Brent Lead Members answer some pertinent questions from councillors on support for pandemic's financial victims, climate action, tackling poverty and access to Recycling Centre after ULEZ expansion

Questions to Cabinet members from opposition councillors and non-Cabinet members are sometimes worth reading, although there are so few opposition councillors they tend to be 'friendly' questions enabling lead members to showcase their achievements.  These are the questions tabled for Monday's Full Council and the full answers are in the document posted below. Remember click bottom right for full page.

1.    Question from Councillor Parvez Ahmed to Councillor Margaret McLennan, Deputy Leader:

 

Can the Deputy Leader set out what is being done to support those of this borough’s residents whose financial situations have been hardest hit by the pandemic? Likewise, can the Deputy Leader explain what steps this council is taking to help the types of small businesses that local economies like Brent’s depend upon?

 

2.   Question from Councillor Orleen Hylton to Councillor Krupa Sheth, Lead Member for Environment:

 

In July 2019, Brent Council declared a climate and ecological emergency and committed to do all in its gift to strive for carbon neutrality by 2030. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic and the current efforts towards recovery, can the Cabinet Member for Environment set out how Brent’s efforts to build back better will help deliver on this borough’s climate commitments?

 

3.   Question from Councillor Gwen Grahl to Councillor Eleanor Southwood, Lead Member for Housing & Welfare Reform:

 

Can the Cabinet Member for Housing and Welfare Reform update on how Brent has so far delivered on its promise to tackle poverty, in all its forms, as so starkly laid out in last year’s Independent Poverty Commission’s findings.

 

4.    Question from Councillor Michael  Maurice to Councillor Krupa Sheth, Lead Member for Environment:

 

From 25 October 2021, the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)is expanding from central London to create a single, larger zone up to the A406 North Circular Road. Petrol cars registered before 2006 and diesel cars registered before 2015 are likely to incur a £12.50 daily charge should they travel into the ULEZ area. This means that Brent residents living north of the North Circular Road with an older vehicle will incur a charge should they use the Household Waste and Recycling Centre situated at Abbey Road. This will impact those on low incomes disproportionately and potentially result in an increase of fly tipping. Will this Council make representations to Transport for London and the Mayor of London seeking an exemption from the charge for Brent residents legitimately using the HWRC. Alternatively, will the Council request that Brent residents living north of the zone be allowed to utilise Harrow Council’s facility at Forward Drive, thus avoiding the requirement to enter the ULEZ area? A map has been attached for further background

 

Clean air for Brent - residents' questions answered

Clean Air for Brent LINK have published the first batch of answers to questions asked by the public at its meeting held at the Civic Centre in July.

The answers are below. Click on the bottom right side square to enlarge.

Brent Council answers Full Council Meeting questions from the public

Questions from the public will ne answered for the first time at the Brent Council Meeting tomorrow. The answers have been published in advance in a Supplementary Report which I have posted below.  It also contains answers to questions from Councillors and reports from the two Scrutiny Committees.

Hear the Green GLA List candidates on Sunday

Come and hear from the candidates who want to represent London Green Party on the London Assembly list in next year's London wide elections. 

Next year is not just the London Mayoral race - Londoners also vote for the London Assembly. The Green Party currently has two Assembly Members (AMs), elected by a proportional system. Our current AMs Darren Johnson and Jenny Jones are both standing down and we are aiming for more than two AMs next year! So our candidates need to be ready to step in to this important role if elected, but equally as important the list candidates must also help us run an exciting and inspiring campaign.

This event is a great opportunity to ask questions of the candidates and hear what they have to say. We are expecting a lot of interest so you must sign up for a ticket- these are free but limited. The hustings will start promptly at 2pm, please arrive in plenty of time.

If you would like to submit a question to be considered (some questions will also be taken from the floor, but there is very likely to be many more questions than time) please email your question to caroline.allen@greenparty.org.uk. Please make the title of the email 'Assembly Hustings Question'. The deadline for questions is noon on Wednesday the 16th July.

Please note this event is for LONDON GREEN PARTY MEMBERS ONLY.

Do you have questions about Assembly List Hustings- London Green Party? 

 Contact Caroline Allen

REGISTER FOR A TICKET TO THE EVENT

London-wide Assembly List (of whom 11 will be selected to an ordered list)

 

Andrea Carey Fuller, Barry Cooper, Benali Hamdache, Caroline Russell, Dee Searle, Jonathan Bartley, Michael Gold, Noel Lynch, Peter Underwood, Rashid Nix, RoseMary Warrington, Shahrar Ali, Sian Berry, and Tom Chance.

 

Dawn Butler tables parliamentary questions on Gaza siege and settler violence

In response to constituents' concerns Dawn Butler, MP for Brent Central, has tabled the following two parliamentary questions:

"What measures is the UK government currently taking to lift the blockade of Gaza, particularly with respect to ensuring the vital entry of humanitarian aid after the devastating attacks seen in 2014?"

"In the light of the UN reported recording of 221 incidents of settler violence with virtually no prosecutions, what discussions has the minister held with Israeli ministers over the failure to prosecute settlers for acts of violence against Palestinians?"

The questions are tabled for Tuesday July 14th and if not picked to be answered orally should receive written answers,

Dawn Butler has become Vice Chair of the Labour Friends of Palestine.