Agenda and minutes
Venue: Committee Room 4, Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley, HA9 9HD. View directions
Contact: Toby Howes, Senior Democratic Services Officer, 020 8937 1307, Email: toby.howes@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 declared. |
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Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 2nd December 2009 PDF 135 KB The minutes are attached. Minutes: RESOLVED:-
that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 2nd December 2009 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting. |
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Matters Arising (if any) Minutes: None. |
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Decisions made by the Executive on the 14th December 2009 in respect of the report below were called-in for consideration by the Forward Plan Select Committee in accordance with Standing Order 18.
Future Acquisition Strategy for Brent Transport Fleet and Authority to Tender for Provision of a Leased Maintained Vehicle Fleet
The decisions made by the Executive in respect of this item were:-
(i) that approval be given to adopt a new model of vehicle fleet acquisition through leasing with maintenance from a single supplier;
(ii) that approval be given to the outsourcing of the current vehicle maintenance arrangements;
(iii) that approval be given to procure a 4-year Vehicle Supply and Maintenance Framework Agreement split into two lots with Lot 1 consisting of the supply and maintenance of new vehicles and Lot 2 the maintenance of the Council’s current vehicle fleet;
(iv) that approval be given to the pre-tender considerations and the criteria to be used to evaluate tenders for Lots 1 and 2 of a Vehicle Supply and Maintenance Framework as set out in paragraph 4.0 of the report from the Director of Children and Families;
(v) that approval be given to the invite of tenders and their evaluation in accordance with the approved evaluation criteria referred to in paragraph (iv) above.
The reasons for the call-in are:-
· There seem to be too few partners for a framework agreement to be worthwhile · It is unclear whether the scheme is value for money · There is no provision for alternative fuels
The Executive report is attached. The Lead Member and Lead Officer are invited to attend the meeting to respond to Members’ questions. Additional documents:
Minutes: Decisions made by the Executive on the 14th December 2009 in respect of the report below were called-in for consideration by the Forward Plan Select Committee in accordance with Standing Order 18.
Future Acquisition Strategy for Brent Transport Fleet and Authority to Tender for Provision of a Leased Maintained Vehicle Fleet
The reasons for the call-in were:-
· There seem to be too few partners for a framework agreement to be worthwhile · It is unclear whether the scheme is value for money · There is no provision for alternative fuels
Councillor Wharton (Lead Member for Children and Families) was present to answer Members’ questions.
Councillor Powney then raised a number of issues in respect of the call-in. He began by enquiring if there had been consideration of the reduction in carbon emissions and savings achievable if alternative fuels were used. He suggested that as there were a number of short journeys made by Brent Transport Fleet vehicles, that it would be appropriate to use electric powered vehicles for such trips. He added that as two-thirds of the fleet needed to be replaced within four years, it would be prudent to begin purchasing vehicles that ran on alternative fuels from this point. In acknowledging that the Council had signed up to the 10/10 Campaign, he queried whether the aim of a 10% cut in carbon emissions could be achieved in 2010, suggesting that a 3% cut was the very most that could be expected from this year and 6% by 2011/12. Councillor Powney also suggested there be consideration of installation of electrical charging points in the Civic Centre and that such a measure should be eligible for green tariff discounts. He felt that the strategy agreed contradicted the Council’s parking and Civic Centre policy. Councillor Powney also queried whether during the replacement of the fleet, the same number of vehicles would be needed and he sought clarification as to whether only one partner had expressed an interest in being involved in a framework agreement.
Councillor Mistry felt that there were not presently enough electrically powered vehicles on the market for the Council to seriously consider acquiring such vehicles at this stage. Councillor H B Patel added that it was not appropriate to acquire electrically powered mini buses as they did not provide the necessary disabled access, however he felt that obtaining electrically powered vehicles for other uses could be considered. The Chair commented that the use of electric vehicles was not being out ruled and that if future technology developments meant suitable vehicles became available then these would be seriously considered.
In reply, Councillor Wharton advised that there were no vehicles that used alternatives fuels currently on the market that were appropriate for the uses of the Brent Transport Fleet. Furthermore, a number of vehicles needed to be replaced in the next ten months and replacement vehicles would be leased on a four to five year basis. As a result, the Council needed to consider purchasing mass produced vehicles that were presently ... view the full minutes text for item 4. |
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The List of Decisions from the meeting of the Executive that took place on Monday, 14th December 2009 is attached. Minutes: RESOLVED:-
that the Executive List of Decisions for the meeting that took place on Monday, 14th December 2009 be noted. |
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Briefing Notes/Information Updates requested by the Select Committee following consideration of Issue 8 (2009/10) of the Forward Plan |
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Inspiring Brent : Brent's Action Plan for the London 2012 Games PDF 60 KB The Select Committee requested a briefing note on this item providing details of what was being undertaken to upgrade town centres and of the costs of the Action Plan.
The Lead Member and Lead Officer have also been invited to the meeting to respond to Members’ questions. Minutes: Councillor Van Colle (Lead Member for Environment, Planning and Culture) and Zerritha Brown (2012 Manager, Environment and Culture) were present to respond to questions from Members.
Councillor Powney stated that he understood that Transportation Unit were to introduce a ‘Streets for People’ scheme in Harlesden Town Centre in 2012 and he sought views about the possibility of co-ordinating this scheme with the 2012 London Games Action Plan in view of the advantages such an approach would provide. He enquired if there had been any consultation with residents concerning the 2012 London Games Action Plan and in particular whether certain ethnic groups in the Borough had been approached with a view to boosting tourism opportunities. Councillor Powney also asked if the Council’s website would promote the 2012 Olympics in different languages as another means to attract visitors to Brent. The Chair commented that encouraging tourism was part of the Action Plan brief.
Councillor Mistry commented that communities in Brent were directly attempting to encourage athletes and other visitors to the area for the 2012 Olympics as well as contacting relevant organisations overseas. She suggested that functions could take place near Olympic events that were taking place in Brent in order to attract more visitors. Councillor H B Patel asked whether any country competing in the Olympics had expressed an interest or confirmed use of any training and sports facilities in Brent. He also enquired if there was any possibility of receiving funds from the Government or the Government Office for London to increase such facilities in Brent in time for the Olympics.
In reply to the issues raised, Councillor Van Colle acknowledged the benefits of co-ordinating the 2012 London Games Action Plan with the Harlesden Town Centre ‘Streets for People’ scheme, however he stressed that the Harlesden scheme was not an Olympic related spend. He explained that the Harlesden Town Centre scheme funding was allocated to be spent in the financial year 2012-13 and although efforts would be made to co-ordinate spending and implementation of the scheme, it could not be guaranteed that the scheme would be in place by the start of the Olympics. With regard to the possible Olympics use of venues in Brent, Councillor Van Colle warned that there was concern amongst Olympics organisers that athletes would not be able to arrive at venues such as Wembley Stadium in good time for events in as they would be based in Stratford. However, he agreed that efforts should be made to attract visitors to the area during the Olympics. The Select Committee noted that the Council’s 2012 Team were seeking to attract funding to the area to provide opportunities during the Olympics.
Zerritha Brown added that there were no plans at present to approach particular ethnic groups to help increase visitors to Brent during the Olympics. Members heard that training camps were being set up at sports centres to encourage sports participation amongst local residents and athletes were being encouraged to visit Brent. Zerritha Brown advised that Visit London ... view the full minutes text for item 6a |
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2009 Residents Attitude Survey Feedback PDF 54 KB The Select Committee requested a briefing note on this item explaining the reasons why it is proposed to have the survey undertaken biennially and would this result in savings or additional costs. Minutes: RESOLVED:-
that the briefing note on the 2009 Residents Attitude Survey Feedback be noted.
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Building Schools for the Future Project Initiation Document PDF 64 KB The Select Committee requested a briefing note on this item detailing what schools will be affected.
To follow. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Powney requested a further briefing note on this item detailing what primary schools would benefit from the Building Schools for the Future programme.
RESOLVED:-
(i) that the briefing note on Building Schools for the Future Project Initiation Document be noted; and
(ii) that a further briefing note be provided at the next meeting of the Select Committee on 27th January 2010 detailing what primary schools will be benefit from the Building Schools for the Future programme.
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Early Years Single Funding Formula and Policy for the Allocation of Full Time Places The Select Committee requested a briefing note on this item providing details of the results of the consultation.
To follow. Minutes: Councillor Mistry requested that she receive direct clarification of the length and the reasons for the delay to the Full Time Place Allocations Process.
RESOLVED:-
that the briefing note on Early Years Single Funding Formula and Policy for the Allocation of Full Time Places be noted.
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Controlled Parking Zones Progress Report The Select Committee requested a briefing note on this item providing details of the nature of the decisions regarding Preston Road, Northwick Park, Kenton, Alperton, Kingsbury and the controlled parking zones reviews.
To follow. Minutes: RESOLVED:-
that the briefing note on the Controlled Parking Zones Progress Report be noted.
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Telecoms Aerials on Residential Buildings The Select Committee requested a briefing note on this item outlining what the income was spent on and was any used to improve the security of the buildings.
To follow. Minutes: In noting that a briefing note had not been provided to the Select Committee, Councillor Powney requested that the Executive report on this item be provide to Members at the next meeting.
RESOLVED:-
that the Executive report on Telecoms Aerials on Residential Buildings be provided at the next meeting of the Select Committee on 27th January 2010.
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Petition for Changes to Consultation Processes
The Select Committee requested a briefing note on this item providing details of what the procedure is when there are identical responses from the same household and are these responses weighted. Minutes: Petition for Changes to the Consultation Process
Councillor H B Patel requested a further briefing note at the next meeting providing clarification of the consultation process in relation to multiple responses from a single household.
RESOLVED:-
(i) that the briefing note on Petition for Changes to the Consultation Process be noted; and
(ii) that a further briefing note be provided at the next meeting of the Select Committee on 27th January 2010 providing clarification of the consultation process in relation to multiple responses from a single household. |
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The Forward Plan - Issue 9 PDF 112 KB Issue 9 (12.01.10 to 02.05.10) of the Forward Plan will be published on Tuesday, 29th December 2009 and will be circulated separately. Issue 8 of the Forward Plan (07.12.09 to 04.04.10) is attached for information. Additional documents: Minutes: Issue 9 of the Forward Plan (12.01.10 to 02.05.10) was before Members of the Select Committee. Following consideration of Issue 9 of the Forward Plan, the Select Committee made the following request:-
Carbon Reduction Commitment
The Select Committee requested a briefing note on this item explaining how the carbon reduction emissions targets are to be achieved. Lead Member and lead officer attendance was also requested to respond to Members’ questions. The request was made by Councillor Powney. |
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Items considered by the Executive that were not included in the Forward Plan (if any) Minutes: None. |
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Date of Next Meeting The next meeting of the Forward Plan Select Committee is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 27th January 2010 at 7.30 pm. Minutes: It was noted that the next meeting of the Forward Plan Select Committee was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 27th January 2010 at 7.30 pm. |
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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. |