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 the agenda. Minutes: None declared. |
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Minutes of the last meeting held on 2 February 2011 PDF 122 KB The minutes are attached. Minutes: RESOLVED:-
that the minutes of the last meeting held on 2 February 2011 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting. |
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Matters arising Minutes: None. |
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Call-in of Executive decisions from the meeting of the Executive held on 15 February 2011 Decisions made by the Executive on 15 February 2011 in respect of the following reports were called-in for consideration by the Call In Overview and Scrutiny Committee in accordance with Standing Orders 6 (b) and 18. Minutes: Decisions made by the Executive on 15 February 2011 in respect of the following reports were called-in for consideration by the Call In Overview and Scrutiny Committee in accordance with Standing Orders 6 (b) and 18. |
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Newfield Primary School - determination of proposal to alter Newfield Primary School PDF 138 KB The reasons for the call-in are:-
· To fully understand the implications for the Mission Dine Centre and to understand what assistance Brent Council is providing to help them relocate.
Suggested action for the Call In Overview and Scrutiny Committee to take:-
· To receive a full briefing from officers on alternative buildings available and their rental cost.
The Executive report is attached. The Lead Members and Lead Officers are invited to the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.
Additional documents: Minutes: The reasons for the call-in were:-
· To fully understand the implications for the Mission Dine Centre and to understand what assistance Brent Council is providing to help them relocate.
Suggested action for the Call In Overview and Scrutiny Committee to take:-
· To receive a full briefing from officers on alternative buildings available and their rental cost.
The Chair referred to the reasons for call in of this item as set out in the agenda focusing on the future of the Mission Dine Centre. He then invited Tony Eaton of the Brent Law Society, representing the Mission Dine Centre (MDC), to address the committee. Tony Eaton began by stating that negotiations between the MDC and the council over the future of the site had been complicated by the council using a commercial law firm which would only respond after receiving instruction from the council, thus impacting upon MDC’s costs. He explained that the MDC had been given the impression that they would be able to secure a longer lease and had also initially thought they would also qualify for rent abatement because of their charity status. In addition, the MDC had invested in building improvements after such works had been deemed necessary by the council if a new lease was to be approved. Tony Eaton queried why the council was now proposing to demolish the building when they were aware that the MDC was interested in extending the lease and had invested in building improvements. Members noted that the MDC was willing to cooperate with the council with regard to future arrangements and sought further negotiations, however the MDC did retain the right to appeal the council’s decision.
With the approval of the Chair, Omo Wale, a volunteer for MDC, addressed the committee. Omo Wale began by asserting that the Executive report had been misleading and he felt that the proposals would only benefit Newfield Primary school to the detriment of the MDC and suggested that proposals to benefit both parties should be pursued. The current proposals would see the removal of an important and well-used facility for older people. Omo Wale opined that the report lacked details of school places or expansion in other schools, whilst the MDC had failed to be consulted on the proposals which it certainly would have objected to.
With the approval of the Chair, Ravi Chauhan, representing the MDC, addressed the committee. Ravi Chauhan felt that proposals to demolish the MDC building were unfair in principle. He queried whether an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) had been undertaken prior to the decision being taken as it had not been included in the report. Ravi Chauhan commented that the EIA may have concluded that the proposals would adversely affect the local community, whilst the MDC had not been involved in the consultation and neither had any of its users been consulted. In view of these outstanding issues, he suggested that the proposals were in breach of public law and the Brent Compact. He commented that the ... view the full minutes text for item 4a |
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Restructuring of Children's Centre buildings/provision in Brent PDF 209 KB The reasons for call-in are:-
· To discuss fully the funding for Children’s Centres and the reason behind budget reductions proposed for 2011/12. To fully understand the implications of the policy proposed.
Suggested action for the Call In Overview and Scrutiny Committee to take:-
· To explain clearly the funding situation of Sure Start Centres and to understand and scrutinise the decision to remove funding in 2011/12 and recommend revised funding based on information provided.
The Executive report is attached. The Lead Member and Lead Officer are invited to the meeting to respond to Members’ questions. Minutes: The reasons for call-in were:-
· To discuss fully the funding for Children’s Centres and the reason behind budget reductions proposed for 2011/12. To fully understand the implications of the policy proposed.
Suggested action for the Call In Overview and Scrutiny Committee to take:-
· To explain clearly the funding situation of Sure Start Centres and to understand and scrutinise the decision to remove funding in 2011/12 and recommend revised funding based on information provided.
Councillor Lorber, a councillor who had called in this item, summarised the reasons for call in and sought further details with regard to the present funding situation and whether the spending cuts would affect other relevant bodies as well as the council. He also asked for an explanation as to the basis on which the reduction in funding rested. Clarification was sought as to whether the £2.25m savings identified was a decision specifically made by the council. Councillor Kabir sought further details with regard to arrangements should schools or nurseries provide accommodation. Councillor H B Patel acknowledged that £105,000 savings could be made through using school buildings, however he asked what impact this might have upon the running of the schools. Councillor Gladbaum commented on the role Children’s Centres played in helping to reduce child poverty but appreciated the need to make savings in all areas due to the acute budget pressures.
In reply, Councillor Butt (Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Resources) confirmed that 2011/12 grant had been reduced by £2m from the previous year and the savings were also part of the council’s overall One Council Programme and Efficiency Savings. Whilst there would be a redefining of the service, all current Children’s Centres would remain open and the council would use innovative ways to protect the service.
Krutika Pau (Director of Children and Families) advised that Children Centre’s funding was previously ring-fenced under the SureStart grant, however it was now part of the Early Intervention grant which was not. Members heard that Children and Families had to make significant savings and all areas of activity had been reviewed. Although the council had identified that £2.25m savings were necessary as a result of the Government’s Emergency Budget and subsequent Comprehensive Spending Review, every effort had been made to minimise impact on Children’s Centres and the council was one of very few local authorities in London that was not closing any of them. The council was also working with schools and nurseries to consider how they could provide accommodation. It would be the school’s choice as to whether they could provide their facilities, however feedback to date had been positive. Whilst the intention was for schools to provide accommodation, the existing Children Centre’s staff would continue to provide the same service on the premises.
RESOLVED:-
that upon considering the report from the Director of Children and Families, the decisions made by the Executive be noted.
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Preston Manor High School - determination of proposal to alter Preston Manor High School PDF 183 KB The reasons for the call-in are:-
· To fully establish the need, with evidence, of reception and primary school places within the immediate vicinity and local area surrounding the Preston manor High School. · To fully understand the impact and consequences of increased Traffic which would lead to congestion, Parking problem, and disruption to the residents and users of Carlton Avenue East. · Effect of the expansion of the School on the residents of the Carlton Avenue East, Preston Road, Holly croft Avenue and Ashley Garden. · Impact of the loss of sports playing space on the school and local communities · The impact of pre-existing covenant on Preston manor High school’s playing field.
Suggested action for the Call In Overview and Scrutiny Committee to take:-
· To receive full briefing from officers and the lead member on the above issues and to provide school places where the need is higher by finding an alternate site.
The Executive report is attached. The Lead Members and Lead Officers are invited to the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.
Additional documents: Minutes: The reasons for the call-in were:-
· To fully establish the need, with evidence, of reception and primary school places within the immediate vicinity and local area surrounding the Preston Manor High School. · To fully understand the impact and consequences of increased Traffic which would lead to congestion, Parking problem, and disruption to the residents and users of Carlton Avenue East. · Effect of the expansion of the School on the residents of the Carlton Avenue East, Preston Road, Holly croft Avenue and Ashley Garden. · Impact of the loss of sports playing space on the school and local communities · The impact of pre-existing covenant on Preston Manor High school’s playing field.
Suggested action for the Call In Overview and Scrutiny Committee to take:-
· To receive full briefing from officers and the lead member on the above issues and to provide school places where the need is higher by finding an alternate site.
Councillor H B Patel, one of the councillors who had called in this item, outlined the reasons for call in, including the impact of the covenant on Preston Manor High School’s playing field and traffic concerns. He also expressed concern with regard to an apparent lack of consultation with local residents with regard to the proposals.
With the approval of the Chair, a number of local residents addressed the committee on this item. Jack Gordon, a local resident, began by claiming that Preston Manor High School had ignored previous out of court agreements with residents and an apparent refusal to cooperate with local residents. He stated that noise pollution at after school and weekend events was a problem, along with traffic congestion, whilst there was often unruly behaviour at bus stops by the school’s pupils who were also associated with generating litter in the area. Jack Gordon felt that the multi games facilities proposals contravened the Environmental Protection Act and the school premises would be in too close a proximity to residents’ gardens in Carlton Avenue East. He asserted that the site was already over capacity as it had been deemed appropriate for 700 pupils, however there were already 1,500 pupils and this would increase to 2,000 if the proposals were approved.
Ann Hadlow, a local resident, stated that pupil numbers at the school had been rising steadily and the proposals would see a reduction in the amount of playing fields in an area which was already deficient in such facilities. Although Sport England had not objected to the proposals, this was on the basis of fulfilling a number of conditions, such as the building being two storeys. The school had initially informed residents that the building would be one storey, however at the most recent consultation this had changed to two storeys which in her view would be overbearing and out of character for the local area, especially in respect of the roof design proposals. Ann Hadlow concluded by stating that she was still awaiting a reply from the council in respect of whether £7million funding would be ... view the full minutes text for item 4c |
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The list of decisions that took place on Tuesday, 15 February 2011 is attached for information. Minutes: RESOLVED:-
that the Executive list of decisions for the meeting that took place on Tuesday, 15 February 2011 be noted. |
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Date of next meeting The next meeting of the Call-In Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, 30 March 2011 at 7.30 pm and will take place in the event of there being any call-ins of decisions made by the Executive on 14 March 2011. Minutes: It was noted that the next meeting of the Call In Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 30 March 2011 at 7.30 pm and would only take place if there were any call ins of decisions from the Executive meeting held on 14 March 2011. |
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Any other urgent business Notice of items 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. |