Agenda item

To receive any deputations requested by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 32.

Members are asked to note that two deputations are due to be presented at the meeting, relating to the following issues:

(a)        Maintenance and upkeep of South Kilburn (to be presented by Pete Firmin)

(b)    Progress on delivery of South Kilburn redevelopment from a resident perspective including impact on Granville Recreation Ground and other green spaces and how the programme fits within Brent's wider policies in terms of the climate change emergency, air pollution and loss of biodiversity (to be presented by Leslie Benson representing Granville Community Kitchen)

The Mayor advised that he had accepted requests for the presentation of two deputations at the meeting, which had been received in accordance with Standing Order 32.

The deputations to be presented, were highlighted as follows, with the Mayor advising that unless otherwise indicated by members, he intended to allow up to five minutes for the presentation of each deputation before then providing the relevant Cabinet Member up to three minutes to respond on each matter.

1^st deputation – Maintenance and upkeep of South Kilburn

2^nd deputation – Progress on delivery of South Kilburn redevelopment including the impact on Granville Recreation Ground and other green spaces and how the programme links with Brent’s wider policies in terms of the climate emergency, air pollution and biodiversity.

9.1      1st deputation – Maintenance and Upkeep of South Kilburn

Having confirmed the process to be followed, the Mayor welcomed Pete Firman to the meeting to present the first deputation.

In introducing the deputation, Pete Firman advised that whilst he served as Chair of a Tenants Association in South Kilburn and sat on the Residents Panel, the views being presented were his own, although they reflected concerns shared by many residents living within South Kilburn.  As initial context he began by referring to previous reviews undertaken by the Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee where the importance of placing tenants at the centre of everything the Council did had been recognised and acknowledged with safe, secure and decent homes identified as forming the foundation of a fair and thriving borough. Whilst acknowledging these principles, he expressed concern that the lived experience of many residents in South Kilburn did not reflect these ambitions.

Members were advised that despite a number of newly constructed developments within South Kilburn receiving architectural recognition and awards, residents continued to experience a range of significant defects and management issues. These included the lengthy remediation works being undertaken to address cladding and ongoing problems relating to mould, heating and hot water systems with concerns also highlighted regarding the overall quality, affordability and size of the new homes being provided.  As an example, it was pointed out that some residents who had moved into newly developed properties had actually felt their previous council homes had provided a better living environment.

Attention was also drawn to wider concerns regarding the pace and delivery of regeneration across the area. Members heard that two blocks still required substantial refurbishment works and that action in relation to the Granville New Homes blocks remained outstanding despite recommendations having been identified several years earlier. Residents were continuing to experience utility failures together with the operation of a 24-hour fire watch. Concern was also expressed regarding the management of contractors and the continued awarding of contracts to developers involved in original construction works which were still experiencing significant defects.

The deputation further highlighted concerns regarding the management of decanted properties and the impact this was having on remaining residents. It was felt that insufficient measures had been taken to secure empty flats, resulting in incidents of squatting, anti-social behaviour and wider community safety concerns. Examples provided included incidents affecting commercial premises in Stafford Road, where business owners had suffered significant disruption and financial losses following flooding and damage linked to unauthorised occupation of vacant buildings.

Members were advised that concerns also existed regarding the overall outcomes of the regeneration programme. Whilst substantial numbers of new homes had been delivered, it was argued that the level of genuinely affordable social rented housing available at the completion of the regeneration programme would be little different from that available before the programme commenced. Concern was also raised regarding the delivery and marketability of higher-value private housing resulting in approval for some properties to now be disposed of via a US-based private equity company. The wider social impact of regeneration and gentrification was also highlighted, including concerns regarding affordability pressures on existing communities.

In addition, concerns were raised regarding community infrastructure commitments that residents believed had not been fully realised. These included aspirations for additional health facilities, a sports centre and a community centre. Whilst a new GP surgery had been delivered, this was described as having been completed later than anticipated, with other promised facilities yet to materialise.  In continuing, a number of environmental and estate management issues across South Kilburn were also highlighted with particular reference made to longstanding refuse accumulation problems, including the condition of the former Job Centre site on Cambridge Avenue. Highlighting that residents had repeatedly requested action over a prolonged period before formal enforcement action was eventually pursued, concerns remained regarding the effectiveness of the response. Further concerns were raised regarding coordination between the various housing associations operating across the area and the ongoing lack of clarity regarding responsibility for maintenance of communal spaces and infrastructure.

The deputation also highlighted a number of operational and safety-related concerns affecting residents on a day-to-day basis, including reports of prolonged delays in repairing accessibility equipment including a stairlift, replacing damaged doors and windows, servicing fire safety equipment and addressing issues relating to fire-compliant entrance doors, with members advised that residents often experienced significant delays in obtaining information or securing resolution of the types of matters highlighted.  Concerns were additionally raised regarding engagement with residents affected by the HS2 vent shaft development in South Kilburn with reference made to residents of Alpha House, who had received correspondence regarding monitoring works associated with tunnelling activities. It was felt that communication and reassurance from the Council regarding these impacts had been insufficient. More generally, concerns were expressed about the availability of community spaces for residents' associations and the extent to which resident involvement was reflected in decision-making and service delivery.

In concluding the deputation, Pete Firman referred to a recent example where a Council officer had facilitated remedial works to address a number of longstanding issues which had remained unresolved for several years. Whilst welcoming the action taken, concern was expressed that the intervention had arisen primarily through the personal initiative of the officer involved. It was argued that this illustrated wider systemic issues regarding service delivery and responsiveness with a call for the Council, in response, to ensure that its stated commitments to residents were reflected consistently through service provision and regeneration delivery.

The Mayor thanked Pete Firman for presenting the deputation and then invited Councillor Kelcher (Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning) to respond.

In responding, Councillor Kelcher began by thanking Pete Firman for raising the concerns outlined and acknowledged the importance of South Kilburn as one of the most significant regeneration programmes within the borough. He advised members that, having recently assumed responsibility for the regeneration portfolio, he recognised both the strength of feeling within the local community and the scale of the challenges faced by residents.  Whilst noting that he was still developing a detailed understanding of all aspects of the programme, Councillor Kelcher advised that his first site visit as Cabinet Member had been to South Kilburn, reflecting the priority he attached to the area and assured members and residents of his commitment to maintaining a visible presence within the community, undertaking further visits and engaging directly with residents in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the issues being experienced.

Addressing the specific points raised within the deputation, Councillor Kelcher acknowledged the seriousness of concerns relating to cladding remediation and fire safety. Members were advised that Government funding had now been secured to support the required works and that whilst interim fire safety measures remained in place, the Council's objective was to progress towards permanent solutions as quickly as possible.  The concerns raised in relation to the management of vacant properties, anti-social behaviour and the impact on residents remaining within partially decanted blocks were also recognised with an acknowledgment (reflecting on his families own personal experience) that residents should not be left living in uncertainty for prolonged periods and that improvements were required in the way these situations were managed.

In further acknowledging the complexity of working with multiple development and housing providers across the regeneration area, Councillor Kelcher outlined the efforts being made to strengthen accountability and oversight through partnership arrangements and future delivery models in order to improve performance and ensure a more consistent standard of service.  These included the work to not only secure a single delivery partner but also development of the Housing Compact, being led by Councillor Johnson as Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters.

In concluding his response, Councillor Kelcher assured members that the concerns raised had been heard and carefully noted and reaffirmed his commitment to working with officers and residents to address the issues identified advising that he would be keen to meet with the South Kilburn Residents Panel in order to continue discussions and better understand residents' experiences ahead of future decisions affecting the area based on the South Kilburn regeneration programme remaining a key priority for the Council.

Having thanked Councillor Kelcher for his response, the Mayor advised that concluded consideration of the first deputation and then moved on to invite Leslie Benson (representing Granville Community Kitchen) to present the second deputation.

9.2   2^nd deputation – Progress on delivery of South Kilburn redevelopment including the impact on Granville Recreation Ground and other green spaces and how the programme links with Brent’s wider policies in terms of the climate emergency, air pollution and biodiversity.

The Mayor then invited Leslie Benson (representing Granville Community Kitchen -GCK) to present the second deputation concerning the future of the Granville REC and proposals affecting the site as part of the ongoing South Kilburn regeneration programme.

In thanking the Mayor for the opportunity to address the meeting, Leslie Benson began by acknowledging the issues highlighted by Pete Firmin in the previous deputation relating to the wider challenges experienced in South Kilburn over many years before focusing attention on the Granville REC (Granville Recreation Ground), which he advised was a small community green space located on Granville Road.  Members were advised that the site had originally been created in 2009 following the development of Granville New Homes replacing a larger area of open space that had been lost during redevelopment works. Despite its intended purpose, a lack of funding to manage the space had resulted in the area falling into disrepair and becoming associated with antisocial behaviour before ultimately being closed around 2011. The site subsequently remained unused and neglected until 2023 when it had temporarily been allocated to Granville Community Kitchen for community growing activities following the loss of the organisation’s previous gardening space during regeneration works.  Having taken responsibility for the site, volunteers and community members had undertaken significant work to restore and revitalise the area, transforming an overgrown and abandoned space into a thriving community asset.  Highlighting the positive outcomes achieved through community management of the site, Leslie Benson advised that the Granville REC now provided a valuable resource supporting residents’ physical and mental wellbeing, environmental sustainability and community cohesion. The space had been used for educational activities, food-growing projects, volunteer programmes and community events serving a wide range of local residents, including children, families, older people, refugees and individuals experiencing mental and physical health challenges. The site was also viewed as contributing to local economic wellbeing through volunteer training, skills development and food production initiatives.  In outlining the scale of activity currently taking place, members were advised that during 2025 the site had accommodated:

·            407 visitors participating in organised educational visits.

·            275 school learners and 1,102 educational sessions.

·            Two community open events attended by more than 100 residents.

·            Regular volunteer sessions operating twice each week.

·            Activities delivered in partnership with organisations including Brent Family Services, Salisbury World Refugee Project, Princess Road Tenants and Residents Association and Kilburn Co-operative.

·            The production of more than 100 kilograms of vegetables distributed amongst volunteers, community meals and local residents.

Turning to the current regeneration proposals impacting on the site, Leslie Benson reminded members that the current plans involved the construction of 16 new family homes on the Granville REC site. Whilst acknowledging that a replacement open space had been proposed located to the edge of the estate near Kilburn Park Underground Station, concerns were expressed that the alternative provision would not adequately replace the existing community green space. Members were informed that the proposed new area, whilst larger in overall size, would incorporate roads, parking spaces and a more formal landscaped design which, it was felt would diminish its value as a community-focused natural environment.  As result, Leslie Benson advised that the deputation was seeking to outline a number of specific objections to the proposals which included:

·            The loss of a centrally located community asset that was easily accessible to residents throughout the South Kilburn Estate.

·            Reduced usability of the replacement space due to the inclusion of roads, parking and segmented recreational areas.

·            The perceived conflict between the proposals and Brent Council's declared objectives relating to climate action, air quality, green infrastructure and health equity.

·            The loss of biodiversity associated with mature trees, natural vegetation and established wildlife habitats currently present within the Granville REC.

·            The reduction in opportunities for community growing, environmental education and informal recreation.

·            Concerns that the proposed replacement area would represent a more formal and less ecologically diverse landscape.

Members were advised that residents and community organisations had therefore requested amendments to the plans in order to preserve the existing REC as a permanent public park. Reference was also made to a petition supporting retention of the site which had attracted nearly 1000 signatures.  In concluding Leslie Benson (supported by an expression of support from attendees in the public seating area at the meeting) hoped members would listen to local residents and community groups, reconsider the current proposals and seek opportunities to protect existing green space within what was described as an increasingly high-density urban environment.

The Mayor thanked Leslie Benson for presenting the deputation and once again invited Councillor Kelcher, as Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, to respond.

In response, Councillor Kelcher began by recognising the strength of feeling expressed by local residents and acknowledged the important contribution made by community gardening initiatives in supporting health, wellbeing and community cohesion. Drawing on experience from his own ward, he highlighted the value of shared outdoor spaces, particularly for residents living in high-density housing with limited access to private gardens.  The opportunity was also taken to update members on regeneration activity within the wider Granville area, including visits undertaken earlier that day to local facilities such as the nursery, affordable workspace provision and rooftop growing space.

Whilst recognising the importance of the Granville REC, Councillor Kelcher felt it was also important to highlight that the redevelopment proposals outlined would deliver 16 new family-sized social homes, which he considered represented a significant opportunity to improve housing outcomes for local families, with the Council remaining committed to achieving an appropriate balance between housing delivery and the retention of valued community spaces.

In recognising the strength of local feeling, Councillor Kelcher assured Leslie Benson and those present in support of the deputation that further engagement with residents and stakeholders would continue over the coming months to ensure views were fully considered and to explore potential adjustments capable of enhancing the overall proposals, underlining the importance of ensuring any replacement open space delivered the maximum possible benefit for residents whilst also supporting wider community objectives.

In addressing the environmental concerns highlighted, Councillor Kelcher also reaffirmed the Council's commitment to its climate objectives and outlined the role of wider regeneration initiatives, including the South Kilburn heat network, in contributing towards cleaner, more affordable and sustainable energy provision for local residents. Whilst acknowledging that difficult choices often needed to be made between competing priorities, an assurance was provided that all relevant environmental, housing and community considerations were being carefully evaluated as part of the decision-making process.

In concluding, Councillor Kelcher reiterated his commitment to continued dialogue with residents and community organisations and thanked Leslie Benson and supporters of the Granville REC for their contribution to the discussion.

Having thanked Councillor Kelcher for his response, the Mayor advised that concluded consideration of the deputations listed on the agenda and, in once again thanking all those who had participated for their contribution, then moved on to deal with the next item of the agenda.