from vehicles outside schools, including
from school runs. Clean Air for Brent is
ready to support any actions the Council can take to clear the air we breathe.
Clean Air for Brent reported on a range
of activities they have undertaken during their formation process. These
included monitoring air pollution in local streets as
part of a citizen science project across London, holding “The Air We Breathe” event in Brent Civic Centre in
July, attended by 80 people, setting up a website and responding in depth to
local, regional and national consultations.
A lively action planning session brought
forward numerous ideas for priority actions for Clean Air for Brent which the
Steering Group welcomed as guidance for its next steps. There are volunteering
opportunities both for experts and those with little knowledge but with
enthusiasm to tackle air pollution projects individually and together.
As Cllr Ellie Southwood said:
“We know there is an army of
people out there who are really passionate about this and can help us make a
difference.”
For Clean Air for Brent Fiona Mulaisho thanked
people for attending and said :
“We are ready to go and
looking for more volunteers.”
You can volunteer via the contact page on the website https:
The more people that can respond to the Mayor's London Environment Strategy consultation (or at least the air quality section) the more our voices will be heard. It closes on 17th November and here is a link: https:
You can volunteer via the contact page on the website https:
The more people that can respond to the Mayor's London Environment Strategy consultation (or at least the air quality section) the more our voices will be heard. It closes on 17th November and here is a link: https:
