Speakers on Willesden Green development at Executive tomorrow

Several local residents have requested permission to make 3 minute presentations at the Brent Executive meeting on Monday evening. They are likely to be taken at the beginning of the meeting after apologies and minutes.

The meeting begins at 7pm on Monday 13th February in Committee Rooms 1,2 and 3 (at the top of the stairs).

The members of the Executive are:
Cllr John (Chair) Leader/Lead Member for Corporate Strategy and Policy
Co-ordination
Cllr Butt (Vice-Chair) Deputy Leader/Lead Member for Resources
Cllr Arnold Lead Member for Children and Families
Cllr Beswick Lead Member for Crime and Public Safety
Cllr Crane Lead Member for Regeneration and Major Projects
Cllr Jones Lead Member for Customers and Citizens
Cllr Long Lead Member for Housing
Cllr J Moher Lead Member for Highways and Transportation
Cllr R Moher Lead Member for Adults and Health
Cllr Powney Lead Member for Environment and Neighbourhoods

Cllr George Crane will probably comment on the regeneration  proposals with possible additional comments from Cllr James Powney who leads on libraries.

Among the issues that have emerged about the regeneration proposals are:

• Lack of consultation over the original proposals and the 'offer' to be made in the proposed Cultural Centre
• The handing over to developers of council land to finance the development with all profits from housing going to the developer
• The Council-Private Partnership which leaves a lot of decision making to the developer
• The developer's apparent decision that retail in the Centre would not be viable (despite provision for a cafe when there are many available in the vicinity)
• The subsequent loss of premises to the much valued Willesden Bookshop
• The developer's advice that the historic old  locally listed 1894 Willesden Library could not be accommodated in the new plans
• The subsequent loss of  a base for the Brent Irish Advisory Service
• The apparent lack of public meeting rooms in the new Centre when the current rooms have been well-used and are essential to local democracy
• Provision for council offices in the new building when other offices are being closed and moved to the new Civic Centre
• The adequacy of the council's alternative arrangements during the 18month-2 year building period and proposals to reopen some of the closed libraries instead
• Loss of the open space in front of the library
• Lack of parking spaces for disabled visitors

Brent Police chief looking to close Willesden Green Police Station

The Brent and Kilburn Times LINK is reporting that Brent's police chief is considering closing Willesden Green Police Station.

He said: “There are currently three officers behind the front counter at Willesden police station which I am looking at closing.

“Do I have officers behind a desk and not doing anything?

“As soon as you start taking away libraries and closing up police counters people get angry but we can’t continue to deliver these services.

“We need them to listen and to understand. It is going to be difficult.”

Come to our meeting about the Willesden Green development

Press letter on Willesden Green regeneration

Press coverage on Old Willesden Library campaign

Click on image to enlarge (Brent and Kilburn Times)

Dollis Hill by-election likely on March 22nd

The by-election in Dollis Hill ward, following the death of Councillor Alec Castle, is likely to be held on Thursday March 22nd. The date is subject to confirmation.

The by-election will give an opportunity to question candidates on the Willesden Green Regeneration issue.

There is full page coverage in the Brent and Kilburn Times today about the history of the Old 1894 Willesden Library building and its planned demolition. The epetition to save the building  has more than 430 signatures and there are additional signatures on paper petitions. The Willesden Bookshop epetition has more than 400 signatures and again there are more on paper versions.

There are likely to be representations on the issue at the Executive Meeting on Monday February 13th and there is a full Council meeting on February 27th.

George Crane defends Willesden Green regeneration project

Cllr George Crane, the lead member for the Willesden Regeneration Project defends the development in a guest posting on Cllr Krupesh Hirani's blog. He claims local Liberal Democrat councillors are fully behind the plans.

Follow the link HERE