Brent Council pension deficit per head highest in England claim Taxpayers' Alliance

The right-wing pressure group, Taxpayers' Alliance, as part of their campaign against 'too generous' local government pensions, has today listed the pension deficit for local councils.

Brent Council has one of the largest deficits per head of population according to their figures:

Top 10 deficits per head

Merthyr Tydfil, £2,268
Brent £2,267
Rhondda, Cyon, Taff £2,063
Gateshead, £2,040
Neath Port Talbot, £2,001
Hackney, £1,931
Hammersmith and Fulham, £1,899
Newham, £1,718
Blaenau Gwent, £1,708
Lambeth, £1,660


LINK

London Greens launch 2012 Manifesto

Green Mayoral candidate Jenny Jones today unveiled the party’s manifesto for the 2012 London elections.

Joined by fellow Assembly Member Darren Johnson and other top candidates from the Party’s London-wide list, Jones set out their vision for a Green London that acts as a model for the world in addressing climate change; a city more equal, healthy and affordable for everyone.

Shahrar Ali is the Green Party's candidate for the Brent and Harrown assembly seat.

Jenny Jones said: “A Green London will be a model for the world in addressing climate change, a city more equal, healthy and affordable for everyone.

“London needs a strong Green voice. We must cut our carbon emissions and be more responsible global citizens. We must protect green spaces, create jobs and look for creative solutions to the massive shortage of affordable housing.

“By voting to elect more Green Assembly Members under the proportional system, Londoners can really make the difference this year.”

The manifesto includes five key promises:

1.   Cutting fares and reducing traffic—ensuring public transport is always cheaper than driving and        cleaning up London’s polluted air.

2.   Improving green spares and the environment—giving everyone access to nature and generating clean energy from waste.

3.   Making housing more affordable—refurbishing a million homes and stabilising rent levels.

4.   Reducing the gap between rich and poor—offering a job or apprenticeship to all young Londoners and creating a Fair Pay Mark for companies who reduce pay inequality

5.   Rebuilding trust in policing—put more officers on the beat and stopping the cuts to back office staff.

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

If Brent Council can't keep our streets clean, what can they do?

Barnhill Road, near Lidl

Out and about leafleting and canvassing in the Preston Road area of Barnhill ward and on Chalkhill this morning it is clear that after library closures and general frustration over Brent Council's poor consultation record, dirty streets is a big issue. Street sweeping was cut last year LINK and when Brent Fightback organised a petition to get the cuts reinstated we were told that residents would not notice any difference,

'If they can't keep our streets clean, what use are they?' seems to be the general view. Of course the public are to blame for dumping rubbish in the first place but the council has an enforcement and a preventative role. On 'The Avenue' I spoke to one man who was using a litter picker to pick up cans, plastic bottles, vodka bottles and crisp packets from his front garden. They had all been discarded by people sitting on his garden wall waiting at the bus stop. He said he had repeatedly asked the council to install a rubbish bin there but to no avail. A simple solution.

On Chalkhill I was struck by the contrast between the cleanliness of common areas within the 'Science blocks' and the street. Metropolitan Housing Association and Pinnacle are clearly doing a good job. Outside as the pictures show Brent Council and Veolia are not:

'Flower beds' on Wembley ASDA's perimeter

The Chalkhill Park site

Chalkhill Road

Corner of Chalkhill Road and Bridge Road

On the Town Hall doorstep at King's Drive

The contract for waste management in Brent comes up for renewal in 2014 and should go out to tender soon. Will it be possible for the bidding contractors to meet the necessary standards of street cleanliness on the reduced budget Brent Council will give them?