'He's got the whole of Brent in his hands' - Muhammed Butt grabs more power

 

It  had been suggested that Cllr Muhammed Butt has taken on Cllr Shama Tatler's portfolio only temporarily until a new Cabinet member was appointed. However, in an updated Full Council Agenda yesterday it appears that this is permanent arrangement.

Cllr Butt has granted himself direct power over Regeneration, Planning and Growth in addition to Housing which he took over when Cllr Promise Knight went on maternity leave.

Given the number of controversial developments and planning decisions in Brent this might be seen as too much power and influence for one person. Cllr Butt hs been pro-active in early meetings with developers before applications get to Planning Committee but now has a formal role. What price the independence of Brent Planning Commitee?

Other changes were notified on the Agenda following the resignation from Committee positions of ex-Deputy Mayor Cllr Diana Collymore:

 

Full Council – 18 November 2024
 

Agenda Item 5 – Appointments to Committees & Outside Bodies
Standing Order 30(g) states that, if necessary, Full Council is required to agree appointments to committees and outside bodies. In addition to the changes listed Council is being asked to confirm the appointment of an Independent Person.

Such appointments are set out below:

Cabinet Membership
 

Council is asked to note that effective from 8 November 2024 the Leader of the Council has incorporated the role of Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Growth within his remit following Councillor Shama Tatler having stood down from her role as a Cabinet Member.
 

Committee Appointments:

1. Audit & Standards Advisory Committee and Audit & Standards Committee – Councillor Lesley Smith to replace Councillor Teo Benea as a full member.
 

2. Community & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Teo Benea to replace Councillor Diana Collymore as a full member
 

3. Corporate Parenting Committee – Councillor Lesley Smith to replace Councillor Diana Collymore as a full member.
 

4. Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee - Councillor Teo Benea to replace Councillor Diana Collymore as a substitute
member

Hakeem Osinaike, Brent Director of Housing, appointed Strategic Director in Southwark

 

 Hakeem Osinaike

FROM SOUTHWARK COUNCIL

Southwark Council is delighted to announce that it has appointed Hakeem Osinaike as its new Strategic Director of Housing. Hakeem joins Southwark from Brent Council where he has been Director of Housing since 2017.

Hakeem’s long career in housing began in 1996 when he joined the London Borough of Greenwich as a Complaints Officer. Since then he has worked in many London borough housing departments, including in Southwark between 2000 and 2004.

Passionate about social housing, gaining insight to people’s needs and exploring innovative ways to deliver services, Hakeem has a Master’s degree in Housing and an MPA from the University of Birmingham. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

Hakeem Osinaike said:

I am absolutely delighted to take on the role of Strategic Director of Housing for London’s biggest council landlord. Southwark’s incredible energy and ambition to improve the lives of its residents is clear, whether that’s through building thousands of council homes, working to tackle the scourge of homelessness, or driving up standards in its existing homes.

I’m looking forward to working with Southwark’s hard-working housing teams to build on what they’ve achieved, and ensure we channel compassion and empathy into everything we do. Housing is about so much more than bricks and mortar. Putting a roof over someone’s head transforms lives and families, and I can’t wait to start working with Southwark’s communities, members and staff to deliver what local people need.

Althea Loderick, Chief Executive, said:

I’m really pleased that Hakeem Osinaike will be our next Strategic Director of Housing, bringing with him a whole career’s worth of housing experience from the frontline through to senior management. Southwark’s housing department is responsible for the largest number of council homes in London, and there is a huge amount to get stuck into, from day to day management to transformational priorities like building thousands of new council homes. I believe that with Hakeem at the helm, we can realise our ambition to be a truly great council housing landlord. We can’t wait for Hakeem to join us and get started.

Cllr Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council, said:

Southwark wants the very best for its tenants, and we need a Strategic Director who shares that ambition and can help deliver our plans. We have already built more council and social rent homes than any other council in recent years, and our ambitions don’t stop there. We are committed to building more, and also making sure the homes our residents live in are safe, dry and warm. I know Hakeem will work hand in hand with residents to transform our housing offer, putting them at the heart of all our decisions.

Hakeem Osinaike will join Southwark on 1st March 2024.

 

 Editor's note

Althea Loderick, Southwark CEO was previously Strategic Director of Resources in Brent.

It is likely to be a challenging job for Hakeem as the Southwark housing department  has a bit of a history.  

In 2016 a council officer was jailed for 5 years over a £2.4m housing fraud and more investigations followed.

In November 2022 the Housing Ombudsman found against the council as landlord. LINK

As recently as December 2023 Southwark News reported suspension of staff and a possible fraud investigation  over estate works that went £4.2m over budget. LINK

And then of course there is the controversial Elephant and Castle block, refused by Southwark Council with their decision overturned when Landlease appealed to the Planning Inspectorate. LINK

 

Makes Brent Council seem a bed of roses!

 

Homes and Our Health: Renters and Refugees in Brent - Chalkhill Community Centre today 2.30pm - 5.30pm

 

Homes and Our Health: Renters and Refugees in Brent 2.30pm - 5.30pm

The London Renters Union and English for Action are hosting this Public Education event to raise awareness of the housing and public health issues facing renters and refugees.

With experts by experience from our organisations, campaigners, and experts in health, law and journalism - this event is open to all Brent residents and those working on these issues elsewhere.

Speakers include:

Vicky Spratt, Housing Journalist at the Guardian and author of 'Tenants'

Jordi López Botey, Economic Justice and Health campaign lead at Medact

Renters and Refugee representatives from LRU and EFA

There will be workshops on two campaigning issues:

1. # Not Another Winter with Damp and Moulde Brent branch of the LRU's campaign is aimed at educating local renters about their rights when facing disrepair, and pressing the council to step up to the scale of the problem with an enforcement regime that holds landlords responsible.

With housing solicitor, Samantha Lewis from Anthony Gold

2. Homes Not Hotels

Around 500 new refugees in Brent are real difficulty finding homes - and street homelessness - in many cases. After waiting years for a decision on their asylum claim, they have a matter of days notice to leave their Home Office accomodation. The Council takes no action until the day of eviction, and only with support (and the threat of legal action) are the most vulnerable housed. This workshop - with asylum seekers, charities and campaigners - will discuss the situation and what next steps we can take.

Address: 113 Chalkhill Road, Wembley Park, HA9 9FX

Whether you are a renter or a refugee, a concerned community member or representaive, a professional working in the fields of housing and health, this event is for you.

Together, we can make an impact on the lives of those facing housing challenges in Brent.

We look forward to seeing you there!

 FREE ADMISSION

LETTER: Two Brents are emerging fast - shrinking suburbia and corporatist growth areas

 Dear Editor,

Regarding Brent Article 4- REMOVING PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS RELATING TO CHANGES OF USE FROM RESIDENTIAL FAMILY HOUSES TO HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION confirmed by the Council on 3rd February 2022 and coming into force on 1st November 2022.

This applies to the whole of the London Borough of Brent, but excludes the area designated as the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation Area, the draft Local Plan’s site allocations within the Church End Growth Area and all parts of the other seven Brent Growth Areas- Alperton, Stonebridge, South Kilburn, Northwick Park, Neasden, Burnt Oak/ Colindale, Northwick Park and Wembley corporatist colonial zones.

 

Why has the Council introduced this Article 4 to parts of Brent? Brent's answer is that:

 

...currently all Brent dwellings can be turned into smaller houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) without the need for planning permission. Smaller HMOs are shared houses occupied by between three and six unrelated individuals, as their only or main residence, who share basic amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom. There are currently about 17,000 HMOs (small and large) in Brent.

 

The Council recognises the importance that HMOs have in meeting housing needs. They provide accommodation that is more affordable for some people.

 Nevertheless, when there are significant concentrations of HMOs it can cause issues. They change the character of an area and result in adverse impacts, for example higher amounts of anti-social behaviour. They also reduce the amount of larger homes (3+bedrooms) that are available for families.

 

As such the Council wants to be able to manage the development of HMOs and consider whether change of use from family dwellings is acceptable. Requiring planning permission will help in doing this. It will ensure that where a new HMO is applied for (except where exclusion applies) there is not an overconcentration. It can also help address elements that might impact on anti-social behaviour (such as waste management). It will also allow the Council to ensure a reasonable amount of larger homes for families remain available"

 

- but not in: Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation Area, the draft Local Plan’s site allocations within the Church End Growth Area and all parts of the other seven Brent Growth Areas. Why?

 

Two Brent's are emerging fast, one of family homes population de-growth suburb-bias and one of corporatist population growth "we can do whatever we want" extractive colonialism where existing social, health, education infrastructure, public open spaces and flood defences are built on and destroyed by political/ market design.

 

Combine this Article 4 major change with the Royal Institute of British Architects proposal last week for a £38 billion mass insulation of inter-war suburbs for health, wealth and social benefit gains. And Brent's persisting with 'Growth Areas' even though the new planning bill (which included this GA planning idea) was ditched in September 2021 by Michael Gove, all can see clear that Brent is a Local outlier, risk hungry and politically indifferent to its Growth Area high tax, less and less public services zones.

 

David Walton

 

Cabinet to approve changes to Brent Housing Allocation System on Monday

 Following a consultation Brent Council's Cabinet will discuss recommended changes to the Council's housing allocation system at tomorrow morning's meeting.

These are the main changes, further details can be found in Section 6 of the officer's report starting on page 5.

a) Change 1: Give reasonable preference to homeless households 6.2 to 6.4 of report embed below
(b) Change 2 - Give priority to existing Council tenants, who need a transfer, to bid for all new build properties 6.5 to 6.12

(c) Change 3 - Emergency Management Transfers 6.13 to 6.19 

(d) Change 4 - Transfers due to Overcrowding as set out in paragraphs 6.20 to 6.24
(e) Change 5 - Award Priority Band A to Special Guardians 6.25 to 6.28
(f) Change 6 - Decant moves for essential repair 6.29 to 6.33 

 

 

 

 

The Myth of UK Housing Shortage Exposed by the Bank of England

 Guest comment piece by Nan Tewari

Given the unconscionable volumes of building going on in the borough (and elsewhere) we might hope the numbers of homeless families would be falling.  Yet this is far from being the case.  

The housing shortage rhetoric is somewhat at odds with the content of this article. It may well be time for public policy to recognise that having a home must be, first and foremost, a human right.  Housing as just an asset should be coming way down the list of what is acceptable in a civilised society when so many remain without a secure roof over their head.  

 Extracts from Posiitve Money's coverage of a Bank of England  LINK

If we look at the data, [...]. Housing stock levels have consistently risen at a higher rate than population growth even in the past couple of decades, and even in London. So, according to the laws of supply and demand, if houses were a simple consumer good, prices should have fallen – obviously not the case.

In the 1930s a typical three bed house was just 1 and a half times the average annual salary. By 1997 the average house price was 3.6 times the average salary. But in just twenty years that has more than doubled to nearly 8 times, and in London an ‘affordable’ home is 13 times first-time buyers’ salaries.

High rise blocks in Brent keep going up but so do the numbers of homeless families - zoom meeting May 27th

 

High-rise blocks keep going up but so do the numbers of homeless families.

About this event

• What is happening to Brent’s housing supply?
• Why are all the new housing developments making the housing crisis worse not better?
• What can be done about it?
• High-rise blocks keep going up but so do the numbers of homeless families
• What is happening to Brent’s housing supply?
• Why are all the new housing developments making the housing crisis worse not better?
• What can be done about it?

Housing development in London is driven by frantic corporate and wealth investment activity.

In Brent, new high-rise blocks have been springing up but these are overwhelmingly private and often contain empty and under occupied flats.

Meanwhile, one in three Brent households live in expensive and often poor quality private rented housing, and more than 2,000 homeless families are stuck in temporary accommodation with no control over their future.

Why is it so hard for people to access Council homes which are decent, affordable and secure, a firm base to bring up families, work or study and realise aspirations in life?

Brent residents are among those who’ve been hardest hit by the pandemic. Now it’s time to put some meaning behind the phrase BUILD BACK BETTER by looking at the radical changes needed to ensure that everyone can access a decent home that they can afford.

FAIRER HOUSING – Partners for Change is working with ACTION ON EMPTY HOMES to bring about those changes. We want to see more resources for local Councils to build rented homes; we want private developers to build the right kind of homes; and we want empty homes to be put to good use.

• Chair: Sahra Jama, Stream Skills Advancement
• Speakers: Nimo Askar, L'Oreal Williams, Brent Residents
• Councillor Margaret McLennan, Deputy Leader, Brent
• Will McMahon, Director, Action of Empty Homes
• Jacky Peacock, Advice for Renters

FREE TICKETS TO THIS EVENT HERE

Questions are asked as Brent's key worker housing in Wembley Park opens for applications

 Still from Virtual Tour (see links below)

I've long been an advocate of key worker housing provision in the borough having seen young teachers forced to move out of Brent as soon as they start a family because they can't afford high local rents. I am sure the same applies to health workers police etc and the result is a loss of valuable staff and recruitment problems.

Developments in the borough did not include key worker housing and in the infamous Willesden Green Library case were marketed by agents (in Singapore!) with the selling point that buyers  DID NOT have to share with affordable or key worker tenants. LINK

I welcomed the news that Brent Council had purchased a block in the Wembley Park development from  Quintain for key worker housing despite a deal in which details were not readily available.  That housing is now open to applications.

However doubts have been expressed in emails to Wembley Matters about the affordability of the units to key workers as well as questions over inclusions and exclusions in the list of eligible workers. Why for example are some of the workers now seen as key in the face of the pandemic not included - refuse workers, delivery workers and those working in essential retail?

One correspondent pointed out a current Brent advertisement for Home Care Assistants well outside the income level needed. LINK

In order to assess the offer here are two tables for background:

Weekly council house rents under the current HRA budget proposals in consultation

 

London Mayor's definitions of affordable housing

The monthly rent for one bedroomed keyworker housing is £992 (including service charge) and the equivalent average council rent is £450. For two bedroomed keyworker housing the comparison is £1,122 and £519.30.

The London Housing Allowance (To calculate Housing benefit and the gap between that and local rents can be accessed here - just type in you post code) LINK

The Key Worker offer from Brent Council website LINK

 

Brent Council’s wholly owned housing company, i4B, has negotiated the purchase of a brand new apartment block in Wembley Park which will provide much-needed affordable accommodation for key workers across the borough and beyond. 

 

The building is due to open in January, and applications are now open for our 1- and 2-bed apartments for those that are eligible. 

 

Virtual tours

Please see the links below to go on a virtual tour of the apartments. These are best opened in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Please note that not all apartments are the same layout or size.

• Take a tour of the one-bedroom apartment
• Take a tour of the two-bedroom apartment

 

Rent levels 

Monthly rent levels will be £992 for a 1-bed apartment and £1,122 for a 2-bed apartment. This includes service charge, but does not include bills such as electricity, broadband or water usage.

 

Eligibility criteria 

 

As part of the process, supporting information will need to be submitted to confirm the eligibly of tenants on the below areas. We will be carrying out independent verification and referencing checks to confirm the information provided. 

 

Key Worker Status 

 

At least one member of a household must be in a key worker post, and at least one eligible key worker must remain on the tenancy at all times.

 

The nomination policy, agreed by the Council and the i4B board, identifies two tiers of key worker roles. Tier 1 roles are the key worker roles that are most in demand for recruitment and retention. Tier two roles are key worker roles that are still in demand, but not to the same degree as tier one roles.

 

Applications from people in Tier 1 roles will be prioritised. However, if you are in a Tier 2 role you should still apply. 

 

Details of eligible key worker roles are below, the roles are listed in no particular order. 

 

 Tier 1

• Qualified Social Worker (excluding ASYE)
• Occupational Therapist
• Educational Psychologist
• Planner
• Commissioning Employee (Adult Social Care)
• Surveyor
• IT Architect
• Public Health Specialist
• Specialist IT Engineer
• Health Visitor
• Nurses – Bands 5 and 6
• Midwives at Band 6
• Physiotherapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Speech and Language Therapist
• Doctors in the following specialties:
• Acute Medicine
• Haematology
• Pathology
• Anaesthetics / Critical Care
• Dermatology
• Cardiology
• Care of Elderly
• Respiratory
• Medicine

Tier 2

• Armed Forces
• Council/Government Staff
• Fire Officers and Retained Fire Fighters
• NHS Staff
• Police Officers
• Prison Service and Probation Service Staff
• Social Worker
• Teachers in schools, further education or sixth form colleges
• Any other worker agreed in writing by the Council (this will be reviewed yearly to reflect the needs of the Council and the list will be published online) 

 

Contract Status

The key worker in the household must be employed on a permanent contract or be employed on a fixed term contract where:

• They are due to remain in employment for a further 6 months from the date the tenancy is due to commence and;
• The initial term of their contract was at least 12 months. 

 

Household Income 

 

The Key Worker Housing scheme is designed to provide accommodation to households who may otherwise have difficulties affording to rent in London. Therefore, household income limits have been set. Please note that this is based on household income i.e. the total annual income of all household members over 18, not the key workers annual income. 

• To be eligible for a one bedroom property household income must not exceed £65k a year.
• To be eligible for a two bedroom property household income must not exceed £90k a year.
• Household income must also be a minimum of £31k. 

 

Citizenship 

 

All household members must be either a British or EU/EEA citizen with a Settled Status by December 2020 or have indefinite leave to remain in the UK. 

 

Property Ownership

 

No household member can own or part own a property.

One eligible key worker must remain on the tenancy at all times

• View the nominations policy for further information 

 

Before applying 

 

Make sure you have the below documents to hand as you will not be able to complete an application without them. 

 

You will also need to collect all of the below information for any household members who are over the age of 18:

• Passport or documents proving an indefinite right to remain in the UK
• You last 3 months payslip
• Contract of Employment
• Contact details for current landlord (if applicable)
• Birth certificates for children under 18 

 

Please read the above information carefully on the eligibility criteria for the scheme and have the supporting documentation ready before starting your application.  

 

 

Disappointing Scrutiny Committee discussion on Brent housing needs

The section of the Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee devoted to discussion on the Brent Housing programme has just finished. Given the importance of the subject it was disappointing.

 Most discussion centred on the infill housing programme which is additional housing built on existing estates on spare land or land freed by demolition of garages that have been allowed to run down.  There were attempts to clarify what was meant by 'affordable' (see my earlier post) that were not very successful.

There were no questions on the large amount of shared ownership housing planned across Brent.

The zoom sound  quality was not very good but recommendations adopted by the Committee included :

1. A request in any ward where infill housing is proposed housing should write to members (councillors) and draw their attention to the proposal.

2. Information on the different types of 'affordable' housing and the different levels of rent should be supplied to the Committee.

3. In future plans for any new-build site should include a community centre to develop greater community inclusion plus proposals on how they would be financed. If not on the site itself in the immediate neighbourhood.

4. A report on government plans to end Section 106 that has been used for housing and  the implications of its possible replacement by a new scheme.

During the discussion an officer commented that even social rent levels were not affordable for some people.  The council building itself ,rather than through developers, meant it could match provision more closely to local need. More older and single people had come forward for housing during the Covid period. Parking continued to be a problem on estates.

I think a more in-depth discussion is required in future on the issue - or perhaps a task group would do a more thorough job.

Shame on Brent Council: 'Today I intend to make myself voluntarily Homeless!'

A Wembley Matters reader tells us about her housing offer from Brent Council

 

Today I intend to make myself voluntarily Homeless!

 

I have been accepted as Homeless by Brent Council and they have made me an offer of accommodation that is totally unsuitable.

 

It is a two bedroomed flat in the basement of a chicken shop in Harlesden High Street and is only half a step up from a bed in a shed.

 

 

The outside door to the flat shows evidence of having been nibbled by rats and leads into a corridor shared with the kitchen of the take-away. At the end of the corridor is an extremely narrow stone staircase (down which is would be impossible to bring any furniture) which leads to a yard used by the chicken shop as an extra storage/preparation area.

 

Stepping over what look to be a permanent puddle you finally gain access to the flat which is dark and unfurnished - probably because no furniture could be brought into the flat - in fact there is no room for any furniture.

 

The lounge is so small that you'd have to choose between putting in a mini sofa or a table in as there is not room for both.

 

In the 'master' bedroom there is no room for a bed and a wardrobe and in the second bedroom you might just about be able to fit in a single bed and a bedside table.

 

There is no storage space in the place and any furniture would have to be brought in flat packed as nothing could fit down the stone steps.

 

It is a health and fire hazard and totally unsuitable for a person of my advanced years and arthritis. My son is an adult with autism, agoraphobia and anxiety issues and his mental health could only be compromised by such conditions.

 

Brent has made no concessions to my son’s condition and has told us we must move there and then appeal against our allocation from there. Failure to sign the lease and move in will result in our being intentionally homeless.

 

They will not even consider any medical circumstances or appeals under The Equalities Act until I sign a years lease on this hell hole.  The pressure to sign has been enormous.

It's quite possible that you'll read the above and think I should be grateful for any offer but Brent's use of substandard private rentals effects all of us as Council Tax payers.

 

The rent which Brent is guaranteeing the landlord - whether the flat is occupied or not is £346 per week or £17,992 per annum coming directly out of our Council taxes to line the pockets of a landlord who would be unable to rent that property at that price on the open market and which has been empty for some time.

 

I'm sure that there are light and airy 2 bedroom flats in Harlesden for which the market rent of that magnitude would be fair but a subterranean cupboard with rodent and hygiene issues should not be allowed to be rented under the umbrella of 'market rate' in the area.

 

If, as I will, I refuse to take this flat I will be bounced off the Council's waiting list despite having been on it for 8 years and having lived in Brent for 43 years. I have been desperate to get secure housing for myself and my son; as in common with most parents of disabled children I worry what will happen to him in the long term. However I genuinely believe that I would be causing him more harm by taking that flat than I will be doing by refusing it.

 

The only winner in this situation is a landlord who thinks it is acceptable to charge the Council such an extortionate rent to house the most vulnerable in society in such sub-standard accommodation.

 

MMCL

 

Brent Cabinet discusses vital report on implementing plans to tackle Black inequality in Brent

At 10am today the Brent Cabinet has a very important item on the Brent Black Community Action Plan.  It constitutes 10 detailed work streams on all aspect of the Council's work: 

1.    Early intervention: children, young people and families 
2.   Enabling and strengthening community leadership through capacity building  
3.   Developing community spaces – run and managed by local communities 
4.   Supporting the black community and voluntary sector - grant funding and procurement 
5.   Support for employment and enterprise 
6.   Accountability and engagement 
7.   Internal review of processes within the Council  
8.   Homes and homelessness 
9.   Tackling health inequalitieS
10. Embedding equality and diversity within the council workforce.

 Unfortunately there is a possibility that most publicity will be given to a parallel plan to review the names of  places in Brent associated with people involved in the slave trade, including Gladstone Park.  Although symbolically important and perhaps an 'easy win' the resulting furore may drown out the vital and more difficult work involved in tackling current inequalities in education, work, health and housing to name just some of the work streams.  As a veteran of the anti-racist campaigns in education in the 1970s I remember how the work we were undertaking in schools was derailed by rows about whether 'Baa, baa black sheep' should be banned. Slave trade names are important but have to be kept in perspective.

As an example of the detailed work this is Workstream 1 - Early Intervention: children, young people and families:

1.Working with schools to influence school curricula to:

·      support young black boys with developing self-esteem, self-worth and confidence in the classroom, and through coaching and mentoring in schools

·      ensure positive Black History is being taught.

School Effectiveness officers will continue to work with schools to encourage the teaching of black history. Good practice examples in Brent include schools, which have been awarded the United Nations ‘Rights Respecting Schools Award’, reducing inequality and promoting inclusive societies.

Officers will ensure schools maintain a focus on the progress of priority groups & will continue to support the ‘Raising Achievement of boys of Black Caribbean heritage’ project, building on the success in improving outcomes in Year 1/2 of the project.

2.Recruitment drive for black school governors. This includes encouraging schools and Governor training to include unconscious bias and anti-racism training. Recruitment processes for school governors are ongoing. A recent focused campaign resulted in 25% of recruited governors identifying as being Black/Black British. The governor training offer will be developed to include unconscious bias and anti-racism training.

3.Creating an assured way of life for young black people by enabling them to fulfil their ambitions and aspirations relating to education and work through:

• enabling young people to explore and express their aspirations, which will include making them aware of opportunities available to them. This could also include confidence-building and making them feel ‘accepted’ and that
• they do not have to work twice as hard as their non-black peers to achieve the same levels of positive outcomes for themselves
• supporting parents with their own aspirations and to understand the aspirations of their families and children, and how they can enable their children to thrive
• institutions, including FE colleges, reviewing their support to ensure it is enabling young black people to discover and achieve their aspirations and removing structural racism and unconscious bias and barriers.

Looking at the pinch points in a young person’s life (birth, starting school, transitioning from primary to secondary school, selecting GCSE subjects and beyond) we need to look at ensuring:

•  that the institutions and individuals who are influencers in a young person’s life at various stages possess the cultural competence to understand and respond to the context, pressures and barriers young black people can encounter at every critical stage in their lives. Training will be essential.
• young people are enabled and given the ability to prepare for and handle situations. This includes developing personal resilience skills and creating spaces to have difficult conversations, possibly in school. These conversations could be trauma felt or experienced, directly or indirectly
• that institutions deploy trauma training for professionals working with young people to support them with trauma and other issues faced
• space and opportunity for young people to act as leaders and influencers
• opportunities for young people to learn about black history which can enable self-worth and aspirations to grow
• opportunities to celebrate achievements, for example, through an annual Youth Pride of Brent Awards evening hosted by the Council.

Actions in this section will align with actions in work stream 5 regarding support for employment and enterprise. Parents will be supported to access early years entitlements and the 30 hours free childcare offer through the Progress for All project.

Family Wellbeing Centres will provide parents and carers of 0-18 year olds with access to support services and programmes to develop their confidence and life skills.

Trauma-informed practice training will continue to be provided for professionals working with young people. Schools and colleges will be supported to access training in areas of cultural competence, unconscious bias and anti-racism.

Working with YBF and the Beckmead Trust, integrated youth activities will be provided around the new Alternative Provision school at the Roundwood Centre from January 2021. Youth engagement through a series of podcasts exploring issues and concerns for young people.

With The Beat London, the council recently commissioned a special 

• ‘Time to Talk Covid-19’, phone-in to discuss why the BAME community is disproportionately affected by Covid-19
•  Brent Youth Parliament gives young people who may feel marginalised the opportunity to have a voice.

Alll the work streams can be accessed by following these LINKS