Academisation: How to turn the tide June 16th

Welsh Harp Sailing Open Day Tomorrow

Birchen Grove NW9 LINK

UPDATE I popped in this afternoon and the entrance was not well sign-posted. You enter the Sailing Club through the car park which is to the right at the end of Birchen Grove NOT the entrance on Birchen Grove itself.

Unite to replace cladding on Olympic Way student building

Following local rumours concerning the cladding on the huge Unite student building on Wembley's Olympic Way, Unite have issued the following statement to Wembley Matters:

In line with the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government’s (MHCLG) high-rise building cladding testing regime conducted with the Building Research Establishment (BRE), Unite Students has been working closely with independent fire safety and engineering experts to ensure our buildings are as safe as possible for our students and employees.

Following extensive investigations by these experts, we have taken the decision to replace the exterior cladding on our Olympic Way property in Wembley, London. The building will be closed over the summer holidays while this work takes place, limiting the impact on our students, and the building will reopen in time for the start of the 2018/19 academic year.

Given the numerous fire safety systems and comprehensive fire strategy we have in place for this building, as with all of our properties nationwide, independent fire safety experts have confirmed that Olympic Way continues to be safe for occupation until the works are complete.

The safety of our students and our properties is of the utmost importance to us and we take our responsibilities very seriously. We have closely followed MHCLG advice, and believe replacing the cladding on Olympic Way is the most responsible thing to do for our customers in the long term.

In August last year, in the wake of the Grenfell fire, the Kilburn Times LINK reported a Brent Council letter to councillors in which they said that wall system of the building  in BRE tests was shown as inadequate to resist the spread of fire.

Unite say that they have moved many of their summer bookings to other properties and have been working closely with their university partners on the issue. They were unable to comment on who would be responsible for paying for the cladding removal. In July last year Unite said the cost of replacing cladding on six of its building could be £2m plus up to £1.5m in lost revenue. LINK

The 475 bed building cost £47m in a venture funded by the London Student Accommodation Vehicle, 50% owned by Unite and 50% by the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation.

A spokesperson for Middlesex University, whose students use the accommodation, echoed Unite's statement and said, “The safety of our students is of the utmost importance to us and we take our responsibilities very seriously. We are fully supportive of Unite Students’ decision to replace the cladding on Olympic Way.”

Elsewhere on the Wembley regeneration site Forum House is having cladding replaced LINK. It is clearly a matter of concern that at least two buildings in the extensive new build have issues over cladding.

UPDATED: Tulip Siddiq: Israeli soldiers' action unjustified & inhumane

Tulip Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Kilburn has released the following statement on the situation in Gaza (please see comments below for a qualification of this statement given to the Jewish Chronicle  by Tulip Siddiq LINK ):

The reaction by Israeli soldiers to protests on the Gaza border over the past week has been as unjustified as it is inhumane. I condemn without reservation these violations of international law and human rights by Israel. The international community should immediately act together to demand an end to the senseless killing, the bullets and the tear gas, and to urge a halt to the bloodshed.

The protest has been twofold - to highlight the shocking conditions which Palestinians are forced to live in and to demand their right to return to their homes. These issues should not be forgotten in the carnage which is now unfolding.

I dearly hope that this violence does not continue over the coming days, and I will be monitoring the situation closely.

I have written to the Foreign Secretary to raise the plight of the killed protesters and will share your thoughts when I have an opportunity. I have also signed EDM 1163 ‘Violence against protesters in Gaza’. I will also apply for a debate in Parliament to discuss this shameful situation, but it will depend on the parliamentary lottery system whether I am chosen for it. If another MP does manage to secure a debate on this topic then I will also raise the issue there.

Yesterday evening Hampstead and Kilburn Constituency Labour Party overwhelmingly passed a motion welcoming her statement ands condemning Israel’s action:

This CLP condemns Monday’s massacre of dozens of Palestinian protesters in Gaza, and the wounding of thousands by Israeli snipers using live fire and expanding bullets. The numbers of unarmed people killed during six weeks of protest, including children and journalists, is now close over 100.

Palestinians have been protesting with the Great March of Return leading up the 70^th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel and the Nakba – the uprooting of the Palestinian people as a result of the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. This coincided with the provocative decision by the US government to move its embassy to illegally-occupied Jerusalem.

We believe that these protesters – many of them refugees from areas inside the state of Israel – have the right to return to their homes and lands, as enshrined in UN General Assembly Resolution 194. We call for an immediate end to the slaughter, for Israel’s withdrawal from the occupied territories, for an end to all discrimination inside Israel, and for progress towards a just and peaceful future for Palestinians and Israelis.

We welcome the statement from Tulip [Siddiq], and Jeremy Corbyn’s call for an end of arms sales to and from Israel and urge the widest possible support for vigils and demonstrations called around the UK to demand an end to violent suppression of legitimate Palestinian protests.

We also condemn the attempts of Trump, Israel and its apologists to place the blame on Hamas and away from the Israeli soldiers and their commanders who carried out the massacre. It compounds murder with insult by denial of the agency of Gazans driven to risk death by the vicious nature of the Israeli siege and wrecking of their lives. In particular, we note the statement by Labour Friends of Israel “Tragic events on the Gazan border; all civilian deaths are regrettable. Hamas must accept responsibility for these events. Their successful attempt to hijack peaceful protest as cover to attack Israeli border communities must be condemned by all who seek peace in the Middle East.” We urge the Party to make clear that it totally rejects such sentiments.

Tulip Siddiq told the meeting that she had never signed up for Labour Friends of Israel despite being listed on their website as a supporter.

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UN World Environment Day event - Treading Lightly on the Earth June 3rd

Has the £17.8m stadium steps question already been answered by the Brent Cabinet?

Brent Council today rather belatedly published the Officer's report for Cabinet LINK on the review of the decision to spend £17.8m of CIL money on Olympic Way improvements with the majority of the money going to replace the current Wembley Stadium pedway with steps.

The Olympic Way improvements are divided into 3 zones: Zone A is the area between Fulton Road and the foot of the pedway. Zone B is from Wembley Park station to the norther edge of Fulton Road. Zone C is the pedway replacement and public works from the foot of the pedway to the stadium.

The report recommends that Cabinet members:
 

2.1  Re-examine the funding decision for Olympic Way improvements in the light of the possible change in ownership of Wembley Stadium and confirm that funding from Quintain and the Stadium owners forms a three way funding stream for Zone C. 


·      2.2  Confirm or otherwise the contribution of up to £12.1 million +VAT towards Zone 
 C improvements, such contribution being contingent on Quintain: 

a.     Not pursuing development of site NW04 (see plan above) adjacent to the Civic Centre to the extent currently permitted in the parameters plans associated with outline planning permission 10/3032 
 LINK

b.     Working with the Council to deliver a development that better complements the role and setting of the Civic Centre, in particular creating a significant new square outside the Civic Centre Library 


c.      Agreeing a business plan and agreement, between Quintain and the council, for the future sharing and reinvestment of the net income generated through assets on Olympic Way in Zones A, B and C. 


d.     Securing up to one third funding contribution from Wembley Stadium owners. 


2.3  Confirm the decision to contribute up to £5.7million+VAT for works to Zone B including Fulton Road Crossing, such contribution contingent on Quintain completing Zone A works and agreeing a business plan and agreement, between Quintain and the council for the future sharing and reinvestment of the net income generated through assets on Zones A and B of Olympic Way. 


      2.4  Note that if item 2.2 is confirmed the total contribution for Olympic Way improvements will be up to £17.8 million plus VAT. 


       2.5  Delegate agreement of the Business Plan and entering into an agreement for the future sharing and reinvestment of net income generated through assets on Olympic Way to the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member of Regeneration, Highways & Planning. 


       2.6  Subject to the level of funding contribution from Wembley Stadium owners for Zone C improvements as detailed in recommendation 2.2 (d), delegate to the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member of Regeneration, Highways & Planning authority to agree the adequacy of such contribution secured. 


 The report reveals the existence of a 'Statement of Common Ground' with Quintain:

 A “Statement of Common Ground” dating back to 2010 exists between the council and Quintain that allows for the application of CIL funds by LBB for the delivery of strategic infrastructure as identified in policy and the Infrastructure and Investment Framework (IIF). The above projects are within the IIF. The strategic CIL collected across the Borough, as a consequence of new development, is intended to be spent on infrastructure projects to support the ongoing development of the area, enhanced public realm falls within this, and it is proposed that a contribution from CIL to the costs of the works is appropriate.

I have requested a copy of this document. I did have access to the Section 106 agreement made between the council and Quintain but my latest search LINK returned a 'document unavailable' message. Perhaps it will reappear.

The report documents how far the work has gone so far including the reorientation of the NW04 building next to the Civic Centre which was sought by the council in exchange for funding the Olympic Way works:

Quintain have secured planning consent for Zone B works and have started 
works in this Zone at their risk as a result of the July 2017 Cabinet decision; 


Quintain and the Council have substantially agreed a draft Memorandum of Understanding for the mechanism for releasing the funding for Zones B and C and the principles of the Business Plan under which any net income sharing between Brent Council and Quintain will apply; 


WNSL/FA and Quintain have undertaken considerable technical and modelling work to validate the operational efficiency and safety of the proposed steps replacing the pedway; 


A planning application has been submitted for the reorientation of the NW04 building which will better complement the role and setting of the Civic Centre, and create a significant new square outside the Civic Centre Library; 


A planning application have been submitted for the removal of the pedway and installation of the steps and all Zone C improvement work; 


To date Quintain have spent in excess of £1m and are anticipating spending a further £1.5m to £2m (subject to Brent’s confirmation of the funding contribution and WSNL/FA or the new owners agreement to the removal of the pedway) on design fees alone related to Zone B and Zone C. 


 If officers seem to be representing Quintain in the above the following passage gives a further nudge in the direction of the Cabinet confirming the decision to fund the pedway from CIL funds:

As indicated in the Cabinet report of July 2017, the intention was to seek contribution from the Football Association towards Zone C works. Officers have been advised there has been a positive indication that the potential new owner may be willing to contribute towards Zone C works. 
In the event Zone C improvements do not proceed, the pedway will remain in place, the new NW04 building orientation and public square is not likely to progress with the existing NW04 consent taken forward to implementation and the public realm from the foot of the pedway to the stadium will remain unchanged providing an even more uninspiring and disappointing “front door” for the stadium against the new public realm in Zones A and B.

Is it the council's task to provide an 'inspiring front door' to what will be a private stadium?

Interestingly the original 2010 planning application for NW04 LINK contained the following:

.        Proposed Plot NW04 cannot be constructed in full until the existing Pedway is demolished. The eastern base of NW04 will not be commenced until the Pedway has been removed. Similarly, the eastern element of the SE Pocket will not be delivered until the Pedway has been removed. However, funds for the removal of the Pedway are not available through the Development Proposal forming part of this Application.

Remember that Press Release from Quintain that said they would pay for the 'Olympic Steps?'

The Cabinet report does not mention that and certainly does not explore all the other possible uses that the £12.1m allocated to the pedway removal and replacement could be spent on to address our crumbling roads and pavements.

The Cabinet meeting is due to last just one hour on Monday and there are other items on the agenda: hardly enough time to carefully consider the issue. I suspect the decision has been made already...

Brent's CIL information deficit

Given the controversy over the allocation of Brent's Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) I have contacted Brent Council today over two issues.

Firstly the Cabinet will be discussing a review of the £17.8m allocated to Olympic Way public realm improvements, including the replacement of the Stadium pedway by steps, at their meeting on Monday. The review is in the light of the possible sale of the stadium. This is an enormous amoutn of money and of great public interest but there are no details on the Cabinet agenda - a report is promised but not yet published.  How can the public make any representations if there is no infomation available? The full agenda, including reports, should be available 5 working days bfore the meeting.  A similar issue arose with the first full meeting of the council.

Secondly there is currently a consultation on the Neighbourhood CIL underway. I have received several reminders about this and have responded asking for details of the second round of allocations - only round one is available in the council website. The council responded that there were last minute agreements to be signed off but the closing date of the consultation is now only a week away (see consultation notice below) - surely we need this information to provide a context to any consultation response.  Consultation without information is meaningless.

It would have been useful to have the information available before the local election as the Neighbourhood CIL is one of the few areas where the public and local councillors can have any influence.

I have asked for an extension to the consultation if the information is still not available.

Brent Council's message today:

The online survey for the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Review is open for just one more week. The survey will be closed on the 23^rd May 2018.

More information about the Community Infrastructure Levy in Brent can be found here and below.

This is your opportunity to tell us about your views, experiences and suggestions for the improvement.

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/NeighbourhoodCILReview/

The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.  If you have any questions or would like further information please do not hesitate to contact us via CILadmin@brent.gov.uk.

Barry Gardiner condemns Israel's 'calculated & cynical disregard for human life'

Downing Street yesterday evening

Barry Gardiner, Labour MP for Brent North, and a member of Labour Friends of Israel, issued one of his strongest ever statements criticising Israel yesterday.

He tweeted:

There can be no equivocation. The action of the Israeli government has been brutal and utterly unjustified. This is not merely a disproportionate use of force. It is a calculated and cynical disregard for human life. The UN must act.

If you want to support action to help Palestinian children in Gaza there may be a few tickets left for this event on Friday: