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.

More on Kingsbury Lodge

We reported on plans to demolish this derelict building recently. Our response was to ask for a meeting of the Officers concerned on site to explore what alternatives there were. Pleased to say that along with our Queensbury colleague, Cllr Sandra Kabir, Ruth and Jim met them (George was away) for a very productive tour of the three old buildings in that part of Roe Green park.

The Lodge will go, as it is a dangerous building and a target for vermin and other nefarious activites. In its place we are hoping for a new toilet facility with a nice landscaping/planting of the surrounding area. The officers are now going away to consider proposals.

The nearby larger building, currently occupied by Kingsbury Veterans but little used - this is the actual building from which John Logie Baird transmitted TV pictures to Germany in the 1920s and there is an old plaque commemorating it - has real potential to develop as a park cafe/community building along with the tennis courts which are on the way. This could also be a place to have exhibitions about the history of the area. Wouldn't that be good! But we mustn't run ahead of ourselves until we have something more definite to report.

The third building is, of course, Kingsbury Manor itself. The Council's property department are currently considering how this can be developed towards a suitable housing development, but that is at an early stage of consideration.

If you are interested in the history of these buildings, there is a ring binder at Kingsbury Library Plus 'Local History Articles', containing fascinating details and photos. Just ask at the enquiry desk.

Watch this space for further information as things develop.

The Kingsbury Four - recovery of police officers attacked in line of duty

We were delighted to see that our local MP Barry Gardiner, recently honoured the four officers
stabbed and injured whilst attempting to arrest a man with a huge knife on Kingsbury Road. Barry
hosted a tea for them recently in the House of Commons and showed them round Parliament.

They are now all recovering well, though the trauma of this fierce attack will no doubt stay with
them. We join with Barry in extending the thanks of all Fryent and Brent residents for the bravery and sacrifice they have shown in protecting our community. A picture of the four officers with Barry
outside Parliament can be seen on his Newsletter.

Springfield Mount arcade

Pleased to say that following residents' objections and representations we made at the Planning Committee in February, the decision to allow permission to site 'Star Wines' to convert to a
gaming arcade has been reversed. Thanks to a further report from PC Richard Stout from our local Safer Neighbourhood Team, Brent's Planning Officers were persuaded that such an outlet would attract back the wrong sort of groups and the anti-social behaviour which was a feature of the area previously.

A good turnout of local residents were pleasantly surprised to see the Planning Committee at the Town Hall unanimously refuse planning permission. They were encouraged to think that by coming together as with this issue, residents, the SNT and councillors can make a difference.

Safer Neighbourhood Team suffers from GLA police cuts

Without a doubt one of the best things that happened in the Fryent area in recent years was the introduction of the Safer Neighbourhood Team of police and PCSOs. The regular SNT panel meetings of residents, councillors and police  receives a regular update on their patrols and what is being done to tackle crime and other anti-social incidents in every part of the ward. As a result of the visibility and activities of the Sergeant-led Team, crime and people's perception of crime has dropped considerably.

Sadly, with the 20% cuts in police budgets and numbers (1,700) across London, this marvellous service is under severe strain. Brent, which according to the Met's own formula, should have 658 officers, now only has 641, (a shortfall of 17 PC's) It is even worse with PCSOs, of which Brent should have 75 but is  and 40 understrength. Unsurprisingly, crime of all kinds - burglary, theft, violence and anti-social behaviour - is rising again. There is a dramatic fall in the number of police available to handle 999 calls.

In Fryent, this run-down is now evident as PCs and PCSOs leaving/getting promoted are not being replaced. Along with the chair of the SNT, Suresh Mamora, we are taking the matter up with our
police inspectors and if necessary, the Borough Commander. We hope that residents will add their voice to our representations. We simply cannot afford to lose this vital frontline service.

We raised this matter also with Shadow Home Secretary Evette Cooper MP when she visited Brent.

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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