School funding crisis - headteachers issue campaign video

'The United States and Britain – a dangerously special relationship' Meeting Monday May 8th

From Brent Stop the War

British Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson was recently told not to go to Russia by Donald Trump: even the normally pro-government Economist was enraged by this humiliation LINK.

Everyone can see that British Government foreign policy is being decided by a volatile and reckless Trump administration with untold consequences for the whole world. 

Speaker:  Stephen Bell, former head of policy at the Communication Workers Union and Treasurer of Stop the War

 Monday, May the 8^th at 7.30pm

 Brent Trades Hall (London Apollo Club) 375 High Rd, Willesden, NW10 2JR

[Close to Willesden Bus Garage, buses 6,52,98,226,260,266,302,460, and just five minutes’ walk from Dollis Hill Jubilee Line station]

Brent Education Question Time will tackle a vital election issue

I welcome the holding of Education Question Time at Queens Park Community School on May 26th. Education ought to be a central issue in this General Election with schools in Brent and elsewhere facing a substantial cut in funding which could lead to the cutting of teacher and teaching assistant posts, increases in class sizes, reduced resources and the narrowing of the curriculum.

This is not all - government policies and soaring house prices have caused a crisis in the recruitment and retention of teachers and schools are having to advertise for new headteachers several times over. The stress of high stakes testing not only hits teachers but also pupils with the mental health of our young people a particular concern.

It is significant that the Brent Central meeting has been organised by parent campaigners, teaching and support staff, all speaking with one voice about their concerns.

Beyond the immediate crisis are issues to do with nature of education itself: whether the government 'reforms' to the curriculum and examination system, are of any relevance to the rapidly changing technological world that our children are growing up in as well as the context of accelerating climate change and over-consumption. Does memorising for examinations contribute anything to the creativity, flexibility, teamwork and resilience that will be required in the 2030s and 40s?

You can find out how much each of our local schools stands to lose at this website LINK

STPs - throw a spanner in the works by supporting this legal challenge fundraiser

From Stop the Sustainability & Transformation Plans
 
The NHS must continue to provide comprehensive healthcare to everyone who needs it.
We are challenging the legality of new fixed, restricted NHS and social care budgets that cover an area’s whole population but won’t meet the public’s needs.

The fundraising page is here: http://bit.ly/999JudicialReview

Please give what you can. Every penny counts and we are so grateful for any donations. And only £135 to go to our initial target.

Please keep sharing and explaining to friends and family the importance of getting behind this campaign.

The lawyers are with us, the people at CROWDJUSTICE love our case. And we are glad to know we have public support in this big step forward.

We will keep you posted as the case develops, and will be updating and expanding the case information on our websites.

www.stopthestps.org.uk and www.999callfornhs.org.uk

New Falls and Bone Health service in Brent

There’s a new Brent Falls and Bone Health service available across the borough. The service is commissioned by Brent CCG and run by Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust (CLCH).
It supports people at risk of falls by helping them to maintain active, independent lives.
The new service went live on 3 April 2017 and focuses on:

• the cause of a patient’s falls,
• assessing their home environment,
• developing an action plan to help prevent falls in the future and
• group exercise and education classes.

The team can be contacted by emailing clcht.BrentFalls@nhs.net or by phoning 0300 555 8889. Service and referral details are also available on the CLCH website. 

Brent Green Party reveals its General Election candidates

Shaka Lish, Green Party candidate for Brent Central

Shaka Lish has been selected to challenge Dawn Butler in Brent Central:

I am a life long Brent resident, conceived in Harlesden, born in Kilburn, grew up in Queens Park and now reside in Willesden. I wasn’t always political but like many, after the Iraq war I was left with so many questions about politics in the UK. Questions like, what makes democracy work for the people, not just the powerful? Since then, I have become more engaged with issues that I am passionate about and also more informed.

Since the global crash in 2008, there has been a change in the world. What appeared at first as an opportunity to change the way we are living – address climate change, inequality and neoliberalism – has actually appeared tighten the grip of disaster capitalism.

There comes a time when we have to stand up to be counted and take part in effecting the change that we wish to see in this world. By standing for the Green Party I believe I am doing just that. The local, to the national, to the global, are all intimately interconnected. We begin locally but this inevitably has echoes further afield.

I have been a professional singer pursuing a career in music since leaving school and been lucky enough to make music, travel the world and share my creativity on a platform. Although I still make music, I have nurtured another passion - for social justice and for helping others.

I recently became a mature student and finished an undergraduate degree in Philosophy, Politics and History and currently I am finishing an MA in Traditions of Yoga and Meditation, at SOAS. Being lucky enough to get a grant to study, I know how enriching education is, so I am adamant tuition fees should be scrapped and that we should not create barriers to knowledge through eye-watering debt. Education is a social good for all.

My undergraduate dissertation was on the subject of climate change and it has been frustrating to watch how science has led the way but unfortunately our leaders have been slow to act. My priority would be to hold the government to account and to keep campaigning for investment in green initiatives, transport and technology.

I am passionate about community, the environment, equality, the NHS, animals and education. I often feel so inspired by what could be possible, how the country can be transformed for the good of all, not just the few. I see a country where we have clean air, renewable energy, we look after our environment, we care for the vulnerable, have meaningful and secure work and where everyone gets the opportunity to thrive and fulfill their potential. I know this is possible but I also know it can only be achieved together.

My local campaign would focus around these areas –

• Put pressure on the council to make commercial recycling mandatory, not optional.
• Campaign for more local cycling hangers – and for this to feed into a more coherent transport policy.
• Push for procurement of local land for community resources such as youth activities and allotments
• Create a plan that gives locals more power to decide on their dominant energy sources and scrap any disincentives to renewables.
• Strive for any new developments in Brent to be accompanied by appropriate services to sustain the growing population of residents – such as medical care, childcare, community resources and activities. Not just shopping facilities.

The opportunity to stand as an MP is humbling as it is a service to my community. Brent is a community that has given me opportunities and support and I would be proud to stand as a Green Party representative and spread the message to make sure people know, a better world is possible.

Email: shaka.lish@greenparty.org.uk

Michaela Lichten, Green Party candidate for Brent North

 Michaela Lichten has been selected to challenge Barry Gardiner in Brent North:

I’ve been a resident of Brent for over 30 years and am passionate about the built and natural environment.

So much of society is weighted against ordinary people and with the crisis in Housing and Education worsening, new and innovative solutions need to be found to halt further inequalities.

With Brexit now triggered The Green Party can ensure we don’t stop being Europeans. I’m proud to stand for The Green Party which has long been a feminist party, with policies including improved maternity services, quotas for women on boards and working with organisations to advance women's equality and employment opportunities.

I’d strive to be a good constituency MP concentrating on local issues such as housing, schools, open spaces, pollution and the provision of good quality care for the elderly that doesn’t solely rely on the, often unpaid, contribution of the families of those effected. I’d work to provide better support for carers.

There are around seven million carers in the UK with 700,000 being under 18; I’d work to ensure that young carers and young adult carers are given vital support throughout their education. Having been a carer myself, for my husband who suffers from Alzheimer’s, I identify with the many carers that are over 65 and struggling with their own health issues and who deserve better support.I

believe that it’s the duty of MPs to listen to, and be reachable by, the constituents that elect them. If elected I will work to raise the concerns of Brent residents with relevant Ministers ensuring a local influence at Westminster.

email: michaela.lichten@greenparty.org.uk

tweet: @michaelalichten

John Mansook, Green Party candidate for Hampstead and Kilburn

 John Mansook has been selected by Brent and Camden Green Parties to challenge Tulip Siddiq in Hampstead and Kilburn

I have lived in Brent all my life and I am also active in my community raising awareness and giving advice to residents. I believe because of my occupational and life experience I am able to identify and communicate with younger voters in Brent.

I am aware of the issues such as poor health, pollution, crime, cuts to youth services and lack of affordable housing all of which affect the quality of life of all residents in Brent especially the next generation. My daily exposure to different groups such as elderly and disabled people has allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the impact cuts to funding has had on the quality of life for the most vulnerable society. This awareness has motivated and mobilised me into action.

I am a diabetes community champion and I attend community events to raise awareness about diabetes and to educate the citizens of Brent on health and wellbeing. I have also previously volunteered in Camden working with the Leighton Project as a swim buddy which helped disabled young adults overcome their fear of water and become self- confident in water and ultimately learn how to swim. I have also volunteered in Camden on health and activity awareness days promoting health and wellbeing within the Borough.

Council bid to turn garages into homes

The site in King's Drive, Wembley

Brent Housing Partnership is to hold a Public Exhibition on the King's Drive Estate, Wembley on proposals to build bungalows on the site of garages just off King's Drive.  The proposal is similar to the one at John Perrin's Place LINK and a consequence of Brent Council seeking sites in the borough to build much needed affordable housing.

Parking is a problem on the estate and although the garages are under-used  the access road is used for car parking by people who live in the blocks of flats.

The Exhibition will be held at the Robert Hartley Centre on Tuesday 9th May from 4.30pm - 7.30pm. NOW POSTPONED DUE TO THE GENERAL ELECTION

Declaration of interest: I live on this estate

Protest against dirty Donoghue of Cricklewood

There was a good breakfast time turnout yesterday when residents gathered to protest against the dirt and air pollution that comes from the Donoghue waste and skip hire site in Cricklewood.

Green Party activist Adele Ward tweeted that  she registered high NO2 at the site, which is near homes and schools, on her air monitor.

Protesters want the site, which has recently expanded, relocated.