Don’t miss “Identity and Self” – only until Sunday at the Willesden Gallery

Urban Brent” by Jagruti Modi (Acrylic on canvas, 510 x 755mm)

Guest post by Philip Grant

When I visit Willesden Green Library, I usually head straight for the Archives and Museum on the second floor, but a friend had recommended that I have a look at the “Identity and Self” exhibition, in the Willesden Gallery on the ground floor. I’m glad that I did, and am writing this to encourage you to do the same!

This is a group exhibition, bringing together the work of 27 Brent-based artists. Its aim is to kick-off the “Borough of Cultures” year by showcasing artwork in a variety of media, by emerging and established artists from across Brent’s diverse community. It certainly succeeds in doing that, and is a treat for the eyes.

A small selection of the art on display at “Identity and Self”

Because of the variety of artworks, everyone will have their own favourite pieces, but I think the one I have featured above fits well for “Wembley Matters”. It is vibrant and colourful, with a range of views, from the arch of the stadium and Wembley Park tower blocks to the Jubilee Line running through Fryent Country Park. I understand that the artist is self-taught, and that this is the first painting she has exhibited; yet her contribution to the exhibition holds its own alongside works by Fine Art graduates who have had their work displayed at the Tate Modern, or prestigious private galleries.

Another corner of “Identity and Self”, featuring “Alison in Wonderland” by Alison Baptiste.

I can’t understand why this free exhibition was only put on for just over two weeks. Its final day is Sunday 2^nd February. If you would like to see it, Willesden Green Library is open until 8pm on Friday, and from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Philip Grant.

Topics for tonight's Brent Scrutiny Committee

Chair’s Report Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny CommitteeJanuary 2020  
6pm Brent Civic Centre AGENDA

Good evening and welcome to the first meeting of the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny of this new year, and new decade!As has become a January tradition, we will be using this meeting to analyse the cabinet’s budget proposals for the coming financial year. Between October and January, I chaired the cross-committee budget scrutiny panel which took a detailed look at issues in the budget, and budget setting process. Our final report is included in the papers for tonight’s meeting and I hope it will give members of the committee some ideas and topics as they seek to question our important witnesses on these eissues. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was involved in producing the final report, particularly those councillors and officers who stayed late at the civic centre during some dark winter nights to answer questions and provide important perspectives for our work.Tonight is certainly not the last opportunity for backbench councillors to analyse the budget or have their say. The proposals will go to cabinet where councillors and the public can attend to have their say, and of course for a final vote at full council.

However, this meeting should be seen as an important part of the process, and we will seek to get some clear commitments from the council leadership around the recommendations in the budget scrutiny panel’s report.Whilst the budget discussion will certainly get significant attention, we also have some other very important business on the agenda.Firstly, we will be launching our next task group which will look into the issue of violence and abuse against women across Brent. I hope the task group can provide some new insight into how the council can coordinate with its key partners to tackle this disturbing problem. 

Next, we will be looking at the council’s property and capital strategy. In broad terms,Brent is very revenue poor as a council, but our capital position is more favourable.Therefore, it is vitally important that we use these limited levers in a strategic manner which ensures we can meet our goals and reduce capital spending in future years.It is therefore unsurprising that the committee has always taken an interest in these issues, and I look forward to a further discussion tonight. 

Finally, as councillors we often get contacted by Brent residents who have concerns about the areas in which the council chooses to invest its pension fund. We have a clear responsibility to ensure this is done in an ethical manner, but also that we ensure there is enough money in the pot to ensure the dedicated public servants who work for us are able to live comfortably in retirement. I anticipate a lively debate on exactly how to strike this balance.  

Best wishes, Cllr Matt Kelcher, Chair, Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee

Brent Council announces new tranche of tree planting

Trees on King's Drive Estate, Wembley

It is perhaps mere coincidence that this follows the recent row over the felling of street trees and the resulting formation of the Brent Trees pressure group. It is a small start and more detail is needed but all the same a welcome announcement.

Announcement from Brent Council

More than 300 new street trees are coming to Brent, thanks to a £203k cash injection*, which also covers their maintenance for the next three years.

The new street trees will be planted in areas of the borough with:

• Low tree cover
• High levels of air pollution
• High levels of deprivation

What’s more, late last year, community groups and private gardens across Brent received more than 1,530 saplings as part of a Mayor of London initiative.

Community groups were offered advice and support from the Council’s Parks Service, on species and ideal locations for the new trees. Meanwhile, residents with private gardens received rowan and wild cherry saplings for planting at home.

Brent Council has made a commitment to plant at least 520 new trees every year.

Cllr Krupa Sheth, Lead Member for Environment, said:

A simple tree has a story that lasts a lifetime, it cleans the air we breathe, it gives habitat to natural life and it makes our streets that much nicer to behold.

Our climate fightback has only just begun, but with hundreds of new trees coming to roads and avenues, we’re not just planting for the future, but investing in Brent’s lungs today.

*£143k grant from the Forestry Commission and Greater London Authority, with an additional £60k from Brent Council

Could your church join the movement for fossil free churches?

Ivybridge Methodist Church, which joined the Epiphany Declaration for Fossil Free Churches this month

From Operation Noah

Operation Noah, the World Council of Churches, the Global Catholic Climate Movement, Green Anglicans and GreenFaith are inviting religious and spiritual institutions from around the world to join a multi-faith global divestment announcement on 26-28 March 2020.

In this crucial time for urgent climate action, could your church join the movement for fossil free churches, as a practical step to care for God’s creation?

Divestment is a powerful action that your church or Christian organisation can take in response to the climate emergency, shifting investments out of the problem and into the solution. It involves making a commitment to divest (disinvest) any investments in fossil fuel companies within a five-year timeframe. Even if your church doesn’t currently hold investments, it can make a strong statement by pledging to not invest in fossil fuels in the future.

The year ahead is a pivotal year for climate action, as the devastating impacts of the climate emergency become increasingly evident. By divesting from fossil fuels, churches can demonstrate moral leadership and emphasise the need for urgent action from the UK Government, especially with the UN climate talks (COP26) set to take place in Glasgow in November 2020.

Churches have been at the forefront of the global divestment movement. Earlier this month, 20 UK Christian organisations committed to divest from fossil fuels – including the first two Catholic dioceses in England and the first local Methodist church to divest.

If you would be interested in getting your local church or regional Church structures (dioceses and equivalents) to make a commitment to divest from fossil fuels and join the Global Divestment Announcement, we would be delighted to hear from you!

For more information or to register your commitment, please get in touch with Helena Ritter on helena.ritter@operationnoah.org by 19 March 2020.

Could you spread the word among your contacts? Please forward this email to anyone you think would be interested and share our blog on social media.

Together in hope,

Helena, James and all at Operation Noah

Brent Council sets up Task Group on avoiding Strathcona redundancies after successful strike ballot

From Brent National Education Union

Following many days of strike action in the Autumn term at Roe Green Infants to try to save their Strathcona site, the NEU has announced a successful ballot result for further strike action to fight redundancies.

In the wake of this successful ballot, Brent Council have set up a task group to work on avoiding redundancies at the school.

Jenny Cooper, District Secretary of Brent NEU, said, “This shows what can happen when staff stand together, united, to protect each other. The council did not engage with the school or its union members until this further ballot was announced.”

Brent Council is to close the successful Roe Green Strathcona school site in a phased closure beginning in September 2020. 

Meanwhile the NEU has had sight of a letter sent to Brent primary governors inviting primary schools to open additional sites for alternative provision due to a shortage of school places for children with EHCPs. Roe Green Infants were presumably included in this mailing.

Cllr Jumbo Chan has once again offered his “complete solidarity” with the NEU members at the school.

QPR coaches deliver free Saturday football sessions for Brent youngsters at Ark Elvin

From Zaffar Van Kalwala

I’m organising free football sessions for Brent boys and girls aged 9-13 years old with Queens Park Rangers. 

Please could you also include the link below.

Really pleased to be organising  Free football sessions for children in Brent with Queens Park Rangers Football Club.

Please sign-up HERE - Open to all boys and girls aged 9-13 years old (regardless of ability) living in Brent.

Just turn-up and play!

Delivered by qualified QPR coaches, sessions will take place on 3G astroturf (children should wear appropriate footwear and clothing).

A big thank you to London Blues for supporting the project.

Green's performance in the Brent by-elections

Thanks to everyone who voted Green in the Brent by-elections and to those who came out to help us leaflet. We were disappointed not to do better but getting more than 8% in two of the wards was an achievement.

Liberal Democrats win Alperton council seat from Labour

After deluging the ward with thousands of leaflets and fielding up to 80 canvassers the Liberal Democrats tonight gained Alperton from Labour.

Anton Georgiou won 1,699 votes, followed by Labour at 1,304.  The Labour candidate had been suspended by the party while investigations were made into alleged Islamophobic tweets. Andrew Linnie achieved 373 votes for the Greens and the Tories won 900.

Labour held the other contested seats in Wembley Central and Barnhill.

The Conservatives had been very active in the byelections spurred on by the General Election win and are likely to be disappointed by their performance.

Georgiou will be the sole Liberal Democrat on the Council but promises robust scrutiny of Council decision making.

Greens were disappointed not to make a breakthrough into the Council chamber but will continue to provide robust opposition and scrutiny from outside.

Election result from Brent Council

Alperton
The results for each candidate are:

4,303 residents in Alperton ward cast their votes, marking a turnout of 33.99%.
Barnhill
The results for each candidate are:

2,751 residents in Barnhill ward cast their votes, marking a turnout of 21.97%.
Wembley Central
The results for each candidate are:

3,602 residents in Wembley Central ward cast their votes, marking a turnout of 27.57%.