Don't just sit there - DO SOMETHING!

DON'T MISS THIS FRIDAY 10 JUNE: STAND-UP FOR LIBRARIES

A fantastic line-up of brilliant comedy to raise funds for Brent SOS Libraries hosted by Kayla Forde. Featuring:

- Nathan Cassidy – “an incredible act…..gloriously entertaining” - Chortle
- Inel Tomlinson – Multi award winning. “inspired and original..definitely one to watch” - Chortle
- Chuquai Billy – “insightful, poignant and funny” – Three Weeks

+ Surprise friends and raffle
+ Bar and food available
+ BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
http://www.facebook.com/l/3fc1aaBXgVjP2eVbsPEYuHcjoLQ/www.wegottickets.com/event/121259

At THE NORTH LONDON TAVERN, 375 Kilburn High Road NW6 7QB
nearest tube - Kilburn
Doors open at 8 for an 8.30 show

SATURDAY June 11th  - FIGHTING ACADEMIES AND FREE SCHOOLS, Congress House, Great Russell Street, WC1 Details

SUNDAY JUNE 13th 3pm Brent Town Hall - Meeting on NHS organised by Barry Gardiner (I cannot go to this as have prior arrangement in Fryent Country Park - it would be great if someone could make notes on it and write up for Wembley Matters/BrentGreens blog) Details

MONDAY JUNE 13th - BRENT EXECUTIVE MEETING 7pm Brent Town Hall  - agenda items include cutting festival funding and mental health day opportunities Details

SUNDAY JUNE 19th GLADSTONBURY FESTIVAL, GLADSTONE PARK Details

MONDAY JUNE 20th Brent Governors Conference, Wembley Plaza Hotel, (next to Wembley Stadium station) from 8.45am - Sarah Teather will be speaking

If global warming was a bank, governments would already have saved it

Jonathan Neale's Willesden Green Library talk on Monday evening stimulated a good discussion there, and afterwards in the hospitable Rising Sun pub in Harlesden Road.

Neale suggested that those problems around climate change that could be solved through capitalism had been. But that capitalism with its emphasis on competition and reliance on neo-liberalism could not tackle the fundamental issues which required government action at a global level. He likened the situation to that of the Second World War when government intervention was required for the war effort. He said that now the need was for government action to save lives, not destroy them. This required cooperation - not competition.

He rejected notions of a monolithic, 'evil' capitalism, but instead argued that it was a complex system with different interests playing out against each other. Coal-based economies such as China, United States, India and South Africa were blocking the international level of cooperation needed. However the New York Times was in the forefront of reporting on climate change and had linked it to food shortages and uprisings.

Without the necessary cooperation conflict that we are already experiencing over competition for water, rising food prices (and subsequent food riots), and huge population movements would worsen.

Neale argued that the environmental movement was big enough to save whales but not big enough to save the world from climate change. He said that the working class were big enough to take the issue on but that the economic situation regarding employment and cuts undermined its capacity to do so.

However, the current political dominance of ideas supporting a smaller state, lower taxation, reduced public sector and privatisation were being challenged because the argument for market solutions had been undermined by the financial crisis and the exposure of the role of banks. The banks themselves had screamed for government action rather than settle for a market solution. He repeated the slogan 'if global warming was a bank governments would already have saved it'.

He ended on an optimistic note saying that the dominant idea that we couldn't change anything had been challenged by the uprisings in Egypt, Yemen and other countries. People internationally were generalising from that and had been inspired by it, affecting for example teachers in Wisconsin who, barred from striking over restrictive union laws, had all called in sick for the day and occupied state buildings, quickly followed by their students.

Neale called for campaigners on climate change to build a mass movement with trade unionists and the wider community with the demand for a million new jobs at the centre of its demands.

Videos of Neale's talk are available on Brent Greens Blog HERE

Many thanks to the Brent Campaign Against Climate Change for organising this talk and Willesden Green library for hosting it.

Lucas Bill Tackles Company Tax Scandal

A new Tax and Financial Transparency Bill, which could help the UK recover billions of pounds of lost tax by forcing companies to be more transparent in their accounting, is on the agenda for debate in Parliament on Friday 10 June.

The Bill, launched by the MP for Brighton Pavilion and Green Party leader Caroline Lucas in March this year, is due for its second reading in the House of Commons - and will also feature on BBC Radio 4's Decision Time programme tonight (8pm)

The Brighton Pavilion MP launched her campaign after posing a number of Parliamentary Questions to the Chancellor, in which she exposed the fact that H M Revenue & Customs is failing to prevent serious tax evasion which could amount to as much as £16 billion in lost tax.

Mark Serwotka, General Secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), said:

This bill goes right to the heart of the economic issues facing our country. If the Government was serious about protecting the most vulnerable people in our communities from the cuts, it would start investing in tax collection and proper regulation so that companies are not allowed to simply disappear without paying the taxes they owe.

 A report published by Tax Research UK  in March revealed that around 500,000 companies "disappeared" from the UK's Register of Companies in the year to March 2010 - with billions being lost to the Exchequer as a result.

Caroline Lucas MP believes that urgent measures are needed to stop companies that are formally dissolved from trading fraudulently, thereby undermining honest businesses who do pay their taxes.She is also calling for a requirement on multinational companies to publish information on where they make their sales, record their profits and pay their taxes, in order to ensure that corporations make a fair and proper contribution to society.

Caroline said:

The first aim of this Bill is to tackle the scandalous reality that around 500,000 companies every year appear not to be paying tax in the UK. Tax Research UK estimate that regulatory failures by H M Revenue & Customs and Companies House mean that around 500,000 companies a year fail to pay their tax or file their accounts.

A great many are simply struck off the Register of Companies as a result, never to be heard of again. It is thought that up to £16 billion of tax a year might be lost to the country as a result. This Bill would ensure that banks have to provide details on all accounts they maintain for companies operating in the UK so that H M Revenue & Customs and Companies House can chase those companies who do not file the returns they're obliged to make for the missing information - and the tax they owe.

Secondly, the bill would force companies to 'publish what tax they pay', requiring all companies filing accounts in the UK to include a statement on the turnover, pre-tax profit, tax charge and actual tax paid for each country in which they operate, without exception.

If they only trade in the UK, this has no impact on them. This information would, however, mean that the answers to the questions asked of Barclays Bank earlier this year about where it earned its profits, how much profit was recorded in tax havens, and where it paid its taxes could be answered for all companies trading internationally.

The Brighton Pavilion MP added:

This information is vital if we are to ensure that multinational corporations make a fair and proper contribution to our society. Companies cannot opt out of corporate social responsibility - and paying tax to the country that provides them with their opportunities to trade is an essential part of it. You can't be socially responsible and accountable unless you say where you are and what you do in each place that you trade.

Caroline's Tax and Financial Transparency Bill will feature as the main topic of discussion in BBC Radio 4's Decision Time programme tonight (8 June 2011) at 8pm with Nick Robinson. Caroline will be joined in the debate by former Trade Minister Lord Digby Jones, Sir Nicholas Montague, former head of the Inland Revenue, Michael Jacobs, a former special adviser in the Treasury and Number 10, and Fraser Nelson, editor of the Spectator. The programme will be available to listen again here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011pkqn

Officers recommend Islamia School go-ahead - including roof playground

The development site

The controversial proposals for the rebuilding of the Islamia Primary School are to be resubmitted to the Brent Planning Committee tomorrow. The previous application was blocked when the Council received a Judicial Review Pre-Action Protocol letter on behalf of 'We Love Queen's Park', a group of local residents.

The group's objections included consultation failings, lack of community involvement, lack of an environmental impact assessment and concerns over financial viability. The documentation for tomorrow's meeting attempts to answer each point. Financial viability remains a crucial issue. The key passage states:

It is not envisaged that adequate funding will not be available to allow the development to be
completed if approved and the public contribution envisaged would be contingent on agreement of the availability of overall funds. However, Forsters have highlighted the potential implications of not completing an approved development. If these circumstances were to arise then the likely planning consequences would be the visual impact of any work remaining incomplete on the character and appearance of the surrounding area. Depending on the extent of works carried out this may, or may not; also involve an impact on the setting of the adjoining Conservation Area and nearby Listed structures. Any Health and Safety or Environmental Health issues as a result of work remaining incomplete would be likely to be adequately addressed under powers held by Officers in the Council's Environmental Health & Health, Safety and Licensing Units. The degree of any impact would subject to a number of factors, and in particular the extent and progress of any work carried out. However, it is not reasonable to assume in the circumstances of an interruption to construction that a responsible landowner would leave the development in such a condition as to cause unacceptable harm to the interests referred to above, or be such, as to not warrant granting planning permission.

...Other objectors also raised concerns regarding the Islamia Trust's ability to deliver the project citing another development that they claim is underfunded and behind schedule. However, specific problems associated with another site would not provide sufficient evidence that would lead Officers to believe that there is now a substantial risk that the current proposal cannot be delivered. As such, it is considered that in terms of the delivery of the project there are no reasonable grounds to justify a refusal to grant planning permission

The Planning Committee will need to consider whether these assurances are enough. The rebuild would only provide an additional 30 places (from 390 to 420) but the report notes that there is potential for the expansion of secondary places when the present building is vacated.  Apart from the advantages of new buildings the new school would mean that Winkworth Hall would no longer be used for overflow classes. 

The present school does not have a catchment area (a defined geographical area from which pupils are drawn with those closest to the school getting priority) but the report says that one will be introduced to the south of the North Circular Road and extending to the borough boundary.

The school will be unusual in that it will return to the inner city Victorian school model of having a playground on the roof.  Approval will be subject to a Section 106 Agreement as set out below:

• Prior to Occupation submit, gain approval for and adhere to a Community Access Plan, which
includes details of community accesses to the development, particularly the Gym facilities
which shall be made available to any community groups for not less than 20 hours a week, at
rates covering administration costs only and not more than other Council facilities.
• A financial contribution of £10,000 towards the highway works, including bus cage works and
the reinstatement of the footway adjoining the school, required to mitigate the impact of the
development on local transport infrastructure and provide street tree planting, index-linked from
the date of committee and due on Material Start.
• Sustainability – BREEAM Excellent Construction Assessment and Certificate shall be
submitted prior to occupation; achieve 50% on the Brent Sustainable Development Checklist,
demonstrated through submission of a Detailed Sustainability Implementation Strategy prior to
construction; compliance with the ICE Demolition protocol, demonstrated by submission of an
independent report detailing demolition and new build material use and recycling; and 20% on
site renewable energy details to be submitted and approved, which shall be maintained
throughout the lifetime of the development.
• Join and adhere to the Considerate Constructors scheme.
• Prior to Occupation, submit gain approval for and adhere to a Travel Plan.
• Payment of the Council's legal and other professional costs in (a) preparing and completing the agreement and (b) monitoring and enforcing its performance

The Officers recognise local concerns but 'on balance' think these have been appropriately addressed and that the proposal is 'in general compliance with the Council's Development Plan'. They recommend approval subject to the Section 106 Agreement being met.

Brent Council Snuffs out the Lights

From Brent Council's website (last year)

Petitioners will be at the June 13th Executive to protest at the cuts of funding for festivals. They include 5,000 signatures to save Navratri and 110 to Save the St Patrick's Day Parade.

The Executive will vote on a 'no faith funding' approach that will even see the Christmas lights go out. In an ominous echo of David Cameron's strictures on the 'divisiveness'  of 'multiculturalism' the Council proposes to fund events which are 'inclusive of the whole diverse Brent Community' including a new 'Brent Celebrates' event.  However in the same paper it says that the new Civic Centre performance area and that of the rebuilt Willesden Green hub (if it goes ahead) will showcase Brent's diversity. Didn't Navratri etc do that? Is Guy Fawke's Night inclusive?

To be fair to the Council here is their justification for the preferred policy option:

Cease delivery of any faith-based events and deliver a reduced programme

Deliver one Brent Celebrates event (which is anticipated to be an event attracting up to 30,000 people) and continue to provide fireworks night and Holocaust Memorial Day. The council would also work with others in the community, to provide advice and guidance to resident groups to promote festivals and events they may identify.

This would mean the council ceasing its current events for Chanukah, St Patrick’s Day, Eid, Diwali, Christmas, St George’s Day, LGBT Month, International Women’s Day. It would also no longer fund Navrati or the Christmas/festive lights.

This option would enable the council to build on the support already provided to a number of events, festivals and activities delivered by community groups which is currently working well. This would meet the requirements identified in the Brent Cultural Strategy 2010-2015 of providing a key leadership role in developing partnerships with cultural providers. This support could include advice and, where appropriate, training. Savings of approximately £270,000 would be achieved in the first year. The consultation feedback does not oppose this option and does support festivals and activities that bring all communities together.

Drastic Cuts In Mental Health Day Opportunities

The Council's proposals HERE for the future of Day Provision Opportunities for those with  Mental Health problems have been published. They envisage an eventual cut of  from the 2010-11 budget of £1,660,000 to £236,000 in 2012-13 with £480,000 cut this financial year.  The proposals involve the closure of Kingsbury Manor Day Centre and the administrative unit at Design Works. Kingsbury Resource Centre would continue at a reduced level of 4 sessions per week for up to 10 service uses. Four community development workers would be employed to run these sessions and help access community services for other users. The Report to the Executive states:

Users and carers had objected to the proposals during the consultation.

Service user concerns were wide ranging. For example, they:
• Do not want to lose the day centres as meeting places, where they have friends
• Do not want to lose the relationship they have with their key workers
• Feel vulnerable in the community.
• Are worried they will be isolated at home 

Carers concerns focused on the following areas:
• That changes are driven by the need to save money rather than improvements to the service
• The capacity of two workers, as per proposal, to meet needs of service users
• That many service users will need support to manage their direct payments
• The need for a percentage of service users to have a base to go to as they are too vulnerable to access resources in the wider community
• The need for a culturally sensitive service

Further objections were:

• The choice and community activities are not suitable for all
• Service users are vulnerable in the community
• They may become isolated
• There will be less respite for carers if activities are community based
• Personalised services will be more expensive and or unavailable
• The support mechanisms to prevent relapse will be reduced.

The Executive will vote on the proposal at their meeting on Monday June 13th

Teather in the hot seat?

Another meeting!  I don't spend all my time at them, honestly, but this is one where we might see a bit of accountability.

Headteachers and governors have been wrestling with the twin-pronged pressures of government policy changes and budget cuts. Conversion to academies is an active issue with Ark, Capital City,Claremont,  Crest Girls, Crest Boys academies and Kingsbury and Woodfield considering conversion. The prospect of a primary Free School is on the horizon. The Council's stance on academies has been somewhat opaque with Cllr Mary Arnold, lead member for Children and Families stating her opposition, but Krutika Pau, Director of Children and Families, putting forward a 'neutral' stance.

In terms of cuts, governors have found themselves in a difficult position regarding detailed budget figures from the council which were received very late in the budget making process, as well as having to make decisions about 'buying in' services from the council at increased cost and provided by fewer staff. School have often been tempted to buy-in services from external providers instead.

The two issues are connected because poor back-up from the Local Authority undermines arguments against converting to academy  status.

We are also in the rare position of having a local MP in the government with an education brief . Sarah Teather, Minister of State for Children and Families,  is currently leading on early years provision and special educational needs. Dr Rhodes Boyson, Conservative MP for Brent North, was the last local MP in such a position.

Sarah Teather will be speaking at the Brent Conference for Governors on Monday June 20th 2011. She will be speaking about the new Education Bill and Krutika Pau will be speaking about changes in Children and Families and her vision for her brief.

Gareth Daniel, Brent's Chief Executive will examine what he sees are the main challenges ahead and how they will affect schools and children's centres.

The event, at the Wembley Plaza, is free to Brent school governors, children's centre board members, associate members and clerks. There is a charge of £70 per person  for other interested parties.

Fighting Academy Conversions and Free Schools

Brent is facing the possibility of more academy conversions and a possible free school (see previous BLOG)  and so a forthcoming conference has come at a vital time. Although the Labour council has apparently been a little more proactive in the case of the Woodfield Sports College it is important that parents, education unions, school students and governors get involved.

On Saturday June 11th there is a conference on the issue organised by SERTUC (the TUC in London, the South East and Easter Region) and the Anti Academies Alliance.

There will be practical workshops for governors, parents, school students and staff and speakers include Lisa Nandy MP, Nigel Gann on school governance, Professor Stephen Ball from the Institute of Education, Christine Blower NUT, Mary Bousted  ATL, Patrick Roach NASUWT, Jon Richards UNISON, Megan Dobney SERTUC, and Alasdair Smith from the Anti-Academies Alliance.

The conference is at Congress House. Great Russell Street, WC1B 3LS from 10.30am-4pm.

To register e-mail sertucevents@tuc.org.uk

Further information HERE