Brent is breathing cleaner air 🌻

The days are getting longer and the sun is shining brighter, at least by UK standards!

Whether you like to spend spring going for runs in your local park, tidying up the garden (don’t forget to sign up for your garden waste collection), or using the extra daylight to go for a walk around the block, you’ll be pleased to hear that you are breathing cleaner air.

Latest figures show a massive 36% drop in harmful emissions in Brent since the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone, or ULEZ. We have monitoring stations outside of John Keble Primary School and ARK Franklin Primary Academy, and the data the Mayor of London published showed a 25% decrease in concentrations of dangerous emissions like PM.25 in the last year.

This is especially important for local children’s health and means that we are making successful strides towards tackling climate change and improving air quality in Brent.

This May marks 80 years since the whole country came together to celebrate Victory in Europe (VE) Day. It’s a good excuse to get your neighbours together and to remember those who sacrificed so much for our freedoms. To mark the day, we’re offering free street closures for parties.

Finally, and speaking of coming together, I had the honour of joining young Muslims to celebrate their contributions at a special Iftar at Downing Streetyesterday. Ramadan is a time for family, reflection, and community spirit – in Brent I know that these are values that we all share, regardless of our religious beliefs.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council

Council tax premium on second homes

Due to the ongoing London-wide housing crisis, families are under pressure to find homes and as a council we simply can’t build fast enough to keep pace with the numbers of homeless families approaching us for help.

From 1 April 2025, the council will introduce a new council tax premium for people who own second homes in the borough. These measures aim to reduce the number of empty homes and increase housing availability in the borough for families struggling to find suitable accommodation in Brent.

Find out more

Community skips and clean ups are back!

Our popular community skips are making their way around the borough and coming to a street near you – ready to take your bulky waste and then recycle it or give it a new home.

Residents in Kingsbury and Kenton got rid of bulky items for free last weekend and even did some litter-picking.

Check your nearest Community Skip

Let us take away your garden waste

Did you know that we can collect your garden waste? Saving you time driving to Abbey Road Refuse and Recycling Centre!

The service costs £69 for the year, and it’s quick and easy to sign up.

We want to hear from you on the future of Bridge Park

Share your views on the future of Bridge Park Community Leisure, including options for leisure and community facilities, as part of a wider redevelopment to provide new homes and green spaces along the Hillside Regeneration Corridor.

This consultation will help shape the future of the site and ensure that local needs are met. Have your say by 11 May.

Have your say

Important notice for dog owners 🐶

Dogs will be required to be kept on leads at all times in Paddington Old Cemetery from Monday 10 March.

This new rule is part of an existing Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which has been varied following a comprehensive public consultation where 860 people shared their views.

PSPOs are legal measures that impose conditions on public places where there has been a nuisance which has had a detrimental effect on the community. PSPO conditions apply to everyone equally. They are designed to enhance public safety and improve the quality of life for all residents.

Find out more

One week to go – £10k for community projects

A new Community Chest Fund is now open offering grants of up to £10,000 for impactful community projects in Brent.

Wates is funding the chest as part of their commitment to give back, as they build 291 homes in Wembley. It is open to registered voluntary, community, and recreational groups that are based in Brent.

If your project brings people together, creates opportunities, or addresses local priorities, especially in Wembley, apply now!

Find out more

Fix your old items and save money

Our Repair Cafe is back, giving you the chance to get your items fixed by our experts.

👖 Repair clothes

🎥 Fix your small electronic appliances

🔨 Bike repairs

🚲 Bike market – buy a used bike or donate an old one

Grab your free ticket

Grab a grant for your green idea

Are you passionate about making your neighbourhood greener and more sustainable? The Brent Together Towards Zero Grant offers up to £5,000 to help fund one-off projects that tackle the climate and ecological emergency.

Whether you have an idea to improve your local area or want to take action for a cleaner, greener future, this grant is here to support you!

Apply today and make a real impact in your community.

Apply now!

Have your say on plans to license HMOs in Brent

Brent residents are being asked to have their say on plans to improve living conditions in private rented homes.

An online survey, launched this week, invites tenants, landlords, and anyone affected to give their views on Brent Council’s proposals to improve living standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

The consultation is open until 26 May.

Have your say

Young people lead climate action in ‘Roots of Brent’

Young people in Brent have created a powerful documentary, ‘Roots of Brent’, shining a light on local climate action. The film explores the impact of climate change on their lives and celebrates inspiring local initiatives making a difference.

Supported by the council’s climate action programme and sponsored by FM Conway, Roots of Brent provided young people (ages 7-25) with a unique opportunity to learn about climate change while developing hands-on documentary filmmaking skills.

From interviewing and presenting to editing, participants gained the tools to share their stories and drive change.

Watch the film

Better air for Brent

The Mayor of London has released new data that shows 2024 harmful emissions in Brent have decreased by 36% since the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

Air monitoring stations around John Keble Primary School and ARK Franklin Primary Academy have shown that the concentration of dangerous emissions like PM.25 have decreased by around 25% in the last year.

Find out more

Celebrate St Patrick’s Day!

Come along to the Pre-St. Patrick’s Day event where there’s tons of fun for all the family.

Enjoy free food, entertainment and enter the raffle to be in with the chance of winning a prize. May the luck of the irish be with you.

Free entry.

📍Learie Constantine Centre, Willesden, Brent

⏰1-8pm

🗓️Sat 15 March

Have your say on Brent pharmacies

We want to hear your views on pharmacy services in the borough in order to better understand health needs in Brent, the level and accessibility of pharmacy services and how we can plan for them to be maintained and developed.

Complete a short online questionnaire as part of our Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment by Wednesday 2 April.

Take the questionnaire

24/7 WhatsApp Support for

Parents

Brent parents and parents-to-be can now get expert advice anytime, anywhere!

The Baby Buddy WhatsApp Assistant provides trusted information on pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood—completely free.

Offered as part of Brent Council’s Start for Life programme, it includes:

✔ Health & Wellbeing Tips – Sleep, feeding, mental health & more

✔ Bite-sized Videos – Practical parenting advice

✔ Local Brent Support – Connect with services near you