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.

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.

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:

13.1      Councillor Long thanked Councillor Nerva as the Cabinet Member for Community Health & Wellbeing, for the written response to her on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection Improvement Plan and as a supplementary question sought details on how useful the Council had found the CQC inspection and how unregulated services in Brent were also monitored and assessed.

In response, Councillor Nerva felt that the CQC inspection had been a valuable process, with Brent having been assessed on their ability to ensure the safety of adults and to provide effective leadership at both a political and officer level.  Recognising the review of the CQC inspection and decision already made to remove one-word judgements in relation to the Ofsted inspection process, he felt it was essential that any inspection process was focussed on a wider assessment of the service being delivered rather than based on one-word judgments.  As a result of the current inspection the Council had developed an improvement plan, which covered not only adult social care but also the work being undertaken in partnership with health partners and the voluntary and community sector to supporting adults across the borough which had included launch of the carers strategy.  In relation to unregulated services, members were advised these include a range of commissioned care services which the Council would have responsibility for regularly monitoring.

13.2    Councillor Hylton thanked Councillor Rubin, as Cabinet Member for Employment, Innovation and Climate Action, for the written response to her question on the outcome and plans for future Job Fairs.  As a supplementary question, details were sought regarding any plans to extend the “Back to Work" events on a wider basis across the borough, including within Preston ward.

In response, Councillor Muhammed Butt (who, following his apologies for absence, advised he was replying on behalf of Councillor Rubin) took the opportunity to highlight and welcome the success of the recent Jobs Fair event and advised that officers were currently exploring what other events could be held across the borough to further support residents, including within Preston Ward.

13.3      Having thanked Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet Member for Environment & Enforcement, for her written response on the success of the Don’t Mess with Brent campaign Councillor Mahmood, in recognising the positive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13

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.

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 Kelcher thanked Councillor Nerva as the Cabinet Member for Community Health & Wellbeing, for the written response to his question about the measures being taken to support Brent in becoming an age friendly borough.  In welcoming the detailed nature of the response and progress being made in seeking to secure age friendly status alongside work being led by Dr Tony Burch to help shape the approach further details were sought on the progress of the Planning Group in developing the approach and any experience gained from other boroughs.

          In response, Councillor Nerva, in welcoming the interest shown advised that he had invited the Planning Group to present to the Health and Wellbeing Board in the Autumn to help engage other public sector partners in seeking the development of a joined-up approach to ensure Brent (along with key stakeholder and partners) continued to play an active role in developing its own response towards ensure age friendly status for the borough.

11.2   Councillor Begum thanked Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, for the written response to her question on the work underway to address the increase in homelessness and work being undertaken through the “Built for Zero” programme and as a supplementary question sought further details on the steps being taken during the 2024-25 financial year to support vulnerable households at risk of homelessness and rough sleepers.

In response, Councillor Muhammed Butt, having highlighted the ongoing pressures in relation to the increase in homelessness advised that in addition to the programme of work and overall strategy already established to address the challenges identified the Council were also set to launch a new communications campaign which aimed to raise awareness of the deepening homelessness emergency in Brent and the practical realities and life changing consequences this had for homeless households. The Find a place you can afford campaign would also seek to break the perceived link between homelessness and social housing.  In addition, support continued to be provided to those residents seeking alternative accommodation within the private rented sector through a Deposit Guarantee Scheme, with the Council also continuing to work closely with organisations such as St Mungo’s and Advice for Renters in relation to the provision of support, advice and guidance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12