Brent Cycling Campaign: More detail & swifter Council action needed on Covid Transport Recovery Plan

From Brent Cycling Campaign LINK

Brent Cycling Campaign welcomes the publication of the Council’s Draft COVID-19 Transport Recovery Plan. On paper, this is an ambitious plan which, if implemented fully, will lead to positive and long lasting change that will benefit everyone in the borough, creating a safer and more inclusive environment.

We note that each intervention is listed against various criteria. We regret the lack of details over specific timing to deliver them. This plan, after all, has been prompted by the urgent need to protect people against the virus and to protect our roads and air from a surge of motor vehicles for every trip.
More needs to be done, both in terms of scale and time, to meet new statutory obligations on councils to provide space for distancing on the roads to enable people to cycle their journeys as they opt for alternatives to public transport, as strongly advised by the government.

Brent Cycling Campaign Coordinator and Cricklewood mother Sylvia Gauthereau said:

“We have seen other London boroughs take rapid action as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has specifically instructed them to do, creating ‘pop-up’ cycle lanes using temporary barriers on important roads, and installing filters for motor traffic on minor roads to create low-traffic neighbourhoods.

Brent, however, hasn’t started anything practical so far to aid people wishing to use cycling as transport during the pandemic. It has been slow in responding to the new guidance. We know what political will looks like, as shown by other London boroughs where leadership decided earlier on to do something practical. Despite claims, Brent isn’t quite there yet.

This is critical because Brent residents have always been heavily dependent on public transport, which they are now being instructed to avoid, to slow the spread of the virus. More car journeys are unacceptable because of the effects on the environment and road danger. A high proportion of Brent residents, especially the less well-off, including key workers, have no access to a car.” 

We recognise that Brent has done an enormous amount of work with helping the care sector and has been swift with widening the pavement in some areas. Ensuring residents have space for distancing on the roads must be seen as part of the same effort. After all, the point is to prevent people getting ill.

We need to see changes on the roads immediately in Brent. We need continuous, protected cycle lanes on main roads, especially Harrow Road, Kilburn High Road and the rest of the A5 in Brent, Neasden Underpass and the rest of the A4088, Kingsbury Road and Kenton Road. We need to see smaller rat-run roads closed to through motor traffic now, to make cycling and walking safe on them and to free the roads for those who really do need their car for their specific mobility needs.

“We alerted the Council about the necessity to implement such measures as early as April 15. Active travel, including cycling, doesn’t just materialise out of thin air. It needs to be enabled. The government’s guidance explicitly demanded action within weeks, not months, and two months on from that guidance being issued, for Brent to have still made no changes on its roads for cycling, when many other London boroughs have already done so, is highly regrettable.”

The council will be judged on the swift and meaningful implementation of this plan and other necessary measures. The Department for Transport and Transport for London both explicitly said that this will be a crucial factor in deciding how to disperse the limited available funding.

Police issue new appeal on Fryent Country Park double murder as they identify new lines of inquiry

[Victims: Bibaa Henry (left) and Nicole Smallman]

From the Metropolitan Police (unedited)

A week on from the murder of two sisters in a Wembley park, detectives have identified significant new lines of enquiry and are urgently appealing to the public to help find their attacker.
 
Officers are now confident Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry were killed by someone who was a stranger to them.

Officers will be in Fryent Country Park NW9 and the surrounding area throughout Friday, 12 June handing out leaflets and engaging with members of the public in the hope of gathering information that could assist them with their investigation.

The bodies of Nicole and Bibaa were discovered at the park on Sunday, 7 June. Two days earlier, the sisters had been at the location celebrating Bibaa’s 46th birthday with a group of friends and family.
Following a number of extensive enquiries, detectives are asking the public to help them with information about two key points.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding, Specialist Crime, said:

“This is an unthinkably harrowing and tragic incident and my first thoughts remain with Nicole and Bibaa’s close family and friends who are going through the most unimaginable pain and suffering.

“There have been a number of factors involved in both the incident and the aftermath which have required extra time and care in enabling us to create a clear picture of what has taken place. But what we can now say with some certainty is that Nicole and Bibaa were murdered by someone who was unknown to them.

“Enquiries continue at pace, and an ongoing extensive search of what is a significant crime scene – including a pond - continues to yield evidence. My officers are also currently trawling through hundreds of thousands of tonnes of rubbish from a local refuse depot in search of items of relevance to the investigation, which we believe were accidentally cleared from the scene when mistaken for rubbish.”

“Whilst we tirelessly work to identify the individual responsible I am asking the public for their help with two points:

“We believe the suspect received injuries during the incident which have caused significant bleeding. Do you know anyone who has been wounded in the last week who is unable to account for their injuries? Has someone returned home and perhaps acted suspiciously or tried to hide something from you?

“We also believe the suspect left the park via the Valley Drive entrance. Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in that vicinity during the evening of Friday into early hours of Saturday? You may have noticed someone who was injured.

“If you have information on either of these specific appeal points - no matter how insignificant it may seem - please contact us. At this stage we don’t know why this awful attack took place and any information we can gather will help us further put the pieces of the jigsaw together.”

Police were called to Fryent Country Park off Slough Lane at 13:08hrs on Sunday, 7 June to a report of two women found unresponsive.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and they were pronounced dead at the scene.
They were sisters, Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, who lived in Harrow and Brent respectively.

Their family are being supported by specially trained officers.

A post-mortem examination conducted on Tuesday, 9 June gave the cause of death for both women as stab wounds.

Nicole and Bibaa were in a group of people who congregated in the park from around 19:40hrs on Friday, 5 June to celebrate Bibaa’s birthday.

Gradually people are believed to have left throughout the evening; by around 00.30hrs only Nicole and Bibaa remained. Officers believe they were murdered within the next couple of hours.

Both Nicole and Bibaa were reported as missing to police late on Saturday, 6 June when they did not return home; before they were discovered on Sunday.

Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command (Homicide) are investigating, with the assistance of officers from the North West Command Unit.

An extensive crime scene still remains in the park.

DCI Harding also appealed for anyone else in the area at the time to come forward. He said:

 “A number of people have come forward with information which has really assisted us with our enquiries, but I still need to hear from anyone who was in the park on the evening of Friday, 5 June, or early into Saturday, 6 June who has not yet spoken with police. The area the group were in is around a five minute walk from the Valley Drive entrance of the park, leading to a hill area.

“This is a well-known spot to sit and look over London. If you were in that area of the park from the evening of 5 June through to Sunday lunchtime, noticed the group, or saw anything or anyone suspicious, please contact us immediately.

“I also want to hear from people who regularly use the park, you may have seen a person acting suspiciously in the days leading up to the attack, you may not think your information is relevant, but it may be vital, so call and tell us what you know.

“You may also have stumbled upon items of property, but not realised the significance of them. If you did, you may well have information that could assist us hugely. No matter how insignificant it may seem, please contact us.” 

North West Borough Commander Roy Smith, said:

“My thoughts are with the family who have lost two loved ones in the most tragic of circumstances.

“I know the experienced investigation team are working around the clock to identify whoever is responsible as swiftly as possible and ensure they are brought to justice. We will leave no stone unturned. Extra resources have been brought in to help from across the Met including additional detectives.

“I understand how alarmed and concerned residents will be about this incident given the circumstances.

“I want to reassure them that officers have been carrying out extra patrols in the area since last Friday and local residents can expect to see this continue over coming days, but of course it’s timely to remind people to be vigilant, particularly after dark in parks and opens areas and report anything suspicious to us immediately.”

VIDEO APPEAL

+ On Wednesday, 10 June a 36-year-old man was arrested in south London on suspicion of murder.

He was taken into custody but subsequently released no further action with regards the murder.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the incident room on 020 8721 4205, via 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 3160/7Jun.


Alternatively, you can provide information 100 per cent anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Cllr Butt: 'We need to feel uncomfortable' to bring about the necessary change in Black lives

Stonebridge Adventure Playground users protest against closure

Youth Centre users protest against closures

1,000 strong protest against Bridge Park sell-off

In a message to residents Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said that in considering positive changes to Black lives 'we will need to feel uncomfortable.'  

The decision to close Stonebridge Adventure Playground, so important in the lives of many BAME young people over the last 40 years; a review of the cuts the Council has made in youth provision; and very much of the moment, the Council's ongoing high court fight with Black residents over the Bridge Park Complex are all Brent policy issues that in my opinion might make the Council 'uncomfortable' but need an honest review.

This is the relevant section of Cllr Butt's Newsletter:

Last week I told you that Brent Council stands with our Black residents, and the Black Lives Matter campaign, against all forms of prejudice and injustice. I now want to promise you that these were not empty words. We are fully committed to positive action to improve life for all our Black residents.

Yesterday (June 11) the Council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Margaret McLennan, and I met with leaders and young people from Black communities across the borough. The council’s Chief Executive, senior council officers and the Police Borough Commander were also present. Despite the deep pain we all feel at the current situation, the talks were both constructive and productive and there was a willingness to turn our pain into positive action. It was clear that to bring the changes that are so vital and necessary, we will need to feel uncomfortable. Neither community leaders, role models nor the council can make the changes that are needed alone. We must all work together, and we will. Whatever happens internationally, nationally and at a London-wide level, discussions and action will continue in Brent, as we work in partnership to create an action plan to stamp out inequality in our borough in the short, medium and long term.

In his current Kilburn Times column Cllr Butt calls the community action in removing the  slave trader Colston's  statue 'Vigilantism':

Butt is following Keir Starmer's line in condemning the action but Brent Central MP Dawn Butler disagreed with Starmer's approach. She told ITV's Peston:

He did say that the activists were completely wrong, and I disagree, I don't think the activists were completely wrong. I think the activists in Bristol have been fighting for many years, probably over a decade to get the statue removed, and to get the statue put into a museum, and that didn't happen.And essentially they made it happen, and so I don't think that they were completely wrong.

NEU's 10 Point Recovery Plan for Education ticks lots of boxes

While the government bungles the National Education Union has put some thought into what needs to be done for a recovery of children's education in the Covid19 crisis.

Martin Redston wants a Judicial Review of DPP's failure to bring Dominic Cummings to account

Dominic Cummings running from Downing Street

Martin Redston, who many readers will know from the Save Willesden Green Library campaign has his sights on Dominic Cummings. Martin has launched a crowdfunder to finance legal action over the Director of Public Prosecutions' failure to hold Dominic Cummings to account. Cumming failed to comply with government instructions over Covid19. Martin is instructing well known QC Michael Mansfied.

Coverage of the move in the Guardian LINK

This is what Martin wrote on his fundraising page:

Who am I?

My name is Martin Redston and I am bringing judicial review proceedings against the Director of Public Prosecutions for his failure to properly consider the actions of Dominic Cummings, the chief advisor to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in relation to a potential breach of Regulation 6 of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020/350.

I, like many other citizens, have fully complied with the Government’s lockdown requirements at all times. Despite the police and the public having been made aware of Mr. Cummings’ potential breaches of the rules since 22^nd May 2020, there has been no investigation into those potential breaches in London.

Why does this matter?

The rule of law should apply for all persons, irrespective of any friendships in government. The public health measures which were put in place to protect us must be applied to everyone, including in particular those who helped to make the rules. A number of individuals in public office who have flouted those strict rules have resigned. That provided some accountability for breach of the law by those who are central to the public health message and the need to encourage full compliance. In respect of Mr. Cummings, however, representatives of the Government have taken to social media in support of him. The Attorney-General has tweeted in support of Mr. Cummings’ actions. This raises a real concern over the state’s obligation properly and fairly to investigate the case of Mr Cummings where a law officer has prejudged it by issuing a peremptory statement that sought to exculpate Mr Cummings, without due process of the law.

Dominic Cummings left London on 27th March and travelled approximately 260 miles north to Durham in a car together with his wife and child. At the relevant time the law required all persons to remain at home save for limited prescribed purposes. The journey would take 5 hours or so, not allowing for breaks and stops on the way.

On the same day, 27th March, and before leaving London, Mr. Cummings had left work and gone home to see to his wife, and then returned to work in the afternoon, despite his wife exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19. Mr. Cummings subsequently, together with his wife and four year old child, also took an unnecessary car journey to Barnard’s Castle which, he has said, was in order to test his eyesight while driving, in preparation for a longer journey back to London.

Since these events three months has passed, and there has been no indication that any state authority, including the DPP, shall inquire into the matters relating to the London breaches. Indeed there have been some very quick indications that no inquiry would follow from the briefest of possible considerations by some state bodies. By 22^nd May it was known to the public and the police that Mr. Cummings had potentially breached the regulations. Since then there has been no due consideration of accountability for Mr. Cummings’ actions in London on 27^th March.

Ultimately Mr. Cummings then held a press conference on 25^th May ending with the following words: “I know the British people hate the idea of unfairness. I wanted to explain what I thought, what I did and why, over this period, because I think that people like me who helped to make the rules should be accountable for their actions.”

At that juncture police were already in possession of the fact that Mr. Cummings had left his house in London twice on 27^th March 2020.

I have instructed lawyers to assist me with this matter: Michael Mansfield QC, who is leading counsel Philip Rule, instructed by Lorna Hackett at Hackett & Dabbs LLP.

What are we trying to achieve?

Last Wednesday, 3rd June, my lawyers wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions expressing concern that no action had been taken in relation to the alleged breaches by this public figure in London. This inaction may result in the loss of additional evidence which could otherwise be gathered by prompt investigation. This in turn could lead to the serious loss of public confidence in the accountability of government employees. There is a current public health emergency, and I am alarmed at the inactivity over the actions of Mr. Cummings which could be contributing to breaches of the lockdown rules at a time when this will cost lives.

Despite setting a deadline for substantive reply that has now passed, the only response was by email on 8th June 2020 wherein the DPP notified my lawyers that “This has now been passed to colleagues in our Special Crime Division, who will provide a response to you in due course.” This reply does not suggest that any investigation has been instigated, otherwise they would have said so.

When further urgent confirmation was sought that there was any active consideration taking place, it was met by silence. We, the public, must be at the forefront of the seeking of a just process in this case to restore public confidence.

What you can do to help

We need to raise £30,000 as an initial target to enable the case to proceed. Please do contribute whatever you can to ensure that the DPP complies with his legal obligations and share as far and wide as you can on social media to enable me to meet the target needed to lodge proceedings in court. I am deeply grateful to you for reading my crowd funding page. Thank you.

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/investigatedominiccummings/

Platform launched to help Brent small businesses survive Covid19 lockdown

From  Help High Street

Announcing the launch of Help High Street - helphighstreet.co.uk which is a platform made by volunteers from the London Borough of Brent to support small businesses impacted by the coronavirus and help them survive the post lockdown world.

Local communities are worried about their favourite restaurants, cafes and beauty salons going out of business because of the pandemic. Although this is a serious threat to the high street we believe that by raising awareness about gift cards, crowdfunding or online stores. Businesses will be better prepared to survive the post lockdown world.

The local high street has struggled during the lockdown measures which has led to enforced closures for over two months; the consequences of which is painting a bleak economic picture for many small businesses.

In a recent survey of businesses, they shared the following most common ways they have been affected by the lockdown measures

• 72% had seen decreased orders and sales
•  
• 56% had lost business due to cancelled contracts or orders
•  
• 50% reported cash flow issues
•  

Source: Business West Chambers of Commerce

The businesses that are most affected are personal services such as beauty salons and hospitality.

1. Personal services such as salons, spas, dry cleaners 100%
2.  
3. Hospitality 95%
4.  
5. Retail 73%
6.  

Source: Business West Chambers of Commerce

Size is another factor that is affecting businesses, with smaller companies hit the hardest, especially if the company has fewer than 20 employees.

The loss of high street businesses can result in a ripple effect that can wipe out identity and culture, leaving local communities devastated.

“We will see empty premises, because not all businesses will make it through”. 

- Chief Executive of the British Property Federation, Melanie Leech.

British Independent Retailers Association have said that 20% of businesses may not reopen 'because it would be more expensive for them to run their shops if footfall is low.'

Act now to help the high street

If we don’t act now, our high streets will lose many shops forever to the coronavirus. Fortunately, one of the positive outcomes from the pandemic has been a renewed sense of community; especially seen in volunteers supporting the vulnerable to donations being raised to save under-threat music venues.

An increasing amount of small businesses are harnessing innovative technologies to help their businesses survive. Some businesses have raised thousands of pounds from gift card sales by engaging with their local communities who are keen to show their support.

This is where Help High Street wants to use its platform to make things easier for businesses with gift card programs to reach customers.

Businesses with existing gift card programs can use our platform to see if their business is listed and then claim the businesses for free. If it isn’t listed they can simply add their business and link to their gift card scheme. If businesses don’t have a gift card program, we have a tool kit which provides advice on how to set one up.

If you’re worried about the high street, we want you to bring that sense of community to helphighstreet.co.uk. You can find your favourite businesses and buy gift cards from them for use whenever you feel it’s safe to visit the high street again.This platform is a voluntary project and 100% of gift purchases go to small businesses.

Help High Street’s founder David Goodwin, a User Experience Consultant said ‘I was inspired to create this platform after reading a story in a local newspaper that said a pub made £25k from selling gift cards for customers to use later. I can’t believe that more businesses aren’t doing this and I want to raise awareness and make it easier for customers to support their favourite business in innovative ways’.

The platform also features art from Otto Schade, who is famous for his ribbon-style street murals which can be found in cities all around the world.

The significance of Schade’s art reflects the struggle to make it through the coronavirus lockdown, represented by the unravelling ribbons shown in his art.

With the current UK economy uncertainty and small business owners voicing their concerns, we don’t have to see our favourite restaurant close forever. We can help the high street by acting now and using technology to support them in innovative ways.

Please contact: info@helphighstreet.co.uk

Website address: https://helphighstreet.co.uk

Social media: @helphighstreet

Sudbury Town Station planning application rejected, Ujima House and North Brent School approved

After a lengthy discussion Brent Planning Committee again rejected the TfL application for a development of 'pocket homes' on the car park at Sudbury Town Station. Despite a £600k offer by the developer towards the build costs of 6 three bedroomed homes outside the area, the committee stuck to their original objection on grounds of lack of family homes for the site itself,  the loss of the car park and its impact on acessiblity for people with protected characteristics; and the applications lack of compliance with Local and London plans. Three members of the public and two councillors made very persuasive presentations opposing the application.

Cllr Denselow abstained. Cllrs Hylton and Chappel voted for the application and the four other committee members against.

The Ujima House discussion was a real mish mash.  The owner of Lanmore House and Jaine Lunn occupant of a neighbouring house on Ecclestone Place, were represented and it emerged that a 'letter before claim' against the Council, who are the developer, had been issued. The committee were told by the Council legal officer that the Council had complied with all regulations and that appeared to be the end of that.

Inaccuracies in the officers' report were highlighted concerning the height of the building and the number of windows in adjoining buildings affected, and the committee were told that the architect had failed to get back to the Council about a query, but all this was deftly passed over.  The issue of a weight restriction of 15 tons on the entrance to Ecclestone Place was brushed aside with an assurance that if necessary lorries could access the site from Wembley High Road (traffic jams!)

The committee were told that this was just an outline application and detailed issues could be dealt with at a later date.

The application was approved.

The Executive Headteacher of the Wembley Multi-Academy Trust after initial zoom problems gave a confident presentation on its plans for a new school on Neasden Lane, currently called North Brent School, although it is on the south side of the North Circular.

However, after she had left the meeting some confusion arose over the catchment area of the school as it emerged that pupils would be travelling to the site from North Wembley as the school is currently housed on the Wembley High School site.  The new site would open at the end of 2021 so the children on the current site would have to travel down. One officer muttered something about issue of the school  catchment should have come up earlier and councillors seemed unsure if the new school when fully open would serve the local area or continue to be populated by pupils from the North Wembley area.   Clearly it would be better in terms of Green School Travel Plans if the catchment was local and the area does lack its own non-denominational school.

The new school will be 6 forms of entry so will generate a lot of trips and transport was the main issue discussed. An earlier plan to have 4 coaches travel down to the school from North Wembley had been opposed by TfL and was reduced to one, so pupils will have to travel by public transport either  on the tube, by bus or by cycle. The 297 route would be beefed up in consultation with TfL and the 245 was also mentioned but that only goes as far as Neasden shopping centre before turning off towards Staples Corner. One councillor raised concerns about children from different schools milling around at the Neasden interchange where there were already problems.

It appears that on one side of the borough we will have children travelling north from Harlesden and Stonebridge to Ark Elvin and on the other children travelling south from North Wembley to Neasden Lane!

The one decision made (apart from  approving the application) was to  call for 172 cycle parking places to be provided in the initial phase of the building. No one queried whether cycling to the school would be safe.

Recording of Committee HERE

Sufra Foodbank continues to make a difference to hundreds of lives as they wider their activity - they deserve your support

From Sufra Foodbank and Kitchen

The past three months at Sufra NW London have been extremely pivotal for our organisation and our community at large. From the onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we have come together to scale up our services to address the hunger and destitution caused by the conditions of the virus. We can’t say it has been easy; we have been challenged and stretched in every way, but we are eternally grateful for the monumental support we have received for our Coronavirus Emergency Appeal.

Analysing the current landscape of food inequality and the financial constraints that food banks all over the country are experiencing, we are certainly among the lucky ones.

For Sufra NW London, it was never just about food and money. Hunger and food security are certainly key issues, but we are more than a food bank. We have always been more than a food bank. The global pandemic has emphasised that hunger and the lack of food is just the tip of the iceberg for many families and individuals who use our services. Our beneficiaries – our guests – have often come to us at their breaking point. Some of them have bills they need to cover but not enough money left for food, some of them have lost their jobs and are struggling to put food on the table for their children, and some of them are so vulnerable to the virus that they have been confined to their homes, starving and isolated.

We have approached the crisis from a holistic perspective by providing our food bank users with food parcels as well as signposting services, advice, welfare checks, help with gas and electricity bills and other forms of support they may need. Our Give it 100 laptop drive with The Lady Fatemah Trust was designed to provide disadvantaged families with laptops and wifi and it is a key example of how we are expanding our services to understand the wider context of poverty.

Whilst we have discontinued all in-person activities such as our weekly community kitchen and our classes and workshops, we haven’t stopped working. We have been delivering hot meals and food parcels all over the borough of Brent. People have recognised the privilege of a full fridge and pantry and felt compelled to pay it forward. We are always in awe of the support that we receive every day and the creative ways that people have been raising money for our appeal.

What the Numbers Mean

As always, we maintain that food banks are not a solution to food poverty. Just because we exist, doesn’t mean those in charge are absolved of their responsibility to ensure that food is a human right. The statistics present a wider call to action. We felt it was important to compile this data in order to continue being a transparent and honest organisation, but we can’t do it alone. As a member of the Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN), we have worked together to further our understanding of how the current climate is affecting our work and why we’re putting pressure on the government to support us. You can read the full report here.

Getting Involved

If you would like to continue supporting our work and help us meet the demands of the pandemic, please consider making a donation to our Coronavirus Appeal. Alternatively, can check out more ways to donate.  We have been selected by Global’s national Make Some Noise campaign to continue making a difference to people’s lives in the midst of the pandemic. Read more about our involvement here.