Issue - meetings

7.1   To receive questions submitted by the public to Cabinet Members, in accordance with Standing Order 33.

Members are asked to note that three public question have been received, which have been attached along with their written response.

7.2   To receive questions submitted from Brent Youth Parliament to Cabinet Members, in accordance with Standing Order 33(c).

One question has been received under this item, which has been attached along with the written response provided.

NOTED

1.          The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action to a public question submitted by Nichola Rogers regarding the implementation of a plant based food policy within schools and at Council and Civic events.

2.          The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security to a public question submitted by Jeanette Audrey about the impact of the Windmill Court Infill housing development on local residents, the surrounding local environment and adjacent properties.

3.          The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Planning to a public question submitted by Siobhan Culhane regarding the Transport Planning Assessment relating to the Windmill Court Infill housing development and its impact, from a fire safety perspective.

4.          The written response provided by the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Schools to a question submitted by Brent Youth Parliament regarding support for the Education for Life Campaign.  No supplementary question was received.

8.1      Questions from the Public

The Mayor advised that the following three questions had been received from members of the public:

Question 1 from Nichola Rogers to Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action regarding the introduction of a plant-based food policy where catering was provided at Council and Civic events and also within schools.

Question 2 from Jeanette Audrey to Councillor Knight, Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security, regarding the impact of current housing infill development proposals on local residents at Windmill Court

Question 3 from Siobhan Culhane to Councillor Tatler, Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Planning, regarding the transport assessment undertaken as part of the infill development proposals at Windmill Court.

Members noted the written responses provided on each of the questions, which had been circulated with the agenda.  The Mayor advised that each member of the public had been invited to attend the meeting and all three were present in order to ask a supplementary question following the written responses provided.

Having been welcomed to the meeting, the following supplementary questions were asked of the relevant Cabinet Member(s).

Question 1: Supplementary question from Nichola Rogers to Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action

Having noted and thanked Councillor Krupa Sheth for the written response provided, Nichola Rogers advised she was pleased for the acknowledgement regarding the impact that consuming less meat and reducing food waste would have as part of Council’s Climate Emergency Strategy and in reducing the effects of the climate crisis.  Whilst welcoming the efforts being made, however, she felt that the Council could take an even more proactive approach and as a supplementary question therefore asked if the Council would consider introducing a plant based food policy at all future Council and Civic catered events, as had been the case in other local authorities.

In thanking Nichola Rogers for her question, Councillor Krupa Sheth advised that whilst willing to work with the Mayor in terms of future Civic events, the Council already ensured plant-based options were available at the limited range of events where catering was now provided, in support of the theme relating to consumption, resources and waste within the Climate Emergency Strategy.

Question 2: Supplementary Question from Jeanette Audrey to Councillor Knight, Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security.

Having noted the written response provided, Jeanette Audrey highlighted concern at what she felt had been the lack of consultation and engagement with local residents regarding development of the infill proposals.  In expressing specific concerns at what was felt to be an unacceptable loss of daylight and sunlight amenity to surrounding properties and overall negative impact of the development, she again asked the Cabinet Member to justify the basis on which such an excessive development had been able to proceed given what local residents felt to be its adverse and overbearing effect on the amenity of the surrounding area and overall financially viability in terms of the provision of genuinely affordable housing.

In  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8

To receive questions submitted by the public to Cabinet Members, in accordance with Standing Order 33.

Members are asked to note that the eight public questions received along with their written responses have now been republished with the agenda.

(Agenda republished to include Public Questions and responses on 13 September 2022)

NOTED

1.         The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security to a public question submitted by Pete Firmin regarding the maintenance of communal areas and housing blocks within the Alpha Place estate, Kilburn.

2.         The written response provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action to a public question submitted by Amitabh Ghuwalewala regarding food waste collection and resident parking for a multi storey housing block on North End Road, Wembley Park. No supplementary question was received.

3.         The written response provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action to a public question submitted by Neil Ireland regarding the introduction of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. No supplementary question was received.

4.         The written response provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action to a public question submitted by Peter Maguire regarding Wembley event day traffic management . No supplementary question was received.

5.         The written response provided by the Cabinet Member for Planning & Regeneration to a public question submitted by Rok Rajar regarding the planning obligation agreement and service charges for a block within the Wembley North West Lands development. No supplementary question was received.

6.         The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security to a public question submitted by Martin Francis regarding Building Fire Safety Regulations and issuing of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs).

7.         The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security to a public question submitted by Marc Etukudo regarding the impact of a proposed housing development at Newland Court on neighbouring amenity and local residents health and wellbeing.

8.         The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action to a public question submitted by John Poole regarding the action being taken to tackle pollution and flooding within Wealdstone Brook.

The Mayor advised that the following eight questions had been received from members of the public:

Question 1 from Pete Firmin to Councillor Knight, Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security regarding the maintenance of communal areas and housing blocks within the Alpha Place estate, Kilburn.

Question 2 from Amitabh Ghuwalewala to Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action, regarding food waste collection and resident parking for a multi storey housing block on North End Road, Wembley Park.

Question 3 from Neil Ireland to Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action, regarding the introduction of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.

Question 4 from Peter Maguire to Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action, regarding Wembley event day traffic management.

Question 5 from Rok Rajar to Councillor Tatler, Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Planning, regarding the planning obligation agreement and service charges for a block within the Wembley North West Lands development.

Question 6 from Martin Francis to Councillor Knight, Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security, regarding Building Fire Safety Regulations and issuing of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs).

Question 7 from Marc Etukudo to Councillor Knight, Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security regarding the impact of a proposed housing development at Newland Court on neighbouring amenity and local residents health and wellbeing.

Question 8 from John Poole to Councillors Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action, and Nerva, Cabinet Member for Public Health & Adult Social Care regarding the action being taken to tackle pollution and flooding within Wealdstone Brook.

Members noted the written responses provided on each of the questions, which had been circulated with the agenda.  The Mayor advised that each member of the public had been invited to attend the meeting.  Whilst Amitabh Ghuwalewala, Neil Ireland, Peter Maguire and Rok Rajar had been unable to attend, members were advised that Pete Firmin, Martin Francis, Marc Etukudo and John Poole were all present in order to ask a supplementary question following the written responses provided to their questions.

The Mayor welcomed them all to the meeting and the following supplementary questions were asked of the relevant Cabinet Member(s).

Question 1: Supplementary Question from Pete Firmin to Councillor Knight, Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security

Having noted the written response provided, Mr Firmin highlighted ongoing concerns regarding the maintenance of communal areas and housing blocks within the Alpha Place estate, Kilburn.  Despite a plan of action having been developed he outlined issues still needing to be addressed in relation to communal bins, litter, broken paving slabs, steps and damage to footpaths and the highway as a result of flooding.  In addition, concerns were raised in relation to changes affecting access to green areas on the estate and outstanding faults reported in relation to footpath lighting, which were still to be addressed.  As a supplementary question he therefore asked the Cabinet Member for her views on the efficiency of the Housing Estate repairs and maintenance process.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8

7.1   To receive questions submitted by the public to Cabinet Members, in accordance with Standing Order 33.

Members are asked to note that one public question has been received, which has been attached along with the written response.

7.2   To receive questions submitted from Brent Youth Parliament to Cabinet Members, in accordance with Standing Order 33(c).

One question has been received under this item, which has been attached along with the written response provided.

NOTED

1.         The written response provided by the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Equalities and Culture to a public question submitted by M. Whiteley regarding the Council’s membership of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Scheme.  No supplementary question was received.

2.      The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet for Children, Young People and Schools to a question submitted by Brent Youth Parliament regarding the support and funding available to assist in development of the Brent Youth Strategy and youth engagement forums.

8.1   Questions from the Public

The Mayor advised that the following question had been received from a member of the public:

Question 1 from M.Whiteley to Councillor Donnelly-Jackson, Cabinet Member for Community, Engagement, Equalities & Culture regarding the Council’s membership of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Scheme.

The Mayor advised that whilst the member of the public had been invited to the meeting in order to ask a supplementary question, they had unfortunately advised they were unable to attend.  Members therefore noted the written response which had been provided, without further comment.

The Mayor then moved on to deal with a question submitted by Brent Youth Parliament.

8.2   Question from Brent Youth Parliament

The Mayor advised that the following question had been received from Brent Youth Parliament:

Question 1 from Chris Mutombo-Ramazani (Brent’s Member of the UK Youth Parliament) and Kenechi Ezeajughi (Brent Youth Parliament Media & Communications lead) to Councillor Grahl, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools regarding the support and funding available to help with the continued development of youth engagement forums and youth spaces.

Members noted the written response provided on the question with the Mayor welcoming Chris Mutombo-Ramazani and Kenechi Ezeajughi to the meeting in order to ask a supplementary question.  The supplementary question from Brent Youth Parliament was as follows:

Supplementary Question from Brent Youth Parliament to Councillor Gwen Grahl, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools.

Having thanked Councillor Grahl for the written response provided, further details were sought on the funding available, moving forward, for ongoing investment in youth services and to assist in development of the Brent Youth Strategy and youth engagement forums.

In response, Councillor Grahl took the opportunity to thank the Brent Youth Parliament for the important role they played in representing young people across the borough and began her response by outlining the ambitious nature of the youth strategy and practical steps already taken to support its ongoing delivery, as set out in her written response.  Highlighting the Council’s commitment to continue working with the voluntary and community sector to develop more spaces for young people, she advised that discussions were also ongoing with a national charity to consider how an Onside Youth Zone could also be established within the borough.  Amongst other initiatives, reference was also made to proposals being developed for the provision of an additional youth centre, with potential sites currently being identified.  Whilst recognising that the level of investment available would need to take account of the Council’s current and future budget position, Councillor Grahl ended by advising that she would be willing to meet representatives of the Youth Parliament outside of the meeting to update them further on the work being undertaken and plans moving forward to continue supporting development of the strategy

Having noted the response provided, the Mayor thanked Councillor Grahl for her response and Chris Mutombo-Ramazani and Kenechi Ezeajughi for the question and attending the meeting. As there were no further questions the Mayor concluded the public question session.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8