James Powney's Blog

Brent Labour Party has now selected all its Council candidates for next year's elections.  I imagine the other parties are in the proces...

Following the news that Wembley appears to be subjected entirely to market forces, forces that have demonstrably failed to meet housing need...

Buildings in the Willesden Jewish Cemetery have been given grade II listing in the 150th year of the United Synagogue.  It follows an earli...

Martin Francis tells us that Bertha Joseph is selected as a Conservative candidate in Brondesbury.  Presumably he has good sources in the T...

Martin Francis has picked up on a government grant for build for rent properties in Wembley.  None of the units appear to be "affordab...

One possible development worth keeping an eye is a possible expansion of Willesden Junction Station .  I have argued the importance of this ...

I am concerned at the political gesture of the overhasty decision to spend £10 million on fire safety at Brent housing properties without se...

This morning there is a meeting of the Alcohol and Licensing Committee.  This will give Cllr Sabina Khan, a new appointee to that committee,...

The sheer indiscipline of the Cabinet over the past couple of weeks shows how dysfunctional our "strong and stable" government ha...

The Manor Park Road development has returned I see .  I regretted the withdrawal of the former proposal .  While the principle of developing...

Right at the end of last week's Brent Council Cabinet there is a document recommending a £17.8 million spend on the public realm around ...

Further to yesterday's post , the Chief Executive's letter makes clear the difficult state of housing finance in Brent.  It correct...

Brent Council is currently rushing through £10 million of spend on "fire safety" without knowing what it is going to be spent on....

Yesterday's victory for Unison on Employment Tribunal Fees is a huge victory in preventing victimisation of people.  Amidst so much glo...

I mentioned a hardy perennial policy proposal up at the last Brent Cabinet meeting, but not an equally hoary example, controlled parking zon...

Tonight Brent Council's Cabinet meets and discusses future financial planning .  Among the concerns are the Housing Revenue Account (HRA...

Brent Scrutiny has a task group report on encouraging small and medium sized businesses  (SMEs).  I fear it is pretty short of positive poli...

Monday's Cabinet papers included a real old stager under the "New Options" appendix . This was charging for bulky waste collec...

I was sad to learn of the passing away of Mary Turner , long time President of the GMB and also a fixture in Brent politics for as long as I...

I have been speculating about the election results, but perhaps a more important issue for the next six months is what is going to happen to...