First Salvo Fired in Library Legal Campaign

Brent Council has now been sent the Letter Before Action from Bindmans that begins the legal process for a judicial review. The action is backed by S.O.S. Brent Libraries which brings together the campaigns against the closures of six Brent libraries.

The Letter Before Action in summary claims:

1. a fair-minded and informed observer, having full regard to the facts, would conclude that there was a real possibility of predetermination by the decision-makers that these closure proposals should go ahead (indeed that there was no alternative) which, in turn, meant the results of the consultation exercise were not taken into account conscientiously and with open minds on 11 April 2011;
2. insufficient information was gathered to enable the decision- makers to take into account mandatory relevant considerations at the appropriate time, particularly in relation to questions of need for library services and equality;
3. some consultation responses were not made known to members, significant errors of fact were made in the consultation document and officers’ reports and irrational conclusions drawn;
4. the Council misdirected itself on the means by which its duty to provide a library service could be discharged; and
5. those who had made alternative proposals were not dealt with fairly.

Unless Brent Council backs down the legal process is expected to proceed by way of a judicial review of the council's decision.

John Halford of Bindmans is acting for the campaigners of the threatened libraries. He is a human rights and public law department partner who acts for individuals and groups to challenge abuse of power, human rights breaches and discrimination. He has experience of bringing cases against a wide range of public bodies and organisations, and of advising national charities, NGOs, campaigning groups and regulators. In 2007 he won the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Award for social and welfare law. 

David Butcher from Kensal Rise speaking on behalf of the Brent SOS Library Campaign said,

Thousands of people across the whole of Brent are supporting the campaign to save the local community libraries of Barham, Cricklewood, Kensal Rise, Neasden, Preston and Tokyngton. 

While Councillors Ann John and Powney are using the resources of Brent Council to force through the closures local people are determined to fight their closure plans all the way.

Brent SOS Libraries; Save Our Six Librarie have agreed to raise funds for the judicial review of the council’s decision. The Legal Services Commission requires a ‘community contribution’ of £30,000 towards the costs. Each of the library groups has pledged to raise a contribution.

Library campaigners are asking everyone to donate £5 if they can afford it. Campaigners are hopeful that the money will be raised quickly.

Information about how to make donations can be found on the website www.brentsoslibraries.org.uk

Meanwhile Save Kensal Rise Library Campaign who had advertised a lobby of Cllr Powney, who is spearheading the library cuts, claim that he went into hiding when his electorate arrived to see him on  May 7th. LINK

Teather, "Well aware of strength of feeling" on the NHS

As the debate about the future of the NHS ignites following the local elections, local Lib Dem MP and Minister for Children and Families Sarah Teather, has written to a concerned constituent saying she has been contacted by:

"an overwhelming number of constituents on this issue and am well aware of the strength of feeling. I believe our National Health Service is a major part of this country's history and something to be very proud of."

Her comments will be read out along with those of other local MPs at a  'Defend Our Health Service' public meeting on Thursday May 12th, 7.30pm, Willesden Green Library. The meeting will be addressed by GPs, other NHS workers, service users and campaigners.

As I have gone around the borough giving out leaflets for the meeting it has become clear that many residents are very concerned about the impact of the proposed reforms on the quality of provision and its accessibility to all. I hope that having received such a powerful message from her constituents that Sarah Teather will put up a real fight for a health service we can remain proud of.

Caroline Lucas on Brighton Council Win

Brent S.O.S, - Donate for the legal challenge

The campaigns to Save Brent Libraries have joined together to mount a legal challenge to Brent's widely criticised closure decision. They are now seeking funds from the public to help mount the campaign. Full details are now on this blog HERE

They deserve your support.

Brent Save Our Six Libraries website HERE

More' YES to AV' votes in Brent than nationally

The result of the referendum on AV in Brent was YES 25,551 (45%), NO 30,941 (55%) compared with 31% and 69% nationally. The turnout in Brent was 31%.

In our neighbouring boroughs only Camden had a majority in favour of AV:

Camden YES 51%  NO 49% Turnout 37%
Harrow  YES 31%  NO 69% Turnout 38%
Ealing     YES 43%  NO 57% Turnout 36%
Barnet    YES 35%  NO 65% Turnout 39%

Brent Battles to Save the NHS

We had a very positive reception from the public at Northwick Park Hospital when leafleting about the public meetings and demonstration in  support of the NHS  (see below). Those most concerned were the elderly, who stopped to talk to us about their concerns that some services would be cut and waiting times  increased, and parents of whose young children needed high quality treatment and continuity of care. The role of private companies, 'they are only in it for the money and not for us' was one comment, was a major focus.

It was significant that the elderly had been around before the birth of the NHS and recognised its achievements. They also acknowledged the gains that had been made in terms of waiting lists and quality of care over the last decade or so and knew what they might lose. When they saw 20-30 year olds refusing the leaflets they remarked that they were a generation that took the NHS for granted and didn't realise what things used to be like and what they stood to lose.

 Click on image to enlarge

Brent Fightback will be leafleting in Central Square, Wembley (next to Wembley Central Station)  this afternoon between 1pm-3pm and will organise further leafleting for the demonstration at the public meeting on May 12th.  Further information from: brentunited@gmail.com or check out Brent Fightback on Facebook.

Chalkhill growing its own, but 'Where's our park?' demand the children

Chalkhill allotment raised bed bag

Greens have long pressed for the opening of more allotments on derelict or unused land so we welcome the Chalkhill allotment project initiated by Metropolitan Housing and supported by Brent Council Ward Working.
Allottees have now got their raised beds which are made from builder's type heavy duty bags. The plots are on the old walkway between the Metropolitan railway line just outside Wembley Park station and Chalkhill Road. The project is part of the MHT's 'Grow Local' project. LINK

I spoke recently to some of the new vegetable growers and they were very positive about the experience and told me how excited their children were at growing their own. They have been given free seeds as part of their 'starter pack' and tomatoes, peppers and corn are already in evidence (cross fingers over the possibility of a cold snap!).  One slight drawback at the moment is that there is no piped water on the site so plot-holder have to bring in their own. The combination of the recent very dry spell and the nature of raised beds means that a lot of watering is required at present.

In contrast another green project at Chalkhill seems to have ground to a halt. At the recent Kingsbury and Kenton Area Forum I asked when work would start and am awaiting a reply from the Council.. I was assured last summer that funding for the new park was safeguarded despite government cuts. Work was supposed to start late last Autumn but was delayed, according to the Council, by the unusually harsh weather. When work didn't start in the early Spring I heard that there was a 'labour shortage'.

The site, as you can see below, is developing into quite a wildlife area and fencing has been broken down in places. As with any such site, fly-tipping is becoming a problem and it is rather a dismal sight for local residents whose children have been badgering me asking when they are going to get their park.

Unless something revolutionary happens quickly there will be no park in place for the children's summer holiday which is really a great shame for children in a high density development with many flats without any garden and where the terraced houses have only very small gardens..

Declaration of interest: I am Chair of Governors at Chalkhill Primary School

Greens now largest party on Brighton Council

The Green Party is now the largest party in Brighton, with 23 seats. It's still five seats short of a majority, but the city that chose Caroline Lucas as the UK's first green MP last year has cemented its support for her party at local level. FULL RESULT

This is the first time a local council in the UK has elected the Greens as the largest party. Brighton and Hove Green convenor Bill Randall said,

The city has listened to the Greens and we have listened to the city.

Greens would now sit down and plan how to take the city forward in these difficult times This is the first time the Greens have been the largest party on any council in the UK and people seem to be  genuinely enthused by the option of a Green-led council.

It's a great result for the city and a huge vote of confidence in the Greens. People went Green across Brighton & Hove. We held all our seats and gained 10 more. We now have 23 Green councillors, making us the largest Green group of councillors in the country.

The next step is for us to talk to other parties about how we will work with them and implement our manifesto pledges at a very challenging time for local government budgets.

We can't say how this will work until we have entered into discussions.