The Kilburn Rose

When residents in north Kilburn expressed their frustrations yet again about the way CPZs and the reviews are organised, I invited the chair of Brondesbury Residents and Tenants association (BRAT) to put the views of the residents he represents to officers. A major concern is the local CPZ review had come up just before the borough-wide parking strategy consultation and the review questions did not cover the kind of issues residents want to raise.
The good news is that another review will be carried out at the same time as neighbouring CPZ reviews, giving everyone a chance to consider the bigger picture. Brent has many more zones than some other London boroughs and some reconfiguring may be needed.
The shortage of parking for residents with permits, especially in roads around the High Road, has led to a petition from some residents in Dyne Road, unable to park in the evening when visitors or business are filling up the streets. Officers are now looking to see how parking capacity can be increased and how residents’ parking spaces can be safeguarded. Protection of trees, pay and display machines, speed humps, fraudulent use of disabled badges and expiring permits are other issues being addressed.
If Kilburn residents have other concerns, let me know and let’s make sure these are included in the upcoming CPZ review questions and responses so that residents’ parking permits are worth the paper they are printed on.
Mary Arnold
Cllr, Kilburn Ward
Spokesperson for Children and Families
07961 406 005

http://www.brentbrain.org.uk/cllrmaryarnold

Youth Parliament at the Respect Festival Fun Olympics – July 8th 2007


When Dawn and I put our best foot forward and had a tie-win with two athletic young politicians in the three-legged race, there was a good feeling in the fun competitions with the Youth Parliament! The members are elected by their schools councils, local areas or groups. This event at the Respect Festival was my second engagement with the young people, following the successful inaugural event which Dawn Butler MP hosted in the House of Commons.

What we are learning from the young people is whatever their age, which impressively ranges from ten years old to nineteen, whatever their ability or special need, they are clearly expressing views around key issues for the council. Their selected priorities are crime and safety, health and well-being and sports and leisure, and their debates must have an impact. Some of the young politicians are experienced in representing their peers or groups while others are becoming skilful. We expect the channels to open up across the borough setting good standards for fostering democracy.

Interacting with politicians in the tug of war may have been a pushover for youth but the event was certainly a triumph for the organisers, reminding us all that fun often helps to win the day.

Cllr Mary Arnold, Spokesperson for Children and Families

Following from Councillor Mary Arnold's efforts to bring Brent Children and Families Department together with local resident associations (BRAT and BEST) in order to facilitate services for young people in north Kilburn, I am pleased to report that the project is growing fast. As was previously reported on the Kilburn Rose Blog (4 April 2007) moves were being made to co-opt a bid writer to help capture money for a long-term project to provide much needed resources. This has now happened, not least due to the efforts of Simon Topper, who is the Neighbourhood Co-ordinator for Children's Partnerships. The working party for this project are also busy identifying extant resources and possible partners in the north Kilburn area and are due to meet again on 27 July with a representative of the North West London College to see how their recent expansion and new campus at the top of Priory Park Road will impact on plans.

I will keep you all posted with developments.

Dr Tom Dickins
Chair, Brent Eleven Streets Residents' Association (BEST)

On 3 July Neil Kinnock addressed the Queens Park, Brondesbury and Kilburn Labour groups at Salusbury Road Primary School. The ambition was to "rally the troops" and reinvigorate campaigning in light of the Brown Succession and key local issues, not least the Haverstock by-election. Kinnock's message was simple: although politics is increasingly concerned with middle-ground issues the ideology that Labour brings to bear is still socialist, and always has been. Labour is concerned with housing for the poorer sectors of society, with consistently improving the NHS, with schooling for all, with extending the skill-base of the UK and encouraging the long-term unemployed back to work; in short, Labour is concerned with affording opportunities for all members of society to contribute and live fulfilled lives. This said, the message was not complacent. The Labour government have made mistakes and some projects require finessing; but, that is the nature of active governance and we should take comfort that the government is responsive. Indeed, it is this constant effort that has allowed us to move to the middle ground and engage with the business of being a modern economy.

This successful and encouraging event was organised by the Queens Park Branch.

Since the Fib/Dem Tory coalition took over the council in May 2006, New Deal for Communities has suffered lost leadership and management gaps. The new Members are 'determined to leave no stone unturned', instead of visiting the NDC team and finding out how to support the community-led multi-million project.It is hoped that the new interim chief executive, now taking the helm, will unlock the stagnation, stabilise the programme and support the community and the Board to re-engage and catch up.

While the Lib Dems embattle and try to dominate through leaks to the press, the housing programme is dependent on government making good the funding gap. Now should be a good time when Housing is one of Gordon's two top priorities and for the first time the housing minister is in the Cabinet. But NDC's reputation is being smeared through the press's almost weekly scandalising stories - not the best help from the Lib Dems and their fellow disfunctionals.

If you are involved in a project or in activities, let us know your positive experience and any ideas to bring more people in to benefit. With three years left to go, people may be encouraged by successes and how to build on them.