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
No. | Item |
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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 made. |
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Minutes of the previous meeting PDF 158 KB Minutes: RESOLVED:-
that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 September 2011 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting. |
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Petition - reverse the street cleansing cuts PDF 30 KB Decision: Noted. Minutes: Mr Martin Francis, speaking on behalf of Brent Fight Back, addressed the Executive in connection with a petition signed by local residents asking the council to reverse the decision taken at a previous meeting to cut street sweeping services. He was concerned that some streets would only be cleaned once a week which he considered was potentially hazardous for pedestrians. Mr Francis referred also to the reduction in the seasonal service and the leaves which uncollected would make the pavements slippery increasing the chances of insurance claims. He mentioned progress on negotiations with the street cleansing contractor which should provide an opportunity for additional profits. Mr Francis, in his capacity as a Street Watcher, cautioned against the accumulation of litter which would tarnish the perception of the borough. He urged the council to reverse the cuts.
Councillor John (Chair, Leader of the Council) thanked Mr Francis for his contribution and suggested that he make representations to central government for additional funding.
RESOLVED:
that the petition be received and noted. |
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Deputation - Green Charter Minutes: Mr Brian Orr (Chair, Brent Green Party) addressed the Executive in connection with the report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services which asked the Executive to adopt a Green Charter, revised following consultation earlier in the year. He expressed support for the concept of an agreement but felt the Charter should be more ambitious. Mr Orr referred to the challenges facing local government and felt the Charter should contain a clear statement of why residents should take climate change seriously, for example, the unsustainable demands being placed on the planet and the excess size of Brent's carbon footprint. Mr Orr stated that people were more likely to change their lifestyles if they understood the reasons why they needed to so do. He recommended that the Charter should match the urgency of the times and should be referred back for a more ambitious document.
Viv Stein (Brent Campaign against Climate Change) referred to electoral promises for a Green Charter and the need for significant reductions in carbon emissions to avoid the world becoming uninhabitable within current lifetimes. She felt the council needed to have a strong policy with measurable outcomes and drew a comparison with LB Camden's draft environmental sustainability plan which was a more comprehensive document and contained the target of reducing carbon emissions by 40% by 2020. Ms Stein reminded the Executive that in the previous year the decision had been taken to delete posts of staff working on projects designed to tackle climate change, previously funded by the Performance Renewal Grant and assurances had been given that work would continue. This area of work was now covered by a part time member of staff and as such Ms Stein felt insufficient resources were being committed.
The Chair thanked Ms Stein for her contribution. |
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Brent Council’s Corporate Strategy, ‘Brent Our Future 2010 - 2014’ says that the Council will develop a Green Charter, ‘setting out how we can work together to protect our environment’. A draft Green Charter was circulated between 29 June and 04 August 2011 for consultation and the outcome of this consultation is set out in this report. As a result, a revised version of the Charter is attached in Appendix 1. The Executive is asked to adopt this version of the Charter. Additional documents: Decision: (i) that the Green Charter be adopted; (ii) that officers implement the Charter’s actions through departmental performance improvements plans, and (iii) that an annual Green Charter progress report be published. Minutes: Councillor Powney (Lead Member, Environment and Neighbourhoods) introduced the report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services which set out the outcome of consultation conducted between 29 June and 4 August 2011 and presented a revised version of the Green Charter attached as Appendix 1. The Executive was asked to adopt the Charter and to ask officers to implement the actions in their departmental performance improvement plans. Councillor Powney referred to the deputations received earlier in meeting from Brian Orr (Green Party) and Viv Stein (Brent Campaign against Climate Change) and agreed with the need to raise awareness. The new initiatives would reduce emissions by 20% and the new waste management arrangements would cut emissions by half. Consequently he felt that as a service provider the council was making a positive contribution. Councillor Powney stated that the Green Charter was part of a package which also included the Development Framework's Core Strategy which made additional demands and also work with other parties. He also referred to the extensive consultation that had been carried out. Councillor Powney commended the recommendations in the report to the meeting.
Councillor Arnold (Lead Member, Children and Families) drew members' attention to work taking place with partners particularly schools who were one of the main sources of carbon emissions. Training would be embedded in the curriculum.
The Chair on behalf of the Executive thanked the members of the public present for attending.
RESOLVED:-
(i) that the Green Charter be adopted;
(ii) that officers implement the Charter’s actions through departmental performance improvements plans;
(iii) that an annual Green Charter progress report be published. |
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This report concerns the proposed procurement of a decentralised energy system as part of the regeneration of South Kilburn. This report seeks Executive’s approval to invite tenders in respect of a decentralised energy system as required by Contract Standing Orders 88 and 89. Additional documents: Decision: (i) that approval be given to the pre-tender considerations and criteria to be used to evaluate tenders as set out in paragraph 3.7 of the report from the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects; (ii) that approval be given to the invite of tenders and their evaluation in accordance with the approved evaluation criteria referred to in (i) above. Minutes: The report from the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects concerned the proposed procurement of a decentralised energy system as part of the regeneration of South Kilburn. The report sought the Executive’s approval to invite tenders in respect of a decentralised energy system as required by Contract Standing Orders 88 and 89. Councillor Crane (Lead Member, Regeneration and Major Projects) welcomed the opportunity this would provide for lower energy costs and increased efficiency.
RESOLVED:-
(i) that approval be given to the pre-tender considerations and criteria to be used to evaluate tenders as set out in paragraph 3.7 of the report from the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects;
(ii) that approval be given to the invite of tenders and their evaluation in accordance with the approved evaluation criteria referred to in (i) above. |
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The Community Infrastructure Levy and S106 obligations PDF 172 KB This report explains the rationale and approach to the proposal for the Council to charge a Community Infrastructure Levy in respect of development across Brent and concurrent and related changes to planning obligations required by the Council under Section 106 agreements. Additional documents:
Decision: (i) that approval be given to the Director of Regeneration & Major Projects formally consulting on the Preliminary Draft Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule; (ii) that approval be given to the Director of Regeneration & Major Projects formally consulting on the S106 Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document; (iii) that the proposals to increase member and community involvement in the spending of monies secured through S106 Planning Obligations and the Community Infrastructure Levy, and locate internal management arrangements for expenditure on infrastructure to support major projects and growth within the New Initiatives Team be noted. Minutes: The report from the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects explained the rationale and approach to the proposal for the council to charge a Community Infrastructure Levy in respect of development across Brent and concurrent and related changes to planning obligations required by the Council under Section 106 agreements. The Community Infrastructure Levy would help deliver the infrastructure and investment needed to support the Council’s adopted Local Development Framework growth strategy. Councillor Crane (Lead Member, Regeneration and Major Projects) welcomed the opportunity to review Section 106 planning obligations and for a transparent charging system advising that consultation would be taking place on a Preliminary Draft CIL Schedule. Implementation was scheduled to be after April 2014.
RESOLVED:
(i) that approval be given to the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects formally consulting on the Preliminary Draft Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule;
(ii) that approval be given to the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects formally consulting on the S106 Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document;
(iii) that the proposals to increase member and community involvement in the spending of monies secured through S106 Planning Obligations and the Community Infrastructure Levy, and locate internal management arrangements for expenditure on infrastructure to support major projects and growth within the New Initiatives Team be noted. |
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Commissioning Carer Services PDF 130 KB This report sets out proposals to integrate Adult, Children and Families and NHS Brent/GP Clinical Commissioning Group for the procurement of services to carers. We recommend a joint framework agreement for the provision of respite and support services to carers of children with disabilities and for carers of adults with disabilities and long term health conditions. Decision: (i) that approval be given to an exemption in accordance with Contract Standing Order 84(a) from the usual tendering requirements of Standing Orders to extend the carer services contracts (Adult Social Care) for eight (8) months on the basis of good operational and financial reasons as set out in paragraph 3.7-3.11 of the report; (ii) that approval be given to the eight (8) month extension of the carer services contracts with the providers referred to in paragraph 4.3 of the report; (iii) that approval be given for Adult Social Care and Children & Families department to undertake a wide ranging joint review of carer services in consultation with NHS Brent and carers to identify the type of services needed to support carers into the future that provides quality, value for money and take account of the impending changes in Health and the development of GP Consortia commissioning arrangements; (iv) that officers’ intentions to develop a joint framework agreement following the review of services, with anticipated call-off under the framework from May 2012 be noted; (v) that approval be given for the Children and Families Department to integrate their procurement into this joint framework agreement. Minutes: Councillor R Moher (Lead Member, Adults and Health) reminded the Executive that a report was approved on 15 February 2011 extending the S.75 Partnership Agreement with NHS Brent for the period 2011 – 2013. In addition, approval was given to enter into contracts on a one year basis for the provision of adult respite carer services by way of an exemption from the tendering requirements of Contract Standing Orders. Councillor Moher reported that changes in the health field now presented a further opportunity for improvements and the report before members set out proposals to integrate Adults, Children and Families and NHS Brent/GP Clinical Commissioning Group for the procurement of services to carers with a recommendation for a joint framework agreement for the provision of respite and support services to carers of children with disabilities and for carers of adults with disabilities and long term health conditions. Councillor Moher made reference to the risks outlined in the report in extending the existing suite of respite support services contracts to other providers in the market which needed to be balanced against the need for officers to carry out proper consultation with stakeholders and health services, which would form the basis of the services specification when the new framework was put out to public tender. An exemption from standing orders was required to allow more time for market testing.
Councillor Moher commended the recommendations in the report to the Executive.
RESOLVED:-
(i) that approval be given to an exemption in accordance with Contract Standing Order 84(a) from the usual tendering requirements of Standing Orders to extend the carer services contracts (Adult Social Care) for eight months on the basis of good operational and financial reasons as set out in paragraph 3.7-3.11 of the report from the Director of Adult Social Services;
(ii) that approval be given to the eight month extension of the carer services contracts with the providers referred to in paragraph 4.3 of the report;
(iii) that approval be given for the Adult Social Care and Children and Families departments to undertake a wide ranging joint review of carer services in consultation with NHS Brent and carers to identify the type of services needed to support carers into the future that provides quality, value for money and take account of the impending changes in Health and the development of GP Consortia commissioning arrangements;
(iv) that officers’ intentions to develop a joint framework agreement following the review of services, with anticipated call-off under the framework from May 2012 be noted;
(v) that approval be given for the Children and Families Department integrating their procurement into the joint framework agreement. |
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Current contracts for young people based accommodation services and floating support services expire on 23 October 2011. This report requests authority to extend existing contracts for period(s) of up to three months from 24th of October 2011 to enable Officers to further investigate representations from tendering organisations. Decision: That approval be given to a short extension of existing contracts for young people based accommodation services and floating support services with De Paul Trust, Catch 22, St Christopher’s Fellowship, Coram Housing and Support Services, Brent Housing Partnership and Centre Point for period(s) of up to three months from 24 of October 2011. Minutes: The report from the Director of Adult Social Services advised the Executive that following the decision on 17 August 2011 when authority was given to appoint organisations to two frameworks for young people housing support services as required by Contract Standing Order 88, officers have received representations from tendering organisations regarding the process. The current contracts for young people based accommodation services and floating support services were due to expire on 23 October 2011 and Councillor R Moher (Lead Member, Adults and Health) reported that in view of the representations received authority was now being sought to extend existing contracts for periods of up to three months from 24 October 2011 to allow more time for the objections to be explored.
RESOLVED:-
that approval be given to a short extension of existing contracts for young people based accommodation services and floating support services with De Paul Trust, Catch 22, St Christopher’s Fellowship, Coram Housing and Support Services, Brent Housing Partnership and Centre Point for periods of up to three months from 24 October 2011. |
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Annual complaints report 2010/11 PDF 182 KB This report provides an overview of complaints received and investigated by the Council under the Corporate Complaints procedure and by the Local Government Ombudsman. Decision: Noted. Minutes: Councillor John (Chair, Leader of the Council) introduced the report from the Director of Strategy, Partnership and Improvement which provided an overview of complaints received and investigated by the council under the Corporate Complaints procedure and by the Local Government Ombudsman. She referred to the headlines pointing out that complaints received had fallen fell by 36% compared with 2009/10, in only 6% of Ombudsman investigations had the council been asked to take any action to resolve the complaint and compensation paid had decreased from £158k to £95k.
RESOLVED:-
that the report be noted. |
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Applications for NNDR discretionary rate relief PDF 113 KB The Council has the discretion to award rate relief to charities or non-profit making bodies. It also has the discretion to remit an individual National Non-Domestic Rate (NNDR) liability in whole or in part on the grounds of hardship. This report includes applications received for discretionary rate relief since the Executive Committee last considered such applications in May 2011.
Additional documents:
Decision: (i) that agreement be given to the discretionary rate relief applications in Appendices 2 and 3, and to reject the hardship applications in Appendix 4 of the report; (ii) that the information provided in Appendix 5 of the report regarding relief granted to businesses who suffered from the riots be noted.
Minutes: Councillor Butt (Lead Member, Resources) introduced the report on applications for individual National Non-Domestic Rate (NNDR) rate relief which the council has the discretion to award to charities or non-profit making bodies and also to individuals on the grounds of hardship. The report from the Director of Corporate Services included applications received for discretionary rate relief since the Executive last considered such applications in May 2011, two applications for hardship relief and applications had also been received for rate relief from businesses who suffered as a result of the riots/disturbances that occurred during the week of 5 August 2011.
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 Schedule 12 of the Local Government (Access to Information Act) 1972:
Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).
RESOLVED:-
(i) that agreement be given to the discretionary rate relief applications in Appendices 2 and 3, and to reject the hardship applications in Appendix 4 of the report from the Director of Finance and Corporate Services;
(ii) that the information provided in Appendix 5 of the report regarding relief granted to businesses who suffered from the riots be noted. |
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Reference of item considered by Call in Overview and Scrutiny Committee Minutes: None. |