Tuesday 27 December 2016

Poignant end for the blasted oak of Barn Hill


I came across this rather sad sight on Barn Hill today and a couple stopped to talk about what used to be the 'Hollow Tree' or 'Blasted Oak' well known to locals and walkers.

The oak, hollowed out by a lightning stroke with a sooty interior where children could stand, has been hanging on to life for years, but must have been deemed unsafe. The couple's children had played in and around the tree as had many primary classes I take to the park in my work with Brent School Without Walls. The tree had a fairy story quality that immediately attracted children and stimulated many speculative questions and comments.

The sight of the felled remains of the tree was strangely moving, the end of a venerable oak that had been there for well over 100 years, and a marker of the passage of time and final, inevitable, decay.



Note: The oak was beside the footpath at the Beverly Gardens end of Barn Hill.  There is another on the other side of Fryent Country Park at Beane Hill.

Friday 23 December 2016

Another battle between Harrow School and locals comes to a head next month


I have reported the battle between local people in Harrow and Harrow School over the school's plans to build on Metropolitan Open Land and spoil views of the Hill LINK but the school and locals are enaged in another battle, which started in 2003, and is due to come to a head next month.

There is to be three day Harrow School Footpaths Diversion Inquiry at Harrow Civic Centre from January 17th to January 19th 2016 by the Planning Inspectorate where evidence from the public and the school will be heard.

The conflict was reported by The Guardian in 2011 LINK and this extract summarises the issue quite well:
The extraordinary row, which threatens to end in court, stems from a multimillion-pound development of the school's facilities eight years ago when, next to a running track and an extended sports centre, two all-weather pitches were built. At the time, it was agreed by the Ramblers Association – erroneously, it now claims – that the pitches could be put on top of the old pathway as long as an alternative route was created.

But the alternative path, known as a permissive path because its continued existence is at the whim of the school, has now been deemed unacceptable by local walkers. Legally, because it does not follow the route of the old path, the right for people to walk on the new path could be summarily removed with six months' notice, it says.

And because the path circumvents the school's pitches, it has extended what was a gentle stroll across the grounds into a trek. "The permissive path probably pretty well doubles the distance of when you enter the playing fields to when you leave the playing fields," said Graham Wright, the Ramblers Association's local footpath secretary. "These people actually want to get to Harrow, they don't want to walk that extra bit and in some ways they are not having the beauty of Harrow Hill.

"The proper path has the views of St Mary's church and Harrow Hill as you walk, whereas when you do the permissive path you are looking towards Northwick Park hospital and Watford Road. It's not quite the same."

The Ramblers Association says that a small path between the two all-weather pitches should be opened up to the public to resurrect the old path. But the school, which charges up to £30,000 a year per pupil in fees, is not budging, prompting accusations of "arrogance" from some quarters.
The school's application, which includes allegations of dog excrement on the fields and the public wandering off the path can be found HERE

Good news for Preston Library but long-term arrangements still to be agreed





The video above shows, as background to the talk,  how Preston Library campaigners have created a professional looking community library in the building that Brent Council closed down. They are now looking forward to discussing the long-term future of the library with councillors and officers after their licence to use the building was extended until at least the end of July 2017. One area of uncertainty is whether the Council will keep their promise of making the premises rent-free. Without that undertaking the future of the library is in doubt.

The lead member for Stronger Communities, which covers libraries, is now Cllr Tom Miller.

There is an extra film show at the library tomorrow at 2pm (doors open 1.45pm). The film is a U certificate with a Christmas theme. 

After this the library takes a break re-opening on Wednesday January 4th.

Last chance for truly unique opportunity to give political advice to Brent Labour Group

There is just over a week left to apply for the challenging job of Political Assistant to the Brent Labour Group.  The post is recommended to any person able to ride several horses, galloping in several different directions, at once.

POLITICAL ASSISTANT TO THE LABOUR GROUP LINK

Salary range: £33,660 - £36,558 p.a. inc.
Contract: Fixed term (Contracted until May 2018, with the possibility to extend)
Hours of work: 36 hours per week
Location: Civic Centre and other locations from time to time

This is an exciting, high profile opportunity to work at the cutting edge of local government for an innovative local authority.  

Brent is a tremendously vibrant London borough where the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium dominates the skyline. Spanning both inner and outer London, it is a borough of huge contrasts in terms of its economic, environmental, ethnic and social make up. Brent’s diversity is evident to all who visit our borough and our long history of ethnic and cultural diversity has created a place that is truly unique and valued by those who live and work here.

The council is pursuing a far-reaching transformation agenda that better meets the needs of our community so it is an exciting time to join us.

The Post


The Labour Group is looking for experience in working – paid or unpaid – in a political environment, a professional approach with the organisational skills to deal with shifting priorities. You will need to demonstrate your awareness of new legislation and political developments (local, regional and national) with particular reference to the Labour Party.


This post is politically restricted* and will be offered in line with current legislation governing Political Assistant Posts. This is a temporary role to May 2018.

As the Group’s Political Assistant you will be carrying out a range of interesting duties including:
  • undertaking political research in Council matters
  • assisting with the composition and issuing of press releases
  • attending Labour Group meetings to provide information and advice to Council Members
  • liaising with Members of Parliament and Officers of the Council


The Person


Ideally, you will be a member of the Labour Party and have:

  • research/administrative experience
  • experience of dealing with public bodies or political organisations
  • a good knowledge of Council political structure and public affairs
  • good interpersonal skills and organisational skills
  • good computer skills including word processing, spread sheets, database and desk top publishing
  • the ability to work under pressure as part of a team as well as use your own initiative


Closing Date: 2 January 2016 (23:59)
Assessment & Interview Date: w/c 9 January 2016

*Although the advertisement says the post is politically restricted this appears on the job description LINK:

DBS Status

Not Required

Politically Restricted

No


Thursday 22 December 2016

Circle: the free London safety app - download here



From London Councils

Circle is the free, must-have safety app for Londoners. It’s the easiest way to stay safe and connected to your nearest and dearest in and around the city. Simply check-in with friends at the touch of a button, letting them know you’re okay or that you need a little help.
This handy app is packed with other useful resources too, like emergency contact numbers and directions to your closest Safety Spot. So whether you’re out dating, dancing or dining in this great city, you can live London connected with your Circle of friends.
Features on Circle include:
  • Add friends from your contact list
  • Send messages at the touch of a button
  • Find your closest Safety Spot
Download now for free:

Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge

Brent House sold to Genesis Housing for £76 million

Brent House last week
Proposed development

Locals have noticed some work going on at Brent House, High Road, Wembley, recently. The office blocks were sold to Henley Homes by Brent Council for around £10 million in 2014 LINK

Yesterday Henley Homes announced that they had completed sale of the site, to include construction of 248 apartments and c6,000 square feet of retail space, to Genesis Housing. 30% of the apartments will be 'affordable' (up to 80% of market rents?)

Construction will be by Reis Construct, the construction arm of Henley Homes.

The blocks will be 7-10 storeys high, considerably lower than other recent planning applications in the area.  There will be further development of the High Road to the north on the Ark Elvin High School  frontage as well as the rebuild of the secondary school itself and the extension of Elsley Primary School currently under way.

The new blocks with Ark Elvin (formerly Copland) High Schoolon the right
Some of the property press have mistakely reported the sale as that of Brent Town Hall, which is of course now the Lycee International de Londres Winston Churchill.

The full extent of the new build (High Road at top of the picture) can be seen in this architect's drawing:


More details on the architect's website HERE

Demolition and build will start in the new year.

Jeremy Stibbe, Genesis Housing Association Executive Director of Assets and Investment said:
  We’re delighted that works for this exciting project will soon be getting underway and look forward to working closely with Henley Homes as the plans take shape. 


The new properties built at Brent House will play a key role in helping Genesis deliver on our ambitions to invest in 1,000 homes a year.  Genesis is the largest housing association landlord in Brent so we will be channelling this experience into creating a vibrant new mixed tenure community delivering affordability and opportunity for customers at the heart of the borough.

Wednesday 21 December 2016

Political Literacy – An end to apathy?

Matteo Bergamini of Shout Out UK

The need for political education is an issue that has become more pressing as a result of the events of 2016 both here and in the US.  In this guest blog Matteo Bergamini outlines the case for Political Literacy.


It has been an incredible year for politics. Pre-2016 we had the first coalition government to grace No.10 since the Second World War; we have witnessed the utter obliteration of the third largest party in the UK, the Liberal Democrats who, in 2015 shrank into irrelevance. We also witnessed the resurgence of the great left and right debate with the growth or right wing movements like UKIP and the rise of Jeremy Corbyn. This year alone, we saw two incredible anti-establishment votes, with Britain deciding to leave the European Union and Donald Trump being elected as the next US president, both occurring after two tumultuous campaigns. The referendum had a profound effect on the country and us, the British People. Yet were we qualified to make such a decision?

We live in a society where the majority of people gain their political information from their parents, whom vote Labour or Conservative because of their out of date belief in what the parties stood for years ago, the media, and vote due to vague social customs. Politics unfortunately has remained the playground of the financially better off and while the sons and daughters of the higher echelons of society are educated in politics, the rest of us are not, creating a division, which can be seen when looking at the background of MPs and the ever expanding Oxbridge bubble in Parliament.

Yet, the issue becomes bigger because everyone in our democracy is entitled to a vote, hence, the divide not only secures the political industry for the elite, but it also lets loose a very politically illiterate populace during elections and referendums, leaving us vulnerable to decisions fuelled by misinformation, media spins, and ignorance. It is clear that this can't carry on if we wish to have and continue to hold on to a healthy democracy. The real issue here is a lack of political education in all but the top end schools.

From my experience, people, especially young people, are interested in politics, but lack an understanding due to this society-induced ignorance. Currently, we assume that once we hit 18 years of age we suddenly become enlightened with all the political knowledge one needs to vote and engage. Of course, this not the case, it needs to be taught and understood in school as a compulsory subject. We treat English and Maths in very high regard, as two of the most important subjects. However, the one subject that allows us to be who we want to be, gives us a voice and creates a society we wish to live in, we give no time to in schools.

The issue is that political literacy would give us, the next generation, a clear understanding of what politics is, how our society works and why voting is relevant and important. There have been some incredible initiatives recently by the UK government around voter registration and getting young people to vote. Yet, screaming at us to vote without telling us why or how society and politics works seems a little premature. Like asking someone to run a marathon before being able to walk. You can't get an entire generation mobilized without first giving them the instruments to understand the system they are supposed to be influencing.

We, Shout Out UK, aim to combat this, and this year we launched our course entitled Political Literacy. The course aims to get more young people interested and engaged in Politics, by teaching them about the processes in Politics, public speaking and debating. The young people we taught were more engaged and passionate about politics because they were taught it, they understand it now and even more important than that was longevity, they stuck with it rather than being involved sporadically over the course of one election or referendum. Politics takes times and only when you are taught this, will you have the patience to stomach it.

Roisin Murray a Teacher at Bentley Wood High School, Harrow, said,  “Understanding Politics is key to understanding how society works. Shout Out UK’s Political Literacy Course supports students in developing their political awareness so they can take a more active role in society. After sitting in on several lessons with Shout Out UK and our students, I can honestly say it has been a fantastic opportunity for our students to develop their knowledge and awareness of current affairs as well as their ability to speak in public, debate and present a discussion coherently. This has also helped students to develop their self-esteem and confidence.”

Maybe it’s time we look at the issue seriously, rather than just around elections and referendums. The issue is not apathy itself, it’s why apathy happens. Apathy amongst young people happens because the system has become so complex, that people no longer understand it and so get frustrated by it. We must give schools the tools necessary to deal with this issue because no matter how many times you scream at someone to vote, if that person does not understand the system or why you should vote, he or she will never be engaged in the long run, even though they may vote the one time you asked them to.

It’s the modern equivalent to the old proverb, 'give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, but teach a man to fish and you feed him for a life time'. In a similar fashion, if we ask them to vote, they will do it once before getting bored or disillusioned, but if we give them the tools to understand the system they will remain engaged for a life time.

About the Author: Matteo Bergamini

Matteo Bergamini is a multi-award winning entrepreneur and political literacy activist. He has a degree in Politics & History, as well as a Graduate Diploma in Law from the University of Brunel. He has worked on a number of projects from the Channel 4 Youth Leaders’ Debate to the creation of a Political Literacy Course, accredited by AQA. An avid promoter of political discourse and literacy amongst young people, he was invited to become a fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce for his work in encouraging political education amongst young people.

This year, Shout Out UK launched their AQA endorsed political literacy course to local schools in order to better educate young people in politics and encourage a longstanding interest and understanding politics. The course covers British Politics, International Relations as well as Employability. If you would like more information on the course please visit: http://www.shoutoutuk.org/political-literacy-course/  

Tuesday 20 December 2016

Shama Tatler appointed to Brent Cabinet Regeneration post

Rather oddly the above popped up on the Brent Council website before any public announcement.

Cllr Tatler replaces Cllr Roxanne Mashari in what many see as potentially the most powerful Cabinet post given the multi-million development projects in Wembley and Kilburn.

Tatler's back ground is in education and this is the area that brings her most passionate contributions to Council meetings.  Previously she has been tipped for the children and families portfolio.  The present children and families post-holder is Cllr Wilhelmina Mitchell Murry who is currently relieved of the post. Council leader Muhammed Butt is currently managing the statutory element of the position.

A well-placed source suggested that two other councillors were offered the post, but turned it down, before Cllr Tatler accepted it.

Observers are puzzled that the 'hugely experienced' Aslam Choudry has been over-looked while others thought that Cllr Sabina Khan's business background made her a contender for the employment and skills aspects of the Regeneration portfolio.