Copland School Six must pay back 'swindled' money to Brent Council

 

Hank Roberts, the union representative whose courageous whistle blowing eventually led to today's outcome

 A former head teacher, who arranged to pay himself a whopping £400,000 in one year, and former colleagues face paying back thousands of pounds they received unlawfully as part of a school bonuses scandal.

Alan Davies, the former Head teacher of Copland Community School in Wembley, alongside former Deputy Head, Dr Richard Evans, former HR Manager Michele McKenzie and former School Bursar Columbus Udokoro were found to have benefitted from the “vast sums” they received in illicit bonuses over several years before Mr Davies was suspended in May 2009.

Davies, who had previously been knighted for services to education, took home more than £400,000 in one year, three times the going rate for the job, and was convicted of false accounting in 2013. He was stripped of his knighthood in 2014 following his conviction. The High Court today (17 August) found that his justifications for the excessive payments were “patently untrue” and “false”.

The purported bonuses to Davies and the others were sanctioned by former Chair of Governors Dr Indravadan Patel and former Vice Chair of Governors, Martin Day, both of whom were criticised by the Judge for “dishonest breach of fiduciary duty”, “wholesale failures” and “reckless indifference”.

Mr Davies, Dr Patel and Mr Day were today found by the High Court to have breached their fiduciary duties to the Council, leading to losses of more than £1million. Dr Evans, Mr Udokoro and Ms McKenzie were found to have been in knowing receipt of payments arising from those breaches of duties. 

The exact sums that each of the six must now pay back will be decided at a further Court Hearing in October.

Cllr Margaret McLennan, Deputy Leader of Brent Council, said:

We are delighted with the verdict as it means the money, which had been swindled, will be returned and can now be used for the benefit of local people.

Davies and his chums were arrogantly paying themselves ridiculously high and unjustified bonuses, including Davies pocketing a whopping £400,000 in one year – which is around three times the going rate for the job.

It has taken years of stamina and determination to win this victory but justice has finally been done.

The verdict comes five years after a criminal conviction was secured against Mr Davies at Southwark Crown Court, who pleaded guilty to false accounting at the school. Copland Community School closed on 31 August 2014. A new school, the Ark Elvin Academy, opened on the same site on 1 September 2014.

Hank Roberts, the original whistle-blower on the case and a member of the National Education Union  Joint Executive Council said:

Brent Council was totally justified and I praise its commendable action in bringing a High Court case against Alan Davies et al. Davies had already been given a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years for pleading guilty to six charges of false accounting. He was subsequently stripped of his knighthood. However, none of the large sums misappropriated were ever paid back. Davies received over £400,000 in a single year alone.

Justice Zacaroli’s judgement found against a conspiracy charge; but found that all six defendants had received and or authorised receipt of large sums from the school funds that were totally unjustified. Those in receipt will now have to pay back their ill-gotten gains.

I, and the other school Reps, Shane Johnschwager, NASUWT and John Kubenk, NUT were suspended by Davies and faced dismissal charges after I blew the whistle. Later Davies was suspended and we were reinstated. I, the Unions and the Council have been totally vindicated.

It was tough at the time, but I would encourage all who discover anything similar to whistleblow.

This is occurring far too often especially in academies that have totally inadequate system of financial oversight and control.

To lessen this corruption, all academies should be brought back under local authority control.

Woodcock Hill's elderly residents wait 20 years for a bus

Cllr Reg Colwill (Conservative, Kenton) has backed a 20 year battle by North Brent Parks and Residents' Association (NBPRA) to persuade Transport for London (TfL) to modify the 223 bus route so that it serves elderly residents on Woodcock Hill. According to residents Cllr Colwill has been waiting for a response for 5 months.

 In a letter to Gavin Clark of TfL Consultation Team regarding their recent consultation, NBPRA state:

Please run the 223 up Woodcock Hill around the roundabout at Shaftesbury Avenue and back down to connect to its current route to the Kenton Road.  We are all writing to TFL to contact Cllr Colwill.  Where is the response Mr Clark? This is an indictment of how the Retired Residents of Kenton have been treated for 20 years.  It’s time for a change Mr Clark.

TFL stated that they are considering our proposal that has been repeatedly requested for over 20 years now.   Do we have to get a very large petition?   The over 60s retired and disabled residents, many of whom were either war veterans or had served in Local Government,  maybe they have all just been too polite not to get a large petition together and some being old and not on social media/internet have missed this ‘consultation’.  Again the over 60s Retired Residents know that they have not been heard.   

Please try and finally take into account the over 60s of the Woodcock Hill area – over 100 retired people in two blocks on Woodcock Hill and numerous others approx. 80 on the Woodcock Hill, Mount Stewart, Manning Gardens,  Woodcock Dell, Windermere Avenue,  Some prominent community workers now retired are all in need of this simple 223 bus route extension.  

Not much to ask when you have given your life for your Country is it?   

Three key points as to why this should work for Woodcock Hill:

• The feasibility of this extra section has already been established:  the metropolitan line tube is often closed during the weekends (busy shopping days),  and the rail-replacement route uses this exact journey.   
• During the bridge repairs to Preston Road – the rail replacement bus service ran along this route for over 4 months.   How much more workability studies do you need to know that this has worked.  
• We now have ‘DYL‘ double yellow lines along Woodcock Hill South side and parking additional restrictions on the North side,  thanks to Mr Kemp a former Police Officer and Crime Risk advisor, chairman of Residents’ Association, who worked in partnership with the local Council to make key changes that worked.  

We await the same cooperation from TFL even though it has taken over 20 years so far:  don’t make more elderly wait for the change they need to be mobile.   This needs your action TFL.

NB Taxi-Card and Dial - a - Ride.   Taxi - Cards (reduced Taxi fares for disabled.  This service has very restricted usage per year  (approx FOUR  rides per annum) !  

Is this Big Brother Brent - or just plain sensible? You decide...

Consigned to the past?

Brent Council is consulting on the imposition of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) in many areas of Brent.

They explain:

We are consulting residents of Brent on introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to help the police and Council tackle enviro crime and anti-social behaviour [in]our parks and open spaces. We seek to ensure that the law-abiding majority can use and enjoy public spaces, safe from anti-social behaviour. The Orders can be enforced by fixed penalty notices or prosecution, by police or Council officers. Current policy • A maximum fine for breach of Brent’s current park byelaws is £20 and there has been no enforcement undertaken since it was enacted. • A maximum fine for Breach of a PSPO is £100 and there is flexibility under the legislation to prosecute persistent offenders at Court, where they could be fined a maximum of £1000 pounds. Under the legislation consent would have to be given by private land owners should the Council decide to implement an order which covers such an area. Intended outcome: If a PSPO is introduced, those in breach face an instant £100 fixed penalty fine or possible criminal prosecution. If introduced, the PSPO will be enforced by a partnership of the police and council.

As always the question immediately arises as to whether the police or council have the resources or time  to enforce such rules as well as whether people could be caught by them through the lack of amenities such as public toilets in parks or through indulging in innocent activities with children such as feeding birds. Some proposals will be uncontroversial in principle but the method of enforcement, as highlighted by former councillor John Duffy over Fixed Penalty Notices for littering LINK, could aggravate matters. Given the increase in rough sleeping as a result of homelessness enforcement of 4) could result in harassment of those already vulnerable and in need.

These are the proposed  prohibited ‘anti-social’ activities:

1.     The use of illegal drugs and psychoactive substances (formerly known as legal highs) 


2.     Alcohol use 


3.     Littering of cigarettes, bottles, cans, food etc. 


4.     Erecting or occupying any shelter, sleeping apparatus, or caravan with the intention of 
residing in it without the written approval of the London Borough of Brent 


5.     Urinating or defecating 


6.     Feeding of vermin (pigeons and other species of birds, rats etc.) 


7.     Driving unauthorised motor vehicles without the consent of the London Borough of Brent 


8.     Defacing or damaging fixtures or furniture 


9.     Losing control of any dogs 


10. Walking more than 4 dogs at a time 


11. Allowing dogs access into specified “dog free“ areas 


12. The flying of drones without the consent of the London Borough of Brent. 


13. Launching of sky (Chinese) lanterns on council land 


REQUIREMENTS
Within the restricted area described above, the following activities are required :-
14.       In the event that a dog defecates in the restricted area, the person responsible for the dog at the time, must remove the faeces immediately
15.       Dogs are required to be kept on a lead when in or near any of the flower gardens within any restricted area

In the light of  grassland fires during the recent very dry spell it is interesting that barbecues are not mentioned. 

The parks and open spaces listed are:

Abbey Estate Open Space, Alperton Sports Ground, Barham Park, Barn Hill, Basing Hill, Brampton Grove, Bramshill Road, Brent River Park, Brentfield Park, Brondesbury Park, Butlers Green, Caffrey Gardens, Cambridge Square and Gardens, Canal Walk, Chalkhill Linear Park, Chalkhill Open Space, Chalkhill Park, Chapter Road, Chelmsford Square, Church End, Church Lane Recreation Ground, Crouch Road, Crown Walk, De Haviland Road, Denzil Road, Elmwood Park, Eton Grove, Evefield Open Space, Franklyn Road, Fryent Country Park, Furness Road, GEC Sports Ground (off Preston Road), Gibbons Recreation Ground, Gladstone Park, Goldsmith Lane, Grove Park, Hazel Road, Heather Park, John Billam Sports Ground, Kensal Green , Kenton Grange, King Edward VII Park, Wembley ,Kimberley Road, Kingsbury Green, Learie Constantine open space, Leybourne Road, Lindsay Park, Longstone Avenue, Mapesbury Dell, Maybank, Mayo Road, Meadow Garth, Milton Avenue, Mount Pleasant, Neasden Recreation Ground, Neasden Open Space, Northwick Park, One Tree Hill Recreation Ground, Pilgrims Way (Part of Fryent/Barnhill), Quainton Street ,Preston Park, Rainbow Park, , Roe End Shrubbery, Roe Green Park, Roe Green Village, Roundwood Park, Roundwood Road, Sherrens Farm, Shorts Croft Corner, Silver Jubilee Park, South Kilburn Open Space (Carlton Vale), Springfield Open Space, St Davids Close, St Mary’s Road (Challenge Close), St Raphaels Open Space, Stonebridge Recreation Ground, Streatley Road Pocket Park, Sudbury Court (East Lane /Vale Farm), Tenterden Recreation Ground, The Compass, The Shrine Open Space, Tiverton Playing Field, Tokyngton Recreation Ground(This is Brent River Park) Tubbs Road Pocket Park, Vale Farm Sports Ground, Village Way, Villiers Road, Welsh Harp Open Space, Willesden Sports Ground (King Edward VII recreation ground Willesden), Wilson Drive, Woodcock Park, Woodhouse Urban Park, Wybourne Way. 

You can complete the consultation HERE

PLANNING BRENT HEALTH AND CARE SERVICES FOR 2019 TO 2021 - AUGUST 29TH

YOU ARE INVITED TO DISCUSS

PLANNING HEALTH AND CARE SERVICES FOR 2019 TO 2021

NHS BRENT HEALTH PARTNERS FORUM

WEDNESDAY 29^TH AUGUST, 2018

6-8pm  DOORS OPEN 5:15

SATTIVIS PATIDAR CENTRE

Forty Avenue, Wembley Park, Middlesex HA9 9PE

ALL WELCOME  PLEASE REGISTER HERE  

FREE HOT BUFFET WILL BE SERVED

Children's bushcraft activities at Welsh Harp Centre Thursday

The school holidays are not over yet and there is still time for children to join in nature activities at the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre in Kingsbury:

16^th Aug   Bushcraft tool use
23^rd Aug   Fire making & outdoor cooking
30^th Aug   Bow & arrow firing range
10am – 12pm each date

Address: Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre, Birchen Grove, NW9 8RY 

Suitable for children aged 8 – 12yrs
Costs £3.50 per child
Booking essential – contact Edel on welshharpcentre@thames21.org.uk / 07734 871 728 

Children and adults should wear comfortable outdoor clothing that may get dirty.
•  Visits must only be cancelled in extenuating circumstances and Thames21 must be notified in advance.
• Thames21 reserves the right to cancel a visit if weather conditions are deemed unsafe or if adult to child ratio is not met

An adult must attend & supervise participating children throughout all activities making sure that:
• Supervise children at all times and are responsible for their behaviour.
• Minimum ratio of 1 adult to 5 children

-->

Is this Brent's biggest fly-tip?

A quiet cul-de-sac in Wembley had this builder's rubble dumped this morning. Nobody has come forward as yet who witnessed the actual dumping but a large full  tipper truck was seen turning in Saltcroft Close and heading back towards the dump site at the junction of Summers Close and Pilgrims Way.  The tipping would have made a considerable noise.

Brent Council has said that clearing the rubble is the responsibility of Brent Housing Management as it falls within the boundary of the council estate on Pilgrims Way.

The word 'fly-tip' does not seem adequate to describe this small mountain of concrete that will take considerable work to clear.

Spurs have out-stayed their Wembley welcome

Tottenham Hotspur announced yesterday that they are to play two more matches at Wembley because of delays in moving into their new stadium. 

The matches are: 15^th September against Liveroool and 6^th October against Cardiff City. In addition they have rescheduled an NFL game for Wembley on 14^th October.

The club has been unable to give a firm date for their move to the new stadium.

Many Wembley residents complained about the disruption caused by Tottenham’s period at the stadium so will not be pleased by this particular guest overstaying its welcome.

In an email to Carolyn Downs Brent CEO,  former Lib Dem councillor Paul Lorber said:

Dear Ms Downs

When I raised the issue of Tottenham extending their stay at Wembley beyond their existing Planning Permission you indicated that any extension would require a new Planning Permission.

When Tottenham expected to move into their new stadium The FA accommodated their needs for one or two games by absorbing their schedule within the existing 35 large events.
Now that the opening of the new Tottenham stadium was delayed (as I anticipated would be the case) the news report simply state as fact that their games (and even an American football game) are simply reschedules at Wembley without any apparent consultation with local people or any need for a new Planning Permission.

All of this seems very odd and suggests that things are simply imposed on the people of Wembley without much regard for their concerns or their needs - or any apparent say from Brent Council.

Can you please advise me and the people of Wembley on what exactly is going and why they are not being properly informed before decisions appear in the media.

At the time of the original Tottenham Planning Permission many promises were made. Can you list all the promises and indicate the progress and delivery on those.

What has for example happened for more accurate and efficient Event Day notices as many the current flip over signs are either broken or simply do not work. 

The present situation is highly unsatisfactory and the people of Brent  and Wembley deserve better.

A spokesperson for Brent Council told Wembley Matters:

 Any Tottenham games at Wembley this season will be accommodated within the existing planning permission for the Stadium, and be part of their agreed programme of events for the year.

However, they are subject to the cap of events that was initially captured in the original consent (i.e. they don't have the additional events that were granted permission through the 2017 consent).

In a community email today the Football Association said:

You will notice on the calendar that Tottenham Hotspur FC now have three confirmed fixtures to be played at Wembley. This was always an option for Spurs due to the tight time scales involved in the development of their new stadium. Spurs will only be playing here for a limited time and will not be playing a full season at Wembley Stadium as has previously been reported in the press.

Yesterday the Sun LINK reported that Spurs had been forced to pay a 'substantial' sum to the FA in order to stay at Wembley beyond Satrurday's game.

Preston Library Funday -Sunday's programme