Minutes

Wembley Brent Connects Meeting

Minutes and Action Log

1

Soapbox – Chaired by Councillor Ihtesham Afzal

Councillor Afzal introduced the Soap Box section of the meeting setting out the ground rules and time allocated for each speaker.

·        The session was opened by a representative from Brent Council’s marketing tem, who made an appeal for more foster carers in Brent. It was updated that the team was seeking to have more local people become foster carers, alongside a programme of support and training. Further information was signposted at: https://www.brent.gov.uk/children-young-people-and-families/fostering-and-adoption/fostering

Email: fostering@brent.gov.uk

·        A representative from the Brent Indian Association spoke briefly about their service and the projects that communities, particularly the elderly community, could access at their venue. A telephone contact was provided in the chat. 

·        A representative from the Grand Union Community Hub (GUCH) spoke about the community space that had recently been opened in the Alperton area and appealed for volunteers to come forward.

·        Brent Health Matters publicised their advice line for matters relating to health which was available from Monday to Friday. They were also running monthly health drop ins across the borough. For further information, the audience were directed to the link below:

https://www.brent.gov.uk/adult-social-care/health-and-wellbeing/brent-health-matters#whatisbrenthealthmatters

2

Draft Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP)

The meeting received a presentation from Judah Bajela (National Management Trainee), who gave an overview of the council’s upcoming Air Quality Action Plan, as well as information regarding the consultation which was planned to begin by the end of March.

The presentation detailed that across London, there had been 4,100 deaths attributed to air pollution in 2019, and it was known that poor air quality had a negative effect on children’s lungs. Harlesden was identified as a hot spot for poor air quality in Brent.

In closing, the three key aims of the plan to improve Brent’s air quality were set out: namely reducing Nitrogen Oxide, raising awareness of health impacts of poor air quality, and introducing change by leading.  

The audience were then invited to ask questions and provide feedback, which is captured below:

·        There was positive feedback from the audience around Brent’s plan to tackle air quality in the area

·        It was raised that alongside the plan, a change in culture would be required in order to make impactful change.

Actions

·        Community Engagement Team to share slides and information about upcoming engagement events for the Air Quality Action Plan

3

Unique Community Charity

The meeting received a presentation from Natalyia Kharina from Unique Community Charity, explaining how their organisation had used Neighbourhood  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.