Issue - meetings

For questions to be put to members of the Cabinet by Opposition and Non-Cabinet Members in accordance with Standing Order 35.

Five 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 without the need for advance notice.

NOTED

1.     The written response provided by the Cabinet Member for Customers, Communities and Culture to a question submitted by Councillor Rajan-Seelan regarding the activities being planned to ensure the contribution of British Tamils was fully recognised by the Council as part of Tamil Heritage month.  No supplementary question was received.

2.     The written response provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action to a question submitted by Councillor Ahmed regarding the changes to recycling arrangements across the borough and impact these were having at reducing the level of recyclable waste going to landfill in support of the Council’s environmental aim to become carbon neutral by 2030.  No supplementary question was received.

3.     The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security to a question submitted by Councillor Aden regarding the actions being taken by the Council to address the unprecedented increase in homelessness applications and use of Temporary Accommodation along with the contextual factors impacting on the housing crisis in Brent.

4.     The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action to a question submitted by Councillor Hirani regarding operational concerns and the financial and value for money considerations relating to implementation of the blue bag recycling scheme for card and paper across the borough.

5.     The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security to a question submitted by Councillor Georgiou regarding the current position on the Altamira Morland Gardens housing scheme, including the associated impact in terms of costs, grant funding and on the current use of the Twybridge Way site.

Responses were also provided by the relevant Cabinet Members on the following additional questions raised during the open session of this part of the meeting:

·             Councillor Jayanti Patel highlighting concerns regarding anti-social behaviour and nuisance being experienced by residents in Milky Way, Queensbury linked to Housing Association tenants living in the surrounding area and action that could be taken by the Council working with the relevant Housing Association and Safer Neighbourhood Team to address the problems being experienced.

·             Councillor Chan regarding the powers and support available through the Council, working with the police and local residents, in seeking to prevent and cease the use of local retail shop premises along Park Parade, Harlesden for illegal and unregulated activities.

·             Councillor Kelcher regarding the powers available to the Council to support the ongoing campaign to save the Royal Oak Public House in High Street, Harlesden from closure and in seeking to protect and offer business support to other similar venues, recognising their importance not only as hospitality but also as local community hubs.

·             Councillor Rubin commending the Council for their ongoing efforts to support and work with the Brent Renters Union in seeking to ensure the necessary protections were provided for tenants in the private rented sector across the borough (including the landlord licensing scheme) in order to tackle serious health and safety  ...  view the full decision text for item 11

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 Cabinet Members (without the need for advance notice) on matters relating to their portfolio.

The Mayor advised that five written questions had been submitted in advance of the meeting for response by the relevant Cabinet Member and the written responses circulated within the agenda were noted. The Mayor then invited supplementary questions on the responses provided:

11.1   Councillor Rajan-Seelan thanked Councillor Donnelly-Jackson, as Cabinet Member for Customers, Communities & Culture, for the written response to his question regarding the activities being planned to ensure the contribution of British Tamils was fully recognised by the Council as part of Tamil Heritage month.  Whilst no supplementary question was received members were reminded that Tamil Heritage Month would be taking place during January 2024 with councillors, residents and community groups all being encouraged to participate.

11.2   Councillor Ahmed thanked Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action, for the written response to his question regarding the changes to recycling arrangements across the borough and impact these were having at reducing the level of recyclable waste going to landfill in support of the Council’s environmental aim to become carbon neutral by 2030.  No supplementary question was received.

11.3   Having thanked Councillor Knight, as Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security, for the response provided on his question seeking details on the actions being taken by the Council to address the unprecedented increase in homelessness applications and use of Temporary Accommodation, Councillor Aden, as a supplementary question, sought further clarification on the contextual factors impacting on the housing crisis in the borough.

In response, Councillor Knight began by taking the opportunity to highlight the unprecedented nature of the current level of housing demand, with pressure in relation to the number of homeless households and applications continuing to grow driven by the cost-of-living crisis.  This had led to a 322% increase in the use of temporary accommodation compared to previous years with it forecast (if demand continued to grow at the same rate) that the Housing Needs Service would receive a total of 7,500 applications over the year representing an average of 144 applications each week, the highest recorded.  These pressures were exacerbated by a contraction in the number of properties available within the Private Rented Sector at Local Housing Allowance (LHA) level (used to prevent and relieve homelessness) with many landlords having also exited the sector.  In emphasising that that the Council did not believe homelessness to be a lifestyle choice, Councillor Knight outlined the establishment of a Temporary Accommodation supply and spend project aimed at addressing current pressures on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11