Agenda, decisions and minutes

None made.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 November 2015 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

None.

This report sets out Budget Proposals for 2017/18 and the medium term outlook.

(i)         To note the budget proposals previously agreed for 2016/17 and 2017/18, as set out in Appendix One;

(ii)        To confirm that the proposals referred to in Appendix One, having already been extensively consulted upon, should remain part of the council's budget and business plans;

(iii)       To note the impact of SR15 on the overall financial position, as set out in section four of this report, and to note the remaining uncertainties, including that the local government finance settlement is not expected to be released until week commencing 14 December;

(iv)       To note the new budget and business plan proposals, as set out in section five, with a summary in Appendix Two and detailed proposals in Appendix Three;

(v)        To agree that the proposals referred to in (iv) should be consulted upon, in line with the timetable set out in section seven, and referred back to Cabinet for its February 2016 meeting for decision;

(vi)       To agree the schools' budget set out in section eight of this report;

(vii)      To agree the approach to developing an investment strategy set out in section six.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Pavey , introduced the report from the Chief Finance Officer which detailed proposals to balance the 2016/17 budget. The report also brought forward initial options for 2017/18 and 2018/19, which, if adopted, would leave the council close to balancing its 2017/18 budget as well as making inroads into the remaining gap for 2018/19. Councillor Pavey stated that the aim was to start a public conversation with much of the information in the public domain and referred to the potential impact of central government budget cuts as being life changing for residents, particularly cuts to public health and less support to mental health. He welcomed the retention of business rates by local authorities but felt that West End business rates should be shared nationally. Front line services would continue to be protected as would the vulnerable and most in need and Councillor Pavey outlined the consultation arrangements assuring that the council was ready to listen.

Cabinet members spoke in turn concerning their respective service areas. Reference was made to the recent government u-turn over reduced tax credits which had recently been announced however it was thought that this only amounted to a delay and the council would work closely with the Department of Work and Pensions WP to secure jobs.  The Cabinet were reminded of the need for affordable housing and of the adverse impact of Pay to Stay policies. Attention was drawn to the impact of local policing reductions, cuts to libraries, arts and the loss of the 2012 Olympics legacy. On health and social care, concern was expressed that prevention was not a priority with cuts to public health and the impending Winter crisis. Regarding Children and Young People, there were concerns over the sources of funding in the future and consideration was being given to realigning children’s services to increase efficiency.

Councillor Butt (Leader of the Council) referred to the £80m budget reduction the council had experienced since 2009/10 and how the council had had to find new ways of working to continue service provision. Through civic enterprise new savings were anticipated by generating better returns on existing assets with the aim of being self financing so the council could continue to meet needs.

RESOLVED:

(i)         to note the budget proposals previously agreed for 2016/17 and 2017/18, as set out in Appendix One of the report from the Chief Finance Officer;

(ii)        to confirm that the proposals referred to in Appendix One, having already been extensively consulted upon, should remain part of the council's budget and business plans;

(iii)       to note the impact of Spending Review SR15 on the overall financial position, as set out in section four of the report, and to note the remaining uncertainties, including that the local government finance settlement was not expected to be released until week commencing 14 December;

(iv)       to note the new budget and business plan proposals, as set out in section five, with a summary in Appendix Two and detailed proposals in Appendix  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

This report sets out the progress update on the implementation of the Brent Corporate Plan for 2015 – 2016 with details against each objective included in the attached Appendix A.  The objectives, milestones and success measures set out in the plan have been developed to provide a clear programme of operational activities to deliver the ambitions and outcomes agreed in the ‘Brent Borough Plan 2015 – 2019’ by the Cabinet and Full Council in March 2015.

(i)         that the progress made in delivering the Corporate Plan 2015 – 2016 be noted;

(ii)        that it be noted that quarterly and annual reports are brought to the Cabinet covering performance against key indicators. The indicator set which monitors the quarter performance outcomes is the subject of a separate report to Cabinet on a quarterly basis.

Councillor Butt (Leader of the Council) introduced the report which updated members on the progress on implementation of the Brent Corporate Plan for 2015–2016 with detail against each objective included in Appendix A attached to the report.  The objectives, milestones and success measures set out in the plan had been developed to provide a clear programme of operational activities to deliver the ambitions and outcomes agreed in the ‘Brent Borough Plan 2015–2019’ by the Cabinet and Full Council in March 2015.

The Cabinet’s attention was drawn to a key achievement against the priority of Better Ways of Working namely, the full release of the functionality of the My Account (portal) for Council Tax and Benefits to Brent residents in November 2015, the take up of which had been encouraging and steady.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that the progress made in delivering the Corporate Plan 2015 – 2016 be noted;

(ii)        that it be noted that quarterly and annual reports brought to the Cabinet cover performance against key indicators and that the indicator set which monitors performance outcomes is the subject of a separate report to Cabinet on a quarterly basis.

As part of the Council Tax setting process for 2016/2017 the Council is required to estimate the amount of any surplus or deficit on the Collection Fund as at 31 March 2016. This must be done by 15 January 2016 in relation to Council Tax, and this report asks Members to approve the estimated balance for both Council Tax and Business Rates (NNDR).

(i)         that agreement be given to the estimated Collection Fund balance relating to Council Tax at 31 March 2016 as a surplus of £3.2m.  (Brent’s share being £2.503m);

(ii)        that the current estimated balance relating to NNDR at 31 March 2016 as zero (no surplus or deficit) be noted;

(iii)       that approval be given to delegate to the Chief Finance Officer authority to amend these figures, should material new information, such as debt collection performance, come to light in the intervening period.

The report from the Chief Finance Officer requested the Cabinet to approve the estimated balance of any surplus or deficit on the Collection Fund as at 31 March 2016 for both the Council Tax and Business Rates (NNDR).

Councillor Pavey (Deputy Leader) was pleased to report that for Council Tax, continued effective collection of amounts due to the council meant it was possible to return £2.503m as a one-off contribution to support the 2016/17 budget.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that agreement be given to the estimated Collection Fund balance relating to Council Tax at 31 March 2016 as a surplus of £3.2m.  (Brent’s share being £2.503m);

(ii)        that the current estimated balance relating to NNDR at 31 March 2016 as zero (no surplus or deficit) be noted;

(iii)       that approval be given to delegate to the Chief Finance Officer authority to amend these figures, should material new information, such as debt collection performance, come to light in the intervening period.

In April 2015 Cabinet approval was obtained to negotiate contracts between the council and Brent schools for the continued provision of specialist places for children with special education needs. These are places in Additionally Resourced Provisions (ARP) and English as an Additional Language (EAL) projects. Approval was also gained to negotiate block contracts in independent schools for the academic year 2015/16. The report sets out the outcome of the negotiations and seeks approval to award one year contracts for the academic year 2015/16.

(i)         that the outcome of Officers negotiations with the schools detailed in Tables 3.1 and 3.2 of the report regarding the provision of specialist places for children with special education needs be noted;

(ii)        that approval be given to a one academic year contract (September 2015 to August 2016 between the council and the schools listed in table 3.1 and 3.2 for the continued provision of Additionally Resourced Provisions (ARP) and English as an Additional Language (EAL) projects at the negotiated rate.

Councillor Moher (Lead Member, Children and Young People) introduced the report which reminded the Cabinet that in April 2015, approval was given to negotiate contracts between the council and Brent schools for the continued provision of specialist places for children with special education needs. These were places in Additionally Resourced Provisions (ARP) and English as an Additional Language (EAL) projects. Approval was also gained to negotiate block contracts in independent schools for the academic year 2015/16. The report set out the outcome of the negotiations and sought approval to award one year contracts for the academic year 2015/16.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that the outcome of negotiations with the schools detailed in Tables 3.1 and 3.2 of the report from the Strategic Director of Children and Young People regarding the provision of specialist places for children with special education needs be noted;

(ii)        that approval be given to a one academic year contract (September 2015 to August 2016 between the council and the schools listed in table 3.1 and 3.2 of the report for the continued provision of Additionally Resourced Provisions (ARP) and English as an Additional Language (EAL) projects at the negotiated rate.

This report relates to one of the key projects within Brent’s Better Care Fund (BCF) Programme: the development of an Integrated Rehabilitation and Reablement Service (IRRS).  The new service will provide a single point of entry to integrated, short term, intensive assistance support to help people achieve independence in daily living skills and rehabilitation goals in their own home.

(i)         that it be noted that this is the first new fully integrated service to be developed as part of the wider Better Care Fund programme, and is part of a broader strategic change for the department and the Council;

(ii)        that agreement be given to enter into an agreement pursuant to section 75 of the National Health Services Act 2006 with London North West Hospital Trust to enable the development and delivery of the new assessment and therapy elements of the IRRS, in which the Council’s staff will be seconded to LNWHT;

(iii)       that it be noted that the service outlined in (ii) will be funded as part of a wider proposal to enter into an agreement, pursuant to section 75 of the National Health Services Act 2006, with Brent NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, and that a further report will be brought to Cabinet that will outline the full details of this;

(iv)       that approval be given to the invite of tenders for the new community based rehabilitation and reablement service on the basis of the pre - tender considerations set out in paragraph 6.2 of this report;

(v)        that approval be given for officers to evaluate the procurement referred to in 2.4 above on the basis of the evaluation criteria set out in paragraph 6.2 of this report;

(vi)       that authority be delegated authority to award the contracts for the community based rehabilitation and reablement service provision to the Strategic Director, Adults in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being, and the Chief Legal Officer.

The report from the Strategic Director, Adults related to one of the key projects within Brent’s Better Care Fund (BCF) Programme: the development of an Integrated Rehabilitation and Reablement Service (IRRS). The new service would provide a single point of entry to integrated, short term, intensive assistance support to help people achieve independence in daily living skills and rehabilitation goals in their own home and was jointly funded/commissioned by Brent Council and Brent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Councillor Hirani (Lead Member, Adults, Health and Well-being) advised that the contract was due to start in April 2016 and the new proposals were designed to end duplication between the rehabilitation and reablement services and reflect the needs of the patient.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that it be noted that this was the first new fully integrated service to be developed as part of the wider Better Care Fund programme, and is part of a broader strategic change for the department and the Council;

(ii)        that agreement be given to enter into an agreement pursuant to section 75 of the National Health Services Act 2006 with London North West Hospital Trust to enable the development and delivery of the new assessment and therapy elements of the IRRS, in which the council’s staff will be seconded to LNWHT;

(iii)       that it be noted that the service outlined in (ii) would be funded as part of a wider proposal to enter into an agreement, pursuant to section 75 of the National Health Services Act 2006, with Brent NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, and that a further report will be brought to Cabinet that would outline the full details of this;

(iv)       that approval be given to the invite of tenders for the new community based rehabilitation and reablement service on the basis of the pre - tender considerations set out in paragraph 6.2 of this report;

(v)        that approval be given for officers to evaluate the procurement referred to in (iv) above on the basis of the evaluation criteria set out in paragraph 6.2 of the report;

(vi)       that authority be delegated authority to award the contracts for the community based rehabilitation and reablement service provision to the Strategic Director, Adults in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being, and the Chief Legal Officer.

A review of Brent’s Conservation Area Design Guides is being undertaken.  Its overall aim is to produce up-to-date documents to give clear guidance primarily to residents on acceptable types of development to sustain and where possible enhance conservation areas.  This process includes a revised Planning Design Guide for the Sudbury Conservation Area.  Extensive public consultation on the draft Guide took place over a number of stages.  The responses to the consultation have been considered and proposed amendments to the final document proposed for adoption by Cabinet.  On 14th October 2015 the Planning Committee considered the consultation responses and proposed amendments and resolved to support the document’s consideration and adoption by Cabinet. 

that approval be given to the adoption of the revised Planning Design Guide for the Sudbury Court Conservation Area for development management purposes to guide the consideration of future planning applications in this area.

Councillor McLennan (Lead Member, Housing and Development) was pleased to present a revised Planning Design Guide for the Sudbury Conservation Area.  Extensive public consultation on the draft Guide took place over a number of stages.  She stated that the responses to the consultation had been considered and proposed amendments to the final document proposed for adoption.  The Cabinet noted that on 14 October 2015, the Planning Committee considered the consultation responses, proposed amendments and resolved to support the document’s consideration and adoption by Cabinet. 

RESOLVED:

that approval be given to the adoption of the revised Planning Design Guide for the Sudbury Court Conservation Area for development management purposes to guide the consideration of future planning applications in this area.

Current Building Control Charges have been in force since 1 April 2013 and have not been subject to review / variation for approximately three years.  This report puts forward proposals and seeks agreement for amendment and uplift of Building Regulation and other existing charges together with the introduction of new charges across various work areas. Approval of Brent Building Regulations charging scheme which includes clarification / amendment of charging policy, where required, is also sought.

(i)         that agreement be given to the revised Brent Building Regulation Charges Scheme No 11, incorporating revised policies, charges and guidance, as set out in Appendix 1.  This is to come into effect on 1 January 2016 or as soon thereafter as the changes can practically be implemented.  Concurrently to authorise the revocation of the existing Brent Building Regulation Charges Scheme No 10 for new applications received after 1 January 2016 or as soon thereafter as the changes can practically be implemented;

(ii)        that agreement be given to the new and revised Building Regulation and other Building Control charges as set out in Appendix 2, to come into effect on 1 January 2016 or as soon thereafter as the changes can practically be implemented.

(iii)       that the services provided by Building Control where there is no ability to raise a charge set out in Appendix 3 be noted;

(iv)       that in all cases, the agreed charges are to remain in effect until 31 March 2017 or until such time as reviewed. 

The report from the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Growth advised that the current Building Control Charges had been in force since 1 April 2013 and had not been subject to review / variation for approximately three years.  The report before the Cabinet put forward proposals and sought agreement for amendment and uplift of Building Regulation and other existing charges together with the introduction of new charges across various work areas. Approval of Brent Building Regulations charging scheme which included clarification / amendment of charging policy, where required, was also sought.  

The Cabinet agreed that the new charges reflected increased costs and paid tribute to the work of the council’s building control engineers for their work locally and with other boroughs.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that agreement be given to the revised Brent Building Regulation Charges Scheme No 11, incorporating revised policies, charges and guidance, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, to come into effect on 1 January 2016 or as soon thereafter as the changes could practically be implemented.  Concurrently, that the revocation of the existing Brent Building Regulation Charges Scheme No 10 for new applications received after 1 January 2016 or as soon thereafter as the changes can practically be implemented, be authorised;

(ii)        that agreement be given to the new and revised Building Regulation and other Building Control charges as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, to come into effect on 1 January 2016 or as soon thereafter as the changes can practically be implemented;

(iii)       that the services provided by Building Control where there is no ability to raise a charge set out in Appendix 3 be noted;

(iv)       that in all cases, the agreed charges are to remain in effect until 31 March 2017 or until such time as reviewed. 

This report sets out the thinking towards a strategy for a community-led response to protecting communities from the threat of extremist behaviour.  

(i)         that agreement be given to the strategic approach as set out in the Stronger Communities Strategy at Appendix 1;

(ii)        that the content of the Equality Impact Assessment which is set out in Appendix 2 to this report be noted.

Councillor Denselow (Lead Member, Stronger Communities) introduced the Stronger Communities Strategy report which introduced a programme for building resilience and protecting communities from current threats in particular extremism and radicalisation and the related issues of gangs, domestic abuse and harmful practices and child sexual exploitation.  Councillor Denselow thanked staff and members for their contribution to the Strategy emphasised the council’s safeguarding duty that engagement with the community would be key working with forums and holding public events with a view to confronting radicalisation and protecting the vulnerable.

Members of the Cabinet echoed Councillor Denselow’s support for the strategy stressing the need to decrease crime and increase safeguarding.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that agreement be given to the strategic approach as set out in the Stronger Communities Strategy at Appendix 1 to the report from the Chief Operating Officer;

(ii)        that the content of the Equality Impact Assessment set out in Appendix 2 to the report be noted.

This report provides an update on the collaboration between London boroughs on Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) services and sets out the main findings of the market engagement developed by the pan London Sexual Health Transformation Project. It also sets out the next steps of the project consisting of a collaborative procurement plan for GUM services and Contraception and Sexual Health Service (CaSH) Services.

(i)         that approval be given to the Council’s participation in a pan-London procurement for a web-based system to include a ‘front-end’ portal, joined up partner notification and home/self-sampling;

(ii)        that approval be given to the Council’s participation in the North West London: outer region, sub-regional procurement, which consists of a collaboration with Harrow and Ealing Councils (with Harrow Council acting as the Lead Authority) for the procurement of an integrated sexual health service of Genitourinary Medicine (GUM), Contraception and Sexual Health Service (CaSH) Services, Chlamydia Screening and where appropriate the inclusion of primary care sexual health services;

(iii)       that approval be given to an exemption from the usual tendering requirements of Contract Standing Orders 84 (a) to permit the use of Harrow Council’s Contract Standing Orders, as the Lead Authority, on the North West London outer-region sub regional collaborative procurement of the services referred to in recommendation 2.2 above and as more particularly detailed in paragraphs 3.4.12 - 3.4.16;

(iv)       that authority be delegated to award contracts, proposed under recommendations 2.1 and 2.2 above, to the Director of Public Health following consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Legal Officer;

(v)        that authority be delegated to the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Legal Officer to approve the Council’s participation in pan-London agreements on cross charging and lead commissioning;

(vi)       that the progress made in developing options for the future commissioning and procurement of GUM services and the named inclusion of Brent Council onto the Prior Indicative Notice (PIN) and in the Official Journal of European Union (OJEU) be noted.

The report from the Director of Public Health provided an update on the collaboration between London boroughs on Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) services and set out the main findings of the market engagement developed by the pan London Sexual Health Transformation Project. It also set out the next steps of the project consisting of a collaborative procurement plan for GUM services and Contraception and Sexual Health (CaSH) services.

Councillor Hirani (Lead Member, Adults, Health and Well-being) summarised the proposals and welcomed the pan-London procurement opportunity and the Director of Public Health added that there was a strong case for change.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that approval be given to the council’s participation in a pan-London procurement for a web-based system to include a ‘front-end’ portal, joined up partner notification and home/self-sampling;

(ii)        that approval be given to the council’s participation in the North West London: outer region, sub-regional procurement, which consisted of a collaboration with Harrow and Ealing Councils (with Harrow Council acting as the Lead Authority) for the procurement of an integrated sexual health service of Genitourinary Medicine (GUM), Contraception and Sexual Health Service (CaSH) Services, Chlamydia Screening and where appropriate the inclusion of primary care sexual health services;

(iii)       that approval be given to an exemption from the usual tendering requirements of Contract Standing Orders 84 (a) to permit the use of Harrow Council’s Contract Standing Orders, as the Lead Authority, on the North West London outer-region sub regional collaborative procurement of the services referred to in recommendation (ii) above and as more particularly detailed in paragraphs 3.4.12 - 3.4.16 of the report from the Director of Public Health;

(iv)       that authority be delegated to award contracts, proposed under recommendations (i) and (ii) above, to the Director of Public Health following consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Legal Officer;

(v)        that authority be delegated to the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Legal Officer to approve the Council’s participation in pan-London agreements on cross charging and lead commissioning;

(vi)       that the progress made in developing options for the future commissioning and procurement of GUM services and the named inclusion of Brent Council onto the Prior Indicative Notice and in the Official Journal of European Union (OJEU) be noted.

This report summarises the Brent CCTV strategy 2015-18 and highlights the key elements within.

that approval be given to the adoption of the CCTV strategy.

The report from the Chief Operating Officer summarised the Brent CCTV strategy 2015-18 and highlighted the key elements within. Councillor Denselow (Lead Member, Stronger Communities) advised that the strategy sought to reduce the number of ageing, fixed cameras and replace them with a stock of mobile deployable 4G cameras and better meet residents’ demands. Councillor Denselow added that the strategy had been considered by a Scrutiny Task Group.

RESOLVED:

that approval be given to the adoption of the CCTV strategy.

None.

The Leader of the Council reminded the Cabinet that Andrew Donald, (Strategic Director, Regeneration and Growth) would be leaving the council’s employ to take up a position as Redbridge Council’s Chief Executive. Cabinet members wished him well and thanked him for all his work which had contributed to the transformation and regeneration of the borough.

Notice of items to be raised under this heading must be given in writing to the Head of Executive and Member Services or his representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 64.

None.