VSLF Meeting Minutes
Thursday 14th March 2014
Forum members present:
Shafia Begum (Age UK Brent), Tsige Dejene (Brent Active Citizens), Veena Tannk
(Shaw Trust CDG), Sophia Johnson ( Brent Citizens Advice Bureau), Nathan
Persaud (Street League), Stella Njaka (Brent Women’s Advisory Resource Centre),
Izabela Honowska (Sudbury Neighborhood Centre), Jenny Mayers (Creative
Performance), Lizzie Kendal (Afghan Association Paiwind), Saaranna Charles (P3),
Mohammed Mamdani (Sufra- NW London), Abdi Dhodhoob (Jazari Community
Centre), Louise Bayston (Advance Advocacy), Theo Martinson (WISE Social Care &
Education Project), Anne-Marie Morris (Brent Carers Centre), Pier Jackson (Brent
Disability Information Gateway), Sandy Abraham (Community Volunteer), Atara
Fridler (The LIFT People), Daksha Chauhan Keys (Age UK Brent), Manubhai
Makwana (Hindu Council Brent), Jacky Peacock (Advice4Renters), Tessa Awe (CVS
Brent), Fuad Uddin (CVS Brent), Darren Thomas (CVS Brent), Charlie Fernandes
(CVS Brent)
Councillors: Cllr. Emad Al Ebadi (Chair), Cllr. Bhagwanjee Chohan, Cllr. Aslam
Choudry
Officers present: Lyn O’Sullivan, Joanna McCormick, Augusta Morton, Reehan
Mirza
Apologies
Patrick Mckay (St. Michael’s Youth Project ), Ian Kane (Brent Community Law
Centre), Kalpna Patel (Sickle Cell Society ), Danny Maher (Ashford Place), Martene
Carroll (Jason Roberts Foundation), Natasha Fisher (Brent Samaritans), Iqbal
Mansoor (Brent Heart of Gold ), Mansukh Raichura (Lohana Community North
London), Neasden Parent Group (Annette Stevens ), Jo Gordon (Daniels Den)
1. Welcome and introductions
The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the interim Head of
Partnerships and Participation, Lyn O’Sullivan:
All senior officers and elected members are especially supportive of the Voluntary
Sector in Brent particularly a healthy relationship with CVS.
Minutes of the previous meeting and matters arising
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as an accurate and correct
record of the 5th December 2013 meeting.
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The chair spoke about the issue raised at the previous meeting regarding long
wait times and difficulties encountered with the Brent phone system which
handles around 20,000 calls a month. There were difficulties with the new
telephone system when the civic centre first became operational although this
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has largely been resolved. The chair himself has made calls to the
switchboard as a mystery shopper and seen the improvements to the system.
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The chair encouraged everyone to attend the Brent Connects Forums where
they have the opportunity to talk to their local councillors. A leaflet was
circulated to all present.
2. CVS Brent Update
Key Points arising:
 Training events with GLA to take place on 17 th March (Business Planning/
Governance workshop at civic centre between 9am and 4.30pm).
 One safeguarding training workshop.
 One income generation workshop at Rutherford Way.
 CVS Introduced Darren Thomas - the capacity building officer for youth
organisations.
 Organisations encouraged to signup with CVS Brent if they haven’t already.
 Will launch PCT resource centre.
 Training event for accessing ESF.
 Let Charlie know if you want to be on the mailing list for latest updates and
information (c.fernandes@cvsbrent.org.uk).
 Over 100 people attended the launch of the CVS event.
 There will be a Q&A session at the end of March.
 CVS Brent represents all the voluntary organisations in the borough. Send
news about activities to CVS Brent for advertising on the CVS network across
the borough.
3. Welfare Reform – Presentation by Jon Zlotnick (Housing Benefit Welfare
Team Manager)
Key points arising:
 Areas covered include overall benefit cap, discretionary housing payments,
bedroom tax, universal credit and local welfare assistance
 So far, around 1400 people have been capped in Brent
 Brent is the most affected borough in London and compares poorly even
when compared to Birmingham which is unfortunate when you think about it.
 Cases are now being dealt with and resolved as quickly as new cases are
opened which is a huge improvement since September 2013.
 Affected people are being referred to Job brokerage schemes with
organisations such as LIFT and Ashford Place to attend 20 week training
courses during which the Cap is covered through DHP. 12 job outcomes so
far.
 About 690 DHP’s have been used to help with deposits and advance rent for
more affordable accommodation, relocation costs, new start payments,
supporting children’s education up to A-Levels, anyone in receipt of carers
allowance, children under the age of 2 although there are other factors which
can be considered.
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 DHP’s will all be reviewed individually in April and the criteria may change
depending on the new DHP fund awarded by the government.
 People to be phased onto UC by 2017 – Brent may not be affected until 2016
 Local Welfare Assistance (formerly known as crisis loans) are paid by the
DWP to: help people in short term crises or emergencies, supporting
vulnerable people and to ease exceptional pressure on families.
 LWA is means tested and applicants must be entitled to a qualifying benefit –
the scheme ends in 2014/15.
Sophia Johnson/CAB – People are affected, applying for benefit but being refused
because of right to reside. Pleased to hear that LQA scheme is being reviewed. Can
do own residency test and perhaps then could access support.
Jon has made himself and his team directly available for any questions or queries or
if any particular cases can be looked at.
**Presentation to be circulated with minutes **
4. Sudbury Neighborhood Centre – Presentation (Izabela Honowska)
Key Points arising from presentation:
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Running a day care centre – 25 clients a day
Helping disabled clients as well as those coming to socialise
Offer a range of activities
1 in 4 clients have dementia
Arrange to collect clients and take them home
Also have health and care support
Offer holidays and trips
Working hard to raise funds, looking for partnership opportunities
5. Brent Disability Information Gateway – Presentation (Sophia Johnson)
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Key points arising from presentation:
For adults with disabilities aged 18 -60
Signposting
Focus Groups
Drop in sessions
Telephone advice
Referrals
Information sessions
Email advice
Face to face advice
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6. Brent Active Citizens – Presentation (Tsige Djene)
Key points arising from presentation:
 Invitation to all present to attend Brent Active Citizens 10 th anniversary – On
27th March there will be a volunteer match making event.
 Advertising opportunities.
 There will also be a small party in the evening
 300 organisations are already involved with Brent Active Citizens to get
volunteers.
7. Council Update –
 Housing consultation closed – people in favour, 67% of landlords against
 Museum and Archives Strategy goes live at the end of the month – go to area
forums/online for more info.
 Brent Community Champions 2014 has been extended a further week –
closing date will now be 21st April 2014.
 Edward Harvist Trust Fund – Still being finalised
 Small Grants Form to be changed
 Budget approved at last meeting
8. Councillor Aslam Choudry – Crime Prevention and Public Safety
 New borough police commander in post – Michael Gallagher
 He will be introducing himself on 18th March at the civic centre – all are invited
to attend.
 Concerns about cluster system
 Big changes afoot in the council, reappraising all resources, proactive in
meeting people
 Crime is going down although perception of crime is rising
 Need to escalate views to Mayor of London
9. Questions & Discussions – All
Kathy (Chalkhill) – Run a programme for children on Chalkhill. Schools already do a
lot of work to help children. On community side, we are trying to give structured
activities to deal with self esteem. 20 year plan needed beyond elections to address
problems in the longer term including better use of building assets.
Cathy Tyson – New contracts with community organisations e.g. Healthwatch, Ward
based advice, Employment Brokerage.
Civic Centre costs for community hire still too high – needs to be reduced.
Complaints about Housing officers – Cllr Emad suggested that a representative of
Housing team attend the next meeting.
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Kathy (Chalkhill) – Suggested putting money aside to get people together to look at
solutions. Need to think outside box on dealing with problems.
Need to try to keep community centres
Need to have more youth provision and more centres throughout the borough
10. Any other Business
Sudbury Neighborhood Centre confirmed to deliver presentation at next meeting.
Date of Next Meeting - Thursday 13th March 2014 from 2pm to 4pm.
The meeting finished at 4.00pm
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