Life in Brent to become even more of a gamble

Monday’s Brent Council Cabinet meeting is set to approve plans for a Community Lottery in the borough.  The aim is to raise funds for the voluntary sector in the borough.  The Cabinet report includes full details and can be read HERE.

There are currently 50 or so local authorities that run such schemes.  Brent Council has in the past turned down plans for a giant casino in Wembley Park and there are sections of Brent’s religious communities that are opposed to gambling on principle. The key question will be whether a local lottery could compete with the myriad other products on offer and as the Cabinet report states much will depend on successful marketing.

There is of course a wider issue as to whether this is the way that local services, often handed over to voluntary organisations in the wake of cuts to local authority funding, should be provided at all.

The running of the Community Lottery would be out-sourced to a private company.

The report gives the following details:

How does it work?

·      ·  Tickets cost £1 per week

·      ·  All players must be aged 16 or over

·      ·  Players can buy multiple tickets for multiple causes

·      ·  Draws are conducted every Saturday at 8pm and results are posted online

·      ·  Players sign up via direct debit or payment card; payments are taken on a monthly plan or a 3, 6 or 12 month one off payment

·      ·  Winners are notified by email and receive the prize directly into nominated account or can donate the prize to a good cause

·      ·  Good Causes are paid their income on a monthly basis

·      ·  Good Causes and the council promote the lottery to their supporters

·      ·  The Central Fund is administrated by the council

Local Lottery Good Cause Criteria

Your organisation must: 

·      Provide community activities or services within the London Borough of Brent which support the ambitions and actions of the Borough Plan 2019-2023. 


·      Have a formal constitution or set of rules. 


·      Have a bank account requiring at least two unrelated signatories. 


·      Operate with no undue restrictions on membership. 


·      Have a detailed plan as to how the lottery will be promoted. 
And be either:

·      A constituted group with a volunteer management committee, with a 
minimum of three unrelated members, that meets on a regular basis (at 
least three times a year) 


·      A registered charity, with a board of trustees. 
Or:

·      A registered Community Interest Company, and provide copies of your 
Community Interest Statement, details of the Asset Lock included in your Memorandum and Articles of Association, and a copy of your latest annual community interest report.


The council will not permit applications to join the lottery from:

·      Groups promoting or lobbying for particular religious, political beliefs or campaigns. 


·      Organisations that do not work within the boundaries of the London Borough of Brent. 


·      Individuals. 


·      Organisations which aim to distribute a profit. 


·      Organisations with no established management committee/board of trustees 
(unless a CIC). 
 

The council reserve the right to reject any application in line with the criteria above and to cease to licence any organisation with a minimum of seven days’ notice for any reason. If fraudulent or illegal activity is suspected cessation would be immediate. 


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Tile murals – Wembley Park’s heritage in the balance

Guest post by Philip Grant

If you have been following the story of the Bobby Moore Bridge planning applications LINK , you may have seen this comment which I added last week:

‘There has been an interesting, and potentially useful (to objectors), development over the advertising consent application.

I said in my blog above that the only person who had been consulted about the application was a Council Officer in the Transportation Unit. That was true at the time, but because of the nature of the objections raised, the Council’s Principal Heritage Conservation Officer has also been consulted.

His comments are not available to view on the Planning website, but I have obtained a copy of them. He has said that he is pleased that the “twin towers” mural and plaque ‘are being recognised as part of Brent's Heritage'.

He has set out several items which Quintain need to submit before their application can be properly considered, including that ‘there should be a heritage/significance statement about the tiles.’

I have come across such heritage/significance statements before, particularly over the developer’s (and Brent’s) attempts to demolish the original Victorian library building at Willesden Green in 2012, as part of the redevelopment of the former Library Centre.

I fully expect the heritage “expert”, who Quintain will hire to produce this statement for them, to play down the “significance” (or importance) of the tile murals.’

From 2013 until 2018, both Quintain and Brent Council appeared to be playing a game of “Don’t mention the Murals!”  The public call to both of them by Wembley History Society in April 2018 LINK , to put the tile murals back on permanent public display, put an end to that game. 

Now Brent’s planners have finally realised that the murals are a heritage issue, which has to be considered in making decisions on planning applications affecting them. How they will deal with that issue remains to be seen, but they are holding he future of Wembley Park’s heritage in the balance.

Quintain’s planning agent has submitted a “Statement of Significance” on the tile murals, which was published on the planning web pages for applications 19/1387 and 19/1474 on 5 June. I submitted an “Alternative Heritage / Significance Statement” on 9 June, which will probably not be published by Brent. Copies of both should be available to view below.

Although the Quintain “Statement” runs to three pages, its assessment of the “significance” of the murals is so short that I can quote it in full here:

‘Bobby Moore Bridge is neither a statutorily nor locally listed structure, nor is the tiled mural and it is not located within a Conservation Area.  The tiled mural is a bespoke piece of public art installed as part of the highway works to pedestrianise Olympic Way, to enliven what would have been blank structural wall and whilst also referencing the history of Olympic Way, Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena.’

Such heritage statements are supposed to include photographs of the “asset” being considered, and its site context. The “Statement” by Quintain’s agent says that ‘a photographic record of the mural was undertaken on 18 March 2019’, but does not include any of those photographs. I suspect that they may be “dangling a carrot”, hoping to tempt Brent into approving their applications, but with a condition that they make the photographs publicly available.

My “Alternative Statement” includes all of the photographs I have of the murals. Even if you think it is too long to be bothered reading, please have a look at the photos and accompanying descriptions at 3.11, 3.13 and 4.4 to 4.15. These will give you an insight into the tile murals, and the Wembley Park history that they portray.

The agent’s “Statement”, of course, puts a positive “spin” on Quintain’s plans – instead of none of the tile mural scenes being visible (because they have been covered up with adverts since 2013), the current proposals will put one scene back on view! Or in their words:

‘Through this sensitive design approach, the tiled mural is not only exhibited but its role as part of the history, character and appearance of Olympic Way is recognised for future generations.’

My response to that is:

‘Viewing this as a way to mitigate the substantial harm caused by covering up the rest of this heritage asset, it is like taking away the only copy of a valuable book, and giving back just a single chapter, which only discloses a small part of Wembley Park’s rich history.’  

The people of Brent own that “book”, and I hope that Brent’s planners will ensure that it is returned to us. They have been given good reasons why they should refuse Quintain’s two Bobby Moore Bridge applications.

 

Please read the two documents below, if the Bobby Moore Bridge tile murals are of interest to you. 

The documents may also be of interest if you are involved in opposing another planning matter yourself, to get an insight into the ways that developers’ agents present (or misrepresent?) the facts, and ways that this can be challenged.

Philip Grant

Click bottom right corner to enlarge

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'Full participation on Brent Cross West Station plans or we will go to law,' Capita-Barnet told

Image from Barnet Council Brent Cross West Station consultation page

The Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross was formed a long time ago and consisted of several political groups, including the Green Party, Liberal Democrats and Labour politicans as well as individuals. trade councils and community organisations. It has had ups and downs as the plans ebbed and flowed but Alison Hopkins has written to Capita-Barnet, who handle the Brent Cross Thames Link project, calling for full public participation ahead of the submission of any planning application for Brent Cross West station:

I write as the co-ordinator of the decade-old “Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood Plan”, made up of local politicians, community organisations and individuals. 

At its various peaks, the Coalition has comprised of twelve residents’ associations plus the Federation of Residents’ Associations in Barnet (another twelve largest residents’ associations in Barnet), Brent Cyclists, Brent Friends of the Earth (FoE), Barnet & Enfield FoE, Camden FoE, Sarah Teather (former MP for Brent Central), Dawn Butler, (current MP for Brent Central), Labour and Liberal Democrat Councillors from Brent and Camden, Navin Shah (London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow), Darren Johnson (former London Assembly Member), Jean Lambert (now former London MEP), Brent Green Party, Barnet Green Party, Alexis Rowell, (former Chair of Camden Sustainability Taskforce), Brent and Barnet Trades Union Councils, the Bestway Group and numerous individuals.

There is a lower level of involvement nowadays, but, as a former London Borough of Brent councillor, I can still rely on widespread all-party and no-party contacts who have been involved in the Coalition for many years. There is now an increasing London-wide co-ordination of community groups fighting developer-led control of London’s planning policy. We play a part in that, and the content of this submission draws on that resource.

The collapse of the car-based Brent Cross shopping centre expansion has met one of main aims of the Coalition, which has been to oppose Barnet council’s predicted 29,000 extra car journeys every day in the area. That has been opposed based on both unwanted road congestion and what is now called the global heating emergency.

Given the limited nature of this consultation, I want to submit comments on only a single issue. That is the nature of the design integration study for the station.

Barnet Council's Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee decided on 17 September 2018 to “Authorise Officers to undertake a design integration study to assess how the WLO line (Dudding Hill line) could link into Brent Cross West Station. The £50k cost estimate for the study will be funded from the Thameslink budget”.

As the committee was told:

“As reported to the last Committee, the Council Officers have undertaken an initial review for the potential station on the WLO line (Dudding Hill line) to link into Brent Cross West Station.  There are a number of options for configuring platform arrangements for a potential station.

“Subject to Committee approval, the Council is proposing to undertake a design integration study to understand potential preliminary designs for the station that would integrate with the new Brent Cross West Thameslink Station. This would allow passive provision to be provided, if possible, within the Brent Cross West station.  This review will also need to respond to other constraints such as the existing Brent Curve Junction and the Hendon Lines. 

“Consequently, the Committee is asked to authorise Officers to undertake a design integration study to assess how the WLO line (Dudding Hill line) could link into Brent Cross West Station.  The £50k cost estimate will be funded from the Thameslink budget.”

That public-sector design study clearly and unambiguous falls within the scope of provisions of the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters of 1988, a convention ratified by the UK.

You must open the study’s findings to what the Supreme Court would consider to be appropriate levels of public participation. Furthermore, that consultation must be in advance of incorporating the study’s findings into any Brent Cross West station planning application. Otherwise, we will challenge you in law, using our London-wide expertise and resources.

Please also note that the submission version of the London Borough of Brent Plan has a policy of 8-carriage-length platforms (perhaps provided passively) at any Dudding Hill line stations within the London Borough of Brent. 

That allows future inter-regional trains, running tangentially to central London, to stop at Brent’s growth area stations, as well as short London Overground trains running on this London orbital route.

That aspiration has also been included in community submissions to the Mayor’s London Plan, currently under examination by the Planning Inspectorate.

If and when there is a Dudding Hill Line station at Old Oak Common Lane station, it is also likely that the London Borough of Ealing will require 8-carriage platforms, given that other platforms at that station are already being so specified by Transport for London.

Therefore, the specification within your Dudding Hill line integration study will need to reflect these current and future policies of neighbouring boroughs. You cannot credibly avoid provision for 8-carriage platforms at Brent Cross West station.

Alison Hopkins

Caroline Lucas speaks out against President Trump

This is the full version of Caroline Lucas' speech. I recorded it from within the crowd so you can't see her but it is the words that are important.

What are the true costs of living in Quintain's Wembley Park development?

The PR sell

One of the costs to residents of living in the Wembley Park development is of course disruption during events as experienced at an extreme level over the Bank Holiday weekend. Critics argue that by choosing to live on top of the national stadium residents could expect no different - but what about other costs?

The Wembley Park Residents' Association has been in talks with Cllr Butt, Quintain and housing associations over rapidly rising service charges at two of the first buildings in what was orginally named Wembley City. Residents of Quadrant Court and Forum House have seen service charges rise from £90 per calendar month to £200 pcm.

It appears that residents are being asked to contribute to the costs associated with the Wembley Park Estate, which is a form of private 'public realm' as well as maintenance etc of their own blocks. The WPRA has requested Audit Reports, the Asset Management Report and detailed breakdown of the changes from First Port, the management agents. They have also asked for Quintain to provide detailed maps of how the money is being apportioned on the estate. 

Residents claimed that they were being double-charged: Service Charge and Council Tax. Cllr Butt undertook to look at the case for a Council Tax rebate which would subsidise Wembley Park Estate costs.

Clearly we must await details of any such scheme but there is bound to be opposition if that is seen, following the Wembley steps affair, as another example of Brent Council in effect handing money over to Quintain.

Preston Community Library issues statement on redevelopment of the site

The proposed new building

As of this morning there are 70 comments on the Brent Council Planning Portal for this development all of which object to the proposed new building which contains a community library space as well as 12 'affordable' flats in a 2 to 4 storey building.

A wider question is whether the community library can survive if the plans do not go through. Brent Council has a policy of realising the value of its property through development but in this case has not chosen to build flats at market prices but instead to address the need for more local housing at affordable levels.

Comments objecting or supporting the application can be made HERE

Harlesden Area Action Meeting - June 8th

Fresh on the heels of the adoption of the Harlesden Neighbourhood Plan comes this meeting of Harlesden Area Action.

The meeting is on Saturday June 8th 10.30 - Noon at the Royal Oak, 95 High Street, NW10 4TS.

 Come meet your neighbours, councillors for updates and voice your concerns.

Guest speakers:

Clean Air for Brent and Safer Kids

Together Against Trump June 3rd - 4th

From Together Against Trump

The national demonstration against Trump on Tuesday 4 June will be assembling at 11am at Trafalgar Square, marching to Downing Street and then to Parliament Square, creating a Trump-free zone and Carnival of Resistance.

The nearest station is Charing Cross Station (Bakerloo and Northern lines). To avoid the main crowds and the possibility of disruption, use Embankment, Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square stations. Westminster is the closest station for the Parliament Square rally.

What else is happening during Trump’s State Visit?

There will protests against Trump at every stage of his visit including outside Buckingham Palace during the State Banquet on Monday 3rd, outside Downing Street when he meets Theresa May on Tuesday 4th and in Portsmouth on Wednesday 5th. Below is a comprehensive list of the events taking place around the country during Trump’s visit between Monday 3rd and Wednesday 5th June.

Monday 3rd June

Protest at the Palace: Spoil Trump’s banquet

What: Donald Trump is coming to a state banquet at Buckingham Palace on Monday 3 June, as part of his state visit. We say he doesn’t deserve this red-carpet treatment and we plan to make ourselves heard right outside the palace as he turns up. Bring pots and pans, vuvuzelas, musical instruments etc and make some noise!
When: 5:30pm
Where: Gather outside Buckingham Palace, on the green on Spur Road
See Facebook event here

The People’s Banquet
What: When President Trump comes to the UK for the pomp and ceremony of a state visit, we are calling on women and allies to join us for a People’s Banquet and to share words of love and peace.
When: 7pm
Where: Parliament Square
See Facebook event here

Protests also taking place on Monday 3rd June around the country from 5pm onwards in Bangor, Birmingham, Brixton, Cambridge, Chesterfield, Leamington Spa, Manchester, Newcastle, and Nottingham.

Tuesday 4th June

Trump Baby
What: Trump Baby will be making a return and will fly over Parliament Square for two hours on Tuesday morning. A smaller version will be placed at ground level along the Together Against Trump march route throughout the day for protesters to take pictures with!
When: 9:30am – 11am
Where: Parliament Square

Together Against Trump – stop the state visit national demonstration
What: Donald Trump is coming to Britain for a state visit. Let’s show him what we think of his divisive, hateful policies! We will be taking to the streets opposing Trump’s racism, themed areas will feature throughout the protest with climate justice, migrants’ rights, anti-racism, Women’s rights, LGBT rights, anti-war and trade union rights and many more.

When: 11am – 4pm
Where: We will be assembling in Trafalgar Square from 11 am on Tuesday 4 June to declare a Trump free zone. We will then march down Whitehall and have a rally by the Women’s Memorial close to Downing Street, and then march round to Parliament Square for the closing rally. The route map will be available soon.
See Facebook event here