Agenda and minutes

Prior to formally opening the meeting, the outgoing Mayor Councillor Dar took the opportunity to welcome all councillors and guests to the Annual Council meeting.  He then invited Kim Wright (as the Council’s Chief Executive) to provide a brief outline of the arrangements for the conduct of the meeting and Mayor Making ceremony. Having noted the outline provided, the Mayor then formally opened the meeting.

The Mayor advised that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Benea, Chohan, Donnelly-Jackson, Ethapemi. Johnson, Kelcher, Mahmood, Nerva, J Patel, M.Patel, Rajan-Seelan and Tatler.

An apology for lateness was received from Councillor T.Smith.

For the Council to elect a Mayor for the 2025-2026 Municipal Year, in accordance with Standing Order 27(a).

Prior to handing over to the Chief Executive for the conduct of the election process, Councillor Dar began by asking members for nominations to the office of Mayor of the London of Borough of Brent for the 2025 - 2026 Municipal Year.

Councillor Muhammed Butt proceeded to nominate Councillor Ryan Hack.  In moving the nomination, he firstly took the opportunity to thank Councillor Dar for his hard work and dedication whilst serving as Mayor and commitment in seeking to represent local community groups and organisations.  The Leader then moved on to advise how pleased he was to be able to nominate Councillor Hack for the position, recognising the qualities he would he bring to the role as the youngest Mayor in Brent’s history and in seeking to represent a wide range of local causes and provide strong civic leadership across the borough.

Councillor Gbajumo then seconded the nomination of Councillor Hack for the office of Mayor of the London of Borough of Brent for the 2025 – 2026 Municipal Year also taking the opportunity to highlight what she felt would be his dedication and commitment to local communities across Brent.

There were no other nominations, and it was therefore RESOLVED that Councillor Ryan Hack be elected Mayor of the London Borough of Brent for the 2025 - 2026 Municipal Year.

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

To receive notice from the Mayor regarding the appointment of a Councillor of the Borough to be Deputy Mayor, in accordance with Standing Order 27(b).

Councillor Hack, as newly appointed Mayor, thanked members for his nomination and appointment as Mayor.  He then announced the appointment of Councillor Kathleen Fraser to serve as Deputy Mayor for the 2025 - 2026 Municipal Year.

At this stage in proceedings the Mayors Chain of Office and robes were exchanged between the outgoing and newly appointed Mayor.

Councillor Hack then formally returned thanks for his appointment.  Starting by welcoming all guests, he highlighted his pride and personal honour in being nominated as Mayor and thanked all members for their trust, confidence and faith in appointing him to take on the role as first citizen of the borough.

Highlighting the privilege he felt in being appointed as Mayor, Councillor Hack began by outlining his family history and welcoming his great grandparents as guests.  Expressing pride at his strong Irish heritage, Councillor Hack advised he had lived in Brent all his life, having studied at Preston Park Primary School Claremont High School and then St Dominic’s Sixth Form College with his family’s first home being a council property in Harlesden prior to them settling in Neasden.  Referring to growing up in Brent, he outlined the strong sense of community and compassion he had experienced involving people from all walks of life which he hoped to be able to replicate during his time as Mayor.

Paying tribute to his family and mother Councillor Hack advised that, as a result of the support he had received, he had been the first person in his family to attend university where he had graduated with a Masters Degree from University College London. Whilst being the youngest Mayor in Brent’s history, he hoped his story and journey in terms of perseverance over struggle and hardship along with similar experiences shared by many other across Brent would help to provide a sense of hope and aspiration to future generations.

Since being elected to serve on the Council, Councillor Hack advised that he had sought to use the platform to coordinate and campaign for improvements for many causes including residents access to food, mostly in areas of deprivation, which he advised had included working to open and support community kitchens as well as surplus food markets in order to support significant numbers of residents across Brent.

Councillor Hack then outlined the aims for his Mayoralty in terms of continuing to support the Council’s overall vision and objectives.  In this role he advised that he also intended to support the Brent Irish Advisory Service (BIAS) which had been formed in 1978 in response to the welfare needs of the Irish community and continued to work to improve the well-being of the Irish community across North London and beyond.  Highlighting comments recently made by Colum Maloney, as one of the founders of BIAS and first Irish Mayor of Brent, as part of the St Patricks Day celebration at the Learie Constantine Centre, he supported the description of Brent being a borough “united as one”, which he also believed represented the aspirations  ...  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).

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

Councillor Muhammed Butt in once again congratulating Councillor Hack on his appointment as Mayor then moved on to 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.  In passing on his thanks, he advised how their independence and objectivity were seen as integral to the role of the bodies on which they served including Scrutiny, Audit & Standards and the various health and education bodies.  Recognising the challenges which local government continued to face, he ended by thanking all of the co-opted and Independent Members for their work in supporting the Council’s democratic processes and drive towards continuous improvement.

The Mayor then invited the Leader of the Council to formally propose a vote of thanks for the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Dar.  In doing so, Councillor Muhammed Butt began by highlighting the honour in serving as First Citizen of the Borough and in being able to advocate and serve as a champion for Brent.  These were roles he felt Councillor Dar had worked hard to fulfil during his time as Mayor.  Recognising the integrity, dedication, compassion and commitment demonstrated by Councillor Dar in serving the people of Brent during his time as Mayor, the Leader praised Councillor Dar for his warmth and the valued contribution made in representing the borough during his Mayoralty, which he advised had been appreciated by all members.

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

In response, Councillors Hirani, Maurice, Grahl, Lorber, Kabir, Choudry, Afzal. Saqib Butt, Agha, Clinton, Kennelly and finally Councillor Hylton all spoke to congratulate the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor on their appointment and thank Councillor Dar as outgoing Mayor for the dedication, compassion and commitment demonstrated in undertaking his civic role.  Recognising his appointment as the youngest Mayor of Brent, members were keen to commend Councillor Hack on the dedication and commitment he had already displayed in seeking to stand against social injustice and challenge inequalities being experienced by local communities across the borough, which it was felt would continue to be demonstrated during his time as Mayor.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Dar to return thanks and review his time in office.

Councillor Dar, in returning thanks, began by expressing his pride at having been elected as Mayor and being able to serve the people of Brent during the previous year.  Reflecting on the honour in being able to serve the borough, particular thanks were extended to all members for their support along with Kim Wright, as Chief Executive, the Leader of the Council, Amira Nassr and Fatema Limbada within Democratic Services along with Kim Gordan & Brian Kennedy in the Mayor’s Office, which had been much valued.  The opportunity was also taken to thank Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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 interests declared by Members at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council held on Thursday 27 February 2025.

(Agenda republished on 13 May 2025 to include the attached minutes)

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday 27 February 2025 be approved as a correct record.

To receive, in accordance with Standing Order 27(g), a report from the Corporate Director of Finance & Resources outlining proposed changes to the Constitution following its annual review.

The Mayor invited Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) to introduce the report from the Corporate Director of Finance & Resources.  In presenting the report, Councillor Muhammed Butt advised this detailed proposed changes to the Constitution as a result of its annual review including changes to the Terms of Reference for the North West London Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Part 5 of Constitution) and a change to the Members Code of Conduct (Part 5 of Constitution) relating to the acceptance and registration of gifts and hospitality classified as “exceptional items” valued at £500 or more, with both changes commended as reasonable and sensible in terms of strengthening the Council’s overall governance arrangements.

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

It was therefore RESOLVED:

(1)       To agree the changes to the Constitution set out in Appendix A of the report.

(2)    To note that the list of Cabinet Members and Portfolio Holders in Part 1 of the Constitution would be updated to reflect the appointments of, and allocation of functions to Cabinet Members by the Leader.

(3)    To authorise the Director of Law to amend the Constitution accordingly, including making any necessary incidental or consequential changes.

(4)    To note that, to the extent that the changes related to executive functions of the Council, they had been approved by the Leader.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director of Law & Governance 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).

The Mayor then moved on to invite Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) to introduce the report from the Corporate Director of Finance & Resources which the Leader advised fulfilled the Council’s duty to review and determine the representation of different political groups on certain Committees at its annual meeting.  It was noted that no changes to the existing allocation of seats had been proposed reflecting the fact that there had been no change in the overall composition of political groups since the previous review.

The Mayor then opened the debate inviting other members to speak on the report, with the following contributions made.

In response to clarification sought by Councillor Lorber regarding the current size of the Labour Group, Marsha Henry (as Director of Law) confirmed that this remained as set out in the report with their currently being no members of the group identified as serving in an independent capacity.

As no other members indicated that they wished to speak on the item and the Leader of the Council advising he did not wish to exercise any right of reply the Mayor put the recommendations to the vote and they were declared CARRIED.

It was therefore RESOLVED:

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

(2)    To approve the allocation of seats on Committees to each of the Council’s political groups (where the rules of political balance applied) as set out within the report and to make appointments to those committees (under agenda item 9 on the agenda) 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.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director of Finance & Resources seeking approval to the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs along with the membership and substitute membership on Council Committees and other relevant bodies, in accordance with Standing Order 27(i).

Members are asked to note that the full list of appointments have been attached.

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

(Agenda republished on 13 May 2025 to include appendices 1-4 of the main report detailing the full list of appointments)

The Mayor then invited Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) to introduce the report from the Corporate Director of Finance & Resources.  In introducing the item, the Leader advised that the report set out the nominations for appointments to Committees and Outside Bodies and nomination for Chairs and Vice Chairs as well as co-opted members, where necessary, for the 2025 - 26 Municipal Year, with the nominations having been made (where required) in accordance with the political balance of the Council and requirements in relation to political proportionality.

The Mayor then opened the debate inviting other members to speak on the report, with the following contributions made.

In opening the debate Councillor Lorber highlighted his concern at the current arrangements relating to the allocation of Chairs on the Councils Scrutiny Committees.  In referring to the importance of scrutiny as a key element in a healthy functioning democracy he felt there was a need to ensure, in seeking to deliver a strong, credible and effective scrutiny function, that it remained as independent as possible from the Executive.  In order to safeguard the effectiveness, democratic accountability and independence of Brent’s scrutiny function and reflect what he regarded as good practice elsewhere, he advised the Liberal Democrats were seeking to move an amendment to the proposed allocation of seats outlined within report requiring that the Chairs of the existing Scrutiny Committees should be Opposition Group appointments.

In response to clarification sought by the Chief Executive on the precise nature of the proposed amendment, Councillor Lorber advised the Liberal Democrats were seeking to amend the relevant Standing Order (49ii) within Part 2 (Procedural Rules) of the Constitution in order to provide that the Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees should be Opposition Group appointments.

Speaking in support of the proposed amendment, Councillor Clinton referred to a recent press article expressing concern at reported changes being introduced by a number of Labour led London Councils, which were felt to have impacted on the ability of opposition councillors to effectively scrutinise executive decisions within those authorities.  Highlighting the importance in being able to safeguard the ability of all councillors to be able to meaningfully undertake their representational role and engage in the way scrutiny was being led, he urged all councillors to support the proposed amendment in seeking to ensure scrutiny remained as independent and democratically accountable as possible.

In raising a Point of Order, Councillor Kabir sought details on whether the proposed change had been subject to prior consideration at the Constitutional Working Group, which she felt would be the more appropriate body to review the proposal at this stage.

As a final contribution, Councillor Kansagra also speaking in support of the proposed change, as Leader of the Conservative Group, highlighted the concerns his Group had also previously raised in relation to impact which removal of the vice-chair roles on scrutiny from the Opposition Groups had had in undermining the independence and democratic accountability of the scrutiny function.  As a result, he felt the amendment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director of Finance & Resources seeking approval to the final calendar of Council meetings to take place following the Annual Council meeting for the 2025 - 2026 Municipal Year, in accordance with Standing Order 27 (j) & (k).

The Mayor then invited Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) to introduce the report from the Corporate Director of Finance & Resources which the Leader advised detailed the calendar of meeting dates for Full Council and other meetings during the 2025 - 26 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:

(1)       To approve the dates for Full Council and other meetings to take place during the 2025-26 Municipal Year, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

(2)    That the Deputy Director Democratic & Corporate Governance 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, Leaders of the Opposition Group(s) and Chair of the affected meeting.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director Finance & Resources proposing the adoption of an International Partnering Protocol (IPP) and reviewing a proposed arrangement with Nablus, in accordance with the protocol.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) to introduce the final report on the agenda from the Corporate Director of Finance & Resources.  In introducing the item, Councillor Muhammed Butt advised that the report outlined the work undertaken to review and develop an International Partnering Protocol (IPP) for adoption by the Council designed to recognise Brents role as a diverse, dynamic and globally connected borough and as a basis for building partnerships with communities around the world.  As such, he advised the IPP had been designed to provide a clear framework for developing future international partnership arrangements including appropriate review periods.  The report also included, as has been agreed following the motion approved by the Council in November 2024, a review of a proposed twinning arrangement with Nablus, which had been subject to assessment in accordance with the protocol.

Referring to the proposed twinning arrangement with Nablus, Councillor Muhammed Butt advised members that the proposal had been subject to detailed review and, as set out within the report, was now felt to have met the threshold to take forward based on the criteria within the protocol and level of support identified and the partnership representing an opportunity to share and learn through a programme of community led active engagement.  As such the proposal was felt to reflect the diverse nature of the borough whilst also celebrating the contributions made by the many different communities across the borough in seeking to foster and encourage a spirit of respect and understanding and the recommendations moved on that basis.

With the report having been moved, the Mayor then opened the debate inviting other members to speak on the report, with the following contributions made.

In opening the debate Councillor Kansagra, having taken the opportunity to thank Councillor Dar for his time as Mayor and ongoing service to the local community and to congratulate Councillor Hack on his appointment as Mayor for which he wished him very success, whilst not objecting to the spirt of the International Partnership Protocol felt there was a need to reflect on the process and priority relating to the proposed arrangements with Nablus. Whilst recognising the value of global exchange, he advised the Conservative Group believed that any partnership arrangements needed to be approached with transparency, balance and most importantly local consent.  Reflecting on Brent’s status as a proudly diverse borough with a range of long standing and well-established communities from nations across the world who all had made an important contribution to the boroughs identity, he felt there was a need to carefully reflect about the basis on which any future twinning or partnership arrangements was proposed and selected.  Reminding members of the borough’s longstanding twinning arrangement with South Dublin as a partnership grounded in significant cultural and historic links, he queried the basis on which Nablus had been selected as a further partnership.  Whilst recognising the proposal would resonate with sections of the local community, he also highlighted the nature of other familiar  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

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

As there was no urgent business to be transacted the Mayor declared the Annual Meeting closed and advised that he looked forward to seeing all members at the next Council meeting on Monday 7 July 2025.  He then invited all members and guests to join him at his reception.