It ain't over 'til the wrecking ball swings

On Saturday I received a letter from  the Brent Planning Department informing me that Galliford Try PC has submitted planning applications to Brent Council (12/2924 and 12/2925) for the redevelopment of Willesden Green Library.

The letter gave a period of 21 days from the letter date of November 8th 2012 for receipt of comments. However it also said that plans 'should' be available on the council website 'by 13th November'. I have written to Brent Planning Department to say that it is not possible toe to comment on plans that are not available and asked for confirmation that the 21 days will run from the date that they are  uploaded to the planning portal on Brent's website.

You would think that after all the controversy over the demolition and regeneration that the council would try and get this right.  Perhaps the rush to get this unpopular project on the road by January has led to yet another decision that will alienate the local community unnecessarily. Unless it is of course aimed at giving Keep Willesden Green campaigners and local residents as little time as possible to comment on extremely detailed plans. Surely they have more respect for local electors than that?

Link to Planning Application

6.20pm on Monday: I have received the following  response from Andy Bates at Brent Planning about the planning deadline.

Dear Mr Francis, 

I am writing to confirm that the applications will be advertised in the same way as the earlier submissions (press and site notices) and, as a result, the 21 day consultation period will always expire 21 days after the last consultation takes place. In this case, this is likely to be the press notice. My Colleagues in Planning Technical support tell me that this Notice is likely to appear at the end of this week, so the period you are querying will be 21 days from then. 

The intention would be to get to the planning applications to the earliest Planning Committee that would be in a position to consider the proposals. I would imagine that this would be likely to be in January/February 2013.

I would argue that this is only fair if the plans are on the website by publication day which is November 15th for our two main local newspapers.

Butt reaffirms Council commitment to London Living Wage

In his report to Full Council, Brent Council leader Muhammed Butt reiterates the Executive's support for the London Living Wage to be paid to directly employed council workers. The London Living Wage was recently increased to £8.55 an hour.  The Living Wage is distinct from the lower Minimum Wage, which in London is barely a survival wage. The council also aims to extend the living wage to all its contractors.

It is believed that payment of the London Living Wage was one of the issues behind the conflict between Butt and Gareth Daniel which led to the latter leaving his job and it remains a controversial issue within the Labour group on the council. Its implementation in Brent has been accompanied by the intention to impose flexible work patterns on the entire Brent Council workforce.

In his report Muhammed Butt says:

We will become a Living Wage Borough. We believe that it is a fundamental moral principle that people should be paid enough to more than simply exist. We will with other Public and private sector organisations become accredited with the Living Wage Foundation. In doing this we commit to extending the living wage principles which we already adhere to with our own staff to all those contracts outside of Social Care, and also to a dialogue with the Living Wage Foundation and other Councils to find an affordable way to extend our living wage offer to all contracts. Fair pay is essential to address our three key tenets of fairness, supporting community and the local economy.

I welcome the commitment to pay the London Living Wage at a time when families and individuals are faced with so much pressure due to Coalition and council cuts.  What many people don’t know is that the Living Wage Unit was set up under Ken Livingstone’s administration thanks to the Green Party members of the London Assembly, Jenny Jones and Darren Johnson.

They held a casting vote over the Mayor’s budget for four years and used it to get a fair deal for all London government’s employees and create the Living Wage Unit to calculate the amount needed to get by in the capital

Brent to 'Carry on Regardless' despite super-contract drop-outs

I reported on November 1st that the Communications Department at Brent Council had refused to talk to me about the future of the four borough supercontract for the public realm after the withdrawal of Barnet and Richmond councils.

The current edition of the Kilburn Times has followed up the story. A Brent Council spokesman told them that 'ideally' they would like to join forces with other boroughs but would press on with the contract regardless.

The Brent Executive has already delegated powers to spend £6m on a new depot to Andy Donald. Director  and Cllr George Crane. lead member for Major Projects and Regeneration

Kensal Rise Library campaigners gain support in Oxford

News from Jodi Gramigni about yesterday's demonstration at All Souls College, Oxford

The Save Kensal Rise Library Rally in Oxford was a great success with support from Oxford students, the community, and even campus security.

All Souls were invited to join us, and although they weren't available on the day, a meeting to discuss their plans for Kensal Rise library is scheduled in a weeks time.

I hope you enjoy the pictures of the day, and a special thanks to all of the children, they were brilliant!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.425159230870843&type=1

Many thanks for your continued support.
Kind regards,
Jodi