'Park and Stride' won't mitigate congestion at expanded Byron Court Primary school

This is one of the speeches delivered at tonight's Planning Committee on the application to expand Byron Court Primary School. The Commiittee later approved the application with some issues regarding potential conditions, raised this afternoon  in an email by Cllr Perrin, and later in his speech to the Committee, to be followed up by Officers. Several members of the Committeee said they had received phone calls from Barry Gardiner MP about the application.

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My name is Suzanne D’Souza.  I am the Chair of the Sudbury Court Residents’ Association.  I am here today representing the 1500 residents who object to the expansion of Byron Court School.

We understand that the Council have an obligation to provide schools places.  However, the Council also have an obligation to protect residents from overdevelopment.  And building one of the largest primary schools in the country, in the middle of a residential estate, accessible only by narrow roads, is an overdevelopment.

There are many reasons we object to this proposal, but as I only have 2 minutes I will focus on transport.  

The school currently has 3 forms of entry and the traffic problems at school run times are significant.  Brent Council’s own Transportation Officers visited the school and confirmed this.  

The Officers’ view is that the parking and traffic flow issues on these residential streets is a major concern for pupils and pedestrian safety.  Their observations confirm current unacceptable and unsafe conditions on Spencer Road, and surrounding streets.

Over many years, the school have tried, and failed, to solve the problems.  Our local police team have tried, Council Officers have tried, and our local Councillors have tried.  All attempts at solving the traffic problems have failed.  

This is at 3 form entry.  Now imagine we almost double the size of the school and bring in children from further away so their parents are forced to travel by car.  This isn’t just a logistics problem, it’s a health and safety problem.  It is dangerous.  

Brent Council’s own Transportation Officers have acknowledged that there are serious safety problems at present, which will only be exacerbated with the conversion of the school from 3FE to 5FE, and the Travel Plan submitted was considered seriously inadequate.

The Officers go on to say the use of a Park and Stride scheme based on the Northwick Park Car Park would mitigate the negative impact of congestion.  This is described as an essential factor to support the school expansion.

However, the report states that the recent trial of this had a low take-up.  Despite senior school staff campaigning for parents to use Northwick Park car park for park and stride over recent weeks, very few parents have complied. 

This begs the question then, how this, the apparent key to the acceptability of the scheme in highway terms, is to be enforced?

There are a great many reasons why the use of Northwick Park Car park for Park and Stride will not work.  Cllr Perrin will take you through the detail of this.  All I have time to say is that if Brent Council Transportation Officers have said this is an essential factor to support the school expansion, and we know that it cannot work, then the logical conclusion is that this expansion is not feasible and, from a Planning perspective, cannot go ahead.

Barry, Dawn & Tulip please 'BACK THE BILL' ON Friday & Save Our NHS

Caroline Lucas  is calling on MPs to back her cross party NHS Reinstatement Bill which comes to the House of Commons on Friday.I hope to see all three of Brent's Labour MPs backing the Bill

Ask your MP to back to the bill: HERE 

The bill was supported by Jeremy Corbyn before he became leader of the Labour Party, and it is being backed in Parliament by the Scottish National Party and many individual MPs. The Labour Party has not yet made a public statement on it, but they are under pressure from health unions, grassroots NHS campaigns and tens of thousands of people who have emailed MPs asking them to back to the bill 

To guarantee that the NHS Reinstatement Bill is heard 100 MPs must be present in Parliament to bring about a vote on the Bill being debated before - that is why it is imperative that Barry Gardiner, Dawn Butler and Tulip Siddiq turn up to 'Back the Bill

Caroline Lucas, who tabled the cross-party NHS Reinstatement Bill, said:

This Friday MPs have a chance to show their commitment to our NHS. The NHS needs Labour to back this Bill. It’s the best chance we’ve got to bring people’s anger about what’s happening to our NHS into Parliament – and to then move towards reversing the failed privatisation experiment.

Across the country we’re seeing people making a stand against the ongoing marketization of our health service. The NHS is saddled with a wasteful internal market, and increasingly widespread outsourcing of services to the private sector. When you add this privatisation to the near-constant Government attacks on the NHS workforce, including forcing junior doctors to strike again today, you can see why so many people are supporting the NHS Bill.

The NHS bill would put the public back at the heart of the health service. MPs now have a chance to put their commitment to a public NHS into action by backing this bill on 11 March.

If we work together we can save our crisis ridden health service for future generations.

The NHS Reinstatement Bill would reverse the creeping marketisation of the health service and reinstate the NHS based on its founding principles – putting the public back at the heart of the health service. In practical terms that means simplifying the health service and removing the unnecessary complication introduced in 1991 (and reinforced in recent years) which fragmented the NHS by forcing services to go into competition with each other to win contracts.

The Bill would bring back health boards who would look at what services are needed in each local area and then provide them. The Bill also reinstates the Health Secretary’s duty to provide services throughout England - which was severed in the 2012 Health and Social Care Act.

Greens among supporters of 'Dine in the Dark' fundraiser for Centrepoint

On Wednesday, 9 March 2016, Dans le Noir? the celebrated dining in the dark restaurant staffed by blind people, and the youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, will be collaborating to host a gastronomic dinner.

The dinner will be held for Centrepoint’s vulnerable 16-25 year-olds to celebrate Dans le Noir?’s 10^th Anniversary and decade of successful charitable ventures.

Homeless young people will experience heightened flavours by enjoying a gastro dinner in the dark. The menu at Dans le Noir? has evolved over the past 10 years and in November 2015, Michelin star chef, Julien Machet, was hired to consult and help John Houel, the London Head Chef, create the four eclectic menus. Chef Julien will be present to assist with the creation of this spectacular dinner.

Dans le Noir? and Centrepoint support those furthest from the jobline to help them get into work. The two companies are joining forces to maximise awareness of the difficulties that blind, and homeless young people, face when trying to get into employment.

Dining in the dark challenges people’s preconceptions of other people. Mind-blowing Gov.uk statistics estimate that 16% of working age adults are disabled. Recent statistics show that only 46.3% of disabled people are in employment compared to 76.4% of non-disabled people, making it a significant social issue. Additionally, disabled people are significantly more likely to experience unfair treatment in work.

Caroline Pidgeon, Lib Dem London Mayoral Candidate 2016, says: "Given that the level of homelessness in London has - sadly - grown over the past 4 years, it’s fantastic to see initiatives like this from Dans le Noir? aimed at helping young homeless people. I would encourage other employers across London to explore if they could help develop schemes like this which offer a route to support people in furthering their skills through training and employment and a way in to permanent housing."

Shahrar Ali, No 3 on the Green Party London Assembly, says: "One of the remarkable things about Dans le Noir? is that it turns the tables on the sighted, who are rendered virtually helpless by the blackout conditions and are entirely dependent on blind people to guide them. It’s a great experience for diners but by creating these rare conditions where blind people are better off, it also brings home just how hard it can be to find work if you have any kind of disadvantage. That’s something that young homeless people also know all about, and this is a fantastic joint initiative by Dans le Noir? and Centrepoint to draw attention to those difficulties. It’s my privilege to be a part of it and to find out what practical things I can do to help if I’m elected to City Hall in May."

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb, Green Party, says: “I commend the work of Dans le Noir? and the way they have helped blind people to gain employment; and with so many homeless people on the streets it would be wonderful if more companies could support those who are furthest from the job-line to help them to get back into employment.”

Edouard de Broglie, who founded Dans le Noir? in Paris in 2004, says “50% of our staff have a high disability, yet we still operate an efficient and profitable company. We have an incredibly low staff turnover which shows the dedication of our long standing team. We want to show big companies that those with disabilities shouldn’t be limited to performing only menial jobs. Our guides are incredibly skilled and challenge the perception that blind or visually impaired can serve in a restaurant. Who could have said that 10 years ago?”.

Sadie Odeogberin, Head of Skills and Employment, at Centrepoint, says: “The number of young people rough sleeping in London has more than doubled in the last four years, but providing a safe place to stay isn’t enough to solve the youth homelessness crisis. That’s why Centrepoint supports each young person staying with us to find a job or a route into education or training. Like Dans Le Noir?, we’re committed to helping those furthest from the world of work achieve their ambitions. It’s not an easy journey for a homeless young person to make and thanks to the generosity of Dans Le Noir?, we can reward them an experience they will never have had before. Homeless young people are every bit as talented as their peers and with the right support and hard work they can fulfil their potential.”

Caroline Lucas: Trident is a reckless vanity project that makes us less safe

Caroline Lucas: Trident is a cold war relic that makes us less...

Just one Trident nuclear submarine has enough firepower to kill 10 million civilians. That's what's at stake here. Do you agree that Britain should be a nuclear weapons free state? If so please do share.

Posted by Caroline Lucas on Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Further reports on Marylebone Boys School applications for tonight's Planning Committee

A Supplementary Report LINK  has been published for tonight's meeting which provides additional information on the two applications from Marylebone Boys Free School.

Further objections have been received regarding the temporary 4 storey modular building the school wants to build in Brondesbury Park LINK :

One additional objection has been received since the publication of the committee report resulting in a total of three objections from residents and an objection from Cllr Shaw.

This most recent objection raises the following concerns:

· Impact of another school on noise, parking and the peaceful enjoyment of the area.

· The proposal does not benefit residents of Brent.

· The distance of the school from Westminster will lead to many more parents dropping their children off and picking them up by car.

· There are existing traffic problems around Mallorees and on Salusbury Road and Brondesbury Park.

·The site offers visual amenity for the local community and sanctuary for urban wildlife.

·Object to any tree being removed or harmed for a temporary development.

· A four floor building will change the character of the site and is too high and dense.

· Cheap modular construction does nothing to ameliorate the aesthetics of our built environment, nor is it environmentally sustainable

· It’s not clear what will happen to the site once the school no longer need the facility which is important as this application could set a precedent for future development.

Officers respond to these objections in the rport. They also confirm that the other application, to fence off space outside the school's current building  LINK at the former College of North West London College building in Kilburn, includes space owned by Brent Housing Partnership.  This is between the school and Ryde House. BHP confirme that haing originally objected to the proposal they have withdrawn their objection following 'negotiations with the applicant.'

The report also lists further objections by resdients'associations to the proposal for the Moberly Sports Centre in Kilburn Lane

The Planning Committee is at 7pm this evening at Brent Civic Centre.  The public may attend and there are likely to be several delegations from local residents and organisations on various agenda items. A major item will be the proposed expansion of Byron Court Primary School. LINK

Brent Uncut: Fighting austerity for a better borough - Saturday

Readers may be surprised to see  Cllrs Butt and Pavey on a flyer about fighting austerity when they have been giving into it and implementing cuts, but I am assured by an organiser that this meeting is  not about giving Butt and Pavey a 'free pass' but  '..about a critical dialogue with them, taking the Corbyn letter at its word when it asked them to work with community groups and unions to build up a campaign against Tory austerity and its impact locally.'

We shall see.

London housing crisis worsens teacher retention and recruitment difficulties

 The London housing crisis and its impact on young public services workers including teachers and nurses took centre stage at the London Mayoral election hustings last night.

The London Teachers Housing Campaign is opposing the selling off of social social housing and requirements for social housing to move to market rents and calling for rent controls and opposition to the Housing Bill.

Esther Obiri-Darko, Green candidate and teacher

The Green Party GLA candidate for Merton and Wandsworth, Esther Oberi-Darko, backed the NUT's Manifesto call for rent controls and more affordable housing in London through investment by Councils to build homes. This is an issue that teachers' organisations in Brent have recently raised with Muhammed Butt.

Recruitment and retention of teachers has already been hit by the government's education policies, particularly the recent changes in curriculum and assessment, but housing presents a major practical headache for teachers who now face being priced out of the market long with the families of the children they teach.

An NUT Young Teachers' Housing Survey at the end of 2015 found that 60% of young teachers surveyed said that they could not see themselves still teaching in London in five years' time, although in that period 100,000 new school places will be required in London.  These are the stark facts that point to a growing crisis that will put at risk all the gains made in London schools in the last decade.

Of the teachers survey 59% were having to rent privately and 18% were living at home with their parents, more than were buying a property.  The NUT said:

Just like the families of too many of the children that they teach, young teachers are being forced into unsuitable housing, facing high rents and sometimes unscrupulous landlords.

Housing conditions are revealed by individual comments from teachers:

'We are five people sharing a three bedroom flat. This is the only way we can keep costs down.'

'Landlords frequently increase rent, forcing us to move or they sell property and force eviction.'

'It's noisy, horrible and with holes i the walls but it's all that I can afford.'

'We live in a tiny two-bedroom flat with three children. We can't even fit a second bed in the second bedroom. The property has damp and my daughter has asthma.'

'I work in the same borough that I grew up in. I don't want to move away from my life, my roots, just because of ridiculous housing prices.'

At yesterday's election meeting Shaun Bailey,  London List candidate for the Conservatives, seemed confused about policy, at one time seeming to support rent controls and advocating 'controlling landlords'. John Howson for the Lib Dem's was wedded to the market and Labour's Jeanette Arnold didn't bother to turn up. All the candidates supported raising Council Tax on empty properties. None mentioned the recent proposal from a GLA Committee to pilot a Land Value Tax in London LINK . Esther Oberi-Darko spoke about Sian Berry's proposal for a London Renters Union to help exploited private tenants challenge landlords.

On Sunday, March 13th, there is a National Demonstration against the Housing Bill. The Bill includes proposals to  off existing council homes to the highest bidder, removes secure tenancies and imposes 'pay to stay' market-linked rent rises for council and housing association tenants and reduces rights for private renters.

Marchers will meet at 12 noon at Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3TL (Holborn tube)

More information HERE

Women only fitness and self defence classes in Wembley Park

From the Yellow Pavilion

 We've three women's fitness classes every Tuesday and Wednesday during the day. Just turn up, no need to book. The Yellow Pavilion is on Olympic Way between Wembley Park tube and Wembley Stadium. It's on the right just where the pedestrian ramp into the Stadium starts, opposite a crane and near the local Sainsburys.

Self defence for women

Tuesdays 3.45-4.45pm, £5.

Our self-defence classes will keep you fit and also teach you the techniques to defend yourself – this also includes theory during classes. Open to beginners. The room has a screen for privacy. Taught by Nadia Sibany. Just turn up or contact Jamila on 0786 866 2812.

Cuban boxing for Women, mums and young children

Tuesdays 4.50-5.50pm, from 2-7yrs for boys, or any age for girls and adults. £5 per session for each adult or child.

Great fun for kids and women to get fit and learn how to defend themselves at the same time. Taught by Nadia Sibany. Contact Jamila on 0786 866 2812 for details.

Kick boxing for women

Wednesdays 11am-12pm, £5.

Kick boxing is a great exercise to keep fit or lose weight and can also be used as a self-defence technique. Taught by Nadia Sibany or Souad Gharib. Just turn up or contact Jamila on 0786 866 2812.

Book now for Grunwick commemoration mural workshops

Click on image to enlarge

CLICK HERE TO BOOK

This is your chance to partipate in designing a mural which will be installed on a prominent wall in Willesden in Autumn 2016. 

In 1976, six workers walked out of Grunwick Film Processing Laboratory in Willesden and ignited an historic two-year dispute which united thousands to demand better rights for poorly treated workers. 23rd August 2016 will mark the 40th anniversary of the Grunwick Strike, and offers a moment to remember, to commemorate, to celebrate and to learn.

Now the high street that saw 20,000 people come down in a single day to support the strike is looking pretty drab. As you arrive at Dollis Hill tube station and walk past the former Grunwick site to the main road, you’ll see plenty of plain, bare walls and unloved spaces.

We will be installing a mural close to the original site of the Grunwick factory to brighten up our high street with a permanent reminder of the power of our community; and to inspire future generations to come together to challenge injustice.

The workshops will be run by an experienced mural artist who will lead us in looking at a range of archive materials, including photographs and film. Using a variety of materials and printing techniques we will then create our own images of Grunwick which will eventually will be digitally combined to produce a design for the final mural.

Everyone aged 13 and above is welcome. You don't need any artistic ability as full guidance will be given, but if you have any photographs, press cuttings or memories of the dispute then please bring them along to share.

The workshops will run from 10.30am-3.30pm including a lunch break.

We are also running shorter workshops over three weeks on different dates at the Dudden Hill Centre, click here for details.

If you would like to contribute to the Crowdfunder which is riasing money for this project click HERE 

At time of writing £1,600 of the target £12,000 has been raised

Protect our trees - say no to bogus contractors

I thought this article by Brent Council's Principal Tree Officer in the Sudbury Court Residents' Association Newsletter deserved wider circulation. (Click on image to enlarge)

tree surgeons, 

 

Dee, the 'actionist' of Granville Community Kitchen, is a finalist in BBC Food Awards

Dee Woods of South Kilburn's Granville Community Kitchen was announced as a finalist in the BBC Food and Farming Awards today.

Dee, who told Radio 4 that she was an 'actionist' can be heard HERE 04.55-06.40

Congratulations to Dee and the Granville Community Kitchen.

Brilliant work!

Marylebone Boys Free School 'land grab' condemned as open space fenced in

As well as causing ripples with its planning application for a temporary school in Queens Park LINK, Marylebone Free Boys School, has upset residents near its present site at the former College of North West London Building in Priory Road, Kilburn.

Wednesday's Planning Committee will hear an application LINK to erect a 2.4m fence around the open space in front of the building to provide a play area for the free school's pupils.

The space was the subject of a right of way application by Brent Eleven Streets Residents Association  (BEST) which the officer's report say did not progress due to lack of information submitted. The report states that BEST are not going to pursue the application and that anyway a decision on the planning application would not prejudice a future right of way application.

Residents report that a fence has gone up anyway without permission and some see this as private acquisition of public land.

Officers make the following comment to the Planning Committe:

Your officers agree in principle that this area can be enclosed by fencing: it is not a public space and it
does not serve any particular purpose as an area of visual amenity

The following resident's comment is listed on the Planning Portal:

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Is this consultation a scam? Temporary or not - there is a fence going up today 20th Feb 2015 at the Marylebone Boys School/North west London College ?Surely they don’t have permission for this as this consultation is in progress ??? The link area /road /walk through, is a well established right of way and has been for many years going back to at least the early 70s, even before. 

Evidence in the form of plans and drawing sent electronically and hard copy to John Fletcher Team Leader - Development Control proves this clearly. The right of way was well established prior to the new North West London College building being erected (2005) and has always been used by local residents. The right of way is clearly shown on the sales information on page 4 of the Knight Frank sales information that handled sale of this property to the now Marylebone Boys school. The existence of the link road /path area was considered in the planning application to this building and it was considered important to ensure an open view.

 This right of way was always and still is considered as very important to stop crime. The Terrace becoming a narrow passage that is closed in without an open perspective, will leave it vulnerable to crime and the fear of crime (muggings, drug use and rubbish dumping, making The Terrace and walkway between St Julian’s Road and Kilburn High Road a no go area. 

I , alongside residents of Brent Eleven Streets local Residents wish to add that over the last 7-8 years, the residents of Priory Mansions (a homeless hostel) have established a use of Link Road as an open space for children’s play and as a much needed recreation area for families who are housed in cramped conditions in the hostel. For me personally it is a joy to see them playing in this open space and I feel for the families housed in this building who have no immediate space in which their children can play that is close by to keep an eye on them. This use of this important open community space happened over the entire year particularly in the summer months, weekends, evenings and school holidays. With the arrival of the fence they have lost this space and have no voice to gain it back as children never get asked what they need or want. This space has been removed from all of us also .

 The images sent hard copy to John Fletcher Team Leader - Development Control show people using the area as a right of way. Original plans for the college clearly show that the public were not to be kept out. The bike racks were always open for general use. The Knight Frank link to the sale information of the premises clearly shows that the freehold sold did not include the link land. See page 4 the white red and black map where the boundary line clearly shows a path through to the terrace that does not belong to this property http://www.inst.knightfrank.com/documents/fetch/4064 This route through has always been there in our memory and in that of many others who have lived in this area for over 25 years and more. 

Residents very much object to this land grab away from local residents and we strongly object to the fence that has been erected by Marylebone Boys school taking over this space we feel without legal permission to do so. This area is not suitable for a school . It is suitable for a sixth form or FE College such as North west London College where no PRIVATE illegal exclusion zone area is needed . This open design will then fit all as was its intended purpose. Please give back this buildings use to adult education as was intended and as agreed with local residents . This building was a useful resource to community now its just a private no entry, high walled castle for people that are not even local or living in Brent.

South Kilburn Masterplan review ordered as project falls 12 months behind schedule and viability questioned

"The South Kilburn Regeneration programme has slipped behind schedule in 2015/16. There is a masterplan review of South Kilburn Regeneration; this means it is being fundamentally reviewed to determine how best to deliver the programme and realise benefits of regeneration for South Kilburn and for its businesses and residents. This review will reconsider the fundamental approach, including whether it is better for the council to retain the South Kilburn Housing Assets, or continue to dispose of them."

The above statement was included in the papers for the Full Council meeting last month and was a surprise for South Kilburn residents causing cconsiderable disquiet. 

As a result an information request was made to Brent Council to try and find out exactly what was going on. I would welcome comments from SK residents  on whether they feel any the wiser as a consequence of Richard Barrett's response. It would be interesting to know the additional costs that will be incurred by the review.

I am writing on behalf of the Kilburn branch of the Labour Party to request information relating to the regeneration programme in South Kilburn. Last year, I put in an FoI request about other aspects of the programme, and you kindly provided me with useful responses. I hope you will be able to do so on this occasion too.

The basis for my questions is a point in the budget report that was discussed at the full Council meeting on Monday. This is covered in section 14.5 (first bullet) of the report, as follows:

“The South Kilburn Regeneration programme has slipped behind schedule in 2015/16. There is a masterplan review of South Kilburn Regeneration; this means it is being fundamentally reviewed to determine how best to deliver the programme and realise benefits of regeneration for South Kilburn and for its businesses and residents. This review will reconsider the fundamental approach, including whether it is better for the council to retain the South Kilburn Housing Assets, or continue to dispose of them.”

I have searched through the Brent website, and have not found the information that I am seeking. I should therefore appreciate responses to the following:

·         What are the terms of reference of the masterplan review referred to in the above extract?

The intention is to appoint a Design Team to assist the Council review the adopted Master-plan and the current proposals for the remainder of the programme. It will seek to understand whether the principles established in the original Master-plan need to be altered or not given the passage of time and taking into account the schemes already delivered. The review will also look at the scope of the Master-plan and factoring in any relevant new legislation and guidance ensure the programme remains viable; as such it will also look at all sites within the South Kilburn area to consider inclusion or exclusion within the overall Master-Plan. The brief is currently being worked up by officers but when it is ready to go out to market it will be made available to the public via the London Tender Portal 

·         What is the timescale of the review?

It is hoped to go out to market to seek expressions of interest from Architectural Practices in March, appoint, subject to Cabinet approval, by May with a likely consultation process and report back to Cabinet toward the end of 2016 or early 2017 at the latest. This indicative timescale is subject to Cabinet Timetable availability and it is also likely that the Master-Plan will be placed before Planning Committee alongside a proposed SPD for the area.

·         Will there be a consultation of local residents and other interested parties as part of the review? If so, what form will this take?

Absolutely. It is intended there will be a series of consultation events/workshops with local residents, tenants and stakeholders. The most likely format will be drop-in meetings but may also include questionnaires. The final form of consultations will be agreed with the appointed Practice but it will be a specific requirement of any bid to conduct consultation.

·         How far behind schedule has the regeneration programme slipped? What are the implications for the remaining phases of the programme?

The programme has slipped due to external factors such as the safeguarding of Salusbury Road site by HS2 since 2012 and other factors, such as specific project delays on site. This, in turn, has pushed the programme out of kilter by having a knock-on effect on future phases. Some individual projects remain on target but overall the programme has extended by at least twelve months. The intention is that the Master-plan Review will seek to see whether there is any ability to recover this time by reconfiguring the remaining programme. The Master-Plan review will also incorporate a refresh of the financial viability of the scheme. No implications have been identified apart from the obvious prolongation of the programme and the resultant delay in tenants moving into new accommodation.

·         What criteria and methodology will the review use to decide whether to retain the South Kilburn Housing assets?

I note the extract provided by this FoI from the Budget Report but would advise that the Master-Plan Review will not be the vehicle for determining whether the Council disposes or retains assets as they are developed. I am sure the Review will be used to assist in the consideration of this query but it is more likely something that will be considered by the Council’s Investment Board and reported back to Cabinet for decision as appropriate.

·         Whether and how does the review relate to the information that the Council will provide following the Scrutiny Committee’s consideration of its report on South Kilburn regeneration, at its meeting of 2 December 2015 (see LINK)  

The Master-Plan review and the questions arising from the Scrutiny Committee consideration are separate matters. The points made by the Scrutiny Committee will and has assisted in the development of the Brief..
 

Stand Up to Racism Wednesday March 9th

Marian Centre: What's the story behind this restricted item?

My curiosity has been aroused by this item from the Cabinet Agenda for March 14th. The item is 'restricted' which means we, the public, are not allowed to know about something that seems to be costing us money.

Anyone know?

From Cabinet Agenda:

To consider proposals for the settlement of an adverse possession submitted by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Trustees Limited (The Oblates) in respect of the Marian Centre, Stafford Road, South Kilburn, NW6 5RS

Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Signficant expenditure/savings > 30% of budget for the function in question;
Decision status: For Determination
Wards affected: Kilburn;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 09/02/2016
Anticipated restriction: Fully exempt  - View reasons
Decision due: 14 Mar 2016 by Cabinet
Lead member: Lead Member for Regeneration and Housing
Lead director: Strategic Director, Resources

Special Branch files give an insight into Grunwick Strike Day of Action

Arthur Scargill remonstrates with police at Grunwick picket (Homer Sykes Archive)

As preparations continue to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the beginning of the Grunwick strike LINK fascinating Special Branch and Metropoitan Police files have been released LINK documenting their monitoring of this most political of strikes which included interventions by the Freedom Association and the National Union of Miners.

I well remember the sight of the NUM marching into Willesden on the Day of Action on July 11th 1977 and joining the demonstration in support of the mainly female and mainly Asian strikers. Locally the support of Cricklewood postal workers was vital.

Thanks to the Met you can read all about it!

Decision time for mega primary plans for Byron Court next week

'Mega' primary schools are another consequence of the government's policy banning local authorities building new schools where needed. Instead councils are forced to expand existing schools, some as large as 5 forms of entry - 1,050 4-11 year olds in one building.

The expansion of Bryon Court Primary school was firmly rejected in the public consultation:

The objections included:

 Impact on the character and ethos of Byron Court 


             Affect child development and integration – including behaviour, language barriers and the impact of 
proposed ‘zoned areas’ in the expanded school 


             Reduce attention to pupils and affect school results 


             Impact on teaching standards 


             Limit facilities after expansion, especially green spaces for outdoor play and extra curricular activities 


             Affect education because of the building work 


             Over-expand an existing school when a new school should be built 


             Queries over the need for school places in Brent 


             Queries over the need for school spaces in the Sudbury Court Estate (SCE) – particularly in view of the 
new primary school at Wembley High Technical College 


             Health and safety considerations of expansion- particularly playground accidents and illness 


             Potential car accidents 


             Implications of long distance travel to school on parents and pupils 


             Noise, litter and wildlife 


             Suitability of the site for large development; particularly its residential nature, narrow roads and 
susceptibility to flooding 


             Traffic, congestion and pollution 


             The relationship between parents and staff 


             Effect of building work on residents 


             Potential to attract further regeneration, housing and leisure in Brent 


             Parking and inconsiderate parents 


             House value and amenities- especially the right to light and privacy 


              Previous promises from the school against expansion 

Objectors include parents from the school, residents and Barry Gardiner MP.  However Cabinet approved the scheme and  the legal advice to the Planning Committee when the application is heard on Wednesday LINK  will be that only planning issues should be taken into consideration. 

 
 The following extracts are from the  current Planning Application:

Comments supporting the application have been received from the school and one individual householder.

The reasons for supporting the school expansion are set out below:

School expansion is needed to meet the increased population demands in the Borough.
The school has to teach some pupils off site in the Ashley Gardens annexe. These children wouldotherwise not have a school place.

School is suitable for expansion as it has OFSTED Outstanding status, teaching school accreditation, and has committed and talented staff and vision.

The school needs a canteen, a bigger hall and also the classrooms outside requires refurbishing.
Additional space and facilities will greatly enhance the teaching and learning opportunities and will provide children with a better environment in which to learn.

In contrast 1,469 people signed a petition expressing support for the ojections below:

An objection has been received from Sudbury Court Residents Associatio raising the following items:

1.  March Cabinet decision to proceed based on incorrect data - Primary driver for 5FE expansion no longer applicable
2.  Adverse Traffic Impacts
3.  Flooding risk: Proposed development will cause surface water / sewage flooding
5.  Parental concerns regarding the expansion
6.  Educational risk - Risk of jeopardizing Byron Court rating and standards
7.  Highway regulations and Health & Safety compliance failure for proposed Nathans access.
8.  Inadequate separation of new Nathans access from adjoining property.
9.  There should be appropriate segregation between pedestrians and vehicles
10.       Vast Majority of parents and residents opposed to proposal
11.       Ecological concerns
12.       Traffic problems expected during construction works.

The above objection is accompanied by a petition supporting the objections raised above. The petition is signed by 1469 persons.

Councillor Perrin- objections have been received on the following grounds:

Transportation and safety - congestion, cars parked illegally on yellows, no loading, school zig zags andof course the pavements and across (sometime in) driveways.

Failing to comply with Travel Plan - no school staff in the street at all.
  
Parents from Alperton and Wembley want a school place closer to home, so they do not need to drive. 

Query on amount of runoff (using averages) that will flow into the sewers and changes to local groundwater/table.

Proposal should comply with SUDS policy