Decision details

Cabinet NOTED the comments made by Elisabeth Corcoran (as a local resident and representative of the Lynton Close Travellers Site), who was supported by Nancy Hawker (London Gypsies and Travellers Association), in support of a letter and petition relating to management of fire safety risks and the future provision of Lynton Close Travellers site.

In thanking the Leader of the Council for the opportunity to present the petition, Elisabeth Corcoran called on the Council to pause any eviction proceedings, install fire risk mitigations in collaboration with the residents of Lynton Close, and find alternative land that could be used as a temporary site in the case of a humanitarian emergency and which could be used, if required, until more permanent, adequate and suitable accommodation could be arranged.  Whilst acknowledging the issues highlighted within the accompanying Cabinet Report ‘Housing Management – Building Safety Update, New Building Safety Policy and Update on Fire Safety at Lynton Close’, in relation to overcrowding and fire safety risks associated with the site, it was pointed out that residents on the site had previously raised concerns with the Council on the same issues.  Despite assurances that every effort was being made to secure another more suitable site it was pointed out this had not yet been achieved.

In representing the views of residents on the site, reference was also made to Brent’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy which it was pointed out included the ambition for Brent to become a borough of all cultures where all backgrounds were represented, celebrated and felt that they belonged.  This was not, Elisabeth Corcoran advised, an approach that currently resonated with Brent’s Traveller Community given the way in which other communities were felt to be treated when compared to the approach adopted in seeking to address the safety issues at Lynton Close as the only traveller site in the borough which it was felt did not make the traveller community on the site feel like they belonged or that their culture was respected.

As a further example, reference was made to the comments in the accompanying Cabinet report, which it was highlighted had described the residents of Lynton Close as ‘unwilling’, ‘disruptive’ and ‘demanding’ when detailing their interactions with Council officers.  It was felt this continued to feed a narrative of negativity in relation to the traveller community located on the site with the resident engagement process outlined also not felt to have been presented accurately.

Concerns were also expressed regarding the negative impact any potential displacement of residents from the site would have on education provision for the children on the site, including those with additional needs or SEND who had long awaited assessments and support plans in place.  It was felt the momentum and trust built in terms of engagement with the education system would also be placed at significant risk by any displacement.

As further concerns, reference was made to the health and wellbeing of the traveller community with specific issues highlighted in relation to mental health and suicide which, it was pointed out, were issues that had also directly affected the community at Lynton Close and were likely to be exacerbated should the community be forced in to brick-and-mortar accommodation resulting in increased anxiety as a result of the lifestyle change, concerns around isolation and the impact in being able to preserve their way of life and heritage.  Whilst willing to consider alternative locations, it was felt further consideration needed to be given to the true impact moving residents into brick-and-mortar accommodation would have on the community’s mental wellbeing, cultural identity and values.

In seeking a way forward, Elisabeth Corcoran advised that residents at Lynton Close had recognised the need to work with the Council to improve communication and had also advised they would be willing to consider the introduction of a Waking Watch following what was felt to have been limited initial engagement in seeking to address safety concerns relating to operation of the scheme.  These had included safeguarding concerns around the use of cameras in the vicinity of children on the site as well as use of the children’s play area to facilitate the schemes implementation, which was also highlighted as a potential issue under the Decent Homes Standard.  It was also pointed out that an apology had been issued by resident representatives on the site for a previous incident related to the attempts made to establish a previous version of the scheme on site.

In closing presentation of the petition, Elisabeth Corcoran advised that it was hoped the Council would seek to engage with the traveller Community at Lynton Close in order to find a solution that would respect their culture and heritage whilst also seeking to address the safety issues and risks highlighted, which it was hoped could be achieved through a process of collaboration and understanding.  Recognising the various needs that would need to be addressed should displacement take place, including those of the elderly, vulnerable and children with special educational needs, as well as the impact the disruption would cause to residents physical and mental wellbeing the request was once again made to pause any eviction proceedings and work in collaboration with residents in seeking to install the necessary fire mitigation measures. At the same time the importance was highlighted in the Council seeking to continue its effort to find alternative land that could be used as a temporary site in the case of a humanitarian emergency and which could be used, if required, until more permanent, adequate and suitable accommodation was secured.

In response, Councillor Fleur Donnelly-Jackson (as Cabinet Member for Residents Services and Housing) thanked Elisabeth Corcoran and those present for attending Cabinet in order to ensure the views of residents at Lynton Close were represented whom it was assured remained valued members of the community in Brent. In outlining the Council’s commitment to a more sustainable future for travellers in the borough, the opportunity was taken to highlight the efforts being made to identify alternative sites that would meet their needs whilst also seeking to address the safety concerns highlighted and improve the Lynton Close site.  In acknowledging the specific issues highlighted during presentation of the petition it was pointed out that many of these had already been raised with officers in terms of the approach identified moving forward.

At the same time in responding to the petition, Councillor Donnelly-Jackson felt it important to recognise that the Lynton Close Travellers Site was dangerously overcrowded which, when combined with other factors (including breaches in the site licensing agreements) had presented an intolerable risk to life, given the severe fire and associated safety risks to those living on the site along with the pressure placed on the site’s broader infrastructure.  In detailing the Council’s responsibilities as a landlord in response to these risks, she explained these had placed not only a legal but also moral duty on the Council to ensure the site was safe, highlighting that it would be a dereliction of duty to do nothing.

In outlining the previous unsuccessful attempts made to address safety issues on the site, Councillor Donnelly-Jackson highlighted that the approach now being taken to serve notice on the pitch holders had been designed to provide 28 days to resolve any breaches of licence identified with confirmation provided these were not eviction notices. Whilst recognising that the efforts required to address overcrowding, as a result of the notices served, may involve the displacement of some residents including extended family members an assurance was provided that dedicated support would be available to assist those residents in arranging temporary accommodation and in applying to join the waiting list for new pitches as they became available.

The concerns raised in relation to protecting the traveller communities heritage and traditional lifestyle were also recognised along with the need to ensure fair and equal treatment, with the efforts being made as a result to identify alternative sites also outlined.  Whilst this work was ongoing, however, it was pointed out the Council’s immediate priority was to the safety of families on the Lynton Close site with the next best option secured being safe, secure, settled and affordable accommodation, much of which would be grouped to allow larger families to remain in proximity.

In terms of next steps, Councillor Donnelly-Jackson confirmed that further details would be provided at a community information meeting for site residents which had been scheduled with an external specialist agency having also been appointed to assist with the search for alternative sites.  The site representatives were also thanked for their cooperation and willingness to engage in further work around the implementation of a Waking Watch, which the Council had agreed in principle subject to working through the logistics and operational requirements relating to its implementation.

In bringing the item to close, Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) also took the opportunity to assure the residents of Lynton Close of the Council’s willingness to continue working with them to mitigate the issues and safety concerns which had been identified with work also ongoing to find an appropriate alternative site that would work for the community and their requirements.  He also thanked residents for their cooperation in seeking to progress implementation of a Waking Watch scheme to mitigate fire risks on the site. In response to the comments raised regarding equity, diversity and inclusion, Councillor Butt assured those present that the traveller community was not regarded any differently from others in the borough and would be afforded the same rights, recognising the legally protected characteristic that the Council had a duty to consider.  He concluded his remarks by reminding residents of the community meeting which had been scheduled and would provide a further opportunity to hear from and respond to residents and outline the measures to mitigate the safety issues associated with the site whilst supporting the community and ended by once again thanking the representatives for taking the time to attend the meeting and ensure the views of the traveller community at Lynton Close were represented.