Following our tongue in cheek blog praising David Cameron for his apparent commitments on energy costs, we now know that he has hastily backtracked. Apparently what he was promising he can't deliver. The good news is that your councillors are working with the rest of the administration to negotiate a special deal for Brent residents, which if successful will deliver cheaper energy to all the households who sign up for the scheme. We will keep you informed of the progress.
Fryent Councillors
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Cheap Energy Tariffs -Government Promise
Good news for consumers as David Cameron announced yesterday
at PMQ’s (prime ministers questions) that the Energy Bill will compel companies
by law to guarantee customers the best deal.
Good news indeed, I have never really understood why
wholesale prices of Gas and Electricity are lower but consumers are being
charged even higher prices. The same applies to petrol, crude oil is lower but
pump prices remain high, Why?
What we really need is to know exactly what the price of a
unit of electricity or gas is or how it is calculated, so we can compare each
company’s price – in other words transparency. The other thing we need is to
make it easier to switch suppliers – have you tried to compare tariffs lately?
Why can’t we shop for energy like we shop at Tesco and Sainsbury and see the
price on the shelf.
I am really looking forward to this Government Energy Bill,
are you?
George Crane
Fryent Councillor.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Brent's population growth grossly underestimated
With the publication of the Census 2011 data in July, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) have at last accepted that they have been grossly undercounting the growth in our population since 2001. Instead of their original 257,000 estimate, they now accept that the real figures are more like 312,000. That's about 55,000 less than we actually have! For ten years now, they have grossly underestimated the inward migration to the borough, basing their calculations on birth and death rates only.
While the government bases its formula for grants to the Borough on these statistics, we are advised that the actual impact on grants received since 2001 has not been as great as might be feared. This is said to be because Brent was protected by the operation of the government funding mechanism known as 'floors and ceilings', which were designed to moderate significant variations in allocations between local authorities based on population changes. Don't ask us to explain this jargon, but our best financial and policy brains assure us that it is so.
But if nothing else, it highlights the lack of transparency in the distribution of our national taxes to local councils by government. As a result, nobody quite knows whether the system is fair or not. If the ONS experts can get it wrong by so much for so long, god only knows what is happening in government departments. The West Coast Railway debacle in the Ministry of Transport strengthens this fear.
In the meantime, wealthy boroughs like Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and the City of London, are claiming that the latest (2011) statistics underestimate their numbers. This is contested strongly by the Office of National Statistics, but as these boroughs 'have the ear' of this government, are we likely to see these three boroughs get their way at our expense as they did a few years ago? That is why Brent and the twenty (out of 33) other London boroughs who have seen a steady increase in their populations and demand for services, will be lobbying the government to increase their funding, rather than cutting it by 28% as they are doing.
While the government bases its formula for grants to the Borough on these statistics, we are advised that the actual impact on grants received since 2001 has not been as great as might be feared. This is said to be because Brent was protected by the operation of the government funding mechanism known as 'floors and ceilings', which were designed to moderate significant variations in allocations between local authorities based on population changes. Don't ask us to explain this jargon, but our best financial and policy brains assure us that it is so.
But if nothing else, it highlights the lack of transparency in the distribution of our national taxes to local councils by government. As a result, nobody quite knows whether the system is fair or not. If the ONS experts can get it wrong by so much for so long, god only knows what is happening in government departments. The West Coast Railway debacle in the Ministry of Transport strengthens this fear.
In the meantime, wealthy boroughs like Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and the City of London, are claiming that the latest (2011) statistics underestimate their numbers. This is contested strongly by the Office of National Statistics, but as these boroughs 'have the ear' of this government, are we likely to see these three boroughs get their way at our expense as they did a few years ago? That is why Brent and the twenty (out of 33) other London boroughs who have seen a steady increase in their populations and demand for services, will be lobbying the government to increase their funding, rather than cutting it by 28% as they are doing.
Shabana Abbassi - a role model for our community
We don't normally highlight the role of individuals, only news, events and issues.
However,I would like to make an exception to mark the passing of a remarkable human being, who
touched the lives of the children, parents, teachers and governors of Oliver Goldsmith primary school as well as those of her own family and community.
Shabana died recently of pancreatic cancer at the oh so young age of 37, after a long illness. A memorial service was held at the school on Friday 5th October which I attended along with
many parents, teachers and governors. As is the custom at such events, there were prayers and many heart-felt tributes but one by her friend Rehana captured her spirit and contribution to the school.
She recalled that Shabana had stormed into Olly Golly with her three children a few years ago and quickly stamped her bubbly personality on all she came in contact with. She brought together mums from all religions and countries and gave them confidence and a voice. Naturally, she was soon expected to stand as a parent governor and Rehana recalled her wonderful way of chivvying her and other parents to vote to improve the school.
I can confirm that as a governor Shabana was a revelation - active in everything, social (her cooking was legendary) as well as educational. But it was her sharp and persistent contributions to governors' debates which I recall best. Once roused, she would not let go but pressed her (usually valid) case in a polite but forceful way. She got support and changed the way we do things.
Had she been spared, I have no doubt that in time she would have made a great councillor or perhaps more. But what a wonderful role model for young (not just Muslim) girls and women in our society.
Our deepest sympathy must go to her husband and three young children, but they should know that they and this community have been enriched by Shabana's wonderful personality and work.
Cllr Jim Moher
However,I would like to make an exception to mark the passing of a remarkable human being, who
touched the lives of the children, parents, teachers and governors of Oliver Goldsmith primary school as well as those of her own family and community.
Shabana died recently of pancreatic cancer at the oh so young age of 37, after a long illness. A memorial service was held at the school on Friday 5th October which I attended along with
many parents, teachers and governors. As is the custom at such events, there were prayers and many heart-felt tributes but one by her friend Rehana captured her spirit and contribution to the school.
She recalled that Shabana had stormed into Olly Golly with her three children a few years ago and quickly stamped her bubbly personality on all she came in contact with. She brought together mums from all religions and countries and gave them confidence and a voice. Naturally, she was soon expected to stand as a parent governor and Rehana recalled her wonderful way of chivvying her and other parents to vote to improve the school.
I can confirm that as a governor Shabana was a revelation - active in everything, social (her cooking was legendary) as well as educational. But it was her sharp and persistent contributions to governors' debates which I recall best. Once roused, she would not let go but pressed her (usually valid) case in a polite but forceful way. She got support and changed the way we do things.
Had she been spared, I have no doubt that in time she would have made a great councillor or perhaps more. But what a wonderful role model for young (not just Muslim) girls and women in our society.
Our deepest sympathy must go to her husband and three young children, but they should know that they and this community have been enriched by Shabana's wonderful personality and work.
Cllr Jim Moher
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)