Sunday 15 April 2012
Saturday 14 April 2012
Getting Brent Youth Parliament involved in climate change issue
BCACC supporters - I am in disguise! |
Along with the College of North West London we are planning a Conference on Climate Change for 6th formers and college students. The Conference will take place in March 2013 and we want to get young people involved in the planning. It is essential that we have their ideas at an early stage so that the Conference is participative and involving and based on young peoples' concerns.
I introduced the idea and Jeff gave a PowerPoint presentation on the plans so far. BYP members expressed support for a debate to be included in the day and like the idea of hands on experience with green technologies. Younger members aged 11 and 12 had plenty of comments and contributions as well as their older colleagues and some fundamental questions were asked including 'Is the aim to prevent climate change or deal with its impact?' and 'What has careers advice got to do with climate change?'
We hope to work on a separate event for primary schools to take place in Autumn this year.
Years ago I was involved in the group which set up the Youth Parliament and so it was good to see it in action. The Parliament reflected Brent's diversity but girls predominated today - perhaps because of the football match happening just down the road at the same time!
Wembley drinking ban unenforceable
The ban on public drinking of alcohol for this weekend's semi-finals proved difficult to enforce today in Bridge Road, Wembley.
At 11.30am fans were openly drinking on the street and I asked several police officers what was happening with the ban.
One officer said that they could not possibly enforce it but could try and limit it to certain areas, so drinking was going ahead on the shops side of Bridge Road, where the crowds were, but the ban was being enforced on the Ark Academy side where mainly locals were walking to avoid the fans.
Bridge Road, railway bridge |
On the railway bridge officers stood by while drinking carried on but further down the road two officers were making fans pour the contents of their cans onto the pavement.
An officer told me that the Council could pass all the laws they like but it was 'impossible' to enforce with so many fans drinking. A more senior officer said that it was crazy that drinking was banned on the pavements which belonged to Brent Council but allowed on Olympic Way which was privately owned. He said that it risked confrontation to make someone empty a drink on the bridge pavement, while below fans were openly drinking on the approach to the stadium.
Another perspective was provided by a shopkeeper who said that his business had been affected by the ban. He relied on pre-match drinks sales for revenue to keep his business afloat and said because of the ban and the parking restrictions he was thinking of closing. Shops were told to close their off-licences one hour before the match.
The shopkeeper was particularly incensed that ASDA around the corner was able to continue selling alcohol. He felt that the street drinking ban was introduced by Brent Council at the behest of Wembley Stadium where drinks are sold at exorbitant prices.
Friday 13 April 2012
Missing Lib Dems: cock-up, cop-out or conspiracy?
Despite queries from our assiduous local newspaper reporters, we still don't know why the Lib Dems aren't standing in the Barnhill by-election on May 3rd.
Greens will be pleased though as the failure of Lib Dems to stand will mean that several forests will be saved given the usual scale of their leafleting in by-elections.
Perhaps they realise that they have contributed to a rise in Brent Council's recycling rates through their Wembley Central and Dollis Hill campaigns and no longer want to contribute to Cllr Powney's PR offensive.
If anyone out there knows more about this political mystery please drop us an e-mail or comment below.
Greens will be pleased though as the failure of Lib Dems to stand will mean that several forests will be saved given the usual scale of their leafleting in by-elections.
Perhaps they realise that they have contributed to a rise in Brent Council's recycling rates through their Wembley Central and Dollis Hill campaigns and no longer want to contribute to Cllr Powney's PR offensive.
If anyone out there knows more about this political mystery please drop us an e-mail or comment below.
Brent Council pension deficit per head highest in England claim Taxpayers' Alliance
The right-wing pressure group, Taxpayers' Alliance, as part of their campaign against 'too generous' local government pensions, has today listed the pension deficit for local councils.
Brent Council has one of the largest deficits per head of population according to their figures:
Brent £2,267
Rhondda, Cyon, Taff £2,063
Gateshead, £2,040
Neath Port Talbot, £2,001
Hackney, £1,931
Hammersmith and Fulham, £1,899
Newham, £1,718
Blaenau Gwent, £1,708
Lambeth, £1,660
LINK
Brent Council has one of the largest deficits per head of population according to their figures:
Top 10 deficits per head
Merthyr Tydfil, £2,268Brent £2,267
Rhondda, Cyon, Taff £2,063
Gateshead, £2,040
Neath Port Talbot, £2,001
Hackney, £1,931
Hammersmith and Fulham, £1,899
Newham, £1,718
Blaenau Gwent, £1,708
Lambeth, £1,660
LINK
Labels:
Brent Council,
pension fund,
Taxpayers' Alliance
Thursday 12 April 2012
London Greens launch 2012 Manifesto
Green Mayoral candidate Jenny Jones today unveiled the party’s manifesto for the 2012 London elections.
Joined by fellow Assembly Member Darren Johnson and other top candidates from the Party’s London-wide list, Jones set out their vision for a Green London that acts as a model for the world in addressing climate change; a city more equal, healthy and affordable for everyone.
Shahrar Ali is the Green Party's candidate for the Brent and Harrown assembly seat.
Jenny Jones said: “A Green London will be a model for the world in addressing climate change, a city more equal, healthy and affordable for everyone.
“London needs a strong Green voice. We must cut our carbon emissions and be more responsible global citizens. We must protect green spaces, create jobs and look for creative solutions to the massive shortage of affordable housing.
“By voting to elect more Green Assembly Members under the proportional system, Londoners can really make the difference this year.”
The manifesto includes five key promises:
1. Cutting fares and reducing traffic—ensuring public transport is always cheaper than driving and cleaning up London’s polluted air.
2. Improving green spares and the environment—giving everyone access to nature and generating clean energy from waste.
3. Making housing more affordable—refurbishing a million homes and stabilising rent levels.
4. Reducing the gap between rich and poor—offering a job or apprenticeship to all young Londoners and creating a Fair Pay Mark for companies who reduce pay inequality
5. Rebuilding trust in policing—put more officers on the beat and stopping the cuts to back office staff.
Wembley Matters passes 100,000 hits threshold
Earlier today this blog had its 100,000th page view.- another milestone for this local news and campaigning website.
Many thanks to everyone who visits and especially those who participate by adding comments.
Martin
Many thanks to everyone who visits and especially those who participate by adding comments.
Martin
If Brent Council can't keep our streets clean, what can they do?
Barnhill Road, near Lidl |
'If they can't keep our streets clean, what use are they?' seems to be the general view. Of course the public are to blame for dumping rubbish in the first place but the council has an enforcement and a preventative role. On 'The Avenue' I spoke to one man who was using a litter picker to pick up cans, plastic bottles, vodka bottles and crisp packets from his front garden. They had all been discarded by people sitting on his garden wall waiting at the bus stop. He said he had repeatedly asked the council to install a rubbish bin there but to no avail. A simple solution.
On Chalkhill I was struck by the contrast between the cleanliness of common areas within the 'Science blocks' and the street. Metropolitan Housing Association and Pinnacle are clearly doing a good job. Outside as the pictures show Brent Council and Veolia are not:
'Flower beds' on Wembley ASDA's perimeter |
The Chalkhill Park site |
Chalkhill Road |
Corner of Chalkhill Road and Bridge Road |
On the Town Hall doorstep at King's Drive |
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