17 minute read
NEWS
In the March 2020 issue, COVID-19 received a small write-up in the news pages as we watched and waited to see what impact this new virus would have on our lives. A few weeks after that issue hit doorsteps, we were in our first full scale national lockdown.
As we go to press, the country is starting to look forward to emerging from our third national lockdown. As plans are set out to restart the country, there is hope (page 18). The race between the vaccines and the virus continues and I am cautiously optimistic that there are better times ahead. By testing and vaccinating, we should be able to learn to live a more normal life as the virus will not simply disappear.
More than 20 million people have been vaccinated against COVID so far in the UK with lifesaving antibodies now acting as a protective shield against the worst effects of the virus. I know that in Brent there is a thirst for knowledge about the vaccines. On page 20, we answer some of the most pressing questions attendees have asked in the series of webinars we organised with doctors and community leaders. More than 2,000 people dialled into those webinars and confidence is growing. I hope that these answers will help you to make the right decision for you and your family.
Most of us have had to change the way we work, live and play in the past year. On page 24, we find out how Brent Music Service has adapted to the challenges that COVID-19 has presented.
In Brent I’m proud to see so many mutual aid groups spring up to support those who need it. On page 22, you can read about the friendly phone calls many groups are running to help support those who are lonely. I, like you, am keen to get back to a more normal way of life. We will get there, but only if we support each other and follow the rules. So please do protect yourself and your loved ones by doing the right thing and following the current guidelines.
Kilburn’s Kiln wins Theatre of the Year Award
Kilburn’s Kiln Theatre has been recognised nationally as London Theatre of the Year by The Stage Awards, the highest profile theatre awards in the UK.
This year’s winners were chosen for the achievements and impact in response to the pandemic in what has been one of the most challenging 12 months for the theatre industry.
Kiln Theatre partnered with charity Food for All, to provide free meals once a week to local people in need, produced two online productions, launched its Young Writers Programme for young Brent residents who had never written for theatre before and continued their Minding the Gap project, supporting young people newly arrived in the UK to develop language skills and confidence through drama.
Find out what’s on at the Kiln at www.kilntheatre.com. Indhu Rubasingham, Artistic Director at the Kiln Theatre
The Kiln Theatre in Kilburn High Road
Advice Line goes borough-wide
The Brent Health Matters programme has already led to some great examples of acting on feedback from the community, including the launch of a health and wellbeing telephone advice line.
Initially just for a part of the borough, the advice line is now available to all Brent residents with questions about their health or wellbeing.
Operated by local NHS staff, the telephone line allows you to ask any non-clinical questions about health and social care. You will then be helped to access the right services. You can also receive advice on how to better manage your health conditions.
Call the Advice Line on 020 3114 7185, 10am to 3pm, Monday-Friday.
Steps to easing lockdown revealed
COVID-19 restrictions are set to loosen slowly across England as part of a four stage process set out by the Government.
From 8 March schools and colleges will be open for all children and young people to attend as part of step 1. Outdoor sports and leisure facilities will open from 29 March when meeting in a group of up to six people, or two households, outside will be allowed. No household mixing is permitted indoors during this stage. While this offers some hope for the future, it is important that everyone continues to follow the rules. You should still stay at home unless you have a valid reason to leave. If you need to leave home, for example, to travel to a place of work, you should get tested regularly at one of the rapid test centres in the borough. The next review of the rules will be in April and when the Government is sure that it is safe, they will relax more restrictions. For the latest information and detail on the possible next steps, go to www.brent.gov.uk/coronavirus.
> STEP ONE A (from MARCH 8 )
• Schools re-open, childcare allowed • Two people can meet socially outdoors • One visitor to care home residents • Stay at home
> STEP ONE B (from MARCH 29 at the earliest)
• Rule of six outdoors • Outdoor sports open • Work from home where possible • Stay local • No overseas travel
> STEP TWO (from APRIL 12 at the earliest)
• Non-essential retail, hairdressers, barbers, nail salons, gyms, zoos and theme parks can re-open • Pubs and restaurants can re-open outdoors only • Wider social distancing rules continue • One household can stay at a holiday let
> STEP THREE (from MAY 17 at the earliest)
• Two households can meet indoors • Hotels, cinemas, soft play areas re-open • 1,000 people or half-full capacity at indoor sports venues. Outdoor venues 4,000 people or half full • International travel is possible
> STEP FOUR (from JUNE 21 at the earliest)
• All legal limits on social contact dropped • Remaining hospitality open • Restrictions on larger events lifted
June deadline for EU nationals application
EU nationals wanting to continue to live and work in the UK have until June to apply for the EU Settlement scheme.
It is free to register and more than 90,000 Brent residents have already applied.
Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said: “European citizens are a hugely important and valuable part of our society in Brent, so I want to encourage everyone who hasn’t applied for settled status yet to do so, so that you can continue to live and work here freely now that Brexit has happened.”
To be eligible for the scheme, you must be an EU national living in the UK on or before 31 December 2020 and must apply to the scheme by 30 June 2021.
Visit www.brent.gov.uk/brexit to find out more.
The dates above are subject to change depending on how the loosening affects the transmission of COVID-19 and other factors that form part of the Government’s four tests.
MBE for early years manager
Sasi Srinivasan, who has worked at Brent Council for 17 years, was recognised for her services to children in the Queen’s New Years Honours with an MBE.
“Being nominated and awarded the MBE came as a complete surprise and I am grateful and honoured, “ says Sasi. “I have been fortunate to have well-meaning and dedicated people around me and would like to take this opportunity to thank my wonderful team.”
NEWS
Brent libraries tackles isolation with activities and book drops
Fun activities to tackle isolation in older adults and encourage young people to improve their literacy are being run by Brent’s libraries.
The libraries are building on their Home Library Service offer, with a befriending service, reaching out to vulnerable residents with regular phone call chats, as well as taking activities and reading materials into Brent care homes. Each council library has a collection of over 100 mood boosting and wellbeing books, and e-books available through the online library.
For more information, visit brent.gov.
uk/libraries.
Brent’s Home Library Service delivering books
Extra areas of the heritage tile murals on Bobby Moore Bridge outside Wembley Park station will be on show until March 28, as part of an annual display.
See Moore of the heritage tiles
COMMENT
A year on from one of London’s biggest ever residents’ ballots, it’s a joy to see families moving in and settling into their high quality new homes in South kilburn.
Just before Christmas, 83 council tenants and households in temporary accommodation started to move in to their new homes on the former site of Gloucester House and Durham Court, with 152 more joining them in the next few months.
These new homes were voted for by 84% of local residents in the residents’ ballot, giving local people the final say on the future of their neighbourhoods.
Modern homes rise out of the dust
A derelict warehouse has transformed into stateof-the-art homes for Brent residents with the help of a grant from the council’s empty property team.
Narayan Mews in Willesden now boasts 13 new houses with top quality facilities and furnishings, which will soon be home to local people who otherwise would be homeless and seeking temporary accommodation. All the properties have underfloor heating and feature modern conveniences such as dishwashers and microwaves.
One house has also been adapted to accommodate a tenant with a hearing impairment. The council also financed the installation of a video entry system, a personal alarm, a fire alarm with a vibrating alert and a flashing light d oorbell to enable the tenant to be safe in their home and live independently. New resident Velma opens her new front door
The street outside the world famous Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden has been named Pramukh Swami Road.
A section of the road has been renamed to honour the creator of the temple, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
The decision to change the road name was approved by Brent’s Cabinet as the council acknowledged the temple’s position as an international landmark in the borough.
Girish Patel, a volunteer at the Mandir, said, “This Mandir is a gift from Pramukh Swami Maharaj bequeathed not only to the people of this community, but for people across the UK and the world. He blessed and inspired countless lives during his many visits to the Mandir, and we pray that the lasting legacy of the Mandir and the renaming of the road will continue to inspire generations to come.”
New high-quality South Kilburn homes for residents families who need them now more than ever. I am very proud that We all need somewhere we can call Brent is leading the way home – this has never been more true by building more council homes. We are than it is right now, as families across on track to exceed our ambitious target the borough have been struggling with of 1,000 new council homes by 2024. the coronavirus crisis. So far, we have moved 64 households It has been a very challenging year out of temporary accommodation into for everyone, but we have continued permanent homes, and 58 council to build more council homes for tenants have been moved into new homes due to overcrowding, under occupation or medical reasons.
There is much more to do if we are to make housing universally affordable, readily available; and of the highest possible standard – but for now, I am happy for residents moving into their brand new secure and stable homes.
By Cllr Eleanor Southwood, Cabinet Member for Housing and Welfare Reform
Windrush pioneer celebrates his 100th year
Mr Rev Norman Watson Mitchell MBE turned 100 last December. Born in Clarendon, Jamaica in 1920, Norman Mitchell headed to the UK in 1955 to help rebuild the United Kingdom after the Second World War.
Norman has lived in Harlesden, a place that he says reminded him of Jamaica, for the past 60 years and is well known for his community work.
In November 1980, Norman set up WISCO the ‘West Indian Senior Citizens Organisation’ to help support his fellow Windrush generation. This ran for 40 years, initially from his living room then a local church hall providing keep fit, crafts, outings and concerts.
Norman has received awards from Brent Council and Prince Charles presented him with an MBE for his services to the community in 2014.
Over 50,000 tests taken as part of Brent’s community testing drive
1 in 3 people who have COVID-19 show no symptoms but could be sharing the virus with loved ones and around the community without knowing.
That’s why Brent has opened a number of rapid testing sites across the borough, offering free tests for those without symptoms to help find these unknown cases and stop the spread of the virus.
Community testing is finding, on average, over 200 positive cases a week from people showing no symptoms at all – highlighting how important it is that people get tested, even if they feel fine.
If you can’t work from home, get tested twice a week. It’s quick, painless and you’ll get your result back within 40 minutes.
To book, visit www.brent.gov.uk/rapidtesting
If you have symptoms, find out more about getting tested at www.brent.gov.uk/PCRtesting
Community Grants programme launched
The Brent Health Matters Programme includes a Community Grants Fund that is now open to submissions. Grants are available to individuals and organisations in the borough that can demonstrate innovative ideas and solutions that will reduce the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 in the short term, and more broadly tackle health inequality issues in the longer term.
An individual can bid for up to £1,000, with a higher threshold of £2,000, whereas an organisation can look to secure up to £15,000, with a higher threshold of £25,000 - the latter requiring the bidder to demonstrate how they will deliver significant impact in a single or multiple wards.
To find out more, including how to apply, go to
www.brent.gov.uk/brenthealthmatters
Council budget agreed
With the impact of COVID-19 costing the council an estimated £44m and with more than £174m lost from the council’s budget over the last decade, the challenge of balancing the budget has never been greater.
Cllr Margaret McLennan, Deputy Leader for Brent Council, said: “The services we provide make a massive difference to peoples’ lives, whether it’s collecting people’s bins or looking after a vulnerable resident in care – if we can help, we will in our residents’ time of need.
“This budget will allow us to respond to whatever the pandemic throws at us – and support our recovery plans for better times ahead.”
The COVID-19 estimated cost of £44m is the combination of additional expenditure incurred due to the pandemic and the loss of income that the council had planned to receive to fund services.
To view the final budget for 2021/22, please visit www.brent.gov.uk
NEWS
Community champions want to help make Brent healthier
A borough-wide network of community champions is to be developed to tackle health inequalities in Brent. The Brent Health Matters programme aims to address health inequalities – which are avoidable, unfair and systematic differences in health between different people.
Community Champions are local volunteers who are passionate about the health and wellbeing of their community and those around them. They are positive role models who raise awareness and share key information to give something back to their community.
Anish Gohil from Alperton said: “I see this role as an opportunity to connect with as many people as possible.”
To find out more and how you could become a Community Champion contact brenthealthmatters@
brent.gov.uk
Anyone interested would receive access to online training opportunities, have discretionary expenses covered and become part of a network with your neighbours, local businesses, local groups, the council and health services. Hetal Petal, Alperton Health and Wellbeing Champion
Anish Gohil, Alperton Health and Wellbeing Champion
Support for deaf communities reinforced with sign language pledges
The British Sign Language (BSL) Charter, which aims to improve rights and access to services for deaf people who use sign language, has been signed by senior leaders from Brent Council The charter includes five pledges to overcome the disadvantages that deaf people face. Asif Iqbal MBE (right), President of the Harrow & Brent United Deaf Club, said: “Brent Council has demonstrated a good example in committing to the charter by providing deaf awareness training and British Sign Language courses to staff and accessible information, including BSL video with subtitles, inviting deaf residents to take part of the council’s equality consultation.”
Face coverings
With face masks here to stay for some time now, we all need to be mindful of the barrier they can create for communicating with deaf people, who may rely on lip reading. Consider using a face mask with a clear panel or writing things down when you communicate with people from the deaf community.
The Mayor of Brent, Cllr Ernest Ezeajughi, has so far raised more than £40,000 for his chosen charities, the Sickle Cell Society and the Jason Roberts Foundation.
The Sickle Cell Society is the only national charity in the UK that supports and represents people affected by a sickle cell disorder to improve their overall quality of life. The Mayor’s second charity, The Jason Roberts Foundation, has been supporting young people in Brent for more than 10 years, helping them to celebrate diversity and promote respect across the UK.
There’s still time to support this amazing work before the Mayor’s year in office comes to an end in May. To make a donation to either one of the Mayor’s charities, visit the Mayor’s Charities webpage on the Brent Council website.
More trees to be planted in Brent this spring
Planting is underway across Brent this spring. 120 saplings are going into the ground in areas which currently have fewer trees and where air pollution is high. Cllr Krupa Sheth, Lead Member for Environment, said: “Trees are a really important part of what we call our ‘green infrastructure’ in Brent. They boost people’s wellbeing, support our birds and insects, and, although they won’t solve the problem of air pollution, they can help absorb some of the nasties in our local air.”
Brent Council looks after 43,000 trees across the borough. These latest additions are part of the council’s annual tree planting programme and support the work the council is doing to combat the climate and ecological emergency. Sign up to the newly launched Brent Environmental Network to get green updates, tips and resources to help you live a greener lifestyle straight to your inbox each month at
www.brent.gov.uk/climateemergency
Laptops help Stonebridge children access home learning
Brent Council and contractor, Higgins Partnerships have joined forces to deliver computer equipment to primary schools in the Stonebridge area.
Stonebridge and Our Lady of Lourdes primary schools have received a selection of tablets and laptops to help pupils with home schooling during the coronavirus pandemic.
BEWARE DROPPED KERB SCAM
Individuals claiming to work for the council are approaching residents offering to install dropped kerbs, while planned footway maintenance work is taking place nearby.
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY COMMEMORATED
Every year Brent Council marks Holocaust and Genocide Memorial Day. This year, to remember the victims of the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and subsequent genocides, Brent Council put together a short film. Head over to our You Tube channel, ‘Brent Council London’ to watch it.
QUARTER OF A MILLION FINE FOR ROGUE LANDLORD
A Crown Court judge has ordered a landlord to pay back £739,263 in illicit earnings made from overcrowded properties in Willesden. The enormous order, thought to be the largest for a planning breach so far this year, was made against Mohammed Mehdi Ali of High Road Willesden, following a prosecution brought by Brent Council’s legal team.
REFOCUSSED 2021 BOROUGH PLAN LAUNCHED
Cabinet members have agreed a refocussed plan for the borough following the global events of 2020. The plan sets out five priorities to improve the lives of those who live work, study and do business in the borough. Brent aims to reduce inequalities, particularly for black people, as well as strengthen the economy, tackle the climate emergency and build on its positive work with partners. Digital inclusion, celebrating local culture and building Brent’s network of community hubs are also included in the borough plan’s priorities.
