London Borough of Brent, GB

London Borough of Brent, GB improves employee relations with No Zero Employer accreditation

The borough earned Silver Employer Accreditation from Zero Hours Justice, the first accreditation by a UK local council. This accreditation means that Brent will not use zero-hour contracts - agreements without guaranteed hours or schedules - for its employees. Council officials also advocate for supplier elimination of zero-hour contracts through procurement. No Zero Employer status follows Brent's participation in The Fair Tax Declaration for ethical tax conduct by vendors.

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London Borough of Brent, GB

United Kingdom

London Borough of Brent, GB trials You Decide budgeting process for sustainability projects

Council officials allotted £500,000 from its Carbon Offset Fund for this participatory budgeting pilot. Carbon reduction projects were eligible for £400,000 in funding, while awareness projects competed for £100,000. Residents on the CO2GO committee accepted submissions from the community and developed a list of finalists. Voters aged 18 and up selected winning projects for both categories during a virtual Decision Day event.

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London Borough of Brent, GB

United Kingdom

London Borough of Brent, GB builds community support for local shops with BuyBrent rewards app

BuyBrent lists coupons and discounted services from 150 businesses in the borough. Local businesses sign up for free listings on BuyBrent and increase their exposure to new customers. Shoppers redeem deals in the app for pickup or show their phones at checkout for in-store purchases. The app recommends deals based on the user's current location. Council leaders made the program accessible for those without phones by allotting BuyBrent cards to libraries.

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London Borough of Brent, GB

United Kingdom

London Borough of Brent, GB experiments with low-impact EV chargers from Trojan Energy

Five Trojan Energy charge points were installed on Mortimer Road for a six-month pilot. Participants receive free Trojan Lances that link their plug-in vehicles to Connectors that are flush with sidewalk pavement. Trojan Energy recruited current and prospective EV owners along with observers who live near chargers. Brent and Camden will later test 150 chargers across 10 streets as part of a three-year Subsurface Technology for Electric Pathways project with the national government.

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London Borough of Brent, GB

United Kingdom

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London Borough of Camden, GB

United Kingdom

London Borough of Brent, GB supports e-cargo bike deliveries by businesses during Bike Week

Brent and project partner MP Smarter Travel recruited three Harlesden businesses for the one-week pilot. Crazy Baker, Harlesden Mutual Aid, and Sparks Cycle Shop swapped cars for e-cargo bikes to handle local trips. Deliveries acted as proof to other businesses that they can reduce emissions by up to 75% while saving money. Borough officials combined the e-cargo bike trial with free repair workshops, safe riding events, and cycling lessons during Bike Week.

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London Borough of Brent, GB

United Kingdom

London Borough of Brent, GB connects residents with refurbished council laptops

Borough departments work with project partner Social Box to streamline laptops for reuse. Laptops are distributed to local organizations like the Refugee Support Network and The Living Room that serve unconnected residents. This program collaborates with organizations on digital training courses that maximize the benefits of connectivity. The council's Digital Strategy 2019-2023 places accessible digital services for all as its top principle.

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London Borough of Brent, GB

United Kingdom

London Borough of Brent, GB reactivates vacant storefronts with Meanwhile Pilot Scheme

Borough officials and project partner Meanwhile Space seek up to six vacant shops in three town centers. Landlords receive up to £25,000 each for renovating their buildings for use by small business owners. Participating entrepreneurs move their businesses into improved shops for at least one year of rent-free operations. The Meanwhile Pilot Scheme generates foot traffic for struggling town centers, new customers for shops, and potential tenants for landlords.

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London Borough of Brent, GB

United Kingdom