Agenda and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber, Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley, HA9 9HD
Contact: Peter Goss, Democratic Services Manager 020 8937 1353, Email: peter.goss@brent.gov.uk
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Minutes of the previous meeting PDF 251 KB Minutes: RESOLVED:-
that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 May 2013 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting. |
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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: Councillor Long declared a non-financial interest by virtue of her position on the board of Brent Housing Partnership.
Councillor Cheese declared a non-financial interest by virtue of his membership of the Kilburn Advisory Board. |
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Mayor's announcements (including any petitions received) Minutes: The Mayor welcomed everyone to his first meeting as First Citizen of the borough and the last meeting to be held in the Town Hall Council Chamber.
On behalf of the Council, the Mayor congratulated the Brent residents and employees who had received honours in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list announced the previous week. He spoke of how extremely proud the borough should be of their hard work over the years.
The Mayor announced that he was holding his Civic Service on Sunday 21 July at 2pm at St Catherine’s Church, Neasden and would be pleased to see as many members there as possible.
The Mayor referred to his support for Cricklewood Homeless Concern during his mayoral year and announced that he was hoping to host many fundraising events, including a BBQ at the Grand Junction Arms and a mini regatta at Welsh Harp.
The Mayor drew attention the list of current petitions showing progress on dealing with them which had been circulated around the chamber. |
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Appointments to committees and outside bodies and appointment of chairs/vice chairs Minutes: RESOLVED:
that the following appointments be made:
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Report from the Leader or members of the Executive PDF 76 KB To receive reports from the Leader or members of the Executive in accordance with Standing Order 42. Minutes: Councillor Butt thanked all members for their unequivocal support in bestowing the Freedom of the Borough on Nelson Mandela. He asked his fellow Executive members to submit their reports.
Gangs strategy Councillor Choudry referred to the report of the Partnership and Place Overview and Scrutiny task group investigation into gangs and services for prevention, intervention and exiting, which had been submitted to the Executive on 20 May 2013. He thanked members of the task group for their work and explained that each of the recommendations was now being considered with a view to making progress towards dealing with the problem of gang culture. He stated it was a difficult issue and involved partner agencies but that it was important to work towards protecting the citizens of the borough.
Civic Centre Councillor Crane reported that the building of the civic centre had been completed and staff were now moving in. He referred to the excellent work by staff in the IT section who would be on hand throughout the moving in process to help with any problems. He thanked Aktar Choudry for his work in managing the building project and Caroline Raihern for making the arrangements for staff to move into the new building. He bid farewell to the Town Hall and the Council Chamber and urged members to make sure they booked themselves on to the civic centre induction courses being run.
Willesden Green Cultural Centre Councillor Crane reported that, following the approval of the final design and cost, work was soon to start on constructing the Willesden Green Cultural centre. This would provide fantastic community space serving the south of the borough. The old library building was being retained and local children would be creating murals on the site hoardings.
South Kilburn regeneration Councillor Crane referred back to May 2010 when plans for the South Kilburn area appeared to have failed and contrasted that with the clear vision and viable plans that were now in place to tackle the worst homes and provide a new school, health facility and park. The new South Kilburn Neighbourhood Trust had been created and phase 1 of the project was complete. He stated that two further phases to be completed by May 2014 would transform the area.
Vale Farm – award of contract Councillor Mashari reported on the award of a contract to Sports and Leisure Services Management Ltd for the provision of facilities at Vale Farm. This was a cross borough contract with Ealing and Harrow. She stated that it would provide affordable facilities which would encourage more local people to use them. Councillor Mashari explained that the Council had negotiated for concessionary pricing and free swims for certain categories of people in an effort to increase participation. She stated that the contract represented value for money for the Council and she encouraged people to use it.
Gladstone Park School Councillor Pavey submitted that Gladstone Park School was a good school that had suffered a temporary drop in performance. He therefore felt ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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Questions from the Opposition and other Non- Executive Members Questions will be put to the Executive Minutes: Councillor Cummins stated that he had received many complaints from residents over the Council’s decision to stop issuing scratch cards for parking and asked what was going to be done to rectify this. Councillor J Moher replied that it was not unusual for people to be sensitive over change. He acknowledged there had been teething problems introducing the new arrangements but it was essential to improve the efficiency of the system. He was open to hearing peoples’ concerns but pointed out that a past complaint had been that people were often left with a residual amount on their scratch cards which they could not use and so this would improve that situation. He also stated that help would be given to the elderly to understand the new arrangements. Councillor Cummins submitted that the answer from Councillor Moher was not sufficient to make up for the loss of scratch cards which some people had come to rely on. He spoke of those people who did not have access to a computer or were not familiar with how they worked who would not be able to cope with the new arrangements.
Councillor Adeyeye asked how much progress had been made towards the new civic centre being one of the greenest buildings in Europe. Councillor Crane replied that it had achieved a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) outstanding rating, making it the greenest public building in the UK. He outlined the various mechanical and engineering innovations incorporated into the building and stated that the next challenge was to achieve a further BREEAM rating for the building in use. Councillor Adeyeye thanked Councillor Crane for his reply.
Councillor Shaw asked why motorcycles were still using the Willesden Sports centre causing a noise nuisance when planning permission had been refused six months ago. She stated that the sports service should by now have terminated the lease and asked why residents were expected to abide by planning laws when the sports service was not able to. Councillor Mashari replied that she was not aware of the circumstances raised by the question and asked that Councillor Shaw email her the details so that she could look into it and arrange a meeting to look at resolving the situation. Councillor Shaw responded that she thought that the lead member should have been aware of the situation.
Councillor Hopkins asked what progress had been made on re-opening any of the six libraries that had been closed during 2011/12. Councillor Mashari replied that she would be meeting with Councillor Ashraf on this matter and she was open to meeting with any community group and was already in on-going discussions with some groups. Councillor Hopkins responded by stating that she had not heard from any campaigners on any progress made and asked that the feelings of people on this issue be not underestimated. She stated that people valued libraries and desperately wanted their old libraries back.
Councillor Sheth asked what the Council was doing to ensure that children at ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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Reports from the Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny Committees PDF 97 KB This report provides a summary of the work of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees in accordance with Standing Order 14 and covers the period since last reported to Full Council in January 2013. Minutes: Councillor Van Kalwala presented the overview and scrutiny report, drawing out the main issues covered by the overview and scrutiny committees since January 2013. He also referred to the Partnership and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s task group which had investigated gangs and the development of services for prevention, intervention and exiting. He thanked the members who had served on the task group for their work and the Executive for giving consideration to each of the recommendations. |
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Borough Plan 2013-14 PDF 146 KB This report sets out – through its attached appendix – a proposed revision of the Borough Plan for 2013 – 2014. The Plan and its detailed targets have been the subject of consultation with Executive Members and Partners since March 2013. Additional documents: Minutes: Members considered a report proposing a revision of the Borough Plan for 2013/14. The Plan and its detailed targets had been the subject of consultation with Executive members and partners since March 2013.
Some members levelled criticism of the plan over lacking support for the voluntary sector to deliver services, not addressing the impact of having closed six libraries and questioning where the resources would come from to deliver on the cultural aspects. It was also pointed out that the population increase within the borough would pose significant challenges. In support of the Plan it was submitted that it would help improve the lives of residents and encourage departments to work together to deliver services. The Council spent £2m on voluntary sector grant aid and millions more on contracts with voluntary organisations. The regeneration of areas of the borough was aimed at improving the lives of local people.
RESOLVED:
that the priorities and targets set out within the Brent Borough Plan 2013-14 attached as an appendix to the report submitted be agreed. |
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Wembley Area Action Plan - Submission for examination in public PDF 483 KB On 11 March the Executive agreed the Wembley Area Action Plan for public consultation and then, subject to Full Council approval, to submit the draft Plan to the Planning Inspectorate for Examination. In light of the consultation three relatively small amendments are proposed to enable a sound draft Plan to be formally submitted. Full Council is asked to approve the amendments set out in paragraph 3.3 below and to agree the Plan be formally submitted. The draft Plan is attached as Appendix 1. Additional documents: Minutes: On 11 March the Executive agreed the Wembley Area Action Plan for public consultation and then, subject to Full Council approval, to submit the draft Plan to the Planning Inspectorate for Examination. In light of the consultation three relatively small amendments had been proposed to enable a sound draft Plan to be formally submitted. The draft Plan was circulated separately as Appendix 1 to the report submitted.
RESOLVED:
(i) that the three proposed changes set out in paragraph 3.3 of the report submitted be agreed;
(ii) that the draft Wembley Area Action Plan, together with the proposed changes, be submitted on 1 July 2013 to the Planning Inspectorate for Examination;
(iii) that the Director of Regeneration and Growth be authorised to agree any necessary changes to the document during the Examination process to facilitate the adoption of a sound Plan. |
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Establishment of the Brent Health and Wellbeing Board PDF 103 KB The Health and Social Care Act 2012 requires that the Council appoints a Health and Wellbeing Board, the membership of which is largely set out in statute. The purpose of the Board is to assess the health needs of the Brent population and produce a strategy to address those needs and to encourage the provision of integrated health and social care services. Minutes: The Health and Social Care Act 2012 requires that the Council appoints a Health and Wellbeing Board, the membership of which is largely set out in statute. The purpose of the Board was to assess the health needs of the Brent population and produce a strategy to address those needs and to encourage the provision of integrated health and social care services. Members considered a report on the establishment of such a board.
Councillor Lorber urged Council not to accept lifting the proportionality rules because he felt the credibility of the board would be undermined if all three political groups on the Council were not represented on the board. He stated that as much business as possible put before the board should be dealt with in public by as wide a representative body as possible. He questioned where the opportunity would be for the opposition to challenge its work if there was only minimal opposition representation on the board. Councillor Kansagra broadly supported the point made and added that it was clear that decisions would be taken by the majority party. Councillor Butt responded saying that the board had a responsibility to produce a strategy and so needed clear leadership. It also had to meet the requirements of the legislation on who served on the board and it was clear from information from other boroughs that the proposals were in keeping with arrangements made elsewhere.
RESOLVED:
(i) that the Health and Wellbeing Board be established as a committee of the Council with the terms of reference and membership set out in paragraphs 3.7.1 and 3.5.2 of the report circulated;
(ii) that the proportionality rules be dis-applied to the Health and Wellbeing Board and Councillors R Moher (Chair), Crane, Hirani, Pavey and HB Patel be appointed for the remainder of the municipal year 2013/14;
(iii) that the Health and Wellbeing Board be consulted on the proposed voting arrangements for the Board set out in paragraph 3.3.6 of the report submitted;
(iv) that the consequential amendments to the Council’s constitution arising as a result of the report submitted be made by the Director of Legal and Procurement upon the final decision being made regarding voting arrangements.
(Councillors Ashraf, Brown, Cheese, Cummins, Hashmi, Hopkins, Hunter, Leaman, Lorber, Matthews and CJ Patel wished it recorded that they had voted against resolution (ii) above). |
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Changes to health scrutiny PDF 310 KB The Health and Social Care Act 2012 and the Local Authority (Public Health, Health and Wellbeing Boards and Health Scrutiny) Regulations 2013 which came into force on 1 April 2013 make some changes to the Council’s health scrutiny role and the Council now has a choice about how those functions are carried out by the Council. Minutes: The report before Council explained that the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and the Local Authority (Public Health, Health and Wellbeing Boards and Health Scrutiny) Regulations 2013 which came into force on 1 April 2013 made some changes to the Council’s health scrutiny role and the Council now had a choice about how it would carry out those functions.
RESOLVED:
that the recommendations in paragraphs 3.2 and 3.9 of the report submitted be agreed and that the Director of Legal and Procurement make the consequential changes to the Constitution. |
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Review of and changes to the constitution PDF 343 KB This report is in two parts; the first part sets out changes recommended following a detailed review of certain parts of the Constitution; most particularly delegations to officers, operation of Full Council, and call in arrangements. The second part addresses recommended changes of a more administrative nature and those arising from changes in the law. Additional documents:
Minutes: The report before Council set out changes recommended following a detailed review of certain parts of the Constitution; most particularly delegations to officers, operation of Full Council, and call in arrangements. It also addressed recommended changes of a more administrative nature and those arising from changes in the law.
Councillor Butt proposed the recommendations in the report be agreed subject to the removal of the final sentence shown in the tracked change for Standing Order 77A on page 92 of the summons.
Councillor Lorber moved that the sub-committee proposed in Standing Order 77A (vi) be five members politically balanced as 3-1-1. This was put to the vote and declared LOST.
RESOLVED:
(i) that the recommended changes to the Constitution shown as track changes in Appendix 1 to the report submitted be agreed, which reflect the changes recommended under the review and such changes to come into immediate effect save for those in resolution (ii) below;
(ii) that the recommended changes in paragraphs 3.3.6 and 3.3.7 of the report submitted concerning changes to the thresholds for officer decisions in respect of contracts and property come into effect from 1 October 2013;
(iii) that the recommended changes to the Constitution shown as track changes in Appendix 2 of the report submitted be agreed, which reflect the changes recommended to accord with administrative or legal changes. |
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Appointment of permanent Chief Executive PDF 78 KB This report concerns the proposed timescale for the appointment to the Chief Executive post and consequential interim arrangements. Minutes: The report before Council concerned the proposed timescale for appointment to the Chief Executive post and consequential interim arrangements.
Councillor Lorber argued for the appointment of a permanent Chief Executive and against the continuation of an interim appointment. In response Councillor Butt referred to the circulated report which explained how the Council would be able to attract the best person for the job and in the meantime was able to retain a capable interim individual.
RESOLVED:
(i) the proposed timescale for recruitment to the permanent Chief Executive role as outlined in the report submitted be agreed;
(ii) that the interim Chief Executive continues in post, as set out in the body of the report submitted, until a permanent appointment is made. |
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Motions To debate any motions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 45. |
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Co-operatives Minutes: Co-operatives
Councillor Pavey moved the motion circulated under his name by thanking his colleagues for supporting the use of co-operatives. He stated that the Council needed to work more with co-operatives and reverse the past lack of support provided. He felt the motion offered a statement of intent that the Council believed that a robust model for co-operatives and mutuals would be able to deliver some Council services.
Councillor HB Patel supported the motion and believed it represented the more socially responsible form of capitalism pursued by the Government. It gave people a stake in a business which they then felt worthwhile putting the effort into.
The motion was put to the vote and declared unanimously CARRIED.
RESOLVED:
(i) that the Council believes it is essential that the community and workforce are deeply involved in the design and delivery of the services the Council provides and that the use of cooperatives and mutuals in particular can lead to improved services that much more closely reflect the needs of the local community;
(ii) that cooperatives and mutuals can be much more cost effective than traditional models of service delivery and also provide improved outcomes for local residents, which is more important than ever in the face of on-going radical cuts to local government budgets;
(iii) that there be a commitment to fully investigating the use of cooperatives and mutuals in all service areas and that every effort be made to support their development and capacity to deliver services wherever possible across the Council;
(iv) that the pledge to promote credit unions in Brent, community based organisations offering access to affordable credit and promoting saving, be confirmed.
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Blacklisting Minutes: The motion circulated in Councillor Hector’s name was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.
RESOLVED:
that the practice of blacklisting by contractors be condemned and a condition be added to the Council’s standard contracting terms that if a contractor is found to have used blacklists, this will be treated as a fundamental breach of contract and the Council will reserve the right to terminate the contract and sue for damages.
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Enforcement against dog-fouling and fly-tipping Minutes: The original motion submitted for debate in the names of Councillors Hunter, Lorber, Hopkins and Hashmi had been ruled legally unsuitable and the Mayor therefore invited the above motion to be submitted for debate. Councillor Lorber moved the suspension of standing orders to allow councillors to challenge the officers’ legal advice. This was put to the vote and declared LOST.
Councillor Hopkins moved the motion circulated under her’s and Councillors Ashraf, Beck and Brown’s names. She stated that fly tipping was on the increase, however her ward stayed clean because local people monitored and reported on the situation. Nevertheless greater enforcement against fly tippers was needed. She also referred to dog fouling in parks that presented a health hazard to children. She submitted that current enforcement against dog owners was poor and that higher fines were needed to act as a deterrent.
Councillor Mashari agreed both issues raised under the motion were serious. Referring to dog fouling, she stated that action was taken to clear it when it was reported. If there was a particular area of concern she asked to be informed so action could be taken. The maximum fine allowed for dog fouling was £80 and the Council’s current fine was set at £75 so there was not much room for increasing the deterrent. She went on to refer to dangerous dogs, status dogs and dog fighting as other issues that needed to be dealt with. It was an important part of the work of the park wardens to educate people so that they better understood the need to control their dogs. Regarding fly tipping, Councillor Mashari referred to the free bulky waste collection service which not all Councils provided and which the Council could therefore be proud of.
The motion was put to the vote and declared LOST.
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Brent Housing Partnership Board Minutes: Councillor Kansagra moved the motion submitted in his name. He asked that the membership of the board be reconsidered to allow for opposition representation.
Councillor Butt stated that within every organisation there had to be change and Brent Housing Partnership was no exception. The situation would be under constant review but he could not support the motion at the present time.
Councillor Lorber submitted that for Brent Housing Partnership to be regarded as a credible organisation it needed to have representation from all three of the political groups on the Council. He referred to the past when the Conservative Group had been happy to accept a place but only now that the place was being taken away did it submit a motion on the matter.
The motion was put to the vote and declared LOST.
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Urgent business At the discretion of the Mayor to consider any urgent business. Minutes: None |