OLYMPIC TORCH COMES TO FRYENT

Olympic Torch Relay – 25^th July

The Torch Relay arrives at the Brent border with Harrow at 10am and will travel along Harrow Road, Wembley High Road, the Stadium, and up to Kingsbury via Brent Town Hall to leave the borough into Barnet at 12:15. Live coverage of the Torch Relay as it travels around the country can be found on the BBC website.

There will be parking suspensions along the route and a rolling road closure. Buses will be re-directed. Businesses and residents affected by the parking restrictions will be contacted via letter. Brent Magazine will have details of the route and recommended places to stand. After the relay spectators will be encouraged to visit the event the in the park:

Brent Celebrates the Flame; 25 July; 12noon- 7.00pm King Edward VII Park

A free event, open to everyone that aims to celebrate the Olympic torch relay passing through the borough. This park event is expected to attract a family audience of about 4,000 people.

Residents are encouraged to bring picnics and blankets to enjoy a laid back afternoon event in the park, watching performances, taking part in workshops, or trying some of the diverse food that will be available to buy. This event falls within Brent Dance Month so it is expected that dance will feature strongly on the day.

Fryent Councillors.

Brent Council agrees expansion of St Robert Southwell RC Primary School.

The Brent Council Executive gave approval at a meeting last night (23^rd April) to St Robert Southwell RC Primary school being included in the next round of school expansion plans.

The Executive agreed to expand the school by .5 FE (Form of Entry) by September 2013. The school was previously shortlisted back in August 2011 and has been moved up the list due to increasing demand for places at the school in the Kingsbury area.

The Council will now discuss the plans with the Westminster Diocese.

The Council and School will need to undertake a Statutory consultation exercise and if this is completed by September 2012 a start can be made with a planned completion by August 2013.

Fryent Councillors Jim, Ruth and George were delighted with the news. Cllr Ruth Moher said “We have been aware of the pressing need for school places at St Robert Southwell for some time. I am sure parents will be pleased that the Council have acted to secure additional places in the school for local parents.”

Council agrees to expansion of Fryent Primary School.

Following a Stautory consultation process Brent Council in agreement with the Governing Body are planning to expand Fryent primary school in Church Road, Kingsbury. The expansion will be by 2 forms of entry (2 FE) from January 2013.

The plans include demolition of the existing dining hall and some huts to be replaced with new classrooms a new hall and kitchen. The expansion plans will need approval by the planning committee anticipated in August 2012. The building programme will start shortly after with completion due April 2013.

Kingsbury Partnership Day

On Friday 2^nd March 2012, partners gathered together for a Brent Health Partnership Day in Kingsbury High Road. The day gave Fryent and Kingsbury residents an opportunity to gain specialist advice and support from Brent NHS and Fryent Safer Neighbourhood Ploice Team on health issues and crime prevention.

The Mayor of Brent, Cllr Aslam Choudry and your Fryent Councillor George Crane is seen with Susan Hearn from Brent NHS

Many residents received free health check ups covering weight, blood pressure, heart and  lungs. They also had the opportunity to gain advice on how to lead a healthy life style, stop smoking and problems with drugs and alcohol.   Brent NHS have subsequently told us how successful the event was, a total of Thirty eight (38) referrals were made from the event with 13 same day start, 25 follow up referrals plus 208 health checks were done on.

NEW WATER MAINS IN KINGSBURY

The information below has been received from Veolia Water, if your Road is affected it will be listed below.  These works will probably create traffic problems from time to time.

Please pass this message on to as many local people as possible either through our blog link or from your e mail contacts.

Replacing the water mains – NW9/Kingsbury area

Veolia Water is upgrading 4.4km of the underground network of pipes that supply water each day to residents, businesses and schools in­ the Kingsbury area of Brent. This work represents an investment of just over £0.75 million. 

Some of the existing water mains were laid more than 70 years ago and have given many years of good service, but have now reached the end of their useful lives. The majority of these pipes are cast iron, which have begun to weaken and this has made them vulnerable to leaks and bursts. By replacing targeted sections of the water mains network, Veolia Water will be able to continue supplying water to the local community for many years to come.

This work is expected to start on Monday, 13 February and is being carried out by our contractor Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Ltd. Work is due for completion by early September.  The following roads will be affected by the work:

Ash Tree Dell	Kingsbury Road
Buck Lane	Oak Tree Dell
Charlotte Place	Roe Green
Fairfield Crescent	Summit Avenue
Hay Lane	The Grove
Highfield Avenue	Townsend Lane
High Meadow Crescent	Uphill Drive
Hillside	Wakemans Hill Avenue

All customers affected by the work will receive a letter and customer leaflet (copy attached) before works start in their street to advise them of the project.  We are working closely with Brent Highways Department to ensure that this scheme runs as smoothly as possible and residents, businesses and schools are kept informed.   

Vulnerable and elderly customers are being encouraged to notify Veolia Water of their special needs by registering on our Safeguard scheme. This can be done online at www.veoliawater.co.uk/central or through our call centre on 0845 782 3333.

Additional information while work is taking place in specific streets can be found online at www.veoliawater.co.uk/customerzone

What price Tube reliability?

Boris Johnson, Tory Mayor of London has announced fares on London transport network will rise by an average of 7% from January 2012.
This will come as a really nasty surprise to commuters living in the Fryent area, already hard pressed with other increases to household budgets. With RPI (retail price increases) only at 5% what justification is there for such staggering increases.
What’s even worse, this week, saw tube chaos on many lines again, including the Jubilee line. Maybe before he puts the fares up the Mayor should concentrate on reliability. The Mayor has an election in just over six months. If he and Transport for London are to convince Londoners that they have the Tube in hand, they need to do better than this.

LIBRARY UPDATE

We last posted a blog on Kingsbury Library on 23 rd April 2011, you might like to refresh your memory about what we said regarding closing 6 libraries back then.

The austerity measure introduced by the Government has reduced the amount of money Brent receives. One of the many ways to save money has been to close some libraries. People can blame the Council but I think the Government should take most, if not all, of the blame.

The Libraries that were destined for closure were chosen on a combination of low visitor numbers and condition of buildings. Despite all the campaigning regarding library closures visitor numbers have actually declined even more in the six libraries planned to close.

Only a very small proportion of Brent residents actually use a library and the Library Transformation project is attempting to halt the decline.

Kingsbury Library already opens on a Sunday. As promised from Sunday Oct 23rd (today), Brent Town Hall, Harlesden and Kilburn Libraries will open from 12 noon until 5.00 pm
So, with resident's living close to one of our other libraries and libraries open every week, Monday to Sunday, there are no excuses not to make the most of over six million books, free access to the internet, DVD rentals, study space, reading groups and more!

FRYENT RESIDENTS UP RECYCLING RATES

The new recycling scheme introduced earlier this month by Brent Council’s Labour administration is exceeding all expectations, with a 50% increase in recycling in the first weeks of the new system.

Brent Labour ambitiously promised to bring in plans to more than double the borough’s recycling rate from 28% to 60% in their manifesto leading to the overwhelming Labour victory at the May 2010 Council elections.

Early figures show that blue bin recycling is up from 41 tonnes per day in October last year, to 61 tonnes this year. The figures are bound to improve even further when flats join the new scheme later this year.

Brent Labour has prioritised recycling for environmental reasons, and to save money and protect other council services.

Sending recyclable materials to landfill causes huge environmental damage, contaminating land and contributing to greenhouse emissions.

As well as the environmental damage, government landfill taxes mean the Council will save millions of pounds by increasing recycling.

Cllr James Powney, Lead Member for Environment and Neighbourhoods, said:

“I’d like to thank residents for so enthusiastically embracing the new recycling scheme, and making it such a success so early on.

Labour is the only party in Brent committed to increasing recycling, and I’m very proud that we’ve gone ahead with this improved system which will make us one of the greenest borough’s in the country.”

Fryent Ward Working Budget Allocation

Fryent Councillors, Jim, Ruth and George met with our Ward Working Officer Vik Mistry last week. We needed to assess the projects and proposals for allocating Ward Working Money for this year.

We have 20K to allocate to local community groups working for the benefit of local residents. Following a detailed discussion we agreed to fund the following schemes, some will be jointly funded with other Ward Working schemes to offer better economies of scale.

The successful schemes were; 1. The Kingsbury Somali Youth project (** joint funded) 2. A Burglary Prevention scheme run by Elders Voice. 3. A “Teen Club” in Kingsbury Library. 4 We have also allocated money for a “swim bus” to pay for transport to Vale Farm sports centre for the elderly to go swimming. 5 We are also going to donate a much needed bench in the Bush Grove area.

We still have a small amount to allocate and some projects are still being considered but we have asked for more information. If you know of any scheme that requires a small amount of money send an e mail with details to vikash.mistry@brent.gov.uk.

We meet again in October to finalise and sign off this year’s budget allocation.

Fryent Councillors visit Bush Grove Estate

Fryent Councillors visited the Bush Grove estates, Kingsbury over the weekend. We were delighted to meet over 100 residents on the doorstep.

We received lots of feedback on issues in the area but it was also  disappointing to see “fly tipping” on the estate.  We will tackle this and try and catch persistent offenders. This anti social action is not necessary, you can phone Brent Council  (020 8937 5050) and they will collect bulky rubbish free of charge.

We also noticed the poor state of the footpath between Church lane and Sycamore Grove and will try and get the area tidied up.

If we missed you please contact us, either comment on this blog or subscribe. 

George, Jim and Ruth.

Fryent Councillors Walkabout June 18th

Cllr s Ruth, Jim and George are writing to inform you about our Councillors’ Walkabout, on Saturday 18 June 2011.

This walkabout is being organised, in the Fryent ward, as part of Brent Council’s Ward Working initiative. 

Your views are very important to us, as its helps us to improve the way we deliver services to meet your needs.

Walkabouts are also an opportunity for us to see for ourselves what’s happening in the area.

We as Ward Councillors, with council officers, find out from local residents what their concerns are about the local area.

We will then work together with other agencies like the Police and community organisations to draw up an action plan and try to develop solutions to key issues raised.

We will attend the walkabout along with officers from Streetcare, and representatives from the Police Safer Neighbourhoods Team.

The locations are:

·     1pm - outside Kingsbury Post Office, Kingsbury High Road

·     2pm-outside Mcdonaugh’s Public house, 2 Slough Lane

·     3pm –outside St Sebastien and St Pancras RC Church, Hay Lane

·     4pm – at the corner of Coniston Gardens and Kingsbury Road (former Scout Hut).   Followed by walk to Springfield Mount/Edgware Road.   

We tend to spend between 20 and 30 minutes at each venue depending on the number of people to see. Residents will be more than welcome to meet us at the various points above.

We do hope you will be able to come and share your views about your area,

Come and join us!

George, Jim and Ruth - Your Local Councillors

The future of School Crossing Patrols in Brent

The Future of School Crossing Patrols

Brent Council has recently announced a review of the School Crossing Patrol service (SCP), sometimes referred to as Lollipop attendants, due to the shaped coloured banner they hold.

Brent has one of the largest School Crossing Patrol services in London. There are 47 sites covered by SCP,s two of which are in Fryent. One at Fryent School in Church Lane and one at St Robert Southwell School in Slough Lane.

In recent years Brent has been successful in reducing road casualties, especially children. Children killed or seriously injured have reduced from 40+ per annum in the late 1990’s to 11 per annum in 2009, sadly still to many but below both national and London targets. It has to be said that it is difficult to identify any direct contribution of the (SCP) to this reduction. Road casualty reduction has been the result of a combination of activities and initiatives.

RISK EVALUATION

Brent council has devised a model for “risk evaluation” and assessed each SCP location. Some schools may be close to Pelican crossings, be in a 20MPH zone, or simply have a traffic refuge outside the school. 

The results of the evaluation risk model in Fryent would mean that the SCP outside Fryent School would be removed and the SCP outside St Robert Southwell School would be retained.

An alternative option would be for the school to “buy back” the service and cover the annual cost of the SCP, approximately £6000 per annum.

CONSULTATION

Schools are being invited to share the proposals with the wider community, parents and carers. A report will go to the Council Executive in mid July. Details of the proposals will be available on Brent Council website.

The Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 provides that London Boroughs may make arrangements for patrolling school crossings but there is no duty to do so.

So what do residents think? Should your Council Tax pay for School Crossing Patrols? Should the Council only provide for the most risky sites? Be part of the debate.( You can click on  comment or sign in). 

Bogus Gas Man in Fryent

We have received a report from Fryent Safer Neighbourhood Team of a scam currently operating in the Fryent, Kingsbury and Kenton area. I have copied details of the scam below for information. Please pass this on and ask people to be vigilante. People who have been victims of this scam have not lost a lot of money but it could have been much worse.

Cllr George Crane


BRITISH GAS SCAM
Please be aware that we have had several reports of a male cold calling in Kenton purporting to be from British Gas.
He produces what appears to be a genuine British Gas photo ID card with a name and registration number and carries a clip board.
He asks to read your meter and then informs you that he needs to fit a filter to the meter. He asks to make an appointment to fit the filter and then asks for a £5 payment for which he issues a receipt.
We have spoken to British Gas and have been told that they do not fit filters onto meters and the representative would not ask for any payment. This is a scam.
Utility companies will contact you in advance of any planned work that needs carrying out in your home. They will not ask for payment on the day. If someone calls from a utility company please carefully check their identification BEFORE letting them in your home. If you are in any doubt call the company concerned using the customer service number on your bill. British Gas use a company called G4S AccuRead for their meter readings. To verify the validity of a meter reader they can be contacted on 0845 300 3177.
The description of the suspect involved in these incidents is a white male, chubby build with a round face, in his 30s, black hair and an Eastern European accent.
If a person matching this description knocks on your door asking to fit a filter to your meter, as above please contact police immediately using 999. 
If you think you have been a victim of this scam please contact Harrow Police on 0300 123 1212 or your Safer Neighbourhood Team.





  

Commuter parking in Valley Drive, Kingsbury.

From time to time we receive complaints regarding commuter parking in Crundale Ave, Kingsbury. This is a popular parking place (free) for user of Kingsbury Tube station.

A few  years ago the Council held a consultation with residents of Valley Drive to decide if a CPZ (controlled parking zone) should be introduced. This would have restricted parking, except for certain times of the day, which deters commuters but encourages local residents to shop locally for the benefit of local traders. Residents would need a parking permit to park in the road, unless they have off street parking. Following an extensive ballot resident’s narrowly rejected the proposed CPZ plan.

At the time of the previous consultation many residents voted No. It was clear that many people voted from roads largely unaffected by the parking problem. Is it time to consult, once again, to introduce a CPZ, but maybe restrict the consultation to only roads that suffer the parking problems? We would welcome comments?

George Crane

Kingsbury Library

Following months of consultation Brent Council has finally decided to close 6 libraries. This has been a very difficult decision but will not affect the excellent Kingsbury Library in Kingsbury High Road which was not listed or threatened under the consultation plans.

Why is it necessary to close libraries? The current austerity measures introduced by the Con/Dem Government have cut the grant the council receives to pay for many Council services, like libraries.  The council is not allowed to increase Council Tax so has to reduce expenditure. 

Despite these current massive cuts forcing the planned library closures library usage has, in fact, declined in recent years. However it is interesting to note that since the Kingsbury Library has moved from Stag lane, visitor numbers have increased significantly. Nevertheless the challenge for the council is to reverse the decline in visitor numbers and attract the 80% of Brent population that currently do not visit libraries.

Whilst it is regrettable that some libraries will close, those remaining will be the subject of major improvements over the next year. They will have an enhanced on line service, with improved IT provision. They will open 7 days a week, this will also include Kingsbury, and receive significant investment in book stock. In addition a new Library will open in the Civic Centre near Wembley Arena in 2013  to replace the Town Hall library, which will remain open until then.

Fryent Councillors on the March

The Fryent Councillors on the March

It was a carnival atmosphere, down at the Victoria Embankment last Saturday, as we congregated for the start of the 'March for the Alternative' at Temple Station.

Lots of bands, banners and chanting; it was amazing just being part of it all. There was so much going on and so much to take in. A sense of excitement that we were part of this vast demonstration.  At last we could express outrage and opposition to what the Government is doing. Up until now it has all been so passive.

Supporters from Fryent and Kingsbury were joined by people from all over Brent. It was orderly and good natured and after 3 hours we had reached Parliament and onward to Downing Street. The noise outside Downing Street was deafening, lots of Police, but everyone was well behaved despite their frustration and anger.

It was a great pity that a tiny minority of troublemakers caused problems, but hardly surprising considering the media attention. Why did the media pay so much attention to the trouble makers, surely that’s exactly what they want!

The organisers expected 100K and the total turnout was probably 4 or 5 times that number which was fantastic. Will it make any difference – probably not yet – but it was a great day out and this may just be the start of a campaign that will grow and grow.