Category Archives: Young People

Barham Park Library Campaigners Submit Petition to ‘Give Us Back Our Library’

Posted on September 5, 2012 | Leave a comment

A local mother of three who runs a toddler group at Barham Volunteer Library has collected over 150 signatures from residents who want Brent Council to give local people back their historic library building in Barham Park.

Waheeda Bibi lives in Chaplin Road Sudbury and runs a mother and toddler group at the Barham Volunteer Library in Wembley High Road. Her 5-year old daughter is one of the Brent children who missed out on her reception year at school because of the Brent school places crisis. Going to the library and taking part in activities with other youngsters has helped her learning and development, according to Waheeda.

Waheeda Bibi and children taking part in activities at Barham Volunteer Library

The volunteer library is a place for toddlers and families to take part in activities and meet other youngsters

The volunteer library is forced to rent temporary premises in Wembley High Road because it has been denied access to the Barham Park library building, which has stood empty since it was closed in October 2011 by Brent Labour Councillors.

Waheeda Bibi said:

It’s desperately sad to see the library standing there empty when we remember it buzzing with activity. The library was especially popular with children and with some of the area’s older residents who appreciated the parkland setting. Most of them have not been able to switch to Brent’s few remaining libraries given the inconvenient and time-consuming journeys required.

The building was donated to the council for the benefit of local people. It’s time the council lived up to that commitment. The new council Leader has made some positive comments but not done anything practical to help so far. I hope our petition shows him the passion and commitment we have.

Local charity Friends of Barham Library, which runs the volunteer library, has offered to run library services from the Barham Park library building. The group currently runs the volunteer library from temporary rented property in Wembley High Road. The volunteer library is open three days a week and is popular with children and families.

Sudbury councillor and Liberal Democrat Group Leader Paul Lorber added:

It is the young people who suffer most from the decision by Labour Councillors to close half the libraries in Brent. Volunteers from the Friends of Barham Library are doing a great job providing a valuable service from their temporary shop premises at 428 High Road Wembley. We could do so much more if only the Council came to their senses and allowed us back into the empty library building in Barham Park.

The Barham Volunteer Library at 428 Wembley High Road is open on Saturdays between 11am and 4pm and on Mondays and Wednesdays between 12 noon and 5pm.

The Friends of Barham Library have launched a fundraising campaign to help cover the costs of running activities from the Barham Park library building. For further information see www.barhamlibrary.wordpress.com or search for Friends of Barham Library on Facebook.

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Posted in Community, Libraries, Young People

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Labour councillors block lifeline for Brent libraries

Posted on February 28, 2012 | Leave a comment

Liberal Democrat councillors last night (Monday 27 February) put forward budget proposals that would have given Brent back its closed libraries, and lifted the threat to Brent’s School Crossing Patrols.

Other proposals included:

  • Reversing Labour’s cut to the highways and pavement budget – and investing extra money to tackle the maintenance backlog
  • Cleaning up Brent’s dirty streets with targeted action to tackle the roads worst affected by Labour’s street cleaning cuts
  • Cutting parking charges to give a boost to local High Streets
  • Restoring the Navratri grant and funding for other cultural festivals in Brent

The Liberal Democrats set out a costed programme of savings to pay for their plan including:

  • Slashing the bureaucracy and administration associated with ward working – where for every pound spent on a project another 94p  is spent on administration – without touching the project budget.
  • Abolishing the council’s Customer and Community Engagement Directorate and distributing its functions to other directorates
  • Streamlining the council’s spending on communications including ending the door to door distribution of Brent magazine and cutting unnecessary spending

The Liberal Democrat proposals, set out in The Liberal Democrat Alternative 2012 [PDF], maintain the council tax freeze. The council tax grant from the government means that this year is the third year in a row that there has been a council tax freeze. The first freeze was introduced in 2009 when the Liberal Democrats led the council.

The Lib Dem proposals were voted down by the Labour majority. 

Liberal Democrat Leader Paul Lorber said:

Labour has stopped listening to local residents and is no longer on their side. Labour Leader Ann John actually boasted about the library cuts when she made her speech.

The Liberal Democrats have listened to Brent residents. We have drawn up a budget which responds to their priorities and invests money in the issues they think are important including the state of our streets, the damage done by Labour’s parking charge increases and the closure of our libraries.

 Labour councillors could have clawed back some credibility by voting for the Liberal Democrat proposals last night. Sadly they ducked the test and Brent residents will suffer as a result. We will continue the fight for local people.

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Posted in Campaigns, Clean Streets, Community, Council Tax, Environment, Finance, Liberal Democrats, Libraries, Voluntary Sector, Young People

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Alison Hopkins welcomes crossing patrol back to Our Lady of Grace Junior School

Posted on February 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

Dollis Hill campaigner Alison Hopkins has welcomed a successful conclusion to the campaign to bring back a school crossing patrol to Our Lady of Grace Junior school – but Labour-run Brent Council faces criticism for the length of time the process has taken.

A new crossing patrol to replace the previous post-holder was promised to Dollis Hill Liberal Democrat councillor Javaid Ashraf by the Labour councillor in charge of school crossings at a council meeting in July 2011.

The new crossing patrol was meant to be in place for the new school year in September but Brent Council’s internal bureaucracy led to recruitment delays. The crossing patrol finally started work today (Monday 27 February) a full term-and-a-half overdue.

Councillor Ashraf, who collected petition signatures along with local campaigner Alison Hopkins and other residents and parents said:

I am shocked at how long it has taken Brent Council to put in place a new crossing patrol. Why has there been such a long delay? Pupils have been without their school crossing patrol through the darkest days of winter. I am pressing for an explanation and apology to be sent to the school.

The school crossing patrol service was under threat last year from Brent Labour’s plan to axe 30 school crossing patrol across the borough. However a campaign led by parents and local Liberal Democrat councillors forced Labour councillors to think again. The council agreed not to sack any existing school crossing patrol staff.

However if Labour’s proposed budget is passed at Brent Council tonight (27 February), the council will maintain Labour’s policy of not replacing crossing patrols at so-called low-priority sites if existing post-holders leave. Over time this will mean fewer and fewer school crossing patrols in Brent.

Local campaigner and council candidate Alison Hopkins said:

Dollis Hill Lane is one of the busiest roads in the area, with heavy lorries and speeding cars. It’s potentially lethal. Children at our Lady of Grace Junior School need their crossing patrol. If elected as Dollis Hill’s new councillor I will be in a strong position to fight to keep it.

Published and promoted by R Wharton 19 Roe Lane London NW9 9BH on behalf of A Hopkins (Liberal Democrats) 9 Humber Road London NW2 6EH. Printed (hosted) by Automattic, Inc. 60 29th Street #343 San Francisco, CA 94110-4929 United States of America

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Posted in Campaigns, Community Safety, Young People

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Record numbers of apprentices in Brent welcomed

Posted on February 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

New figures reveal that over 1500 people in the Brent area benefitted from an apprenticeship last year (2010-11), an increase of 156% compared to 2009-10.

This news comes during National Apprenticeships Week, which celebrates the achievements of learners and employers. Brent Council is seeking to recruit at least eight apprentices this year as part of a scheme that was launched when the Liberal Democrats led the council.

Councillor Barry CheeseCouncillor Barry Cheese, Liberal Democrat councillor for Brondesbury Park, said:

This dramatic growth in apprentices is welcome news for young people in Brent at a time when it can be tough to get a foot on the employment ladder. Apprenticeships equip our young people with skills needed to get jobs and build prosperous careers.

The Brent Council apprenticeship scheme launched by the Liberal Democrats has been a great success. I am pleased that Liberal Democrats in government are giving more employers encouragement to train young people and create opportunities for apprentices.

Commenting further, Liberal Democrat Business Secretary, Vince Cable said:

National Apprenticeships Week is the time to celebrate the countless achievements of learners and employers, and to call on more firms to hire an apprentice and enjoy the competitive advantage they can bring to a business.

I am very proud of the fact that at a time of financial constraint this Coalition Government has prioritised investment in apprenticeships. This has led to the creation of record numbers of apprenticeships combined with tough new standards to drive up quality.

Apprenticeships are at the centre of the Coalition’s skills policy because we know that they work. Not only do they provide individuals with the skills they need for prosperous and rewarding careers, they also boost businesses’ profits and drive growth in the wider economy.

We are providing extra help to enable small employers to hire their first apprentices.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg highlights that apprentices will become more accessible to small businesses following the introduction of a £1500 cash incentive for small businesses taking on their first apprentice under the age of 24.

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Posted in Employment, Government, Young People

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Brent MP Sarah Teather: more two-year olds to get free early education

Posted on December 3, 2011 | Leave a comment

Reposted from: http://www.libdemvoice.org/sarah-teather-mp-writes-more-twoyear-olds-to-get-free-early-education-thanks-to-lib-dems-in-government-26032.html

In last year’s Comprehensive Spending Review Nick Clegg announced that the 20 per cent most disadvantaged families would be guaranteed 15 free hours of early education each week. The additional £650m announced in the Autumn Statement will extend that to 40  per cent of families. This will mean that the 260,000 most disadvantaged two year-olds will benefit by the end of this Parliament.

Sarah Teather MP reading a book with pupils

Brent Central MP Sarah Teather is implementing additional free childcare for disadvantaged children and high quality early years education

The facts are well known – children from the poorest backgrounds start primary school already behind in their development, in their speech and language ability, and in their capacity to make the most of their school years.

The evidence is well known too – high quality early years education, alongside support from parents and family, can really make a difference in giving a child from a disadvantaged background a good start in life.

The Liberal Democrat Manifesto for the 2010 Election set out an aspiration to move to 20 hours of free childcare for every child from the age of 18 months, as the nation’s finances allowed. We made a start last year, now we’re going further.

It’s not an easy time for anyone. But for the 260,000 children given a fair start in life because the Liberal Democrats are in government, we will have made a lasting difference.

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Posted in Education, Young People

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Willesden councillor Ann Hunter helps students get set for future careers

Posted on November 30, 2011 | Leave a comment

Willesden Liberal Democrat Councillor Ann Hunter has helped young people in Brent to consider their future careers and practice their interviewing skills.

She joined students at Capital City Academy last Tuesday (22 November) for a careers speed networking event, and on Thursday (24 November) took part in mock interviews with students at Crest Girls Academy.

Both events were organised by Brent and Harrow Education Business Service (HEBS). Around 190 young people met professionals from a wide variety of careers to discuss their working lives.

Councillor Ann Hunter with students at Capital City Academy

During the Careers Speed Networking adults from different career backgrounds, including a barrister, a doctor, PCSOs, journalists, a physicist and an IT specialist, worked with students in small groups, giving them a brief synopsis of their job and its day-to-day activities, and then answering questions from them. Every ten minutes the pupils moved on to the next person.

It’s a format that the pupils enjoy, and get a lot out of as they to find out about the range of careers available, practice their questioning skills and find out more about the world of work.

The mock interviews are an invaluable opportunity to practice, and get feedback, on being interviewed. This is a skill which can mean the difference between getting a job or not, or whether or not you get into the university of your choice.

Speaking about the events, Cllr Ann Hunter said:

These are both really useful opportunities for the youngsters. It helps give them confidence before entering the jobs market for real, and coaches them how best to present the skills they have.

I was really impressed by the students’ attention and the quality of their questions at the Capital City Academy. The interviewees at Crest were remarkable in how well they presented themselves and their clear desire to achieve and fulfil their potential.

I think the young people there found it reassuring that many of us who were talking to them had changed careers several times, so realised that they weren’t tied to just one career once they’d decided on it. Some youngsters had already decided what they wanted to be, whether surgeons, plumbers or teachers, but many hadn’t. I think they now realise that flexibility in the job market is life-long and nowadays retraining and change is part of life.

 
Councillor Ann Hunter discusses careers with students at Capital City academy in Brent
The Brent and Harrow Education Business Service (BHEBS) has been providing work-related activities for 14 to 19-year olds in West London for almost ten years. BHEBS works with schools and local employers to raise the profile, value and quality of business education.

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Posted in Education, Employment, Young People

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