Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

An absence from Councillor Kansagra was noted during the meeting.

Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, the nature and existence of any relevant disclosable pecuniary or personal interests in the items on this agenda and to specify the item(s) to which they relate.

There were no declarations of interests made during the meeting.

To hear any deputations received from members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 67.

There were no deputations received.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 22 June 2026 be approved as a correct record.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

There were no matters arising.

This report seeks approval to continue with the recruitment and retention payments for social workers, occupational therapists and visual impairment rehabilitation officers in Adult Social Care (ASC), to improve the recruitment and retention of permanent staff, following on from approval of the previous payments in November 2023.

Rachel Crossley (Corporate Director Service Reform and Strategy) followed by Councillor Grahl (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources) introduced a report seeking approval to continue with the recruitment and retention payments for social workers, occupational therapists and visual impairment rehabilitation officers in Adult Social Care (ASC), to improve the recruitment and retention of permanent staff, following on from approval of the previous payments in November 2023.

In presenting the report, it was highlighted that the payments had been introduced in response to significant recruitment and retention challenges affecting Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Visual Impairment Rehabilitation Officers. The payments to the Adult and Social Care workforce aimed to reduce reliance on agency staff and increase the number of permanent staff in harder to recruit areas. It was noted that these professional areas continued to experience recruitment difficulties, reflecting wider national pressures. It was further mentioned that the recruitment and retention payments had been in place for almost 3 years and had played an important role in reducing agency reliance and progressing agency staff into permanent roles.

In reviewing the arrangements, the importance of ensuring that the Council continued to attract and retain suitably qualified and experienced staff was emphasised. It was stated that it was essential to ensure that the Council remained competitive within the employment market and continued to attract the right people into the right roles.

It was further highlighted that reducing the use of agency staff and increasing the proportion of permanent employees brought both practical and moral benefits. It was stressed that the report was not solely focused on workforce resources but also reflected the Council's commitment to securing high quality social care provision through the employment of reliable, committed and appropriately compensated professionals.

Having thanked Rachel Crossley (Corporate Director Service Reform and Strategy) and Councillor Grahl (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources) for introducing the report, the Chair then moved on to invite questions and comments from the Committee, with the following comments highlighted:

• The Chair noted the challenging labour market conditions affecting Adult Social Care services. It was highlighted that the recruitment and retention payments for Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Visual Impairment Rehabilitation Officers had proven effective in supporting both recruitment and retention efforts. It was further observed that the payments had assisted the Council in converting a number of temporary and agency workers into permanent members of staff, strengthening the Council's workforce and reducing dependency on agency provision.

Having thanked all those involved for their contributions to the discussion and consideration of the item, it was RESOLVED:

(1)  That the Committee agree to the continuation of the use of recruitment and retention initiatives, as follows:

i)               To make a one-off payment of £5,000 to newly recruited permanent qualified social workers, occupational therapists and visual impairment rehabilitation officers on grades PO2 - PO7, on satisfactory completion of their probationary period and repayable where an employee leaves the council within 12 months of receiving the payment.

ii)              To make  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

This report seeks approval to continue with the recruitment and retention payments for social workers in Children’s Early Help and Social Care roles to improve the recruitment and retention of permanent staff, following the previous agreement in May 2023.  It also proposes to include occupational therapists in the list of posts that will be eligible for payment in order to ensure that parity and fairness across the social care workforce is maintained.

Nigel Chapman (Corporate Director Children Young People and Community Development) was invited to introduce a report seeking approval to continue with the recruitment and retention payments for social workers in Children’s Early Help and Social Care roles to improve the recruitment and retention of permanent staff.

In presenting, it was highlighted that that the report sought to maintain consistency with the arrangements already in place for Adult Social Care staff and reflected the ongoing need to attract and retain skilled professionals within Children’s Early Help and Social Care roles.

It was explained that the recruitment and retention payments had been successfully implemented for children's social workers over recent years and had delivered positive workforce outcomes. It was reported that the permanent children's social care workforce had reached close to 90%, representing the highest level of permanent staffing achieved within the service for over a decade.

The Committee heard that the payments had contributed significantly to improving workforce stability and reducing reliance on agency staff. It was advised that agency expenditure had fallen substantially and had reduced by more than half during the previous 3 years. It was stated that this had enabled the service to benefit from reduced staffing costs associated with agency recruitment.

It was further noted that the recruitment and retention offer had been well received by staff. It was highlighted that the arrangements had encouraged staff to remain working in Brent.

Having thanked Nigel Chapman (Corporate Director Children Young People and Community Development) for introducing the report, the Chair then moved on to invite questions and comments from the Committee, with the following comments noted:

• The Chair emphasised the importance of ensuring that the Council remained able to recruit and retain suitably qualified social workers within Children's Early Help and Social Care services. It was noted that maintaining a stable and experienced workforce was essential to delivering effective support and positive outcomes for children, young people and families across the borough. It was highlighted that the continuation of the recruitment and retention payments would assist the Council in sustaining the workforce necessary to meet residents' needs and maintain high quality service provision.

Having thanked all those involved for their contributions to the discussion and consideration of the item, it was RESOLVED:

(1)  That the Committee agree to the continuation of the use of recruitment and retention initiatives, as follows:

i)               To make a one-off payment of £5,000 to newly recruited permanent qualified social work staff on grades PO1 - PO7 and to occupational therapists’ grades PO2 - PO5, on satisfactory completion of their probationary period and repayable where an employee leaves the council within 12 months of receiving the payment.

ii)              To make retention payments of either £2500 or £4,500 for qualified social work staff on grades PO1 - PO7 as set out in the accompanying policy (Recruitment and Retention Payments Policy for Social Work Staff), to be paid annually after completion of a full year’s service.

iii)            To make retention payments of £3,000 to occupational  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval from the General Purposes Committee to extend the fixed-term appointment of the Director of Resident Services and current interim appointment to the post of Director of Public Health and Leisure.

Tom Cattermole (Corporate Director Residents and Housing Services) introduced a report seeking approval from the General Purposes Committee to extend the fixed-term appointment of the Director of Resident Services until 31 March 2027. The proposed extension exceeded the period that may be authorised under the Chief Executive's delegated powers and therefore required approval by the General Purposes Committee.

In continuing the presentation to the Committee, Rachel Crossley (Corporate Director Service Reform and Strategy) added that the report also sought approval to extend the current interim appointment to the post of Director of Public Health and Leisure. It was noted that the existing arrangement was due to end in September 2026. Whilst recruitment to the substantive post was underway, it was anticipated that any successful candidate may not be able to commence until December 2026 at the earliest and potentially later. It was further stated that an extension to the interim arrangement was therefore required to ensure continuity of statutory public health leadership and the discharge of the Council's public health duties pending a substantive appointment. Members heard that the Appointments Panel was scheduled to take place on 17 September 2026. As the proposed extension exceeded the period that may be authorised under delegated powers, approval was sought from the General Purposes Committee.

Having thanked Tom Cattermole (Corporate Director Residents and Housing Services) and Rachel Crossley (Corporate Director Service Reform and Strategy) for introducing the report, the Chair then moved on to invite questions and comments from the Committee, with the following comments noted:

• Further details were sought regarding whether recruitment to the Director of Resident Services post would be completed within the proposed timescales, thereby avoiding the need for a further extension of the interim arrangement. In response, Tom Cattermole (Corporate Director Residents and Housing Services) provided an update on the recruitment process and advised that the intention was to commence recruitment to the substantive post in September 2026. It was explained that this timeline would allow sufficient time for the full recruitment process to be undertaken, including interview stages and other recruitment procedures. The Committee was informed that the aim was for the recruitment process to be completed by 31 March 2027.

Having thanked all those involved for their contributions to the discussion and consideration of the item, it was RESOLVED:

(1)   To approve the extension of the Director of Resident Services until 31 March 2027;

(2)  To authorise the Corporate Director of Residents and Housing Services, in consultation with the Director of HR &OD, to complete all necessary contractual and employment arrangements associated with the extension;

(3)  To approve the extension of the interim Director of Public Health and Leisure until 31 January 2027 or until the substantive postholder takes up appointment, whichever is sooner; and

(4)  To authorise the Corporate Director for Service Reform and Strategy, in consultation with the Director of HR &OD, to complete all necessary contractual and employment arrangements associated with the extension.

To consider and confirm the changes in membership appointments notified in respect of Sub Committees appointed by the General Purposes Sub Committee.

The Chair introduced an item which sought confirmation of the changes in membership appointments notified in respect of Sub Committees appointed by the General Purposes Sub Committee, as detailed below.

brent pension fund sub-committee

(1)    Councillors Kansagra and HB Patel to be replaced by Councillors A.Patel and Mishra as the Conservative Group nominations as full members on the Pension Fund Sub Committee

(2)    Councillors Chowdhury and Do Rosario to be replaced as the Conservative Group substitute members on the Pension Fund Sub Committee by Councillors Kansagra and HB Patel

(3)    Subject to no other nominations being received Councillor Mishra to be appointed as Vice Chair of the Pension Fund Sub Committee

As a result, it was RESOLVEDon the basis of the above changes that the revised membership of the Pension Fund Sub Committee be confirmed as follows:

burn (C)                                    LABOUR

anderson                                labour

i.ahmed                                     LABOUR

A.PATEL                                     CONSERVATIVE

MISHRA                                      CONSERVATIVE

BROWN                                      LiberAL DEMOCRATS

RYAN                                          gREEN

Co-Opted non-voting:

ELIZABETH BANKOLE             (UNISON)

SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS:

LABOUR:  AGHA, BAJWA, CHOUDRY, THOAMS

CONSERVATIVE: KANSAGRA & HB PATEL

LiberAL DEMOCRATS: LORBER & UNGER

gREEN: GALLAGHER & PERRIN

Notice of items to be raised under this heading must be given in writing to the Deputy Director Democratic and Corporate Governance or their representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 60.

No items of urgent business were raised at the meeting.

No items have been identified in advance of the meeting that will require the exclusion of the press or public.

RESOLVED: that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of agenda item X on the grounds that this involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph X, Part 1 of Schedule 12A, as amended, of the Act: Insert category of exempt information

1. Information relating to any individual.

2. Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

3. Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

4. Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

5. Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

6. Information which reveals that the authority proposes –

(a) to give under any enactment a notice under or by virtue of which requirements

are imposed on a person; or

(b) to make an order or direction under any enactment

7. Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.