Purpose

To request Strategic Community Infrastructure
Levy (SCIL) and Public Health funding to deliver improvements to
One Tree Hill and Mount Pleasant Open Spaces.

Content

Cabinet NOTED the following
comments made by Councillor Georgiou who had requested to speak at
the meeting on the report.  In addressing Cabinet, Councillor Georgiou
(as one of the local councillors representing Alperton Ward) began
by welcoming the proposed additional infrastructure investment in
Alperton, stating that the funding was crucial to ensure that
regeneration benefitted both new and existing residents. Although
recognising the positive impact that the investment could have on
the parks identified, Councillor Georgiou highlighted that 40% of
residents currently believed the spaces to be in a poor or
very poor state and that the parks and
surrounding areas experienced heightened anti-social behaviour and
fly tipping.
 
In outlining previous attempts
to improve green spaces in the area it was felt that not
all of these efforts had managed to
fully achieve the desired objectives. 
As a result, Councillor Georgiou felt it would be important to
ensure that the funding committed was designed to secure long
lasting, transformative and meaningful improvements with local
residents, schools and community groups such as the Wembley Central
and Alperton Residents Association (WCARA) and Friends of Mount
Pleasant Space all fully engaged in the decision-making process
regarding use of the investment secured.
 
Furthermore, in highlighting
previous issues concerning parks and open spaces, Councillor
Georgiou suggested that the 10% budget allocation for ongoing
maintenance be increased to ensure it was sufficient to cover
necessary costs and ensure the long term
benefit of the investment. In addition, Councillor Georgiou
requested further investment in enforcement measures in the
borough’s green spaces to keep the areas safe and clean. In
concluding, Councillor Georgiou welcomed the investment in Alperton
and expressed optimism in working with
both officers and councillors to ensure that the investment
resulted in significant and lasting improvements at One Tree Hill
and Mount Pleasant Open Spaces.
 
In
response, Councillor Butt (Leader of the Council) thanked
Councillor Georgiou for his comments and welcomed the support
expressed for the proposed additional investment, which he felt
demonstrated the positive benefits arising from delivery of the
Council’s regeneration programme for residents across the
borough despite the financial difficulties being experienced.
 
Having noted the comments received, Cabinet RESOLVED:
 
(1)      To
approve £525,466 of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy
funding and £100,000 of Public Health funding to design, plan
and deliver improvements to One Tree Hill and Mount Pleasant Open
Spaces.
 
(2)      To
approve the engagement plan for the proposed improvement works
outlined in Appendix 5 of the report.