Brent Council is encouraging people to have their say on its next borough plan – a document that will shape the area for the next five years.

It launched a consultation on the proposals last week, and those living in Brent have until January 4 to respond.

The suggested plan is based around five core principles, which the council believes will serve to improve the borough.

It wants to build “strong foundations”, offer an “economy fit for all”, improve security, clean up the environment and give everyone the “opportunity to succeed”.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, urged as many people as possible to get involved, since their views will impact on future decisions.

He said: “Brent is ever changing and growing, and our borough plan is about making sure that it is an even better place now and in the future.

“There are tough times ahead, especially when approximately £40m of savings will be necessary to deliver the plan.

“We need to work creatively, and with our partners and communities, so that we can make the borough plan priorities a reality.

“I would love to know what you think and if there’s anything we need to add.”

The borough plan highlighted the fact that around three-quarters of residents (76 per cent) are satisfied with where they live – marginally below the national average of 79 per cent.

Almost six in ten (59 per cent) are proud of living in Brent and, in terms of their local authority, two-thirds said they were satisfied with how things are run.

The biggest issues in the borough, according to the draft proposals, relate to crime anti-social behaviour – littering, drugs, drunkenness, and loitering, for example.

The council said it wants to build “stronger communities” throughout the borough and ensure that the environment – including air quality – is cleaner.

It also aims to provide more homes and jobs and ensure that things remain sustainable in the face of “shrinking resources”.

And it hopes to support future generations by correctly managing young people’s “educational attainment and training”.