Agenda item

Kingsbury and Kenton Brent Connects Meeting

Minutes and Action Log

1

Soap Box – Chaired by Councillor J Fraser

The Chair introduced the Soap Box section of the meeting, setting out the ground rules and time allocated for each speaker.

·        Regarding a resident query regarding the Green Neighbourhood pilots, it was noted that the current scheme in Kingsbury was a pilot, and that a decision as to whether it would be rolled out in Kenton would be made once analysis of the pilots had concluded.  

·        A Brent Council Marketing Officer informed the meeting of support available for foster carers in Brent.  It was updated that the team were looking to support local people o become foster carers, through a range of support and training. Details shared: https://www.brent.gov.uk/children-young-people-and-families/fostering-and-adoption/fostering, Tel: 0800 001 4041

·        A resident spoke about opportunities for residents to get involved in becoming ward panel members in their community and posted their contact details in the chat if people wanted to get in touch. 

·        A Brent Council officer spoke about the services on offer for young people and families from Family Wellbeing Centres across the borough. Details shared via the chat: https://www.brent.gov.uk/children-young-people-and-families/support-for-parents-and-families/family-wellbeing-centres/granville-plus-family-wellbeing-centreEmail: Samira.Monteleone@brent.gov.uk

·        The Community Soap box section was closed by a Young Brent Foundation officer, giving a brief overview of their current projects and Annual General Meeting, which would be happening on 22^nd March. 

Actions

·        Resident who made enquiry regarding the greener neighbourhood to be signposted to the greener climate team

2

Brent Health Matters

The meeting received a presentation from Nazia Ali (Community Coordinator) giving an overview of health data in Brent and how Brent Health Matters were working to combat health issues in the area. The core ‘3 C’s’ of the strategy encompassed Connecting, Creating Trust and Co-Producing. An overview of how people could become health champions, as well as grant programmes was provided to the meeting.

The audience were then invited to ask questions, which are captured below: 

·        It was clarified that Brent Health Matters was not a service to replace GPs, but rather a separate public health drive to provide support to residents.

·        Another member of the audience asked if there were any services in Kingsbury which covered Dementia work, and they were signposted to professionals within Brent who could reach out regarding initiatives in the area such as Dementia cafes.

Action

·        Community Engagement to share slides to attendees

3

Neighbourhood Priorities

Veronica Christopher (Community Engagement and Social Infrastructure Manager) opened the item with an interactive Menti exercise discussing the shaping of the council’s neighbourhood priorities in Kingsbury and Kenton.

During the session, the audience voted on the priorities within Brent’s borough plan which resonated the most with them. The results are captured below:

·        Priority and Stability (received the most interaction)

·        A Cleaner, Greener Future

·        Thriving Communities

·        The Best Start in Life

·        Healthier Brent

In considering the priorities, members of the audience expressed that ‘A Cleaner Borough’ and ‘Enabling Communities’ were the key priorities in their locality.

Action

·        Community Engagement to share feedback with the council’s Policy Team

4

Hendon FC

The meeting received a presentation from Robert Morris of Hendon FC, who updated the audience on the outcome of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) project and what the funding had been spent on. An overview was provided of the work undertaken, included supporting children and the elderly. The club amassed 100 volunteers, and had worked to build up a schools partnership, which enabled local schools to use the football club’s facilities for matches, PE lessons and sports days. 

The audience were then invited to ask questions, which are summarised below:

·        A technical question was asked regarding the playing surface at the football club, and the representative said that they would answer outside of the meeting. 

·        Overall there was positive feedback to the work Hendon FC were doing in the area, and Robert Morris was thanked for his time.

5

Draft Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP)

The meeting received a presentation from Lauren Salisbury (Air Quality Policy and Projects Officer), who gave an overview of the council’s upcoming Air Quality Action Plan, as well as information regarding the consultation which was planned to begin by the end of March.

The presentation detailed that across London, there had been 4,100 deaths attributed to air pollution in 2019, and it was known that poor air quality had a negative effect on children’s lungs. Harlesden was identified as a hot spot for poor air quality in Brent.

In closing, the three key aims of the plan to improve Brent’s air quality were set out: namely reducing Nitrogen Oxide, raising awareness of health impacts of poor air quality, and introducing change by leading.   

The audience was then invited to raise questions and provide feedback, which are captured below:

·        Question raised by a resident regarding the monitoring of Air Quality in the area. A Councillor in the audience invited the council officer to have a face-to-face conversation with himself and the resident to talk more.

Action

·        Community Engagement Team to pass contact details of resident to the Air Quality Action team

·        Community Engagement Team to share slides with attendees 

6

Community Well Being Project

TJ Agard (Service Manager – Brent Hubs) gave a presentation detailing a joint initiative from Brent Hubs and Sufra food bank. The project was taking place at Bridge Park Leisure Centre and was currently running on Mondays and Tuesdays. It was updated that the venue was providing a community shop and kitchen, where members could get a hot drink, snack, dinner as well as reduced goods. This was through a £3.50 a week membership, and was aimed at providing assistance to residents who had been affected by the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis. 

Action

·        Community Engagement Team to share slides of presentation to participants