Issue - meetings
Reports from:
Meeting: 08/07/2019 - Council (Item 11)
11 Reports from the Leader and Cabinet PDF 56 KB
To receive the report from the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Members in accordance with Standing Order 31 setting out any key or significant issues arising from any matter within the responsibility of Cabinet.
Additional documents:
- 09.1 Appendix 1 - Leader and Cabinet Member Update Report, item 11 PDF 204 KB
- Webcast for Reports from the Leader and Cabinet
Decision:
NOTED the report and accompanying update provided by the Leader of the Council in relation to the ongoing financial challenges being experienced not just in Brent but within Local Authorities across the country as a result of the reduction in Central Government finance and the uncertainty around the outcome of the Fair Funding Review and Autumn Statement. Cabinet members were thanked for their individual updates provided within the report, with the opportunity also taken to highlight the collaborative work being undertaken with a range of strategic partners in relation to ownership and delivery of the Borough Plan being co-ordinated through Partners for Brent.
Minutes:
The Mayor began by reminding Members that under the changes agreed to the Constitution in February 2019 a total of three minutes had now been set aside for Council to receive and consider the update report from the Leader and Cabinet.
The Mayor explained that the changes had been designed to provide time for the Leader and any other Lead Members to speak in order to highlight any key or significant issues from within their portfolio with a written update from each of the Lead Members having already been circulated with the Summons. Once any further specific updates had been provided, he advised that the meeting would then move straight on to deal with questions from opposition and other non-cabinet members, which would include the opportunity to ask questions of relevant Lead Members.
The Mayor then invited the Leader to present the update report.
Reiterating the explanation provided, Councillor M.Butt (Leader of the Council) felt it was important to highlight that the change in procedure had been designed to enable members to focus their time on the opportunities available to question and hold Cabinet Members to account.
In terms of updates, the Leader reported that he and other Members had recently attended the LGA Annual Conference. One of the main issues highlighted at the event had been the ongoing financial challenges being experienced not just in Brent but within Local Authorities across the country as a result of the reduction in Central Government finance. Concerns had also been raised in relation to the uncertainty around the outcome of the Government’s Fair Funding Review and Autumn Statement, given the need for stability and continuity in order for local authorities to be able to continue planning for the provision of key services that local people depended on. He felt this remained one of biggest challenges faced by local authorities and their partners.
Lead Members were thanked for their individual updates provided within the report, with the opportunity also taken to highlight the collaborative work being undertaken with a range of strategic partners in relation to ownership and delivery of the Borough Plan and opportunities to engage in the London Borough of Culture being co-ordinated through Partners for Brent.
At this stage, the Mayor advised that the time available for this item had expired and it was therefore RESOLVED to formally note the updates provided by the Leader and Cabinet prior to moving on to councillor questions.