School Library Cards in Brent

I commented before that some of the "Library campaigners" appear to be actually campaigning against the improvement of library services.  The example I chose was our pilot for school library cards, which has now made some progress.

We have so far had 13, mostly primary, schools express an interest and several hundred pupils actually signed up.  As far as I know, this is the only pilot of its kind in the country.  Portsmouth has a scheme to get all their pupils to have a library card, but I don't think they follow it up in the way that we plan to.  We think that simply giving people a card doesn't necessarily mean that they will use it, so we are following up with the schools either to get them to arrange class visits, or to take part in an outreach service which brings books to the school, with some story telling element.  Hopefully this will get the pupils to be embued with a library culture, and a love of reading.  Of course, reading for pleasure is highly correlated with educational attainment.

Had we gone down the route of simply cutting opening hours and book stock, I don't believe a pilot like this would have even been on the cards.

Terrifying Statistic

I came across a terrifying statistic from the Arts Council recently.  39% of 9-17 year olds agree with the statement: "the information I find online is always correct."

20mph Zone in Kensal Green

There is a consultation currently underway for a 20mph zone from Wrottesley Road extending northward past the Capital City Academy, Donnington Primary and Willesden Sports Centre right into the Dobree estate.  The road safety benefits of 20mph zones are well proven so I hope it gets through.

Caddy Liners in Brent

Brent Council will be distributing caddy liners for food waste as part of our efforts to improve the take up of the recycling services still more.  Recycling food waste not only lowers the cost of disposal, it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions from landfill, helping to limit climate change.

Infrastructure Investment

Not the Treasury View has what sounds like a sensible way to boost infrastructure investment while the construction industry is in the doldrums.

Former Kensal Rise Library

In the early hours of this morning, Council officers removed the contents of the former Kensal Rise library.  This is the last of the six libraries to be emptied.  The books and other equipment will be redistributed to Brent's six seven day a week libraries for use by Brent library users.

I notice that it is still being alleged that this affects the reverter.  In fact both Brent Council and All Souls College accept that the reverter was triggered some time ago.  This is an irreversible process that cannot be "frozen" or otherwise stayed.  The removal of the contents of the building has no bearing on the legal position.  This has been made clear to various campaigners repeatedly.  The action this morning was therefore simply the last stage in a process set in train by the Executive decision of April last year.

Cleared Land

I notice that what was overgrown land, and an attraction to flytippers, at the bottom of Robson Avenue has been cleared, but I am not sure what is being done with it.

Cameron's Failed Austerity

More on the Conservative's government's failed economic policy can be found here.  Of course, as well as creating a completely failed and actively counterproductive policy, neither the Conservative or the Liberal Democrats had any electoral mandate for it.

School Investment

I am glad to see that Alperton and Copland schools have been awarded money for much needed rebuilding.  Both of these were going to be part of the Building Schools for the Future programme, which was cancelled as part of the deal to give Sarah Teather ministerial office.  Unfortunately, Newman Catholic College and Queens Park Community School do not benefit from the award.

Brent in Bloom 2012

Brent in Bloom 2012 is now open.  You can find more details on the Brent Council web site.