Issue - meetings

To debate the motions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 41.

·             The motions submitted for debate have been attached.

·             Where a motion concerns an executive function, nothing passed can be actioned until approved by the Executive or an officer with the relevant delegated power.

(Agenda republished to include the motions submitted for debate on 13 September 2023 and Labour Group amendments submitted in respect of the Conservative and Liberal Democrats motions on 18 September 2023.)

(1)    Following the approval of an amendment moved by the Labour Group in relation to the original Motion submitted by the Conservative Group, the following Motion (as amended) was AGREED:

“Management of Road and Utilities Work across the borough

The coordination and management of the many road works, repairs and temporary traffic lights in our borough continues to be of importance to Brent Council to ensure cohesion for our residents travelling around the borough.

The Council have listened to concerns from residents who whilst appreciating that these works need to be carried are apprehensive about the potential disruption this can cause to them and continues to work with utility companies and meet with officials regularly to ensure disruption to residents during necessary major works is kept to a minimum.

The Council’s Network Management Team hold quarterly coordination meetings with utility companies in order to coordinate works and minimize disruption however there are times when emergency works are required and this can unfortunately clash with other works near the location.

Council is therefore asked to note that in relation to the following concerns:

·             Roadworks, though essential, cancause major traffic hold ups including in some cases gridlock, can lead to road rage and leads to an increase in pollution, and the Council continues to work with utility companies to prevent major disruption arising from these major works.

·             The lack of regular interaction between the various agencies who own services beneath our streets - There is regular interaction between the various agencies with quarterly coordination meetings between the Council and utility companies to discuss major works.

·             The coordination of roadworks - There is coordination to ensure that roadworks are carried out in such a manner so they do not interact to cause further disruption.The Council requires 10 days notice for major works and 3 days notice for minor works. The permitting software used will automatically identify clashes should two sets of works be programmed in close proximity to each other during the same time period.

·             Disruption to road users - There are measures put in place by the Council to ensure that roadworks are timed and coordinated so as to cause the minimum disruption to road users. However, there may be times where emergency and urgent works are required which may clash with other scheduled works.

Therefore, the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action is asked to ensure:

(1)    That, with the exception of emergencies e.g. burst water mains, when a utility company applies for permission to carry our road works, the Council continues its work with utility companies to coordinate their planned works programme to ensure minimal disruption for residents across the borough.

(2)    That the Network Management Team continues to hold quarterly coordination meetings with utility representatives to discuss major works and assist in avoiding clashes.

(3)    That companies continue to apply for permission to carry out works and in line with the regulations of their permit if granted must do so within a certain time frame  ...  view the full decision text for item 19

Before moving on to consider the motions listed on the summons, the Mayor advised members that a total of 30 minutes had been set aside for the consideration of the three motions submitted for debate, based on an initial allocation of 10 minutes per motion. Should the time taken to consider the first motion be less than 10 minutes she advised that the remaining time available would be rolled forward for consideration of the remaining motions.

19.1    1^st Motion (Conservative Group) – Management of Road and Utilities Works Across the Borough

The Mayor invited Councillor Maurice to move the first motion which had been submitted on behalf of the Conservative Group. Councillor Maurice began by providing context to the motion which had been focussed on concerns regarding the lack of coordination and management of road works, repairs and temporary traffic lights in the borough.  Whilst recognising that road and utilities works were often essential, Councillor Maurice highlighted the disruption being caused as a result of their lack of co-ordination across the borough and advised members that the motion had therefore been designed to seek and encourage greater cooperation and coordination between all stakeholders and agencies in planning and undertaking these type of works to ensure that disruption was minimised.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Maurice for moving the motion and then drew members’ attention to an amendment submitted on behalf of the Labour Group, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting.

Given that Councillor Krupa Sheth (in whose name the amendment had been submitted) had submitted her apologies for absence at the meeting, Councillor Muhammad Butt (as Leader of the Council) was invited by the Mayor to move the amendment on behalf of the Labour Group.  In commending the ongoing work being undertaken by officers and the lead Cabinet Member to ensure that disruption arising from major road and utility works for residents travelling around the borough were minimised, Councillor Muhammed Butt, in moving the amendment, felt it important to recognise the efforts already being made to ensure these works were managed on a co-ordinated basis.  This approach included quarterly coordination meetings between the Council and utility companies in order to plan and co-ordinate works, although it was pointed out there would still be times when emergency works would be required which may clash with other works in the same area and could not be planned for in advance.  As a result, he advised the amendment moved was designed to recognise these efforts and ensure continued engagement between all stakeholders in an attempt to address the concerns highlighted and encourage further joined up working to ensure that wherever possible roadworks were co-ordinated and managed so as to cause minimal disruption for residents across all parts of the borough. On this basis the amendment moved was as follows:

To add the wording underlined and delete the wording indicated.

“Management of Road and Utilities Work across the Borough

The Brent Conservative Group is concerned about the lack ofThe coordination  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19

To debate the motions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 41.

Members are asked to note:

·          The motions submitted for debate along with any subsequent amendments received have been attached.

·          Where a motion concerns an executive function, nothing passed can be actioned until approved by the Executive or an officer with the relevant delegated power

Agenda republished to include the motions submitted for debate on 5 July 2023 and amendments submitted in respect of the Conservative and Liberal Democrats motions on 10 July 2023.

(1)      Having been put to a vote, in accordance with Standing Order 42(l), the Motion submitted by the Conservative Group “Don’t Punish Brent’s Drivers” was withdrawn from consideration at the meeting.

(2)      Following the approval of an amendment moved by the Labour Group in relation to the original Motion submitted by the Liberal Democrats Group, the following Motion (as amended) was AGREED:

“Protecting, preserving and promoting Parks and Open Spaces in Brent

This Council notes:

Our borough is home to many wonderful green, open spaces and parks that are enjoyed by residents of all ages and backgrounds. From smaller parks like Mount Pleasant Open Space in Alperton, King Edward VII in Wembley, to historical parks like Barham Park and Gladstone Park, larger country parks in Fryent, and thriving open spaces in the Welsh Harp and Northwick Park, to name but a few.

These vital spaces must be protected, particularly if they are threatened by development that does not meet local need.

In recent years we have become even more aware of how important green spaces are for local people. During the Covid-19 pandemic and periods of lockdown, they became a sanctuary for so many who were able to spend time in them, benefiting both mental and physical health.

With the promise of much needed homes in Brent it is crucial that new residents are able to access open spaces in the areas they move to. Brent Council continues to work with partners to bring forward new developments to ensure they incorporate adequate large green space which is maintained by Housing Associations/ Managing Companies.  In Wembley Park, for example, a new seven-acre Union Park will feature a bandstand, children’s play areas, sport zones and urban meadow.  It replaces a former 1,000 space care and coach park and is one of the first new large public parks in London for decades and is Wembley’s first new mayor park in 150 years.

Achieving Climate Emergency targets relies heavily on safeguarding open spaces, protecting mature trees and important habitats for local wildlife. Without doing so, we risk missing these targets in or borough.

The decision by the Planning Committee to allow the building of houses located along the north-west corner ofBarham Park is in accordance with Brent Council’s long established Core Strategy of protecting Brent parks and open spaces from unwelcome development. The disposal of the properties at 776 and 778 Harrow Road was first taken by the Executive in December 2009. The decision made by the Planning Committee was on the basis of officer recommendation and discussion at the meeting, including the consideration of the Local Neighbourhood Plan. The Planning Committee decision does not result in the loss of any local green space from the redevelopment of the buildings and does not impact upon the ability to experience the area of the original historic landscape park.

The Barham Park decision does not result in the loss of any local green space and therefore re-affirms the existing precedent of maintaining the protection  ...  view the full decision text for item 16

Before moving on to consider the motions listed on the summons, the Mayor advised members that a total of 40 minutes had been set aside for the consideration of the four motions submitted for debate, based on an initial allocation of 10 minutes per motion. Should the time taken to consider the first motion be less than 10 minutes he advised that the remaining time available would be rolled forward for consideration of the remaining motions.

16.1    1^st Motion (Conservative Group) – Don’t Punish Brent’s Drivers

The Mayor invited Councillor Kansagra to move the first motion which had been submitted on behalf of the Conservative Group.  Prior to addressing the motion, Councillor Kansagra felt there was a need to seek further advice on an amendment submitted in advance of the meeting by the Labour Group, which he was concerned had been designed to negate the basis of the original motion submitted for debate.  The concerns highlighted by Councillor Kansagra regarding the amendment were also shared by the Liberal Democrats Group who supported the view that the proposed amendment would have the effect of negating the spirit and basis of the original motion.  In responding to the concerns highlighted the Corporate Director of Governance advised that the amendment had been subject to detailed review and on balance was felt to have retained a sufficient element of the original motion to avoid entirely nullifying it.  On this basis the amendment had been cleared to proceed for consideration.

In expressing concern at the negative effect of the amendment and precedent it was felt this approach would set moving forward, the Conservative Group advised the Mayor they were no longer minded to move the motion and would instead be seeking to withdraw it from consideration at the meeting.

With the Labour Group initially indicating they were minded to continue with the debate in order to consider the amendment they had submitted, the Mayor agreed to a brief adjournment of the meeting to enable the respective Groups to seek further constitutional advice from the Corporate Director of Governance.  Having reconvened, following a brief withdrawal of all members of the Conservative Group from the meeting, it was RESOLVED having been put to a vote, in accordance with Standing Order 42(l), to approve withdrawal of the Motion submitted by the Conservative Group from consideration at the meeting.

16.2   2^nd Motion (Liberal Democrats Group) – Protecting, preserving and promoting Parks and Open Spaces in Brent

The Mayor then invited Councillor Georgiou to move the second motion which had been submitted on behalf of the Liberal Democrats Group.  As context for the motion Councillor Georgiou began by highlighting what he felt was the importance in seeking to protect and value all Brent’s parks and open spaces as vital assets to the local community.  This included the need, given approval of the recent planning application relating to a site located along the north-west corner ofBarham Park, to protect parks and open spaces from the potential of development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16