Issue - meetings

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

Members are asked to note that the following petitions are due to be presented at the meeting:

(a)       Rebuild, renovate, modernise and update Roe Green playground area in Kingsbury Park.

(b)       Addressing the nuisance being caused by pigeons at Network Rail Green Bridge Kilburn Station

5.1      Rebuild & renovate Roe Green Playground, Kingsbury

Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) welcomed Anna & Julia Cenalia (representing local residents and families from the area surrounding Roe Green Park, Kingsbury) to the meeting who he advised were attending to present a petition seeking the rebuild and upgrade of facilities within Roe Green Playground and Park in Kingsbury.

In thanking the Leader of the Council for the opportunity to present the petition, Julia Cenalia (speaking on behalf of Anna Cenalia as the lead petitioner) highlighted the importance of Roe Green Playground and the surrounding park to local residents as a valued and much-loved local community facility.  Unfortunately, however, she advised that the playground and park was now regarded as being tired, worn and neglected with reference made to examples of broken and outdated equipment, damaged gates, cracked and uneven pathways, a lack of benches & bins and broken lighting.  These were identified as issues which those in support of the petition felt needed to be resolved in order to encourage renewed use and address concerns relating to safety, with some residents (it was pointed out) now preferring to travel outside of the area to find a cleaner, more usable playground.

Disappointment was also expressed that a playground and park which had previously provided so much joy and happiness to residents was now seen as uninviting, empty, and dirty despite the fact that Roe Green Park was still regarded as one of the largest and most beautiful green spaces in Kingsbury and an area that should be able to serve as the heart of the local community bringing children, families and older residents together.

In seeking a way forward, Julia Cenalia advised that the petition was therefore calling on the Council to support the rebuilding, renovation and modernisation of Roe Green Playground and the surrounding area in order to deliver a space that was safe and inclusive, well-lit and maintained, equipped with modern play equipment accessible paths for prams, wheelchairs and bikes adequate benches and bins and with a regular maintenance schedule to keep the area falling back into disrepair.  It was pointed out that petitioners saw this as an opportunity for the Council to work in partnership with residents to create a meaningful community space, highlighting that the community needed space not only for small children but also teenagers and young adults with the potential also identified for this to include youth club or leisure facilities that would provide a safe place for socialising, learning and growing and give a sense of purpose and belonging.

In recognising that these type of improvements would require planning and funding, the Council was urged to work in partnership with residents to explore grant opportunities, design options and community involvement so that Roe Green Park could become a space everyone was proud of, highlighting that when investment was made in public spaces this in turn created cleaner, safer and more connected neighbourhoods and gave a sense of ownership and care over the spaces that  ...  view the full decision text for item 5

5.1   Rebuild & renovate Roe Green Playground, Kingsbury

Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) welcomed Anna & Julia Cenalia (representing local residents and families from the area surrounding Roe Green Park, Kingsbury) to the meeting whom he advised were attending to present a petition seeking the rebuild and upgrade of facilities within Roe Green Playground and Park in Kingsbury.

In thanking the Leader of the Council for the opportunity to present the petition, Julia Cenalia (speaking on behalf of Anna Cenalia as the lead petitioner) highlighted the importance of Roe Green Playground and the surrounding park to residents as a valued and much-loved local community facility.  Unfortunately, however, she advised that the playground and park was now regarded as tired, worn and neglected with reference made to examples of broken and outdated equipment, damaged gates, cracked and uneven pathways, a lack of benches & bins and broken lighting.  These were identified as issues which those in support of the petition felt needed to be resolved in order to encourage renewed use and address concerns relating to safety, with some residents (it was pointed out) now preferring to travel outside of the area to find a cleaner, more usable playground.

Disappointment was also expressed that a playground and park which had previously provided so much joy and happiness to residents was now seen as uninviting, empty, and dirty despite the fact that Roe Green Park was still regarded as one of the largest and most beautiful green spaces in Kingsbury and an area that should be able to serve as the heart of the local community bringing children, families and older residents together.

In seeking a way forward, Julia Cenalia advised that the petition was calling on the Council to support the rebuilding, renovation and modernisation of Roe Green Playground and the surrounding area in order to deliver a space that was safe, inclusive, well-lit and maintained with the provision of modern play equipment as well accessible paths, adequate benches and bins and with a regular maintenance schedule to keep the area falling back into disrepair.  It was pointed out that the petitioners saw this as an opportunity for the Council to work in partnership with residents to create a meaningful community space, highlighting that the community needed space not only for small children but also teenagers and young adults with the potential also identified for this to include youth club or leisure facilities that would provide a safe place for socialising, learning and growing and give a sense of purpose and belonging.

In recognising that these type of improvements would require planning and funding, the Council was urged to work in partnership with residents to explore grant opportunities, design options and community involvement so that Roe Green Park could become a space everyone was proud of, highlighting that when investment was made in public spaces this in turn created cleaner, safer and more connected neighbourhoods and gave a sense of ownership and care over the spaces that were shared.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5