Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Corporate Director Finance & Resources proposing the adoption of an International Partnering Protocol (IPP) and reviewing a proposed arrangement with Nablus, in accordance with the protocol.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) to introduce the final report on the agenda from the Corporate Director of Finance & Resources.  In introducing the item, Councillor Muhammed Butt advised that the report outlined the work undertaken to review and develop an International Partnering Protocol (IPP) for adoption by the Council designed to recognise Brents role as a diverse, dynamic and globally connected borough and as a basis for building partnerships with communities around the world.  As such, he advised the IPP had been designed to provide a clear framework for developing future international partnership arrangements including appropriate review periods.  The report also included, as has been agreed following the motion approved by the Council in November 2024, a review of a proposed twinning arrangement with Nablus, which had been subject to assessment in accordance with the protocol.

Referring to the proposed twinning arrangement with Nablus, Councillor Muhammed Butt advised members that the proposal had been subject to detailed review and, as set out within the report, was now felt to have met the threshold to take forward based on the criteria within the protocol and level of support identified and the partnership representing an opportunity to share and learn through a programme of community led active engagement.  As such the proposal was felt to reflect the diverse nature of the borough whilst also celebrating the contributions made by the many different communities across the borough in seeking to foster and encourage a spirit of respect and understanding and the recommendations moved on that basis.

With the report having been moved, the Mayor then opened the debate inviting other members to speak on the report, with the following contributions made.

In opening the debate Councillor Kansagra, having taken the opportunity to thank Councillor Dar for his time as Mayor and ongoing service to the local community and to congratulate Councillor Hack on his appointment as Mayor for which he wished him very success, whilst not objecting to the spirt of the International Partnership Protocol felt there was a need to reflect on the process and priority relating to the proposed arrangements with Nablus. Whilst recognising the value of global exchange, he advised the Conservative Group believed that any partnership arrangements needed to be approached with transparency, balance and most importantly local consent.  Reflecting on Brent’s status as a proudly diverse borough with a range of long standing and well-established communities from nations across the world who all had made an important contribution to the boroughs identity, he felt there was a need to carefully reflect about the basis on which any future twinning or partnership arrangements was proposed and selected.  Reminding members of the borough’s longstanding twinning arrangement with South Dublin as a partnership grounded in significant cultural and historic links, he queried the basis on which Nablus had been selected as a further partnership.  Whilst recognising the proposal would resonate with sections of the local community, he also highlighted the nature of other familiar  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12

To receive a report from the Corporate Director Law & Governance presenting the outcome of a review of the current arrangements for “Call-In” of Executive decisions to Scrutiny Committees and seeking a decision on any changes required to the process as a result.

(Agenda republished on 21 May 24 to include details of an amendment to the proposals submitted by the Liberal Democrats Group)

Council RESOLVED:

(1)    To adopt the change in arrangements for call-in of Executive decisions requiring the submission of a valid call-in request by five non-cabinet members to involve those members representing more than one political group.

Having been put to the vote, an amendment moved by Councillor Lorber detailing alternative arrangements relating to the number of members required to submit a valid call-in was declared LOST.

(2)    Following on from (1) above, to authorise the Corporate Director of Law & Governance to amend the Constitution accordingly, including making any necessary incidental or consequential changes.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) to introduce the final report on the agenda from the Corporate Director of Law and Governance.  In introducing the item, Councillor Muhammed Butt advised that the report presented the outcome of a review undertaken on the current “call-in” arrangements for Executive decisions with members being asked to consider a proposal (developed as an outcome of the review) that would require the submission of any future “call in”, whilst still only requiring five individual signatories, to also be supported by members of more than one political group.

Having introduced the report, the Mayor then invited Councillor Lorber (on behalf of the Liberal Democrats Group) to move an amendment to the report submitted prior to the meeting seeking approval to alternative arrangements for the number of members required to submit a valid call-in in response to the review of current arrangements.

In moving the amendment, Councillor Lorber began by highlighting what he felt had been the lack of justification for the change proposed within the report presented by the Leader of the Council on the basis of the review which had been undertaken and expressed concern at the impact this would have at further reducing the ability of non-executive members to hold the Executive to account as part of an effective and democratic scrutiny process.  Highlighting the need to maintain a strong and effective scrutiny function along with the need to maintain a meaningful ability for any member or political group to be able to call-in decisions for review as part of the balance provided in the current governance arrangements, Councillor Lorber felt it important to outline the value of recent call-in and scrutiny activity, including a focus on the Morland Gardens/Altamira development and changes to the Council’s street cleansing and recycling arrangements, as a means of ensuring the decisions made had been based on sound information and advice.  Having taken account of the current review on the arrangements for call-in he advised that the amendment being moved on behalf of the Liberal Democrats Group was therefore seeking the following alternative changes to the call-in provisions:

(1)    That any Cabinet decision which had implications for the whole or a large part of the borough could be called in by any three Councillors from one or more political groups.

(2)    That any Cabinet decision which had implications for just one ward within the borough could be called in by any one councillor.

In order to safeguard the objectives of effective democratic scrutiny he therefore urged all members to reject the proposals within the report and support the amendment as moved.

Having moved the amendment, the Mayor then opened the debate inviting other members to speak on the report and amendment, with the following contributions made.

Speaking in support of the amendment, Councillor Kansagra, also felt it was important to recognise the impact which the proposal moved by the Leader would have in restricting the ability of members (including those within  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12