South Kilburn to get Brent's first regeneration ballot

Guest post by South Kilburn resident John Healy reflecting on the latest developments in the South Kilburn Saga

It all began in 1999 when the residents of South Kilburn made a bid for NDC (New Deal for Communities) money, which they got in 2001.  Some of the money was used to start building new homes, with Thames Court* being the first one to be developed, followed by a Regeneration Masterplan of the whole estate in 2004.  

The residents worked in partnership alongside the Council to draw up the terms of the regeneration, including an offer of one new home to every secure council tenant required to move out of their current home when it was due to be demolished. That is still the case with the publication last Friday (5/7/19) of our landlord's (Brent Council) latest offer that can be found in the papers going to Cabinet on July 15th LINK There will be a Needs Assessment a year before any move to confirm any medical needs, change in circumstance or other preferences:

Before any more regeneration can go ahead in South Kilburn, the council has to hold a ballot for the residents of the seventeen remaining tower blocks. There is only one question on the ballot paper:

 Are you in favour of the proposal to continue with the regeneration of South Kilburn? 

YES / NO

 If the council get a majority (50.001%) of yes votes, out of all the total votes cast, then all the blocks will be demolished. The council have not said yet what will happen if they were to lose the ballot.

Over 1,000 residents  will be allowed to vote, including secure tenants & leaseholders and one possible contentious group of residents,namely the 235 residents living in temporary accommodation across the South Kilburn estate.  My understanding is that they will need to vote 'Yes' in the hope that the council will eventually give them permanent housing although this may take several years.  However, if they do vote 'yes', this will ensure that the council win the ballot although  it appears the council are confident of winning even without their votes.

* Thames Court was supposed to be the most environmentally built structure in England at that time, 2003.  I cannot remember the actual costs but it came in several millions over budget and the 'green materials' took the blame. The result was that council decided that there were not going to to be any more 'green buildings' in South Kilburn because of the extra costs incurred.

Mystery Chalkhill woman on ITV tomorrow night

Posters have been appearing around Chalkhill Estate in Wembley of a mystery woman who is going to be featured on Long Lost Families on Monday evening - 9pm ITV.

I can reveal that the woman is a former Labour councillor, previously a lecturer at the College of North West London and a stalwart of the Chalkhill Residents Association.

Watch tomorrow to find out more.

Kiln's 'A Friendly Society': Community Project or Exploitation?

Guest post by Anne Aktar

 

I've noticed that the Kiln theatre, which is subsidised by public money from Brent council, the lottery, arts council are paying to employ a writer and director to write a community play about Brent from stories from residents. 

They have a cast of 100 who are doing this for free. LINK

Where this may be construed as getting the community involved in the theatre and giving those an opportunity to work in a professional theatre, I do feel that if this is a professionally made production, it should warrant professional pay. 

I feel these free workers are being cynically exploited by the theatre who are not displaying a duty of care and explaining fully those getting involved about their working rights, including payment, and their intellectual property rights to any of their stories and should be paid accordingly. 

It's billed as a community project for the community, however, the writer and director being employed, do not live in the locality or the borough.  There are plenty of professional writers and directors locally and throughout the borough who appear to be overlooked. 

This sets an alarming precedent for a publicly funded professional theatre to encourage the use of free workers for a professionally made profit making production. 

 

There is already exploitation within the acting world where actors are expected to work for free and this can only lead to more professional theatres following suit. 

Acting is becoming a hobby for those from backgrounds who are financially secure and this only adds to exclusion. 

Unfortunately, I am socially excluded from maintaining my Equity union membership as I cannot afford the annual subscription, so am voiceless in the trade union movement. 

 

I had been a member since 1978, in the good old days of the closed shop. 

I'm experiencing financial destitution due to the fact that many productions that used to pay performers, no longer do so, promising exposure, as payment. 

 

 

Equity are running a campaign LINK:

Equity members are professionals: skilled individuals who bring their experience and their talent to every job. They deserve to be treated with the respect workers in other industries take as a given. They deserve decent pay. That's what Professionally Made Professionally Paid is fighting for.

Low and no pay is a major issue for many Equity members. Too often performers and creatives are expected to give their time and energy for free, exchanging hard work for 'exposure' or 'CV points'.

This particularly affects members at the start of their careers, and those without savings or economic support also find themselves priced out of the industry.

I encourage new methods of including people in the arts and I agree that people should be given a chance, especially those who cannot afford drama school fees. 

 

However, I do also feel that those taking part should be paid professional rates for this invaluable work experience, of which the fundamental aspect should include wage experience. 

As working class people, work is embedded in our DNA, it comes naturally. 

The main barrier to working class people sustaining a career in the arts is exploitative practices such as no pay. 

I have contacted Equity head office and the local branch and I'm reaching out to the wider trade union movement to make aware of this exploitation. 

As far as I'm aware, this is a professional production not aligned to Brent Borough of Culture 2020.

I do feel the general public should be made aware that they will be buying tickets to an exploitative production.

Brent Council moves to adopt APPG definition of Islamophobia at Full Council on Monday

Brent Council is due to adopt the All-Party Parliamentary Group's definition of Islamophobia at Full Council on Monday July 8th if a a motion from Cllr Ahmad Shahzad (Labour - Mapesbury) is adopted. The definition is not without its critics, including claims that it too closely mirrors the controversial IHRA definition of Anti-Semitism and confuses race and religion.  LINK  The motion claims that the Council has adopted the IHRA definition and its examples, but does not mention that it accepted an amendment to the examples that was contradictory. LINK

Standing up to racism, discrimination and prejudice in Brent 

This Council notes: 

Brent Council adopted the definition of antisemitism in September 2017, including its examples, set out by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, and now, seeks to adopt the definition of Islamophobia, including its examples, as set out by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims. 

The charity Tell Mama reported that in the week after 50 innocent, Muslim worshippers were massacred in the Christchurch New Zealand terror attack, Islamophobic incidents increased by almost 600 per cent back in Britain.

This Council believes:

That words have consequences within political discourse. 

We unequivocally condemn all forms of pernicious racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, transphobia, ageism, pregnancy and maternity discrimination, ableism and sexism and reaffirm our commitment to fighting against them.

This Council resolves:

To adopt the APPG on British Muslims – Working Definition of Islamophobia as follows:

 

“Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”

Contemporary examples of Islamophobia in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in encounters between religions and non-religions in the public sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to: 

·      Calling for, aiding, instigating or justifying the killing or harming of Muslims in the name of a racist/ fascist ideology, or an extremist view of religion. 


·      Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Muslims as such, or of Muslims as a collective group, such as, especially but not exclusively, conspiracies about Muslim entryism in politics, government or other societal institutions; the myth of Muslim identity having a unique propensity for terrorism, and claims of a demographic ‘threat’ posed by Muslims or of a ‘Muslim takeover’. 


·      Accusing Muslims as a group of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Muslim person or group of Muslim individuals, or even for acts committed by non- Muslims. 


·      Accusing Muslims as a group, or Muslim majority states, of inventing or exaggerating Islamophobia, ethnic cleansing or genocide perpetrated against Muslims. 


·      Accusing Muslim citizens of being more loyal to the ‘Ummah’ (transnational Muslim community) or to their countries of origin, or to the alleged priorities of Muslims worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations. 


·      Applying double standards by requiring of Muslims behaviours that are not expected or demanded of any other groups in society, e.g. loyalty tests. 


·      Using the symbols and images associated with classic Islamophobia (e.g. the Prophet Muhammed being a paedophile, claims of Muslims spreading Islam by the sword or subjugating minority groups under their rule) to characterize Muslims as being ‘sex groomers’, inherently violent or incapable of living harmoniously in plural societies. 


·      Holding Muslims collectively responsible for the actions of any Muslim majority state, whether secular or constitutionally Islamic.

Brent Labour seeks to declare a Climate Emergency and Tories move to protect diesel drivers

The much anticipated Climate Emergency Declaration  motion has now been published (full version below) and will be moved by Cllr Roxanne Mashari (Welsh Harp) an ex Environment Lead Member at Monday's Council meeting. It is seconded by Cllr Kieron Gill (Brondesbury Park).

The action points for the Council are:

·      To join our Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan in declaring a Global climate emergency. This is essential to protect our only planet, not only for us, but for all the life on it and, hopefully, all the generations of life to come. 


·      Do all reasonable in the Council’s gift to aim for carbon neutrality for 2030 and work with government to achieve the national 2050 target. 


·      Develop a Carbon Offset Fund and strategy, to enshrine the principle that developments, could and should fund projects that reduce carbon emissions elsewhere in the borough. 


·      At every opportunity, redirect our investments into renewable energy projects and carbon free or carbon neutral technologies. 


·      To continue delivering reductions in greenhouse gas emissions via the development of district energy networks and support for renewable alternatives 


·      Request that the appropriate scrutiny committee review the actions taken to reduce carbon emissions in Brent and the Council at the end of the municipal year. 


·      To empower a Lead Member to take responsibility for tackling climate change in Brent and charges that person with the responsibility to produce a report on this subject within 6 months, one that emphasises and promotes the importance of local biodiversity.

·      Make representations to national government to urge them to provide the power and resources to the Mayor of London and local authorities to hasten the pace of carbon reduction and to immediately end the £10.5 billion of hidden subsidies with which central government supports the Fossil Fuel industry in this country.

·      Explore the viability of there being an annual Green summit for interested parties, where issues can be discussed, good practice shared and ideas promoted

The Brent motion can be compared with Islington's HERE

More details is needed on how the policy would be implemented. Would the Carbon Offset Fund just take a slice of CIL money? Would the Lead Member empowered on tacking climate change just be the present lead member for the environment with this added to her portfolio. If an additional member of the Cabinet, which woudl seem preferable, it could only be implemented at the Council AGM next May.

Meanwhile the Tory motion, moved by Cllr Maurice, the shadow lead member for Parking and Car Drivers, seeks to cancel the CPZ surcharge on diesel drivers.

Click bottom right for full size version. Climate Emergency is the 2nd Labour motion.


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Strathcona staff to strike again as Butt refuses to budge ahead of formal CONsultation

From Brent NEU

NEU members at Roe Green Strathcona will take a second day of strike action next Wednesday 10th July in defence of their school. Brent Council did not listen to the 490 (99.4%) responders who said No in Brent’s first informal ‘consultation’ on the proposal to close Strathcona. They have now issued statutory notices. The NEU members have submitted detailed proposals for additional educational uses for the site - such as much needed places for autistic children- but are not confident they will be listened to. 

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council was asked what sort of response would be needed to make the council change its mind - he said “It's not about numbers or percentages” - indicating that however many constituents say no to closure, be it 500 or 5000, with even 100% objecting, it won’t make any difference. He also refused to guarantee that staff would not lose their jobs.  The same staff who bent over backwards in 2014 to help him find places for primary aged children. Brent has now opened its second ‘consultation’ which closes on 24^th July. 

Lesley Gouldbourne, Brent NEU Secretary, said “What sort of consultation is it when the numbers saying no don't count for anything? This consultation is a CONsultation.”

Brent Cycling Campaign calls for Council action to make cycling in the borough safe for all after survey results

Local cycling campaign group, Brent Cycling Campaign is calling on Brent Council to make local streets safe and inviting for all, including for those who choose to cycle. Progress is far too slow to meet the Council’s own target of 5% cycling modal share by 2025 as detailed in its own Long Term Transport Strategy. 

A survey carried out between February and April 2019 confirmed that people do want direct and convenient cycle routes with protected space on main roads with 80% of respondents seeing this as a high priority. The main barrier to cycling uptake is the lack of safety on our roads. This was quickly followed by a lack of a continuous network. This is an important aspect as the majority (37%) cycle for practical reasons such as going to work, to the shops or meeting up with friends.

Brent Cyclists, renamed themselves Brent Cycling Campaign (BCC) in January 2019. The new name better reflects its affiliation with London Cycling Campaign. It also explicitly indicates they are predominantly a campaigning group. In particular, they want to attract people who do not currently cycle, including those with mobility or accessibility needs.

Councils control over 95% of London’s roads. They have the power to create safe space for walking and cycling. New Brent Cycling Campaign coordinator and cycling school run mum, Sylvia Gauthereau. says: “ Change is well overdue in Brent especially as it is home for some of the worst levels of pollution in the UK.

Half of the households in the borough do not own a car. There are thousands of us making work, school and shopping trips every day and we demand better conditions for making cycling, alongside with walking, the obvious transport choice.”

The local London Cycling Campaign branch speaks up for a greener, healthier, happier and better-connected borough, urging Brent Council to align itself with the core principles of the Healthy Streets approach as detailed in the Mayor’s Transport Strategy.

BCC’s coordinator says: “Brent suffers from particularly poor cycling links and what are called “severance lines” – which are the horrible, nasty big road systems like Staples Corner and the Neasden underpass, which deter all but the bravest from cycling short local journeys. We need low traffic neighbourhoods, safe routes to school, inclusive infrastructure, liveable high streets where people walking and cycling are prioritised over motorised traffic”

A recent ride in Wembley and Neasden with London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner left Will Norman admitting that these were “some of the worst places he had ever cycled”.

There are engineering solutions for these problems and Brent needs to step up and prioritise them” adds Brent Cycling Campaign who produced a comprehensive document highlighting these solutions.

“It’s clear that many more people in Brent, especially children, would like to cycle but are put off by the lack of safe routes and cycling conditions. This is serious – it is stopping people getting out, being independent, getting healthier and even being happier” BCC ride coordinator Charlie Fernandes continues.

“The case for active travel has been made many times over. There is a sea of evidence demonstrating that pollution and lack of activity will bankrupt local authorities for years to come, if not addressed urgently. Brent Council leaders must make active travel including cycling a top transport, health and environment priority now” says Sylvia Gauthereau.

Brent Cycling Campaign meet regularly alternating between Cricklewood and Wembley. “Join us and meet us at one of our monthly meetings and together let’s make Brent a borough where cycling is a choice anyone can make regardless of their age, ability or gender”, she concluded.

Results of the survey can be found here.

Brent Council deprives local primary schools of much needed extra funding

The Kilburn Times LINK reports that Oakington Manor Primary School has lost the High Court case brought by Brent Council against the school.  The school had earlier won a Planning Inspectorate appeal against the Council's order to stop letting the school playground out for car parking on Wembley Event Days. The Council decided to invest its (our) funds in taking the case to the High Court  The revenue was used to supplement provision for pupils.

Oakington Manor is now a Multi-Academy Trust with Furness Primary and receives its funds directly from the government rather than via Brent Council.  It does however suffer the same funding deficit experienced by all state funded schools.

Declaring an interest as Chair of Governors at Chalkhill Primary School in Wembley I can also reveal that Brent Council took similar action against us and despite our receiving support from local councillors and Barry Gardiner MP, Brent Council Planning Enforcement took action against us. Local primary schools are in effect also part of Brent Council and so we had one part of Brent Council taking legal action against another part of Brent Council - an action that would deprive the school of additional income at a time of budget cuts and increased costs arising from higher pension and national insurance payments.

Chalkhill lost its case with the Planning Inspectorate and decided not to take any further action because of the legal costs involved.

Ostensibly, the Council's case is based on the need to reduce car use and subsequent pollution and traffic congestion in the area. Readers may think it might be more to do with maintaining its own and partners income stream from parking charges.

Not far from Chalkhill and Oakington Manor, the fee-paying Lycee International at the old Brent Town Hall, is letting its car park on Wembley Event Days. Brent Council argue that this is over-spill from official car parking near the stadium which has been reduced temporarily by the building works in the vicinity.