Desperately seeking information from Brent Council on the results of the Estate Controlled Parking Zones consultations

 

At the last Cabinet of this administration a policy was adopted on how the Council would interact with residents. Full policy document HERE.

I was particularly interested on the section on enquiries as this is an area which I and other contributors to this blog have found frustrating and often feel we are being deliberately frustrated in gaining information which is in the public interest.

This is what the document  pledges:

• We will resolve as many enquires as possible at the first point of contact
   
•  Do what we say, on time and keep you informed so you don’t have to chase us
  • 
• Make sure our staff have the skills, behaviours and tools to deliver the service you need
  • 
• Work together with other services across the council to meet your needs and make it easier for you to get the help you need
  

 

I have been trying to find out the results of the very large consultation that was carried out in October 2021 by an external provider into the proposal to introduce Controlled Parking Zones on Brent's Council Estates. The proposal was controversial as it included a £50 annual fee, reduction in parking, and an initial ban on visitor parking. LINK

 

The Council provided a Q &A:

 

What percentage of residents will have to vote for the consultation to be valid?

There is no specific percentage for the consultation to be valid but a 20% response rate is viewed as the norm. As we did with the pilot, if estates have a very low turnout, we will repeat the consultation with increased door knocking. 

 

What will happen if there is a low turnout but a clear majority?

We will review each the results of each estate on an individual basis, and if they have a very low turnout, we will repeat the consultation with increased door knocking. If there is a low turnout, but a clear majority and support from other consultees, e.g. emergency services, then we will proceed with implementation.

  

Since the consultation there have been rumours about plans that were going to be implemented or dropped on different estates but I have been unable to find a definitive report on the results of the consultation and the decisons made as a result.

 

I asked about the results of the c onsultation at the last Kingsbury Connects and my request for information was backed by Cllr Shafique Choudhary. Officers promised to get back to but I heard no more.

 

Thus the email trail begins:

 

Request for information on Estate controlled parking zones

 

5^th April 2022

 

I was promised this information by Brent officers at the last Kingsbury Brent Connects.  I am receiving queries from residents about the outcomes of the various ballots.

Could you supply a spreadsheet for each Brent estate where proposals were made including:

The number of residents affected
The number of returns
The number for the suggested scheme
The number against the suggested scheme
The Council’s decision.

Thank you very much.

Martin Francis
Editor
Wembley Matters

5^th April 2022

 

Request for information on Estate controlled parking zones

 

Dear Martin,

Thank you for your email.

I am looking into your request and will respond as soon as I can.


Kind Regards, 


Programme Manager (Tenancy & Neighbourhoods)

7^th April 2022

 

Dear Martin,

This is just to advice that your request has been forwarded to our freedom of Information team for registering and processing.


Kind Regards, 


Programme Manager (Tenancy & Neighbourhoods)

[My note - an unexplained arbitrary decision to turn the request into an FoI]
 

7^th April 2022

 

Thank you, but rather a long process.  I would have thought that the information was to hand as each consultation needed a report and conclusion.

Nevertheless please register it as a Freedom of Information request and provide a reference.

Many thanks,

Martin Francis

 

[Note: Converting into an FoI kicks the request into the long grass and may mean the information is not provided until after the borough elections on May 5th. ]

 

11th April 2022

 

RE: Estate controlled parking zones - From Martin Francis 

Thank you for contacting the council on 05/04/2022.

Your case will be assigned to an officer and you should receive their details soon.

 

Please use this reference number IRC-15942-L7D9J9 when contacting us about this case.

Please note that we may require further information in order for us to proceed, in which case we will contact you. 

If you would like further information on how your case will be dealt with, please visit our website: https://www.brent.gov.uk/your-council/

 

 

11^th April 2022

 

 IRC-15942-L7D9J9 Estate Controlled Parking Zones

 

Thank you for your response.   You do not include the details of the wording of the FoI which was actually submitted as a simple information request to the relevant department and Brent Council decided to turn it into an FOI request. The information on the results of the surveys is already held by the Council - (see image attached) Clearly this is an image of a spreadsheet so please accept this as the FoI Request:

 

1. Please provide copy of the spreadsheet  giving the results of the Estate Controlled Parking Zones in Excel format.

 

2. Please confirm in a list the housing estate names of those schemes which are going ahead.

 

3. Supply the results for Saltcroft Close/Summers Close (Barnhill ward)*

 

Martin Francis

 

[Note: I have had no response to this email so have written again today]

 

*missing from the list below

 

 April 22nd 2022

 

 IRC-15942-L7D9J9 Estate Controlled Parking Zones

 

 

I understand that the Council now undertakes to answer queries within 10 days. My initial request was made at Kingsbury Connects and then  by email to the council on April 5th.

I have had no response to my email of April 11th. Please confirm that the wording has been accepted as the FoI and expedite.

Thank you,

Martin Francis

 

 

As mentioned above I have found an image of the spreadsheet from another source which appears to tabulate the results of the consultations and gives a RAG (Red, Amber, Green) which may mean Red - rejected, Amber - further consultation, Green - to be implemented, but this will need to be confirmed by the Council. 

 

 Overall it shows 16 Green, 13 Amber and 63 Red.

 

A working spreadsheet would enable residents to establish quickly whether the 20% response rate norm has been established on their particular estate. Some of the green ratings appear to be questionable given the low rate of response.

 

In writing this I am not taking a position on the proposed schemes but on the right of residents to be kept informed and further on the right of the public to know whether public money has been spent on a deficient consultation.

 

Depending on software you may be able to enlarge the image below by clicking on it or saving it.