Thursday 21 June 2018
Art Exhibition today at Yellow Pavilion Wembley
Wednesday 20 June 2018
Brent Council announces Spurs have the right to play at Wembley until December 2018
Residents who breathed a sigh of relief that they could soon go about their business in Wembley at weekends without the traffic jams and suspended bus routes associated with Spurs occupation of Wembley may have to think again. Tottenham's stadium may not be ready for the new season and an announcement on Brent Council's website clearly doesn't see that as a problem:
Tottenham Hotspur will play their first game of the new football season at Wembley, against Fulham on 18 August 2018.
With the development of their new stadium yet to be completed and a number of test events due to take place before it can be officially opened, Tottenham have asked to again use Wembley for their opening fixture.
Tottenham have stated they will move into their new stadium in time for the Liverpool fixture on Saturday 15 September 2018.
However, until that is contractually confirmed, Tottenham retain the option to play home games at Wembley up until 7 October 2018 and Champions League games up until 12 December 2018.
Any Tottenham games at Wembley next season will be accommodated within the existing planning permission for the Stadium, and be part of their agreed programme of events for the year.
Labels:
Brent Council,
Tottemham Hotspur,
Wembley Stadium
The cost of allotment neglect in Brent
Birchen Grove allotments in Kingsbury |
In Spring 2016 Brent Council consulted on the possibility of our allotments becoming self-managing. Allotment holders were not enthusiastic LINK and as far as I know none, apart from Kingsbury which was already self-managing, opted to self-manage.
I spoke up for the then Council Allotments Officer and the fine job she did but shortly afterwards she was gone. Without a named officer the role was taken over by the depleted parks department - depleted after Veolia took over the maintenance contract for parks and the Green Flag scheme was abandoned.
Now the Birchen Grove site, where I have two plots, is looking neglected and overgrown. There seems to be no system of checking on active cultivation and expediting the reletting of abandoned plots although I understand there is a waiting list and the Council is supposed to be encouraging local food cultivation LINK
The practical effect of plots being overgrown is that they are much harder to bring back into cultivation and any new allotment holder can become demoralised by the sheer hard work involved. Grass and weed seeds spread over neighbouring cultivated plots and become a nuisance,
I would be interested to hear about experiences on other Brent allotments and perhaps Cllr Krupa Sheth, Cabinet member for the Environment, could look into the issue. It would be useful for the Scrutiny Committee to review the success or otherwise of the Council's Food Growing and Allotments Strategy.
Meanwhile, following other examples of neglect of council resources such as garages on estates, there is a fear that pictures of neglect and low use rates such as those above, could lead to justification for a polocy of selling off allotments to be used for housing developments.
Labels:
allotments,
Birchen Grove,
Brent Council,
Krupa Sheth
Monday 18 June 2018
Campaign launched to beat loneliness in Brent
Eleven Brent charities have launched a campaign to raise awareness of loneliness and community activities across Brent. The Together in Brent campaign promotes the Jo Cox Great Get Together on June 22nd and the following week, as a Borough-wide Open Day. It encourages residents to try out one activity and discover what’s in their local area and to volunteer to help tackle loneliness.
There are over 1,000 social activities where you can meet people in Brent. From singing, exercise, drawing, crafts, volunteering, lunch clubs, computer classes to the more unusual such as acting or fixing electronics.
The campaign includes a free arts exhibition exploring isolation, Peeking Through Windows. This tells stories from across the borough through original art pieces, sculpture, dance, photography and video.
Loneliness affects people of all ages. It’s a deeply personal issue people can’t easily talk about and yet so important that the Government created a new Minister for Loneliness this year. There is a range of specialist support locally in Brent for people experiencing emotional distress, carers, older people and others. There are also projects that help build confidence and can even accompany you to an activity the first few times to help settle in, understanding that it’s not easy to go to a new place and meet new people.
Peeking Through Windows is open to all, on Thursday 21st June, 12-2pm at the Yellow Pavilion, Wembley[M1] Park, HA9 0EG. To find out about activities in your area, support and volunteering phone 0741 531 5998, email togetherinbrent@cvsbrent.org.uk or join the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/togetherinbrent/ or follow on twitter @togetherinbrent
The charities involved are: Age UK Brent, Ashford Place, Brent Carers Centre, Brent Community Transport, Brent Mencap, British Red Cross, CVS Brent through the Social Involvement in Brent Initiative (SIBI), Elders Voice, Hestia, Linking Lives, Youth With A Mission
Saturday 16 June 2018
Why vote Green in Willesden Green?
The election for the last three seats on Brent Council takes place on Thursday June 21st and the voters in Willesden Green have an opportunity to ensure that the Council's actions are subject to rigorous scrutiny.
They won't do that by electing yet more Labour councillors - there are already 57 pitched against 3 lack lustre Tories. Immediately after the May 3rd election Muhammed Butt, leader of the Council, tightened his grip on power appointing a rubber-stamping Cabinet and extending his period of office. Just after the election councillors gave themselves a rise and the Cabinet confirmed that that £17.8m of public money would be spent on cosmetic 'improvements' to Olympic Way. Their actions have shown us what we face for the next four years unless electors make a stand.
This matters because the right-wing is still firmly in control on the Council despite an increase in Momentum activists in the borough. The latter found themselves campaigning for council candidates who had little sympathy with Corbyn and unlikely to mount any significant opposition to cuts or Butt's close relationship with developers. There are perhaps 3 or 4 of the 57 who may ask awkward questions and it would considerably strengthen their hands if Green councillors were elected on the 21st.
But Green councillors on their own would provide a new dynamic committed as they are to a range of policies far more radical than those of Brent Labour providing rigorous scrutiny of issues such as social housing, planning, clear air, the use of the community infrastructure levy, the condition of roads and pavements, protection of open spaces, upkeep of parks, provision of affordable meeting places for community groups, effective consultation rather than a tick box system and opposition to academisation. They would challenge the current Wembleycentric bias in Brent.
Green councillors in other London borough have shown that even one Green voice can make a big difference. Willesden Green voters should seize the chance on June 21st.
They won't do that by electing yet more Labour councillors - there are already 57 pitched against 3 lack lustre Tories. Immediately after the May 3rd election Muhammed Butt, leader of the Council, tightened his grip on power appointing a rubber-stamping Cabinet and extending his period of office. Just after the election councillors gave themselves a rise and the Cabinet confirmed that that £17.8m of public money would be spent on cosmetic 'improvements' to Olympic Way. Their actions have shown us what we face for the next four years unless electors make a stand.
This matters because the right-wing is still firmly in control on the Council despite an increase in Momentum activists in the borough. The latter found themselves campaigning for council candidates who had little sympathy with Corbyn and unlikely to mount any significant opposition to cuts or Butt's close relationship with developers. There are perhaps 3 or 4 of the 57 who may ask awkward questions and it would considerably strengthen their hands if Green councillors were elected on the 21st.
But Green councillors on their own would provide a new dynamic committed as they are to a range of policies far more radical than those of Brent Labour providing rigorous scrutiny of issues such as social housing, planning, clear air, the use of the community infrastructure levy, the condition of roads and pavements, protection of open spaces, upkeep of parks, provision of affordable meeting places for community groups, effective consultation rather than a tick box system and opposition to academisation. They would challenge the current Wembleycentric bias in Brent.
Green councillors in other London borough have shown that even one Green voice can make a big difference. Willesden Green voters should seize the chance on June 21st.
Labels:
Brent Council,
green party,
Willesden Green
Friday 15 June 2018
Green Party Willesden Green Election Action Day Sunday June 17th
Action Day for Willesden Green by-election. Join us, take pics, help out, ask questions, grab posters & find out about
Sian Berry (Green Party Assembly Member) and Rashid Nix (Green party activist from Lambeth) will be joing us.
Our candidates are Shaka Lish (above), William Relton and Peter Murry.
Labels:
Brent Green Party,
election,
Peter Murry,
Rashid Nix,
Shaka Lish,
Sian Berry,
Willesden Green,
William Relton
Brent receives share of migration funding
Unedited press release from Brent Council
Brent has been awarded over £440,000 of funding over three years from a £19 million government pot to help support emerging communities in Brent.
Aiming to ease pressure on local services from recent migration, the fund will help Brent Council provide services to meet the growth in new communities and put support structures in place for new residents which promote independence and help them to adapt to life in the UK.
This includes a new community outreach team as well as drop-in sessions, Eastern European and Latin American fairs and recognised courses in English Language (ESOL), which will cover CV-building, employability and citizenship skills, designed to equip residents with the tools they need to participate in daily life.
Also on offer will be conversational English workshops and cross-cultural activities to celebrate and share community culture.
Cllr Margaret McLennan, Deputy Leader of Brent Council said:
The funding will be delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to support projects until 2020.
Brent has been awarded over £440,000 of funding over three years from a £19 million government pot to help support emerging communities in Brent.
Aiming to ease pressure on local services from recent migration, the fund will help Brent Council provide services to meet the growth in new communities and put support structures in place for new residents which promote independence and help them to adapt to life in the UK.
This includes a new community outreach team as well as drop-in sessions, Eastern European and Latin American fairs and recognised courses in English Language (ESOL), which will cover CV-building, employability and citizenship skills, designed to equip residents with the tools they need to participate in daily life.
Also on offer will be conversational English workshops and cross-cultural activities to celebrate and share community culture.
Cllr Margaret McLennan, Deputy Leader of Brent Council said:
Brent is one of the most diverse boroughs in London and we want to make sure that new residents feel supported and equipped to take part in everyday life. We work hard to make Brent a great place to live and work. At a time of stretched resources for councils across the country, this funding will help meet the challenges of a growing population as we take a joined up approach to easing pressure on local services.
This funding gives us the opportunity to provide a wealth of resources for new residents which they can rely on, reducing the risk of exploitation by rogue landlords or employers who pay below the legal minimum wage.
The funding will be delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to support projects until 2020.
Labels:
Brent Council,
funding,
local services,
migration
Thursday 14 June 2018
Lone Star reported to have received 7 first-round bids for Quintain
Property World LINK is reporting that seven investors have lodged first-round bids for Quintain, the developers of Wembley Park.
Quintain is currently owned by US company Lone Star. Property World report that the bids include offers for the whole business, an offer to become a business partner and and an offer to acquire the whole of the 5,000 home Wembley Park development.
It appears that Guy Hands' Terra Firma Capital Partners has not after all made an offer through its Annington Homes company. LINK
As reported before on Wembley Matters there is also the possibility of new owners for Wembley Stadium and the FA is said to be looking for further offers at a higher price than the initial one from Shahid Khan and is also seeking assurances that the stadium will remain the home of English football as part of the deal. It appears to be inevitable that any bid will include an increased number of events at the stadium to maximise the income of the new owner. Meanwhile Spurs will play its first home match at Wembley on August 18th before transferring to their new stadium. LINK
See the Property News 'Big Interview' with Quintain HERE
Quintain is currently owned by US company Lone Star. Property World report that the bids include offers for the whole business, an offer to become a business partner and and an offer to acquire the whole of the 5,000 home Wembley Park development.
It appears that Guy Hands' Terra Firma Capital Partners has not after all made an offer through its Annington Homes company. LINK
As reported before on Wembley Matters there is also the possibility of new owners for Wembley Stadium and the FA is said to be looking for further offers at a higher price than the initial one from Shahid Khan and is also seeking assurances that the stadium will remain the home of English football as part of the deal. It appears to be inevitable that any bid will include an increased number of events at the stadium to maximise the income of the new owner. Meanwhile Spurs will play its first home match at Wembley on August 18th before transferring to their new stadium. LINK
See the Property News 'Big Interview' with Quintain HERE
Labels:
Property World,
Quintain,
Wembley Park,
Wembley Stadium
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