Brent Council: Never mind the cuts we're spending more on PR

Unconfirmed rumours reach me that Cheryl Curling, head of communications has been summarily escorted from Brent Civic Centre. Two days ago PR Weekly LINK  carried the story that she had been made redundant as part of the council's restructuring that will increase staff from 9 to 11 and with a new head on a higher pay grade than Curling. PR Weekly noted that Cheryl had not responded to a request for a comment at the time of going to press.

PR Weekly stated:

Curling’s role as ‎head of comms and marketing is set to be replaced by the wider ranging and higher salaried role of head of media and external relations, with the post currently being advertised.

Brent Council’s interim senior comms adviser Richard Stokoe, hired last year as part of the review, said the restructure would see a shift in focus towards making the council’s 2,500 staff its spokespeople.

"The most trusted form of comms is verbal, and the most trusted form of verbal comms is from friends and relatives, so this is about getting staff out there. If you have each member of staff talking to five people about the council and what it's doing, you can start to bring about big behaviour change."

Alongside a change in the top role, the comms officer roles will be changed to media officers, while new corporate comms officers will oversee longer-term strategy and the training of staff as spokespeople.

Not very good public relations really...

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