Issue - meetings

To receive an annual report on the Borough from the Leader of the Council, in accordance with Standing Order 38.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council, to present his Annual Report on the work of the Council and State of the Borough.

Councillor Muhammed Butt opened the Annual Report by reflecting on the role of politicians and challenges faced in being able to uphold the principles and fulfil their responsibilities and duties in relation to public service.  In recognising the role played by all local councillors in seeking to make the borough the best it could be he also took the opportunity to personally reflect on the previous year and remember those former councillors who had sadly passed away for their public service in seeking to make things better, including Ruth Moher and Ramesh Patel.

Moving on, the Leader then took the opportunity to welcome and highlight the decisive change delivered following the recent General Election in the form of the first new Labour Government in 14 years, which he felt could not have come soon enough given the previous Conservative Governments record in office.  Whilst highlighting the previous Government’s failure to address the investment needed in health and public services along with the water network and energy security Councillor Muhammed Butt felt the most significant issue had been their failure to address the housing crisis and deliver as a priority the level of affordable homes required.  Outlining the challenging nature of the issues inherited by the new Labour Government, including NHS waiting times, growing housing demand and increasing reliance on foodbanks he was pleased to now be able to focus on supporting the aims of the new Labour Government in seeking to restore belief in politics as a force for good and in working to renew public services in order to support local residents, particularly those identified as more vulnerable.

In outlining the work being undertaken by the Council to support this approach the Leader commended the efforts being made to support Byron Court Primary school in seeking to oppose  forced academisation as well as invest in the health prevention and screening programmes being delivered through Brent Health Matters.  Specific reference was also made to the progress in delivery of new Social and Affordable housing schemes and developments across Brent with further schemes and investment in new neighbourhoods to be delivered in areas including Northwick Park (working in partnership with the NHS) and Neasden in an effort to attract more first-time buyers.  Whilst welcoming this progress, the Leader felt it was also important to acknowledge the fact that wealth inequality still persisted and significant challenges needing to be addressed in relation to the housing and homelessness crisis, including ongoing pressures in the supply and costs associated with the use of Temporary Accommodation (TA) to meet current levels of demand with Council’s across London currently spending £90m per month on TA just in order to meet their legal obligations and stand still.  In being clear about the ongoing financial impact on the Council, the need was identified for a fundamental change in approach to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11