Green MEP Supports Occupy London Stock Exchange

Green MEP for London, Jean Lambert, has issued the following statement on the Occupy London Stock Exchange protest currently taking place in the City of London:

The vast majority of people demonstrating over the last few days want to take part in a peaceful protest to voice their concerns about corporate greed and growing inequality, both at home and around the world.  I wholeheartedly support their calls for an end to global tax injustice, independent regulation of the banking industry and concrete action to repair and protect crucial public services.  Indeed, these are principles that many would support.

With unemployment now at its highest level for almost twenty years and the financial system in crisis, it is no wonder that so many people feel betrayed and let down by the governments and the financial sector.  The system has, for far too long, been unaccountable and irresponsible and now we are all paying a heavy price.  I hope that the UK Government listens to the messages of discontent being aired and realise that the public demand positive change.

Over the coming days, it is crucial that those participating in the Occupy London demonstration are able to exercise their right to peaceful protest, unhindered by inappropriate policing.  I urge police and authorities to show restraint and maintain a low profile presence in the absence of any significant disorder.

 

Libraries appeal fast-tracked. Council to take no 'irrevocable' steps that would prevent the libraries being re-opened

The Council has agreed to take no irrevocable steps to prevent the six threatened libraries being reopened in the event of a appeal against the High Court's ruling succeeding. It is unclear whether that covers removal of stock and equipment and clarification is being sought. Meanwhile vigils at Preston and Kensal Rise libraries continue.

The appeal is likely to be heard early next month.

From  the Guardian:

A judge has fast-tracked an urgent hearing of an appeal against Brent council’s closure of six libraries.

Lord Justice Elias granted an appeal against a ruling made last week in the high court that Brent council’s decision was lawful. He ordered that attempts should be made for it to be heard before the court of appeal on two days early next month.

Brent council has agreed, in the meantime, to take no irrevocable steps to prevent the libraries reopening in the event of the appeal being won.

Campaigners have mounted vigils outside two of the threatened libraries, Preston Road, which has already been boarded up by the council, and Kensal Rise, to ensure they are not emptied of books or computers while the legal dispute continues.

"Whenever I hear the word culture I call in security guards"

Susan MacKenzie, Brent's head of the library service, yesterday supervised four security men to strip Cricklewood Library of books and IT equipment. The action happened on the eve of  legal attempts to limit such moves by Brent Council pending an appeal against the High Court decision in favour of the Council. There was a hasty attempt by local people to stop the action but the doors were blocked by the security guards.

Meanwhile the 24 hour vigil outside Kensal Rise Library continues and Preston Library supporters are calling for local people to join them outside the library to prevent the Council seizing books and equipment.

Library Campaign gets permission to appeal

Brent SOS Library Campaign's solicitors have been granted leave to appeal. They will be at court tomorrow at 10am to tell the Court what needs to be done to prevent the libraries being destroyed by Brent Council prior to the hearing.

Preston Library Campaign is calling for some people to go to the Court but emphasisies that they still need people outside the library to prevent books and equipment being taken away.

Council workers stopped from moving books and equipment from Preston Library

Campaigners defending Preston Library have been successful in stopping council workers from removing books and equipment.

Preston  Library is one of those the Council has been seeking to sell off.

LINK to slideshow on Save Preston Library website

Monday: Council Executive Meeting, Library Fundraiser, and Climate Change Talk

There is an interesting choice for activists tomorrow, Monday October 17th. The first choice is between two sets of comedians...

At 7pm the Council Executive meets. Among the items on the agenda are the petition to reverse street cleaning cuts and the new Green Charter. Despite some revisions after consultation, the latter has been criticised for still having no targets, no extra staff or resources, and no measurable outcomes. Cllr Powney's foreword has been declared insipid. There is also an item on the procurement of a decentralised energy system on the South Kilburn estate. AGENDA

The Executive whizzes through the agenda so there should still be time to go on to:

STAND UP FOR LIBRARIES (Phil Jupitus, Robin Ince,  the legendary Robyn Hitchcock and others) - Queens Park Community School - Doors 6.30pm - show 7.30pm. I understand that Alexi Sayle may also be appearing.

OR...

China Miéville, award-winning fantasy fiction writer and author of the young adults' novel, “Un Lun Dun” will be appearing at the Willesden Green Library Centre on Monday 17^th October at 7.30pm to talk about creative fiction writing and the challenge of climate change.

BBC London News on Kensal Rise Library Vigil

BBC London News reports today on the Kensal Rise Library Vigil LINK

Chalkhill Park delayed but on its way, with other play facilities possible

I think my readers deserve some (fairly) good news in the midst of the recession gloom and the closure of half our libraries.

I attended a meeting last week in my role as a school governor regarding the proposed new Chalkhill Park. The Chalkhill Residents' Association have been concerned about the park and a proposed Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) in St David's Close on the estate. The Chalkhill Pupil School Council had written to ward councillors to expression concern about the lack of progress on the park and had been told work would commence this month. In fact nothing seemed to have happened and the weeds were getting taller and taller.

We were told that work was behind schedule by 4-6 weeks and may fall further behind if soft planting is delayed by poor weather. However we were assured  that the park should open in May 2012. Bids are still awaited from contractors who will construct the park.

The residents' concerns about the budget for the project were not fully answered. It appears to have reduced from £1.3m to something over £0.8m and there was some confusion over whether the money was from planning gain following the building of Wembley ASDA on a section of the estate, and whether the money had originally been held by Metropolitan Housing Association, the managers of the estate, and late handed over to the Council.  If the latter is the case there may be an issue over the reduction in the amount.

Putting that aside, we were assured that the promised children's playgrounds (one for older children and one for younger) and an exercise area for adults would be built. There would also be a 'kick-about' area rather than a formal football pitch and a wildlife nature garden.

Plan of the new park (this may have been revised)

Residents asked questions about the 'water feature' that had incorporated into the plans. They had never asked for one and it appeared to be an expensive item. They said that if anything had to go because of budget constraints the water feature should be abandoned. It appears to have been added as a landscape features that would extend the vista from Brent Town Hall steps, down the avenue of trees, and into the park. It was unclear whether it was purely ornamental or something the children might play in: echoes of the fiasco over Lady Di's Memorial Water Feature! 

As by 2013 the Town Hall will have been replaced by the new Civic Centre, and may have been converted into a hotel, it does appear to be redundant. It would also use electricity to generate the pumps which would involve an ongoing cost. We were told that solar panel electricity generation for the pump wouldn't be suitable. Not very green...

When the MUGA came under discussion we were told that existing installations at Poplar Close Youth Centre and Chalkhill School's play area which was shared with the community, made a new one unnecessary. However Gerry Kiefer, the new head of parks and sports services, said that she would like to 'start a conversation' about St David's Close open space. Previously that had not been developed because it was not overlooked by housing and therefore deemed unsafe for unsupervised play. However, the newly built flats in the close were now occupied and this objection no longer stood.

Ms Kiefer offered to look at the possibility of:

1. Erecting goal posts for a football pitch (size to be decided after a survey), levelling the surface and marking out the pitch. Future mowing and marking out would have to be borne by the users who were expected to be the Chalkhill Wanderers football team.
2. Restoring the overgrown BMX cycling course with help from local youth.
3. Looking at the possibility of building a skateboarding facility in St David's Close.
4. She also undertook to look at the Poplar Close MUGA, in particular the state of the pitches and whether the floodlights were working.

The meeting was facilitated by Councillor Shafique Choudhary (Barnhill ward councillor) at the request of Kathleen Jackson, Chair of Chalkhill Residents' Association.

Campaign redoubles its efforts against Brent Council's 'senseless' library closures

Brent SOS Libraries, which represents campaigners at all six libraries closed by Brent Council issues the following statement after the High Court ruling that found against them:

We are obviously disappointed with the decision given by the judge today. We will be consulting with our lawyers on our legal options. We are determined to appeal if allowed to do so.

We believe that there are important points of principle at stake which an appeal court will decide differently.

Our campaign will redouble its efforts to expose the senselessness of Brent Council’s decision to close half of its libraries.

Although this seems an unequal struggle between Brent Council, with its extensive resources, and the people of Brent, who have waged the largest campaign ever seen in the 45 year history of the borough, we will be redoubling our efforts to prevent six libraries being closed for ever. If the council proceeds with these closures they will deny the people of Brent, a significantly deprived borough, the opportunity to study and read in a quiet accessible library. We are very concerned about the impact on the vulnerable and disadvantaged, including children and young people, now and for generations to come.

We strongly believe and continue to believe that Brent’s decision is wrong, and that the manner in which Brent arrived at that decision was unreasonable and unfair.

Our campaign to save the libraries in Brent continues because we challenge the idea that Brent can provide a comprehensive library service by closing half the number of libraries in the borough.
In the meantime, we demand that, in light of the serious concerns raised by local residents, Brent will take the time, before closing the doors of any library, to properly consider the options proposed by local groups to preserve local library services, and open a dialogue with those groups to find constructive solutions for our communities.

Brent Council has already spent over £70,000 of residents’ money on this legal case and they should not waste any more money in pursuing a library closure policy that the vast majority of Brent residents oppose.
We also call upon Jeremy Hunt Secretary of State for Culture, and Ed Vaizey the Minister responsible for libraries, to do their duty and decide on whether Brent can live up to its obligations to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service by closing half of the borough’s libraries. They should now intervene to investigate this matter. A great many letters and signatures on petitions have gone to Jeremy Hunt – hundreds if not thousands, and so far we have been very disappointed that he and his department have not been willing to meet with local groups.

We also publicly ask that our constituency MPs, including Minister of State for Children and Families Sarah Teather, Glenda Jackson, and Barry Gardiner demand that they do so.

Despite the disappointing result , we must not fail to recognise the excellent legal work done by our tireless team of solicitors led by John Halford, and barristers led by Helen Mountfield QC, who did an outstanding job in an extraordinarily short time frame. And most of all, we must thank all of our supporters and volunteers, our friends and neighbours, who have worked day and night to organise and staff fundraising events, canvass for donations, hand out flyers, write proposals and open up their hearts and lives to offer witness statements; and in a demonstration of concrete support in one of the poorest boroughs in London have raised nearly £30,000 to ensure our case was heard. This campaign has galvanised our communities in a way that none of us could have expected, and Brent Council would do well to call on that energy to preserve and strengthen our local resources, rather than weaken them.

Oppose the Work Capability Assessment - meeting next week

People who used to receive disability benefits are reassessed by the infamous multinational company ATOS Health to see whether they can continues to receive these benefits or whether they are deemed 'fit to work'. The assessments are carried out by 'Health professionals' who may or may not be doctors but who are not required to have any specialised knowledge about the claimant's condition or disability. They ignore letters or other evidence from the claimant's GP, Hospital Consultant or other specialist. They use computer generated checklists and their aim appears to be to get as many claimants as possible off Employment Support Allowance and on to the lower Job Seekers Allowance, which can in turn be taken away from people who are not considered to be trying hard enough to find a job.

Understandably there is a high level of anxiety about these assessments. Ellenor Hutson is a specialist benefits adviser and will be running a workshop next week to provide people with an opportunity to meet others  in a similar situation to themselves, gain advice and support and feel empowered. 

 

The workshop is on Thursrday October 20th at  Foresters Hall (adjoining Tricycle Theatre)

269 Kilburn High Rd NW6 7JH

 

More information from kilburnunemployedworkers@gmail.com ; Telephone 07709 932 267; web http://kilburnunemployed.blogspot.com ; Facebook: Kilburn Unemployed Workers

Children stand up for the library they love

Warm welcome at Kensal Rise vigil

The 'Community Library' outside our closed down library

 I've just been down to Kensal Rise Library where people are keeping vigil in the warm sunshine to stop Brent Council boarding up the building. The atmosphere was friendly with passers-by stopping to have a chat and telling us how they value the library and appreciate the campaigners' efforts. Passing cars tooted in support.

Children finished off some of their home made posters and paraded up and down with placards. Adults brought books to add to the outdoor community library that has sprung up and others browsed to borrow books.

As I talked to campaigners  it became clear that beneath the friendliness and spontaneous laughter, there was a steely determination.

Support is still needed with the next danger point at 5.45am on Monday morning, although everyone is prepared for sneaky action by Brent Council at another time. The Council has employed security guards around the clock to be positioned at the library, ostensibly to prevent any damage, but really to call the police if there is any sign of an attempt to occupy the building.

If you can offer any support at all go down to Kensal Rise and you'll be sure of a warm welcome - particularly if you can join the overnight shift.

"Burly contractors" seen off at Kensal Rise

From the Spectator:

A thoroughly English affair

15 October 2011

David Blackburn

An air of calm pervaded outside Kensal Rise Library yesterday afternoon, following the dramas of the early morning. Contractors arrived at 6am to board up the building after a court yesterday decided that Labour controlled Brent Council could close six libraries as part of its austerity agenda. They discovered two people standing guard outside the front door, who immediately stood-to and stopped the contractors from carrying out their task. The same scene was repeated at 8am, when a posse of locals descended to defy council workers. They were bolstered by a phalanx of 140 or so primary school children from the nearby Princess Frederica CofE school, dragooned into action by their parents. The burly contractors slunk off with their chip-board and haven’t been seen since.

The mood was quietly upbeat when I arrived just after midday. The sun was shining, the streets were sleepy and there was fruitcake to eat. The few vehicles that passed through this residential road sounded their horns in solidarity. Local types stopped for a natter. All in all, Nora Batty wouldn’t have looked out of place, so delightfully English was the setting.

Rachel and Pam were on guard duty, and they were being unofficially chaperoned by Paul Lorber, a Lib Dem councillor in Brent who is involved with Save Kensal Rise Library! He told me that 60 local people have volunteered to protect the building 24 hours a day until such time as the council relents. Those same people have also pledged to help run the library in future.

The group striving to save Kensal Rise Library has captured public imagination over the last year; they have been the subject of newspaper columns and television programmes. Next week, a troupe of comics, including Rob Ince, Alexei Sayle and Phil Jupitus, will perform a cabaret to raise money for the possible appeal against yesterday’s court judgment.

With such support, the Save Kensal Rise Library! remains fairly confident of ultimate victory. Rachel and Pam both said that they would remain vigilant, but expected the council to stay away this weekend because apparently Brent's estates officer, Richard Barrett, has said that the council will negotiate a settlement with the campaigners. Barrett was unavailable for comment this afternoon.

There will be changes to the elegant red brick building if the group succeeds. Currently, the library only occupies the ground floor. The first floor is used a reading room, but campaigners intend to invite Into University — a charity that encourages wider access to higher education, which operates out of a local church at present — to take over the floor in order to share the burden of costs.

There is, however, one complication. The site is owned by All Souls College Oxford, who leased the building out in 1899 on condition that it is always used as a library. It is not clear how Brent Council’s policies, the recent court judgments and the campaigners’ plans will be affected by All Souls' rights to the building. The college’s Estates Bursar has been in London today and is believed to have met or spoken to representatives from Brent Council and Margaret Bailey, the leader of Save Kensal Rise Library! All Souls has refused to comment on the case.

Latest news from Kensal Rise campaigners - Camp out vigil continues - help needed

Outside Kensal Rise Library last night

Hi all,

Firstly thanks to everyone who has supported the vigil outside the library (especially all the brilliant kids).
This support has sent out a very important message about how much we care about what happens to our library and community and its significance has gone beyond our own neighbourhood.‬

‪Lots of library campaigners throughout England have been heartened by our actions and we have received loads of messages of support.‬

Great stuff Kensal Green and Kensal Rise.‬
As you may know our legal team are in the process of lodging an application to  appeal the decision handed down by Justice Ousley on Thursday. We should know the result of this application by next week (possibly Tuesday). We would like to maintain a presence outside the library until then, not only to prevent Brent boarding up the library but also because our presence is sending out a powerful message.‬
‪ ‬
‪We really do care about our library and how much it means to this community.‬
‪ ‬
‪So, we need your support. For the next few days we need your help in maintaining a presence at the library. We need you there during the day for whatever time you can spare.‬
‪ ‬
‪If you can be at the library from midnight to 5am that would be fantastic.  We have people taking over at 5am.‬
Of course you are welcome to come at any time but midnight to dawn is when we really need help. I know this is a big, big ask but it is only for a few days.‬

If you do intend to come make sure you wrap up warm. IT IS COLD. We have a tent. There will be company. You could bring your car.‬

Kind souls have been supplying us with coffee and biscuits and chocolate.‬
If you find that request irresistible see you at the library maybe?‬
‪

Regards and thanks,‬
‪ ‬
‪Margaret Bailey

Great write-up of the events on the I spy in Queens Park blog.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused by us reducing your life chances....

I was taking a photograph of the sad sight of  the closed down Neasden Library this evening, usually a hive of activity on a Friday evening with a homework club in  session, students busy on computers and others borrowing books.

As I was taking the photographs a woman and her 15 year old daughter approached me.  They were coming to use the library and looked bewildered at finding it closed: "What has happened? Why is it closed?"

I explained Brent Council's decision to close half the borough's libraries. "But libraries are important. We need our libraries!"

I told them about the campaigns and the High Court decision.

"Are they mad? My daughter needs the library. I am on Income Support and we cannot afford the internet. Her homework says 'Use the internet to find out...'. We always come to this library. She needs it for books and her homework."

They examined the Council's notice.

"I can't send my daughter down to Willesden Green in the evening on her own. If I go with her I won't be able to pay the bus fare every night. I am on Income Support. She will get behind the other children who have internet at home."

I explained that previously the Council had understood these issues and that was why they had only recently invested money in refurbishing Neasden library and providing IT equipment and a homework club.

I told her that I had been one of the people campaigning and wrote this blog.

"You write down what I said. You tell them about me and my daughter."

So that is what I have done. I hope Brent Labour Party members think about about what she said at their Conference at Capital City Academy on Sunday afternoon. How many more people who don;'t read the local papers, or blogs such as this, will be standing bewildered in front of closed down libraries over the next few weeks?

Kensal Rise Defence Video

Video of Kensal Rise defence

Maggie Gee- people will not be fooled by Ann John

From Guardian Books

Kensal Rise library in north London. Photograph: Martin Godwin
Brent council has been trying to shut Kensal Rise library down since the 1980s – and now a depressing piece of legalese is trying to help them on their way. The judgment delivered at the narrow, cold high court showed only the huge gap between the arcana of the judicial, bureaucratic mindset and the facts as seen by ordinary people: the library that generations of people in Brent have used, loved and paid their rates for is being stolen from us by a combination of our own Labour council and a coalition government that sits on its hands. Mark Twain, the great American writer who opened the library over a century ago, must be turning in his grave at Councillor Ann John's laughable statement that she is "pleased" because now Brent can "push ahead with our exciting plans to improve Brent's library service and offer a 21st-century service for the benefit of all our residents". Why is she excited by the thought of closing down half the libraries in a poor borough at a time when London's unemployment has hit a new high? Ordinary people all over the country will not be fooled. They know that closing libraries means that overstretched parents and childminders will no longer have a safe, warm place where they can take their small children after school. They know that teenagers with nowhere to study at home because the television is always on, or there are too many people in too few rooms, will no longer be able to sit down in quiet corners of a book-lined room and do their homework. They know that people who have lost their jobs, or never had a job, will no longer be able to come to a place where they need feel no shame and look up courses where they can learn or clubs they can join. They know that newcomers to the country will no longer be able to come in off our cold streets and read newspapers and magazines to learn the language, or find the whereabouts of colleges, clinics and schools. If libraries are allowed to close without a fight, how long will that other service that was once the envy of the world, the NHS, still survive? Oh, and the books. The stories that help us understand each other, the non-fiction that gives us the tools to survive in the world, the picture books that help toddlers make sense of themselves – are they to be only for rich people now? Brent's Labour council should hang their heads in shame.

Residents, including children, defend Kensal Rise library

Children outside Kensal Rise Library

Latest news on Kensal Rise library from the Harrow Observer:

KENSAL Rise Library is being protected by a crowd of passionate residents, some of whom stayed over night so that council workers could not board it up.

Around 100 people headed to the cherished Bathhurst Gardens building last night in a last ditch attempt to save it after a High Court ruling yesterday allowed the council to permanently close it, along with five others.
Residents started the peaceful protest at around 5pm, and soon found there was plenty of support from passers-by.

According to campaigners, council workers attempted to board up the building twice without success. Five protesters slept by the building all night to protect it, with council workers sleeping in a van nearby.

But the effort did not stop this morning. Residents are still protecting the library and intend to continue their efforts.

Protesters brought down boxes of books from their homes, saying that they were willing to 'continue the service' from outside.

Paula Gomez, the treasurer of the Brent SOS campaign, said: "It was all friendly, we were just trying to stop them from boarding up the library and that was very successful, there was a great atmosphere and everyone was cheering. They tried to board it up twice but we turned them away.

"We are bringing our own books to make sure the service continues outside, people have even been bringing back their books to return to the library. We are all very disappointed (about yesterday's High Court ruling) but this has really brought the community together, there are some pretty exceptional people here. We are just putting out the message that we want out services back."

Mrs Gomez said a lot of the protesters in the early evening were children, with many people walking past the powerful scene on their way back from work.

The six Brent libraries at the heart of the High Court ruling have already closed and will not re-open.
The Labour-run authority had shut the half a dozen branches - Barham Park, Cricklewood, Kensal Rise, Neasden, Preston and Tokyngton - in anticipation of the judgment being handed down in the case launched by Brent SOS Libraries.

Staff were briefed about the judgement and the council has now taken the decision to keep the doors locked permanently as they implement their delayed £1million saving plans with immediate effect.
Campaigners were denied the opportunity to appeal the judgement but are considering going to the Court of Appeal.

I Spy Queen's Park on libraries case

Excellent piece on library campaign and the High Court case on I Spy Queen's Park blog HERE

Updates from Library Campaigns

A picture that shames Brent Council

From Save Preston Libraries Campaign:

Dear All,

As you will probably have heard on the TV and radio news, our judicial review of Brent's library closure plan was dismissed in the High Court today. Below you can see the mailing sent out by the Cricklewood Library campaign which gives a report on the judgement. The judgement itself is attached. The Council has taken immediate action and closed the six libraries. 

An application for appeal against Mr Justice Ouseley's decision will be lodged with the Court of Appeal on behalf of the SOS Libraries claimants next week . To read a statement by the Campaign solicitors, Bindmans, and the press release issued by the Brent Save Our Six Libraries Campaign, go to our website at http://brentlibraries.wordpress.com/ .

The fund-raising activities planned to support the legal challenge and now the appeal will continue:

• MONDAY 17 Oct 2011 - STAND UP FOR LIBRARIES (Phil Jupitus, Robin Ince,  the legendary Robyn Hitchcock and others)

          Queens Park Community School Doors 6.30pm – show 7.30pm

• MONDAY 24 OCTOBER -Preston Pub Quiz - 7.30 for 8pm - Flyer will be circulated soon
• SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER  - Disco at Mall Community Centre - more information soon

The judicial review was only one part of our campaign and, while we hope that an Appeal Judge will respond more positively, we also want the Government to fulfil their responsibility to ensure that Brent provides an adequate library service.

It is now more vital than ever to persuade the Secretary of State, Jeremy Hunt , to intervene in the Brent situation. It is absolutely vital you ALL write to Jeremy Hunt (at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport) and demand an enquiry. This could save our library, but it needs hundreds of letters and emails to be sent as soon as possible – they said they would make a decision by September, this hasn’t happened, so we still have time. Go to http://brentlibraries.wordpress.com/2011/08/12/appeal-to-the-government-now/ for Jeremy Hunt's email address and some ideas on what to put in your letter.

Dear  Cricklewood Library Supporter

1 High Court Judgement
Mr Justice Ouseley (fresh from his support of Basildon Council against the Dale Farm travellers yesterday ) handed down a pretty damning judgement dismissing the Brent SOS Libraries judicial review today. I suggest those who are going to read the attached judgement may consider having a glass of their favourite tipple nearby!

One of our legal team described it as the worst judgement they had experienced .As is usual the judge refused leave to appeal against his judgement stating that he did not believe there were significant points of law or national issues arising from the case.

He also refused any stay on Brent Council action - except that as he believed there  would not be time before any appeal, if allowed, for the Council to sell the library buildings, then libraries could be reinstated were SOS to be successful.


2 Application to the Court of Appeal

An application for appeal against Mr Justice Ouseley's decision will be lodged with the Court of Appeal on behalf of the SOS LIbraries claimants next week .

If agreed an appeal could take up to six months to be heard

3 Libraries
Immediately after the judgement all six libraries were closed by Brent Council - at Neasden shutters were pulled down and locked, Preston library is being boarded up by the Council and a similar boarding exercise was prevented at Kensal Rise by a crowd of children and their parents.Contractors threaten to return tomorrow to complete the boarding up

Cricklewood was also closed early and the standard notice posted on the door stating that the library would be closed until further notice - and directing callers to Harlesden or Willesden Green.


4 Next action

Discussions are ongoing with all Brent SOS Libraries campaigns - further information to follow

5 Monday 17 October - Queens Park Community School - 7pm

Stand Up For Libraries - Phil Jupitus,Alexei Sayle and others support the libraries campaign

Betrayal of library closures

From e-mail correspondence on libraries today:

The upsetting thing were the people who were utterly aghast at Neasden being shuttered. One young man - who spoke fluent Arabic, Farsi and Dutch, and who was desperate to improve his English, was appalled. He loves reading, lives in Neasden. Those are the people being betrayed.

Crowds defend Kensal Rise Library

From a Labour Party member:

There was some good coverage of Kensal Rise library on the BBC1 local news at 6.30pm (,last night). There has been a vigil outside the library and local schoolchildren explained why they oppose its closure.  I was there this evening and there were some very angry people - including local Labour members, who were asking how to deselect the local councillors who supported the closures.

Build on the commitment and perseverance of library campaigners

The old adage that "you don't value what you've got until you lose it" clearly does not apply to Brent library campaigners but it will surely hit home to many others who were not involved now that the Council has decided the six libraries will not re-open.

Of course it is mainly a matter of a place to read, enjoy and borrow books, educate yourself - but there's also so much more in terms of the social usefulness of a library as a provider of information, a place to meet, a safe public space in sometimes alienating areas, somewhere to relax and enjoy the company of your young children, a place where old people are welcome and not ghettoised.

As these community functions go they impact on the local area - everything else costs money: shops, betting shops, pubs, cafes - libraries were free and therefore open to everyone to use and enjoy.  Their demise marks another reduction in the social good of society, in cooperation and mutuality.

However although their loss represents a loss of mutuality and cooperation, the struggle against their loss shows how strong those values remain in our community, albeit not in our council representatives.  Whether an appeal goes ahead or not, or here it succeeds or not, we must continue to build on those values.

The upcoming Brent People's Assembly gives us precisely that opportunity.  I salute the Brent SOS Libraries campaigners for their commitment and perseverance in mounting one of Brent's largest and most energetic community campaigns and hope that they will join in with others in the numerous hard struggles ahead.

Library campaigners determined to appeal

The BBC quoted campaigner Margaret Bailey on the next steps:

Margaret Bailey, a spokesperson for the Brent Libraries SOS campaign, said: "We are obviously disappointed with the decision given by the judge today. We are determined to appeal."
She said: "We believe that there are important points of principle at stake which an appeal court will decide differently.

"Our campaign will redouble its efforts to expose the senselessness of Brent Council's decision to close half of its libraries.

"In the meantime, we demand that in light of the serious concerns raised by local residents, Brent will take the time before closing the doors of any library to properly consider the options proposed by local groups to preserve local library services, and open a dialogue with those groups to find constructive solutions for our communities.

"Brent Council has already spent over £70,000 of residents' money on this legal case and they should not waste any more money in pursuing a library closure policy that the vast majority of Brent residents oppose."

Paul Lorber, leader of the Liberal Democrats on the council, said: "We are determined to save our libraries in Brent irrespective of what the Labour administration is doing."

Shahrar Ali, Green Party GLA candidate for Brent and Harrow, said: "Let the People of Brent unite in their common endeavour to safeguard our community from this assault on our local libraries. We can despair, but we shall also regroup - with the same practical intelligence and determination we have already shown, to find a better way forward."

"This is a sad day for Brent; but also a day on which the Citizens of Brent who give a damn about lifelong education and protecting the vulnerable from abandonment should hold their heads up high. Just not in the High Court."
The Department for Culture Media and Sport said it was considering the judgement.

Brent Council: "Six libraries will not open again" but campaigner pledge to fight on

Brent Council has wasted no time! The Willesden and Kilburn Times reports that the council will close the six libraries threatened with closure immediately following the High Court decision:

Following Mr Justice Ouseley decision to dismiss a judicial review launched by campaigners challenging the proposals Brent Council revealed that Barham Park, Cricklewood, Kensal Rise, Neasden, Preston and Tokyngton library will never open their doors again.

Fiona Ledden, Brent Council’s director of legal services, said: “Following the decision from the High Court the six libraries in question will not open again.”

The  Evening Standard reports:

Campaigners were set to learn later today whether they will be given permission to appeal. In a statement issued by Brent SOS Libraries Campaign, campaigners said: "We are obviously disappointed with the decision given by the judge today.

"We will be consulting with our lawyers on our legal options. We are determined to appeal if allowed to do so. We believe there are important points of principle at stake which an Appeal Court will decide.

"Our campaign will redouble its efforts to expose the senselessness of Brent Council's decision to close half of its libraries."

Library defeat but a battle worth fighting

I was unable to make the High Court this morning to hearing the ruling on Brent library consultation because I had commitments in a local school. However, I am pleased tp reproduce below the item posted on Brent Greens Blog by my colleague Shahrar Ali:

Today the People of Brent learned the sad news that they had not succeeded in their High Court battle to overturn the Council's plan to axe half of the borough's libraries (background).

I could sense the anxiety amongst my fellow Brentonians before the judgement was delivered. I reassured my neighbours that we did not know the result yet, but it seemed most of them did not dare believe that we would hear good news today, simply to protect against greater disappointment of a frustrated hope.

The truth is that whilst Justice Ouseley's judgement must be respected for what it is, his written judgement strikes me as a piece of legal casuistry in the main. Of course, points of law must be attended to, but in their attention one is always left with a judgement to make, whether on balance of probability or the spirit of the law as drafted. Even the most impartial observer could be left wondering whether arguments had been won, as opposed to counter-assertions (in this case the Council's) simply affirmed by the judge.

The Judgement (Case No. CO/4957/2011) summarises the main pieces of law in contention then itemises the grounds which Justice Ouseley takes to have not been demonstrated in law:

1. Unlawfully ignoring the role which community libraries and groups could play in fulfilling the s7 duties (Public libraries Act 1964)
2. Unlawful failure to consult
3. An unlawful failure to assess needs
4. Breach of the public sector equality duty

However, many of the judgements appear, in reason, to be question-begging:

"I cannot see that it is unlawful for the Council to start the process by warning the groups, as in effect it did, that its approach would be that alternatives had to achieve the same level of savings for the same level of service as the Council's own proposals." (para 77)

But no piece of law is going to circumscribe consultation down to this level of detail. The question is whether this was a fair constraint, to effectively debar solutions that did not conform to a pre-decided lowest common denominator budget.

Later still, the Judge writes: "The Council's approach was entirely consistent with the requirement in s7(2) that the provision of library services by other menas be "appropriate"." (para. 80)

That sounds more like an assertion than an argument.

By some textual anomaly, moreover, the following appears in the introduction without any qualification, simply stated as fact, not as an argument from our side:

"The public consultation had been unfair since the Council had not told the public what it needed to know about the running costs of libraries so that groups could make informed responses in support of voluntary arrangements, and had not been told the basis upon which the Council would appraise their alternative proposals." (para. 4)

Yes, I agree that this is true Justice Ouseley.

Overall, I am bound to say, this was a very disappointing and dispiriting judgement. I salute the people of Brent for bringing this case. My fear now is that Brent Council will feel itself emboldened in this course of action, obviously they will feel vindicated, but the reality is that they have lost the confidence of the people they are meant to serve.

Let the People of Brent unite in their common endeavour to safeguard our community from this assault on our local libraries. We can despair, but we shall also regroup - with the same practical intelligence and determination we have already shown, to find a better way forward.

This is a sad day for Brent; but also a day on which the Citizens of Brent who give a damn about lifelong education and protecting the vulnerable from abandonment should hold their heads up high. Just not in the High Court.

House of Lords should be wholly elected, say Greens

The Green Party said today that it  believes that the House of Lords should be a wholly elected Second Chamber and as such the Appointments Commission should be abolished.  Stuart Jeffrey, Policy Coordinator on the Green Party Executive said, “Whilst we are content with the proposed size of 300 members, consideration should be given to a ten year term, with 50% of the House elected each time.  This would ensure a more proportional result.”

The Green Party would wish to see a fully proportional electoral system using an open list system with the Sainte-Laguë system used to allocate seats as is used in many countries around the globe.¹

Stuart Jeffrey continued,” An open list system ensures that the electorate can override the list order selected by the party, which places more power in the hands of the electorate.  Should smaller constituencies be used then we would wish them to be multi-member constituencies large enough to ensure that elections are proportional, for example current Euro region boundaries and that the Single Transferable Vote is used.”

The Green Party wishes to see an elected House introduced following the 2015 election.  300 members should be elected in 2015 with 100 serving for 15 years, 100 for 10 years and 100 for 5 years. 

The Green Party does not wish to see Bishops or hereditary peers as of right in a second chamber.  Britain is a multi-cultural society and should Bishops or any member of other leading religions wish to represent the electorate, they should seek election via the ballot box.

The Green Party does not the support the proposal that the Government should be able to appoint extra members to serve as ministers.  Stuart Jeffrey said, “This would override the result of the election by giving the governing party extra members who had not been voted in by the electorate.  This would be open to abuse and accusations of cronyism, precisely the sort of things that these reforms are supposed to end.”

The Green Party believes that those that are elected should be entitled to same financial entitlements as current sitting members in the House of Commons.

:

1. The Sainte-Laguë method is one way of allocating seats approximately proportional to the number of votes of a party to a party list used in many voting systems. It is named after the French mathematician Andre Sainte-Lague.  The Sainte-Laguë method is quite similar to the D’hondt, but uses different divisors. In most cases the largest remainder method delivers identical or almost identical results. The D'Hondt method gives similar results too, but favours larger parties compared to the Sainte-Laguë method.

The role of education in preventing violence against women and girls

Caroline Lucas, Green MP, has written an interesting article regarding the issue of violence against women and girls. The full article can be found HERE but below is an extract focusing on he role of education:

All over the UK, women's organisations, many of which are struggling with funding in the face of the government's savage spending cuts and reductions in legal aid, are doing innovative work with young people to help change attitudes. For example, the Brighton and Hove based charity RISE delivers a PSHE (Personal Social Health and Economic) preventative education programme on healthy relationships to schools across the city.

Yet work to prevent violence against women and girls cannot be left to occasional campaigns or women’s organisations working in partnership with a few good schools. So in my debate in Parliament today, I want to discuss the role which schools can play as a primary forum for this work. Educational programmes about violence against women and girls, which challenge entrenched attitudes and highlight the gravity of the issue, must be an integral part of the curriculum in every school.

We must also do more to empower young people to cope with the sexual images they are bombarded with everyday. The announcement by the prime minister of a range of measures to tackle the commercialisation and sexualisation of children is a welcome sign that the government is prepared to tackle the kind of imagery which contributes to gendered violence. But it's important that any strategy goes beyond consumer and parent power and include young people from the outset.

If the government is really serious about addressing failing support for its policies amongst female voters, it should begin by doing far more to protect the organisations delivering crucial support for women and girls, and look to prevent gendered violence through education policy.

PR2 bus route to end on October 14th - replaced by changes to 206 and 224

This is Transport for London's response to the recent consultation:

Thank you to all who took part in our consultation. We have carefully considered all 573 responses. The changes were designed to provide some new passenger links, simplified routeings and increased frequencies in and around Wembley Park and along Brentfield Road. Some of the current direct links provided at low frequency are withdrawn.  

The majority of responses were in favour of the changes.  We believe they offer an overall enhancement for bus users in the Wembley and Park Royal areas, and so we intend to proceed as proposed.  The changes to routes 206 and 224 will commence on 15 October and route PR2 will cease operation on 14 October.
Bus route 223

Route 223 will also be changing from 15 October following a consultation with Boroughs, London TravelWatch and other stakeholders. This will improve access to the developing area around Wembley Stadium and the London Borough of Brent’s new Civic Centre on Engineers Way by diverting the service via Empire Way rather than Park Lane and Wembley Park Drive. Towards Wembley, there will be one additional stop, which is the stand itself. From Wembley, there will be three additional stops: the stand, plus two others on the manoeuvre from the stand back to Wembley High Road.

The proposed extension of route 223 to North Wembley via Harrowdene road is not being introduced at this stage, following discussions with Brent Council. We will consult again should a suitable way to deliver this become available.

We will be promoting the coming changes to the bus routes with further posters at affected stops.  These will clearly explain how it affects local bus stopping arrangements.  We will also send an email to those passengers with Oyster cards who have registered to receive email updates from us, as well as through our website and via a press release. When introduced all the changes will be kept under regular review.

Our full feedback and consultation summary can be found at the bottom of this page.

Files:

• 206, 224, PR2 Response to Issues Raised, 42.9 kB (PDF document)
• 206, 224, PR2 Summary of Responses, 884.9 kB (PDF document)

There are still concerns amongst PR2 users over the loss of a direct route to Central Middlesex Hospital and to Fawood Nursery.

Libraries judicial review ruling expected on Thursday

The judgement on the judicial review of Brent's libraries closure plans is expected to be handed down in Court on Thursday, October 13 at 10am

The Court room has yet to be notified. The outcome of the case will be stated at the hearing and then there are likely to be short arguments by the barristers about what should happen next. The hearing is expected to last no longer than 45 minutes

Please come to the High Court  on Thursday if you can. The Royal Courts of Justice entrance is on the Strand, London WC2A 2LL. See map at http://www.royalcourtsofjustice-events.co.uk/contact-us

Further news will be posted as soon as it is available..

Brent People's Assembly - Give Our Kids A Chance

With the economy in the doldrums, public sector redundancies, wage cuts affecting many residents and the housing benefit cap hitting families soon, it is imperative that we work together to defend out living conditions, our schools and our health service.  At the same time the cut in council funding has meant that we face closures of libraries and reductions in street sweeping and school crossing patrols. The People's Assembly is sub-titled 'Give Our Kids A Chance. Defending Our Jobs and Services'.

Brent Fightback, the local anti-cuts movement, is inviting campaigns, trade unions, voluntary organisations and community groups to a Brent People's Assembly on Saturday 12th November at Harlesden Methodist Church. The aim is to give local people a voice so that they can say how the cuts and increased charges are affecting them. We will be sharing information and ideas on how we can join together more effectively and ensure that everyone has a decent standard of living and our children have a future.

Marking 10 years of Brent Stop the War

Many thanks to Brent News Company TV for this report:

Evidence accumulating on impact of street sweeping cuts

When I suggested that the street sweeping cuts would make Brent 'London's dirtiest Olympic borough' I was accused of exaggerating. Cllr Moher claimed recently that Brent residents would not notice any difference and standards would be maintained. The cuts in sweeping regularity and weekend sweeping have been in place for just a week. This is what I noticed, along with guests attending a wedding at Brent Town Hall, along King's Drive in Wembley and outside Wembley ASDA at 10.30am this morning:

King's Drive, opposite Town Hall library

King's Drive, corner with Forty Lane

Bus stop outside ASDA, Wembley

Asda bus stop

Beside Kwik Fit, Wembley

 I would be interested to hear how things are looking in other parts of Brent.

Go for Green QE - not a banking black hole

The Bank of England has announced that it is to inject a further £75bn into the economy through quantitative easing. Responding to the decision, Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas said: 

While it's clear that quantitative easing is one of the only options left to get our ailing economy off its knees, the Bank of England's decision to usher in £75bn worth of unregulated QE is problematic.

Unless we impose constraints on private banks to ensure the money reaches the real economy, we're effectively throwing money into a banking black hole - a recipe for systemic economic failure and further social inequality.

What we need is properly regulated quantitative easing directed towards actually creating jobs, increasing lending to small businesses and facilitating the move towards a green economy.

A job creation strategy like the Green New Deal, for example, would ultimately pay for itself by generating incomes and boosting emerging green industries.

As the average annual energy bill reaches a shocking new high of around £1,000 per household, surely now is the time to consider a green quantitative easing programme to help fund energy efficiency solutions such as home insulation to help keep people's bills down, and create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the process.

The challenge of climate change with China Miéville

China Miéville, award-winning fantasy fiction writer and author of the young adults' novel, “Un Lun Dun” will be appearing at the Willesden Green Library Centre on Monday 17^th October at 7.30pm to talk about creative fiction writing and the challenge of climate change.

In the light of recent reports on the rapid thawing of polar ice-caps, China will discuss whether fiction writers ought to amend their creative output to address climate change, the most serious long-term issue facing the world today.

The author is three-time winner of the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award (Perdido Street Station, Iron Council and The City & The City) and has also won the British Fantasy Award twice (Perdido Street Station and The Scar). The City & The City, an existential thriller, was published in 2009 to dazzling critical acclaim and drew comparison with the works of Kafka and Orwell (The Times) and Phillip K. Dick (The Guardian). The City & The City recently won the British Science Fiction Award and the Arthur C. Clarke Award and was also short listed for the Nebula and Hugo prizes.  His fifth novel, Un Lun Dun, won the 2008 Locus Award for Best Young Adult Book. He has also published extensively on international law.

Ken Montague, Secretary of the Brent Campaign against Climate Change says, “China really is one of the most exciting young writers in Britain today and as one of the originators of ‘weird fiction’ will bring a fresh and challenging perspective to the discussion of climate change and how we should respond to it.”

This event is the third in a series of “Environmental Writers” meetings at the Willesden Green Library Centre, where authors read from their books with environmental themes and discuss them with the audience. The series is organised by the Brent Campaign against Climate Change in liaison with the Brent Library Service.

The reading and discussion will take place at 7.30pm on Monday 17^th October 2011 at the Willesden Green Library Centre, 95 High Road, Willesden, NW10 2SF. This is a free event and all are welcome.

The World vs Wall Street - a message from Avaaz

 
A message from Avaaz.org

Thousands of Americans have non-violently occupied Wall St -- an epicentre of global financial power and corruption. They are the latest ray of light in a new movement for social justice that is spreading like wildfire from Madrid to Jerusalem to 146 other cities and counting, but they need our help to succeed.

As working families pay the bill for a financial crisis caused by corrupt elites, the protesters are calling for real democracy, social justice and anti-corruption. But they are under severe pressure from authorities, and some media are dismissing them as fringe groups. If millions of us from across the world stand with them, we'll boost their resolve and show the media and leaders that the protests are part of a massive mainstream movement for change. 

This year could be our century's 1968, but to succeed it must be a movement of all citizens, from every walk of life. Click to join the call for real democracy -- a giant live counter of every one of us who signs the petition will be erected in the centre of the occupation in New York, and live webcasted on the petition page:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/the_world_vs_wall_st/?vl

The worldwide wave of protest is the latest chapter in this year's story of global people power. In Egypt, people took over Tahrir Square and toppled their dictator. In India, one man's fast brought millions onto the streets and the government to its knees -- winning real action to end corruption. For months, Greek citizens relentlessly protested unfair cuts to public spending. In Spain, thousands of "indignados" defied a ban on pre-election demonstrations and mounted a protest camp in Sol square to speak out against political corruption and the government's handling of the economic crisis. And this summer across Israel, people have built "tent cities" to protest against the rising costs of housing and for social justice.

These national threads are connected by a global narrative of determination to end the collusion of corrupt elites and politicians -- who have in many countries helped cause a damaging financial crisis and now want working families to pay the bill. The mass movement that is responding can not only ensure that the burden of recession doesn't fall on the most vulnerable, it can also help right the balance of power between democracy and corruption. Click to stand with the movement:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/the_world_vs_wall_st/?vl

In every uprising, from Cairo to New York, the call for an accountable government that serves the people is clear, and our global community has backed that people power across the world wherever it has broken out. The time of politicians in the pocket of the corrupt few is ending, and in its place we are building real democracies, of, by, and for people. 

With hope,
Emma, Maria Paz, Alice, Ricken, Morgan, Brianna, Shibayan and the rest of the Avaaz team

PETITION LINK

Is this 'freedom from control' Michael Gove?

Michael Gove in his arguments for academies and free schools always emphasises that they will be 'free of local authority control' and further can make their own decisions about the curriculum. Of course the real situation in local authority schools is that strategic direction is decided for each school by a representative governing body with elected parent and staff representatives alongside members or nominees of  the democratically elected local authority.  He fails to mention that academies and free schools, directly funded by the government, are in the final analysis under government control - in effect 'nationalised' schools.

His advocacy of 'freedom' is limited however. He is keen to put foward his own ideas about what should be in the curriculum, including British narrative history, and exposed his nascent authoritarianism last week by putting pressure on schools in Islington and Haringey to cancel pupil trips to the weekend's Tottenham Palestinian Literacy Festival where children's writer and broadcaster Michael Rosen was due to speak.Children were going to take part in workshops on human rights and living under occupation and encouraged to enter a creative writing competition.

Schools decided not to take part after being contacted by the Department for Education officials who asked them if they were meeting their responsibilities under the 1996 Education Act (Section 407) to provide both sides of opposing political views. The festival was organised by a branch of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Jeremy Corbyn MP for Islington North, who supports the festival, said: "It was a great opportunity for children to understand the wealth and joy of Palestinian literature and a little of the history of the region. It's not in any way biased, but a festival which encourages children to broaden their horizons. The children were looking forward to it."

There are some interesting comments on the Evening Standard's website about the decision LINK including this one with which I strongly agree::

I find it astounding that the Education Secretary has stepped in to prevent schools having access to a literary festival. It's a repressive and frightening decision, and also a breach of the Human Rights Act.

To quote from article ten.

"Everyone has the right of freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This Article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises."

By not allowing schools to take part, Michael Gove is denying the right of freedom of speech, which is a matter of great concern, given he's a government official.

This comment gives the literary background:

Poetry has always been the Arab world's dominant literary form. When Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish died in 2008 he was honoured with a state funeral and three days of national mourning. (I recommend the long poem 'The Siege' for starters) Mourid Barghouti is another Palestinian poet of international stature - try 'Midnight' (Arc Press). Lately, Palestinians writing in English have distinguished themselves in the field of memoir: you could start with Ghada Karmi's beautifully written 'In Search of Fatima'; Raja Shehadah's personal guide to the West Bank 'Palestinian Walks' (Winner of the George Orwell Award), and Karl Sabbagh's Palestine: A Personal History' Ghada and Karl were key speakers at the Festival, as was Selma Dabbagh, whose first novel 'Out of It' is due to be published by Bloomsbury this winter. I do hope you explore these writers, whose stories fill in the huge gaps left by our media when it comes to the Palestinian narrative. As a member of PSC - an anti-racist organization - I myself will be working to help challenge Gove's outrageous and potentially slanderous decision.

The curriculum of our schools has always been a contested area and the clash was probably at its sharpest when Margaret Thatcher and Norman Tebbit  abolished the progressive Inner London Education  Authority. Tebbit accused ILEA schools of  driving children to truancy by teaching  'anti-sexist, anti-racist, gay, lesbian, CND rubbish' in schools. Margaret Thatcher said, 'You know about political indoctrination in some of the inner cities. Well, I could show you examination papers.... I sometimes look at the Continent, where they have not only a core curriclum but a core syllabus. That would be an enormous leaps for us to take, because my generation still recoils from having a system that any government could manipulate...What we are considering is whether we should take that leap.'

Both Conservative and Labour governments did take that approach and Gove is moving towards imposing his own control under the guise of opposing that of  local authorities.

Interestingly on March 31st  2010, before the General Election, Liberal Democrat Friends of  Palestine warned about a Conservative win:

If the Conservatives win the election, the influence of the Greater Israel lobby –those extremists who believe Israel has a right to add to its territory by swallowing up land it conquered in 1967, rather than by negotiating fair boundaries with thePalestinians on an arms-length basis - will increase. Extreme Conservative views are exemplified by those of Michael Gove MP. Find out about them at http://www.ldfp.eu/gove.htm

Needless to say that link no longer works - the page has been removed.

Labour Litter Double Think

 I had a chat with a street sweeper over the weekend who told me that no way could Brent maintain the quality of service with the reduced numbers of sweeps in residential areas and the cuts in weekend work. He said that sweepers used to have the flexibility to deal with any extra littering and that would no longer be the case: "If we sweep on Monday and it is littered on Tuesday it will stay there until next Monday.

He also mentioned that Veolia had offered sweepers redeployment to Haringey and the difficulties involved travelling there. Veolia had said those redeploying would get an extra 30 pence an hour, only for the sweepers to discover that this increase was also due in Brent.

I am sure some of you noticed the interesting juxtaposition of letters in the Willesden and Kilburn Times this week. In the first letter Labour Councillor Jim Moher, responsible for the cuts in street sweeping, attacked me ands the Green Party for opposing them.  In the second letter, Labour Councillor  and Group Leader in Westminster, Paul Dimoldenberg, denounced his Conservative Council for....cuts in the weekend street sweeping service. He asks if the Council is not spending Council Tax on this 'primary duty' where on earth is our money going?