Haringey Council's subsidy to Spurs revealed as Brent Council leader meets concerned residents

Wembley Champions, the residents and small businesses umbrella group that fought against the 'Twin Towers' that is to replace Chesterfield House at the junction of Park Lane and Wembley High Road and also opposed the increase in full capacity events at Wembley Stadium, are to meet with the leader of the Council and senior officers about their concerns about developments in Wembley with a vew to a public meeting later. LINK

Wembley high rise building from the stadium ramp

 Meanwhile Spurs has been given an extension of the deadline to sign up for the Wembley Stadium and must now agree the deal by April 30th. Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy, has suggested that due to delays in getting the construction of the new Spurs stadium underway that the team may play their home games at White Hart Lane next season.  Chelsea waits in the wings...

During the planning application debate the applicants stressed the financial advantage to local businesses of more high capacity events (not shared by the High Road Business Association) and there were suggestions that the deal would also be advantageous to the Council and thus to council tax payers.

However a Freedom of Information request to Haringey Council suggests that the traffic is not all one way LINK:

Public Subsidy to Tottenham Hotspur:

In February 2012, Cabinet approved a £27m Funding and Investment Package for North Tottenham. The funding comprised of £18m of funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA) and £9m funding from the council. This included a decision to allocate £8m of funding for ‘public realm and heritage improvements’ linked to the Northumberland Development Project (the new stadium and associated development currently underway by Tottenham Hotspur) scheme.

Via a Cabinet Member Decision to be taken in April 2017, we will be seeking approval to enter into formal grant agreements with THFC to contribute £7.5m (£500,000 of the £8m funding has previously been used to contribute to the North Tottenham Heritage Initiative) for the public realm and heritage improvement works Tottenham Hotspur Football Club (THFC) will be undertaking as part of the NDP scheme.

Since February 2012, the Council has also undertaken the following funding transactions with THFC:

§  £32,898 to THFC for services such as room hire
§  £644,215 to the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation (THFC’s charitable
foundation)  for the delivery of programmes relating to health, social
care, community development, education and employment
§  £4,000 to Tottenham Hotspur Ladies Football Club for sports and activity programmes

You can access a copy of the original 2012 Cabinet report in the Cabinet meeting pack here:
[1]http://www.minutes.haringey.gov.uk/docum...
The report specific to the funding package for Tottenham Hotspur can be found on page 143 of the document (page 149 of the pdf)

Brent Civic Centre 'vanity' road cracking up

-->

Former Liberal Democrat councillor and council leader, Paul Lorber, has written to Brent Council drawing attention to the deterioration in the paved road outside the £100,000,000 Brent Civic Centre:

I note that the very expensive section of the 'paved' road on the approach to and outside the Civic Centre is crumbling away and in a very poor state.

Clearly the type of paved surface was totally unsuitable in a busy location where there is substantial and on going builder lorries traffic.

Can you confirm who advised on the design, type of materials used and the cost of the road. Can you then investigate whether the contractors responsible can be brought back to upgrade the road at their expense.

Finally in view if the fact that local residents are having asphalt imposed on them ( in place if perfectly good and repairable) paving slabs (Medway Gardens at a cost of £172,000 and others) can you confirm if the useless modular road blocks in the area outside of the Civic Centre will now be ripped up and also replaced with asphalt and at what cost.

Brent Council Highways and Infrastructure Service responded:

The choice of materials specified for the raised table was discussed with the manufacturer prior to construction. The manufacturer confirmed that the materials specified were suitable for the level of forecast traffic. This included very deep (150mm)  black granite setts on the main part of the table to ensure maximum durability. The specification for the road construction of the table was based on a drawing provided by URS Infrastructure and Environment UK Limited. URS were the engineering consultants working at the time with the Civic Centre architects and had been tasked with preparing the detailed design of the raised table which was then taken forward by council officers.  The road construction included the provision of a new concrete slab, the depth of which was determined by standard CBR testing carried out by the Council’s contractor ConwayAecom. A high strength mortar was also specified to provide maximum support and strength to the paved carriageway surface.

We are aware of the  condition of the paved section of the road outside the civic centre, which in some areas has got worse over the winter. We are commissioning  investigations, including a Ground Penetrating Radar Survey, to ascertain the cause or causes of the problem prior to formulating solutions for permanent repairs. Whether the problem turns out to be a construction or a design problem, or a mixture of both,  we will be talking to our contractor about how to put it right. However under the contract, the “defects period” is 12 months and as the paved area construction was completed in 2013 , the “contractual guarantee” period for the work has long since expired. Nevertheless and depending on what we find, we are expecting the contractor to be accountable  for any issues for which they are responsible.

Until the investigations are complete and the solutions formulated we are not in a position to estimate the cost of the repairs.

Lorber replied:

Can you please confirm the cost of the surveys/investigations you refer to and who will pay for them.

If any remedial repairs have been carried since 2013 please advise on the total cost too.

My primary concerns are simple.

1. The road outside the Civic Centre was not built to a standard construction using normal materials. It was a special and a very expensive road.

2. The road surface has clearly failed and will be very expensive to repair and to maintain in the future.

3. Why is the road simply not dug up and replaced with normal asphalt/tarmac material?

4. I ask because ripping up paving slabs and replacing them with asphalt is now the recommended officer solution to pavement issues in residential streets - as evidenced by our continuing exchanges about Medway Gardens in Sudbury.

5. If the solution - taken in cost grounds (which I have challenged) is being forced through in Medway Gardens (despite local residents opposition) why is the same 'cost effective' solution not being pursued in the case of the road outside the Civic Centre?

It was a 'vanity' project and a very expensive road in the first place but since taxpayers money is at stake why are the same policies and approach being pursued in this case as are being forced through against the wishes of local people in other areas?

Perhaps the Chief Executive as Head of Service will respond to this apparent inconsistency and issue appropriate instruction.

Vital Deeds missing as proposals made for new build at John Perrin Place

Brent Council's plans to build additional housing on Brent Housing Partnership estates have run into trouble with tenants on John Perrin Place on Preston Hill.

BHP and developer JLL are consulting on proposals to build on the site of garages on the estate (Site A above)  and on a stretch of hedgerow that borders Preston Hill (Site B). Residents say that BHP has not actively encouraged use of the garages by tenants and claim the hedgerow shelters the estate from air pollution and traffic noise. Furthermore, residents point out, as can be seen on site, Site B has a complex sewage/drainage system beneath it and the adjacent brook is liable to flooding.

Garage site (A) - proposed part2/part 3 storey building with 1 one bedroom and 3 two bedroomed flats

Hedgerow site (B) Verge mostly retained, hedgerow replaced by two semi-detached houses

The brook where it borders site B

Planning permission may not be straightforward as Brent Council claims to have lost the Deed of Trust, dated January 1950 with a Deed of Assent dated 14th July 1958, which was drawn up when the land was handed over to what was then the Borough of Wembley by farmer John Perrin for a recreation ground.  It is registered as a charity (12th January 1967) registration number 302938.

The charity's object is:

A recreation ground of the public in such manner and subject to such regulations in all respects as the Mayor, Alderman and Burgesses of the Borough of Wembley may from time to time think proper.

This is pretty broad and residents fear, if a precedent is set by acceptance of these proposals, that the attractive open space (presumably the original 'recreation ground') may eventually be built on.

The only trustee listed on the Charity Commission site is Mr Martin Cheeseman, previously Head of Housing for Brent Council, with the address given as Mahatma Gandhi House.

John Perrin Place has 82 properties of which about 26 are leasehold and the others rented from BHP. The residents association say that the housing, mainly one bedroomed flats, was designated for people aged over 55 and for vulnerable adults. They fear that their small community is threatened not only by disruption caused by building works and loss of green space but by the eventual loss of its special designation. According to the residents' association many members of the community are elderly and not fluent in English so have not fully understood the proposals. This makes the effectiveness of future communication very important.

View along Preston Hill

This is what Barnhill ward councillor Michael Pavey wrote in his Newsletter earlier this year:

Since the day I was first elected, far more people have contacted me regarding housing than any other issue. Families living in overcrowded conditions, people working full time but still unable to afford their housing costs, squalid conditions in privately rented accommodation: London faces a housing crisis.

The only solution is to build more homes. But where? No-one wants to lose greenspaces, we need industrial land to generate jobs and we can’t let London sprawl endlessly into the countryside. This leaves “in-fill” sites: small pockets of land in developed areas. And that’s exactly what’s being proposed at a couple of sites just off Preston Hill.

Myself and Cllrs Choudhary and Marquis can see both sides to this issue. On the one hand, these plans will deliver six desperately needed new Council homes. On the other hand, the proposed sites are in John Perrin Place: a quiet and peaceful community with many elderly residents.

With the arguments so finely balanced we are adamant that the views of local residents are heard loud and clear. So we arranged for the Council to have a consultation session and we knocked on every door in the area to encourage residents to get involved.

It was great to talk with so many people and currently I’m thinking that the huge benefits of the new homes outweigh the undoubtedly negative impact of the construction period – but I’d very much welcome your views before I commit either way.

Update on Labour selections for Brent Council 2018 elections

Wembley Central selected: Wilhelmina Mitchell Murray, Luke Patterson, Krupa Sheth

Willesden Green selected: Fleur Donnelly Jackson, Lesley Jones, Tom Miller

Alperton selected: James Allie, Bhagwani Chohan, Trupti Sangani

Do you want to find out more about Wembley Park's fascinating history? - Tomorrow Wembley Library

From Brent Culture

Join us for this free session that will explore the history of Wembley Park through maps pictures and objects from Brent’s Museum and Archives - items we will look at include some amazing aerial photographs of the stadium from the 1930s.

We’ll be looking at the exciting transformation of Wembley Park, from the stately home to stadium, along the way we will be taking in the pleasure gardens of the 1890s and the British Empire Exhibition of 1924.

Come to History of Wembley Park and discover more about this unique corner of London.

 

Wednesday 5 April, 6.30-7.30pm.  Wembley Library, Brent Civic Centre

A great eating place in Chalkhill, Wembley

A few years ago such a claim would have been met with disbelief but the Lounge Cafe at Chalkhill Community Centre has joined the amazing new Chalkhill Park (oposite the cafe),  the popular and high-achieving Chalkhill Primary School and the diverse local community in challenging the negative stereotypes that used to be attached to the Chalkhill Estate.

Maria Kuehen, Director of the Lounge Cafe says:

This is a second cafe, the first being in Kilburn which has received a Good Food Award (out of half a million food businesses we were one of 160 to achieve this) and also The Time Out Best Cafe 2105. 

Our philosophy is simple. We prepare everything on a daily basis. We make all our soups and specials, have an eclectic breakfast and brunch menu and have an 'ask and we will do our best' policy. 

My food blog mindingbellieswell.blogspot.co.uk has 500 entries which include local restaurant reviews and hundreds of recipes. 

I have also started my programme "Walk, Talk, Fork' at the cafe, aimed at individuals who want to better their health through exercise and healthy cooking lessons. 

People are welcome to book the cafe for an event, a lunch or dinner party as well and we also cater for take out food.

The Cafe is rapidly building a reputation beyond Wembley but retains its community feeling. A recent reviewer on Trip Advisor said LINK:

Of course, it's the first place you'd think of to go and have a good breakfast, not! I mean, c'mon, it's a café in a Community Health Centre. Who wants to eat in those sort of places? Well, put your pre-conceived ideas aside and check it out. Heard of hidden gems? Read on..

Light and airy space with fresh flowers on the table. Good menu choice and reasonably priced. Service was warm, welcoming and attentive. We had breakfast; smoked salmon and scrambled egg on toast for my partner and for me, breakfast burrito. Both delicious.

After settling our bill, and the owner realising we weren't locals, she took great interest in to what our plans were and also gave us a number of her personal recommendations as to where to eat in Central London. That's engaging.

We left very satisfied and what a lovely start to the day.

Visited March 2017

Here is the menu but remember the 'ask and we will do our best' policy:

Lounge Cafe, Chalkhill Community Centre, 113 Chalkhill Road, HA9 9FX  Tel:  07790 506609

Nearest station Wembley Park (Met and Jubilee) 83, 182, 206, 297 buses alight at station or 245 alight at ASDA.

Great Tricycle events at Yellow Pavilion today and tomorrow

The Tricycle Theatre is reaching out into various venues around the borough as part of their #Takeover2017 Mapping Brent activity.

These are the events taking place at the Yellow Pavilion, Engineers Way, Wembley Park

Culture Clash
Venue: Yellow Pavilion, Engineers Way, Wembley Park, HA9 0EG
Monday 3 April, 18.00 – 19.00
Suitable for all ages

Musicians, dancers and singers from Brent representing different backgrounds, ethnicities and nationalities are collaborating for the Tricycle Theatre’s Culture Clash. Through their art, different groups will come together for Takeover 2017 to create new pieces of work. Featuring the renowned St Michael’s and All Angels Steel orchestra’, Armenian and Bollywood dancers it is not to be missed.

 BOOK TICKETS

---

Puppetry Workshop
Venue: Yellow Pavilion, Engineers Way, Wembley Park, HA9 0EG
Tuesday 4 April, 10.00 – 12.00
Suitable for all ages.

Harlesden’s Mahogany Carnival Designs is offering a workshop for Brent’s budding puppeteers. For 90 minutes you will learn how to wield and move with exciting, unique and colourful designs. By the end of the session you’ll be ready to perform with professionals! Mahogany has performed at numerous events such as the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations and has contributed to BBC commissioned events.

 BOOK TICKETS

---

Mapping Futures: A Q&A about Creativity in Brent
Venue: Yellow Pavilion, Engineers Way, Wembley Park, HA9 0EG
Tuesday 4 April, 15.30 – 16.30
Suitable for all ages.

An opportunity for Brent’s youth to come together and discuss creativity and exploration, express opinions and ideas, in order to look at how they can build and better themselves whilst also changing their communities. With a panel including Brent Youth Parliament representative Dilan Dattani and Authors of the Estate poet Andre Anderson as well as local business owners and prominent figures, this promises to be an engaging and inspiring event.

 BOOK TICKETS

---

Mariah Idrissi: Talk and Q&A
Venue: Yellow Pavilion, Engineers Way, Wembley Park, HA9 0EG
Tuesday 4 April, 17.30 – 18.30
Suitable for all ages.

A talk and Q&A with Brent resident and former Tricycle Youth Theatre member Mariah Idrissi. Mariah is known for being the first hijab-wearing model to be featured in a campaign for H&M, and is also signed to ‘Select’ model management. The discussion will focus on Mariah’s life, achievements and obstacles she has faced, followed by a Q&A session with the audience.

 BOOK TICKETS

---

Wembley Lycee restores memorial gardens

The Lycee Internnational de Londres LINK which now occupies the former Brent (and previously to that Wembley) Town Hall had been criticised by locals for the neglect of the former municipal gardens in front of the building LINK but now seem to have taken action.  The gardens include a number of memorial trees, some to former councillors and others to major world events. Memorials to the latter have been incorporated into the formal garden next to Brent Civic Centre.

Although  the planting of privet around the perimer of the gardens and the restoration of flower beds to grass may have been done by professional gardeners some of the planting appears to have been done by Lycee students.  Their action is a welcome recognition of local sensitivities.

The Holocaust

Hiroshima

Abolition of Slave Trade

40 years of Peace in Europe