Issue - meetings

To receive and consider any petitions for which notice has been provided under Standing Order 66.

Members are asked to note that there are currently no petition(s) due to be presented at the meeting

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  ...  view the full decision text for item 5

5.1   Management of fire safety risks and future provision of Lynton Close Travellers site

Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) welcomed Elisabeth Corcoran (as a local resident and representative of Lynton Close Travellers Site), who was supported by Nancy Hawker (London Gypsies and Travellers Association), to the meeting who he advised were attending to present 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 at the site, 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 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  (Agenda Item 8: 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 alternative 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 had made the traveller community on the site feel like they did not belong 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 families from the site would have on education provision for their children, 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 therefore be placed at significant risk by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5