Petitioners call on Brent to home 50 refugee families

A petition has been set up asking Brent Council to home 50 refugee families in Brent. The justification for the request states:

Why is this important?

Aylan, the toddler who drowned fleeing Syria, was just three years old. His town was under attack by Isis. His five year old brother and his mum also died trying to reach safety.

Yet our prime minister has just said ‘we won't take any more refugees’. He thinks that most of us don't care. But 38 Degrees members do care. We don't want Britain to be the kind of country that turns its back as people drown in their desperation to flee places like Syria.

So let's stand up for Britain's long tradition of helping refugees fleeing war. Let's show the Prime Minister that we, the people of the UK, are proud to do our part and provide refuge to people in their hour of need.

The petition can be found HERE

50 families is a comparatively modest request compared with the thosands of Ugandan Asians admitted in 1972 as Iain Roxburgh reminded us in Friday's Guardian (and Ken Livingstone on BBCR4 'Any Questions?'):

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We don’t have to look as far back as the kindertransport to find an example where we have done it before and welcomed large numbers of refugees in a short space of time and on a far greater scale. I was a councillor in the London borough of Brent and vice-chair of the housing committee when the borough received over 10,000 Ugandan Asian refugees in under six weeks in 1972. Similar numbers went to Leicester, also with a settled East African community. With the settled East African Asian community and local voluntary organisations, Brent council worked up a plan for coping with the influx, including a shopping list of demands, which we presented to the Heath government. After a meeting with ministers, chaired by the home secretary, all these demands were met, including houses in multiple occupation and immediate funding for new schools, local health, social services and local advice and community support services.

Perhaps most challenging, then and now, is handling the politics of migration and harnessing the generosity and human empathy of our settled communities. After consultation and with the cooperation of the local media, we took an openly welcoming approach to the borough’s new citizens, who have gone on to contribute so much to the economy, culture and vibrancy of the borough over the last four decades.

Police 'call-in' of South Kilburn youth seen as threatening and undermining justice principles

The above letter written to some local young people by the Metropolitan Police Brent Borough Commander has unsurprisingly caused them and their parents considerable alarm as well as raising the issue of civil liberties and what appears to be an undermining of the principle of 'Innocent until proven guilty'.

Particularly disquieting is the last paragraph which appears to contain a threat of continuing police harassment if the recipient does not comply. It has also given rise to fears that this constitutes another example of racial profiling by the police when their are concerns about disproportionality regarding Stop and search in the local BME community (see table at the end of the article).

The apparently template letter contains no evidence that the recipient is involved in criminal activity.

The Guardian has covered the issue in detail LINK.  Cecil Gutzmore who attended the meeting as an observer from the London campaign Against police and State Violence said that the two recipients and their mothers who attended the meeting were 'very strong' and that the police conceded that the tone of the letter was wrong.

The Guardian article reports:

Roy Croasdaile, chairman of the Brent Stop and Search Monitoring Group, who saw the letter in advance, said he was not comfortable with its content, although he supported the meeting’s aim. “I was the first person to amend and send feedback from the young man I spoke to and [his] solicitors to the police with regard to the ambiguity and offence that was taken,” he said. 

“After all, it was meant to be an invitation to obtain support and was received as threatening. We have all learned lessons from this for the future and I would like to think that this will not be repeated.”

Croasdaile added that the two young men who did attend proved to be “the stars of the meeting”, making a big impact on how it progressed and engaging with the charitable groups that had come to help them

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said that the letter was deliberately strongly worded to ensure gang members were in no doubt about what awaited them if they continued with their 'current behaviour'.


Giovanna Midgeley of StopWatch said

It is bewildering that Brent police will be considering non-responses from households an admission of criminal activity. Guilt is proven by good police work, not by whether someone attends a meeting or not.

The 'call-in' strategy is similar to that used in the Operation Shield pilot in  Lambeth. A critique of the strategy has been submitted by the organisation London Against Police Violence and can be found HERE

From the Brent Stop and Search Equality impact Assessment: LINK

One month to comment on Old Oak-Park Royal Development objectives

The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) is consulting on the Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) Scoping Report for the forthcoming OPDC Local Plan.This huge development covers parts of the London boroughs of Ealing, Brent and Hammersmith and Fulham and includes issues concerning housing, transportation, air quality, sustainability, health and the local economy.

The IIA Scoping Report is now out for consultation and available for download from OPDC’s website. LINK

OPDC is also seeking comments on the Scoping Report from the public and other stakeholders.

Hard copies will be made available at the address below.

Please note all comments, suggestions and responses should reach OPDC by 5pm 9th October 2015 and be sent by email to info@opdc.london.gov.uk or by letter to:

Local Plan IIA Scoping Report Consultation
Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation
City Hall, The Queen's Walk,
London SE1 2AA

This extract gives a flavour of the ground to be covered:

OBJECTIVES

1.     To enhance the built environment and encourage ‘place-making’ 


2.     To optimise the efficient use of land through increased development densities and building heights, where appropriate 


3.     Maximise the reuse of previously developed land and existing buildings, including the remediation of contaminated land 


4.     Minimise the need to travel and improve accessibility for all users by public and non- motorised transportation methods 


5.     Improve access to well designed, well-located, market, affordable and inclusive housing of a range of types and tenures, to meet identified local needs 


6.     Improve climate change adaptation and mitigation, including minimising the risk of flooding and addressing the heat island effect 


7.     To minimise contributions to climate change through greater energy efficiency, generation and storage; and to reduce reliance on natural resources including fossil fuels for transport, heating and energy 


8.     To minimise production of waste across all sectors in the plan area, maximise efficiencies for transporting waste and increasing rates of re-use, recycling and recovery rates as well as composting of all green waste 


9.     Improve the quality of the water environment 


10. Create and enhance biodiversity and the diversity of habitats across the area and its surroundings 


11. To minimise air, noise and light pollution, particularly for vulnerable groups 


12. To conserve and, where appropriate, enhance, cultural heritage 


13. Increase community cohesion and reduce social exclusion 


14. Improve safety and reduce crime and the fear of crime 


15. Maximise the health and wellbeing of the population, reduce inequalities in health and promote healthy living 


16. To improve the education and skills levels of all members of the population, particularly vulnerable groups 
 

17. Maximise the social and economic wellbeing of the population and improve access to employment and training 


18.To encourage inward investment alongside investment within existing communities, to create sustainable economic growth.

 

Brent Council to debate call for Independent Inquiry into Rosemarie Clarke case on Monday

The Brent Conservative Group motion on the Rosemarie Clarke case has been redrafted LINK and accepted by Fiona Alderman Brent's Chief Legal officer. It will now be circulated for debate at Monday's Full Council Meeting (7pm Brent Civic Centre).

The motion now reads:

This Council agrees to an independent inquiry into all aspects of the Rosemarie Clarke Employment Tribunal case.

This Council agrees that the inquiry shall commence at the conclusion of the Tribunal remedy hearing.We further agree that the inquiry costs shall be funded from reserves and that the new Chief Executive shall be charged with setting up the inquiry panel.

The new Chief Executive will have overall responsibility for setting the terms of reference,but this Council agrees that the following questions will be included in the terms of reference.........

1.What was the rationale behind the Council initially bringing disciplinary action against the claimant and was it fair and reasonable?

2. Why did the Council pursue this matter so vigorously through the Tribunal......and was it fair and reasonable?

3. What part,if any ,did this case figure in the departure of senior management from Brent?

4. What were the financial arrangements behind the second respondent's departure from Brent,including any indemnity given in respect of Tribunal costs awarded specifically against the second respondent?

5. What role did Cllr. Butt play throughout this case?

6. What were the total costs in this case ......and was it a fair and reasonable way to spend Council taxpayer monies?

7. What reputational damage, if any, has this case done to Brent Council?

This Council believes that this is an important independent inquiry, and that both Brent Council staff and Brent residents would support such an inquiry.

Join Global Justice Now in Paris to demand system change

A message from Nick Dearden, Director of Global Justice Now

 This December, world leaders will be meeting in Paris to negotiate a new deal to “stop climate change”. With extreme weather conditions, such as droughts and floods, starting to hit across the globe, finding a solution is more important than ever.

Unfortunately, the climate negotiations in Paris are very unlikely to bring a solution to climate change. Over the past 20 years of climate talks, the fossil fuel lobby has successfully diluted targets and pushed for false solutions, like carbon trading and offsetting, which not only are ineffective at reducing emissions, but in fact increase the gap between rich and poor.

We believe that what is needed is system change, not climate change. This change will not be made by corporations or world leaders. Rather it will be made by us as a global movement of citizens, together with grassroots organisations. Paris offers the chance for us to gather and strengthen this movement, so that we are better able to fight for a world that isn’t defined by corporate interests with the control of resources concentrated in the hands of business elites.

If you are interested in joining us in Paris on December 12, please register here. You’ll be the first to know about our plans, and how to get tickets and accommodation.

And of course, there are lots of other ways to get involved. Find out more here

Paris is not going to bring a final solution to climate change. Instead we must make it the beginning of the end to corporate control of our energy.

EVEN MORE BRENT SCANDAL! - 'Worse than Kafka' claim by councillor

"This is surely worthy of the darkest Franz Kafka novel the verdict before the trial, but then again in even in Kafka they had the trial before the verdict."

Courtesy of a sympathetic informant with a conscience comes news of further efforts of Brent Council to control people. Now it is not just Philip Grant, and his efforts to get answers to the 'Two Questions' or the Brent Conservative Group attempting to get an inquiry into the Cara Davani case who are silenced, but a member of the Labour Group itself.

It appears that over the holiday the Labour Whip, Cllr Sandra Kabir, decided to take disciplinary action against Cllr John Duffy who, in a blog on Kilburn Calling and a letter to a local newspaper ,revealed that without his intervention Brent Council would have lost council taxpayers £500,000. LINK

The allegation is that Cllr Kabir summoned Cllr Duffy to a meeting while he was on holiday and because he didn't attend went on to take unilateral action.

Duffy wrote to her:

"Since you have not confirmed your availability for this morning's meeting, you have either not returned from holiday or have decided not to respond" Yes Cllr Kabir you were right I was on holiday,  therefore I did not respond. You then went on to say "Over this long week-end I shall email you the action I am taking in respect to your unacceptable behaviour and conduct over the past fifteen months" therefore you have come to a conclusion about your  basis opinion of my behaviour without any  defence from me or even telling me what  the allegations were.

Duffy, with long experience in politics, clearly saw red when confronted with this on his return from holiday.  He wrote to colleagues in the Labour Group enclosing copies of the email exchange. It appears that he has sympathisers in the group  as well as officers but whether they will openly support him, given the current atmposphere, in a group meeting  is another matter. This is what he told members of the group in an email:

Dear, All,

 

I was happily enjoying myself over the summer in Turkey laying in the sun,visiting place of historical interest, eating lots of food etc.

 

While I was away bothering no-one minding my own business and everybody else was playing cricket. It seems the Chief Whip was hatching a plan. Last night she informed the group she had tried to contact me on several occasions for a meeting.This is untrue, she sent me these two notes ( attached at the bottom) in the last few days while I was on holiday,which I opened over the weekend on my return from holiday.

 

I am of course willing to have a meeting with Cllr Kabir providing a regional officer is in attendance, so we can discuss other elements of the treatment I have been recieving from the cabinet members  and the leadership. 

 

For instance

 

(1) Where did my missing nomination for the Tricycle Theatre go to after Cllr Thomas saw it.

 

(2) Why she changed the date of the full council meeting in November last year. the regional office are already aware and wrote to the leader of the council and the chief whip with their concern about their shenanigans ) to try and ensure me and Zaffar were removed from the council causing unnecessary By-elections.The chief whip was fully aware of this but chose not to inform me which would have meant me being disbarred.It was only that an officer alerted me  ( yes lots of them like me) became he was concerned that I was not beening informed  by her about the consequences of the change .It was only after  this officer alerted me I contacted the regional office who intervened saying they would take legal action against the Council. I am not aware of any other occasion where the National Labour Party had to threaten a Labour council with legal action. I will seek a full explanation from her why she decided not to inform me of the consequences of the change of date of the meeting, when she was fully aware and the concern it would have cause the Labour Party forcing two unnecessary  by-elections. I am also asking for the release of all letters sent to the Leader of the council /chief whip about this issue by the Labour Party legal department be released to me.

 

(5) Why did she removed me from all committees, knowing that because I am a trustee on a International Aids awareness charity I cannot always attend all full council meetings on Mondays, therefore because I am not a name sub on any committee, I am unable to sub at any meetings to ensure that I have attended the required number of meetings in a six month period. 

 

(6) When was the preparation for the removal of my name from the "All Labour Councillor" list done (clearly in expectation of the result of the Kangaroo court) and by whom.

 

(7) What are the allegations against me? I am puzzled what the charges/allegations are other than I have voiced my concern about the way we have made more cuts than the Tories forced us to do, I have never broke the whip, I have never leaked any internal information .So I hope she will provide her allegations to me in WRITING, so I may defend myself.

 

The emails below from Cllr Kabir are not only confrontational she has already come to a predetermined conclusion of my guilt . It is because of  the tone of her emails and the preemptive removal of my name from the all Labour Councillors list,  I have taken advise and decided not to attend any meeting with Cllr Kabir until she issues her allegations in writing so I can prepare myself and also I request we agree on someone who is independent (a back bencher) is present to witness the procedure.

 

As a active trade -unionist all of my adult life and  I have seen many disciplinary cases where the allegation have been proven or unproven.However I have never  seen a disciplinary take place , where there are no allegations, no hearing just a predetermined  judgement and a recommendation  from the Judge Cllr Kabir.This is surely worthy of the darkest Franz Kafka novel the verdict before the trial, but then again even in Kafka they had the trial before the verdict.

 

So bearing in mind the predetermine emails from the chief-whip, the question is should a kangaroo  turn-up at a kangaroo court,to hear his sentence without knowing the charge only knowing the Judge has already come to her view. 

Well the answer is no I will not attend this spurious  trial  until regional office have confirmed that she has followed the correction proceedures I believe Cllr Kabir does not understand  the meaning of justice and the fact that she thinks her verdict comes before the trial not the other way  around is very disturbing .This  may be inconvenient for her and other members of the cabinet and leadership (you know that old chestnut innocent till proven guilty ) but its a basic right, which I hope all backbencher and other democrats would all support. 

 

I am totally confident that her recommendation as they were made without any hearing of my case will be thrown out by the Regional Office.

It seems to me that the Labour Regional Office adding this to their own disquiet over the Zaffar Kalwala case, might end up mounting their own inquiry into Brent Labour Group and its leadership.

Let's pause and consider an alternative vision for education before the system imprisons us for another year

Children and teachers returned to school this week with both facing the narrow concept of education now embodied in the high stakes testing regime imposed by successive governments.

Before they and parents are captured by the system for another year I recommend viewing this Al Jazeera interview with Sir Ken Robinson. Wide ranging and at time very personal it gives much food for thought.

Another education system is possible.

Cricklewood Green Space pulled from Monday's Barnet Committee Agenda

Following a request from Cllrs Shimon Ryde and Peter Zinkin (Conservatives, Childs Hill) Deputy Barnet Council Leader Daniel Thomas has announced that the item will no longer be discussed at Monday's Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee.

This is likely to be a delay, rather than abandonment of the scheme.

One resident commented that this gave councillors more time to 'pretend to care', but protesters are likely to make the most of the delay to step up their campaign.

Meanwhile the proposal to build on the green space outside B&Q received front page treatment  today in the Brent and Kilburn Times.

See full story on Kilburn Times website LINK