Local Solutions to Hunger - House of Commons April 18th 2018

Wednesday April 18th 3.30-5pm Committee Room 9, House of Commons, SW1A 0AA

Food banks have become an increasingly prevalent feature in our communities over the last few years with the numbers of food bank referrals reaching record levels.

How are local councils and organisations responding to the changing nature of emergency provision and deprivation?

With demand for food banks expected to rise further as Universal Credit is fully rolled out, what practical steps are available to tackle poverty and hunger and how can councils take a leading role?

There are two local speakers at this event.

Chair: Emma Lewell-Buck MP

Speakers: 

Roxanne Mashari – Councillor, London Borough of Brent
Sabine Goodwin- Independent Food Aid Network
Robert Tinker - Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Deidre Woods - Granville Community Kitchen
Sarah Chapman - Wandsworth Foodbank

BOOK HERE

Foraging & Volunteering Special Event April 14th Welsh Harp Education Centre

The extensive grounds of the Centre

From Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre

April 14th 10am-12.30pm 

The Friends of Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre are a group of volunteers that meets one Saturday morning every month at the centre. They manage the habitats in the area and all activities focus on improving the natural habitat of the 15 acre woodland for biodiversity and ensuring that the outdoor teaching spaces are safe and exciting for the thousands of school children that attend the centre each year.
This month we are combining volunteering with a foraging walk where the urban forager, Michael Stuart, will be hosting a walk for our volunteers to discover edible woodland herbs. We will then continue with some practical work in the woodland.

At the upcoming event we will be working on the following tasks:

-          Gaining skills in foraging with Michael Stuart, the urban forager

-          Pathway clearance in the woodland

-          Moving a few small logs across the woodland if time permits

-          Other tasks as they come up

Booking is not essential but it would be good to have an idea of numbers for the walk.

All welcome! Under 16’s need to be accompanied by a responsible adult.  Tea, coffee and snacks will be provided.  Please meet inside the education centre.
If you are not on the mailing list and you wish to be, please email deb.frankiewicz@thames21.org.uk

The Centre is at the top of Birchen Grove, Kingsbury. Go through the big green gates and the Centre is ahead of you.

Tickets still left for Grunwick Strike play April 19th at CNWL

We Are The Lions, Mr. Manager!’ is the remarkable story of Jayaben Desai the inspirational leader of the 1976-78 Grunwick Strike that took place in Brent.

She brought the issue of workplace exploitation and racism to the fore and challenged the perception of Asian women being inherently passive and docile. She not only stood up for workers’ rights and against oppression with selfless dedication, but with her steadfast resolve, she turned the dispute into a national movement for human rights and dignity inspiring future generations.

4 stars ‘A powerful story, powerfully told’ – Clare Brennan. The Observer.

There are still a few tickets left. Don't miss it! BOOK HERE

Jamaica v Ireland dominoes fundraiser & more at Watkins Folly on Saturday

AMAZING NIGHT OF CULTURE ON SAT 7th APRIL. MONTSERRATIAN DIASPORA & FRIENDS OF IRELAND 1999 ARE HOSTING A FANTASTIC EVENING OF MIXED CULTURE, IRISH DANCING, TRADITIONAL FOOD, DOMINOES COMPETITION AND LIVE CULTURAL EVENTS. LATE BAR AND MANY DJS. COME AND JOIN IN. STARTS AT 6PM. AN EVENING NOT TO BE MISSED.

CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS FANTASTIC STORY 


WE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR 8 DOMINOES PLAYERS TO REPRESENT IRELAND. EXPERIENCE NOT REQUIRED. WILL BE GREAT FUN. CONTACT 02089029944 OR EMAIL

Brent achieves Quality Mark for work with SEND young people in the youth justice system

From Brent Council

Leading education charity, Achievement for All (AfA), has awarded Brent Council a national accolade for quality for outstanding work to secure better outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the youth justice system.

The Quality Mark Award has been developed by Achievement for All in close partnership with the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers (AYM) to help illuminate the problems that many young people with SEND in the youth justice system face.

Brent achieved the Quality Mark status for being proactive on child-centred services, ensuring young people in custody have the support they needed, and having strong partnerships with schools, health services, families, secure units, and prisons.

Gail Tolley, Strategic Director Children and Young People, said:

Achieving the AFA/AYM Quality Mark is recognition of the determined partnership work undertaken by Brent Council to improve outcomes for young people with special educational needs in the youth justice system.

The Brent Youth Offending Service embraced the benchmarking process with enthusiasm and a genuine desire to provide some of our most vulnerable young people with the quality of provision they deserve.

The Quality Mark is another example of the commitment evident amongst staff in our borough to equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to secure a safe and successful future and make a valuable contribution to their families and communities. 

Brent's Quality Mark status will run for three years until 31 March 2021.

Is your road surface/footway due for resurfacing/reconstruction by Brent in 2018-19?

The last meeting of this administration's Cabinet on April 9th will approve spending on the borough's highways maintenance of £3.5 million. Normally TfL would contribute an additional capital sum for spending on the borough's principal roads but this has been 'paused' under their 5 Year Plan, representing a loss to the borough of £882,000. However, each London borough has been asked to submit two principal roads for consideration for maintenance work and Brent Council has submitted Wembley High Road and Kilburn High Road. A decision is likely by the end of April.

The report to Cabinet points out that Highway infrastructure is the most visible, well-used and valuable physical asset owned by Brent Council. Highway assets include:

• 505 km (315 miles) of roads; 

• 847 km (529 miles) of pavements; 

• 53 bridges and structures; 

• 24,500 road gullies; 

• 10,000 street trees; and 

• 22,848 street lights and other illuminated street furniture. 
 

The value of this asset is estimated at around £3.8 billion 

 

The £3.5 million to be spent on this infrastructure is dwarfed by the £18 million of Community Infrastructure Levy the Cabinet allocated to replacing the Wembley Stadium Pedway with steps. 

Spending will be on:

• Major and minor pavement reconstruction; 

• Major Road resurfacing; 

• Preventative maintenance; 

• Improvements to the public realm, and 

• Renewal of Road Markings

 

Previous road works in Engineer's Way

These are the Highway Maintenance plans for 2018-19. 

The 'Rhino Imprint' earmarked for Harlesden High Street and Engineer's Way, Wembley is a synthetic material. Details HERE. The Civic Centre is on Engineer's Way.

Asphalt/Brick on footways refers to asphalt replacing paving stones for the main footway and brick for dropped kerbs at driveways and junctions.

Big Garden Birdwatch Results 2018

Volunteer English teachers required in Brent - training provided by Unite Community