Agenda, decisions and minutes
Venue: Committee Rooms 1, 2 and 3, Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley, HA9 9HD. View directions
Contact: Anne Reid, Principal Democratic Services Officer, 020 8937 1359, Email: anne.reid@brent.gov.uk
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Declarations of personal and prejudicial interests Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, any relevant financial or other interest in the items on this agenda. Minutes: None. |
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Minutes of the previous meeting PDF 181 KB Minutes: RESOLVED:-
that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 March 2010 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting. |
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Order of business Minutes: RESOLVED:
that the order of business be changed so as to take early in the meeting those items for which members of the public and non-Executive members were present. |
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Deputations Minutes: Children and Young People - Youth Parliament survey
Petergaye Palmer and Kishan Parshotam (Brent Youth Parliament) introduced the report from the Director of Children and Families which summarised the results of the survey conducted by Brent Youth Parliament in 2009. The survey was part of an ongoing campaign aimed at challenging negative stereotypes associated with young people. It was felt that the media did not fairly portray young people and a media summit in North Somerset was cited as an example of a successful way in which the problem could be tackled and to give young people an opportunity to present themselves positively. They drew attention to publicity stickers and a promotional DVD designed to reinforce the ‘break the stereotype, fix the impression’ message which had been distributed through local libraries. Efforts were also being made to hold a media summit locally and the BYP asked the Executive for assistance in helping to improve communication and work with partners to tackle negative perceptions. |
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Children and young people - Youth Parliament survey PDF 98 KB This report provides a summary of the results from a survey conducted by Brent Youth Parliament (BYP) between October and November 2009. The aim of the survey was to gather data from all ages about how young people are perceived and to gauge the way society views young people today. Decision: (i) that the Youth Parliament survey findings be noted and acknowledged and used to influence policy decisions affecting children and young people;
(ii) that approval be given to the communication and sharing of the findings with a broader audience in Brent and nationally through the UK Youth Parliament;
(iii) that, following the success of a ‘media summit’ in North Somerset, BYP proposes to work with multi agencies and partners such as the Executive, representatives of BYP, the local media, the community safety board, the police, voluntary groups and officers of the council to tackle the issue raised in the report concerning the negative portrayal of young people in the media. Minutes: The report from the Director of Children and Families summarised the results of a survey conducted by Brent Youth Parliament (BYP) between October and November 2009. The aim of the survey was to gather data from all ages about how young people were perceived and to gauge the way society views young people. Earlier in the meeting, the Executive heard from representatives of the BYP on their proposals to improve the perception of young people and how the Executive could contribute to influencing the media and partner agencies.
Councillor Wharton (Lead Member, Children and Families) thanked Petergaye Palmer and Kishan Parshotam for their presentation and was pleased that in addition young people had been given the opportunity to develop surveying skills. The Executive endorsed the recommendations in the report and agreed that the issue of a media summit be taken up after the forthcoming local elections. On behalf of the Executive, Councillor Lorber thanked all those who had been involved in the initiative, the findings from which would be taken seriously.
RESOLVED:-
(i) that the Youth Parliament survey findings be noted, acknowledged and used to influence policy decisions affecting children and young people;
(ii) that approval be given to the communication and sharing of the findings with a broader audience in Brent and nationally through the UK Youth Parliament;
(iii) that it be noted that following the success of a ‘media summit’ in North Somerset, BYP proposes to work with multi agencies and partners such as the Executive, representatives of BYP, the local media, the community safety board, the police, voluntary groups and officers of the council to tackle the issue raised in the report concerning the negative portrayal of young people in the media. |
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Parks Strategy for Brent 2010-2015 PDF 154 KB This report provides Members with an overview of Brent’s Parks Strategy 2010 - 2015. This Strategy feeds down from the Cultural strategy. The scope of the strategy includes the following types of urban green space within the borough: public parks (including sports amenities within parks), public open spaces, children’s play areas in parks and allotments. The Strategy has been informed by both local survey data and consultation with relevant local groups including the Brent Allotments Forum and Friends of Parks Groups. A twelve-week public consultation on the draft Strategy took place between October 2009 and January 2010. More detail on these findings is outlined in Section 3 of the report. Additional documents: Decision: (i) that the findings of the background research used to inform the development of the Parks Strategy be noted;
(ii) that approval be given to the seven key themes as set out in paragraphs 3.10-3.18 of the Director of Environment and Culture’s report;
(iii) that approval be given to the action plan detailed within the Parks Strategy (attached as Appendix 1 to the Director’s report) and that the Council will lead on those actions identified as such
(iv) that the Parks Service consult the recently established consultative forum 1Voice to ensure that the needs of children with disabilities are taken into account. Minutes: The Executive had before them a report from the Director of Environment and Culture on an overview of Brent’s parks strategy 2010-2015. The strategy had been informed by local survey data and consultation with local groups.
With the consent of the Executive, Mr Dilwyn Chambers, on behalf of Gladstone Park Consultative Committee, raised concerns over the consultation process and the extent to which suggestions put forward by the public had been included, the protection of parks for development and the registration of Gladstone Park as a Town Green. He also raised safety concerns over the use of the park by cyclists and the enforcement of bylaws by park wardens.
Councillor Van Colle (Lead Member, Environment, Planning and Culture) welcomed the report which he felt provided a sound basis from which a new council administration could work and which would also help attract external funding. In response to the concerns raised earlier in the meeting, he pointed out that while officers took into account suggestions from interested parties there was no obligation to adopt them all furthermore, parks were protected under the local development framework. Councillor Van Colle stated that he was not aware of any serious park cycling accidents to date hoped that riders would use the park sensibly.
The Head of Parks, Sean Faulkner, contributed that a draft of the report had been circulated to independent groups and also left in libraries and One Stop Shops. A number of changes had been made to the document as a result of the consultation but these were not significant. Sean Faulkner outlined the extensive consultation that was regularly carried out for the parks service including survey feedback and independent audits. Parks were protected in a number of ways including as metropolitan open land and under the Unitary Development Plan and the parks strategy was designed to be complementary. On the request for Gladstone Park to be a Town Green, legal advice had been sought and decision had been made not to register. In any event, the park was already well protected. Regarding cycling, Shaun Faulkner advised that new bylaws were being drafted and cycling was being reviewed with the aim of promoting safe cycling. The Parks Manager praised the work of park wardens and reminded members that monitoring had indicated that park with wardens helped reduce fear of crime levels.
Councillor Lorber (Leader of the Council) commended the work of the Parks Service and welcomed the increase in usage and the record number that have achieved Green Flag recognition for the high standard of planting and facilities. Councillor Wharton (Lead Member, Children and Families) moved an additional recommendation that would ensure that 1voice, a consultative forum for children with disabilities, was included in future consultation and this was agreed.
RESOLVED:-
(i) that the findings of the background research used to inform the development of the Parks Strategy be noted;
(ii) that approval be given to the seven key themes as set out in paragraphs 3.10-3.18 of the Director of ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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Childhood Immunisation Task Group PDF 77 KB The Childhood Immunisation Task Group report has been considered and agreed by the Health Select Committee. This report presents the task group’s work to the Executive for approval. Additional documents:
Decision: (i) that the recommendations set out in the report be agreed;
(ii) that the task group members be thanked for their work. Minutes: Councillor John (Task Group Chair) introduced the task group report which had been considered and agreed by the Health Select Committee. It had been found that the take up of vaccines in the borough was relatively low, particularly for MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and the task group had investigated possible causes for this and how it could be improved. She regretted the significant level of prejudice among some professionals and the media, felt that this needed to be confronted with scientific evidence and was pleased that the task group’s work had been welcomed by the Brent PCT. Councillor John referred to the rigorous safety testing carried out under World Health Organisation’s international standards for vaccines and the need address knowledge gaps and provide training for front line staff especially in GP surgeries and children’s centres. Schools also needed assistance in encouraging the take up of the papilloma virus vaccine designed to help prevent pre-cancer disease of the cervix and evidence showed that parents wanted advice from health visitors.
In discussion, Councillor Wharton (Lead Member, Children and Families) welcomed any assistance that could be given to children’s centres. In response to a view that some parents some had reservations over MMR vaccinations and should be supported in asking for single jabs, Councillor John responded that risks were associated with this method and prevention was the preferred and safest option. The Executive agreed the recommendations in the report.
RESOLVED:-
(i) that the recommendations set out in the report be agreed;
(ii) that the task group members be thanked for their work. |
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Task Group report - services for women in and exiting prostitution PDF 129 KB This report brings to the Executive the work, findings and recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s task group investigation into Services for Women in and exiting prostitution. Additional documents: Decision: (i) that the recommendations set out in the report be agreed;
(ii) that the task group members be thanked for their work. Minutes: The Executive had before them a report from the Director of Policy and Regeneration to which was appended the work and findings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s task group investigation into services for women entering and exiting prostitution. Councillor John (Task Group Chair) and Councillor Clues (Task Group member) were in attendance to introduce the report which had taken a year to complete due to its complexity. Councillor John advised that only a few councils had looked at this area and the task group had been set up following the publication of Eaves POPPY Project’s report Big Brothel which highlighted the scale and nature of the brothel based sex industry in London. Another reason for concern was that international events were known to increase prostitution levels and Brent was an Olympic borough with Wembley at its centre. The Eaves POPPY project had found that Brent’s local press had high levels of adverts for brothels. Street prostitution involved women from a range of backgrounds many of whom were coerced and vulnerable, most of whom would rather be earning their living in another way. Councillor John called for a change in attitudes and for the demand for prostitution also to be addressed. The task group had been disappointed that to date, unlike in neighbouring boroughs, the local press were reluctant to take steps to reduce the number of advertisements for brothels and prostitutes. The issues raised by the task group were supported and being taken very seriously by the police force and the Crime Prevention Strategy Group. Councillor Clues contributed that task group members had been surprised by the findings of the investigation, in particular the scale and location of the industry. Additionally it was more than a moral issue as it extended into other areas such as people trafficking and organised crime.
The Executive noted that the Task Group’s recommendations included the lobbying of the London Mayor for a pan London prostitution strategy particularly to assist Olympic London boroughs, an article in the Brent Magazine on the issue and a seminar for members following the local elections. In discussion, attention was drawn to landlords’ responsibility to ensure that unlawful activity did not take in their properties and that they could be liable for prosecution if, once aware, they failed to act.
On behalf of the task group Councillor John thanked the police and health services, the Society of Local Authority Chief Executive’s (SOLACE), the POPPY Project and Make a Change Ipswich. She also thanked the other task group members, Policy and Regeneration Unit officers Jacqueline Casson and Andrew Davies and other contributors for their work.
RESOLVED:
(i) that the recommendations set out in the report be agreed;
(ii) that the task group members and policy be thanked for their work. |
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The Mayor of London is consulting on two documents. The first concerns London’s energy future: “The Mayor’s draft Climate Change Mitigation and Energy Strategy” and the Mayor is consulting the London Assembly and functional bodies until 1st April 2010. The second document is “The draft Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for London Public Consultation Draft”. This report sets out for approval proposed responses by the council to the consultation. Additional documents:
Decision: that approval be given to the Appendices 1 and 2 to the report from the Director of Environment and Culture as the council’s responses to the consultation on Mayor’s draft Climate Change Mitigation and Energy Strategy and draft Climate Change Adaptation Strategy documents. Minutes: Councillor Van Colle introduced the report which proposed a response to two documents from the Mayor of London on London’s energy future and the draft Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for London. He drew attention to the report to the London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee as part of the consultation process on the climate change strategy and referred to the opportunity for a new green economy. Councillor Van Colle acknowledged that the funding required to deliver the strategy for London, £60 billion, was significant but felt it should be accepted that changes were necessary and everyone needed to contribute.
The Executive agreed the report.
RESOLVED:-
that approval be given to the Appendices 1 and 2 to the report from the Director of Environment and Culture as the council’s responses to the consultation on Mayor’s draft Climate Change Mitigation and Energy Strategy and draft Climate Change Adaptation Strategy documents. |
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Redevelopment of SEN Provision at Hay Lane and Grove Park School PDF 191 KB On 26 May 2009 the Executive authorised officers to proceed to the design phase to develop a scheme to rebuild Hay Lane and Grove Park Special Schools as one school and to re-provide the Borough’s short break provision on the school site. This report updates the Executive on the progress made in developing the rebuild scheme and the funding arrangements required to cover the costs. It seeks the necessary authorities to progress the scheme to completion. Additional documents:
Decision:
In relation to Hay Lane and Grove Park School Buildings
(i) that approval be given to the rebuilding of the Hay Lane and Grove Park School buildings as one school incorporating the existing recently completed 16+ Centre on the basis of initial design work already carried out. This will be subject to the agreement of the Schools Forum on the funding arrangements set out in the report;
(ii) that approval be given to the provision of the necessary temporary accommodation during the construction period, within the resources identified and as described in paragraphs 3.13 to 3.15 of the report from the Director of Children and Families;
In relation to Short Break (Respite) Centre
(ii) that approval be given to the relocation of the Short Break Centre (currently located at Crawford Avenue and Clement Close) to the site of the rebuilt Hay Lane School;
(iv) that Crawford Avenue and Clement Close sites be declared surplus to the requirements of the council’s Children and Families Services once the new building is complete which is estimated to be summer 2013.
In relation to the Resource Strategy:
(v) that approval be given to the resourcing strategy set out in the report. In particular the affordability of the capital funding costs of the scheme as set out in paragraph 8 of the Director’s report;
(vi) that approval be given to submit to the Schools Forum for agreement the proposal that savings arising from the Dedicated Schools Budget be used to meet the annual costs of borrowing. (If agreement cannot be secured, a revised funding package will be developed for re-submission to the Executive);
(vii) that the overall budget provision for the project at £29,395,000 as identified in the Director’s report be noted.
In relation to Procurement: Construction Contract
(viii) that approval be given to the pre-tender considerations and the criteria to be used to evaluate tenders as set out in table 4 of paragraph 4 of the Director’s report;
(ix) that approval be given to the invite of tenders and their evaluation in accordance with the approved evaluation criteria referred to in (viii) above;
In relation to supply of temporary classrooms
(x) that approval be given to the pre-tender considerations and the criteria to be used to evaluate tenders as set out in table 4 of paragraph 4 of the Director’s report;
(xi) that approval be given to the invite of tenders and their evaluation in accordance with the approved evaluation criteria referred to in (viii) above;
In relation to Procurement: Consultants
Overall Project Manager
(xii) that agreement be given to the appointment of an Overall Project Manager (PM) through to post contract and pre-construction stage, without following the usual quotation requirements of the Council’s Standing Orders, on the basis of the good operational and financial reasons set out in paragraph 5 and Appendix 3 (Not for Publication) of this report;
Lead Design and Design Team
(xiii) that approval be given to the appointment of Frankham and its design team as a replacement ... view the full decision text for item 10. Minutes: The report from the Director of Children and Families reminded the Executive of the decision taken on 26 May 2009 to authorise officers to proceed to the design phase to develop a scheme to rebuild Hay Lane and Grove Park Special Schools as one school and to re-provide the borough’s short break provision on the school site. The report now before members provided an update on the progress made in developing the rebuild scheme and the funding arrangements required to cover the costs. It sought the necessary authorities to progress the scheme to completion. Councillor Wharton (Lead Member, Children and Families) set out the financing strategy which aimed to keep the project within budget and which required the approval of the Schools Forum.
The Executive also had before them an appendix to the report which was not for publication as it contained the following category of exempt information as specified in Para 3, Schedule 12(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 namely:
“Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)”.
RESOLVED:-
In relation to Hay Lane and Grove Park School Buildings:
(i) that approval be given to the rebuilding of the Hay Lane and Grove Park School buildings as one school incorporating the existing recently completed 16+ Centre on the basis of initial design work already carried out. This will be subject to the agreement of the Schools Forum on the funding arrangements set out in the report;
(ii) that approval be given to the provision of the necessary temporary accommodation during the construction period, within the resources identified and as described in paragraphs 3.13 to 3.15 of the report from the Director of Children and Families;
In relation to Short Break (Respite) Centre:
(ii) that approval be given to the relocation of the Short Break Centre (currently located at Crawford Avenue and Clement Close) to the site of the rebuilt Hay Lane School;
(iv) that Crawford Avenue and Clement Close sites be declared surplus to the requirements of the council’s Children and Families Services once the new building is complete which is estimated to be summer 2013.
In relation to the Resource Strategy:
(v) that approval be given to the resourcing strategy set out in the report. In particular the affordability of the capital funding costs of the scheme as set out in paragraph 8 of the Director’s report;
(vi) that approval be given to submit to the Schools Forum for agreement the proposal that savings arising from the Dedicated Schools Budget be used to meet the annual costs of borrowing. (If agreement cannot be secured, a revised funding package will be developed for re-submission to the Executive);
(vii) that the overall budget provision for the project at £29,395,000 as identified in the Director’s report be noted.
In relation to Procurement: Construction Contract:
(viii) that approval be given to the pre-tender considerations and the criteria to be used to evaluate tenders as set out in table 4 ... view the full minutes text for item 10. |
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Brent Equalities Monitoring PDF 65 KB The Annual Equalities report provides a profile of the council’s workforce by the six diversity strands, as well as information about the council’s employment practices and achievements in the area of diversity, equality and community cohesion. The report which is a statutory duty is used in a variety of ways by the council and its stakeholders such as using it for comparison purposes on equality matters by service areas. This report is Brent Council’s eighth Annual Equalities report and covers the period from April 2008 to March 2009 and will be a key document used during the assessment for the Equality Framework for Local Government (EFLG). Additional documents: Decision: That the Equalities Monitoring Plan 2009 be endorsed. Minutes: Councillor Sneddon (Lead Member, HR and Diversity, Local Democracy and Consultation) introduced the report which provided a profile of the council’s workforce by the six diversity strands as well as information about the council’s employment practices and achievements in the area of diversity, equality and community cohesion. He was pleased to report that progress continued to be made and that the council wished to do more than meet legal obligations but to now benchmark its activities against the Equality Framework for Local Government, a national standard.
RESOLVED:-
that the Equalities Monitoring Plan 2009 be endorsed. |
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Consultation Strategy PDF 65 KB This report presents Executive members with a draft of the new Community Consultation, Engagement and Empowerment Strategy 2010/14. This strategy replaces the Community Consultation and Engagement Strategy 2006/09. Additional documents: Decision: that the Consultation Strategy be adopted ‘in principle’ document as the Community Consultation, Engagement and Empowerment strategy 2010/14. The strategy will be published formally in May 2010. Minutes: The Executive considered a report which presented a draft of the new Community Consultation, Engagement and Empowerment Strategy 2010/14 and which replaced the Community Consultation and Engagement Strategy 2006/09. The strategy was a framework partnership document, developed in the first instance between the Council and NHS Brent and overseen by the consultation board and was open to be adopted by all member agencies of the local strategic partnership, ‘Partners for Brent’. Councillor Sneddon (Lead Member, HR and Diversity, Local Democracy and Consultation) welcomed the strategy which would be published in May 2010 and provide a good foundation for the next four years and ensure good practice.
RESOLVED:-
that the Consultation Strategy be adopted ‘in principle’ document as the Community Consultation, Engagement and Empowerment strategy 2010/14 to be published formally in May 2010. |
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Reference of item considered by Forward Plan Select Committee Minutes: None. |
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Any Other Urgent Business Notice of items to be raised under this heading must be given in writing to the Democratic Services Manager or his representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 64. Minutes: None. |
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Exclusion of Press and Public The following items (circulated separately) are not for publication as they relate to the following category of exempt information as specified in the Local Government Act 1972 namely:
Information relating to the financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)
· Appendix: Redevelopment of SEN provision at Hay Lane and Grove Park School (report above refers)
· Report from the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources - Pyramid House, Fourth Way, Wembley Minutes: RESOLVED:
that the press and public be now excluded from the meeting as the matter to be discussed concerns information exempt from the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12(a) of the namely:
“Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)”. |
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Pyramid House, Fourth Way, Wembley
This report seeks to obtain authority to renew the lease at Pyramid House, Fourth Way, or alternatively to lease suitable alternative accommodation. Decision: (i) that approval be given to the renewal of the lease at Pyramid House at the rent stated below or other suitable alternative accommodation on terms no less favourable than as set out in this report;
(ii) that the Head of Property and Asset Management be authorised to agree such other terms as he considers to be in the best interest of the Council taking into account service issues. Minutes: The report from the Director Finance and Corporate Resources sought authority to renew the lease at Pyramid House, Fourth Way, or alternatively to lease suitable alternative accommodation.
RESOLVED:-
(i) that approval be given to the renewal of the lease at Pyramid House at the rent stated below or other suitable alternative accommodation on terms no less favourable than as set out in this report;
(ii) that the Head of Property and Asset Management be authorised to agree such other terms as he considers to be in the best interest of the Council taking into account service issues. |
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Vote of thanks Minutes: In the advent of the forthcoming local and parliamentary elections due to be held on 6 May 2010, members paid tribute to all retiring members of the Executive, past and present, including the Vice-Chair and Deputy Leader Councillor Bob Blackman, and also thanked officers for their assistance over the past four years. |