Harlesden town web site

Harlesden Town Team meeting notes, Monday 7 June

Charter update - Combined presentation by the Town Team, Brent Council and Urban Design Skills:

Scott Adams

 Harlesden Charter and projects update

 Highlighted the inclusion by the Town Team of Cultural Activities as one of the pillars of the Charter

 Highlighted the inclusion by the Town Team of Neighbourhoods, Streets and Spaces as a key project area for the Charter

 Provided an overview of the emerging graphic design and layout of the final Harlesden Town Charter

Beatrice Barleon

 Highlighted that a lot of elements in Harlesden need improving and the Charter should focus on these through the project list

 Reinforced the impotence of the Cultural element of the Charter and expressed its relative cost effectiveness

 Reinforced the need to address traffic issues within the plan

 Advised that the Town Team wanted action plans, not studies

John Dryden

 Updated the team on Transport For London’s interest in the project, their commitment to £150,000 for detailed public realm design work within this financial year with the understanding of working towards a £2-3 million scheme

 Confirmed that a traffic study is being initiated by Brent Council to review Tubbs Road

Aida Esposito

 Highlighted the opportunity for temporary uses for empty buildings within Harlesden

 Discussed the lack of gallery space within the town centre and the opportunity to have temporary gallery spaces within the library

 Highlighted the need for a review of vacant property

Peter Paddon

 Reviewed the principles of the Town Team and working relationships

 Partnership models reviewed:

          High level partnership board of directors
             with membership by subscription

          Association with membership by subscription

          Council established strategic partnership

          Partnership/ forum open to all with an interest
            in the town centre

 Suggested the Town Team form as a partnership with forum open to all with an interest in the town centre.

Discussion points

The above presentations led to a series of key points being raised:

 TFL funding should be viewed as a catalyst for the project and not just an end in itself

 In time the governance structure for the Town Team should form a legal entity

 The Town Team needs to have status within Brent Council. There needs to be a clear commitment from the council to work with the Town Team. This commitment was reaffirmed by elected members and council officers present

 Brent Council highlighted their commitment to retaining Urban Design Skills to work with the Town Team and council

 It was agreed that a presentation should be made to Harlesden Consultative Forum

 Brent Council agreed to pass on certain Town Team members details to discuss Willesden Junction station and the historic removal of the main line platforms

 The Town Team believe the council should be use planning powers to enhance retail diversity

 The Town Team recognised there was a need for more events and further promotion of the work. Using the City Challenge notice boards and banners in the town centre were highlighted as options. Brent Council confirmed that City Challenge notice boards would be made accessible to the Town Team

 The Town Team wants the Charter to have weight in the planning process. Brent Council highlighted their aspiration for the Charter to be embedded across council departments and sit as a corporate document

 Discussion was held around the need for a Town Team secretariat with the appointment of a chair and deputy chair. It was agreed that the next town team meeting would include the election of a chair and deputy chair and establishment of key pillar groups.

Please encourage fellow residents, colleagues and business owners interested in the future of Harlesden to join us at the Respect Festival 04 July in Roundwood Park NW10!

For further information, please contact Scott Adams at Urban Design Skills on 020 7287 4269 or via email: scott@urbandesignskills.com

Urban Design Skills, an urban design consultancy working on behalf of Brent Council and Transport for London for the Harlesden Town Charter, recorded the above written notes.