The Council's proposals for Barham Park included plans to commercialise the buildings to include a boutique hotel and supermarket along with charging market rents for some of the voluntary groups and charities that presently occupy them. The proposals resulted in a massive campaign, a petition and council debate.
Undaunted Brent Council is now consulting on its 2024-25/25-26 budget that includes (page references are the budget document that can be found HERE) :
1. Increase in events in parks to generate income - review (increase) for those organising their own events in parks. (p130)2. Commercialise existing ‘under-used’ property space within parks to generate income (p132)3. Market commercial advertising within parks to generate income (p134)
Letting of parks for events - Income generated 2024-25 (my highlighting)
The new grounds maintenance contract with Continental includes a requirement to support the council in creating, advertising, and facilitating a programme of commercial events in parks and open spaces. This can be supported by a revision of fees and charges for those applying to organise their own events in parks.
How would this affect users of this service?
There would be no impact on service users, other than there being a more comprehensive programme of events and activities in our parks. Those seeking to organise their own events in parks would be required to meet a higher cost for that access.
Key milestones
Revised fees would be submitted for consultation and decision as part of the corporate budget setting process for 2024/25 and would be implemented from April 2024.
I would challenge the zero impact on service users as parts of the park would be inaccessible to residents (remember Fryent Country Park when used for car parking and Barham Park for funfairs). The Council thinks that there is a trade-off as the events would be attended by paying customers from the borough.
Commercialisation of parks is already a problem for community groups/voluntary organisations that being charged rates they find difficult to meet including Daniels Den, Roundwood Forest and Families, Bush Farm collective)
Commercialise existing ‘under-used’ property space within parks to generate income (£30,000 2024-2025)
This proposal would seek to raise income from commercialising existing unused property space within parks.
How would this affect users of this service?
There would be minimal impact on users of the service other than some benefit from the upgrade of unused facilities and the opportunity to make use of property space for a variety of purposes.
Key milestones
Oct 2023: Survey of existing unused space.
Oct 2023: Schedule of usable space drawn up.
Oct 2023 - March 2024: Any adaptations agreed and undertaken. April 2024: Vacant space advertised and offered for use.
There are empty buildings in a number of Brent parks including Roundwood (Bowls Pavilion) and King Edwards VII. Bowls Club pavilion and the football pavilion. Utilisation for charities and non-profit organisations would be socially useful but commercialisation (market rents) is the intention.
Market commercial advertising within parks to generate income - £40,000 2024-25
This saving is based on a new offer of space for commercial advertising in parks
How would this affect users of this service?
There would be no impact on service users other than advertising being more visible at locations within parks.
Key milestones
Oct 2023: Survey of suitable space.
Oct 2023: Schedule of usable space drawn up.
April 2024: Vacant space advertised and offered for use.Key consultations
Awareness of this intention should be raised to any Friends of Groups that are relevant to any park in Brent to which this saving might apply.
This raises many questions not least the aesthetics of advertising banners etc within parks and the nature of the advertising. Advertising along Olympic Way in Wembley may give us a clue.
