Agenda item
Petitions (if any)
To discuss any petitions from members of the public, in accordance with Standing Order 66.
Decision:
5.1 Environmental and Public Realm improvements and enforcement Tokyngton Ward
Cabinet NOTED the comments made by Sonia Francis, speaking on behalf of local residents living in the area surrounding Oakington Manor Drive, Grand Avenue, Vivian Avenue & Gardens and Neeld Parade within Tokyngton ward , highlighting concerns relating to the local street scene (public refuse and recycling bins, street lighting, anti-littering) and anti-social behaviour in the area. Members were advised that the request to speak and action being sought in response was supported by a petition, co-ordinated by Marion Barton (as a local resident), which contained 320 signatures.
In addressing Cabinet, Sonia Francis began by thanking those Lead Members and officers for the site visit held on 2 February 2022 and outlined the key concerns highlighted by local residents in relation to:
· the need identified for more substantial litter bins in the area that were regularly emptied, cleaned and maintained as opposed to provision of plastic refuse bags;
· the need for additional anti-littering signage of the type approved by Keep Britain Tidy and wider promotion of anti-littering. Reference was made to the example of measures introduced by Quintain around Wembley Park with the suggested pilot of new bins in strategic areas across the ward;
· the need for additional enforcement activity and action to address street drinking and associated anti-social behaviour with particular reference to the area surrounding Oakington Manor Drive and the junction with Harrow Road. Concerns were expressed at the impact this was having in terms of local residents feeling intimidated, threatened and unsafe with specific concerns raised about the safety of women and children living in the surrounding area and need to enforce the Public Space Protection Zone prohibiting such behaviour.
· The need for more proactive street lighting audits to be undertaken in order to identify and enhance areas of substandard lighting, particularly as a way of assisting to design out crime and anti-social behaviour;
· The need for paving in the area adjacent to the public toilets located at the junction of Oakington Manor Drive and Harrow Road.
Taken together local residents felt these initiatives and interventions would help to not only improve the street scene but also civic pride and safety along with the local communities health and wellbeing.
In responding, Councillor Krupa Sheth (as Lead Member for Environment), began by thanking local residents for their comments and proactive engagement with the Council in order to address the issues recognised as needing to be tackled in the area. Whilst highlighting the need to work within the existing budgetary constraints on the service, work was being undertaken to develop an action plan aimed at improving the street scene, cleaning up and enhancing the level of local enforcement activity in the area. The commitment to tackle the issues raised and continue working and engaging with local residents was highlighted by both Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) and Councillor Krupa Sheth as part of the Council’s ongoing objective to making Brent a safer, cleaner and greener borough for all residents.
5.2 Kilburn Village Residents Association – Kilburn Square Development
Cabinet NOTED the comments made by Margaret Von Stroll (as an online participant) speaking on behalf of the Kilburn Village Residents Association to present a petition containing 900 signatures against the scale of proposals for the infill development at Kilburn Square and expressing concern at the pre-consultation process undertaken to date.
In addressing Cabinet, Margaret Von Stroll highlighted concerns that despite requests for a process of meaningful engagement, the Council had now informed residents of the intention to move forward on the basis of Approach A which it was felt had failed to address issues raised in relation to the loss of existing open space and overcrowding and would have a detrimental impact in terms of health, the environment, community engagement and scrutiny. Concerns were also raised in relation to the way in which the engagement process and design workshops had been undertaken along with how the outcome of the resident engagement survey had been presented and reported. Concerns were also expressed in relation to the extent it appeared the Council had involved Source Partnership in the process, who had been appointed to act as the independent advisor to local residents.
Whilst noting that Councillor Southwood (as Lead Member for Housing) had acknowledged community concerns, it was not felt that the decision to proceed on the basis of Approach A had demonstrated a willingness to work collaboratively with local residents or to seek a balance in terms of housing targets against the health and wellbeing of existing estate residents given the level of overcrowding, loss of health and community facilities and open green space which it was felt this option would result in.
Although recognising the need to for social housing, the residents who had signed the petition felt the scale of proposals now being recommended would have a detrimental impact on amenity space in Kilburn Square, which was already low, as well as on an area already deprived of green space further impacting on local concerns relating to air quality and the climate emergency.
Margaret Von Stoll concluded by highlighting previous assurances provided by officers at a Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny meeting in relation to the Council wanting to build and provide homes with the support and encouragement of local residents and ward councillors and therefore asked Cabinet to continue that philosophy in relation to Kilburn Square with a request for further genuine engagement with local residents in order to create a more sustainable solution.
In responding, Councillor Southwood (as Lead Member for Housing & Welfare), began by thanking local residents for their involvement in the process to date and outlined the Council’s objective throughout the scheme in seeking to balance the need to increase the provision of family sized and genuinely affordable social housing with wider improvements driven through the development process to benefit those living in Kilburn Square. In recognising concerns initially raised by local residents living both on and off the estate in relation to height, density, overcrowding and the impact on open space the Council had extended the pre-consultation and engagement process in order to review and consider further options in response to these concerns, which had resulted in amended design options being identified for further engagement and feedback. As a result of preferences expressed through the extended engagement process Approaches A & E had been identified as the final design options, with Approach A (involving a reduction in the height of the tower block) having been selected as the preferred option to take forward through the planning process.
Whilst recognising the difference in views expressed regarding the preferred options and resident engagement process by those in support of the petition, the efforts which had been made to meaningfully engage with residents were highlighted with the amended design felt to have responded to the original concerns raised in terms of both the proposed reduction in height of the tower, no loss of open space and the aim to turn existing amenity space into a more usable area. Councillor Southwood also felt it important to reiterate the Council’s commitment and balance which had needed to be struck in seeking to secure the additional provision of family sized affordable accommodation for families currently placed in much more unsuitable forms of temporary accommodation, which the scheme had been designed to support, In addressing concerns relating to overcrowding she also highlighted the recent change to the Council’s Housing Allocation Policy that would support this approach in terms of the allocation of property within the new development.
Given the timescales relating to the GLA funding being provided for the scheme, the petitioners were advised that no further extension to the engagement process would be possible with the selected Approach now needing to move forward to the Planning stage. It was, however, noted that as part of the planning application process local residents would have further opportunities to comment on the design and impact of the scheme.
In supporting the approach outlined by Councillor Southwood, the Leader of the Council (Councillor Muhammed Butt) also took the opportunity to highlight the challenges faced in relation to the supply of affordable social housing and the detrimental impact this was having on those currently placed in unsuitable temporary accommodation. Whilst recognising the difficult nature of the decisions involved and efforts made to address concerns highlighted, he ended by reaffirming the Council’s continued and overriding commitment to making the choices required in order to increase the provision of affordable social housing as a means of ensuring a secure future for everyone in borough.
Minutes:
5.1 Environmental and Public Realm improvements and enforcement Tokyngton Ward
Councillor Muhammed Butt (Leader of the Council) welcomed Sonia Francis to the meeting, who had been invited to speak on behalf of local residents living in the area surrounding Oakington Manor Drive, Grand Avenue, Vivian Avenue & Gardens and Neeld Parade within Tokyngton ward in order to highlight concerns relating to the local street scene (public refuse and recycling bins, street lighting, anti-littering) and anti-social behaviour in the area. Members were advised that the request to speak and action being sought in response was supported by a petition, co-ordinated by Marion Barton (as a local resident), which contained 320 signatures.
In addressing Cabinet, Sonia Francis began by thanking those Lead Members and officers who had attended the site visit held on 2 February 2022 and outlined the key concerns highlighted by local residents in relation to:
· the need identified for more substantial litter bins in the area that were regularly emptied, cleaned and maintained as opposed to provision of plastic refuse bags;
· the need for additional anti-littering signage of the type approved by Keep Britain Tidy and wider promotion of anti-littering. Reference was made to the measures introduced by Quintain around Wembley Park, with the suggested pilot of new bins in strategic areas across the ward;
· the need for additional enforcement activity and action to address street drinking and associated anti-social behaviour with particular reference to the area surrounding Oakington Manor Drive and the junction with Harrow Road. Concerns were expressed at the impact this was having in terms of local residents feeling intimidated, threatened and unsafe with specific concerns raised about the safety of women and children living in the surrounding area and need to enforce the Public Space Protection Zone prohibiting such behaviour;
· The need for more proactive street lighting audits to be undertaken in order to identify and enhance areas of substandard lighting, particularly as a way of assisting to design out crime and anti-social behaviour;
· The need for paving in the area adjacent to the public toilets located at the junction of Oakington Manor Drive and Harrow Road;
Taken together local residents felt these initiatives and interventions would help to not only improve the street scene but also civic pride and safety along with the health and wellbeing of the local community.
In responding, Councillor Krupa Sheth (as Lead Member for Environment), began by thanking local residents for their comments and proactive engagement with the Council in order to address the issues recognised as needing to be tackled in the area. Whilst highlighting the need to work within existing budgetary constraints, work was being undertaken to develop an action plan aimed at improving the street scene, cleaning up and enhancing the level of local enforcement activity in the area. The commitment to tackle the issues raised and continue working and engaging with local residents was highlighted by both Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) and Councillor Krupa Sheth as part of the Council’s ongoing objective to making Brent a safer, cleaner and greener borough for all residents.
5.2 Kilburn Village Residents Association – Kilburn Square Development
Councillor Muhammed Butt then moved on to welcome Margaret Von Stroll (as an online participant) who had been invited to speak on behalf of the Kilburn Village Residents Association in order to present a petition containing over 900 signatures against the scale of proposals for the infill development at Kilburn Square and expressing concern at the pre-consultation process undertaken to date.
In addressing Cabinet, Margaret Von Stroll highlighted concerns that despite requests for a process of meaningful engagement, the Council had now informed residents of the intention to move forward on the basis of an option (Approach A) which it was felt had failed to address issues raised in relation to the loss of existing open space and overcrowding and would have a detrimental impact in terms of health, the environment, community engagement and scrutiny. Concerns were also raised in relation to the way in which the engagement process and design workshops had been undertaken along with how the outcome of the resident engagement survey had been presented and reported. In addition, concerns were highlighted in relation to the extent it was felt the Council had involved Source Partnership in the process, who had been appointed to act as an independent advisor to local residents.
Whilst noting that Councillor Southwood (as Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform) had acknowledged community concerns, it was not felt that the decision to proceed on the basis of Approach A had demonstrated a willingness to work collaboratively with local residents or to seek a balance in terms of housing targets against the health and wellbeing of existing estate residents. This was in view of the level of overcrowding, loss of health and community facilities and open green space which it was felt this option would result in.
Although recognising the need for social housing, the residents who had signed the petition felt the scale of proposals now being recommended would have a detrimental impact on amenity space in Kilburn Square as well as on an area already deprived of green space further impacting on local concerns relating to air quality and the climate emergency.
Margaret Von Stoll concluded by highlighting previous assurances provided by officers at a Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny meeting in relation to the Council wanting to build and provide homes with the support and encouragement of local residents and ward councillors and therefore asked Cabinet to continue that philosophy in relation to Kilburn Square with a request for further genuine engagement with local residents in order to create a more sustainable solution.
In responding, Councillor Southwood (as Lead Member for Housing & Welfare), began by thanking local residents for their involvement in the process to date and outlined the Council’s objective throughout the scheme in seeking to balance the need to increase the provision of family sized and genuinely affordable social housing with wider improvements driven through the development process to benefit those living in Kilburn Square. In recognising concerns initially raised by local residents living both on and off the estate in relation to height, density, overcrowding and the impact on open space, the Council had extended the pre-consultation and engagement process in order to review and consider further options in response to these concerns, which had resulted in amended design options being identified for further engagement and feedback. As a result of preferences expressed through the extended engagement process Approaches A & E had been identified as the final design options, with Approach A (involving a reduction in the height of the tower block) having been selected as the preferred option to take forward through the planning process.
Whilst recognising the difference in views expressed regarding the preferred options and resident engagement process by those in support of the petition, the efforts which had been made to meaningfully engage with residents were highlighted with the amended design felt to have responded to original concerns raised in terms of the proposed reduction in height of the tower, no loss of open space and the aim to turn existing amenity space into a more usable area. Councillor Southwood also felt it important to reiterate the Council’s commitment and balance which had needed to be struck in seeking to secure the additional provision of family sized affordable accommodation for families currently placed in much more unsuitable forms of temporary accommodation, which the scheme had been designed to support. In addressing concerns relating to overcrowding she also highlighted the recent change to the Council’s Housing Allocation Policy that would support this approach in terms of the allocation of property within the new development.
Given the timescales relating to the GLA funding being provided for the scheme, the petitioners were advised that no further extension to the engagement process would be possible with the selected approach now needing to move forward to the Planning stage. It was, however, noted that as part of the planning application process local residents would have further opportunities to comment on the design and impact of the scheme.
In supporting the approach outlined by Councillor Southwood, Councillor Muhammed Butt (as the Leader of the Council) also took the opportunity to highlight the challenges faced in relation to the supply of affordable social housing and the detrimental impact this was having on those currently placed in unsuitable temporary accommodation. Whilst recognising the difficult nature of the decisions involved and efforts made to address concerns highlighted, he ended by reaffirming the Council’s continued and overriding commitment to making the choices required in order to increase the provision of affordable social housing as a means of ensuring a secure future for everyone in borough.