ACV listing is rare in Brent. Only two buildings have achieved this status: Queensbury Pub, and Kensal Rise Library. Both are located in areas undergoing 'gentrification' and they have been purchased by private developers who are seeking to strip or demolish the current structures in order to convert to residential use. Achieving ACV listing is no small feat, an application must demonstrate that the building has recently been used by the community, and that it has the ability to continue to be used by the community. Both the Queensbury and Kensal Rise Library met these strict criteria, but because they are situated in areas of rising property values their listing, and their very existence, is under threat. Hundreds of pubs and libraries in the UK have closed in the last several years, and many have looked to ACV listing as a way to protect much loved facilities. ACV should provide a network of support once achieved, but if Brent does not stand behind their listed properties, it will set a terrible precedent that will jepordise these two historic structures and make other ACV listings much more vulnerable as well. We need to protect our community spaces, because a society without places to congregate, isn't a society at all. Please stand with us to protect our community assets, and keep the private profiteers at bay. Active planning application Kensal Rise Library: Pending https://forms.brent.gov.uk/servlet/ep.ext?extId=101150&st=PL&reference=115466 Historic planning application Queensbury: Refused https://forms.brent.gov.uk/servlet/ep.ext?extId=101150&reference=114018&st=PL ACV info: http://www.dwf.co.uk/news/legal-updates/assets-of-community-value http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/case-studies/assets-community-value-planning/ ACV example: Angel Hotel, in Spinkhill https://www.dropbox.com/s/1hi5guldg3gfwc3/ACV%20pub%20decision%20Jan2014.pdf ACV example: The Ivy House in Nunhead https://www.dropbox.com/s/hhmicd356vuvusj/ACV%20to%20revive%20a%20local%20pub.pdf Rising property prices in Brent: http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/brent_witnesses_the_highest_hike_in_house_prices_in_london_1_3520425?usurv=skip

In the planning proposal ( www.barnet.gov.uk ref F/01543/14) there no consideration placed to the proximity and comparative elevation of my property which would suffer directly with impeded light and would be directly overlooking both my bedrooms and kitchen. In addition, this proposal will directly overlook a children's playground situated in Windsor Open Space. This Park has recently been upgraded by the London Mayor, who would have never been aware of this preposterous proposal.

Last November, Stroud District Council announced plans to put the farmers’ market to tender. Meaning that after 14 years of the market being built up and run by local Stroud company "Made in Stroud", the council decided to try to cash in on our hard work developing the market and opening it up to other companies to run. But after a petition signed by 2,000 residents, the council was forced to put the tender on hold. Market trader and apple juice producer, Helen Brent Smith said “let’s get the tender out of the way, it’s terrible, it’s completely destructive, it risks damaging Stroud, and the wider area and let’s talk about the alternatives.” However, the tender was only delayed. The council are consulting the public now, yet they have barely publicised this. And we only have till June, before they announce their decision. If you care about the farmers’ market and want to save it in its current form, sign this petition and share it with your friends. Let’s tell the council that this isn’t acceptable, it’s not what we want!

Sir John Chilcot finished his inquiry into the Iraq War almost two years ago. He has informed the Prime Minister in writing on a number of occasions that he is waiting for agreement from the Cabinet Office as to what documents / records can be disclosed with his report. He wrote most recently on November 4th 2013 and, yet again, expressed his regret "that the Government and the Inquiry have not reached a final position on the disclosure of these more difficult categories of documents". David Cameron's reply of November 5th totally ignored his expressed regret and 'kicked the whole issue into the long grass' with his comment "I hope the consideration of the final sets of papers can be concluded as soon as possible". Since then there have been no reports of any progress whatsoever. The Inquiry has submitted ten requests covering some 200 Cabinet-level discussions, 25 Notes from Mr Blair to President Bush and more than 130 records of conversations between either Mr Blair or Mr Brown and President Bush. It would appear the Government wish to do all they can to prevent these details from reaching public attention. The Public still do not understand why this country followed the U.S. to war in Iraq. We were promised an explanation through a Public Inquiry and, to date, we have been denied this right.

Rather than discussing the horrendous economic situation that has forced many people to use food banks, the article focused on the warped idea that food banks are merely an easy means of obtaining free food. This is not true, and suggesting this is an insult to the thousands of decent people who are living in poverty because of the cavalier attitude to unemployment and enormous welfare cuts that have been imposed by the government, which is supported by the Mail on Sunday. While we need a strong media to bring the ills in society to our attention, it is also important that the media should be honest and should not misrepresent issues for political gain or out of mere hatred. When the media uses inaccurate reporting to mislead the public, we must take action to stop them.

This situation cannot be left unchecked (The UK government has been successful in reducing the patrol of roads by local Police forces to almost nil and, as a driver that drives some 25-30,000 miles per year in the UK, can certainly vouch for the lack of Police patrols and, the increasing carnage caused by poor driving standards of HGV drivers. My particular collision was caused by a female HGV "Tramper" (trampers live in the HGV vehicle for many days and sometimes, weeks) who, at 60mph, drove into the side of my car causing us to be flipped 4 times across 3 lanes of the motorway then, taking out 60 metres of the central reservation steelwork. We were cut from our car after being treated for only minor injuries (Luckily) We then learnt that the HGV driver had initially tried to drive away from the crash site then, after being interviewed by Police, admitted to falling asleep at the wheel. She had been driving for some 34 hours and had tampered with the Tachograph display (the tachograph machine is a legal requirement in most HGV vehicles which monitors the driving habits of the current driver. There are imposed break periods and "Stop/Start" recordings within the mechanism. Unfortunately, many drivers (it would appear), have learnt how to override this mechanism and, hence, can drive much further and over longer periods of time). Having researched this situation with 3 Police forces in the UK, I have sourced that very few HGV drivers are ever tasked with proving their working patterns (indeed, some Police Officers are not trained in Tachograph use for HGV purposes). Further, and on the admission of several Police Officers, most foreign HGV drivers, when causing infringements to UK road law, are sent on their way without any charge, fine or loss of vehicle after causing mayhem with other road users. Several Police Officers being heard to say that "The paperwork is too time consuming and, the Courts will not allow us to bring these charges before them due to the fact that the drivers will be long gone into their home country before it has a chance of being heard in the Courts". This is unacceptable - the laws should be changed to allow the Police to operate as their counterparts in other countries. Other countries Police forces can, after such misdemeanours, confiscate vehicles, impose roadside fines, detain HGV drivers for court appearances next day and even, summon the employers of that particular HGV Driver to appear in court also. There is an increasing number of HGV road accidents whilst being driven by poorly trained and badly managed so-called Professional drivers. This needs to STOP.

We can gift ourselves and children access to the night sky. Stars are beautiful and essential to human wellbeing. We are increasingly under pressure from economic and social change so a daily reminder of our place in the universe, the fantastic natural world around us can only benefit our lives, lets inspire our children lets make the most of what we have lets set an example for everyone else, Great Britain is a dynamic and progressive country able to act in its own best interest and take the first of many steps we can take to safeguard our childrens world.

The lack of a pedestrian crossing of any description concerns me and other residents/parents greatly. As I said above, this is a main school route for parents walking their children to the local Infant and junior schools. As a househusband, I also walk my 6 and 9 year old to these schools every day. I designed a simple petition and collected nearly 200 signatures requesting the council to install an official pedestrian controlled crossing. I sent the petition off a long time ago, and have had numerous emails and telephone calls to, and from various people at Portsmouth City Council, local MP’s, local councillors and both head teachers, all supporting myself and other residents for our wish to see a crossing installed, but so far nothing has been done. At a recent council meeting, I was informed that there had been a cut in funding, and although my proposal for a crossing wasn’t dismissed outright, I quote from an email from the council that;- “this scheme has been put forward and we will await confirmation of the 2014/15 LTP programme early next year after proposals are taken to Cabinet. This usually occurs annually around March. After scheme submission, officers have little involvement and await feedback from senior managers early next year.” On a relevant issue, my son's friend got knocked over on Havant Road a few years ago, albeit at the pedestrian crossing near the small Tescos and Post Office further along Havant Road. Yet this simply reiterates the need for an official crossing, proving that this road is a busy thoroughfare, and accidents can happen even when there are pedestrian crossing installed. So to avoid another accident, there must be a pedestrian controlled crossing installed.

Gove is ruining childrens' lives. He wants to have 10 hour school days to 'bridge the gap' between state and private schools. He can't understand that this won't change anything, and that the childhood of many could be adversely affected. Teachers would have to work longer hours, with less time for lesson planning and marking. Children, especially those who live further away from their school, will spend their childhoods doing SCHOOL -> HOMEWORK -> MEGARE SLEEP -> SCHOOL. His cronies want children to start school at 2. Children need to go to daycare at that time to play; but many can't afford this. Instead of coming up with ludicrous propositions, he should increase monetary support for daycare to make it affordable. All these points are stupid and unproven, and are just being used as political pointscoring, behind the screen of 'a better education for our children'.

HMRC to sell taxpayers' financial data http://gu.com/p/3zh98

There has been a 148% increase in parking fines issued by SWPG in Merthyr Tydfil. The Town Centre traders are suffering at the hands of the parking wardens while they attempt to unload their vehicles to stock their shops. The parking wardens have advised that businesses should use white vans to unload, many small businesses can not afford to purchase a white van. The fines the parking wardens are issuing against the traders are jeopardising their profit margins and risking their businesses. The parking warden's practices are also affecting the public, many have also had to face an incorrectly applied penalty notice. Members of the community are reluctant to shop in the Town Centre as a result of the warden's practices, this has a further effect on the Town Centre traders. The appeal process against a penalty notice issued appears stacked against the appellant. SWPG do not take in to account evidence, or reasoning of incorrectly, or overzealously applied Penalty Notice Charges against individuals and continue to demand payment under the threat of Court action and bailiff collection.

All of these traffic lights are relatively pointless during off peak times and often motorists become frustrated and impatient while being forced to sit at red lights, this can often be at 2am when there are clearly no other vehicles in sight! By signing our petition you are in strong favour of these signals being changed to PART-TIME status from 7pm-7am