Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Grahl along with Kim Wright (Chief Executive) and Rachel Crossley (Corporate Director Service Strategy & Reform).

Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, the nature and existence of any relevant disclosable pecuniary or personal interests in the items on this agenda and to specify the item(s) to which they relate.

No declarations of interest were made during the meeting.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 7 September 2026 as a correct record.

Cabinet RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 7 September 2026 be approved as a correct record of the meeting.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

None identified.

To receive and consider any petitions for which notice has been provided under Standing Order 66.

Members are asked to note that there are currently no petition(s) due to be presented at the meeting.

There were no petitions presented at the meeting.

To consider any reports referred to Cabinet by either the Community & Wellbeing, Housing or Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committees.

There were no items referred from either the Community Wellbeing, Housing or Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committees.

This seeks approval to award the contract for a Single Delivery Partner for the South Kilburn Regeneration Programme subject to satisfactory finalisation of contract terms and conclusion of the preferred bidder stage of the procurement exercise.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)    To note the procurement process undertaken to appoint a preferred bidder for the procurement of a Single Delivery partner.

(2)    Following on from (1) above, to approve awarding the contract to Ballymore Limited subject to satisfactory finalisation of contract terms and conclusion of the preferred bidder stage of the procurement exercise.

(3)    To delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Neighbourhoods and Regeneration in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Planning to finalise all the relevant aspects of legal and commercial agreements and enter into the contract with Ballymore Ltd as required by Contract Standing Order 88 following satisfactory completion of the preferred bidder stage.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 19 October 2026

This report provides Cabinet with an update on the progress made by Brent Community Land Trust (BCLT) towards delivery of a Community Led Housing (CLH) development on the Brentfield Road site and seeks approval for delegated arrangements to enable delivery of the scheme.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)    Note the substantial progress made by Brent Community Land Trust towards delivering Community Led Housing at Brentfield Road.

(2)    Confirm the Council's continuing commitment to the delivery of Community Led Housing at Brentfield Road and to entering into a long lease arrangement broadly consistent with the principles previously approved by Cabinet.

(3)    Authorise officers to continue negotiations with neighbouring property owners regarding the release of historic rights affecting the development site and, if successful in these negotiations, to enter into the appropriate agreements (e.g. deeds of release) with the neighbouring property owners to release such rights.

(4)    Delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Neighbourhoods and Regeneration, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Lead to determine whether reasonable attempts to secure voluntary release of private rights had been exhausted and, where considered necessary to facilitate delivery of the development and subject to planning approval, agree to appropriation of the site for planning purposes under section 122 Local Government Act 1972 and thereafter, engage the powers conferred by section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 to override easements and other rights together with any associated statutory actions required to address affected rights, subject to payment of any compensation properly due.

(5)    Delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Neighbourhoods and Regeneration to certify satisfaction of the conditions previously established by Cabinet regarding planning permission, funding, viability and community engagement requirements.

(6)    Delegate authority to the Corporate Director Neighbourhoods and Regeneration in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Lead to finalise and complete Heads of Terms, the Agreement for Lease, and all ancillary legal documentation required to facilitate delivery of the development.

(7)    Delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Neighbourhoods and Regeneration to approve minor amendments to the scheme, contractual documentation or funding arrangements where required by statutory processes, funding bodies or delivery partners, provided such amendments do not materially alter the objectives of the scheme.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 19 October 2026

This report sets out the financial forecast for the General Fund revenue budget, the Housing Revenue Account, the Dedicated Schools Grant and the Capital Programme, as at Quarter 2 2026/27.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)    Note the overall financial position and the actions being taken to mitigate the issues arising, as detailed within the report.

(2)    Endorse and approve the budget changes set out in section 12 of the report[OS1] .

(3)    Note the prudential indicators for treasury management in Appendix A of the report.

(4)    Note the update in relation to the savings delivery tracker in Appendix B of the report.

(5)    Approve the virements set out in sections 9.9 - 9.12 of the report.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 19 October 2026

This report sets out the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan 2026 – 2031 for approval and adoption.

Prior to considering the report, Cabinet NOTED the following representations from Councillor Georgiou who had requested to speak on the item.

Whilst recognising the positive commitments contained within the Action Plan and thanking frontline officers and voluntary organisations for their ongoing work supporting residents experiencing homelessness, Councillor Georgiou began by highlighting what he felt was a need to ensure the Council's approach remained focused on the prevention of homelessness rather than purely managing the consequences of an escalating housing crisis.

Expressing concern at the numbers of households with children living in temporary accommodation and recorded level of rough sleeping, emphasis was placed on the impact these circumstances had on families with children whose education was disrupted, and people whose health, security and dignity were also being put at risk.  Whilst therefore welcoming the commitment to improve temporary accommodation standards and ensure no child was required to share kitchen or bathroom facilities with another household, it was noted that improvements in accommodation quality alone would not reduce the overall number of people experiencing homelessness or families living in temporary accommodation. As such, Cabinet was urged to place greater emphasis on prevention and early intervention measures aimed at stopping residents from falling into homelessness including calls for a more proactive and coordinated approach across Council services and partner agencies, including housing, benefits, education, health and voluntary sector organisations with the importance of creating clear pathways to support residents facing rent arrears, eviction, financial hardship or changing personal circumstances also highlighted.

Reference was also made to successful approaches adopted across other London boroughs in seeking to recognise best practice and tackle the challenges identified.  Measures outlined included the expansion of mediation between landlords and tenants, access to debt and benefits advice and the potential establishment of a homelessness prevention fund to support residents facing short-term financial pressures, with it noted that preventative interventions could deliver not only positive resident outcomes but also longer-term financial savings for the Council in terms of cost avoidance relating to emergency accommodation and also prolonged housing insecurity.

In addition, the need was identified to ensure sustained support was available following the prevention or resolution of homelessness, particularly for refugees, care leavers, single people, residents experiencing mental ill health and those with multiple disadvantages with Members advised that long-term housing outcomes depended not only on securing accommodation but also ensuring residents were able to successfully sustain their tenancies.

As a further issue, Councillor Georgiou highlighted what he felt was a need to provide more regular and publicly accessible reporting on homelessness prevention outcomes, including the number of households assisted before becoming homeless, evictions prevented, lengths of stay in temporary accommodation and progress in reducing overall homelessness-related expenditure with the importance of transparency regarding performance monitoring also identified as key.

As a final issue, reference was made to the ongoing need to address the shortage of genuinely affordable housing within the borough with a call to accelerate council housebuilding, improve the use of empty properties, increase suitable move-on  ...  view the full decision text for item 10.

This report seeks Cabinet’s approval for an amendment to the Brent Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Framework and Action Plan following its initial adoption at Cabinet on 7 September 2026.

The amendment relates to the Council’s approach to unauthorised encampments, and includes a new commitment to explore negotiated stopping approaches to accommodate households pursuing a nomadic way of life with approval also being sought to delegate authority for any further amendments identified as required to the Corporate Director Resident and Housing Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)    To approve the following amendments to the Gypsy, Roma & Traveller Framework and Action Plan:

(a)    to remove Appendix B, which set out the Council’s approach to unauthorised encampments; and

(b)    to introduce a new commitment to explore negotiated stopping approaches to accommodate households pursuing a nomadic way of life.

(2)    To delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Residents and Housing Services to make any further amendments to the Framework and Action Plan, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 19 October 2026

This report seeks Cabinet endorsement of the Draft Brent Collaboration Charter 2026– 2029.  The Charter is intended to be a shared agreement between Brent Council, the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector and other local partners, including the NHS, establishing a shared vision, principles and commitments that guide how all will work together towards shared goals and better outcomes for residents.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)    Agree and endorse the draft Brent Collaboration Charter, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, and ensure a one council approach to supporting its implementation.

(2)    Note and endorse the establishment of a Voluntary, Community, Faith & Social Enterprise (VCFSE) Strategic Advisory Forum linked to emergent Brent Strategic Partnership structures that would provide overall oversight and ownership of the Charter, its implementation and delivery.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 19 October 2026

This report seeks Cabinet approval to retender contracts for Homecare Services for Adult Social Care and Children and Young People with Disabilities.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)    Approve inviting tenders for Homecare Services for Adult Social Care and Children and Young People with Disabilities on the basis of the pre - tender considerations set out in section 3.3.1 of the report.

(2)    Approve Officers evaluating the tenders referred to in (1) above on the basis of the evaluation criteria set out in section 3.3.1(vi) of the report.

(3)    Delegate authority to the Corporate Directors, Service Reform and Strategy and Children Young People and Community Development, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Employment and Climate Action to award the contracts for Homecare Services for Adult Social Care and Children and Young People with Disabilities for a term of three years, with the option to extend for a further three years and a final extension period of up to 24 months.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 19 October 2026

The following item(s) are not for publication as they relate to the category of exempt information set out below, as specified under Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972:

Agenda Item 7:   Authority to award a contract for a Single Delivery Partner for the South Kilburn Regeneration Programme (Appendix 1 – list of Tenderers)

This appendix has been classified as exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, namely: “Information relating to the financial or business affairs of and particular person (including the authority holding that information).

There were no items that required the exclusion of the press or public.

Notice of items to be raised under this heading must be given in writing to the Deputy Director Democratic & Corporate Governance or their representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 60.

There were no items of urgent business.