Community First funding for Willesden

There is an opportunity for local community projects to be awarded small grants (up to £2,500). Willesden Green ward has been awarded £67 to spend in allocations between 2012 to 2015. The Community First Panel, comprising local residents and traders, will submit proposals to the Community Development Foundation (administrators of the scheme) by the end of March 2013. Community based projects will focus on:

- Helping Willesden Green become a place to enjoy diverse, new and interesting activities and create attractions that enhance pride.
- Making people better informed about services and activities in the area. 
- Encouraging young people to have an active, engaged and positive relationship with Willesden Green. 
- Supporting the creation and development of a Town Team that truly represents all local stakeholders 
- Fostering green and environmental projects and improve the environment, visual appeal and healthfulness of Willesden Green. 

 Call 07810008526 for details or funding applications. 

Helping Willesden Green Regeneration

A Brent project, “New Windows on Willesden Green”, was the winner of the 2012 Regeneration and Renewal award for boosting high street vitality last month. The scheme has gone from strength to strength since its launch, includes 13 flourishing pop up shops on Queen's Parade. Local entrepreneurs have been given empty shops for low rent and turned them into viable businesses. Shop owners have been joining in with the other businesses recently creating beautiful window displays to encourage shoppers back into the area.

The Library Lab in Willesden Green Library is also still providing residents with a creative space to work from and get business advice and support and Electric House (Willesden Lane) is now being used to showcase the work of local artists as well as providing businesses with advice on dressing their shop windows. The recently formed Willesden Green Team, made up of local residents and business owners, will continue to build on the project by bringing vitality to the area for years to come.

Willesden Green Cultural Centre application

The Planning Committee met on 21^st February to consider the Willesden Cultural Centre applications.  The Committee resolved to agree to grant in principle, with the final determination left to the relevant Director, subject to:

(b) any direction by the Mayor of London to refuse the application. In accordance with Article 5 of the Town & Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008 following the Council’s determination of this application, the Mayor is allowed 14 days to decide whether to allow the draft decision to proceed unchanged or direct the Council under Article 6 to refuse the application;

(c) Satisfactory prior completion of a Section 106(s). (Funding from developer for local improvements etc.)

The application also awaits the report on the Town Green application.

Section 106 conditions includes the funds for: 

- A phasing plan to ensure that a number of residential units shall not be occupied until WGCC   built and fitted out.

- Up to £40,000 towards improvement of local bus stops.

- “Permit free” on housing element of scheme.

- Achieve sustainability checklist.
- Join the Considerate Contractors Scheme (CCS).

- Travel Plans for WGCC and housing element.

- Training Package “Brent in2 work.”

- S278 Highway Works, relating to works to Grange Rd, High Rd, Brondesbury Walk and Brondesbury Park, which will include streetscape enhancements.

- Not less than £30,000 of the build cost of the WGCC element towards public art in the public areas of the building.

- up to £10,000 for the promotion and implementation of “car clubs” in the locality.

- Servicing Management Plan for WGCC.

Child poverty in Brent

An article in the Kilburn and Brent Times (28/2/1013) reported that a study of child poverty in Brent found  the largest proportion were living in Brent Central. The “End Child Poverty” coalition group found 42% of children living in Stonebridge Ward were suffering from relative poverty, just below was Harlesden Ward with 39% and 34% in Willesden Ward.  Having met Willesden families struggling with a low income, I know these statistics are likely to be accurate. According to the government, families with children who are earning less than 60% median income (currently £26, 500 for 2013) are classed as living in poverty.  There is an additional formula used depending on the adult- child ration so for example, a couple with 2 children under 16 who earn less than a total of £18,300 are living in poverty.  But a single parent with 2 children would be classed as living in poverty if the are taking home less than £14,000.  This figure is £11,300 for a single parent with 1 child.

Big London Energy Switch

Residents can now join the Big London Energy Switch (www.biglondonenergyswitch.org.uk).  This is a collective energy switching scheme supported by Brent Council, 17 other local authorities in London, and London Councils.The Big London Energy Switch is bringing together as many Londoners as possible who want to switch energy providers to get a better rate.  The more people who register, the lower we hope the new energy tariff will be.  A lower price for all individual households is not guaranteed, but similar schemes by other councils have cut bills by up to £200 a year for some households.

Ward constituents only have until 31^st March 2013 to register for the scheme.

Once the period for registration has passed, energy companies will bid for the business by putting forward the best available price they are willing to offer.  After this auction has been held and the winning bid chosen, those who have registered will be offered a new energy tariff.  These residents can then choose whether or not to change energy provider.

The quickest way to register is by going to www.biglondonenergyswitch.org.uk, whilst those who do not have internet access can call 0845 208 0237.

Welfare reform

2013 will see the most radical changes to welfare for decades. Councils are having to take on new responsibilities with council tax support and the local provision for the social fund. But there are other significant indirect consequences for councils; some of which are still uncertain, such what the impact will be of housing benefit and other welfare changes people of claimants having to downsize or move to cheaper areas. Welfare cuts will undoubtedly mean rising demand for some services, such as money advice and possibly homelessness services in some areas. The financial impact on councils is uncertain – will the new arrangements for rent under universal credit, for example, mean a rise in bad debts? We will begin to understand the implications more as universal credit is phased in starting in April. The council is well aware of the problems ahead and is doing what it can to advise residents expected to be caught up in the changes.