The projects are being financed using money raised from developers building in Brent
A North London council has announced plans to invest more than £8million in projects throughout the borough, including more patrol officers on the street to tackle antisocial behaviour, additional cost of living support, and the planting of 1,500 new trees.
Last week, Brent Council’s Cabinet approved plans to spend £8.2m of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funds on nine major programmes, which it claims will “restore some pride in the borough”. The NCIL money is raised from developers building in Brent, some of which is specifically set aside to invest in projects that address the local impact of new construction.
The entire programme will fund around 60 individual projects, with the aim of tackling some of the “visible scars of austerity” and “improve the everyday experience” in the borough for both residents and visitors.
Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Community Power, Cllr Jake Rubin, said: “NCIL is about fairness, it reinvests the benefits of local development into everyday spaces and services that matter most to residents.
“Across every ward in Brent, projects will bring cleaner streets, greener spaces, safer neighbourhoods and renewed opportunities for culture, learning and community life.”
The vast majority of the money will be spent on projects designed to improve streets, parks and public spaces as a response to “sustained pressure and demand”, as well as a “perceived degradation in its condition” over recent years, which the council puts down to population growth, demographic change and austerity.
The £5m allocated for these improvements will fund 39 individual projects, including “spring cleaning” of town centres, alongside additional patrol officers, as well as pothole repairs, secure cycle parking, and four new school street schemes.
An additional £400,000 will go towards supplementing outreach programmes designed to help residents with the cost of living, such as debt advice surgeries. Funds will also be used to plant 1,500 trees across the borough as part of the council’s ‘Trees for Brent’ programme, as well as rain gardens and pocket parks in Church End and Kingsbury, four weekend and evening patrol officers to reduce antisocial behaviour in town centres, and extra classes for students taking adult education courses.
Around £200,000 will go towards the Brent Beats and Roots borough-wide cultural programme, which aims to unite three community -driven initiatives – Cricklewood Irish Heritage, Kilburn Music Mile Festival, and Buskers’ Corners—into a single celebration of Brent’s “musical legacy and cultural diversity”.
What areas will benefit?
The project will cover areas including Wembley, Harlesden, Neasden, Kilburn, Willesden, Church End and Kingsbury. Council documents claim it will “transform high streets and town centres into stages and meeting places, engaging young people, honouring Irish heritage, and boosting local wellbeing through music, art, and storytelling”.
Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Leisure, Cllr Neil Nerva, said that the investment shows that the council is “listening to feedback from residents” but warned that it is only possible due to growth in the borough.
He added: “When it’s gone, it’s gone. So, unless we see further growth, in reality we are not going to see this level be sustained year on year forever.”
The council recently issued a warning that increased costs associated with delivering developments – including rising construction costs, higher borrowing rates, and stricter building safety regulations – mean they are becoming less financially viable. This includes some that have already been granted approval and has meant fewer new schemes are being proposed. If this trend continues it will mean the council generates less NCIL money that can be used for improvement projects throughout the borough.
Brent Council Leader, Cllr Muhammed Butt, said: “If it wasn’t for the regeneration projects that we have had in Brent a lot of the money wouldn’t even be here. That’s because we are a council that looks forward and wants to make sure Brent is open for business and to encourage more people and more businesses to come into [the borough] because growth is good.
“The £8m being spent just demonstrates exactly what we are doing and how communities in Brent can benefit.”
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