Issue - meetings

This report outlines the council’s approach towards developing a new Brent Gypsy, Roma & Traveller Strategy along with progress made in developing specific components of the strategy, including the new Pitch Allocation Policy, search for new sites and plans to reduce pitch rent at Lynton Close as part of the council’s ambitions and commitments to the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

Prior to considering the report, Cabinet noted the representations and comments made by Mr John O’Donnell (speaking on behalf of residents from the Lynton Close Travellers site). In recognising the progress made in terms of the relationship between residents on the site and Council Mr O’Donnell outlined a number of questions in relation to the investment in Lynton Close site improvements, rent arrangements, search for additional Traveller sites in Brent and new allocations policy referred to as part of the proposed Strategy presented for consideration.

In responding to the comments raised Councillor Donnelly-Jackson (as Cabinet Member for Housing) also welcomed the more positive and meaningful process of engagement with the Traveller community at Lynton Close and highlighted the Council’s commitment to celebrating diversity and ensuring Brent remained an inclusive place for all communities.

As part of this approach, reference was made to the work undertaken with residents of the Lynton Close Traveller Site to address overcrowding and fire safety risks, alongside the clearance of unwanted bulky waste and a dilapidated playground and portacabins that were no longer fit for purpose.  It was pointed out these efforts had also been supported by a series of resident meetings (chaired by the Council’s Chief Executive) covering a range of wider issues, which had also resulted in the organisation of two community support days involving teams from the Council’s Housing, Brent Health Matters, Hubs and Council Tax services with residents (along with the wider community) being kept updated through regular, accessible communications.

Turning to development of the new Strategy, it was highlighted that this had reflected the engagement undertaken to date in partnership with Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities underpinned by an understanding of the needs being identified.  In developing the proposals and working to improve engagement, it was highlighted that the Council had also involved interest groups like London Gypsy & Travellers Association as well as other local authorities to get advice and support in order to ensure the approach outlined was based on recognised best practice.

As part of the process of engagement and in seeking to develop a better understanding of need, it was recognised that the Irish Traveller community had highlighted access to suitable accommodation and the opportunity to meaningfully shape support services as important in supporting residents’ health and wellbeing, as well as their ability to thrive in education and employment with data from the latest Census and other sources also supporting the need to improve outcomes in these areas.  This had also resulted in additional cross Council work being undertaken to ensure ownership and consistency in the approach being developed towards the delivery of improvements with the aim being to not just improve communication but also engage and listen, enabling residents (with the Council’s support) to shape their futures as well as increase wellbeing and reduce marginalisation and stigma.

In terms of the questions which had been raised, an assurance was provided that these would be responded to in detail following the meeting with initial confirmation provided that the  ...  view the full decision text for item 8

Prior to considering the report, Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) welcomed Mr John O’Donnell (speaking on behalf of residents from the Lynton Close Travellers site) who was accompanied by Nancy Hawker (London Gypsy & Travellers Association) to the meeting who he advised had requested to speak in relation to the investment in Lynton Close site improvements, rent arrangements, search for additional Traveller sites in Brent and new allocations policy referred to as part of the proposed Strategy being presented for consideration.

In addressing Cabinet, Mr John O’Donnell began by highlighting the progress made in terms of the relationship between residents on the Lyton Close Travellers site and Council and efforts made to ensure the site remained opened, including the installation of heat detector fire alarms and identification of funding and land to support further improvements to address overcrowding.  In expressing support for the proposals within the strategy, Mr O’Donnell outlined a number of questions on which additional assurance was being sought as part of the ongoing plans relating to the Lyton Road site, which were as follows:

(1)       Written confirmation was sought that the eviction process had now been paused, following the issuing of original notices to residents on the site.

(2)       The potential for families to remain on the Lynton Close until new sites were available along with the availability of a deadline for the process to identify and deliver the new sites.

(3)       The plans to provide enough sites/plots to accommodate all the residents that had been required to move off Lynton Close due to the fire hazards identified.

(4)       The deadline for refurbishment of Lynton Close being completed along with timescale for recruitment and appointment of the Lynton Close site manager (including an outline of the job description).

In responding to the comments and questions raised, Councillor Donnelly-Jackson (as Cabinet Member for Housing) also welcomed the more positive and meaningful process of engagement with the Traveller community at Lynton Close and highlighted the Council’s commitment to celebrating diversity and ensuring Brent remained an inclusive place for all communities.

As part of this approach, reference was made to the work undertaken with residents on the Lynton Close Traveller Site to address overcrowding and fire safety risks, alongside the clearance of unwanted bulky waste, a dilapidated playground and portacabins that were no longer fit for purpose.  It was pointed out these efforts had also been supported by a series of resident meetings (chaired by the Council’s Chief Executive) covering a range of wider issues, which had also resulted in the organisation of two community support days involving teams from the Council’s Housing, Brent Health Matters, Hubs and Council Tax services with residents (along with the wider community) being kept updated through regular, accessible communications.

Turning to development of the new Strategy, it was highlighted that this reflected the engagement undertaken to date in partnership with Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities underpinned by an understanding of the needs being identified.  In developing the proposals and working to improve  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8