Summer is underway and we're bringing more energy to our town centres through Summer Streets. Across Brent, residents and visitors can enjoy free live music, family activities, entertainment and special offers from local businesses. These events are a great way to support our high streets, bring communities together and showcase everything our borough has to offer.
This month, we've been turning residents’ priorities into progress.
We handed over the keys to families moving into new affordable homes in Alperton. It’s hard to overstate how important having a safe place to call home is for people who have been homeless. At a time when housing waiting lists are under pressure, the completion of Shillibeer House will give a fresh start and a place to put down roots for 155 local families. On the spot of a former industrial site, as well as homes, the new neighbourhood has shops, cafés, spaces for the community and businesses.
We've unveiled new plans to transform Stonebridge into a thriving neighbourhood, with a phased approach to delivering enhanced leisure and community facilities at Bridge Park. Residents will benefit from a range of improvements, including an additional swimming pool and the creation of the Bridge Park Legacy Garden, which will honour the site's historic role as a pioneering centre of Black British community achievement.
This is part of our wider commitment to investing in Brent's future. Over the past year alone, we have delivered 543 new council homes, invested more than £215 million in housing, regeneration and infrastructure projects, created additional school places for children with SEND, and continued improvements to our parks, roads and leisure facilities. These investments are helping to create opportunities, support healthier communities and ensure Brent remains a borough where everyone can thrive.
Our parks received national recognition, with four awarded Green Flag status. Awards aren’t everything, but they are a testament to the hard work of our parks teams, volunteers and community groups. From walking groups to outdoor gyms, it’s great to see them so well used.
There’s much more to come. Looking ahead, I am also encouraged by the Mayor of London's announcement of a £30 million investment in youth clubs across the capital. The funding will support the delivery of one late-night youth club in every London borough and represents the largest investment in youth provision in London's history.
This is a significant opportunity for Brent's voluntary and community sector organisations to expand their reach and provide more opportunities, support and safe spaces for young people. It builds on the Council's own commitment to young people, including our recent investment of £4 million to improve five youth centres across the borough. I would encourage eligible organisations to explore this funding opportunity and apply.
