Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Clinton with Councillor Unger attending as substitute.

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 held on 30 March 2026 as a correct record.

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 30 March 2026 be approved as a correct record.

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

There were no matters arising.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval from the General Purposes Committee to make contractual change as of 1 July 2026 to the probation period for new starters from 6 months to 4 months and to reduce the probation extension period from 13 weeks to 4 weeks.

Councillor Grahl (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources) supported by Pat Chen (Senior HR Business Partner) introduced a report seeking approval to make a contractual change as of 1 July 2026 (as a result of the Employment Rights Act 2025) to the Council’s probation period for new starters from 6 months to 4 months and reduce the probation extension period from 13 weeks to 4 weeks.

In presenting the report, it was highlighted that the Employment Rights Act 2025 had introduced significant improvements to workers’ rights, including the extension of statutory sick pay to all employees, and the strengthening of protections against unfair dismissal for all workers. In light of these changes, members were advised that this report correspondingly acted to reduce the probationary period from 6 months to 4 months, in order to ensure that decisions regarding suitability for confirmed employment were made in a timely manner. It was further noted that the revised policy set out updated assessment periods and placed a greater emphasis on providing support to staff who were new to the Council.  Confirmation was also provided that the trade unions had been consulted (7 May 2026) on the changes and were in agreement with the policy and procedures and the required contractual change.

Having thanked Councillor Grahl (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources) and Pat Chen (Senior HR Business Partner) for introducing the report, the Chair then moved on to invite questions and comments from the Committee, with the following comments highlighted:

• As an initial query, members sought details on how many employees would be affected by the proposed changes in comparison to the previous policy. In response, Krupa Peshavaria (HR Business Partner) noted that, from 1 July 2026, the changes were expected to affect approximately 70 new starters.

• Supplementary questions were raised regarding the number of unfair dismissal complaints previously received compared to the amount of unfair dismissal claims anticipated as a result of the proposed changes. Further questions were also raised in relation to the financial risk associated with the proposals, particularly with regard to the potential unfair dismissal claims. In response, Pat Chen (Senior HR Business Partner) advised that the Council had not historically experienced a high volume of unfair dismissal claims as the length of probation periods had previously been longer and had been managed effectively. It was explained that the rationale for the change reflected recent changes to employment legislation, under which the qualifying period required to bring an unfair dismissal claim had been reduced from 2 years to 6 months.  Members were further advised that the volume of unfair dismissal claims were not anticipated to rise significantly; however, it was noted that the revised threshold increased both the financial and reputational risks for the Council, as employees were now able to bring claims at an earlier stage.

• Clarification was sought by members as to whether the implementation of the proposed changes would be applied universally or whether certain categories of employees would be exempt. In  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The purpose of this report is to update the Committee on the implementation of the changes to terms and conditions, to share the handbook that has been developed which sets out terms and conditions and which forms a collective agreement with the trade unions, and to update on further ongoing work that will be brought separately for approval.

Councillor Grahl (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources) supported by Pat Chen (Senior HR Business Partner) introduced a report updating the Committee on the implementation of changes to terms and conditions and presenting the handbook that had been developed which detailed terms and conditions and formed the collective agreement with the trade unions.

In presenting the report, members were reminded that in October 2025, the General Purposes Committee had been asked to approve proposed changes to terms and conditions and to start consultation with staff and trade unions on the changes, which followed a review of pay and allowances to update the respective policies and address a number of inconsistencies in the way they were being applied, leading to disparity in payments to different groups of staff.  Members were informed that consultation had taken place with staff and trade unions during November and December 2025 with the changes agreed as a result (outlined within section 3.2 of the report) having been implemented between January and April 2026. It was noted that the changes aimed to reduce financial commitments and introduce greater governance and oversight in relation to payments. Members were advised that the revised approach provided a more consistent, fair and transparent framework for all staff with the updated handbook having also been developed to provide an overview of the main terms and conditions developed and provide the basis of the collective agreement reached with the trade unions.

Having thanked Councillor Grahl (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources) and Pat Chen (Senior HR Business Partner) for introducing the report, the Chair then moved on to invite questions and comments from the Committee, with the following comments noted:

• As an initial query, members were keen to seek details on whether the proposed changes would result in any savings or additional expenditure. In response, Pat Chen (Senior HR Business Partner) advised that the changes were expected to generate savings overall. It was explained that the introduction of standardised payments had reduced the risk of overpayments. Members were further advised that the move away from previous GLPC based arrangements, towards the application of plain time rates, together with improved governance of standby payments, had contributed to reducing overall costs.

• As a further issue highlighted, members enquired about whether trade unions had been consulted on the proposed changes, to which Pat Chen (Senior HR Business Partner) confirmed that a local agreement had been formed with the trade unions who were in agreement with the proposed changes.

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

(1)      To note the updates provided within the report and endorse the Terms & Condition Handbook, as detailed within Appendix 1 of the report.

(2)      To note the outline of future work being undertaken in relation to additional payments for certain categories of staff and the payment of expenses.

At its Annual meeting on 20 May 2026, 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 has been completed, 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.

The attached report from the Corporate Director Finance & Resources details the outcome of the review undertaken in relation to Sub-Committees to be appointed by General Purposes Committee.

James Kinsella (Governance & Scrutiny Manager) introduced a report from the Corporate Director Finance & Resources 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 20 May 2026 relating to the representation of political groups on the Council’s main committees.  It was noted that the purpose of the review was to ensure that the allocation of seats reflected the current political balance of the Council following the local borough elections in May 2026.  The Committee noted that the General Purposes Committee had 3 Sub Committees; namely, the Senior Staff Appointments Sub Committee, the Staff Appeals Sub Committee, and the Pension Fund Sub Committee, to which the political balance requirements applied. Attention was then drawn to section 3.2 of the committee report, which detailed the basis upon which the political balance requirements had been applied for the purpose of the review, including the allocation of seats between political groups.  Members heard that, in accordance with the principles set out in the report, the final seat out of the 7 available for allocation on the Pension Fund Sub Committee fell to be determined between the Conservative Group and the Liberal Democrats Group. It was confirmed that, following consultation with the relevant Group Leaders, it had been agreed, subject to the approval of the General Purposes Committee, that this seat would be allocated to the Conservative Group.

The Committee was therefore asked to approve the outcome of the review as set out in the report and to approve the appointments to the Sub Committees, as nominated by each political group, which were subsequently detailed under item 9 on the agenda.

As a result, it was RESOLVED 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 of the agenda) giving effect to the wishes of the political group(s) allocated the seats.

Following on from 8. above, to consider and confirm the appointments needing to be made in relation to those Sub Committees appointed by the General Purposes Committee.

Following on from Item 8 above, Councillor Muhammed Butt introduced an item setting out the proposed appointments to the General Purposes Sub-committees for the 2026-2027 Municipal Year.

As a result, it RESOLVED to agree the following appointments to the General Purposes Sub-Committees for the 2026 - 2027 Municipal Year:

senior staff appointments sub-committee

m butt (C)                                LABOUR

grahl                                       LABOUR

Kansagra                                CONSERVATIVE

GEORGIOU                                LiberAL DEMOCRATS

MITCHELL                                  gREEN

SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS:

LABOUR:  DIXON, knight,

CONSERVATIVE: MISHRA & MISTRY

LiberAL DEMOCRATS: lorber & unger

gREEN: amadhi moghaddam & ryan

senior staff appeals sub-committee

m butt (C)                                LABOUR

grahl                                       LABOUR

Kansagra                                CONSERVATIVE

LORBER                                     LiberAL DEMOCRATS

MITCHELL                                  gREEN

SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS:

LABOUR:  DIXON, knight,

CONSERVATIVE: MISHRA & MISTRY

LiberAL DEMOCRATS: GEORGIOU & unger

gREEN: ryan & warsame

brent pension fund sub-committee

burn (C)                                    LABOUR

anderson                                labour

i.ahmed                                     LABOUR

KANSAGRA                                CONSERVATIVE

H.PATEL                                     CONSERVATIVE

BROWN                                      LiberAL DEMOCRATS

RYAN                                          gREEN

Co-Opted non-voting:

ELIZABETH BANKOLE             (UNISON)

SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS:

LABOUR:  AGHA, BAJWA, CHOUDRY, THOAMS

CONSERVATIVE: CHOWDHURY & DO ROSARIO

LiberAL DEMOCRATS: LORBER & UNGER

gREEN: GALLAGHER & PERRIN

brent pension board

FULL MEMBERS:

DAVID EWART (C)                                          INDEPENDENT CHAIR (31.12.2026)

S.BUTT                                                 LABOUR

DAR                                                      LABOUR

CHRIS BALA                                        PENSION SCHEME MEMBER

BOLA GEORGE                                    TRADE UNION (UNISON) MEMBER

ROBERT WHEELER                             TRADE UNION (GMB) MEMBER

VACANCY                                             EMPLOYER MEMBER (NON-BRENT COUNCIL)

SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS:

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

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.