Useful Info

PEOPLE living in the capital have till the end of the month to give their views on how a grants budget of up to £28 million will be spent.
London Councils' consultation into how its grants funding should be prioritised from April 2011 will draw to a close on Friday 29 January.
The organisation, one of the largest funders of the capital's voluntary sector, gives grants to 360 groups across 59 priority areas.
Funded projects include schemes providing counselling to victims of domestic abuse, providing homeless people with secure accommodation and working with young people to prevent them becoming involved in gun crime.
London Councils is urging all Londoners with an interest in the voluntary sector to respond to the consultation so that the funding meets the needs of London's diverse population.
This is especially important in the current economic climate when voluntary services have seen an increase in demand as a consequence of the recession with rises in unemployment, an increase in debt and other related side-effects - like more people suffering from depression.
Chairman of London Councils' Grants Committee, Councillor Lynne Hillan, said: "People need support from voluntary services more than ever in the current financial climate and more responses will mean a more accurate picture of which areas to prioritise.
"Those with an interest in funding the voluntary sector still have a chance to give us their feedback. We urge them to take the time to respond and ensure that these grants provide the maximum benefit for people living in the capital".
Councillor Reg Colwill, Brent Council's Lead Member for Adults, Health and Social Care, said: "Millions of pounds will soon be spent on services that are currently being used by thousands of us and that anyone of us, at anytime, may need to tap into.
"Whether you're a service provider, service user or just someone who wants to voice your opinion - now is your last chance to have your say on how the money should be spent."

A TUITION service, which teaches pupils who are unable to attend school, is celebrating
receiving a 'good' rating in its latest Ofsted inspection.
Brent Educational Tuition Service (BETS), which teaches youngsters not at school because
of medical, social, behavioural or attendance-related issues, was inspected by the
education watchdog in November and was found to be providing 'exemplary care' and 'good
teaching'.
BETS has provided short and long-term education for 116 pupils in all 4 key stages over the last academic year.
An additional 157 youngsters were taught as in-patients at Northwick Park Hospital.
Pupils are each given an individual teaching plan and taught using a mixture of home tuition and classroom-based lessons at the three BETS sites.
The effectiveness of the school's engagement with parents and carers was judged by Ofsted
to be 'outstanding' and the report stated "staff work hard to cultivate supportive relationships and maintain effective communication channels with parents and carers."
The relationship between staff and pupils was described as providing "the bedrock of the
success of the service."
The report goes on to say BETS "is very successful in providing a safe haven for its pupils" who "rightly feel safe in this exceptionally caring environment where the staff give their undivided attention."
John Dowling, headteacher, said: "The report is very gratifying and a reflection of the hard work the staff have put into the last few years. We're very proud of the care and teaching we provide to our pupils."
Rik Boxer, assistant director for achievement and inclusion, said: "For some youngsters BETS is the last chance to get back on track and I'm delighted so many are making such good progress. Staff continually go the extra mile to meet the needs of pupils."

PEOPLE living in the borough are encouraged to come along to the next round of Brent Area Consultative Forums taking place over the next few weeks.
The area consultative forums give local residents the opportunity to discuss, with local councillors and officers from Brent Council, issues that affect them and their families. Representatives from other agencies including the local police also regularly attend. They will be taking place at the following locations:

Wembley Area Consultative Forum, from 7pm, on Tuesday, January 26, at Patidar House, 22 London Road, Wembley . It covers the wards Alperton, Northwick Park, Preston, Sudbury, Tokyngton and Wembley Central.

Kilburn and Kensal Area Consultative Forum, from 7pm, on January 27. It covers the wards Brondesbury Park, Kilburn, Mapesbury and Queens Park. Venue to be confirmed.

Kingsbury and Kenton Area Consultative Forum, from 7pm, on February 2 at Kingsbury High School, Princes Avenue, in Kingsbury. It covers the wards Barnhill, Fryent, Kenton and Queensbury.

During the break officers, speakers and local ward councillors will be present to answer any questions.
For more details on the agenda for these meetings visit the council's website www.brent.gov.uk/consultation or call 020 8937 1055.

St. Mary's Church are holding a Christmas Bazaar at St. Mary's Parish Centre, Neasden Lane on 28th November 12.30pm - 4pm. Entrance 50p.

TRAINS on the Metropolitan line will stop at Willesden Green Station this weekend.
To minimise disruption to commuters wanting to use the Jubilee line, which is currently part suspended, London Underground decided this week to finally let the Metropolitan line trains pull into Willesden Green on Saturday (Nov 14) and Sunday (Nov 15) so people can get to and from London.
Transport For London (TfL) said it will access the success of this weekend's special service and consider doing it again in the future.
Sarah Teather, Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East, took her fight for a seven day tube service to City Hall last month and thousands of residents in the borough signed a petition calling for Metropolitan line trains to stop at Willesden Green.
John Ball, of London Underground, said: "We hope that trains stopping at Willesden Green will help customers with their journeys this weekend. London Underground is doing all it can to minimise disruption to customers' weekend travel."
The Jubilee line upgrade will not be completed on time and will not be delivered until well into next year.
TfL is currently carrying out a multi-billion investment programme to upgrade the whole of the Tube.
Passengers are urged to check before they travel. They can do this by using the TfL website, looking at posters in stations and using BBC Ceefax or ITV's Teletext. Alternatively they can call the London Travel Info 24 hours helpline on 020
7222 1234.

The Roundwood Park firework display is taking place on Thursday 5th November from 8pm. gates open at 6.45pm. The event is free.

Cycling safety workshops are being offered for people looking to get fit this new year.

The council's Stay Safe Be Seen sessions will give road safety advice and have mechanics on hand to offer brake, tyre and gear checks.

The first workshop will take place on January 24, at Willesden Green Library between 10.30am-12.30pm. Book on 020 8937 3400.

A session will also take place on February 7 at Cricklewood Library. To book call 020 8937 3450.

Brent Council

Tel: 020 8937 1200

Email: customer.services@brent.gov.uk

Brent House One Stop local office
349-357 High Road, Wembley, HA9 6BZ
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, (Closed from 1pm to 5pm on the last Thursday of the month) and Saturday, 9am to 1pm.

Brent Town Hall One Stop local office
Forty Lane, Wembley, HA9 9HD
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Harlesden One Stop local office
Challenge House, 1-2 Bank Buildings, High Street, London, NW10 4LT
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm, and Friday, 9am to 1pm.

Willesden One Stop local office
Willesden Green Library Centre, 95 High Road, NW10 2SF
Opening Hours: Monday to Tuesday, 9am to 5pm, Wednesday, 9am to 1pm, and Thursday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Stanmore Park Safer Neighbourhoods Team

Sgt Suzy Rosser
PC Andy Cox
PC Tony Marchant
PCSO Sherry Baradaran Pouya
PCSO Jackie Davis
PCSO Joe Cambeiro

Wealdstone Police Station, 78 High St, Wealdstone, HA3 7AG

Phone: 020 8721 2996 / 07920 233725

Canons Safer Neighbourhoods Team

Sgt Mark Manners-Jones
PC Chris Rayment
PC Craig Foster
PCSO David Dale
PCSO Erika Freeman
PCSO Laura Smith
PCSO Michelle Heaney
PCSO Hev Nigbur

The Lodge, Donnerfield Avenue, Canons Park, HA8 6RH

Call: 020 8721 2995 / 07920 233726

These contact details should not be used for any communication that might require an emergency response. In an emergency you should dial 999.

Harrow Borough Council

Tel: 020 8863 5611

Email: info@harrow.gov.uk

Harrow Council,
Civic Centre
PO Box 57
Station Road
Harrow
HA1 2XF

One Stop Shop open at the Civic Centre 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.