Have your say on healthcare spending in Brent

Copland teachers striking for democracy on Tuesday

Teaching staff at Copland Community School, Wembley, will be mounting pickets lines from 7.30am on Tuesday morning as they strike once again to try and win a democratic ballot, independently run, on the proposed academy conversion. They also stipulate the Interim Executive Board, imposed on the school by Brent Council, should take the ballot result into account.

At present Ark appears to be the only academy sponsor option despite the fact that Cllr Michael Pavey, lead member for children and families, told a public meeting before Christmas that it 'wasn't a done deal' and another sponsor was possible.

Despite requests Ark has still not provided a breakdown of the ehtnic background of its teaching force at the Wembley Park site. See LINK

Staff at Woodfield Special School are also reported to be opposed to plans by their governing body for academy conversion. LINK

Copland teachers denied chance to see pupils through to their exams

We have got used to teachers' professional views being ignored or thought of as no consequence, as in the case of the recent Radio4 panel discussion about history teaching with Michael Gove and academic historians, but with no actual history teachers present.

One would expect their views to be taken account of when a school is going through substantial changes and students will be affected.

However a meeting of the Interim Executive Board of Copland Community High School yesterday seemed to model their behaviour on that of Michael Gove.

The teacher unions had asked that leaving dates for staff made redundant be deferred until September so that they could continue to support their students who are taking examinations. The IEB decided that as all classes could be covered so all redundancies will take place at Easter.

Clearly from an educational point of view it is preferable, and perhaps essential, that teachers who know the students and their strengths and weaknesses and have taught them the subject, should see them all the way through to their examinations.

It appears that the IEB accepted the word of the headteacher on the issues discussed rather than subjecting them to the kind of rigorous challenge that Ofsted now expects regarding the quality of teaching and learning.

Lucas: Government cares more about corporate gambling industry than its victims

Ahead of today’s parliamentary debate on fixed odds betting terminals, Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, said:

The rapid spread of fixed odds terminals has created serious gambling problems, especially in communities already struggling with poverty.  It’s particularly worrying that some betting shops are putting pressure on staff to encourage their increased use.

I’ve consistently opposed fixed odds betting terminals, and last year wrote to the Government calling for a review of the Gambling Act.

In my constituency, there are an estimated 70 machines, and in Brighton and Hove £270 million was gambled on them last year.

Local councils need greater powers to prevent the proliferation , and maximum stakes should be drastically reduced.  The Government’s hesitation in taking serious action suggests that it cares more about the interests of the corporate gambling industry than the people being targeted and dragged into a spiral of addiction and even greater deprivation.

Please donate to Brent CAB Winter Warmth Fund

Campaigns against the 'Big Six' energy companies and for the nationalisation of energy companies have taken off recently as the issue of fuel poverty becomes more dire. Essential if the long term problem is to be tackled.

Meanwhile there is an immediate need by some individuals and families for help with their fuel bills as they face the grim choice of whether to 'eat or heat'. Brent Citizens Advice Bureau and the Tricycle Theatre are again running their Winter Warmth Fund which is now in its fifth year. To date it has raised £14,469 plus £2,619.04 in Gift Aid.

The Fund has provided 101 awards for a total £13,714 to people receiving benefits, elderly people, people with disabilities and families with young chidren.

All payments are made direct to the utility suppliers to help reduce gas and electricity arrears.

Among the donations are those from better off pensioners who donate their Winter Fuel Allowance to those they consider worse off.

Cheques should be made payable to Brent Citizens' Advice Bureau (Winter Fuel) and sent to:

Brent Citizens' Advice Bureau,
270-272 High Road,
Willesden
London NW10 2EY

Brent Connects Forum Dates

The new round of the Brent Connects Forums starts soon. The agenda for Willesden  includes the Brent Council Budget for 2014-15 with a Q&A with Muhammed Butt and the proposed private landlord licensing.

Wednesday January 8th Kilburn and Kensal 7pm Palmers Lodge Hillspring at Willesden Green,  233 Willesdne Lane, NW2

Tuesday January14th Wembley 7pm Patidar House, 22 London Road, HA9

Wednesday January 15th Harlesden 7pm Furness Primary School Hall, Furness Road, NW10

Wednesday January 22nd Willesden 7pm Dudden Hill Community Centre, 19 Dudden Hill Lane, Willesden, NW10

Tuesday February 4th Kingsbury and Kenton 7pm Kingsbury High School. Princess Avenue, Kingsbury NW9

Preston Library Community Hub launches New Year of activity

The redoubtable Preston Library campaigners are battling on as the campaign for their library enters its fourth year.  They and campaigners from the other libraries deserve congratulations for the many varied and creative ways they have continued to fight.

This message was sent to Preston Library supporters:

First of all, can I wish you a very, very happy new year, and thank you for your continuing support. This week sees the third anniversary of the campaign to save Preston Library. The fact that the campaign - here, and in Barham Park, Cricklewood and Kensal Rise - is moving into its fourth year is a testament both to the vital importance of local public libraries and to the hard work of a very remarkable group of people. Please continue to do whatever you can to support the campaign in 2014.

We are fortunate in one respect - the Preston Library building is still in public hands, and is likely to be vacated by Preston Park School at some time in the next eighteen months. As most of you will know, there will be local elections in all London boroughs on May 22, and candidates will be seeking your votes. Please continue to tell candidates and councillors what the loss of the libraries has meant to our communities, and ask them to work with us to restore our public library in Carlton Avenue East.

The next pub quiz - our main source of income - is at 7.30 on Monday 27 January in The Preston, 161 Preston Road HA9 8NG. As usual the quiz will start promptly at 8. This seems as good a moment as any to thank all the people who have helped make these quizzes such a success - Michael, Mel, Dan, the staff of The Preston, but especially Frances, Karen, Deborah, Shelagh and Vanita, who have written the quizzes for us. Without them these events wouldn't be possible. I hope lots of you will come on the 27th.

Our Monday afternoon Community Hub events in the library building will restart on 13 January  These include English classes for those who do not have English as their first language, a creative writing group, and Scrabble. Refreshments are available. These are still early days - anyone who can offer help, or who has ideas for other activities will be very welcome. There are more details on the website.

www.brentlibraries.wordpress.com 

Brent Council announce blitz on dirty streets ahead of the local election

Brent Fightback protest in 2011

It is interesting how the forthcoming elections focus the mind of councillors. Up until now Brent Council has denied that the 2011 cuts in street cleaning  resulted in dirtier streets despite the evidence provided by local residents and political activists.

This interview with a street cleaner predicted a worsening service from  Nicola Newswizz

 Now, with 5 months to go before the election Brent Council has announced a blitz on street cleaning:

A major new blitz against the worst litter and flytipping spots in the borough will be launched in every ward in the new year as part of a new campaign to clean up Brent.

Brent Council’s campaign will focus on the spots most blighted by dumped waste, litter and dirt. For the first time street cleansing on Saturday and Sunday afternoons in town centres and residential streets will take place and all 21 wards will get their own dedicated street sweeper to focus on cleaning up the dirtiest spots in their area.

In total an extra 28 street sweepers in addition to the existing crews will be sent in to clean up the borough’s streets from 6 January. So far 147 of the dirtiest spots across the borough have been identified for immediate action as part of the campaign.

Brent Council is committed to delivering clean streets and high standards of cleansing for all areas, including removing any flytipping as quickly as possible.

It is not clear whether the 28 street sweepers are new employees or current employees on overtime and what the budgetary implications are for the move.

The fly tipping 'Hot Spots' identified by the council for action can be found on the table below: