Issue - meetings

To hear any deputations requested by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 32.

Members are asked to note that two deputations are due to be presented at the meeting, relating to the following issues:

(a)       Update on progress being achieved through One Kilburn alongside the strong working relationship with Brent and Camden Council (to be presented by Stephane Goldstein, Co-Chair of One Kilburn Co-ordinating Group)

(b)       Gambling Harm and support for work being led by Brent Council (to be presented by Matt Smith, Betknowmore UK)

(Agenda republished to include notice of deputations on 5 November 2025)

Returning to the order of business as listed on the agenda, the Mayor advised that he had accepted requests for the presentation of two deputations at the meeting, which had been received in accordance with Standing Order 32.

The deputations to be presented, were highlighted as follows, with the Mayor advising that unless otherwise indicated by members, he intended to allow up to five minutes for the presentation of each deputation before then providing the relevant Cabinet Member up to two minutes to respond on each matter.

1^st deputation - Update on progress being achieved through One Kilburn.

2^nd deputation – Impact of Gambling Harm and support for work being led by Brent Council.

(1)    1^st deputation: Update on progress being achieved through One Kilburn

As no objections were raised on the approach outlined, the Mayor then moved on to welcome Stephane Goldstein (as Co-Chair of One Kilburn Co-ordinating Group) to the meeting who members were advised would be presenting the first deputation.

Prior to the deputation being presented, the Mayor allowed Councillor Conneely (representing the local ward councillors in Kilburn) to speak (in support of the deputation) highlighting their support for the work being delivered through One Kilburn and its impact on the local community.

In thanking the Mayor for the opportunity to present the deputation, Stephane Goldstein began by taking the opportunity to inform members about the role of One Kilburn as a resident-led open and democratic organisation (launched in January 2023) which served as an umbrella and collaborative forum for individuals, community groups, businesses and public agencies across Kilburn with the aim of seeking to nurture (as an enabler rather than service provider) a sense of community, place and belonging in Kilburn by fostering dialogue, collaboration and joint working between local people and facilitating community-led initiatives.

Highlighting the importance of the work being undertaken, members were reminded that Kilburn as a major town centre, was split across the boundaries of Brent, Camden and Westminster.  Whilst this had previously hindered the ability for joint working, the increasing number of initiatives aimed at addressing the position were outlined, including the creation of a Town Centre Manager post with One Kilburn seeking to amplify these developments through a bottom-up, community-based, partnership approach including the three Councils as fully-fledged partners and the development of strong working relationships with local ward councillors and officers across all three boroughs.  As such, One Kilburn was highlighted as an innovative model for collaboration and effective cross-boundary cooperation directly benefitting local residents and businesses.

In terms of its wider strategic relevance, the work being undertaken through One Kilburn was felt to support a number of Brent’s strategic priorities including the move towards Radical Place Leadership and Integrated Neighbourhood Teams as well as complementing the Kilburn Neighbourhood Planning Forum and Camden’s ‘We Make Camden’ framework for community engagement” and also reflecting (as a new area) the neighbourhood governance elements within the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.  Stephane Goldstein then took the opportunity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9

To hear any deputations requested by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 32.

Members are asked to note that at the time of agenda publication there are no deputation(s) due to be presented at the meeting.

The Mayor advised that no requests had been received for the presentation of any deputations at the meeting.

To hear any deputations requested by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 32.

Members are asked to note that at the time of agenda publication there are no deputation(s) due to be presented at the meeting.

The Mayor advised that no requests had been received for the presentation of any deputations at the meeting.

To hear any deputations requested by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 32.

Members are asked to note that at the time of agenda publication there are no deputation(s) due to be presented at the meeting.

The Mayor advised that no requests had been received for the presentation of any deputations at the meeting.

To hear any deputations requested by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 32.

Members are asked to note that there are no deputation(s) due to be presented at the meeting.

The Mayor advised that no requests had been received for the presentation of any deputations at the meeting.

To hear any deputations requested by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 32.

Members are asked to note that the following deputation(s) are due to be received at the meeting:

6.1   Provision of parent voice and representation within community schools and school communications (deputation to be made by Save Byron Court Campaign Group)

(Agenda republished to include details of the above deputation on 3 July 2024)

The Mayor advised that he had accepted the request for a deputation to be presented at the meeting.  The request had been received from the Save Byron Court Campaign Group (represented by Tanisha Phoenix & Vina Vekria at the meeting) and related to school communication and the provision of parent representation within community schools.

Unless otherwise indicated by members, the Mayor advised that he intended to allow up to five minutes for presentation of the deputation before then allowing the relevant Lead Cabinet Member up to two minutes to respond.

As no objections were raised on the approach outlined, the Mayor moved on to welcome the deputation.

Save Byron Court Campaign Group – Parent representation within Community Schools.

In thanking the Mayor for the opportunity to address the meeting Vina Vekria & Tanisha Phoenix advised they were presenting the deputation on behalf of the Save Byron Court, campaign who had been established as a collective effort by parents, community members and school staff (who had also been taking strike action in support) to oppose the Government’s forced academisation of Byron Court Primary School by Harris Federation representing.

Referring to the campaign undertaken to date, it was felt this had highlighted many issues including chronic underfunding, a punitive inspection regime, a national rush to privatise education despite widespread opposition and no opportunity for school improvements to be made along with what was felt to be a worrying lack of transparency and impartiality in terms of decision making regarding the future of Byron Court Primary School.

In recognising and acknowledging the support of the campaign by Barry Gardiner (as local MP), Councillor Grahl (as the Council’s Cabinet member for Children, Young People and Schools) amongst other politicians the Campaign Group now hoped the new Labour government would be willing to intervene in order to protect the school and provide a renewed commitment to community schools as a whole.

Addressing the meeting, Vina Vekria advised that one of the issues identified, in relation to Byron Court Primary School had involved membership of the School’s Governing Body, which for the current academic year had only included one parent governor representative compared to five in previous years.  This followed a reduction in their number without, it was claimed, consultation with the parent community.  The Campaign Group had highlighted this as an important issue, given the need for successful Governing Bodies to act as custodians for the school with the necessary links to parents and the wider community.  Whilst recognising the challenges in attracting volunteers, the importance in being able to attract good quality individuals to support the role of the Governing Body outside of the school community was highlighted as necessary to provide a broad range of skills and experience.  As such the Campaign Group were calling on the Council to undertake a review of school governing bodies across the borough to ensure that the voices of parents were sufficiently represented and to encourage a more diverse range of experience and knowledge.

Following on, Tanisha Phoenix then  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7