Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Leader of the Council in accordance with Standing Order 31 providing an update on any key or significant issues arising from any matter within the responsibility of the Cabinet.

NOTED the report and update provided at the meeting by Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council, highlighting the work being undertaken across each Cabinet portfolio in order to provide ongoing support and services to residents within the borough.  As part of the update the Leader took the opportunity to outline the work being undertaken to manage the Council’s finances as efficiently as possible within the current economic climate reflecting the Government’s recent fiscal statement and developing priorities within the Borough Plan; to deliver the Councils new council housing programme alongside its wider estate and regeneration programme and to focus on the protection of housing tenants and those living within the private rental sector.  As part of the ongoing process in seeking to engage and support local residents, particularly in tackling the cost-of-living crisis, he also took the opportunity to highlight the Council’s upcoming budget consultation process which he was keen to ensure as many residents were able to engage with as possible.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council, to introduce the report updating members on the work being undertaken across each Cabinet portfolio in order to provide ongoing support and services to residents within the borough.

In presenting the report, the Leader began by highlighting the challenging nature of the current economic position faced by the Council.  This was not only in terms of the impact of the Governments recent fiscal interventions and programme of austerity in terms of funding available for services across the public sector but also level of savings which the Council and other key public sector stakeholders had needed to identify and deliver as a result, ongoing uncertainty in relation to future funding settlements and impact of the cost of living crisis and ongoing economic uncertainty on inflation and interest rates.  Despite these challenges, the Leader highlighted how the report detailed the work being undertaken to manage the Council’s finances as efficiently as possible whilst also seeking to deliver on the emerging priorities within the Borough Plan and protect the most vulnerable including the continued support for the Residents Support Fund, Council Tax Support Scheme and Brent Hubs.  In closing his update, the Leader advised that given the nature and extent of the financial challenges needing to be addressed he was keen to encourage as many people as possible to engage with the upcoming consultation on the budget proposals for 2023-24.   Finally, members were asked to note the details on Executive decision(s) that had been taken under the Council’s urgency procedures, since the previous update provided for the Council meeting in July, as tabled at the meeting.

The Mayor thanked the Leader for his report and it was RESOLVED (having allowed a brief point of order to be raised by Councillor Kansagra) to formally note the update provided.

To receive a report from the Leader of the Council in accordance with Standing Order 31 providing an update on any key or significant issues arising from any matter within the responsibility of the Cabinet.

NOTED the report and update provided at the meeting by Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council, highlighting the work being undertaken across each Cabinet portfolio in order to provide ongoing support and services to residents within the borough.  As part of the update the Leader took the opportunity to outline the work being undertaken to manage the Council’s finances as efficiently as possible; to deliver the Councils new council housing programme alongside its wider estate and regeneration programme of activities; to focus on community safety and protection; to deliver the wide range of environmental improvements across the borough and ensure all children and young people had the opportunities needed to succeed; to support residents in tackling the cost of living crisis and to ensure the necessary levels of care, advice and guidance continued to be made available in relation to public health and adult social care with a focus around engaging and supporting the local community.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council, to introduce the report updating members on the work being undertaken across each Cabinet portfolio in order to provide ongoing support and services to residents within the borough.  In presenting the report, the Leader highlighted the work being undertaken to manage the Council’s finances as efficiently as possible; to deliver the Councils new council housing programme alongside its wider estate and regeneration programme of activities; to focus on community safety and protection; to deliver the wide range of environmental improvements across the borough and ensure all children and young people had the opportunities needed to succeed; to support residents in tackling the cost of living crisis and to ensure the necessary levels of care, advice and guidance continued to be made available in relation to public health and adult social care with a focus around engaging and supporting the local community.  Finally, members were asked to note that no Executive decisions had been taken under the Council’s urgency procedures, since the previous update provided for the Council meeting in July.

The Mayor thanked the Leader for his report and it was RESOLVED to formally note the update provided.

To receive a report from the Leader of the Council in accordance with Standing Order 31 providing an update on any key or significant issues arising from any matter within the responsibility of the Cabinet.

(Agenda republished to include this report 7 July 2022)

NOTED the report and update provided at the meeting by Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council, highlighting the work being undertaken across each Cabinet portfolio in order to provide ongoing support and services to residents within the borough.  As part of the update the Leader took the opportunity to thank the representatives from Brent Youth Parliament for their attendance and contribution at the meeting and to confirm the Council’s commitment to continue supporting the work they were undertaking on behalf of young people across the borough.  In addition, he highlighted the success and welcomed the level of local community engagement in the recent participatory budget process and work being undertaken by the Council in terms of supporting those most in need with tackling the cost of living crisis and in order to ensure everyone had the opportunity to succeed.  Members also noted the list of urgent Executive decisions taken since the last Council meeting, as tabled at the meeting.

The Mayor invited Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council, to introduce the report updating members on the work being undertaken across each Cabinet portfolio in order to provide ongoing support and services to residents within the borough.  As part of the update the Leader took the opportunity to thank the representatives from Brent Youth Parliament for their attendance and contribution at the meeting and to confirm the Council’s commitment to continue supporting the work they were undertaking on behalf of young people across the borough.  In addition, he highlighted the success and welcomed the level of local community engagement in the recent participatory budget process alongside the work being undertaken by the Council in terms of supporting those most in need with tackling the cost of living crisis.

In ending the update, members were also asked to note the list of Executive decisions tabled at the meeting which had been taken under the Council’s urgency procedures.

The Mayor thanked the Leader for the report and it was RESOLVED to formally note the update provided.