New Green Group on Brent Council: We are proud to be part of the Green Party's vision of hope and providing a real alternative to the status quo

Left-Right: Tony, iman, Erica, Mary and Harbi

A statement from the newly formed Green Group of Councillors in Brent Council: Cllr Tony Ethapemi, Cllr Erica Gbajumo, Cllr Harbi Farah, Cllr Iman Ahmadi Moghaddam, Cllr Mary Mitchell. 15.12.25

 

Like thousands of others, we joined the Labour Party because we believed in building a fairer society. As councillors, we took that mission into Brent, determined to stand up for the people who placed their trust in us.

Between us we have over 80 years membership of the Labour Party and over 30 years experience as local councillors representing our communities and advocating for residents. We have now come to the realisation that we can no longer play that role effectively while remaining within the Labour Party.

We always knew being a party of government would put the principles and values of the party to the test, but we have watched as on every issue this government goes further away from the founding Labour Party principles of democracy, social justice and equality.

We have a huge amount of respect for many of our hard working Labour colleagues and party members in Brent, but we don’t feel that the party represents the values we hold any longer.

We want to represent a party that believes in radical overhaul of our systems to tackle the cost of living crisis and rising inequality, including wholesale reform of our tax system to ensure that the richest pay their way, rather than tinkering around the edges.

We want to represent a party that recognises that there is a not just a conflict, or even a humanitarian emergency, but a genocide taking place in Gaza, one with British roots and one that we are supporting through arms sales and criminalising peaceful protest.

We want to represent a party that recognises that people and planet are inextricably linked and that we need to do much more to tackle the biodiversity and climate crises. That this is not something that will only affect our children, but is a case of national security here and now.

We want to be members of a party that has a real and open conversation about national identity & community cohesion and that doesn’t scapegoat immigrants, a party that maintains its international obligations to asylum seekers and stands firm against racism.

We want to be members of a party nationally and locally that values diversity of opinion rather than a top-down structure with no space for difference, that silences and expels members who speak out against the party line. We want to shape politics differently in Brent.

We did not enter public life to serve a party machine - we entered it to serve our residents and we will not abandon that duty. That is why we are today resigning our membership of the Labour Party, and joining the Green Party, becoming the first Green Group of Councillors in Brent.

We are proud to be part of the Green Party’s vision of hope and to be providing Brent residents with a real alternative to the status quo. Because there is an alternative. An alternative to austerity. An alternative to a politics that tells you “there’s not enough money” whilst billions keep flowing into the pockets of the wealthy and we continue to chase economic growth at all costs.

Today marks a new chapter in local politics in Brent, rooted in accountability and a commitment to environmental and social justice.

We invite all who share this vision to work with us in offering Brent a real alternative. Together, we can build a Brent that puts people before profit, public good before private greed and hope before fear.

 

Help residents asking Barry Gardiner to urge David Lammy to act on weakening Brent hunger striker Heba Muraisi

 

Noreen and Alan Scott are Brent residents very concerned about the condition of the Palestine Action  hunger strikers. They have written to their MP, Barry Gardiner to ask him to urge Justice Minister, David Lammy, to act to prevent loss of life.

They invite residents to sign the letter by emailing  noreenscott@hotmail.co.uk or copying her into their email to Barry Gardiner. Add comments and requests in comments section below this article. Barry Gardiner's email address: barry.gardiner.mp@parliament.uk

Remember to put your address  on your email so that Barry Gardiner knows you are a constituent.

 Dear Barry,

We understand that one of your constituents, Heba Muraisi (one of the Filton 24) has been on hunger strike for since 3rd November, which is now 41 days and rising.

This is a very serious, life and death, situation and I/we are increasingly concerned that the government and its associated institutions are failing in their duty of care to this young woman, as well as seven others’ who are on hunger strike, protesting against their conditions in prison as well as the tainted political shenanigans associated with their incarceration, all of which appears to be a blatant disregard for their human and legal rights.

“After 41 days of a hunger strike, the body undergoes severe physical changes, including significant muscle loss, weakness, and a high risk of organ failure. Prolonged fasting can lead to serious health complications, including infections and neurological issues, and may ultimately result in death if not addressed.”

Heba is now reported to be in HMP New Hall in Wakefield, Yorks. From Brent this is a 3.5 hour journey by car and almost 9 hours by public transport. 

Her family, friends and thousands within our community are deeply worried about her.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the government’s failure to respond to emails and requests for meetings.

Sadly it’s become evident that the government doesn’t care as it appears to be showing a contemptuous disregard for Heba’s human and legal rights - something that’s particularly worrying as her health, as well as the health of the seven others’ on hunger strike, is rapidly deteriorating.

In the circumstances, I/we implore you to visit Heba and do all you can to raise this serious matter with David Lammy, the Minister of Justice, and other associate government departments.

As we are rapidly approaching Christmas, the season of goodwill, please acknowledge the historic struggle and suffering of the Palestinians as well as the reason Heba took the action she did, along with other members of the Filton 24: an act in protest of the Israeli government’s indiscriminate bombing of Gaza and cruel treatment of the Palestinians, which has left over 70,000 dead, including women and children, with tens of thousands homeless and bereaved at Christmas. “A plausible genocide” according to the ICJ.

In relation to genocide ministers should also be reminded that: ‘Governments have a clear, binding legal duty to prevent genocide under international law, stemming from the 1948 Genocide Convention (Article I) and customary international law, obligating all states to act to stop it, even outside their borders if they have the capacity to influence events, with this duty reinforced by the UN's "Responsibility to Protect" (R2P) doctrine. This obligation requires states to take measures to prevent and punish genocide, not just react to it, with failure to do so potentially leading to state responsibility and even complicity.’

We should therefore remember, had the government honoured their responsibilities the Filton 24 would not have taken the action they did. 

Enough is enough! It’s time to acknowledge what’s going on. We must honour our duty and responsibilities as a nation to speak out and end the unnecessary suffering and complicity.

Please call for the immediate bail of Heba and the other seven hunger strikers. Address all their concerns in compliance with the law and their human rights.

Signed:

Noreen Scott

Alan Scott

Saba Qureshi

Martin Francis 

 Fitzroy Lee 

Carol Madeleine Foster

Sheila Novak

Soodi Balali

Nushzad Nazemi 

Erika Shipley

Chris Griffen

Sohail Ahmed 

Gaynor Lloyd

Keith Perrin 

Add your name by emailing Noreen Scott:   noreenscott@hotmail.co.uk include your address.

 

 

Re-consultation on the Neasden Goods Yard site with towers of up to 51 storeys

 

After some heights were reducd annd other changesa made  in the light of Brent planners' comments, the massive Neasden Goods Yard, Neasden Lane,  appication is being re-consulted. The site, next to Neasden Jubilee line station and bordered by the proposed West London Orbital line station site, is mainly brownfield:

 

There is green space planned between the blocks but it will be very much shaded by the height of the development.

 

 The illustrations below give an idea of the size of the blocks - tall and narrow.

 

 

Only 105 of the homes out of 1,151 are social rent (9.1%):

 

 

Table of the buildings, the number of storeys, height and tenure:

 

The development will certainly change the nature of Neasden, and Brent as a whole, being higher than any of the current buildings and prominent in the London landscape.

 

So far there are only 7 comments on the Brent Planning Portal with 453 documents.  LINK 

 

Vote for an Award for this brilliant film about cleaning up our River Brent

 

A film made by local volunteers CURB (Clean up River Brent) has been entered for the Smiley Charity Film Awards (The Smileys). The awards support over 5,000 charities and engage over 1 million individuals through voting. The films spread the message, gets more volunteers involved and help to fund raise.

The playful factual film highlights pollution on the River Brent is set to Schubert's "Trout Quintet". A homegrown project assembled from footage taken by volunteers on the Brent.

Ben Morris, Director of CURB, said:

I was out with my dog in the Pitshanger Park in October 2021 when I noticed the Brent had turned a foul-smelling grey. A blocked sewer had overflowed filling the river with human waste and detergent. I was inspired to found Clean up the River Brent (CURB) and with many volunteers we have since removed over 100 tonnes of rubbish, planted 1000s of plants, and campaigned to prevent further pollution of the river. 

When (producer) Jon Rowe came to me asking if I had any film concepts to highlight the abuse of the river and create a clarion call for change, I knew I had the bones of an idea for a queasy yet playful short film to be made out of the thousands of photos and videos we had taken of the Brent over the years, showing both its beauty and its horror. So with the help of the very talented (director) Lisa Robson we put together what we hope can be both a warning shot about the state of our rivers and a call to arms to demand and embody change in our communities. 

Anyone can become a River Guardian. 

Follow this link to vote for 'The River Remembers (What We Forget)' LINK

 

Have a go at the 2025 Wembley History Society Christmas Picture Quiz!

Introductory Guest Post by local historian Philip Grant

 

Like most seasonal traditions, when this time of year comes round I feel that there has to be a Wembley History Society Christmas Picture Quiz.  [Well, there has been one each year since the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, so it has become a bit of a tradition!] As in previous years, Martin has kindly agreed to share the quiz with “Wembley Matters” readers. The question paper is attached below, so please feel free to “have a go!”

 

There are ten pictures again this year, each with two questions. This time, the quiz is about sports and entertainment stars who’ve appeared at Wembley over the years. I drew up a list of “possibles”, but decided not to include this 1930s speedway rider, as only a few people would probably know who he was. However, if you want to see if you can find the answers, here is an extra star for you:

 

a)    Who was he?

b)    Where in Wembley did he run a sports shop for many years?

 

How many questions can you answer? The quiz is just for fun (no prizes!), and you’ll get the answers on this blog site next week. Don’t worry if there are some you don’t know, because the more questions you can’t answer, the more details you’ll discover in a week’s time. 

 

You are welcome to share the quiz (and later the answers!) with friends and family, or former Wembley residents, if you think they will enjoy it too. Good luck!

 

Philip Grant

 

 

Preston Community Library new opening hours in January

 

How to find the library:
Our address is 160 Carlton Avenue East, HA9 8PL, which is off Preston Road and opposite the Preston Pub.  For Wembley Stadium event days, parking restrictions apply.  We do have a limited number of parking permits for event days, so email us before an event at the library to prestoncommunitylibrary@gmail.com if you will need one, or just drop in to collect one. 

Further information about the library is available on our website: Preston Community Library

Chalkhill infill plans passed unanimously by Brent Planning Committee

 Cllr Kathleen Fraser (Independent, Chalkhill ward) speaks to the Planning Committee

 

There were some carefully considered contributions to Brent Planning Committee last night when a Metropolitan Housing Trust application for 61 new homes on the Chalkhill Estate was discussed. New blocks of up to 5 storeys will replace garages and car parking space on the 'Science Blocks' area.

Contributors recognised the need for more social housing and were pleased that ALL the new homes will be at social rent. A rare occurence in Brent!

However, there were some downsides. Mariana, from the most affected block, Einstein House, made a detailed case that a three storey block, replacing one storey garages, would impact on the amount of daylight residents received and were too close, well causing Einstein flats to be overlooked from the balconies of the new block.  Various mitigation measures were discussd, including screening of windows, tree planting etc. None of the proposals seemed to fully answer the problem.

 Cllr Kathleen Fraser, (Independent Chalkhill ward) whilst advocating the case for more social housing, recognised the disruption that would occur to residents and listed their concerns in full. She wanted assurances that existing residents would be fully involved and consulted as the demolition and new build took place.

There was concern that a CPZ would land hard-pressed low income residents with further charges. 

An issue that emerged during the discussion was a lack of confidence in Metropolitan Thames Valley's management of the estate including  management, maintenance, waste, safety, anti-social behaviour and issues such as abandoned cars dumped in estate car parks.  Metropolitan Housing Trust is separate from the daily managment and were not ble to answer fully. Brent Council will need to be in close touch with residents, councillors and Metropolitan when the work gets underway.

The Planning Committee unanimously approved the application. 

 

 

'Strong & inspiring' Woodfield School strikers vote unanimously for further strike action after 'paltry' offer

 What do you do on a wintery picket line? Dance - naturally!

 

NEU members at Woodfield Special School in Kingsbury attended an online meeting in high numbers and voted unanimously to reject a 'paltry' offer from the Trust that runs the school.

Their strike is over wage cuts and the management offer was a pay cut of 2-1/2 hours instead pf 3-1/2.

There have already been 6 days of strike action and members  voted unaminously to continue with 3 days strike next week and another 3 days  when schools return after the winter break.

 NEU leaders described the NEU members as strong and the most inspiring ever.

Messages of solidarity are very much appreciated please send to jennifer.cooper@neu.org.uk and lucy.cox@neu.org.uk 

Educators say No! sent a solidarity message to the strikers:

Solidarity Statement for Woodfield School Workers

We stand in full solidarity with the staff at Woodfield School, who provide essential care and education for children with special needs. These pupils rely on consistent, skilled adult support, yet the Trust is proposing cuts to some of the lowest-paid and most vital workers. Staff have raised serious concerns about financial transparency and reported irregularities in the budget, demonstrating real courage and a commitment to protecting their school community.

At the same time, an inflated CEO salary highlights misplaced priorities that undermine confidence in the Trust’s decisions. Workers are right to defend both their livelihoods and the quality of education their students deserve.

The picket lines at Woodfield have been vibrant, united, and determined, with members electing an additional rep and voting for further action. Their strength and solidarity reflect a deep commitment to their students.

We stand with Woodfield staff—your fight is just, and you are not alone.

 

Peter Murry, Brent Green Party Trade Union Liaison Officer sent a solidarity message to the NEU strikers: 

Brent Green Party sends its support to National Education Union members at Woodfield Special School who have taken six days strike action and propose to take a further three days strike before the holiday, against the insufficient offer being made to them by the school's management trust. We call on the Trust to agree to the strikers'  reasonable and fair demands and  restore a full SEND education service to the communities that Woodfield school serves.