The Brent Green Group of councillors are clearly intent on delivering their local election manifesto pledging that they will ensure scrutiny and accountability of Brent Council decisions.
Cllr Paul Ryan (Green, Kilburn) has followed up his supplementary question to Cllr Kelcher* (Cabinet lead for Regeneration) on South Kilburn (above) with the letter below which is awaiting a response. This follows Pete Firmin's presentation to Brent Council of a resident's view of regeneration issues in South Kilburn.
The Council is due to appoint a single development partner for the remainder of the South Kilburn Regeneration in September.
THE LETTER
Dear Cllr Kelcher,
I am writing to you to follow up on some of the questions posed to you and the impassioned deputations made by South Kilburn residents at the latest Full Council meeting in relation to South Kilburn regeneration and the upcoming awarding of the single delivery contract.
I would firstly like to thank you for
communicating your willingness to further engage with South Kilburn
stakeholders to reach a decision and a contractual framework that is most
beneficial for the residents of South Kilburn and I hope that this is something
that can be demonstrated and borne out in the coming days, weeks and months.
Unfortunately due to the time constraints of full council meetings we were
unable to fully engage with many of the issues raised, so I am writing to seek
clarity and more detailed and extensive responses to some of the issues raised.
Contractor Accountability
I am sure you noticed that, in both the questions I posed to you and the deputation presented by local resident Pete Firmin, the issue of structural defects and a lack of stringent build quality are pervasive themes throughout South Kilburn regeneration. Unfortunately, I and may residents feel that your abridged answer did not sufficiently address the issues raised, so I would like to use this opportunity to get a more detailed and specific answer.
The points that you, and the broader Neighbourhoods and Regeneration team have raised regarding the need for the prospective single-delivery contractor to be a long-term collaborative partner is well taken but, considering the history of defects and negligence throughout South Kilburn regeneration, will you be seeking clear contractual guarantees that the cost of any potential repairs arising as a result of structural defects will explicitly and exclusively rest with the contractor responsible for those defects. Additionally, is the Council placing mechanisms in place to ensure these repairs are carried out in a swift manner.
Private Equity
During the full council meeting, I raised the decision authorised by Neighbourhoods and Regeneration that would allow Countryside Properties to sell 143 new build units in SK to US private equity firm Principal Asset Management. Unfortunately you did not respond to this during the Full Council Meeting, but can you now confirm if the Council will commit to ensuring that, in the midst of a housing crisis, it will not allow any more units in South Kilburn regeneration to be sold to predatory, rent seeking private equity firms.
Granville Rec
In response, to Leslie Barron's deputation in
relation to protecting Granville Rec, you did not provide assurances that this
vital community space would be protected and intimated that the Save the Rec
activists present should be cognisant that this land would be used for social
family housing. This has been interpreted by some residents as a cynical
attempt to override the wishes of local residents by portraying them as
opponents to social housing.
Is there express guarantees that any construction on the Granville Rec will all
be social housing? Additionally, considering the scale and scope of investment
in South Kilburn regeneration, have efforts been made to move these units to an
alternative location?
Can you also assure local residents, that if the Granville Rec is destroyed,
that they will be provided with an alternative space that is similarly
bio-diverse? Will this space provide a comparable amount of unobstructed,
uninterrupted green space that can feasibly fulfil the existing functions of
the Granville Rec; namely a community garden and social space. If these
guarantees cannot be provided, can you assure residents that you will endeavour to do everything in your power to ensure that this vital community space is protected.
Community Engagement
I appreciate that as Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Regeneration, you have quite an extensive portfolio. However, considering the enormity and impact of this project, would you be willing to attend a walking tour of South Kilburn arranged by the South Kilburn Residents Panel. This would give you an opportunity to understand the concerns and trepidation of residents and would be a show of good faith to demonstrate that they have a collaborator in the Council who is willing to listen and engage with them.
I look forward to receiving your detailed and thorough responses to the above and to continue working with you and delivering for South Kilburn residents at this critical juncture.
Kind regards,
Cllr Paul Ryan
Councillor for Kilburn Ward
