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Cabinet NOTED the comments made by Elisabeth
Corcoran (as a local resident and representative of the Lynton
Close Travellers Site), who was
supported by Nancy Hawker (London Gypsies and Travellers
Association), in support of a letter and petition relating to
management of fire safety risks and the future provision of Lynton
Close Travellers site.
 
In thanking the Leader of the Council for the
opportunity to present the petition, Elisabeth Corcoran called on
the Council to pause any eviction proceedings, install fire risk
mitigations in collaboration with the residents of Lynton Close,
and find alternative land that could be used as a temporary site in
the case of a humanitarian emergency and which could be used, if
required, until more permanent, adequate and suitable accommodation
could be arranged.  Whilst acknowledging
the issues highlighted within the accompanying Cabinet Report
‘Housing Management – Building Safety Update, New
Building Safety Policy and Update on Fire Safety at Lynton
Close’, in relation to overcrowding
and fire safety risks associated with the site, it was pointed out
that residents on the site had previously raised concerns with the
Council on the same issues.  Despite
assurances that every effort was being
made to secure another more suitable site it was pointed out
this had not yet been achieved.
 
In representing the views of residents on the
site, reference was also made to Brent’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy which it was
pointed out included the ambition for Brent to become a borough of
all cultures where all backgrounds were represented, celebrated and
felt that they belonged.  This was not,
Elisabeth Corcoran advised, an approach that currently resonated
with Brent’s Traveller Community given the way in which other
communities were felt to be treated when compared to the approach
adopted in seeking to address the safety issues at Lynton Close as
the only traveller site in the borough which it was felt did not
make the traveller community on the site feel like they belonged or
that their culture was respected.
 
As a further example, reference was made to
the comments in the accompanying Cabinet report, which it was
highlighted had described the residents of Lynton Close as
‘unwilling’,
‘disruptive’ and ‘demanding’ when detailing
their interactions with Council officers.  It was felt this
continued to feed a narrative of negativity in relation to the
traveller community located on the site with the resident
engagement process outlined also not felt to have been presented
accurately.
 
Concerns were also expressed regarding the
negative impact any potential displacement of residents from the
site would have on education provision for the children on the
site, including those with additional needs or SEND who had long
awaited assessments and support plans in place.  It was felt the momentum and trust built in terms of
engagement with the education system would also be placed at
significant risk by any displacement.
 
As further concerns, reference was made to the
health and wellbeing of the traveller community with specific
issues highlighted in relation to mental health and suicide which,
it was pointed out, were issues that had also directly affected the
community at Lynton Close and were likely to be exacerbated should
the community be forced in to brick-and-mortar accommodation
resulting in increased anxiety as a result of the lifestyle change,
concerns around isolation and the impact in being able to preserve
their way of life and heritage.  Whilst
willing to consider alternative locations, it was felt further
consideration needed to be given to the true impact moving
residents into brick-and-mortar accommodation would have on the
community’s mental wellbeing, cultural identity and values.
 
In seeking a way forward, Elisabeth Corcoran
advised that residents at Lynton Close had recognised the need to
work with the Council to improve
communication and had also advised they would be willing to
consider the introduction of a Waking Watch following what was felt
to have been limited initial engagement in seeking to address
safety concerns relating to operation of the scheme.  These had included safeguarding concerns around
the use of cameras in the vicinity of children on the site as well
as use of the children’s play area to facilitate the schemes
implementation, which was also highlighted as a potential issue
under the Decent Homes Standard.  It was also
pointed out that an apology had been issued by resident
representatives on the site for a previous incident related to the
attempts made to establish a previous version of the scheme on
site.
 
In closing presentation of the petition,
Elisabeth Corcoran advised that it was hoped the Council would seek
to engage with the traveller Community at Lynton Close in order to
find a solution that would respect their culture and heritage
whilst also seeking to address the safety issues and risks
highlighted, which it was hoped could be achieved through a process
of collaboration and understanding. 
Recognising the various needs that would need to be addressed
should displacement take place, including those of the elderly,
vulnerable and children with special educational needs, as well as
the impact the disruption would cause to residents physical and
mental wellbeing the request was once again made to pause any
eviction proceedings and work in collaboration with residents in
seeking to install the necessary fire mitigation measures. At the
same time the importance was highlighted in the Council seeking to
continue its effort to find alternative land that could be used as
a temporary site in the case of a humanitarian emergency and which
could be used, if required, until more permanent, adequate and suitable accommodation was secured.
 
In response, Councillor Fleur Donnelly-Jackson
(as Cabinet Member for Residents Services and Housing) thanked
Elisabeth Corcoran and those present for attending Cabinet
in order to ensure the views of
residents at Lynton Close were represented whom it was assured
remained valued members of the community in Brent. In outlining the
Council’s commitment to a more sustainable future for
travellers in the borough, the opportunity was taken to highlight
the efforts being made to identify alternative sites that would
meet their needs whilst also seeking to address the safety concerns
highlighted and improve the Lynton Close site.  In acknowledging the
specific issues highlighted during presentation of the petition it
was pointed out that many of these had
already been raised with officers in terms of the approach
identified moving forward.
 
At the same time in responding to the
petition, Councillor Donnelly-Jackson felt it important to
recognise that the Lynton Close Travellers Site was dangerously
overcrowded which, when combined with other factors (including
breaches in the site licensing agreements) had presented an
intolerable risk to life, given the severe fire and associated
safety risks to those living on the site along with the pressure
placed on the site’s broader infrastructure.  In detailing the Council’s responsibilities
as a landlord in response to these risks, she explained these had
placed not only a legal but also moral duty on the Council to
ensure the site was safe, highlighting that it would be a
dereliction of duty to do nothing.
 
In outlining the previous unsuccessful
attempts made to address safety issues on the site, Councillor
Donnelly-Jackson highlighted that the approach now being taken to serve notice on the pitch holders had
been designed to provide 28 days to resolve any breaches of licence
identified with confirmation provided these were not eviction
notices. Whilst recognising that the efforts required to address
overcrowding, as a result of the notices
served, may involve the displacement of some residents including
extended family members an assurance was provided that dedicated
support would be available to assist those residents in arranging
temporary accommodation and in applying to join the waiting list
for new pitches as they became available.
 
The concerns raised in relation to protecting
the traveller communities heritage and traditional lifestyle were
also recognised along with the need to ensure fair and equal
treatment, with the efforts being made as a result to identify
alternative sites also outlined.  Whilst this work was ongoing, however, it
was pointed out the Council’s immediate priority was to the
safety of families on the Lynton Close site with the next best
option secured being safe, secure, settled and affordable accommodation, much of which
would be grouped to allow larger families to remain in
proximity.
 
In terms of next steps, Councillor
Donnelly-Jackson confirmed that further details would be provided
at a community information meeting for site residents which had
been scheduled with an external specialist agency having also been
appointed to assist with the search for alternative
sites.  The
site representatives were also thanked for their cooperation and
willingness to engage in further work around the implementation of
a Waking Watch, which the Council had agreed in principle subject
to working through the logistics and
operational requirements relating to its implementation.
 
In bringing the item to close, Councillor
Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) also took the opportunity
to assure the residents of Lynton Close of the Council’s
willingness to continue working with them to mitigate the issues
and safety concerns which had been identified with work also
ongoing to find an appropriate alternative site that would work for
the community and their requirements. 
He also thanked residents for their cooperation in seeking to
progress implementation of a Waking Watch scheme to mitigate fire
risks on the site. In response to the comments raised regarding
equity, diversity and inclusion, Councillor Butt assured those
present that the traveller community was not regarded any
differently from others in the borough and would be afforded the
same rights, recognising the legally protected characteristic that
the Council had a duty to consider.
 He concluded his remarks by
reminding residents of the community meeting which had been
scheduled and would provide a further opportunity to hear from and
respond to residents and outline the measures to mitigate the
safety issues associated with the site whilst supporting the
community and ended by once again thanking the representatives for
taking the time to attend the meeting and ensure the views of the
traveller community at Lynton Close were represented.