NEWS

Better times ahead

In January 2020, no one could have predicted the global pandemic that shut down the world and the disruption and heartache caused to so many of us.

In a year of changing COVID rules, we have just come out of our second national lockdown and London and Brent are now in the ‘high risk’ tier 2. You can find out more about what this means for you on page 6.

Brent was one of the boroughs that was hit the hardest in the first lockdown and each death is a tragedy. My heart is with all those who have lost loved ones before their time.

I’ve said it time and time again, the people of Brent have really worked hard and pulled together this year. You can see some of the amazing people recognised by this year’s Pride of Brent scheme on page 18.

The council is here to support you too, so if you have money worries caused by Covid-19, there is help available with money, food or supplies. You can read all about this on page 27.

This year has also taken its toll on people’s mental health and wellbeing. We’ve listed some of the best support available on page 37 and we’ve joined up with the NHS to put on some online events in January (page 34).

This year marks the end of our year as the London Borough of Culture. Although we had to make some changes to the programme, we still managed to deliver some excellent events throughout 2020, including most recently the fantastic No Bass like Home celebration of Brent’s reggae roots. You can read more and relive some of the magic on page 30.

As this year ends, there is definitely some light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel. The vaccine rollout and more and better testing are the two most powerful routes to better times ahead. In the meantime, we all need to stay safe this holiday season by sticking to the rules. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Safe and effective vaccine will help us get back to normal

There is now some light at the end of 2020’s difficult tunnel, with news that the potential COVID vaccines in development are safe and effective.

Once approved, a vaccine is likely to be available in small amounts to the most vulnerable initially.

Dr Melanie Smith, Director of Public Health in Brent, said: “Vaccines, combined with mass community testing, are at the heart of the plans to ensure life can return to normal as soon as possible.

“However, it is still too early to know for sure when the vaccine rollout will begin on a large scale. And the threat of COVID-19 will remain real, even once a vaccine is approved. So please continue to protect yourself and your loves ones by following the NHS Hands, Face, Space advice.”

Neasden Temple donates 1,200 hot meals and hampers for Diwali

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden donated 1,200 hot meals and hampers to the borough’s most vulnerable residents and worked closely with multiple mutual aid groups who made the deliveries.

Ashford Place and Brent Thrive worked alongside, Harrow Care Plus – Brent, The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community North London, The Salvation Army in Harlesden, Sufra, the Granville Community Kitchen in Kilburn and Wembley Central Area Residents Association (WCARA).

The hampers were to raise awareness of the Brent Thrive launch of their South Asian Peer Support Group.

For more info on the group, contact Sheetal.BrentThrive@ ashfordplace.org.uk

Volunteers from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Ashford Place CEO Danny Maher, Tania Towns Project Lead for Brent Thrive and other Mutual Aid Group Volunteers

Holding Brent’s decision makers to account

Brent’s scrutiny committees hold the council’s Cabinet to account for decision-making and strategy as well as reviewing important decisions by the local NHS.

The two committees are made up of non-executive members with senior Rachelle Goldberg from

Kenton Synagogue and

Brent Food Bank staff councillors and council officers attending to discuss reports and answer questions. Cllr Ketan Sheth chairs the Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee and the next meeting is on 19 January 2021.

The Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee is chaired by Cllr Roxanne Mashari and its next meeting is on 27 January 2021. To find out more about the council’s scrutiny committees, visit

www.brent.gov.uk/scrutiny

£2,000 up in smoke for breaking COVID rules FINED

A Harlesden shisha café has been and to follow the rules. This is about fined £2,000 for breaking COVID protecting our communities. rules and warned of stronger “I’m grateful to the majority of penalties for further breaches. businesses that are complying. To the

Council trading standards officers minority that are choosing to break the found thirty people crammed together rules, let this be a warning to you.” inside the shisha bar in October. If you are aware of a business that is

Cllr Promise Knight, Cabinet Member not operating to the relevant Covid-19 for Community Safety & Engagement, standards, please report this by said: “It is up to every business to make emailing trading.standards@brent. sure they know what is required of them gov.uk

Kenton Synagogue supporting keyworkers

Kenton Synagogue has been supporting key workers in Brent with food and drink after setting up a fund to support people in need.

Since April, the Rabbi and other members of the synagogue have visited organisations such as Northwick and St Marks’ Hospitals, Police and ambulance stations and local food banks.

Rachelle Goldberg, Chairman of the Kenton Synagogue, said: “We have been delighted by the response but particularly wanted to thank the staff and volunteers at the various organisations for everything they are doing for the community during these difficult times.”

Help Record Brent’s Fashion History

Are you aged 12 - 22 and interested in a career in Fashion or Art? Want to learn more about design and fashion illustration and connect with other creatives?

Then apply to be part of the Fashioning Our History Programme, Brent 2020 Culture Fund Project. The team are looking for creative, proactive, and committed young people to take part in their programme of free workshops and events and to become part of an exciting network of artists and designers.

Applications are open now and close on 15 Jan 2021. To apply go to www.

brentfashioningourhistory.com/

signupnow.

NEWS

Don’t give the gift of Covid-19 this Christmas

As London enters the ‘high risk’ COVID tier 2, Brent residents are being warned to ‘not to give the gift of COVID this Christmas’.

The nationwide COVID lockdown has ended but London has moved into the second highest risk level with public health experts warning families to keep each other safe by following the rules over the holiday season.

Current restrictions mean that meeting with people who you do not live with indoors remains against the law, although you can meet up to six people outside.

The rules will temporarily change between 23-27 December, so families who do not live together can decide whether they want to risk celebrating the holiday season together.

Leader of Brent Council, Councillor Muhammed Butt, has urged residents across the borough to act responsibly – or risk potentially tragic consequences.

He said: “2020 has been a hugely difficult year and regardless of your faith, Christmas is a holiday period where most of us look forward to spending quality time with friends and family. “Unfortunately, COVID has not gone away and is still a real and present threat – especially to older people and those with underlying health conditions. Although some of our freedoms have been restored and our desire to see our loved ones is completely natural, we do all need to remain careful and not put those very same people at risk.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel – with the vaccine trials especially looking very promising – so let’s not give the gift of COVID this Christmas.”

Queen’s Birthday Honours awarded to Brent pair

Dollis Hill councillor Liz Dixon and Libraries Manager Sarah Smith have been named in the Queen’s birthday honours.

In addition to representing here ward, Cllr Dixon is also a Senior Probation Officer and has been given an MBE for her services to justice.

Cllr Dixon said: “Working to help victims and the community has been a privilege, an honour and a challenge. I’m grateful to those who nominated me.”

Sarah Smith, who works in the council’s library service, has received a British Empire Medal for her services to libraries.

“I found my calling working in libraries,” said Sarah. “You need to be creative with programming to encourage that passion for reading, learning, the arts and culture. It’s an honour to be recognised in this way.” Dollis Hill’s Cllr Liz Dixon Libraries Manager Sarah Smith

New and improved Family Centres open

The New Year will see the introduction of new and improved services for local residents, as Family Wellbeing Centres (FWCs) open across Brent in 2021.

A number of the borough’s existing Children’s Centres have been transformed into Family Wellbeing Centres and will soon be ready to welcome local families, children and young people aged up to 18 years old and up to 25 with additional needs.

“These new centres will build on the success of our Children’s Centres and provide an enhanced Cllr Mili Patel: new centres will better suport residents range of services for local families.” said Cllr Mili Patel, Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding, Early Help and Social Care. “The model is designed to enable Brent and our partners to work together and better support residents by responding to the needs of the whole family.”

The full programme of services and registration details are online.

St Raphael’s residents continue development of master plan options

Work is underway to develop the two options for the future of St Raphael’s Estate.

Residents saw the two options for the future of their estate for the first time during a virtual exhibition in November. Both options will create new affordable homes. Redevelopment would involve the wholesale redevelopment of the estate while infill would see new homes built on underutilised spaces around the existing homes.

“We’re absolutely committed to delivering what residents want for the future of St Raph’s,” said Cllr Eleanor Southwood, Brent’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Welfare Reform. “The coronavirus pandemic has shone a light on the number of households in the borough living in overcrowded homes or temporary accommodation, without access to their own private outdoor space or good quality parks.

“It’s vital that we work together with the community to create these much needed new, affordable homes for local people sooner rather than later.”

The ongoing community engagement programme was discussed at a full council meeting in November 2020.

To find out more visit www.brent.

gov.uk/straphs

Bright idea slashes carbon emissions by 63%in Brent

Energy-saving streetlights and the new Civic Centre have helped Brent Council to cut its carbon emissions by 63% according to the latest statistics.

The substantial drop in emissions, in the 12 months up to March 2020, has been driven by the installation of 21,000 LED street lights, as well as the move to the new Brent Civic Centre, which was named the greenest public sector building in 2014.

Low traffic neighbourhoods trialled to discourage short car trips

Traffic reduction schemes, which seek to discourage short car trips by stopping motor traffic using some residential streets as rat runs, are being trialled in Brent.

In partnership with TfL, Brent Council is testing a “Healthy Neighbourhoods” approach this winter.

In carefully selected areas, planters are placed at strategic points to stop traffic from using residential roads as a cut-through. Walkers, cyclists and residents who live on the road will still have access but vehicles looking for short cuts will need to stick to the main roads.

Cllr Shama Tatler, Lead Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning, said: “Healthy Neighbourhoods have been shown to work in other areas of London. With a climate emergency on our hands, it is important that we try new approaches to bring down our environmental impact. “In order to secure government funding, which was conditional on fast-tracking these schemes, we are consulting during the trial period. This isn’t how we would prefer to go about things, but we will be listening to feedback and consider all views before any decisions are made when the six months is up.”

Find out more at www.brent.gov.

uk/activetravel

Free flu vaccine expanded

Not “just” the flu

Each year the flu kills on average 11,000 people and hospitalises thousands more. There’s no “just” about it.

The flu vaccine helps to protect you and the people around you, and it’s free to those most at risk.

This winter, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic makes getting the flu vaccine even more important in order to protect vulnerable people and the NHS.

The list of people who can get a free flu vaccine has been expanded, so ask your GP or pharmacist if you are eligible.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Mayor of Brent, Councillor Ernest Ezeajughi said: “As we come to the end of a difficult 2020, I would like to wish all Brent residents a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

The Mayor of Brent, Councillor Ernest Ezeajughi

New homes for independent living

New homes in Wembley for the NAIL programme are now open

Residents have moved into 11 brand new, self-contained, independent living homes at Peel Road, Wembley as part of Brent’s New Accommodation for Independent Living (NAIL) programme.

As well as being fully adapted, the new homes benefit from communal facilities including a lounge and dining area and a landscaped front and back garden. Residents have access to 24-hour care including a remote warden call system which allows residents to contact care staff anywhere in the building.

Cllr Harbi Farah, Cabinet Member for If you’re feeling unwell or have symptoms of any illnesses that you are worried about, your GP practice is still here for you.

GPs are offering telephone, online and video consultations so that you can easily access the right help and advice without having to travel. Or if you’re invited in for a face-to-face appointment, measures are in place to keep you and everyone else safe. Appointments are available in the evenings until 8pm and on weekends.

Whatever your concerns, please don’t wait until it gets worse.

To book an appointment, go to your GP practice’s website or give them a call. Adult Social Care said: “We are very happy to officially open this scheme of 11 homes for independent living. The council is committed to building good quality, affordable and adapted homes for residents who need them, in order to remain independent.”

These homes are part of the council’s programme to build 1,000 new council homes for Brent residents by 2024. The council is directly funding the £300 million programme to build these new homes along with £95 million grant from the

GP practices still open for patients

Mayor of London.

GET CASH FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Do you have an idea that will benefit the environment or help communities bounce back from the pandemic? Your project could receive up to £2,000. Veolia’s Recycling Fund for Communities recently helped to transform a strip alongside Brondesbury Park Overground Station into a sustainable Energy Garden for the local community. Search ‘Recycling Fund’ on the Brent Council website for more information.

GET READY FOR BREXIT

New rules affect citizens, businesses and travel to the EU. Make sure you’re ready for the end of the Brexit transition. Go to www.brexit. gov.uk.

RECYCLE YOUR FOOD WASTE FASTER

Don’t wait two weeks to throw away food waste in your grey rubbish bin. Food waste collections are weekly, and it is better for the planet. Order a green caddy or find the food bin in your communal area and join the thousands of residents already recycling their food waste every week! Just go to www.brent. gov.uk/foodwaste

ULTRA-LOW EMISSION ZONE IS COMING

The Mayor of London has committed to tackling air pollution. From October 2021, the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is expanding up to the North Circular Road. Cars, motorcycles, vans and other vehicles will need to meet certain emissions standards or pay a daily charge. Check your vehicle meets the ULEZ emissions standards and view an interactive map of the zone. Visit www.tfl.gov.uk/ ulez-2021

Council of the Year win for Brent

Brent has been named Council of the Year 2020, at the prestigious Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards, having been recognised for embracing its communities in a celebration of diversity.

Up against shortlisted councils from across the UK, Brent beat off competition from Bristol, Hull, Aderdeen, Calderdale and Adur & Worthing to scoop the top accolade at the online ceremony in October.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, who has been Leader of Brent Council since 2012, said: “I am hugely proud of how far we have come as a council but there is more to do. This is brilliant recognition for all the hard work officers and councillors put in day in, day out.”

Brent replenishes grit supplies to be ready for cold snap

New gritters are onstandby and the salt bins have been loaded up to ensure Brent is ready for any cold snap.

This year, routes to the Harlesden and Wembley COVID-19 testing sites have been added to the council’s priority list.

Officers check the forecast seven days a week. What’s more, the new gritters are hybrids, using electric batteries to replace hydraulics and cutting their carbon footprint!

Find out more online at

www.brent.gov.uk/ gritting

Gritting supplies and gritters are on standby for use this winter

BRENT’S LOCAL GRADUATE SCHEME IS NOW OPEN!

Brent Council appreciate the importance of investing in their residents and want to do more!

Brent’s local scheme is a unique opportunity for committed graduates to make a positive impact in Brent and provide experience in a dynamic, exciting and socially responsible council.

Benefits of the scheme include:

• Starting pay of £26,745 • Exposure to senior leaders: • Support throughout the All graduates are assigned application process a senior mentor and the • Optional third year: Brent Council guarantees a further 1-year fixed-term contract to opportunity to have informal lunches with the Chief Executive. those who complete the • Strong support network: with 2-year core programme 17 graduates currently on the satisfactorily. programme, peer support will • Live and work in a diverse area be provided throughout. you are familiar with

You can apply for the scheme if you obtained a 2:2 (or higher), regardless of when you graduated, and have the right to work in the UK.