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 

NEW FOOTBALL FACILITIES IN WEMBLEY

A new sports ground is to open near Preston Road Station in North Wembley giving local footballers first-class pitches to play on.

Local young people in particular will benefit from the opening of the Pellatt Road Sports Ground, which will host an extensive football programme for players from Fryent run by AFC Wembley.

Residents are being invited to take a first-look at the fantastic new facility at an event on June 16, where young people will also be able to put their names down for the football programme.

Brent Council worked with AFC Wembley and Middlesex FA to develop the £135,500 project and win a Football Foundation grant to help pay for it.

The former GEC sports ground at Pellatt Road was drained and re-levelled so it can now be used all year round for football and Gaelic football, and a full-sized pitch, a youth football size pitch and two mini-pitches were added to the pavilion already there. It will open to the public from August.

The football programme is aimed at giving local young people somewhere to go and play and to reduce anti-social behaviour in the area.

See the location here - http://goo.gl/maps/Vi55

George Crane

VADAFONE PAY NO UK TAXES

It was reported by the Sunday Times over the weekend that Vodafone have avoided paying any corporation tax in the UK for 2011. Despite having a massive presence in the UK with a large customer base, they avoided paying tax by using off shore companies mainly in Luxemburg. Vodafone only made profits of 402M up 16% on the previous year and in 2010 its tax bill was 140 M

In 2011 Vodafone Tax bill -  Nil, zero, nothing.

Those profits came from individuals and companies, most if not all, will pay UK taxes. I think it’s time Vodafone customers in the UK send this company a message by signing off and joining a network that does contribute in the UK and pays UK Tax.

George Crane

COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT SUPPORT

There is bad news on the way for local residents who currently get Council Tax Benefit.

Localising support for council tax

The government is proposing to localise support for council tax from 2013–14. CTB will be abolished, and local authorities in England – and the Scottish and Welsh governments – must design their own systems for rebating council tax to low-income families. Entitlement rates for pensioners in England will still be set nationally and maintained at their existing level.

Cutting support for council tax

As well as localising support for council tax, the government is also planning to cut funding for it by 10 per cent, giving each local authority a grant based on 90 per cent of what would have been spent on CTB in that area – meaning a larger cash funding cut in areas where CTB spending is higher.

Central government is forcing each local authority to come up with its own scheme for Council Tax benefit, and abolishing the national scheme. Brent will be publishing its proposals for consultation in early June. These are being rushed through for implementation in April 2013, which effectively means that Councils will have had little time to respond and consult on the government plans by the end of this year.

The April 2013 deadline means that the necessary scheme  design and implementation is kept to an almost impossibly short time table.

This is just another example of Government making decisions that Local Councils have to implement and probably will get the blame for. 

Please pass this on so as many people as possible know what’s happening.

Fryent Councillors.

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 elects new Leader

The annual meeting of the Council on 16th May, saw the investiture of a new Labour Leader of the Council, Cllr Muhammed Butt, 45year old, father-of-three, who was born and educated in the borough. A BT engineering manager, he has represented the Tokyngton ward near Wembley (where he lives) since 2006.

Cllr Butt paid tribute to his predecessor, veteran Cllr Ann John, who is stepping down after 12 years as Labour Leader. He said, 'Ann has been a superb leader, who has led the Labour Group with considerable success since 2001.'  He said, 'it is time for a change. I want to make sure messages are communicated better so that residents understand more fully why we are having to make the tough decisions required by central government  which are facing this Council today. I am determined that we rise to those challenges through hard work, innovation and clearly defined priorities.'

The Council also elected Fryent councillor, Ruth Moher, as Deputy Leader. Ruth a former manager in local government social services, will take over responsibility for the Council's finances and budgets. She said, that a new approach was needed and she felt Cllr Butt would bring his considerable experience and skills to bear on the challenges we face. Chief Executive, Gareth Daniel, has also assured the entire leadership team of officers' committment to providing them with the highest calibre of officer advice.

Most of the existing Executive team were re-elected including the two other Fryent councillors, George Crane, (Regeneration and Development) and Jim Moher, (Highways and Transportation), making up a very experienced team. Jim said, 'this renewal of the Council leadership is just what Brent needs in these difficult times. They will have our fullest support.'

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.”