Agenda, decisions and minutes

Prior to formally opening the meeting, the Mayor (Councillor Ezeajughi) took the opportunity to welcome everyone and invited Carolyn Downs, as Chief Executive, to run through the guidance issued in relation to conduct of the online meeting. Having noted the guidance, the Mayor then moved on to the formal agenda for the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence notified by Members.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Conneely and R.Patel.

The Mayor advised that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Conneely and Ramesh Patel.

For the Council to elect a Mayor for the 2021/2022 Municipal Year, in accordance with Standing Order 27(a).

Councillor Lia Colacicco was appointed to serve as Mayor of the London Borough of Brent for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

Prior to handing over to the Chief Executive for the conduct of the election process, Councillor Ezeajughi (as outgoing Mayor) began by asking members for nominations to the office of Mayor of the London of Borough of Brent for the 2021/2022 Municipal Year.

Councillor M Butt (Leader of the Council) proceeded to nominate Councillor Lia Colacicco.  In moving the nomination, he thanked Councillor Ezeajughi and his family for their hard work and dedication during his extended period as Mayor, recognising what had been a challenging two years not only in terms of his civic role but also for the borough as a whole in responding to the pandemic. In nominating Councillor Colacicco, he felt confident she would be able to continue in the same manner providing the necessary civic leadership for the borough as it sought to recover from the pandemic.

Councillor McLennan (Deputy Leader of the Council) seconded Councillor M Butt’s nomination of Councillor Colacicco for the office of Mayor of the London of Borough of Brent for the 2021/2022 Municipal Year.

There were no other nominations and it was therefore RESOLVED that Councillor Lia Colacicco be elected Mayor of the London Borough of Brent for the 2021/2022 Municipal Year. 

Councillor Colacicco proceeded to sign the statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office of Mayor.

An intimation will be received from the Mayor regarding the appointment of a Councillor of the Borough to be Deputy Mayor, in accordance with Standing Order 27(b).

Councillor Abdi Aden was appointed to serve as Deputy Mayor of the London Borough of Brent for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

Councillor Colacicco, as newly appointed Mayor, thanked members for her nomination and appointment as Mayor.  She then announced that she had appointed Councillor Abdi Aden to serve as Deputy Mayor for the 2021/2022 Municipal Year.

Councillor Colacicco then formally returned thanks for her appointment and began by commenting on her pride in being nominated as Mayor and expressing gratitude to her predecessor Councillor Ezeajughi for his outstanding work across the borough during his two years as Mayor, which she pointed out would be difficult to follow.  She also congratulated Councillor Aden on his appointment as Deputy Mayor and thanked all members for their faith in appointing her to take on the role as first citizen of the borough.

The Mayor then went on to share some information about her background. She explained that she was the daughter of Italian immigrants who had moved to the country in the 1960s. She studied Psychology at City University and had then spent the 1980s extensively travelling on business, where she had developed her fascination for other cultures.  Having settled down to married life and having two children, she had gradually became more interested in the growing environmental movement.  Following a period as a Friends of the Earth activist she then had the honour and privilege to be elected as a councillor for Mapesbury ward in 2014.

Whilst commenting on what she felt her parents would have made of her appointment as Mayor, Councillor Colacicco emphasised the importance of the role and of councillors in general. Recognising the difference they could make in representing their local communities, she encouraged residents to make contact with their local councillors and to get involved whenever possible.

Councillor Colacicco then outlined her aims for her Mayoralty. She hoped to help Brent get the recognition it deserved, and to encourage everyone to make small changes to their lifestyles, including cutting their carbon footprint. Her overall message would be that small change added up, and her mantra would be that Brent is best.

Describing Brent as a melting pot full interesting variety and complex contradictions Councillor Colacicco went on to reflect on some of these.  Referring to the report commissioned by the Council on poverty she highlighted the example of residents having to pay for the costs of inner city life yet at the same time living on a suburban wage.  She also highlighted the fact the Borough was home to the world famous Wembley Stadium at the centre of the £25b football industry but with one third of households in Brent some way dependant on the welfare system.  Whilst supporting the delivery of thousands of new homes, she also highlighted the significant levels of overcrowding in the borough, particularly (despite the Council’s ongoing efforts) in the under-regulated private rented sector.  Turning to education she also highlighted the fact that 165 languages were spoken across the boroughs schools with 96% managing to achieve good or outstanding Ofsted ratings.  As a final example of the apparent contradictions she referred to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To invite a vote of thanks to the outgoing Mayor, in accordance with Standing Order 27(c).

NOTED

(1)        the vote of thanks to the co-opted and independent members serving on the Council’s committees.

(2)        the vote of thanks and tributes paid to the outgoing Mayor.

The Mayor then invited Councillor McLennan, as Deputy Leader, to propose a vote of thanks to all co-opted and other members serving on the Council’s committees.

Councillor McLennan began by thanking the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Ezeajughi, for the example he had set in undertaking his civic duties and in fundraising for his chosen charities under such difficult and challenging circumstances.

As this was the Annual Meeting of the Council, she also advised it was an ideal opportunity to again highlight the valued work of the Council’s co-opted and independent committee members, given the core role they played as critical friends in the Council’s democratic process.  She advised that their independence and objectivity were highly valued and integral to the role of the bodies on which they served including Scrutiny, Audit & Standards and the various health and education bodies.  She ended by thanking all of the co-opted Members for their work in supporting the Council’s drive towards continuous improvement.

The Mayor then invited Councillor M Butt (Leader of the Council) to propose a vote of thanks for the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Ezeajughi. In doing so, he praised Councillor Ezeajughi’s commitment to working with young people in the borough alongside the likes of the Jason Roberts Foundation, Brent Youth Foundation and Brent Youth Parliament. He remembered the interactions he had seen between Councillor Ezeajughi and new residents at Citizenship Ceremonies, in which he had shown such genuine excitement at seeing people become residents of the borough. He then highlighted the work Councillor Ezeajughi had undertaken with local community groups and organisations, particularly during the pandemic, which he recognised had been hugely valued by residents.  Councillor M Butt ended by once again thanking Councillor Ezeajughi for being such a strong representative of the borough during his Mayoralty.

Councillor Kansagra, as Leader of the Conservative Group, advised that he would like to second the vote of thanks moved by the Deputy Leader to all co-opted and other members on the Council’s committees. He also took the opportunity to congratulate the newly appointed Mayor and Deputy Mayor on their appointment before ending by thanking the outgoing Mayor for the way he had conducted himself and undertaken his civic role during such challenging times throughout the pandemic as well as for the way he had chaired the Council meetings both in person and online.

The Mayor then invited comments from other members in recognition of the role undertaken by the outgoing Mayor.

Councillor Dixon opened the tributes by thanking Councillor Ezeajughi for his hard work over the previous two years as well as his friendly nature and warm smile. She also took the opportunity to congratulate Councillor Colacicco as incoming Mayor and was confident that she would also excel in her new role.

Councillor McLennan once again thanked the outgoing Mayor for his hard work during the past two years, especially in response to the pandemic. Despite having done so well as Mayor, she was happy that he would now be able to turn his attention  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

In accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct and Standing Order 27(e), Members are invited to declare, at this stage of the meeting, the nature and existence of any relevant disclosable pecuniary or personal interests in relation to any matter to be considered at the meeting.

There were no interests declared by Members.

There were no interests declared by Members.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council held on Monday 22 February 2021.

AGREED the minutes from the Council meeting held virtually on Monday 22 February 2021 as a correct record.

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 22 February 2021 be approved as a correct record.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

NOTED the announcements from the Mayor in relation to:

·                The deaths of former Councillor Pam Jordan and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, with a minutes silence observed during the meeting.

The Mayor made the following announcements:

(i)      Death of Former Councillor Pam Jordan

The Mayor announced it was with much sadness she had to begin by advising members of the death of former Councillor Pam Jordan, who had recently passed away at her home in Dollis Hill at the age of 90. Pam had served as a councillor representing Cricklewood ward from 1978 to 1982 and Willesden Green ward from 1986 to 1990. She had also served as a Governor and for almost a decade as Chair of the Corporation of the College of North West London as well as being a member on the Board of Tricycle Theatre Company for over three decades.

(ii)     Commemoration of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

The Mayor also reflected on the passing of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who she felt had been an outstanding public servant, dedicating his life in service of the country and the Commonwealth.  She felt he would be most remembered for his outstanding dedication and support to Her Majesty the Queen as well as for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which since its creation in 1956 had helped countless young people, including many in Brent.

The Mayor then invited those present online to observe a minute’s silence in memory of both former Councillor Pam Jordan and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

The online meeting was then paused to observe a minute’s silence.

The Mayor then invited Councillors Crane and Long to give tribute to former Councillor Pam Jordan.

Councillor Crane advised that he would specifically remember Pam for the work undertaken in supporting equal opportunities and multiculturalism.  In terms of her career he highlighted her background in further education, lecturing at the College of North West London as well as serving on the Education Committee and later chairing the Further Education Sub-Committee.  She went on to become Deputy Leader of the Council, and he remembered had played an important role in stabilising the Council’s finances in the late 1980’s.  After leaving the Council, she became Chair of the College of North West London and during this time was honoured with an OBE.  He also remembered her love of reading and being a keen supporter of Brent’s local libraries as well as the instrumental role she had played in opening the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn and serving on its Board.

Councillor Long also paid tribute to Pam, remembering her efforts as Deputy Leader to stabilise the Council and as an active trade unionist.  Highlighting her passion and support for libraries, Councillor Long felt that she would have been delighted to see the incoming Mayor chose Cricklewood Library as one of her nominated charities.

As a final contribution, the Mayor then invited Councillor Hector to pay tribute to Pam whom she advised she had worked with at the College of North West London and was remembered for her efforts in supporting her colleagues.

The Mayor advised that this concluded her announcements and then moved straight on to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To receive, in accordance with Standing Order 27(g), a report from the Director of Legal, HR, Audit & Investigations outlining changes identified to the Constitution following its annual review alongside amendments to the Council’s Pay Policy Statement 2021-22 following withdrawal of the Regulations concerning public sector employee exit payments.

AGREED

(1)    To note the current legal position in respect of remote meetings.

(2)    To note changes to officer and Cabinet Member delegated powers agreed by the Leader of the Council set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

(3)    To agree the changes to officer delegated powers set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

(4)    To agree the arrangements for review of the changes to officer delegated powers referred to at (2) and (3) above as set out a paragraph 3.8 of the report.

(5)    To agree the changes to contract standing orders set out in Appendix 3 of the report.

(6)    To agree the general changes and updates to the Constitution set out in Appendix 4 of the report.

(7)    To authorise the Director of Legal, HR, Audit and Investigations to amend the Constitution to remove changes previously made to permit remote attendance at meetings as a result of the High Court claim having been unsuccessful.

(8)    To note that, to the extent that the changes set out in this report relate to executive functions of the Council, they have been approved by the Leader.

(9)    To authorise the Director of Legal, HR, Audit & Investigations to amend the Constitution accordingly, including making any necessary incidental or consequential changes.

(10)  To agree the changes to the Pay Policy Statement for 2021-22 set out at paragraph 3.12 of the report.

The Mayor invited Councillor M Butt (Leader of the Council) to introduce the report from the Director of Legal, HR, Audit & Investigations.

Councillor M.Butt advised that the report outlined the steps being taken to manage any potential return of face-to-face Council, Cabinet and committee meetings whilst the pandemic continued alongside a number of changes to the Council’s Contract Standing Orders, Constitution and Pay Policy Statement.

As no members indicated that they wished to speak on the item the Mayor put the recommendations straight to the vote and they were unanimously declared CARRIED.

It was therefore RESOLVED:

(1)      To note the current legal position in respect of remote meetings, as detailed within the report.

(2)      To note the changes to officer and Cabinet Member delegated powers agreed by the Leader of the Council, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

(3)      To agree the changes to officer delegated powers, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

(4)      To agree the arrangements for review of the changes to officer delegated powers referred to at (2) and (3) above and set out a paragraph 3.8 of the report.

(5)      To agree the changes to contract standing orders, as set out in Appendix 3 of the report.

(6)      To agree the general changes and updates to the Constitution, as set out in Appendix 4 of the report.

(7)      To authorise the Director of Legal, HR, Audit and Investigations to amend the Constitution to remove changes previously made to permit remote attendance at meetings in the event that the judicial review claim currently in progress was unsuccessful.

(8)      To note that, to the extent that the changes set out in the report related to executive functions of the Council, they have been approved by the Leader.

(9)      To authorise the Director of Legal, HR, Audit & Investigations to amend the Constitution accordingly, including making any necessary incidental or consequential changes.

(10)   To agree the changes to the Pay Policy Statement for 2021-22 set out in paragraph 3.12 of the report.

To receive a report from the Chief Executive asking Members to review and determine, under Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the allocation of seats on Council committees and other relevant bodies, in accordance with Standing Order 27(h).

AGREED

(1)     The size of each Committee, as detailed within the report.

(2)     The allocation of seats on Committees to each of the Council’s political groups (where the rules of political balance apply), as set out within the report and to make appointments to those committees, giving effect to the wishes of the political group allocated the seats.

(3)     to note that the political balance on Council Sub-Committees would be reviewed at the first meeting of the General Purposes Committee and Licensing Committee to be held following the Annual Council Meeting.

The Mayor then moved on to invite Councillor M Butt (Leader of the Council) to introduce the report from the Chief Executive.

Councillor M.Butt advised the report fulfilled the Council’s duty to review and determine the representation of different political groups on certain Committees at its annual meeting.

As no members indicated that they wished to speak on the item the Mayor put the recommendations straight to the vote and they were declared CARRIED.

It was therefore RESOLVED:

(1)      That the size of each Committee be agreed, as detailed within the report.

(2)      To agree (where the rules of political balance apply) the allocation of seats on committees to each of the Council’s political groups as set out in the report.

(3)      To make appointments to those committees giving effect to the wishes of the political group allocated the seats; and

(4)      To note that the political balance on sub-committees would be reviewed at the first meeting of the General Purposes Committee and the Licensing Committee held following the Annual Meeting.

To receive a report from the Chief Executive seeking Council’s approval to the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs, membership and substitute members of Council committees and Joint Committees and other relevant bodies, forums and panels, in accordance with Standing Order 27(i).

Members are asked to note that the full lists of appointments have now been attached as part of a republished agenda on 29 April 2021.

Appointments that are not constitutionally made by Full Council (including the notification of appointment(s) of the Deputy Leader and to Cabinet and any Cabinet Committees) will also be circulated prior to the meeting, for Members to note.

AGREED

(1)        The appointments of members, co-opted members and substitutes to Council Committees and Outside Bodies for the 2021-2022 Municipal Year, as detailed within Appendix 1 of the report.

(2)    The appointments of Chairs and Vice Chairs to Council Committees for the 2021-2022 Municipal Year, as detailed within Appendix 1 of the report.

(3)    To approve:

(a)    The reappointment of the following as Independent Persons with effect from 1 May 2021:

·             William Goh & Kier Hopley for a 4 year term of office (subject to confirmation at the Annual Council each year);

·             Nigel Shock for a 1 year term of office;

(b)    the appointment of the following as independent co-opted members on the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee for a 4 year term of office, with effect from 1 May 2021 (subject to confirmation at the Annual Council each year):

·             Javid Ansari & Mark Mills

(c)    the reappointment of David Ewart as independent chair of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee and Pension Board for a 2 year term of office ending on 31 July 2023.

(4)    To note the appointments:

(a)        of the Cabinet, Cabinet Committees and Joint Executive Committees and their respective Chairs and Vice Chairs for the 2021-2022 Municipal Year, as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report.

(b)       to be confirmed by the General Purposes Committee for the 2021-2022 Municipal Year, as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report.

(c)    to be confirmed by Licensing Committee for the 2021-2022 Municipal Year, as detailed in Appendix 4 of the report.

The Mayor then invited Councillor M Butt, as Leader of the Council, to introduce the report from the Chief Executive.

Councillor M.Butt advised the report set out the nominations for appointments to Committees, Joint Committees, Forums, Panels, Outside Bodies and nomination for Chairs and Vice Chairs, where necessary, for the 2021/21 municipal year.

As no members indicated that they wished to speak on the item the Mayor once again put the recommendations in the report straight to a vote and they were unanimously declared CARRIED.

It was therefore RESOLVED:

(1)      To agree or where appropriate confirm the proposed appointments of Members, Co-Opted Members and substitutes to Council Committees and Outside Bodies as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

(2)      To agree the proposed appointment of Chairs/Vice Chairs to Council Committees as set out in Appendix 1 of the report for the 2021-2022 municipal year.

(3)      To agree:

(a)     the re-appointment (as detailed in section 3.4 of the report) of the following three Independent Persons with effect from 1 May 2021:

·                William Goh and Keir Hopley for a four year term of office, subject to confirmation by Full Council each year; and

·                Nigel Shock for a one year term of office;

(b)     the appointment of the following two new Independent co-opted members on the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee – Javid Ansari & Mark Mills for a four year term of office, subject to confirmation by Full Council each year, with effect from 1 May 2021 (as detailed in section 3.5 of the report);

(c)     the re-appointment of Mr David Ewart as independent chair of both the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee and Pension Board for a two-year term of office ending on 31 July 2023.

(4)      To note the appointments

(a)      Notified by the Leader of the Council in relation to Cabinet and Cabinet Committees and their respective Chairs/Vice-Chairs, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report for the 2021-22 Municipal Year.

(b)      To be confirmed by General Purposes Committee, as set out in Appendix 3 of the report for the 2021-22 Municipal Year.

(c)      To be confirmed by the Licensing Committee, as set out in Appendix 4 of the report for the 2021-22 Municipal Year.

(The full list of appointments can be found as part of the appendices to the main report republished prior to the meeting).

To receive a report from the Chief Executive seeking approval to the final calendar of Council meetings to take place following the Annual Council meeting for 2021/2022 municipal year, in accordance with Standing Order 27(j & k).

AGREED

(1)        To approve the dates for Full Council and other meetings to take place during the 2021-22 Municipal Year, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

(2)        That the Head of Executive & Member Services be authorised to make any alterations deemed necessary to the Municipal Calendar during the course of the year having consulted with the Leader of the Council, Leader of the Opposition Group and Chair of the affected meeting.

The Mayor then invited Councillor M Butt (Leader of the Council) to introduce the report from the Chief Executive which he advised presented the final calendar of meeting dates for Full Council and other meetings during the 2021/22 municipal year.

As no members indicated that they wished to speak on the item the recommendations in the report were put straight to the vote by the Mayor and were unanimously declared CARRIED.

It was therefore RESOLVED that:

(1)       Members approve the dates for Full Council and other meetings to take place during the 2021/22 Municipal Year, as attached in Appendix 1 of the report.

(2)       The Head of Executive and Member Services be authorised to make any alterations deemed necessary to the Municipal Calendar during the course of the Municipal Year having consulted the Leader of the Council; the Leader of the Opposition Group; and the Chair of the affected meeting.

At the discretion of the Mayor to consider any urgent business, in accordance with Standing Order 27 (m).

None.

As there was no urgent business to be transacted the Mayor declared the Annual Meeting closed and advised that she looked forward to seeing all members at the next Council meeting on Monday 12 July 2021.