Brent Libraries has abolished fines on overdue books or audiobooks taken out by its young members as it further improves its services for young people in the borough.  
 
Brent's libraries will now not issue fines to any member aged from 12 to 17 who has returned a book or audiobook after the three-week loan period. The policy came into effect on 2 January 2014, but does not apply to any outstanding fines before then.
 
Before 2 January any young library member aged 12 to 17 was fined 10 pence per day on any overdue book or audiobook taken out from Brent's libraries.
 
Brent's libraries offer young people the opportunity to take part in different cultural activities from poetry to reading groups as well as term-time homework clubs.
 
Councillor Roxanne Mashari, Lead Member for Environment and Neighbourhood Services, said:
 
"Sometimes young people were building up fines they felt they couldn't pay off and were reluctant to come back to the library. We want as many young people to use Brent's libraries as possible which is why we've taken this radical step to end fines on books. Now if their books are overdue they can return the books or audiobooks to us without fines and continue to use our libraries as places to study, learn and relax."
 
There are almost 15,000 young people aged from 12 to 18 who are members of Brent Libraries.

 

This is a new venture from the Kilburn Fair Credit Campaign, a broad-based community group including
Advice4Renters, the Somali Cultural Centre, and the local credit unions.  We've based our Centre in the Kilburn High Road because there are some 14 high interest lenders there and we are putting
up some competition!

We aim to offer a responsible alternative to the Pay Day Loan shops as well as broader money management support for all who are struggling to make ends meet in these difficult times.  The service is primarily for residents of Brent and Camden, but no-one will be turned away.  The project is supported by the Leaders of both Councils.

The service is staffed entirely by trained volunteers, and there are referral arrangements in place for those needing specialist support and advice.



This new service is available every weekend. 

Additional afternoon, evening and weekend appointments have been introduced at a number of practices across Brent to make it easier for patients to see a GP or nurse.

The extended hours service is being tested by NHS Brent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in response to patient demand for evening and weekend appointments.

Patients who call their practice for an appointment and are unable to see a GP or nurse within 48 hours will now be offered an appointment at the practice in their area that is offering the  extended hours service.

The additional appointments are available Monday to Friday, 3pm to 9pm and Saturday 9am to 9pm at GP practices, in Harlesden, Kilburn and Willesden.

Two further practices, in Kingsbury and Wembley, are due to offer this service from November.

Dr Ethie Kong, Chair of NHS Brent CCG, said: “Accessing a GP appointment in the evenings and weekends came out as a key requirement from our patient survey and the CCG is trialling this new extended GP access service in response to this patient feedback. 

“GPs across Brent are working closely together on this in their locality groups in Harlesden,  Kilburn, Kingsbury, Wembley and Willesden to increase capacity at times that suit patients.

“If patients can’t get an appointment at a time that suits them, they will be offered an appointment at the practice in their area that is offering this new service. Additional afternoon
appointments are also available.

“We will monitor this trial service to see if it is useful for patients.”

The extended hours appointments are only available via patients’ own GP practice. Patients should speak to their GP practice to find out more about this service.