Cllr Jake Rubin to take on Brent Cabinet Climate Action role with Cllr Mary Mitchell Cabinet Climate Action Champion. New chief whip replaces Stephen Crabb

 

News from the Brent Labour Group AGM, held on Saturday, is gradually coming in.

Cllr Jake Rubin (Roundwood ward) announced his appointment as Cabinet Lead Member for Employment, Innovation and Climate Action on Twitter this afternoon

He takes over climate action from Cllr Krupa Sheth (Tokyngton) whose brief  was Lead Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action.

Cllr Iman Ahmadi Moghaddam (Wembley Park) has the interesting and potentially difficult role of Labour Chief Whip.

He takes over from Cllr Stephen Crabb  (Queens Park)who had his own difficulties in the role when he had to deal with a potentially controversial Labour motion for Full Council.

After his intervention, when he sought advice from a senior Labour Party body, the motion was not placed on the agenda.

 

The Climate Action brief has been additionally strengthened by the appointment of Cllr Mary Mitchell (Welsh Harp) as 'Climate Action Cabinet Champion.'

Hopefully this will mean a more concerted and coordinated tackling of climate emergency action across council departments. Something local environmental groups have been pressing for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I understand  that Cllr Rita Begum (Kilburn) failed in her attempt to become Deputy Leader of the Labour Group. Cllr Rita Conneely (Kilburn) retains her chair of the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee. Cabinet and  Committee posts go the the Full Council AGM for approval but the Chief Whip post is internal.

The Council AGM takes place on May 22nd, when other positions will be announced, and the first Cabinet of the new municipal year is on May 28th.

Brent Council to discuss motion on Gaza inquiry & arms control

Brent Council is to discuss a motion on Gaza at Monday's meeting put forward by the Labour Group:

Full Council – 9 July 2018 Motion selected by the Labour Group 

This council joins international condemnation of the recent killings of 130 Palestinian protestors by Israeli forces – firing live ammunition into crowds of unarmed civilians is illegal and must not be tolerated; any escalation in this long-running dispute is deeply regrettable. 

This council is appalled that more than two thirds of Palestinians are reliant on humanitarian assistance, with limited access to essential amenities such as water and electricity. 

This council supports the right to protest against such awful conditions, against the continuing blockade of Gaza, and occupation of Palestinian land, and in support of a viable two state solution. 

This council calls upon the UK government to encourage the UN Secretary General to renew his call for an independent international inquiry into these killings, and review the sale of arms that could be used in violation of international law. 

Councillor Kieron Gill Brondesbury Park Ward

Will it be 'One man' Brent on top of 'One party'?

The 2014 Brent Council result

Muhammed Butt, currently Leader of Brent Labour group and Brent Council, has made no secret of the fact that he wants to sweep the board in tomorrow's election and defeat the Tories in Kenton and Brondesbury Park and the independent seat in Mapesbury.  On the one hand 'that's democracy' as Labour in Islington has argued, as they pour resources into defeating the lone Green councillor Caroline Russell.

On the other hand what does it say about respect for democracy in that they are wanting to wipe out all opposition? Does it betray a belief that all wisdom only exists in only one party and that any opposition is by its very nature an irritant or even a betrayal?

The situation is made worse by the adoption of a Cabinet system where all decisions are made by a group of 8 people.  Hitherto in Brent the only say backbench Labour Group councillors have had in that selection is to elect Cabinet members and the leader  then distributes the portfolios.

I understand that Muhammed Butt is hoping to change things at the Annual General Meeting, which is being held almost immediately after the election on Saturday.  I am reliably informed that he wants to make the leadership position a  four year term, rather than the present two years, which he successfully changed from an annual election. He is also said to want to make Cabinet positions two year, rather than the present one year,

Exploiting an ambiguity in the Labour Group's Standing Orders it is suggested that he wants to appoint Cabinet members himself rather than have the Labour Group select from their number. Sources are unclear about whether this would also extend to Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees and Chair of the Planning Committee.  The latter is statutorily supposed to be independent and it is to the advantage of democracy, as the late Dan Filson showed,  if scrutiny chairs are also robustly independent.  If they owe their position to the patronage of the leader that clearly reduces their independence - especially if that leader has a controlling personality.

It is unclear whether there will be any challenge to Butt's leadership and the closeness of the AGM to the election means that there will be little time to muster supporters by any challenger. As I understand it there is no plan at the moment to delay the AGM because of the postponed Willesden Green poll, which raises an additional issue over the posiiton of Tom Miller, a Willesden Green candidiate and currently a Cabinet member. Will he be eligible for a Cabinet position?

These are all good reasons for moving  to a Committee system rather than a Cabinet system . A Committee system, means decisions are made by a broader group of councillors - even if they are all of one party. Personally I feel that Brent is the poorer for not having an Education Committee and that some of the recent controversies over academisation would have been better dealt with if it had.

A wider question arising from the 'that's democracy' statement is, 'Is it democracy?' How are the thousands of people who voted other than Labour to be represented? This is the proportion of the vote for each party in the 2014 election. About half of those who voted, voted for a party other than Labour.  A proportional voting system would give the combined opposition sufficient seats to contribute to decision making and hold the majority group to account. Regardless of party label this would allow a wider range of people with skills and experience to contribute to the running of the Council to the advantage of the people of Brent. 

Cllr Duffy resigns from Brent Labour Group in protest over asbestos issue

Cllr Duffy's new seating position between Tory front bench and Cllr Carr

Cllr Duffy (Kilburn) resigned from Brent Labour Group  at the beginning of tonight's Full Council Meeting over the lack of support from the Group over the Paddington Cemetery asbestos issue (covered below).

Despite support for Duffy from Cllr John Warren (Conservative Group leader) the Mayor refused to allow discussion of the issue.

Cllr Tom Miller, a member of the Labour Group, tweeted:  'Frustrating at #BrentLive to have people trying to wedge in serious issue of asbestos without sorting out an agenda item or using the correct process generally. Gah.'

Later in the evening the Chair of the Audit Committee appeared to believe that a lengthy private discussion of a report on the asbestos dump and the participation of two independent members of the committee, made an independent inquiry unnecessary as they were satisfied  with the officer's report.

Lobby of Brent Labour Group on The Village School academisation plans on Monday

The Brent Labour Group  of councillors meets on Monday and will be lobbied by opponents of the academisation of The Village School. Brent Constituency Labour Party recently passed a motion opposing the academisation and the Brent Labour Party Trade Union Liaison Officers wrote to Labour councillors calling on them to publicly oppose the privatisation of the special school in which Brent Council has heavily invested. The school building and grounds, currently the property of Brent Council, would be handed over to an academy trust and the school would no longer operate under the over-sight of the Council. Parents with complaints would no longer ne able to have them taken up by the Council.

The Group  meeting begins at 7pm and members will be lobbied from 6pm in the Civic Centre antrium. Althugh councillors have no direct control over whether a school governing body decides to academise it is hoped that a strong stance from them could help bring about negotiations that would avert strikes planned for January16th and 17th.

No room for critics in Butt's key committee appointments

The Annual Meeting of Brent Council allocated committee places.  Those who follow the machinations of Brent Labour may be interested in the fate of those councillors who have challenged or fallen out with the leadership as well as the allocation of places to the two Conservative groups:

Brent Labour starts short-listing for 2018 Council Election

Short-listing for the selection of Labour candidates for Brent Council to stand in May 2018 is underway and there are a titbits of information already.  I understand that Cllr Margaret McLennan , deputy leader (currently Northwick Park)and  Cllr Wilhelmina Mitchell Murray (currently Wembley Central) both want to transfer to Stonebridge ward. Cllr Joshua Mitchell Murray (Northwick Park) is also heading south but this time to Harlesden.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that there are a number of current councillors who do not intend to stand again but it's early days and they may yet have temptation put in their way. The list includes veterans Bobby Thomas (Harlesden), Ruth Moher (Fryent), Jean Hossain  and Pat Harrison (Preston) and a more recent cohort including Bernard Collier (Willesden Green), Sam Stopp (Wembley Central) and Sabina Khan (Stonebridge). I was surprised at the suggestion that Kilburn by-election winner Barbara Pitruzzella would not be standing again.

The outcome will give some indication of the degree of support that Cllr Muhammed Butt commands although as one member said there is not much appetite among the more astute members of the Labour Party to become members of a Labour group with so little power. They are aware that Cabinet makes all the key decisions.

However candidates are likely to face some searching cross-examination from the more recent recruits to the Labour Party focusing on some of the controversial issues around the Sustainability and Transformation plan for the health servce and social care, education cuts, Prevent and probably most prominently affordable housing and regeneration.

Cllr Tom Miller has made his pitch for re-selection HERE

Last chance for truly unique opportunity to give political advice to Brent Labour Group

There is just over a week left to apply for the challenging job of Political Assistant to the Brent Labour Group.  The post is recommended to any person able to ride several horses, galloping in several different directions, at once.

POLITICAL ASSISTANT TO THE LABOUR GROUP LINK

Salary range: £33,660 - £36,558 p.a. inc.

Contract: Fixed term (Contracted until May 2018, with the possibility to extend)

Hours of work: 36 hours per week

Location: Civic Centre and other locations from time to time

This is an exciting, high profile opportunity to work at the cutting edge of local government for an innovative local authority.  

Brent is a tremendously vibrant London borough where the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium dominates the skyline. Spanning both inner and outer London, it is a borough of huge contrasts in terms of its economic, environmental, ethnic and social make up. Brent’s diversity is evident to all who visit our borough and our long history of ethnic and cultural diversity has created a place that is truly unique and valued by those who live and work here.

The council is pursuing a far-reaching transformation agenda that better meets the needs of our community so it is an exciting time to join us.

The Post

The Labour Group is looking for experience in working – paid or unpaid – in a political environment, a professional approach with the organisational skills to deal with shifting priorities. You will need to demonstrate your awareness of new legislation and political developments (local, regional and national) with particular reference to the Labour Party.

This post is politically restricted* and will be offered in line with current legislation governing Political Assistant Posts. This is a temporary role to May 2018.

As the Group’s Political Assistant you will be carrying out a range of interesting duties including:

• undertaking political research in Council matters
• assisting with the composition and issuing of press releases
• attending Labour Group meetings to provide information and advice to Council Members
• liaising with Members of Parliament and Officers of the Council

The Person

Ideally, you will be a member of the Labour Party and have:

• research/administrative experience
• experience of dealing with public bodies or political organisations
• a good knowledge of Council political structure and public affairs
• good interpersonal skills and organisational skills
• good computer skills including word processing, spread sheets, database and desk top publishing
• the ability to work under pressure as part of a team as well as use your own initiative

Closing Date: 2 January 2016 (23:59)

Assessment & Interview Date: w/c 9 January 2016

*Although the advertisement says the post is politically restricted this appears on the job description LINK:

DBS Status	Not Required
Politically Restricted	No

Brent getting a poor deal in Spur's Wembley Stadium deal, claims councillor

Tottenham Hotspur's win against CSKA Moscow last Wednesday may have done something to allay fans' doubts about the move to Wembley but Cllr John  Duffy has voiced doubts about the Council's capacity to achieve benefits to Brent residents.

In an email to all Brent councillors Cllr Duffy said:

To All Brent Councillors,

I am very concerned that the Wembley Stadium and Spurs planning application is being guided and manipulated by both officers and Cabinet members.It would seem they seek a solution, that will not fully benefit Brent residents . 

All Councillors are independent on this issue and Councillors should not be influenced by either Cabinet members or officers on a pre-agreed application and should seek to ensure and maximise the benefits for Brent.

Firstly you have to consider does Brent want Wembley stadium to be a home ground for a Premier League Club and do not we want the extra congestion, nuisance and general disruption. Unless we get real investment  from the FA, Premier League and Spurs, I believe the answer is NO.

It is clear that the Cabinet are unaware of the potential of ensuring the investment to alleviate the problems caused by Wembley hosting Spurs and have not negotiated a reasonable deal for the residents…..I am tired of Brent residents being short changed, therefore I  believe Councillors should oppose the application as it stands.

Please find an edited email I previously sent to the Labour Group, which outlined my concerns about the planning application and the lack of benefits for Brent.

The earlier email, sent only to the Labour Group of councillors, said:

Dear All,

As it is 99% definite,Tottenham Hotspur will be moving to Wembley and its also likely that Chelsea (they may go to Twickenham) will moving in the following year.Its time we sorted out a strategy to protect and improve our Environment, Sports Education , parking ,community and employment strategy, together with compensation for Brent  residents.

As Chair of planning when we knocked down the old Wembley stadium and a member of the Task force for Wembley Stadium regeneration I have seen negotiations close up with the FA and they will be tough and we need a clear strategy.

From memory Wembley were allowed 22 sporting advents and they were no envisaged to be the home venue for any football club.Therefore at this point I would advise not to accept a season long deal but to treat every game as an FA cup Final and expect resources to reflect this. There Are many safeguards we  need for residents.I will outline the basics without the detail.

(1) Environmental improvement. 
I would expect extra resources ( too many options to go into) plus investment into plant. I have not looked at other Boroughs but I am aware of some who get a massively enhanced service for match day.
(2) Parking. 
Increased protection/enforcement of the neighbouring area. 
(3) Sports Education.
Ensure Investment in equipment and sports teaching in our schools including visits from football stars. Its important both the FA and Premier League show their commitment to grass roots football.
(4) Community Support .
Financial support for community activities,including , local R/As ,St Patricks day,Eid and Navratri and maybe support for local group who participate in the Notting Hill Carnival.
(5) Employment strategy.
Ensure that Brent residents get their fair share of any new jobs/ training arising from  the extra games. Also local firms should get a fair share of the increased supply chain for contracts 
(6) Compensation for local Business and residents.
Whereas the some business will benefit many other will lose (who would travel to Wembley to shop on a match day) so its important we look at high street improvements. The new games coming to Wembley will not only be on a Saturday they will included Sundays and weekdays at various kick off times.

There are many ways to negotiate and you should not look at only the time the football club is there, you should seek a 2/3 year deal on things like sports education and community support.I think you should have a local councillor on the negotiations ( seems unlikely as the leadership reject a task force for Kilburn Regeneration and now all decisions are made by the Lead member ) so local input will be represented.In my opinion we should not over engage in the - presentations- Vol-au-Vents  and vanity projects system which some members of the Cabinet prefer. We should also not going in asking for jobs at LLW ( getting employers to pay LLW is a failure ) we should be looking better jobs in supervision and management training. Finally do not over rely on Officers who will seek a deal that suits them as administrators. 

It would seem that some of the cabinet wish to treat the FA, the Premier League and Tottenham Hotspur  as " partners" whereas I see them them as people who wish to make a lot of money while using the facilities of  Brent which I have no problem with. However I believe this should be reflected in how we support our residents.So hopefully the cabinet have an agreed strategy about what we need from the richest sport in the world and the most famous football venue in the world.
    And Brent should not be short changed for all the inconvenience  

WANTED new political advisor for Butt and co

Following the resignation of Luke Francis, Cllr Butt and the Brent Labour Group of councillors will be looking for a new political advisor.

Francis (no relation) succeeded Jack Stenner, Richard Bell and Daniel Elton in the post.

Any suggestions for the Person Specification and essential skills/personal attributes?

As a reminder this is what the information pack for recruitment of a new CEO said about working with Cllr Butt:

0. What is the Leader like to work with?
   
• Generally pretty relaxed
  
• Non-bureaucratic; informal and engaging
  
• Prefers informal conversations to emails; likes personal, face to face
  interaction
  
• Likes people who just get on and deliver, and do what they say
  
• Has an open-door policy; comfortable relating to staff, partners, business
  and the community
  
• Comfortable with being checked and challenged re what he can do or what
  is possible
  
• Trusts his gut instinct
  
• A fulltime Leader of the Council – but not intrusive or interfering
  

Butt narrowly retains Brent Labour Group leadership - Margaret McLennan will be his deputy - cabinet details

Despite the furore over the alleged concealment of the  death of Tayo Oladapo and the row over the  double Planning Committee to approve Quintain's Wembley development  Muhammed Butt retained the Labour Group leadership at today's AGM by just four votes.

Margaret McLennan, having stood on a platform that the role is 'non-political', was elected Butt's deputy following a re-ballot when the initial vote was a tie with Michael Pavey.

Their names now go forward as nominations to the Full Council meeting on Wednesday.

One councillor commented that there were now two factions in the Labour Group with no middle ground between them adding that strong whipping was evident.

Michael Pavey, (Barnhill ward)  who had challenged Butt, survived as a Cabinet member and others elected to Cabinet were Roxanne Mashari (Welsh Harp), Harbi Farah (Welsh Harp) Krupesh Hirani (Dudden Hill), Wilhelmina Mitchell Murray (Wembley Central) and Eleanor Southwood (Queens Park).

This means that Ruth Moher and James Denselow leave the Cabinet.

Roles will be allocated later.

Other key posts will be Chairs of the two Scrutiny Committees and Chair of Planning Committee.

Although Cllr Butt won the election, albeit by a narrow margin, he may not be out of the woods yet as there is likely to be an internal Labour Party inquiry over the Tayo Oladapo allegations and a possible reference to the Brent Council Standards Committee.

Should others be butting into the Brent Labour leadership contest?

The contest for the leadership of the Labour Group on Brent Council spilled over into the Planning Committee last night as tensions boiled over ahead of Saturday's decision.

Current indications are that the vote will be close.  I have been unable to substantiate suggestions that a third candidate has thrown her/his hat into the ring but discount a commenter's suggestion that Neil Hamilton is just the person to bring integrity back into Brent Council.

Michael Pavey has come in for criticism over his failure to support parents campaigning againsg the forced acadmeisation of Gladstone Primary and Copland High schools while there has been claim and counter-claim over the nature of his politics in reaction to his 'manifesto letter'. (See comments HERE)

Muhammed Butt has been criticised for his actions over pushing for the double Planning Committee this week and blamed for the resulting chaos, as well as ongoing criticism for his over-controlling behaviour in general.

Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have lobbed in a few bricks of their own with John Warren writing to the CEO and Paul Lorber to Jeremy Corbyn calling for action against Butt over the Facebook issue.

Former councillor Alison Hopkins has revealed that Cllr Butt made several attempts to join the the Liberal Democrats but Paul Lorber has not responded to a request to confirm the allegation.

These interventions could well cause some councillors to close ranks around Butt who has yet to issue his own manifesto for his continued leadership - or if he has, perhaps someone could pass it on.

Some have wanted this contest to be kept strictly an internal Labour Group affair and dislike public discussion such as has happened on this blog. This does raise an interesting question about the extent to which the public should have a view, or even a say, in who leads their Council. Afer all they will be at the receiving end of any change in policy as a result of the contest.

Democracy breaks out in Brent Labour as key positions contested

The Brent Labour Annual General Meeing  next Saturday will see elections for Leader, Deputy Leader and Cabinet positions I understand from well-informed sources.

This is part of the normal democratic process but takes place against the background of internal tensions that included Councillor Butt's attempt to select his own deputy.

Following the election the posts have to be confirmed by Full Council but that is usually certain given the Labour majority - unless the results are very close and susceptible to abstentions at Council.

These are the current positions and responsibilities:

Leader of the Council

Councillor Muhammed Butt

Responsible for:

• Community Planning and Partnership
• Strategic Regeneration
• Voluntary Sector
• West London Alliance
• Health and Wellbeing Board (chair)
• Mayor's Development Corporation
• Executive and Members Services
• Legal Services

Find out more about Cllr Muhammed Butt.

Deputy Leader

Councillor Michael Pavey

Responsible for:

• Finance
• Performance Management
• Complaints and FOI
• Council as Employer (HR)
• Equalities
• Procurement
• IT

Find out more about Cllr Michael Pavey.

Cabinet Member for Employment and Skills

Councillor Roxanne Mashari

Responsible for:

• Customer Access
• Skills
• Jobs and Employment
• Business and Enterprise
• Welfare
• Poverty
• London Living Wage Advocate

Find out more about Cllr Roxanne Mashari.

Cabinet Member for Environment

Councillor Eleanor Southwood

Responsible for:

• Environment
• Transport
• Public Realm
• Sustainability
• Highways
• Parking
• Transportation
• Street Lighting

Find out more about Cllr Eleanor Southwood.

Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

Councillor Ruth Moher

Responsible for:

• Early Years
• Schools
• Special Education Needs
• Early Help
• Children's Social Care
• Youth Services
• Troubled Families

Find out more about Cllr Ruth Moher.

Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing

Councillor Krupesh Hirani

Responsible for:

• Adult Social Care
• Health and Wellbeing
• Public Health
• CCG

Find out more about Cllr Krupesh Hirani.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Development

Councillor Margaret McLennan

Responsible for:

• Housing
• Private Sector Housing
• Landlord licensing
• Planning
• Building Control
• Property and Asset Management
• Facilities Management
• Brent Housing Partnership (BHP)

Find out more about Cllr Margaret McLennan.

Cabinet member for Stronger Communities

Councillor James Denselow

Responsible for:

• Community Cohesion
• Community Safety
• Community Resilience
• Arts, Leisure and Sports
• Trading Standards
• Licensing
• Libraries
• Communications
• Registration and Nationality

Find out more about Cllr James Denselow.

Brent Labour Group should do the decent thing for an ex-colleague

I don't feel it is appropriate to go into detail at this juncture but I hear of a troubling situation in local politics.

Ex-colleagues and friends of a former Brent Labour councillor have been distressed that the Labour Group, despite funds being available, have not done the decent thing for a councillor who served loyally for 6 years.

Some members of the Labour Group are extremely upset about this matter are and are calling for a compassionate response from the leadership.

Brent Labour jitters ahead of AGM

Things seem to be getting a little jittery in the Brent Labour Group of councillors ahead of their Annual General Meeting which will be held after the May 5th GLA and Kilburn elections.

One councillor had apparently threatened resignation and was then suspended by the Labour whip with London Region Labour Party getting involved. His current status is unclear.

This is a little embarrassing during a by-election in Kilburn.

Muhammed Butt is disclaiming any knowledge of what is going on and referred any concerned colleagues to London region.

Meanwhile speculation over Butt's position as leader centres on whether he will get a job with Sadiq Khan if the Labour candidate wins the London Mayoral election.

Should a challenger from within the Labour Group wait for a peaceful succession when Butt moves on, or start campaigning for a leadership challenge at the AGM  now in case Butt's job with Khan does not come off?

Cllr Pavey, deputy leader,  was open about his disgruntlement over his Human Resources inquiry LINK while Cllr Sam Stopp hinted at political pressure on planning decisions when he spoke to the Kilburn Times about the 'Twin Towers' LINK:

“There are questions to be made about who is making decisions about which planning application goes ahead. What causes the decision made at planning to be made? Is it just on the merits of the scheme or are there political angles there as well?

Although there are some fairly open critics of Cllr Butt's leadership in the Labour group, especially over his 'controlling' behaviour, I am doubtful about how much support they can gather amongst their colleagues.

There are 56 members of the group but only half a dozen or so, aside from  Cabinet members,  make much impact on Council business. They may be united as critics of Butt but do not seem to be united by any particular political ideology or programme.

Against them are the silent majority, 'Mo's people', sometimes disparagingly known as the 'puddings', who  keep a low or non-existent public profile.  They turn up at Council meetings, stumblingly read out planted questions to allow Cabinet members to preen themselves, and then vote like robots for the official line.

Will Brent Labour Group bite back over last year's Council Tax decision?

I confess I am guilty of neglecting fellow blogger and ex-councillor James Powney's writings and I missed a posting last week  LINK on the likely Council Tax rise.

In his piece James Powney draws attention to the situation last year when the Executive over-ruled the vote of the Labour Group for an increase just below the referendum trigger.  He hints that this may affect Cllr Butt's leadership position at the AGM in May :

I hear that Brent Council is likely to go for a Council Tax rise this year.  This has seemed to me to be the only sensible course for some time.  The rise will still only make a modest contribution to protecting Council services but it is better than nothing.

It also helps to protect the longer term finances of the Council.  Each year the Council Tax has been frozen, the base revenue of the Council has been reduced not just in this year but for future years.  With the government talking about abolishing central government grant altogether, a continued freeze would simply run the Council into the ground.

One might ask why Cllr Butt has been so bitterly opposed to a rise for so long.  Even to the extent of ignoring the vote of the Labour Group altogether, which was such an undemocratic measure that I am sure no previous Labour Group would have stood it.  I wonder whether it will come back to bite him in May.

Certainly, his reasons can not have been to protect vulnerable residents, since he was fully behind the Council Tax Support Scheme which inevitably hits those least able to pay.  Indeed the rise for those residents in the first year was so large it would have been impossible to raise the Council Tax by that much across the tax base as a whole. 

EVEN MORE BRENT SCANDAL! - 'Worse than Kafka' claim by councillor

"This is surely worthy of the darkest Franz Kafka novel the verdict before the trial, but then again in even in Kafka they had the trial before the verdict."

Courtesy of a sympathetic informant with a conscience comes news of further efforts of Brent Council to control people. Now it is not just Philip Grant, and his efforts to get answers to the 'Two Questions' or the Brent Conservative Group attempting to get an inquiry into the Cara Davani case who are silenced, but a member of the Labour Group itself.

It appears that over the holiday the Labour Whip, Cllr Sandra Kabir, decided to take disciplinary action against Cllr John Duffy who, in a blog on Kilburn Calling and a letter to a local newspaper ,revealed that without his intervention Brent Council would have lost council taxpayers £500,000. LINK

The allegation is that Cllr Kabir summoned Cllr Duffy to a meeting while he was on holiday and because he didn't attend went on to take unilateral action.

Duffy wrote to her:

"Since you have not confirmed your availability for this morning's meeting, you have either not returned from holiday or have decided not to respond" Yes Cllr Kabir you were right I was on holiday,  therefore I did not respond. You then went on to say "Over this long week-end I shall email you the action I am taking in respect to your unacceptable behaviour and conduct over the past fifteen months" therefore you have come to a conclusion about your  basis opinion of my behaviour without any  defence from me or even telling me what  the allegations were.

Duffy, with long experience in politics, clearly saw red when confronted with this on his return from holiday.  He wrote to colleagues in the Labour Group enclosing copies of the email exchange. It appears that he has sympathisers in the group  as well as officers but whether they will openly support him, given the current atmposphere, in a group meeting  is another matter. This is what he told members of the group in an email:

Dear, All,

 

I was happily enjoying myself over the summer in Turkey laying in the sun,visiting place of historical interest, eating lots of food etc.

 

While I was away bothering no-one minding my own business and everybody else was playing cricket. It seems the Chief Whip was hatching a plan. Last night she informed the group she had tried to contact me on several occasions for a meeting.This is untrue, she sent me these two notes ( attached at the bottom) in the last few days while I was on holiday,which I opened over the weekend on my return from holiday.

 

I am of course willing to have a meeting with Cllr Kabir providing a regional officer is in attendance, so we can discuss other elements of the treatment I have been recieving from the cabinet members  and the leadership. 

 

For instance

 

(1) Where did my missing nomination for the Tricycle Theatre go to after Cllr Thomas saw it.

 

(2) Why she changed the date of the full council meeting in November last year. the regional office are already aware and wrote to the leader of the council and the chief whip with their concern about their shenanigans ) to try and ensure me and Zaffar were removed from the council causing unnecessary By-elections.The chief whip was fully aware of this but chose not to inform me which would have meant me being disbarred.It was only that an officer alerted me  ( yes lots of them like me) became he was concerned that I was not beening informed  by her about the consequences of the change .It was only after  this officer alerted me I contacted the regional office who intervened saying they would take legal action against the Council. I am not aware of any other occasion where the National Labour Party had to threaten a Labour council with legal action. I will seek a full explanation from her why she decided not to inform me of the consequences of the change of date of the meeting, when she was fully aware and the concern it would have cause the Labour Party forcing two unnecessary  by-elections. I am also asking for the release of all letters sent to the Leader of the council /chief whip about this issue by the Labour Party legal department be released to me.

 

(5) Why did she removed me from all committees, knowing that because I am a trustee on a International Aids awareness charity I cannot always attend all full council meetings on Mondays, therefore because I am not a name sub on any committee, I am unable to sub at any meetings to ensure that I have attended the required number of meetings in a six month period. 

 

(6) When was the preparation for the removal of my name from the "All Labour Councillor" list done (clearly in expectation of the result of the Kangaroo court) and by whom.

 

(7) What are the allegations against me? I am puzzled what the charges/allegations are other than I have voiced my concern about the way we have made more cuts than the Tories forced us to do, I have never broke the whip, I have never leaked any internal information .So I hope she will provide her allegations to me in WRITING, so I may defend myself.

 

The emails below from Cllr Kabir are not only confrontational she has already come to a predetermined conclusion of my guilt . It is because of  the tone of her emails and the preemptive removal of my name from the all Labour Councillors list,  I have taken advise and decided not to attend any meeting with Cllr Kabir until she issues her allegations in writing so I can prepare myself and also I request we agree on someone who is independent (a back bencher) is present to witness the procedure.

 

As a active trade -unionist all of my adult life and  I have seen many disciplinary cases where the allegation have been proven or unproven.However I have never  seen a disciplinary take place , where there are no allegations, no hearing just a predetermined  judgement and a recommendation  from the Judge Cllr Kabir.This is surely worthy of the darkest Franz Kafka novel the verdict before the trial, but then again even in Kafka they had the trial before the verdict.

 

So bearing in mind the predetermine emails from the chief-whip, the question is should a kangaroo  turn-up at a kangaroo court,to hear his sentence without knowing the charge only knowing the Judge has already come to her view. 

Well the answer is no I will not attend this spurious  trial  until regional office have confirmed that she has followed the correction proceedures I believe Cllr Kabir does not understand  the meaning of justice and the fact that she thinks her verdict comes before the trial not the other way  around is very disturbing .This  may be inconvenient for her and other members of the cabinet and leadership (you know that old chestnut innocent till proven guilty ) but its a basic right, which I hope all backbencher and other democrats would all support. 

 

I am totally confident that her recommendation as they were made without any hearing of my case will be thrown out by the Regional Office.

It seems to me that the Labour Regional Office adding this to their own disquiet over the Zaffar Kalwala case, might end up mounting their own inquiry into Brent Labour Group and its leadership.

Finally, Christine Gilbert's top 'interim' job is advertised for permanent appointment

The role of Chief Executive of Brent, currently held in an interim capacity by Christine Gilbert, has at last been advertised nearly a year after Gilber's appointment extension date of 'after'  May 2014, which was proposed in June 2013. LINK

It was argued initially that Gilbert needed to stay to see the Council through a period of transition and to ensure stability, the efficient running of the local elections and the maintenance of the Council's good name and then later that she needed to stay to complete work on the Brent Plan.

In Septembr 2014 I was prevented from asking a question about the delayed appointment. LINK

Looking at the Candidate Information Pack LINK it appears that Council Leader Muhammed Butt believes the appointed candidate will be his personal CEO rather than the borough's.

This is what he says in the pack introduction:

Thank you for your interest in the chief executive role at Brent Council. 

I thought the best way of explaining what we are looking for in our next Chief Executive is by telling you a bit about myself. I am a Brent boy. I was born in Wembley, went to school in the borough and studied at Kilburn Polytechnic. I live with my wife and children in the ward I represent, Tokyngton. My children go to school in the borough. I have owned businesses in the borough, and worked my way up from an engineer to a Project Manager at BT. I care about the residents of Brent because I am one, and I’m proud to live and work here. 

Most people I meet around the borough tell me they enjoy living and working here too. They choose Brent as their home because it is a lively, vibrant place, richly diverse and full of opportunities. That is as true for people whose families have been here for many generations as it is for the residents we welcome from across London, the UK and the world every day. 

The talent and energy of our people, our facilities, our dynamic local enterprise, our connectivity and our location all make Brent a place of enormous potential within the powerhouse city that is London. We need to make the very best use of these assets if we are to fulfil that potential in ways that make sure everyone who lives and work here – including the most vulnerable – can improve the quality of their lives. This is a particular challenge when public services are facing dramatic cuts in funding from central government. 

I work in politics because I want to make Brent a better place and absolutely believe it is possible, even in the face of these financial challenges. I have a passionate desire to see three things for Brent: fairness; wealth and prosperity; and a strong sense of community. The inequality and injustice I see as I travel across our borough makes me angry. I want all residents to have the opportunities and the tools they need to access work that pays a fair wage. I want to attract more jobs to Brent, guarantee our children leave school with the skills they need to access work and ensure people who are unemployed have the support they need to find work again. I believe in a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work – work must pay enough for a sustainable and comfortable life. I believe that the bonds that tie us together as a community are our greatest asset, and I want to nurture and strengthen them and foster citizenship and goodwill. 

I believe we all – the Council, its partner services, residents, businesses and local charities – have a responsibility to make this happen. Working together, we can make Brent an even better place to live and work. 

If you share my passion and commitment to improving the quality of life for all Brent residents, then we want to hear from you. 

Councillor Muhammed Butt Leader of Brent Council

Even more intriguing is Part 4 of the pack:

Part Four – Chemistry and ‘fit’ between the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council

What is the Leader like to work with?

·       Generally pretty relaxed

·       Non-bureaucratic; informal and engaging

·       Prefers informal conversations to emails; likes personal, face to face interaction

·       Likes people who just get on and deliver, and do what they say

·       Has an open-door policy; comfortable relating to staff, partners, business and the community

·       Comfortable with being checked and challenged re what he can do or what is possible

·       Trusts his gut instinct

·       A fulltime Leader of the Council – but not intrusive or interfering

What works less well with the Leader

·       Not being challenged

·       Being told ‘no’ – without a reasonable explanation

·       A Chief Executive that clearly has their own agenda

What style and way of operating will be essential in the new Chief Executive for this relationship to work?

·       Visibly creates a forward momentum for the organisation

·       Energy, enthusiasm and vitality

·       Delivery-focused, for self and for the entire organization

·       Does not need to be chased

·       Not afraid to hold the Leader in ‘check’ – but must have sound reasons for doing so, and, from time to time, be prepared for some constructive challenge back

·       An ego that is sufficiently secure not to have to ‘compete’ with the Leader – rather, sees both of them as working in real partnership for the benefit of Brent

·       ‘Politically (big ‘P’ and small ‘p’) astute and savvy – without being political

·       Lives the ‘open for business’ mantra

·       A natural partnership builder

·       Personally models the desired overall behaviours for the Council of being open, accessible, and transparent

·       Is visible; does not hide in his/her office – but gets out there within the organisation and amongst our communities

·       Easily gains and maintains the respect of members, partners and stakeholders

·       Recognises that being CX of such a large and complex organisation can never be a 9-5 job

·       Ready to ‘let things go’, in the sense that the Council cannot do everything, and many traditional activities may now be better delivered by or through others 

·       Absolutely ‘must’ be sensitive to diversity issues and understand how that impacts (on a day to day basis) on what the Council does, how it is viewed by citizens, and how it operates

So much emphasis on the 'leader' and his qualities suggests an expectation that Muhammed Butt will be around for a while yet...

No information is given on the salary exception to describe it as 'Competitive'   Our old friend Bloomsbury Resourcing are involved as advisors. There is no information on the appointment process itself and how the recruitment panel will be constituted*. Clearly an important consideration for the Labour Group as they approach the AGM in May.

* Since first publication I have heard that Cllr Suresh Kansagra, leader of the 'official' Conservative opposition will be on the appointment panel.

 

Closing date:                                                            10 April

Longlisting:                                                              by 17 April                              

Preliminary interviews + assessments:                 W/C 27 April

Shortlisting:                                                              13 May                        

Final panel:                                                                18/19 May

Confidential Discussion

If you would like to have an informal/confidential discussion about this role, please contact our advisors: Hamish Davidson LINK on: 07932 698807, Shahidul Miah on 07581 230171 or Leon Ward on: 07871 044649, or email them at:

hamish.davidson@davidsonpartners.com

smiah@bloomsburyresourcing.co.uk

leon.ward@davidsonpartners.com

The office landline is: 020 7183 0363