Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor M Patel, with Councillor Farah in attendance as an alternate

Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, the nature and existence of any relevant disclosable pecuniary or personal interests in the items on this agenda and to specify the item(s) to which they relate.

There were no declarations of interests made by Members.

To hear any deputations received from members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 67.

There were no deputations received.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 22 May 2023 as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting, held on Monday 22 May 2023 be approved as an accurate record.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

There were no matters arising.

This report seeks authorisation to make a Stopping Up Order (SUO) for certain area of public highway consisting of highway verge, footway, carriageway located in Watling Gardens under Section 247 and 253 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA 1990).

Councillor Krupa Sheth introduced a report from the Corporate Director of Resident Services seeking approval for authorisation to make a Stopping Up Order (SUO) for certain areas of public highway that consisted of highway verge, footway and carriage located in Watling Gardens under Section 247 and 253 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA 1990).

Nicolaas Potgieter, Team Leader, Healthy Streets and Parking advised the Committee that the Stopping Up Order was necessary to facilitate the redevelopment of the site to provide 125 flats, 80 for general needs and 45 for extra care with 101 of the units being affordable housing and the remaining 24 units as shared ownership.

Members noted that the draft Stopping Up Order had been advertised in accordance with the necessary statutory requirements under Section 247 TCPA 1990 that included consulting with statutory consultees. Of the statutory consultees, Cadent Gas and Openreach had raised initial objections on the basis they had apparatus in the proposed area and Virgin Media had requested further information due to a diversion needed on their existing services on the site. Cadent Gas and Openreach had subsequently withdrawn their objection as further investigation concluded that their apparatus would not be affected. Virgin Media’s request for further information due to a diversion of their services had been responded to, with no further objections.

As a result of concerns highlighted during the meeting in relation to the necessity to include all roads and footpaths in the Watling Garden Estate as part of the Stopping Up Order, the Committee were assured that this had been necessary in order to facilitate the re-development of the site. In response to a further query in relation to the length of time taken for work to be progressed on the development since it had received approval in June 2022, the Committee were advised that once a scheme was approved there remained a significant amount of continued engagement and consultations to be undertaken with stakeholders before work could commence.

In response to further additional concerns raised during the meeting relating to the inclusion of a Shared Ownership element as part of the proposed development, the Chair advised that as these did not impact on consideration of the Stopping Up Order they would need to be addressed outside of the meeting.

The Committee noted the importance of the proposed development in providing additional homes in Brent as part of the Council’s programme to deliver more affordable housing and in recognition of this extended thanks to officers for their support in delivering the programme of work.

Having noted the outcome of the consultation undertaken, Members welcomed the scheme and therefore RESOLVED:

(1)       To note that the draft Stopping Up Order had been advertised in accordance with the requirements of Section 247 and 253 TCPA 1990 and that in response to the consultations, Cadent Gas and Openreach had made objections, which were subsequently withdrawn.   Whilst Virgin Media – Plant Enquiries team had made a request for information as a diversion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider any appointments needing to be made in relation to sub committees appointed by the General Purposes Committee.

There were no appointments to be considered in relation to any of the General Purposes Sub Committees

The following items are not for publication as they relate to the following category of exempt information as specified under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, namely:

1. Information relating to any individual.

2. Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

3. Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

4. Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

5. Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

6. Information which reveals that the authority proposes –

(a) to give under any enactment a notice under or by virtue of which requirements

are imposed on a person; or

(b) to make an order or direction under any enactment

7. Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

There were no items that required the exclusion of the press or public from the meeting.

Notice of items to be raised under this heading must be given in writing to the Head of Executive and Member Services or her representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 60.

None.