UPDATE: Executive Headteacher gets huge wave of social media support after tweeting that she was going to refuse entry to Ofsted. NEU calls for a pause on all inspections after recent events.

 

UPDATE: Flora Cooper has made it clear that she does not want supporters of her decision to go to the school on Tuesday. This is for the protection of staff and children.

 

Social media was full of comments over the weekend about what many viewed as 'toxic' Ofsted inspections. This followed the sad news about a headteacher who, according to her family, took her own life due to the stress of an anticipated negative Ofsted finding.  Ofsted were criticised for their report on the school which merely noted the death of the headteacher during the inspection. I understand the report was taken down following the criticism.

This morning Flora Cooper, Executive Headteacher of John Rankin School, took to Twitter to announce that she was taking a stand following 'the call' from Ofsted that they were coming in to inspect the school. She announced baldly, 'I've had the call. I've refused entry.'

In subsequent tweets she called for support and it poured in, although of course, not everyone was sympathetic. LINK

The NEU issued the following statement today:

Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said;  

Given recent events and widespread concerns about leaders’ wellbeing, it’s the height of insensitivity for Ofsted to be going into schools or colleges this week.

Ofsted should pause all its inspections and reflect upon the unmanageable and counter-productive stress they cause for school leaders, and the impact on leaders. This stress is well-documented in literature about Ofsted. That they are phoning leaders this week and initiating inspections speaks to the arrogance of Ofsted and their absolute lack of empathy. The claims by Ofsted to make fair or reliable judgements are not credible and this is part of the immense stress and distress for leaders.

This is an agency that is completely out of touch, and which is making claims and judgements which are unreliable. This can’t go on. Ofsted should be concerned about restoring enhanced professionalism to school leaders and education staff but they are not.  The NEU believes inspections should be paused.    

The Union is campaigning for Ofsted to be replaced. This week a petition to Replace Ofsted will be delivered to the DFE with over 40,000 signatures from across the profession. It’s time we urgently prioritise the welfare and wellbeing of the leaders and staff working so hard with children and young people in their community. We need a system which is supportive, effective and fair.

March 24th: Street Theatre outside Brent Civic Centre as climate activists take on oil companies in tug of war over fossil fuel investments. Which side will YOU be on?

From Divest Brent

 

Roll up, roll up for the Brent Pension Fund Tug of War! Theatre, magic and music! From 4.15 to 5.30 pm, outside the Wembley Library entrance to the Civic Centre (near Sainsbury's) Friday 24th March.

 

Divest Brent is organising a street theatre 'tug-of-war' - with Brent Pension Fund being pulled between the big oil companies, who are anxious to keep their place in the Pension Fund’s portfolio, and those of us who believe that in the climate emergency the Pension Fund should not be financing climate break-down. The street theatre show, with colourful props, comedy, magic and song, will take 10 minutes and will be repeated from time to time until 5.30.

 

Organiser Simon Erskine said: 

 

More than 30 groups across Britain are expected to join the 'Divest from Crisis' day of action on Friday 24 March. Brent will join local demonstrations taking place across the UK, urging councils, pension funds, and financial institutions to take action to address the crises of fuel poverty, climate breakdown, and energy security by divesting from fossil fuels. Despite declaring a climate and ecological emergency in 2019 Brent is still estimated to have nearly £26 million* invested in planet-wrecking fossil fuels through its local government pension fund.

*SEE LINK 

In July 2019 Brent Council declared a climate and ecological emergency and committed to do all in its gift to strive for carbon neutrality by 2030.This declaration did not extend to Brent’s billion-pound Pension Fund because the Fund looks after the pensions of Council staff and support staff in schools. The Fund has, however, made some progress with investment into a low-carbon fund (albeit representing only 3% of the Fund) and a Net Zero Roadmap charting a course which should eventually lead to divestment. But global warming is indeed a climate emergency and we do not have time for the Roadmap to run its course. The Roadmap should not get in the way of a rapid divestment from the fossil fuels which are so much to blame for the emergency.

 

More information HERE:

FURTHER UPDATE: OVO Arena's premises licence challenged by members of the public alleging assault and threats of violence by security staff against adult and a child

 UPDATE 23.3.23

A Spokesperson for Ovo Arena said:

"As our priority is to ensure the safety of everyone attending the venue, OVO Arena Wembley takes all customer complaints very seriously. We have co-operated in full with the Police and following thorough investigations by both venue and police, it has been concluded that no further action is required.We are co-operating fully with Brent Council and have provided them with all necessary information, policies and procedures to conduct the venue’s licence review."

 

 Brent Council's Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee is to hear an unusual case on Tuesday March 28th. Two members of the public are applying for a review of the premises licence for the OVO Arena in Wembley, held by AEG Facilities (UK) Ltd.

The grounds for review are the Prevention of Crime & Disorder, Public Safety and the Protection of Children from Harm. One applicant alleges assault and threats of violence against himself and a minor by security staff. Another alleges detention without reason and sexual assault.

 

 

The Committee is informed:

 

These premises are currently licensed for Regulated Entertainment, Late Night Refreshment the sale of alcohol and to remain open 24hrs a day Monday to Sunday.

 

The steps the Committee may take are:

0. To modify, remove or add conditions
1.  To exclude the sale of alcohol or other licensable activity
2.  Remove the Designated Premises Supervison
3.  Suspend the licence for up to 3 months.
4.  Revoke the licence
   

 

A member of the public has submitted the representation below: 

 

 

 

 

And another has sent in this representation (statement begins at page 8) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 All the papers can be viewed HERE. The meeting takes place on Tuesday 28th March at 10am. The public and press may be excluded from some parts of the meeting:

 

Part of the consideration of Agenda Item 3 above may involve the disclosure of information classified as exempt under Paragraph 7 of Part 1 Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, namely: “Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime”.

 AEG Facilities has been contacted for a comment.

New Preston Community Library building delayed due to supply chain problems

 I was in the Preston pub, Preston Road on Friday and noticed that the Preston Library building site opposite was shrouded in sheeting and totally silent - no work in progress.

I understand that there is slippage on the scheme which consists of flats and a ground floor library space. It is now not expected to be completed until at least August with further delays possible.  The delay is blamed on supply chain issues.

The expectatation was that the Preston Community Library, saved by volunteers after Brent Council closed the original library along with 5 others, would move into the building in Spring 2023 after being housed temporarily in Ashley Gardens. 

Ernest Trobridge – Kingsbury’s Extraordinary Architect: Kingsbury Library, Tuesday 28 March

 Guest post by local historian Philip Grant

Title slide from the talk.

 

Back in February 2020, I wrote about an exhibition of this name which had opened at Kingsbury Library. I was meant to give a talk in conjunction with that display, but then Covid happened! Three years later, and I’m finally able to resume giving free local history talks for Brent Libraries, and at last local residents will have the chance to see my illustrated presentation about Ernest Trobridge, and his remarkable legacy of architectural designs.

 

3 & 5 Buck Lane, Kingsbury.

 

Who else would have thought the answer to providing comfortable and affordable “homes for heroes” after the First World War was to construct them of local timber, and give them thatched roofs? Trobridge didn’t just think it, he developed and patented a method of doing so, and built them.

 

Then, in the 1930s, he took the idea that “an Englishman’s home is his castle” to new dimensions. But as well as helping the occupants of his castle flats to feel protected, he gave them comfortable homes with a variety of convenient features. The central turret of this “castle”, at the corner of Buck Lane and Highfield Avenue, conceals the chimneys from bedroom fireplaces, while the battlements to either side are part of the deckchair cupboards on their roof gardens!

 

The front entrance to the upstairs flats at Highfort Court, Kingsbury.

 

My talk will take place at a Kingsbury Library Coffee Morning, on Tuesday 28 March from 11am to 12noon. This is a free event, but if you would like to attend, Brent Culture Service ask you to book on their Eventbrite page for “Ernest Trobridge – Kingsbury’s Extraordinary Architect” (I think this is so that they know how many people they need to provide coffee, or tea, and biscuits for!)

 

I’ve been looking forward to sharing this talk with local residents for more than three years (although I have been lucky enough to have had some extra pictures from 100 years ago shared with me in the meantime, which have found their way into the 2023 version). If you are interested in discovering more about the man behind Kingsbury’s cottages and castles, I look forward to you joining me for the talk on 28 March.

 

Philip Grant.

NEU statement on talks with Government - 2 weeks of calm agreed

The Government and the education trade unions, Association of School and College Leaders, National Association of Head Teachers, NASUWT and National Education Union, have agreed to move into a period of intensive talks. The talks will focus on teacher pay, conditions and workload reduction.

In order for talks to begin and, we hope, reach a successful conclusion, the NEU has confirmed it will create a period of calm for two weeks during which time they have said no further strike dates will be announced. The Education Secretary and all the unions will meet today (Friday 17 March), beginning intensive talks, which will continue over the weekend.

TfL consults on bus route changes in Wembley Park/Stadium area: 92, 206, 440

 From TfL 'Have Your Say' website. Go to the website for full details and to fill in the consultation

Proposals - Bus route 92 

 

Route 92 operates between Ealing Hospital and St Raphael’s, Drury Way. Our proposals relate to the section of its route between Engineers Way and Great Central Way only. On this part of its route, the 92 currently operates one-way:

• eastbound, towards St Raphael’s via Engineers Way, Fifth Way, Fourth Way and Great Central Way; and
• westbound, towards Ealing Hospital via Great Central Way, South Way, First Way and Engineers Way

 

We propose to reroute the 92 and change it to two-way operation in the Wembley Stadium area

• It would serve Fifth Way and Fourth Way in both directions
• It would no longer serve bus stop C13 on Third Way and bus stop 36584 on First Way

 

How this may change your route 92 bus journey

 

We would like to make you aware of the following expected impacts if we were to change route 92 as proposed. Read the Initial Equalities Impact Assessment document for full details:

• Current users of route 92 would benefit from a common, two-way routing in the Wembley area, simplifying the bus network
• Passengers currently boarding or alighting at the Third Way bus stop C13 (which would not be served) would need to travel up to 300 metres and cross the road to a proposed new bus stop on Fourth Way. There is not a traffic signal operated crossing point between Third Way and Fourth Way
• Passengers currently boarding or alighting at the First Way bus stop 36584 (which would not be served) would need to travel around the corner for 250 metres to the existing ‘Olympic Way’ bus stop (36581) on Engineers Way.
• The proposed Third Way and First Way bus stop changes may impact between 200-300 passengers of route 92
  

 

 

Proposals – Bus route 206

 

Route 206 operates between Wembley, The Paddocks and Kilburn Park Station. Our proposals relate to the section of its route between Bridge Road and Great Central Way only. On this part of its route, the 206 currently operates one-way:

• south-east bound, towards Kilburn Park Station via Bridge Road, Wembley Park Drive, Empire Way, Fulton Road, Rutherford Way, Engineers Way, Fifth Way, Fourth Way and Great Central Way
• north-west bound, towards Wembley Park via Great Central Way, South Way, First Way, Engineers Way, Rutherford Way, Fulton Road, Empire Way, Wembley Park Drive and Bridge Road

 

We propose to reroute the 206 and change it to two-way operation in the Wembley area

• It would serve Great Central Way, Fourth Way, Fifth Way, Fulton Road, Albion Way, North End Road and Bridge Road in both directions

 

It would no longer serve bus stops on Empire Way, Fulton Road, Rutherford Way, Engineers Way, First Way and South Way

 

How this may change your route 206 bus journey

 

We would like to make you aware of the following expected impacts if we were to change route 206 as proposed. Read the Initial Equalities Impact Assessment document for full details:

• Current users of route 206 would benefit from a common, two-way routing in the Wembley area, simplifying the bus network
• Passengers currently boarding or alighting at stop the Olympic Way bus stop (36582) on Fulton Way (which would not be served) would need to travel 300 metres to or from an existing stop on Fifth Way (CW43). To access Fifth Way, a walk across Fulton Road and the entrance to Yellow Car Park on Engineers Way would be required
• Passengers currently boarding or alighting at stop the Olympic Way bus stop (36581) on Fulton Way (which would not be served) would need to travel 400 metres to a proposed new bus stop on Fulton Road. To access Fulton Road, people would need to cross the road at Engineers Way. There are not pedestrian crossing facilities at this location, and it may be preferable to cross the road twice to access wider pavements away from car park entrances
• Passengers currently boarding or alighting at Rutherford Way bus stops BP820 and BP819 (which would not be served) would need to travel 300 metres to proposed new bus stops on either Fulton Road or North End Road. To access Fulton Road or North End Road people would need to cross over roads where there are not pedestrian crossing facilities
• Passengers currently boarding or alighting at Fulton Road bus stops BP822 and BP821 would need to travel 400 metres to proposed new bus stops on North End Road or 420 metres to proposed new bus stops at the eastern end of Fulton Road. To access Fulton Road or North End Road people would need to cross over roads where there are not pedestrian crossing facilities
• Passengers currently boarding or alighting at Empire Way bus 20944 (which would not be served) would need to travel 250 metres to existing bus stop 20992 at Wembley Park Station. To access this bus stop people would need to cross the road at Brook Avenue, where there is not a traffic signal operated crossing point
• Passengers travelling on routes 83, 182, 223 and 297 wishing to interchange to route 206 and vice versa would need to ride an additional 250 metres and change bus Wembley Park Station (stop 20992)
• The proposed bus stop changes described above may impact approximately 700 passengers of route 206

 

 

 

Proposals - Bus route 440

 

Route 440 operates between Turnham Green Church and Wembley, First Way. Our proposals relate to the section of its route between Engineers Way and Great Central Way only. On this part of the route, the 440 currently operates one-way:

• westbound towards Turnham Green Church via Engineers Way, Fifth Way, Fourth Way, Great Central Way, South Way and First Way to its bus stand
• eastbound, towards Wembley, First Way to its bus stand via Engineers Way

 

We propose to reroute the 440 and change it to two-way operation:

• westbound towards Turnham Green Church the 440 would operate from Great Central Way to Fourth Way, Fifth Way and Engineers way to line of route
• eastbound towards Wembley the 440 would operate via Engineers Way, Fifth Way, Atlas Road, Hannah Close and Great Central Way to its relocated bus stand
• As a result of this proposal, route 440 would serve proposed new bus stops on Fifth Way, Fourth Way, Hannah Close and Great Central Way
• It would no longer serve bus stops on Third Way, First Way, Atlas Road and Carey Way

 

 

How this may change your route 440 bus journey

We would like to make you aware of the following expected impacts if we were to change route 440 as proposed. Read the Initial Equalities Impact Assessment document for full details:

• Current users of route 440 between The Paddocks and Wembley Park Station would benefit from faster bus journeys between these places
• People currently boarding or alighting at the First Way bus stop 36584 (which would not be served) would need to travel around the corner for 250 metres to the existing ‘Olympic Way’ bus stop (36581) on Engineers Way
• People currently boarding or alighting at Third Way bus stop C13 would need travel up to 300 metres to a proposed new stop on Fourth Way. To access Fourth Way, people would need to cross the road at Third Way and Fourth Way and there are not pedestrian crossing facilities at this location
• People currently boarding or alighting at Atlas Road bus stop CW44 and Carey Way bus stop CW45 on Fourth Way would need to cross Fourth Way and travel around 100m to a proposed new bus stop on Fourth Way. There are not pedestrian crossing facilities at this location
• The proposed bus stop changes described above may impact approximately 150 passengers of route 440

 

As part of redevelopment plans, Brent Council is holding a separate public consultation that proposes to reconnect North End Road with Wembley Park Drive with access for vehicles, including buses. It is also proposing to move First Way from one-way to two-way operation. This would include moving the bus stand currently sited on First Way, to a new location on Great Central Way. Read more about Brent Council’s two-way working consultation on its website.

Brent Council hails its top spot in planning enforcement

 In a press release issued today Brent Council claim leadership in planning enforcement with the second highest number of enforcement notices issued by local authorities in the country.

The press release in full (unedited):

Brent has nearly topped every other local authority in tackling planning breaches by issuing the second-highest number of enforcement notices in the country in 2021/22.

According to data from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Brent Council key workers issued 111 enforcement notices in 2021/22.

These notices are given to landlords, residents and businesses who break planning regulations, often providing inadequate housing or building on land that isn't suitable.

The notice may order the developer to stop building or demand that a building be demolished.

Councillor Harbi Farah, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities and Public Protection, said: 

"This announcement shows how dedicated our planning enforcement staff are and how important it is to us that residents have safe, comfortable and adequate environments that they can live and work in.

"We will always work closely with people to help them with their planning applications process, but when landlords and businesses unfairly break the rules and create an unfair environment for everyone else - our enforcement team will step in."

 

This announcement follows a whopping £165,600 fine issued last month to a landlord who was caught breaking housing rules and offering a poor quality and overcrowded house to residents.

The breach was the change of the use of the home to accommodate multiple people and a single-storey rear conversion. It was overcrowded and housed 18 people at one stage, including seven children.

This was after the council also fined a landlord £152,500 for turning a two-floor property into three substandard flats.

Councillor Harbi Farah continued: 

"Cases like these prove the importance of action against people who do not play by the rules that are there to protect us."