Agenda and minutes

None.

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 by Members.

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 held on 7 March 2022 as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting, held on Monday 7 March 2022 be approved as an accurate record.

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

There were no matters arising.

This report seeks authorisation to make a Stopping Up Order for three parts of

public highway within the South Kilburn Estate for a phased development –

Neville, Winterleys & Carlton Sites (NWCC) that lie near Neville House, Neville

Road and in Denmark Road near Carlton House, Canterbury Terrace.

Councillor Krupa Sheth introduced a report from the Strategic Director for Regeneration & Environment seeking authorisation to make a Stopping Up Order for three parts of public highway within the South Kilburn Estate for a phased development at the Neville, Winterleys & Carlton site (NWCC) .The Stopping Up Order was required under Section 247 of the Town and County Planning Act (TCPA) 1990 (TCPA 1990) in order to complete the development at the site.

Members noted that the draft Stopping Up Order had been advertised in accordance with the requirements of Section 247 TCPA 1990 along with the outcome of the statutory consultation undertaken in relation to the Stopping Up Order, as detailed within section 3.7 – 3.8 of the report.  Of the seventeen responses received two objections had been received from the National Grid and Virgin Media.  These were on the basis that they may have apparatus in the proposed area.  Members were advised that following further communication between officers and National Grid their objection had been resolved with further work ongoing in order to resolve the objection from Virgin Media.

The Committee noted the importance of the proposed development which the Stopping Up order related in terms of supporting the next stage in the South Kilburn Infrastructure and re-development programme and in recognition of this extended their thanks to officers for their support.

Having noted the outcome of the consultation undertaken, Members welcomed the scheme and therefore RESOLVED:

(1)      Whilst noting the remaining objections in the report to approve the Stopping Up Order and agree that it should be advertised following the resolution of the objection.

(2)      To approve the making of the Stopping Up Order (SUO) and that a notice of making be advertised.

This report seeks to providetheCommitteewithinformationonthe reviewed and amended draft Grievance Policy (the policy), to be called the Workplace Resolution Policy.

1.          Workplace Resolution Policy

Councillor Mili Patel introduced a report from the Director of Legal, HR, Audit & Investigations detailing the outcome from a review of the Council’s Grievance Policy along with proposed amendments which included a change in name to the Workforce Resolution Policy.

In noting the summary of main changes proposed to the policy, as detailed in section 4 of the report, the committee were advised that the revised policy took into account best practice and was supported by managers and trade unions.

Martin Williams, Head of Human Resources informed the committee that the revised policy followed ACAS best practice guidance and was aimed at supporting an approach which encouraged direct resolution between the parties concerned at as early a stage as possible.

Whilst supportive of the approach and proposed changes outlined members suggested some further minor amendments in order to reflect reasonable adjustments around disabilities.  As a result if was proposed that the Committee, if minded to agree the revised policy, also delegate approval to make any further minor adjustments required to the Head of Paid Service.

As the result of an additional query regarding application of the policy to issues relating to working from home Carolyn Downs (Chief Executive) confirmed that due to the well-established and flexible approach in Brent these type of issues were rarely raised as grievances with clear requirements established under the Council’s flexible working arrangements.

Having considered the report the Committee therefore RESOLVED:

(1)      To approve the new Workplace Resolution Policy as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

(2)      To note the key changes to the procedure and the introduction of external mediation, with a view to resolving issues raised by employees at an early stage.

(3)      To delegate authority to the Head of Paid Service to agree any further minor amendments to the new policy identified as required.

At its Annual meeting on 18 May 2022, Full Council reviewed and determined the representation of political groups on its main committees and subsequently made appointments to these, in accordance with the wishes of the political groups concerned. As soon as practicable after such a review, this Committee is also required to review and determine the representation of political groups on its Sub-committees and then make appointments giving effect to the wishes of the political groups allocated seats.

Councillor Muhammed Butt introduced a report from the Director of Legal, HR, Audit & Investigations detailing the outcome of a review on the representation of political groups on those Sub Committees appointed by the General Purposes Committee.

Members were advised this followed the review undertaken at the Annual Council meeting on 18 May 2022 relating to the representation of political groups on the Council’s main committees.

As a result it was RESOLVED to agree that on the basis of the current membership of the Council:

(1)      To agree the size of each sub – committee to be appointed by the Committee;

(2)      To agree the allocation of seats to political groups on each of the sub – committees in accordance with political balance rules, as detailed in section 3 of the report; and

(3)      To appoint Chairs and Vice- Chairs, members and substitutes to each Sub-committee (to be confirmed under Item 9 on the agenda) giving effect to the wishes of the political group(s) allocated the seats.

To consider any appointments needing to be made in relation to the Sub Committee’s appointed by the General Purposes Committee.

Following on from Item 8 above, Councillor Butt introduced the item which set out the proposed appointments to the General Purposes Sub-committees for the 2022/2023 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED: That Members agree the following appointments to the General Purposes Sub-Committees for the 2022/2023 Municipal Year:

general purposes sub-committees

senior staff appointments sub-committee

m butt (C)                                     LABOUR                  

m.PATEL (VC)                                 LABOUR                  

Kansagra                                     CONSERVATIVE

Krupa sheth                               LABOUR

tatler                                            LABOUr

SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS:

LABOUR:DONNELLY-JACKSON, farah, GRAHL, knight, nerva, southwood

CONSERVATIVE: MAURICE.MISTRY

senior staff appeals sub-committee

m butt (C)                                     LABOUR                  

m.PATEL (VC)                                 LABOUR                                          

kansagra                                     CONSERVATIVE

NERVA                                              LABOUR

Krupa sheth                               LABOUr

SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS:

LABOUR:DONNELLY-JACKSON, farah, GRAHL, knight, nerva, southwood

CONSERVATIVE: MAURICE, mistry

brent pension fund sub-committee

johnson (C)                                              LABOUR

mitchell (VC)                                          LABOUR

choudry                                                   LABOUR

dar                                                               labour

hack                                                            labour

KANSAGRA                                                 CONSERVATIVE

MIller                                                         LABOUR

Co-Opted non-voting:

ELIZABETH BANKOLE                 (UNISON)

SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS:

LABOUR:dixon, ethapemi,mahmood, shah

CONSERVATIVE: MAURICE, j.patel

brent pension board

FULL MEMBERS:

DAVID EWART (C)                                                 INDEPENDENT CHAIR

akram                                                         LABOUR

kabir                                                           LABOUR

CHRIS BALA                                               PENSION SCHEME MEMBER

BOLA GEORGE                                          TRADE UNION (UNISON) MEMBER

ROBERT WHEELER                                TRADE UNION (GMB) MEMBER

SUNIL GHANDI                                           EMPLOYER MEMBER (NON-BRENT COUNCIL)

SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS:

No provision is included within the Boards Terms of Reference for substitute members

The following items are not for publication as they relate to the following category of exempt information as specified under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, namely:

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.

There were no items that required the exclusion of the press or public from the meeting.

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.

None.