Brent launch Landlord Licensing Consultation possibly extending licensing to all wards except Wembley Park

 From Brent Council

 

A borough-wide consultation on landlord licensing for privately rented properties in Brent launched today (31 October 2022) for twelve weeks. The consultation is now live.

The online consultation is open to anyone to have their say on landlord licensing in the borough.

Three types of licensing schemes operate in the borough: mandatory, additional and selective licensing. Selective licensing applies to a single household renting a property, be that a family or just one or two tenants.

This consultation asks people whether they are in favour of selective licensing schemes in Brent.

Cllr Promise Knight, Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness & Renters Security, said: 

More than a third of people in Brent rent in the private sector. Whilst most landlords provide safe and decent homes, sadly that isn't always the case.

Licensing has helped keep renters safe. Since we introduced our first selective licensing scheme in 2015, we've driven up housing standards, reduced overcrowding and tackled anti-social behaviour. Where landlords have fallen short, we have been relentless in taking action and will not hesitate to throw the full-force of the law at rogue landlords.

All wards, with the exception of Wembley Park, are being considered for selective licensing in Brent. Selective licensing previously applied to Harlesden, Wembley Central and Willesden Green, and presently applies to the old wards of Queens Park, Kensal Green, Kilburn, Dudden Hill and Mapesbury. But this current scheme ends on 30 April 2023.

Have your say on the licensing consultation today.

Wembley Matters asked Brent Council why Wembley Park was not included and they responded:

Although Wembley Park ward has a high level of rented properties, these tend to be relatively new builds and therefore do not have the high levels of housing hazards that we see in other parts of the borough. Wembley Park has required the least number of interventions from the council with only 28 Housing & Public Health Statutory Notices served over a five-year period.

 

Although there has been a small number of ASB incidents, there is negligible repeat ASB incidents. Therefore the evidence to support a designation based on ASB is also lacking. The council considers it more appropriate to be selective in its approach and focus resources on the worst affected areas. However, this ward will be kept under review and a third designation could be considered should the evidence change.

There may be different hazards in Build to Rent properties but there may well be future problems, remembering the Granville New Homes debacle and problems with L&Q and Metropolitan Thames Valley elsewhere.  Large Build to Rent landlords are not immune from problems.

 

Public Meeting on the relocation of Islamia Primary School at Preston Park Primary, November 9th 7pm. Consultation extended to November 16th

A further public meeting on the controversial relocation of Islamia Primary School from Queens Park to the Strathcona site in Preston ward has been scheduled for Tuesday November 9th at Preston Park Primary School.

At the same time the consultation period has been extended to Wednesday November 16th.

 

Parents are being offered the stark choice of acceptance of the move or the closure of the school. 

 

Brent Council's 'Have Your Say' website gives further details on the options if the school moves. The Islamia Primary School Governing Board has said that a completely new building is the only option they support while the Council doubts that this could be completed by September 2024 when the school has to start on its new site.  The Council favour option D - refurbishment of the existing building and an additional new block on the site to accommodate a 2 form entry school:

 

Consultation on relocation of Islamia Primary School from September 2024

The Governing Board of Islamia Primary School (Salusbury Road, London, NW6 6PE) is proposing the relocation of the school from September 2024, to the site known as the Strathcona site, which is located on Strathcona Road, Wembley, HA9 8QW.

The Governing Board is seeking the views of interested parties through this informal consultation on:

Option 1: A proposal to relocate Islamia Primary School to the Strathcona Site as a 2-form entry school (60 places per year group)

Option 2: The school ceasing to exist from July 2024.

Brent Council has identified capital funding for Islamia Primary School to relocate to the Strathcona site. The current building on the site is a 1FE school with accommodation for 210 pupils. The building is in good condition, but on its own it is not big enough for the current pupils on roll at Islamia Primary School (420).

A feasibility study has identified 5 options to provide accommodation for the school on the Strathcona site.

Option A: A complete new build of a 2 FE school as a 2 storey building

Option B: A complete new build of a 2 FE school as a 3 storey buidling

Option C: Part demolition, part refurbishment of the existing building and a new build for required additional accommodation for a 2 FE school.

Option D: Refurbish existing buildings on the Strathcona site and build a new block to meet 2FE accommodation requirements.

Option E: Keep the current 1FE primary school and provide temporary bulge accommodation while cohorts reduce.

 The Consultation document is available HERE.

 

You  can make a comment on the Have Your Say website. You can register with the Council to make your comment or use a Facebook or Google account.

LETTER: More time needed for rethink on waste and street cleansing proposals that could make things worse. Deadline tomorrow on under-publicised consultation is not good enough.

 

Dear Editor,

 

I thought your readers would be interested in the issue of waste management, recycling and street cleaning in Brent given your many tweets on the issue. There is a consultation in progress about possible service changes which has not received wide publicity and ends tomorrow.  I have written to Krupa Sheth asking for an extension to the consultation and expressing my concern about the proposals. I urge Wembley Matters readers to respond to the consultation here: https://haveyoursay.brent.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/future-waste-collections-and-street-cleansing-services-consultation

 

Dear Councillor Sheth, 

 

The Council’s public consultation seeking residents’ views on changes to recycling and street cleaning services in Brent will conclude shortly. I am writing with concerns about the way that this consultation was conducted and about your proposed changes to these vital services. 

 

I do not believe that enough time was given to residents to make their views known, nor do I believe that enough residents are in fact aware of the major changes the Labour Council plan to make. As such, the Liberal Democrat group is requesting an immediate extension to the consultation period and for the Council to make more of an effort to engage with local residents and listen to their concerns.

 

In the Summer 2022 ‘Your Brent’ magazine, which is supposedly distributed to all households in the borough, at a cost to the taxpayer, there is very little reference to this major consultation. Why? I would have thought including full details of the proposed changes to recycling and street cleaning should have been a priority in this communication from Brent Council to residents. 

 

·       Could you please confirm why informing residents about the recycling and street cleansing consultation was not prioritised in the Summer 2022 ‘Your Brent’ magazine? 

 

The Liberal Democrat group have been circulating information about the consultation in recent weeks. The consensus from residents is that not enough time has been given for a response. Many are also unsure why information about these major changes to services were not highlighted during the recent local election campaign. The previous Labour administration would have known decisions were needed regarding budget setting and Veolia’s contract with Brent Council, surely, this should have been explained to residents during the election campaign. The perfect opportunity to engage with and seek views from residents.

 

I am also very concerned about the proposed changes themselves. 

 

Firstly, I do not believe that the plan to ask residents to segregate recyclables, for collection on an alternate week basis, will work. 

 

·       What evidence is there that this system will lead to improved recycling rates? 

·       Have you factored in the education campaign that will be needed to ensure all residents are familiarised with this major change? 

·       What are the financial implications of this decision?

 

On street cleaning, I fear the proposals are even worse. The consultation stipulates that streets will not automatically be cleaned every week, instead they will only be cleaned “if required”.

 

·       Who will judge whether local street cleaning is “required”?

·       How exactly does the Council plan to execute this intelligence led initiative?

 

Local residents are rightly unhappy that services they pay for through their Council Tax, are being changed in this way. We believe it will lead to dirtier streets and worsening recycling rates in Brent. Both things we all want to avoid. 

 

We request an urgent rethink to these proposals and more time for local people to be consulted. I am also requesting a Councillor briefing, with yourself and Council Officers, for all political groups. I am aware you have already delivered a briefing to the Labour Group, however, the Opposition need to be consulted too and afforded the opportunity to scrutinise proposals as is proper in a democratic setting. 

 

I look forward to your response on these matters. 

 

Kind regards, 

 

Cllr Anton Georgiou

Liberal Democrat Councillor, Alperton

London Borough of Brent

 

Brent Parks launches Phase 2 consultation on re-vamping of Roundwood Park Children's Playground

Brent Parks Service today launches its Phase 2 consultation on a play area for Roundwood Park which it claims is a result of feedback on the Phase 1 consultation.   The issue of whether the rather garish off-the-peg designs are suitable for a Grade 2 listed Victorian park is not addressed nor the option of having an adventure playground type play space  amongst the trees, so popular in non-Brent Queens Park and previously, before closure,  in Stonebridge.).  The proposed changes in the options are fairly minor.

The consultation ends on September 19th 2022.   I hope that the Service has consulted with children at neighbouring Newfield and Donnington primary schools. This worked really well for the new Chalkhill Park where Chalkhill Primary School pupils fed into the planning stage and gained a sense of ownership. Ironically the playground at the Roundwood Cafe in the park is more 'natural and shaded by trees.

The survey is here.  At present you need to scroll down for Phase 2.

This is the presentation (Click on lower right corner for full size):

 

Contribute to the consultation on Brent's Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy - a vital tool in tackling the borough's health inequalities

Brent Health and Wellbeing Board will discuss updated reports on winter planning as services cope with the pandemic and the usual winter increases in cases LINK and the much longer term Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy LINK which is the result of learning lessons from the pandemic and entering the third stage of consultation.

The Strategy consultation ends on January 31st 2022 and the final document will go to the Board on March 16th 2022 for agreement.

Residents and organisations can complete the consultation HERE.

The Strategy seeks to address the following health inequality issues in a joined up way: (Click on images to enlarge)

What do you and your children think of the options for Roundwood Park children's play area? Have your say.

OPTION 1

OPTION 2

OPTION 3

Brent Parks service are currently looking at a number of options to improve the playground within the park. Three companies have been approached to develop plans for what they would do with the space, all working to a similar budget. 

Please take a look at the three options and let us know your preferred option and any comments you may have.  

The deadline for comments is Sunday 12 December 2021.

 You can express your preference and make a comment HERE

Call for council estate parking 'consultation' to be withdrawn

 

Parking on Saltcroft Close, Wembley

Paul Lorber, of Brent Liberal Democrats, has written to Brent Council calling for the current consultation on council estate parking to be withdrawn. Wembley Matters is aware of discontent at various estates across the borough which often centre on out of date information contained in the consultation, inaccurate maps, and as Lorber says an apparent threat that if residents do not agree with the proposal no alternative arrangements will be considered. This is compounded by the fact that some residents who have attempted to respond on-line find that their area, such as Saltcroft Close (above), is not listed on the consultation website.

 

Once again a ham-fisted approach undermines finding a solution to what is for some a very real problem.

 

Paul Lorber’s letter to Brent Council.

 

 I have been contacted by residents from Gauntlett Court, Barham Court and Elms Gardens and have seen the consultation document sent to Gauntlett Court.

You will be aware that the Council proposal have not been well received. 

Residents of Gauntlett Court agreed to the Wing service some years ago with a permit charge of £10 per car. They were also entitled to a visitor permit.

The inclusion of the sentence “Please note that should residents not support the proposal to introduce a TMO an alternative service will not be available on the estate” was a mistake by the Council. To make this statement or even to take this position makes it look as if the residents views do not count and the so called consultation is not sincere and therefore pointless.

I think, that in view of the above, the current consultation should be withdrawn and a new consultation letter sent out making it clear that local residents views do matter and that any parking scheme is intended to provide a better parking scheme for residents and not simply make money for the Council.

The following specific points apply to all 3 Estates:

1. The residents find the £50 charge excessive compared to the £10 before. They also do not trust the present Council about future rises as they are aware that CPZ charges have been raised astronomically since those schemes were introduced.

2. All the estates contain elderly residents many of whom need care and therefor visitors (either family members or agency carers). Without visitor permits those visits will be difficult as nearby parking outside the Estates is limited or covered by other CPZs.

3. Visitor Permits are also needed for trades people - plumbers, electricians etc - who also need to bring their tools and materials and need visitor permits. If visitor permits are not available - or arrangements not possible for pre registered number plates - the repair people will avoid the Estates.

4. Spaces (despite what is said about double yellow lines) need also to be highlighted for delivery vehicles (of which there are many more since the start of the pandemic).

5. There is concern about loss of parking spaces - as none of the 3 Estates suffer from pavement parking or major obstruction.

6. There is no information at all about the expected number of enforcement visits in a typical day or if special visits can be arrangements when parking from outsiders is anticipated.

7. There is also no information about exceptional arrangements for parking during funerals, weddings etc

Without concessions in all these areas I expect the Council proposals to be overwhelmingly rejected at the statutory consultation stage.

I also make the following general points:

1. The Elms Gardens block of 16 flats is exclusively for elderly or disabled residents. Many need visitors and therefore visitor permits are essential. 

2. Gauntlett Court has currently around 65 parking spaces for the 100 flats which seems sufficient for the Estate even with visitor permits. The Estate road is wide enough. There does not seem a need for extending existing double yellow lines in a way that would take away any parking.

3. Barham Court seems to get some commercial vehicle parking but otherwise there seem to be sufficient number of spaces.

Conclusion:

1. The proposed £50 permit charge needs to be substantially reduced.
2. Visitor permits must be offered - or an affordable system to order (similar to the Ringo system) made available for family, carers or trade visitors.
3. Loss of parking spaces needs to be avoided.
4. There has to be flexibility and circumstances of each estate and nature of residents considered.
5. Likely frequency of Enforcement visits needs to be confirmed or whether Camera type control systems may be introduced explained. (If people become aware that no visits take place after 6pm the reference to 24hour controls will be fairly pointless).

I trust that my comments will be considered seriously and hopefully acted upon.

 

Highly significant modifications to Brent's draft local plan include higher density housing in town centres & 'intensification corridors.' Comment by Thursday 19th August 5pm.

 

Philip Grant left this comment on an earlier blog post, I thought it deserved a page of its own as it opens the way to more high rise high density developments in the borough.

Proposed "modifications" to Brent's draft Local Plan are currently open for comments (but only until 5pm this Thursday, 19 August!).

In the section of the Local Plan headed "How Will Good Growth In Brent be Delivered?", on pages 28-29, at para.2 "Making the best use of land", the modifications includes the following additional point:

'd) Identifying appropriate areas for tall buildings and change that add quality to and complement Brent’s character and sense of place.'

 

 Revised Intensification Corridors

At sub-para. b), they have also added "Intensification Corridors" (that's main roads in Brent, like Harrow Road and Forty Lane, which include "suburban" sections) to "town centres", as places for higher density housing. This would now read, if the proposed modification is accepted:

'b) Supporting higher density development in Brent’s town centres, Intensification Corridors and in areas with good accessibility to public transport.'

The new areas for tall buildings, and widening of the areas in the borough for higher density developments, are so that Brent can implement another proposed modification.

Instead of the Local Plan's current housing target for an average of 2040 new homes a year up to 2041, the proposed modification at para."6. Delivering the homes to meet Brent’s needs" reads:

'a) Housing delivery will be maximised, with sufficient planning permissions to support delivery of more homes than the minimum London Plan housing target of 23,250 between 2019/20-2028/29. A minimum 46,018 dwellings will be delivered for the whole plan period of 2019/20-2040/41 ....'

All of these points are part of "main modification" MM3 in the revised draft Local Plan out for consultation. If you wish to make any representations on this, or any other points BY THURSDAY \9th AUGUST at 5pm, details are on the Brent Council website at:
https://www.brent.gov.uk/services-for-residents/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/shaping-brent-s-future-together/

CLICK HERE FOR A DIRECT LINK TO THE REPRESENTATION FORM THAT YOU NEED TO COMPLETE

Brent Council extends consultation on Neasden Masterplan until August 9th - have your say on huge development

 

Brent Council has announced that it is extending the Consultation on the extensive plans for the regeneration of Neasden which effectively creates a new area of high towers similar to those at Wembley Park and Alperton. The consultation is now open until Monday August 9th.

You can read the previous Wembley Matters report on the plans HERE

This is what Brent Council told residents and local businesses:

Calling out all residents, businesses and landowners of Neasden!

 

Don’t miss the opportunity to have your say on Neasden’s future!

 

The Neasden Stations Growth Area Masterplan SPD consultation is open until Monday 9 August 2021.

 

Brent Council is asking for residents’ views on how the future development of the area around Neasden Underground Station might look. Part of this exciting vision will include 2,000 new and affordable homes, new job opportunities for local people, improved and integrated cycling routes and new and better open spaces.

 

We want residents to have their say on the draft Masterplan Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), which will help guide and influence the development of the Neasden Station Growth Area (NSGA). This includes land around Neasden Underground Station that the Council has designated for development in its draft Local Plan.

 

The Council will use the document to help decide which proposals should be given planning permission in the area.

 

 

The Neasden Stations Growth Area Masterplan SPD consultation will close on Monday, 9 August 2021 at 5pm.

 

If you missed coming to the drop-in sessions, you could still provide your feedback. Find details below:

 

How to have your say?

 

• Visiting Wembley and Willesden Libraries: A copy of the SPD and feedback forms will be available for you to review and  provide us with your comments. 

 

Your feedback can be shared with us via: 

 

• Email: Scanning or sending a photo of the form to NSGA@brent.gov.uk or drop in the feedback box at the libraries
• Post: sending your feedback to NSGA MASTERPLAN SPD consultation, Regeneration Team, Engineers Way, Wembley Park, Wembley HA9 0FJ
• Visiting our webpage: A digital version of the document is available to read, and an online feedback form can be accessed via the link:  https://consultation.brent.gov.uk/chief-executive-department/neasden-stations-growth-area-masterplan-spd/. Fill in the form and submit.

Waste, Pavements, Crime, Clean Air, Parks, Trees, Litter, Parking etc - have your say on future of Brent's vital services

 

Brent Council are consulting on the delivery of essential basic services from April 2023. As these affect us every day (you should see my email in-box!) it is worth making an effort to respond:

In May 2019, the council set up a programme called ‘Redefining Local Services’ to explore how some of the most important local services could be delivered from 1 April 2023. This is when existing contracts for many of these services are due to end. 

 

We’re talking about the delivery of services that have an impact on:

 

• How your recycling and waste is collected and processed
• How our roads and pavements are maintained
• How we work to prevent anti-social behaviour and crime
• How we improve local air quality and tackle the climate emergency
• How businesses like pubs and casinos are licensed
• How Brent’s parks and trees are maintained
• How we keep our streets free of litter and illegal rubbish dumps
• How illegal parking is enforced
  

 

A decision must now be made on how services that are currently being delivered by contractors will be delivered in the future, once those contracts end. For example, the council could continue to pay outside organisations to provide these services (outsourcing), or it could deliver some of them itself (insourcing), or the council could do a combination of both these things.

 

The documents we are consulting on summarise the research that has been done to date and outline the pros and cons of a number of different delivery model options for these services. 

 

Ultimately, our ambition is to design a model which delivers the services residents, businesses and visitors need. This means a cleaner, greener environment and more jobs for local people, as well as opportunities for local businesses. We also want to build in greater flexibility, control and innovation.  

 

Whichever option is chosen, the council must make sure that the way services are delivered is affordable and secures best value. 

 

We are now asking for your views on the future delivery of these local services. 

 

Why we are consulting

 

We are consulting with you to help us make informed decisions about the future delivery of these important services. We want to know what your priorities are when thinking about service delivery and how you feel we should choose between the different delivery model options. 

 

We also want to know which delivery models you prefer, your reasons for choosing them and whether you agree with the two competing options we are currently favouring. 

 

Who are we consulting with?

Under Section 3 of the Local Government Association 1999 (LGA 1999), the council has a duty to consult with representatives of the following groups of people:

• Local taxpayers (i.e. Brent residents)
• Local ratepayers (i.e. local businesses, including SMEs)
• Service users (i.e. people who use Brent services)
• People with an interest in the borough (this could include organisations who have contracts with the council)
• Local voluntary groups
  

 

When is the consultation and how can I respond?

The consultation will run from Tuesday 18 May 2021 until Monday 21 June 2021.

 

We ask that you please complete the online survey by Monday 21 June.

 

We also want to talk to a handful of people from across the borough in a bit more detail about these issues – if you’d like to get involved in one of those conversations do please let us know by registering. As a thank you for your time, we’re offering a £20 LDO (London Designer Outlet) voucher to all who attend.

 

Please note that individual replies on the consultation will not be provided. However, we will post a summary of all views received on the portal after the consultation has closed.

How will we use your data?

A report summarising all views received will be produced after the consultation period for consideration at a future meeting of Cabinet. This report will help inform Cabinet’s final decision on the delivery model for these services.

All feedback received through the consultation will be anonymised, and any identifiable information removed before the summary report is produced.

 

As part of the online survey, we also need you to confirm that you fall within one of the groups of people that we are consulting with. 

 

We will not use the information you provide for any other purpose other than that stated above, nor will we share it with other council departments / external bodies.

We will always process your information in accordance with the law. For more information on how we process, use and store your information, please refer to the Council’s Privacy Policy.

 

Further Information

 

If you have any queries on the consultation process, please email them directly to redefininglocalservices@brent.gov.uk 

For more detail on the services in scope and the delivery models being considered, please refer to the documents provided alongside the survey.

 

COMPLETE THE SURVEY VIA THIS LINK