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
5th 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
5th 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)
[My note - an unexplained arbitrary decision to turn the request into an FoI]7th 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)
7th 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/
11th 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.
