Agenda and minutes
Venue: Board Room 4 - Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley HA9 0FJ. View directions
Contact: James Kinsella, Governance Manager Tel: 020 8937 1348, Email: James.Kinsella@brent.gov.uk
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Apologies for absence and clarification of alternate members Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Krupa Sheth with Councillor Tom Miller attending as substitute member. |
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Declarations of interests 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. Minutes: There were no declarations of interests made by Members.
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Deputations (if any) To hear any deputations received from members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 67. Minutes: There were no deputations received.
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Minutes of the previous meeting PDF 64 KB To approve the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record. Minutes: RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on, Monday 09th December 2019 be approved as an accurate record.
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Matters arising (if any) To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting. Minutes: Minute No. 6 – Calculation of Council Tax Base 2020/21
Councillor Hirani sought an update on progress with the paper for members outlining the overall approach towards the management and collection of Council Tax debt and impact of the Council Tax Protocol. The Chief Executive informed members that the report was being progressed and that in the meantime, the approach towards debt collection involving more vulnerable residents, remained subject to detailed review. |
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Domestic Abuse Policy PDF 81 KB This report seeks approval to introduce a Domestic Abuse Policy (attached as Appendix 1) for staff.The aim of this policy is to set out the support available to employees and provide advice and guidance to managers on the impact of domestic abuse in the workplace. This policy is one of a number of standards required to achieve accreditation to the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA), which in turn will contribute to the achievement of the Borough Plan priority of a Borough where we can all feel safe, secure, happy and healthy. This policy will help to achieve our desired outcome to reduce the risk of harm in respect of domestic abuse to help make Brent safer. Additional documents: Minutes: Martin Williams (Head of Human Resources) introduced the report from the Director of Legal, HR, Audit & Investigations seeking approval to introduction of a Domestic Abuse Policy (attached as Appendix 1 to the report) for staff. The aim of the policy was to set out the support available to employees and provide advice and guidance to managers on the impact of Domestic Abuse in the workplace.
Members noted that the policy was one of a number of standards required to achieve accreditation to the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA), which sought to recognise good practice and commitment in responding to Domestic Abuse. Implementation would also enable the Council to sign up to the GMB Unions “Work to Stop Domestic Abuse” Charter, with Martin Williams also highlighting the level of consultation that had taken place thorough the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance Officer Steering Group in developing the policy.
Members welcomed the report and thanked officers for their work in developing the policy. In terms of issues raised the Committee were advised that subject to approval of the policy, work would commence on the recruitment and training of Domestic Abuse Champions with the launch of a webpage. Martin Williams also confirmed that requests for leave from domestic abuse victims in order to attend counselling, medical, legal or other related appointments, would be dealt with under the Special Leave category, rather than, taken from general annual leave entitlement.
As no further issues were raised, it was RESOLVED:
(1) To approve the Domestic Abuse Policy, as detailed within Appendix 1 of the report
(2) To note the following specific policy provisions:
(a) Review of Welfare Loans to include:
i) Same day emergency loans for Domestic Abuse victims; ii) The maximum loan for all purposes to be increased from £1000 £5000. The amount loaned would not exceed the applicant’s monthly net pay; and iii) All welfare loans to be interest free (interest is currently a fixed rate of 1% per annum above the current base rate of the Council's bankers);
(b) Special Leave – requests for leave from Domestic Abuse victims to attend counselling, medical appointments or legal proceedings, moving house or re-organising childcare would be considered in line with other requests under the Special leave category.
(c) Domestic Abuse Champion volunteers - Recruitment would be undertaken of Domestic Abuse Champions volunteers, as a confidential first point of contact for those experiencing Domestic Abuse. |
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Stopping Up Order - Land North Chippenham Gardens PDF 467 KB This report seeks authorisation to make a Stopping Up Order for an area of public highway consisting of footway and road located north of Chippenham Gardens under Section 247 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA 1990).
Additional documents:
Minutes: Nicolaas Potgieter (Highways & Infrastructure), introduced the report from the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Environment seeking approval for authorisation to make a Stopping Up Order for an area of public highway consisting of footway and road located north of Chippenham Gardens under Section 247 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA 1990). Members noted that the Order was required to enable completion of the development situated at the land north of Chippenham Gardens, as detailed within section 1.2 of the report.
In terms of comments raised, members were advised that officers were satisfied with the accuracy of the land registry data available in relation to the site, which had also been subject to legal verification. In terms of costs relating to the Stopping Up Order, confirmation was provided that these would be recharged to the budget for the overall South Kilburn Programme.
As no further issues were raised, it was RESOLVED:
(1) To note that the draft Stopping Up Order had been advertised as required by Section 247 TCPA 1990 and the consultees had informed the Council that they had either no objections or no record of apparatus in the immediate vicinity of our enquiry.
(2) To approve the making of the Stopping Up Order and that a notice of making be advertised |
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Appointments to Sub-Committees / Outside Bodies To consider any appointments needing to be made in relation to General Purposes Sub Committees. Minutes: None |
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Exclusion of the Press and Public There are currently no items listed on the agenda that will require the exclusion of the press and public.
Minutes: There were no items that required the exclusion of the press or public. |
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Any other urgent business Notice of items to be raised under this heading must be given in writing to the Head of Executive and Member Services or his representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 60. Minutes: None. |