Agenda and minutes
Venue: Conference Hall - Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ. View directions
Contact: Thomas Cattermole, Head of Executive and Member Services 020 8937 5446, Email: thomas.cattermole@brent.gov.uk
Media
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Minutes of the Previous Meeting PDF 168 KB To confirm as a correct record, the attached minutes of the meeting of the full Council, held on 19 September 2016. Additional documents: Minutes: RESOLVED, that the minutes of the previous meeting, held on Monday 19 September 2016, be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.
Councillor Nerva asked for an update on the motion put at the previous meeting with regard to Air Quality in Brent
Councillor Southwood said that the Council was to launch an anti-idling campaign within the next couple of months and that, at the moment, Brent’s schools were being invited to design a cleaner air logo, which would be used for all of the Borough’s air quality work moving forward, designed by the Borough’s children on the basis that it was for the benefit of them that the Council improved the quality of the Borough’s air for future generations. She added that an air equality action plan would also go out for public consultation, subject to Cabinet approval in December 2016, so Councillor Nerva could be assured that the practical steps the Council was able to take as a Borough would be fully consulted on with the residents so that the Council could begin to make a real difference here. |
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Declarations of Interests In accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, any relevant personal, prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests, and the nature of these, in any matter to be considered at this meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no declarations of interest received from Members. |
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Mayor's Announcements (including any petitions received) To receive announcements from the Mayor. Additional documents: Minutes: The Mayor made the following announcements:
(i) Passing of Former Members
(a) Former Mayor, Mrs Gwen Tookey MBE
The Mayor was sad to report the passing, last month, of the former Mayor of Brent, Mrs Gwen Tookey MBE.
(b) Mr Vishrup Pandya
The Mayor was also sad to report the passing, last week, of former Brent Councillor, Mr Vishrup Pandya, whose funeral had been held this afternoon.
On behalf of the Council, the Mayor thanked them both for the service they had provided to the Borough.
(ii) Croydon Tram Tragedy
The Mayor reflected on last week’s Croydon Tram tragedy, where seven people had lost their lives and many more had been injured in this terrible accident. The Mayor had conveyed the Council’s condolences, in writing, to the Mayor and residents of Croydon on behalf of the Borough.
(iii) India Train Tragedy
The Mayor also reflected on the weekend’s terrible train incident in India, which so far had claimed over 120 lives. On behalf of the Council, the Mayor offered its thoughts and prayers to all those affected by these tragic events.
(iv) Remembrance Sunday
The Mayor announced that, on Remembrance Sunday, the Council had honoured the fallen men, women, children and animals who lost their lives in conflicts throughout the world. He said that the borough service at Barham Park had been extremely well attended and that it had been humbling to see so many turn out to pay tribute.
The Mayor extended his thanks to all those who had organised the event.
(v) Deputy Lieutenant’s Essay Competition
The Mayor announced that, as part of the Remembrance Sunday service, the Council was honoured to have the winner of the Deputy Lieutenant’s Essay Competition, Paulina Sowinska, from the Convent of Jesus and Mary Language College, read her winning entry.
The Mayor said that for those in attendance, this was found to be extremely moving and he had invited her to read the poem to all Members this evening.
Paulina Sowinska read aloud her winning entry poem, which was greeted by a round of applause from Members.
Council stood for a minute’s silence to reflect on these and other events.
(vi) Former Mayor’s Charity
The Mayor paid tribute to his predecessor, the former Mayor of Brent, Councillor Lesley Jones MBE who, this month, had presented her cheque (for the sum of £9,259.04) for the funds raised during her Mayoral year, to Brent Young Carers, being her chosen charity during her year in office.
(vii) Visitation by HRH Prince William
The Mayor said that he had been delighted to welcome HRH Prince William, to Brent where he attended the Living Memory Service at Willesden Cemetery and, despite the weather, the Leader, himself and the Mayoress were personally humbled to have had the opportunity to meet him.
He added that His Royal Highness had spoken positively of the work being carried out in the Borough and enjoyed meeting with students from local schools.
(viii) Pearson Award for Teacher of the Year in a Primary ... view the full minutes text for item 3. |
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Urgent Item: Review of Political Groups on Committees Additional documents: Minutes: In accordance with Standing Order 37(r), the Mayor agreed that the matter be considered as a matter of urgency for the following reason:
“On 21 November 2016, the Council was notified of a change in the membership of the Conservative and Brent Conservative Groups and a request for a review of the representation of political groups on committees. Full Council has a statutory duty to conduct such a review as soon as practicable.
However, the next scheduled meeting of Full Council is not until 23 January 2017.”
Councillor Butt, Leader of the Council, introduced the report from the Council’s Chief Legal Officer, which gave details of the outcome of a review of the representation of political groups on committees, which had been triggered following a change in the composition of the Conservative and Brent Conservative Groups earlier in the day of this meeting.
RESOLVED, that:
1. The size of each committee, be agreed;
2. The allocation of seats on committees to the opposition groups of the Council (where the rules of political balance applied), be agreed;
3. Council make the following appointments to those committees giving effect to the wishes of the political group allocated the seats:
· General Purposes Committee (Councillor Colwill with Councillors Kansagra and Davidson as alternate or substitute Members)
· Planning Committee (Councillor Maurice with Councillors Kansagra and Colwill as alternate or substitute Members)
· Equalities Committee (Councillor Davidson with Councillors Kansagra and Maurice as alternate or substitute Members)
· Community and Well-being Scrutiny Committee (Councillor Kansagra (Vice-Chair) with Councillors Colwill and Davidson as alternate or substitute Members)
· Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee (Councillor Davidson (Vice-Chair) with Councillors Kansagra and Colwill as alternate or substitute Members)
· Health and Well-being Board (Councillor Colwill with Councillors Davidson and Kansagra as alternate or substitute Members)
· Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Committee (Councillor Kansagra with Councillors Colwill and Maurice as alternate or substitute Members)
· Audit Committee (Councillor Davidson with Councillor Kansagra as alternate or substitute Member); and
If necessary, the political balance on sub-committees be reviewed at the first meeting of the General Purposes Committee |
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To agree appointments to Committees (tabled), in accordance with Standing Order 37(g). Additional documents: Minutes: RESOLVED, that the following appointments to committees be ratified by the Council:
(i)
Public Realm Scrutiny Committee
Resignation of Councillor Tom Miller from the Council’s Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Sam Stopp to fill the vacancy.
(ii)
General Purposes Committee
Resignation of Councillor Michael Pavey, as substitute Member, from the Council’s General Purposes Committee – Councillor Tom Miller, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, to fill the vacancy, as substitute Member.
(iii)
Senior Staff Appointments Committee
Resignation of Councillor Michael Pavey, as substitute Member, from the Council’s Senior Staff Appointments Committee – Councillor Tom Miller, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, to fill the vacancy, as substitute Member.
(iv)
Pensions Sub-Committee
Resignation of Councillor Tom Miller, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, from the Council’s Pensions Sub-Committee – Councillor Abdi Aden to fill the vacancy.
(v)
Pensions Sub-Committee
Resignation of Councillor Kana Naheerathan from the Council’s Pensions Sub-Committee – Councillor M Aslam Choudry to fill the vacancy.
(vi)
Standards Committee
Appointment of the following Independent Members on the Council’s Standards Committee:
Karen McArthur
Margaret Adenike Bruce.
(vii)
Public Realm Scrutiny Committee
Resignation of Councillor Tom Miller from the Council’s Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Sam Stopp to fill the vacancy.
(viii)
General Purposes Committee
Resignation of Councillor Michael Pavey, as substitute Member, from the Council’s General Purposes Committee – Councillor Tom Miller, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, to fill the vacancy, as substitute Member.
(ix)
Senior Staff Appointments Committee
Resignation of Councillor Michael Pavey, as substitute Member, from the Council’s Senior Staff Appointments Committee – Councillor Tom Miller, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, to fill the vacancy, as substitute Member.
(x)
Pensions Sub-Committee
Resignation of Councillor Tom Miller, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, from the Council’s Pensions Sub-Committee – Councillor Abdi Aden to fill the vacancy.
(xi)
Pensions Sub-Committee
Resignation of Councillor Kana Naheerathan from the Council’s Pensions Sub-Committee – Councillor M Aslam Choudry to fill the vacancy.
(xii)
Standards Committee
Appointment of the following Independent Members on the Council’s Standards Committee:
Karen McArthur
Margaret Adenike Bruce.
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Debate on the Key Issues Affecting the Borough PDF 2 MB To have a debate on the key issues affecting the Borough, in accordance with Standing Order 43.
The Council will receive a presentation from Dan Gascoyne, Director of the West London Alliance. Additional documents: Minutes: In accordance with Standing Order 43 (Debate on Key Issues Affecting the Borough), the Mayor welcomed to the meeting, Mr Dan Gascoyne, Director of the West London Alliance, who addressed Council on the work of the West London Alliance.
In his address, Mr Gascoyne covered a number of key issues, which included:
· The Building Blocks of Public Service Reform · Priorities, Governance and Influence · Regeneration and Growth · Growth, Employment and Skills · Housing Supply · Net Additions to Housing Stock · Numbers in Temporary Accommodation · Housing – actions being considered · Skills: Needs Analysis and Proposed Commissioning Model · Employment Support · Health and Well-being · NWL Sustainability and Transformation Plan Delivery Areas · New Ways of Working e.g. Children’s Services Programme
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Butt, in thanking Mr Gascoyne for his interesting and informative address, moved the following motion:
“The West London Alliance plays a central role in improving the collaborative approach of seven London Councils, facilitating a communal approach to the challenges facing the residents and businesses of West London.
In housing, children’s services, in health and wellbeing, in employment and skills – the WLA has been at the forefront of offering innovative, forward-thinking approaches to the issues that matter to us all.
With ongoing central government cuts to local council funding and further reductions expected in the coming years, it is more important than ever that we work in partnership with our neighbouring boroughs to share best practice and improve our ways of working, to find solutions to the challenges that face us all.
Brent Council pledges to continue to work closely with the WLA and our neighbouring boroughs to deliver the best outcomes for the residents and businesses of West London.”
By way of an amendment, Councillor Warren moved that, in the third paragraph, the following words be deleted:
“….With ongoing central government cuts to local council funding and further reductions expected in the coming years, it is more important than ever that we work in partnership with our neighbouring boroughs….”
On a vote being taken by a show of hands, the AMENDMENT was declared LOST.
Subsequently, on a vote being taken by a show of hands, Councillor Butt’s original MOTION was declared CARRIED.
Councillor Allie entered the meeting at 7.24pm, during consideration of the above item of business.
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Reports from the Leader and Cabinet To receive reports from the Leader and Cabinet in accordance with Standing Order 38. Additional documents: Minutes: In accordance with Standing Order 38, the Council received reports from the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Members, as follows:
(i) Councillor Butt (Leader of the Council)
(a) Councillor Butt reiterated his thanks to Mrs Jashu Vekaria of Uxendon Manor Primary School for the hard work she was doing in improving the lives and outcomes of children at the school and that it was imperative that the Council continued to work closely with our schools and strive to improve outcomes there. Councillor Butt went on to say that this showed the commitment Brent had from all its teachers in relation to schools within the Borough. He added that recent Ofsted announcements had accredited Brent’s Village School and Crest Academy as “outstanding”, which had meant that almost 96% of Brent’s schools were now rated as “good” or “outstanding” and that this was down to the Council’s continued commitment to improving the outcomes of the Borough’s children.
(b) Councillor Butt extended his congratulations to the current Mayor who had recently been officially recognised in the “Who’s Who” of Bangladeshis in the UK for his work throughout the Bangladeshi community but also the wider community work and for his charitable work and political work carried out on behalf of the residents of Brent.
(c) Councillor Butt referred back to the success of Brent’s schools and said that it was imperative that the Council continued to work with its schools and to improve the outcomes of the Borough’s children as well. There had, he said, been some discussion around how the Council could help all of the Borough’s children and that recently, the Council had welcomed a delegation from Barbados who wanted to work with some of Brent’s black and afro-Caribbean children and to see how the Council could actually try and help and improve the outcomes of those children. Councillor Butt went on to say that the Council had also welcomed a delegation from the Czech Republic who were interested in seeing the work that the Council did with its Looked after Children and how they could learn lessons from what the Council did in Brent.
(ii) Councillor McLennan (Deputy Leader)
(a) Councillor McLennan extended her congratulations to all those associated and working with Crest Academy following its recent Ofsted inspection.
(b) Councillor McLennan spoke on the difficulties and challenges that the Council had faced over the last few years and the fact that the Council had to make cuts of £120m. She said that the current budget consultation was out at this present time and again the Council was looking at identifying yet more cuts and savings. Councillor McLennan did say that the task facing the Council was not as onerous as that faced in 2014-16 but she wanted to focus on the good things that, even in spite of all of the challenges, this Administration was still taking forward and in doing so, being positive and trying to do all that it could for the Borough’s residents. In particular, Councillor ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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Deputations (if any) To hear any deputations received from members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 39. Additional documents: Minutes: In accordance with Standing Order 39, there were no deputations.
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Questions from Members of the Public To receive questions from members of the public to be put to Members of the Cabinet, in accordance with Standing Order 39A. Additional documents: Minutes: In accordance with Standing Order 39A, there were no questions received from Members of the Public.
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Changes to the Constitution PDF 122 KB To receive the attached report from the Chief Legal Officer. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Butt (Leader of the Council) introduced the report by the Council’s Chief Legal Officer, which proposed a number of changes to the Council’s Constitution, including:
· Full Council Meetings; · More flexible arrangements for substitutes of the Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committees; · Clarifying the rules on petitions; · Recorded votes procedure; · Updating the officer Scheme of Delegation in relation to grants; and · Technical changes to Contract Standing Orders.
By way of an amendment, Councillor Warren moved that Recommendation 2.1 be amended to the effect that after “this report” the words “except for the proposed change to S.O 68 (e) (iii) – Petitions” be added.
On a vote being taken by a show of hands, the AMENDMENT was declared LOST.
Subsequently, on a vote being taken by a show of hands, the original recommendations were moved and RESOLVED that the changes to the Constitution, as detailed in the report, be approved and that the Chief Legal Officer be authorised to amend the Constitution accordingly |
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2016-17 Mid-Year Treasury Report PDF 133 KB To receive the attached report from the Chief Finance Officer. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor McLennan (Deputy Leader of the Council) introduced the report by the Council’s Chief Finance Officer, which updated Members on recent treasury activity.
By way of an amendment, Councillor Warren moved that two new recommendations be added, as follows:
“2.2 To note that "the management of the local authority's investments" is both put at risk, and is compromised by the setting up of a new wholly-owned investment company (Cabinet 15 November 2016) with an investment from Brent Council of up to £300m; and
2.3. To note that confidence in the investment strategy is put at risk by the significant number of objections (including my own) to Brent's 2015/2016 accounts having been accepted by the Council’s auditors.”
On a vote being taken by a show of hands, the AMENDMENT was declared LOST.
Subsequently, on a vote being taken by a show of hands, the original recommendation was moved and RESOLVED that the 2016/17 mid-year treasury report, which had already been reviewed by the Audit Committee and Cabinet, be noted.
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Brent Development Management Policies - Local Plan Adoption PDF 125 KB To receive the attached report from the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment. Additional documents:
Minutes: Councillor Mashari (Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Growth, Employment and Skills) introduced the report by the Council’s Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment, which explained that the Council had received an Inspector’s report into the examination of the Development Management Policies Local Plan.
It was reported that the Inspector had found the document “sound”, subject to recommended “main” modifications being made and Council was recommended that the Development Management Policies Local Plan, incorporating modifications, be adopted.
By way of an amendment, Councillor Warren moved that one new recommendation be added, as follows:
“2.4. To note that the Planning Inspector's report recorded that the Brent DMP plan was not "sound and legally compliant" as presented to Full Council on 18/01/16.”
On a vote being taken by a show of hands, the AMENDMENT was declared LOST.
Subsequently, on a vote being taken by a show of hands, the original recommendations were moved and RESOLVED that:
1. The main modifications and minor modifications to the Development Management Policies Local Plan, that the Council submitted for examination, as set out at Appendices 1 and 2 to the report, be accepted;
2. The modified Development Management Policies Local Plan, be adopted; and
The Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment be authorised to make further editorial changes to the document |
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Petitions For councillors to refer to petitions received and debate a petition with more than 200 signatures in accordance with the Council’s petition rules and Standing Order 68. Additional documents: Minutes: In accordance with Standing Order 68, there were no petitions received |
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Non Cabinet Members' Debate To debate an issue raised in accordance with Standing Order 39B and to receive reports from Cabinet Members in issues previously raised. Additional documents: Minutes: Given the debate on the key issues affecting the Borough (Minute No.6 refers), there was no non-Cabinet Members’ Debate.
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Questions from the Opposition and other Non-Cabinet Members PDF 180 KB Questions to be put to members of the Cabinet in accordance with Standing Order 40. Additional documents: Minutes: The Mayor advised Members that this item gave them the opportunity to ask questions of Members of the Cabinet on any matter, which was the responsibility of Cabinet. He confirmed that Members had received written tabled responses to these questions.
The Mayor stated that non-Cabinet Members each had one minute to ask a supplementary question if they so wished.
(i) Supplementary Question from Councillor Shaw to Councillor Miller (Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities
Councillor Shaw asked Councillor Miller that, with regard to keeping lights on in the evenings at Willesden Sports Centre, could he make that a reality this evening as opposed to proposing this as something which could be done.
Secondly, Councillor Shaw asked Councillor Miller that, with regard to better CCTV cameras, could the Council improve upon the current CCTV cameras.
Thirdly, Councillor Shaw asked Councillor Miller that, with regard to access and given that the Police had had a lot of problems with drugs, could the Council consider imposing an access restriction at night, including perhaps a barrier there?
In response, Councillor Miller said that he was aware that this was a real issue and that there were certainly some residents in Willesden Green who had previously raised this and he was quite keen to deal with it as he was also a Ward Member there. In terms of the actions suggested, Councillor Miller stressed that these were all possibilities and mentioned that, at the end of his written response to the initial question put, was an invitation to meet with Councillor Shaw, and residents, to sit down and discuss the best combination in terms of answers to that particular problem. Councillor Miller went on to say that he was, of course, happy to write back to Councillor Shaw and to put on record what was actually decided but he would like to discuss it with Councillor Shaw and the residents also, if at all possible.
With regard to CCTV cameras, Councillor Miller said that a proposal to improve the Council’s CCTV would be brought forward later that week to the Council’s Capital Investment Panel and, depending on the outcome of the Panel’s deliberations, he may be able to announce further progress on CCTV at that time.
(ii) Supplementary Question from Councillor Nerva to Councillor Hirani (Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing)
Councillor Nerva asked Councillor Hirani what further information he had with regard to the specific impact these community pharmacy changes would have on Brent residents and Brent pharmacists.
In response, Councillor Hirani said that he had come across some information, which outlined the impact on Brent’s pharmacies of the potential changes that had been compiled by Pharmacy Voice, and that contact would be made with them to ascertain how they have got hold of this information. Councillor Hirani said that Pharmacy Voice’s analysis suggested that 22 of Brent’s 74 pharmacies were now at risk of closure because of the Government’s cuts, which equated to 30% of all pharmacists in Brent, and because of the magnitude of ... view the full minutes text for item 15. |
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Report from Chairs of Scrutiny Committees PDF 126 KB To receive reports in accordance with Standing Order 41. Additional documents:
Minutes: Council received the following reports from Chairs of Scrutiny Committees, as detailed in the Supplementary Agenda to this meeting:
(i) Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee
Councillor Kelcher, Chair of the Council’s Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee updated Council on some changes to the Committee, notably, Councillor Miller moving to the Cabinet, and welcomed Councillor Stopp who had replaced Councillor Miller on the Committee. Councillor Kelcher went on to say that, given the changes in political groups announced earlier that evening, he was pleased that the Vice-Chairman was to remain in that position on the Committee, which was positive news.
Councillor Kelcher spoke on events that had been undertaken to raise the profile of the scrutiny function and to take its business outside of the Civic Centre. First of all, he said, last Friday, the Committee had had a fantastic Young People Takeover Day where young people from various local schools had come along to learn about the workings of the Council and worked through some of their policies. Councillor Kelcher wished to thank Councillor Conneely, who had insisted at the start of this process that scrutiny should be one of the things the young people learned about and that it had been great to sit in their workshops and learn about some of the policies they had devised for the day. He said that he had also spoken at a local School Council about the role of scrutiny recently and hosted a scrutiny café in Harlesden where local people had come along and told Members what they thought the Council should be looking at. Councillor Kelcher said that it had been reassuring to discover that most matters raised were on the agenda for consideration, which was a positive sign.
Councillor Kelcher also said that one of the biggest issues his Committee had considered was the reporting back by the first task group of this municipal year, which had been chaired by Councillor Davidson and had looked into the wider issue of business rate devolution. He said that this was a really important issue since it was the biggest change in local government finance in some of our lifetimes and certainly over the last two decades and it was great to hear that this had been seen as a trailblazing report by some other Councils who had not yet done work in this area. Councillor Kelcher confirmed that Councillor Davidson and the Council’s Scrutiny Officers would be attending the London Scrutiny Network and would tell people about the work of Brent’s scrutiny committees. Councillor Kelcher said it had been a true cross-party report with all four groups on the Council represented in some capacity on it and that the meeting had been warmly welcomed by the Deputy Leader of the Council.
Councillor Kelcher stated that some of the other issues his Committee had considered had been related, namely, income generation, which was a particularly interesting discussion about how the Council could get more out of its assets. This, he ... view the full minutes text for item 16. |
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To debate the motions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 45. Additional documents: Minutes: (i) Small Business Saturday
Councillor Shafique Choudhary moved the motion circulated in his name by urging the Council to acknowledge, in the lead-up to Small Business Saturday on 3 December 2016, the important role that small businesses played here in Brent.
The motion was put to the vote and unanimously declared CARRIED.
(ii) Model of Decision-Making in Brent
Councillor Warren moved the motion circulated in his name requesting that the Chief Executive be instructed to formulate a “committee model” of government, whereby all main committees made their own decisions, which would then be put to Full Council for approval.
In accordance with Standing Order 47(d) the motion was put to a recorded vote and a list of the votes cast produced as follows:
For Against Abstain Carr Aden Ahmed Shaw Agha Chohan Warren Allie Colwill Bradley Davidson Butt Kansagra Chan Maurice S Choudhary Colacicco Collier Conneely Daly Denselow Dixon Duffy Eniola Ezeajughi Farah Harrison Hector Hirani Hossain Hylton Jones Kabir Kelcher For Against Abstain Long Mahmood Marquis Mashari McLeish McLennan Miller Moher J Mitchell Murray Naheerathan Nerva M Patel Pavey Perrin Pitruzzella Shahzad Ketan Sheth Krupa Sheth Southwood Stopp Tatler Thomas Van Kalwala
The MOTION was declared LOST.
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Urgent Business At the discretion of the Mayor to consider any urgent business. Additional documents: Minutes: There was no further urgent business transacted.
The meeting was declared closed at 9.20pm.
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