Brent Communication Team refuse to communicate with Wembley Matters

by Martin Redston

 Every now and again I get asked by readers why I do not let Brent Council give their version of events when I run critical stories on this blog such as the recent one on the apparent demise of the four borough supercontract.

The short answer is that the press office refuses to respond. An earlier reason given was that this was because I was not 'official media' . I retorted that this sounded rather Stalinist. When trying to get a quote on the supercontract story I was again refused.

I suggested that the Council needed to revise its policy in the light of the development of 'citizen journalism'. I pointed out that I was trying to be fair to the Council by including their comments. With 400-600 page views a day (14,000plus last month) and followed via Twitter by local councillors and our local MP, surely it was to their advantage to be able to comment on stories that were often followed up by the local press.

They went away to consult on this with the Head of Communications and issued the following statement:

The press desk deals with enquiries from accredited journalists e.g. a local radio or newspaper journalist, a member of the National Union of Journalists or a recognised freelance.

It does not currently include enquiries from citizen journalists and blog authors because the expected volume of enquiries would be extremely difficult for the Communications Team to manage.

So with a Communications Team that won't communicate I am left with the option of making cumbersome Freedom of Information requests that take weeks to get a response or hoping that the 'official' press follows up the stories.

By the way, I regularly get official press releases sent to me from Muhammed Butt's office...

Supporters have suggested that readers should tweet Brent Council to tell them they should talk to me @BrentCouncil.

Feel free! 

Twitter viruses and viral sorrowful Lib Dem leader

My Twitter account was hacked overnight and apparently some followers received some objectionable messages. I did not send these. Do not open any Facebook links sent via Twitter from Wembley Matters as they may contain a virus.  My password has been changed so all should be okay now.

Meanwhile this has gone viral but just in case you missed it:

Retreating into the hills while Brent implodes

Off to the hills for a week so no postings on Wembley Matters for a while.

It looks as if I will return to a changed Brent Council landscape. Any tips on who will be acting Chief Exec if today's golden handshake negotiations succeed?

Any money on Andy Donald?

Will the Ann John loyalists strike back?

Keep up on Twitter @bktimes

Campaign for Barclays to lose its banking licence launched

Following yesterday's revelations an e-petition has been launched on the government website asking that Barclay's banking licence be withdrawn.

The petition reads:

Within a capitalist economy banks perform a vital function in facilitating the production and exchange of goods and services. In return for fulfilling this role responsibly they are allowed to hold a banking licences, which brings them great benefits in terms of the ability to create money through making loans. The systematic manipulation of the LIBOR value to serve its business interests makes clear that Barclays is not a fit company to hold a banking licence. We call upon the government to withdraw Barclays banking licence.

The petition can be found HERE

Wembley Matters passes 100,000 hits threshold

Earlier today this blog had its 100,000th page view.-  another milestone for this local news and campaigning website.

Many thanks to everyone who visits and especially those who participate by adding comments.

Martin

More than just Wembley

Several readers of this blog have recently reproached me regarding the title 'Wembley Matters' suggesting that it should really be called 'Brent Matters' or 'Wembley and Willesden Matters' or that I should set up a twin blog called 'Willesden Matters'. Unfortunately  that can then be extended to Kilburn, Harlesden, South Kilburn, Queens Park, Dollis Hill etc  Unfortunately the title Brent Matters is already in use in printed matter.. Exacerbating the issue is that many residents of Brent, in the East and the South, are critical of the 'Wembley-centric' nature of the council with major regeneration taking places around the stadium and the building of the new £127m Civic Centre being built in its shadow.

My blog was set up in the autumn of 2009 when the proposed ARK academy was the subject of a union and residents campaign over the loss of playing fields next to Wembley Park station and with the Wembley Masterplan a subject of great local controversy.  As a local resident and Green Party activist I set up this blog to air the issues and to support the campaigns.  However from the beginning the blog has covered issues that concern all in the borough with some crossing borough boundaries (the Brent Cross regeneration) as well as national issues such as the privatisation of education. 

I have reported on the neglect of the south of the borough, particularly as regards what I see as the unfair distribution of secondary schools in the south. Ironically the Willesden Green Cultural Centre, which the Council sees as an attempt to have a hub in the south, has been so poorly handled that local people rather than seeing it as an attempt to redress the balance, instead see it as an imposition.

Wembley Matters is probably too established a title to change it now. The title does not mean that I reflect the council's wembley-centrism and this blog is open to all in Brent and further afield who want to air the issues that concern them. Guest blogs are welcome.

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70,000 page views and counting

Wembley Matters, launched in May 2009,  had its 70,000th page view this morning. I would like to thank you all for your support and encouragement. 

I'll be missing all the action on Monday

I will not be posting for a week as I am taking a week's holiday.  Many thanks for all those who at various meetings, demonstrations etc have made positive comments on Wembley Matters and encouraged me to 'keep on blogging'. I look forward to hearing how things went at Monday's Executive Meeting when I return.