Issue - meetings
the Executive
Meeting: 22/11/2021 - Council (Item 11)
11 Questions from the Opposition and other Non-Cabinet Members PDF 426 KB
For questions to be put to members of the Cabinet by Opposition and Non-Cabinet Members in accordance with Standing Order 35.
Four advance notice questions have been received under this item, which have been attached along with the written responses provided.
Members are asked to note that this session will also include an opportunity (within the time available) for other Non-Cabinet members and the Opposition to ask questions of Cabinet Members.
Additional documents:
Decision:
NOTED
1. The joint written response provided by the Lead Members for Community Safety & Engagement and Regeneration, Property & Planning to a question submitted by Councillor Kelcher regarding the action being taken to prevent the proliferation of Adult Gaming Centres across the borough. As Councillor Kelcher had submitted his apologies for absence no supplementary question was raised.
2. The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Resources to a question submitted by Councillor Johnson in relation to the social value commitments being generated through the Council’s Procurement Strategy and way in which the Strategy was being used to support the response to the Climate and Ecological Emergency in conjunction with other London Boroughs.
3. The written and supplementary response provided by the Lead Member for Schools, Employment and Skills to a question submitted by Councillor Sangani regarding measures being undertaken by the Council to expand SEND school places and provision across the borough and to lobby the Government to ensure the necessary level of funding was provided to support this process.
4. The written response provided by the Lead Member for Regeneration, Property & Planning to a question submitted by Councillor Maurice regarding the planning consent and development work on the Preston Library site. In response to a supplementary question the Director of Legal, HR, Audit & Investigation clarified the position in relation to the outcome of the legal challenges regarding the granting of planning consent for the development.
Responses were also provided by the relevant Lead Members on the following additional questions raised during the open session of this part of the meeting:
· Councillor Mahmood regarding the Council’s response to the Nationality and Border Bill currently being considered by Parliament.
· Councillor Agha regarding problems being experienced with delays in the notification of covid test results and difficulties in being able to clarify these by phone.
· Councillor Chan regarding the support available from the Council in seeking to address, with TfL, concerns raised following a local campaign by residents in Kensal Green and parents of children who attend Kenmont Primary School about the crossing and traffic related issues at the Harrow Road junction with Wrottesley Road.
· Councillor Georgiou regarding the Council’s policy on development of tall buildings, with specific concerns identified in relation to Alperton, how the policy impacted on the measures being taken to address the Climate and Ecological Emergency and response to the GLA Planning & Regeneration Committee’s review in relation to the impact of Tall buildings.
· Councillor Miller regarding the steps being taken to address the issues highlighted in the findings of a recent Ombudsman complaint regarding a case involving disabled accessibility within temporary accommodation. The Mayor advised that as the Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform had needed to submit her apologies for the meeting a written response would be provided.
· Councillor Chan regarding the process undertaken in developing the Council’s tree felling and replanting programme.
· Councillor Kansagra seeking further clarification on the outcome of the legal challenges in relation to the ... view the full decision text for item 11
Minutes:
Before moving on to consider the questions submitted by non-Cabinet members, the Mayor reminded Members that a total of 30 minutes had been set aside for this item, which would begin with consideration of the written questions submitted in advance of the meeting along with any supplementary questions. Once these had been dealt with, the remaining time available would then be opened up for any other non-Cabinet members to question Lead Members (without the need for advance notice) on matters relating to their portfolio.
The Mayor advised that four written questions had been submitted in advance for response by the relevant Lead Member. The written responses supplied had been circulated within the agenda. The Mayor then invited supplementary questions on the responses which had been provided:
11.1 As Councillor Kelcher had submitted his apologies for absence no supplementary question was raised on the joint written response provided by the Lead Members for Community Safety & Engagement and Regeneration, Property & Planning to his question regarding the action being taken to prevent the proliferation of Adult Gaming Centres across the borough.
11.2 Councillor Johnson thanked Councillor McLennan, as Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Resources, for the written response in relation to his question on the social value commitments being generated through the Council’s Procurement Strategy and way in which the Strategy was being used to support the response to the Climate and Ecological Emergency. In welcoming the way in which the Procurement Strategy was being used to support social value and community wealth building, Councillor Johnson, as a supplementary question, asked for further details on the work being undertaken to develop this approach in conjunction with other London Boroughs.
In response, Councillor McLennan advised of the success of the Strategy in using the Council’s purchasing power to ensure suppliers were aligned with the Council’s aims and objectives. In terms of the focus on the climate and emergency strategy and work with other London Boroughs she highlighted the activity being undertaken through the West London Alliance (involving Brent and the other Local Authorities covering West London) to deliver a Carbon Reduction Charter in order to achieve the ambition of net zero. The Charter included a number of innovative initiatives such as working with suppliers to encourage the use of lower carbon sources of power; to improve the energy efficiency of their equipment; to delivery digital social value and provide clearer data on levels of greenhouse gas emissions all designed to support the move towards carbon net zero. Under the Charter, suppliers would also be asked to provide details on their carbon reduction strategies meaning that once in place, this would provide an opportunity to ensure work being undertaken across the Alliance towards sustainability and securing carbon net zero was also being supported by suppliers across West London.
11.3 Councillor Sangani thanked Councillor Stephens, as Lead Member for Schools, Employment and Skills, for the written response to her question regarding measures being undertaken by the Council to expand SEND school places and provision across ... view the full minutes text for item 11