North West London Half Marathon - Sunday March 15th.

Organisers of the above event have delivered 22 thousand leaflets to residents in Barnet and Brent  
with information about the plans for the event.

The Vitality NWLHM will be taking place on the morning of Sunday March 15th. This event starting in Barnet and includes large parts of Fryent, Queensbury and Barnhill  is likely to attract up to 10,000 runners on the day. Many of the participants will be fundraising for local and national charities.

The organisers,Vitality, are working closely with Barnet and Brent Councils and TFL to minimise the disruption due to the closure of roads.

Road closures include The Edgware Road and Hay Lane, Roe Green, Kingsbury Road,   Valley Drive, Fryent Way, Slough Lane and Salmon street in Fryent.

The route and more information can be viewed at the organisers event website: www.northlondonhalf.com

If residents have any questions you can e mail northlondon@go2events.org.uk

The organisers advise avoiding the area on that date, and where possible, avoid driving during the road closure period and allow extra time for your journey.

Please pass this on to as many residents as possible to make information widely available.

Fryent Councillors

Kingsbury and Kenton Forum - Brent Connects

The next meeting of Kingsbury Brent Connects will take place on Tuesday 3rd February 2015

The venue will be Kingsbury High School, Princess Ave, NW9
The meeting starts at 7.00pm

This meeting is really important as it gives Fryent residents the opportunity to quiz Council Leader Muhammad  Butt on the planned 54 million pound savings on the Council Budget over the next two years.  

You can read the background to the proposals in the report that the Executive Councillors considered in December 2014. http://democracy.brent.gov.uk/documents/b8067/Budget%20report%20and%20appendices%20Monday%2015-Dec-2014%2019.00%20Cabinet.pdf?T=9

Brent Council Leader Cllr Mo Butt said "I want to be as open and transparent as possible, no Labour Councillor wants to make these cuts. However Labour did not win the General election and the Government is reducing the amount of money Councils can spend, we are were we are."  

In real terms, funding for local government has fallen by 43 per cent from 2010/11 to 2015/16 (Source: House of Commons research paper 14/43, September 2014). In Brent this means that the Council has cut 89 million pounds since 2010 and is now facing a further reduction target of 54 million over the next 2 years.

This is also made worse by the freeze on Council Tax for the last 5 years. Whilst this has been good news for Council Tax payers it has meant that the income to the council has been lost. This is probably close to 8 million pounds since 2010. Is it time to pay more Council Tax that can be spent on maintaining some services.? It would be really good to hear residents views.

The meeting will also hear about A&E services at Northwick Park Hospital.

Please try and come along next Tuesday.

George Crane

Fryent Councillors

The Instiutue is Opening in Kingsbury on Saturday 24th January

TheThe Institute is Opening on Saturday 24th January
Masons House, 1-3 Valley Drive, Kingsbury NW9 9NG

10.00am Building opens to the Public

10.30am Music - Shree Mukajeeven  Swamibapa Pipe Band
               (Outdoors in garden- weather permitting)

11.00am Official Openning by Brent Deputy Mayor
                Councillor Lesley Jones

Check out the website  http://www.hgsi.ac.uk

So what`s on offer?   Comprehensive, contemporary and exciting range of art, design and creative courses. They will include: Pottery and Sculpture, Stained Glass and Warm Glass, Flower Arranging,Antique and Modern Furniture Restoration, Resin Jewellery and many more."

The Chief Executive said last year when talking to Fryent Councillors "Everyone is welcome to come and study at The Institute. Whatever your age or educational background, our qualified and experienced teachers will offer you the guidance you need to embark on your journey of discovery – however long it is since you were last in a classroom."

"Whether you want to study for personal satisfaction or career progression, you will find an amazingly wide choice of courses right across the subject spectrum as well as a warm welcome and a stimulating and friendly atmosphere."

This is really good news for local residents n Kingsbury and we hope you take the opportunity to look around on Saturday and meet the team at The Institute.

George Crane
Fryent Councillors