Kingsbury and Kenton resident forum, Brent Connects

The next Kingsbury and Kenton resident forum, Brent Connects, is on Weds 22rd June the day before the EU referendum. It will be held at Kingsbury High school, the Lower School in Bacon Lane and will start promptly at 7pm.


Council Leader, Muhammed Butt and Deputy Leader, Margaret McLennan would like to meet residents at the forum to hear their issues first hand and will take the opportunity to talk about the council’s vision for the borough. This is an excellent opportunity to put the two Cabinet members on the spot about the issues that affect you as a resident of Fryent. They will be discussing: how the council can improve the way it works, what the council is doing well and will be exploring what residents want to see happen in the future to make Brent a better place to live, work and play.
Do you have an issue that you want discussed, now is your chance?

Councillor Ketan Sheth, Chair, Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee and councillor Matt Kelcher, Chair, Brent Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be discussing ways of making scrutiny count in Brent. Effective scrutiny is a vital part of local government and helps to improve decision-making, service provision and cost-effectiveness.

It’s Time to Talk is a campaign which aims to empower residents and community leaders to talk about difficult issues. We will be discussing a planned event in July to encourage attendance and promote the need for communities in Brent to come together.

Please come along either to have your say or just listen to local issues that affect you and other residents.

Please note the venue is the lower school in Bacon Lane, make a note in your diary now to come along.

Fryent Councillors

Kingsbury and Kenton Forum - Brent Connects

The next meeting of Kingsbury Brent Connects will take place on Tuesday 3rd February 2015

The venue will be Kingsbury High School, Princess Ave, NW9
The meeting starts at 7.00pm

This meeting is really important as it gives Fryent residents the opportunity to quiz Council Leader Muhammad  Butt on the planned 54 million pound savings on the Council Budget over the next two years.  

You can read the background to the proposals in the report that the Executive Councillors considered in December 2014. http://democracy.brent.gov.uk/documents/b8067/Budget%20report%20and%20appendices%20Monday%2015-Dec-2014%2019.00%20Cabinet.pdf?T=9

Brent Council Leader Cllr Mo Butt said "I want to be as open and transparent as possible, no Labour Councillor wants to make these cuts. However Labour did not win the General election and the Government is reducing the amount of money Councils can spend, we are were we are."  

In real terms, funding for local government has fallen by 43 per cent from 2010/11 to 2015/16 (Source: House of Commons research paper 14/43, September 2014). In Brent this means that the Council has cut 89 million pounds since 2010 and is now facing a further reduction target of 54 million over the next 2 years.

This is also made worse by the freeze on Council Tax for the last 5 years. Whilst this has been good news for Council Tax payers it has meant that the income to the council has been lost. This is probably close to 8 million pounds since 2010. Is it time to pay more Council Tax that can be spent on maintaining some services.? It would be really good to hear residents views.

The meeting will also hear about A&E services at Northwick Park Hospital.

Please try and come along next Tuesday.

George Crane

Fryent Councillors

FRYENT WEEK OF ACTION 29th SEPTEMBER TO 4th OCTOBER

As part of our Fryent Weeks of Action programme, Brent Council will focus on your local area for a week and address the concerns you have about the local area such as crime, the environment and health.

Brent Council services will be working alongside local residents and partners like the police, fire service and the local community to tackle issues raised by you the residents and try and make a difference locally.

You will also have more opportunities to meet your elected Councillors  and discuss local issues face to face.

During the week events will take place at various locations: Outside Kingsbury Library, Roe Green Park, Morrison’s Car Park , Springfield Mount / Edgware Road, and more to be announced..

So whether it is advice or just the opportunity to “Sound Off” look out for “Fryent week of Action” coming to a place near you soon.

For more information, follow us on Twitter @Brent_Council #weekofaction or @FryentCllrs or emailmyneighbourhood@brent.gov.uk or sign up to our blog.

Fryent Councillors, Ruth, Shama and George

Kingsbury and Kenton Area Forum - Brent Connects

The next Brent Connects Area Forum meeting will take place on Wednesday 6th February 2013 at Kingsbury High school, Princess Ave. NW9.

The agenda is likely to include the following items:

Government Welfare Reforms - how the cuts will affect you.

Kingsbury Library, what`s on.

Civic Centre - Customer services, what`s up.

Local Policing issues.

This is your opportunity to have your say on local Council services, the popular Soap Box item will still be on the agenda. Make a note in your diary now.


Fryent Councillors, hope to see you there?  

KINGSBURY AND KENTON AREA FORUM

The next meeting of the area forum will take place on Tuesday 17th July at Kingsbury High School, Princess Ave, NW9.
Some of the agenda items that will be discussed are:

· Localisation of Council Tax Benefit

· Draft Cemeteries Strategy (consultation takes place from 2 July to 28 September)

· An update on local Policing

· Shaping a Healthier Future – consultation by NHS

In addition, there will be a written feedback on the Ward Working sessions that took place at the last forum meeting.

The item on the future of the NHS locally is very important as radical changes are being proposed that affects the way the Hospitals are managed.

Fryent Councillors 

KINGSBURY AND KENTON AREA FORUM

The next meeting of the Kingsbury and Kenton Area Forum will take place on Weds 11th April at Kingsbury High School, Princess Ave NW9.

The following items will be on the agenda for consideration.

·         Establishing Ward Working Priorities – these will be ward-based break-out sessions

·         Allotments and Food Growing Strategy - update

·         Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June – how residents can organise street parties

There will be a written update on the Olympic Route Network.

Please let us know if you have any additional suggestions. We hope you will continue to lend us your support in bringing forward local issues to your local forum.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Fyent Councillors

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PUBLIC MEETING - KINGSBURY HIGH SCHOOL - ACADEMY CONVERSION

Concerned parents are organising a meeting at the Father O'Callaghan Centre, Hay Lane , Kingsbury on Tuesday 13th Sept.
Many parents with children at Kingsbury High School will know very little of the school governors proposal to convert to an Academy. Teachers at the school are very unhappy with the plans and are considering taking industrial action.
Parents have an oportunity to understand the implications and send a clear message to the governors that they do not approve of Kingsbury High School becoming an Academy for a short term financial gain.

Please tell other parents about this important meeting.

Fryent Councillors.

Protest at Kingsbury High School Academy conversion decision.

I read in the Willesden and Brent Times (28/07) that hundreds of pupils protested against Kingsbury High School becoming an Academy. The pupils refused to go to classes and the Head Teacher hastily arranged a meeting in the school hall. This follows the Kingsbury High School governors having decided at a meeting on 14/07 to go ahead with an application for academy status.

This decision was taken despite opposition from Teachers Unions and complaints from Parents that they have not been adequately consulted. This follows similar disquiet over the recent decision of Claremont High school to seek academy status.

The decision appears to be driven by both Head teachers with little or no support from Teachers or parents.

A concerned parent recently contacted us saying “this decision has been taken but most parents are either not aware of what is happening or don’t know what the implications are for the future of the school.”

Councillor Jim Moher said on hearing the news, ”It is  a shame that the governors did not consult the parents before making such a controversial move, which the teaching staff are so concerned about”.

Please contact your Fryent Councillors by subscribing to the blog or becoming a follower.