New academy trust Wembley Secondary SEND School at Planning Committee tonight

 

Brent Council is keen to save money by reducing the need for paying for places outside of Brent and the associated travel costs to provide for the borough's special educational needs pupils and those with disabilities.

Conservative government legislation means that councils cannot build and run new schools themselves (they favour academy trusts) so the council's need has fitted in neatly with the expansionist aspirations of the Rise Partnership Trust LINK, with its own CEO,  that currently runs Manor School and Avenue School.

The school name on the planning application going to Planning Committee tonight is Wembley Manor which confusingly was the name of the infant and junior schools in East Lane changed after merger and expansion to Wembley Primary.

The school would provide 150 much needed secondary places in a site tucked away at the end of London Road and the foot of Ark Elvin playing fields:

The application site is situated at the eastern end of London Road. The northern end of the existing site contains the Ansar Youth Centre (formally known as the Wembley Youth Centre) and its associated car parking and open space. The east of the site contains a large area of hardstanding previously used as car parking and the now demolished Dennis Jackson Centre. The central and eastern elements of the site previously formed a part of the Copland School site, but were fenced off and hard surfaced for parking many years ago and did not form a part of the Ark Elvin playing fields when this was redeveloped.

 

The immediate surrounding area is predominantly terraced residential dwellings, the site is to the north of the Wembley Brook watercourse, which separates the subject site from the railway to the south. The land surrounding the brook is designated as a wildlife corridor as well as a Site in Nature Conservation (SINC). It is not within a conservation area and there are no listed buildings within the site’s curtilage. The site adjoins the Ark Elvin School playing field to the north and east.

 

The site is accessed from the existing access point from London Road, there is a well established footpath that provides access at two different points from the site which have links to the High Road and further down towards Stonebridge Park.

The area is controversial locally because of the loss of the open space, known as Copland Fields, after the academisation of Copland School, to public access. It is now fenced off with the land also going to Elsley and St Joseph's schools. The site is close to the railway bridge used by Elsley, Ark Elvin and Lyon Park pupils (and still in a terrible statement despite campaigns by local councillors and parents).

Previous history of the open land:

https://wembleymatters.blogspot.com/2015/10/ark-elvin-land-grab-to-be-decided-at.html

https://wembleymatters.blogspot.com/2015/10/does-butts-interference-with-ark-elvin.html

https://wembleymatters.blogspot.com/2020/06/loss-of-copland-fields-mourned-as.html

The new school would also be on what was previously open space, some of which had been converted to hard space by the previous school. (see plan above).

The development of the school will mean the significant  loss of mature trees and the officers' report for the Committee goes into that in some detail and worth setting out here for the record (my emphasis) :

The combined canopy cover of the lost trees is 1650sqm, which is proposed to be replaced on site with a total of 23 new trees to be planted. On the assumption that the replacement trees are extra heavy standard trees (14-16cm trunk girth), the canopy radius will be approx. 1.0m (so 2.0m across) which equates to an area of approx. 3.142m2 at time of planting. This would mean that to replace the total canopy loss that the scheme would need to plant around 525 trees to compensate the canopy area lost as a result of the development. Given the constraints of the site, it would not be possible to plant this number of replacement trees. The policy also highlights that another option is for a financial contribution for off-site tree planting of equivalent canopy cover will be sought.

The typical cost of planting an off site tree is around £2,500. Therefore this would account to an off site contribution of around £1.3m. Such a cost is likely to significantly impact on the delivery [sic] of delivering the new school. Nevertheless, the applicant is proposing to plant 8 trees off site within the southern end of the Ark Elvin Playing Field. Such details could be conditioned any forthcoming consent as Brent owns this land.

Given the significant benefits of the proposal to provide much needed SEND school places within the Borough, the benefits associated with the proposal are considered to outweigh the harm as a result of the loss of the trees

 

 There is a cottage on the site that is surrounded by trees and accessed from London Road. The resident claimed in an objection to the scheme that this access road was private but officers state it belongs to Brent Council. 

That is the only objection recorded on the portal although the officers' report does make reference to a previous plan to build 170 units of housing on the site. See Wembley Matters article HERE. However, as the land was designated for educational use because of the youth clubs, permission to build on it would have to be given by the Department for Education, which is unlikely given the rising demand for special school places.

 

 The proposed building

 

Planning officers recommend approval of the application:

 

Following the above discussion, officers consider that taking the development plan as a whole, the proposal is considered to accord with the development plan, and having regard to all material planning considerations, should be approved subject to conditions.

 

The proposal would result in the provision of a new SEND secondary for which there is a significant identified need within the Borough. The new school building would be on land designated as open space which forms a part of the former Copland School site and is not publicly accessible open space, but other open areas are proposed within the grounds of the new SEND school. The proposal would result in the loss of existing trees within the site and while more trees will be planted than will be lost, the canopy at planting will not meet or exceed the canopy size of existing trees. The proposal also results in the demolition of community buildings.

 

However, a community access plan will be secured and new community facilities are also to be provided by Council at the Wembley Housing Zone site on the corner of Cecil Avenue and the High Road. Overall, the impacts associated with the proposed development are considered be outweighed by the planning benefits associated with the proposal and it is recommended that planning permission is granted.

 

 

Brent Council cite 'budgetary constraints' on providing a quality service after hearing petition on problems with the school transport service for children with special needs and disabilities

A presentation was made at Monday's Cabinet  regarding problems with school transport for Special Educations Needs children and those with a disability (SEND.  It is a joint service with Harrow Council who have the lead role.

Wembley Matters reported on the issues that had been raised by parents and carers at a Brent Fiightback meeting HERE

 

THE PETITION PRESENTATION

• Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak today. My name is Zaynab Alfadhl and I am a parent of a child with special educational needs attending a special school in Brent and residing in the borough.

• I raised this petition to plea that councillors listen to the voice of the most vulnerable; our children and young people with SEND and their families who represent their voice.

• I have spent approximately 4 years battling with Brent Council regarding the transport service not meeting my own child’s needs, and exacerbating my child’s SEND needs.

• Like many other families, I am a working parent with another child to take to and from school. It is not possible for me to take my SEND child to and from school and I heavily rely on this council service.

• In multiple complaints over the years, Brent council have failed to consider the wellbeing and their duty of care of my child in their decision making. Examples include my child being strapped in a harness which worsened his difficulties, against my wishes where I have been told ‘if I do not agree to a harness then the council will no longer be able to transport my child to and from school’. I have felt I was given no choice as I would have to consider leaving my job to take my child to and from school.

• Not at any point has the council looked at the number of children on the routes and the journey times being too long as a contributor to the distress he has been facing on the journey to and from school.

• Health professionals have been ignored including CAMHS recommendations for a shorter journey time and safeguarding concerns raised. This is a continuous concern raised by other parents.

• I have made complaint after complaint and I have not been listened too. The transport staff are rude, unsympathetic, bringing their personal lives into conversations, and refusing/resisting to give emergency telephone numbers for after hours when children are still not home. It left me no choice but to start a petition in the hope that the council will now act on this.

• Having recently joined parent forums it has come to my attention that I am not alone in this, and that many other families in the borough are experiencing the same problem with the journey times being too long, with too many children on route.

• Due to lack of specialist SEND provision in Brent many children have to travel outside the borough to school, or across the borough as there is little specialist provision in the North of the borough.

• Many SEND Children are not able to attend their most local mainstream primary or secondary school due to their complex special educational needs and are being forced to sit on buses in immense traffic conditions while being transported to and from school. Families have told me that this can range from 2-3 hours per journey, each day.

• The council state that the increase in travel times is due to the traffic and roadworks and have disregarded that there are too many children on the bus routes which is a significant contributor to travel times.

• The maximum journey time for a child of primary school age should be 45 minutes each way, and 75 minutes each way for a child of secondary school age. The council is no where near meeting this requirement.

• Brent buses have increased the number of children on buses to 12 on some routes in a ploy to save money at the expense of these vulnerable children.

• Our children are often not attending school on time and missing essential statutory education and not coming home at a reasonable time and missing essential family time. They are spending more time on the road than in school which is totally unacceptable.

• Our children’s SEND needs are being impacted by these long journeys with significant traffic delays and roadworks which is heightening their anxieties and causing immense distress both in school and at home.

• These SEND children are in need of routine, safety and predictability and are left anxious and upset while parents also wait anxiously for the service that they rely on.

• Children are not arriving to school in a state where they are ready to learn as they have already had a bad start to the day, which makes them dysregulated. My son is also an example of this. This would therefore result in behaviour difficulties, dysregulation and he certainly is not in state ready to learn.

• Another example is my son would arrive home some days between 6pm- 6.30pm. School finishes at 3pm. My son on occasions has soiled and wet himself on this long route and would come home extremely distressed as a result of being stuck on transport for 3 hours on the way home. This is one example of many that parents have too shared similar experiences.

• We urge the council to review the distress this is causing vulnerable young people and their families, and place some extra buses with less children on each route to reduce the journey times and conditions that the most vulnerable in Brent are experiencing.
  

 

BRENT COUNCIL'S RESPONSE

As a council we take the wellbeing of our children with special educational needs very seriously and are conscious of our obligations to provide suitable travel arrangements to help eligible children get to school.

 

All routes are planned by the Brent and Harrow Transport Hub using specialist software and local knowledge to arrive at school on time, no matter how many children are in the vehicle used.

 

The service uses both directly owned and operated buses, and vehicles provided by a robust group of approved contractors to ensure there is always enough capacity available to meet our obligations to provide suitable travel arrangements within the budgets available. For example, at present our directly operated routes currently run on average at two-thirds of vehicle capacity to reduce journey times.

There are however factors outside of our control that can cause journey times to be longer than planned, such as unscheduled roadworks and children not being ready to board the vehicle on time.

 

As every route, and the children on it, are unique, there can be teething issues when a new route is set up despite the best efforts of route planners, drivers, and passenger assistants. The performance of any new routes is therefore closely monitored and where required adjustments are made.

 

While we appreciate that the number of pick-ups on a route does influence the total journey time, we do have to be conscious of our responsibilities to use taxpayers’ money wisely and run efficient services within budgetary constraints. While this can be a difficult balance to get right, ensuring a good quality service is delivered for children and young people within reasonable journey times will always be our top priority.

 

Speaking to parents about the issue  it became clear that some were concerned that their children's human rights were not being recognised. IPSEA who offer independent advice to parents with SEND children wrote about the importance of parents being able to challenge local authorities over SEND provision last year. HERE

My Winter Wonderland Fun Day - Ark Elvin Sunday 17th December Noon-4pm

 

Global Human Rights Day: Open letter to the Prime Minister and political leaders, urging them to protect universal human rights in the UK.

 On global Human Rights Day, 75+ groups from across the UK issue an open letter to the Prime Minister and political leaders, urging them to protect universal human rights in the UK.

On the 75^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) have coordinated an open letter to the Prime Minister and political leaders signed by 75+ organisations from across the UK.

Published on 10^th December 2023, global Human Rights Day, the letter highlights the United Nations’ call for a “movement of shared humanity” - a sentiment reflected by the breadth of organisations that have signed it. Grassroots groups, local charities, international organisations, professional bodies, advocates and lawyers all working in different fields and for different causes have come together to call on the UK Government to reaffirm the commitment to universal human rights, honouring the fundamental principle that human rights are for everyone.

As well as celebrating the incredible mobilisation of civil society to speak up against the UK Government’s unprincipled and unworkable Rights Removal Bill, which was ultimately scrapped this year, the letter highlights the impact that human rights have in the “small places close to home” – a phrase coined by UDHR architect Eleanor Roosevelt. It reflects on the role of the UDHR in inspiring the European Convention on Human Rights and ultimately the UK’s own Human Rights Act.

Together, the organisations tell politicians, “Anchored by common fundamental values that reach beyond divides, the UDHR makes it clear that universal human rights are part of what it means to be human, and not gifts granted by the state.”

Speaking on the release of the open letter, BIHR’s CEO, Sanchita Hosali, said:

Global Human Rights Day should be a time for us all in the UK to reflect on the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, agreed across nations in the aftermath of World War II 75 years ago to protect the equal dignity of each of us. Whether in our schools or workplaces, in community centres or housing offices, at police stations and courts, in hospitals and care homes, social work departments and Government offices, our universal human rights, shared by each and every one of us should be respected and protected by those in power.”

Sadly, here at home political debate is characterised by hostility to people’s human rights and a government intent on removing its accountability to us all. Having seen off the very real risk from the Government to scrap our Human Rights Act in favour of a Rights Removal Bill, groups from across the UK have joined together to call on our Prime Minister and political leaders to do better. Yet just days ago we see the Government seeking to set down in law the removal of human rights protections for a whole group of people seeking safety in it’s latest Rwanda Bill. As we mark the 75th anniversary of the UDHR, the Government must move beyond the popularist, often dog whistle politicking around human rights, and commit to realising the vision of universal human rights as a global blueprint for international, national, and local laws and policies.

The letter:

Barham Park accounts, Council tax on empty and second homes, Vale Farm contract - decisions coming soon

 The Brent Forward Plan gives a note but no details on decisions to be made in the near future.

Coming up in 2024:

Reconsider the accounts of Barham Park Trust 2022-2023

 

To reconsider, following their reference back by the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee under the call-in process, the accounts for the Barham Park Trust 2022-23.

 

 24 Jan 2024 by Barham Park Trust Committee 

 

Lead member: Leader

Lead director: Corporate Director of Finance & Resources

 

Council Tax - Empty and Second Homes Premium 

 To consider a recommendation to charge 100% on empty homes from one year, rather than two years as at present, and to provide 12 months’ notice of the Council’s intention to charge a premium of 100% on Second Homes from 1 April 2025.

 

5^th February Cabinet

 

Vale Farm Leisure Centre Procurement Options 

to consider the various methods of providing the Leisure Centre facilities from 2025 onwards and agree on a method of service provision. 

 

8^th April 2024 Cabinet

 

Vale Farm Swimming Pool closed while a gas leak is repaired

The swimming pool at Vale Farm is currently closed. This is because of a local gas leak; which has meant that the supply to the leisure centre has had to be temporarily halted whilst Cadent repair the pipe.

 

The centre are contacting all who have booked to use the pool and making them aware of alternate local facilities. As soon as Cadent have repaired the leak; the pool will be able to open again. The rest of the centre remains open for use. 

 

Chalkhill Christmas Celebration Saturday 9th 12 - 4pm

 

BIG UP HARLESDEN Saturday 12 noon - 4pm, Tavistock Hall, Harlesden

 

A 'One Love' community event.

EVENTBRITE BOOKING