Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:-

that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 24 January 2011 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

The following LEA school governor and children centre positions were noted and treated as declared as a non prejudicial interest by those members indicated:

The following Members of the Board of Brent Housing Partnership were noted and treated as having declared a non prejudicial interest:

The following non-prejudicial interests were declared:

The Mayor informed the Council that Martin Cheeseman, Director of Housing and Community Care, was attending his last Council meeting having been with Brent Council for all his working life and served as the Council’s senior housing officer since 1999.  Members placed on record their gratitude and appreciation for his work and wished him well for the future.

RESOLVED:-

that the following appointments be made:

Councillor Moloney moved a procedural motion which was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

Councillor Beck moved a procedural motion seeking to take amendments to the budget on an individual basis which was put to the vote and declared LOST.

RESOLVED:-

(i)         that paragraph (d) of standing order 46 be suspended;

(ii)        that the Leader of the Council be permitted to speak for up to 30 minutes in presenting the report on the 2011/12 budget and Council Tax to the meeting setting out the Executive’s proposals for the budget, after which the following arrangements be agreed for the purpose of debating and voting upon the 2011/12 Budget and Council Tax:

the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group be permitted to speak for up to 30 minutes;

the Leader of the Conservative Group be permitted to speak for up to 30 minutes

the Deputy Leader of the Council be permitted to speak for up to 15 minutes;

the Chair of Budget and Finance Overview and Scrutiny Committee be permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes;

a general debate to follow during which the usual rules for

debate will apply as set out in standing orders 46 and 47 save

as set out in this procedural motion;

(iii)       that voting on each Group’s budget proposals shall be taken en bloc.

(iv)       that all motions presented under summons item 8 be moved to the vote without debate.

Report from the Director of Finance and Corporate Services circulated separately.  

The Council had before it a report from the Director of Finance and Corporate Services seeking approval for the 2011/12 revenue and capital budgets and to the Council Tax to be levied.  The report incorporated key information relating to the Council’s current financial position and future projections.  It set out the key decisions members were being asked to make on:

-           the 2011/12 General Fund revenue budget;

-           the 2011/12 Schools Budget;

-           the 2011/12 Housing Revenue Account;

-           the Council’s capital programme for 2011/12 to 2014/15;

-           the Council’s treasury management strategy; and

-           prudential indicators aimed at ensuring the affordability of capital spending and a secure approach to borrowing and investment.

The Leader of the Council addressed the meeting and put forward an amendment to the recommendations which proposed additional areas of expenditure and additional savings to fund them.

Councillor Lorber spoke to the meeting and moved an amendment which proposed a number of alternative proposals to the proposed budget.

Councillor HB Patel spoke to the meeting and moved an amendment which proposed a change to the proposed budget.

Councillor Butt thanked officers for their work in putting together the budget now before members.  He referred to the financial circumstances the Council was in as a result of the significant reduction in resources.  He felt that the standard of living for Brent residents would be undermined by the level of cuts being imposed.

Councillor Allie, as chair of the Budget and Finance Overview and Scrutiny Committee, was invited by the Mayor to speak but did not wish to.

A general debate followed with members expressing views on the proposals from the Executive.  It was submitted that the budget sought to protect the most vulnerable.  Reference was made to the wider economic situation and that other public authorities such as the police were having to make significant savings.  Views were expressed on the libraries transformation project with some opposing any closures and others recognising the challenges the service faced.  Aspects of the amendments put to the meeting were referred to, including the future of Charteris sports centre, the festivals programme, and additional funding for environmental services.  Reference was made to the external support gained for the Welsh Harp Centre and the approach to funding the youth service.  A view was submitted that funding levels to the special educational needs service needed to be restored.  There was also concern expressed over the wider impact on schools from aspects of the budget.  The point was made that the Council faced having to make front loaded, large scale cuts which would inevitably have some painful implications.  Nevertheless a lawful budget had been delivered on time and with a nil council tax increase.  There was support for the continued funding of advice services.  The housing issues were referred to including the provision of decent homes, the housing benefit increases and the impact on homelessness.  Members expressed differing views over the level of cuts the Council was required to make and the level of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Report from the Director of Finance and Corporate Services attached.

Members had before them the report setting out the proposed new Financial Regulations for the Council and updating the current Scheme of Transfers and Virements.  It also explained the introduction of Required Financial Practice Notes. The report also sought agreement for a separate set of Financial Regulations covering schools.  Clive Heaphy (Director of Finance and Corporate Services) explained that the changes proposed were largely to bring the Council’s Financial Regulations in line with the new council structure. 

RESOLVED:-

              (i)        that the:

a)            new Financial Regulations for the Council set out in Appendix A to the report,

b)            the updates to the Scheme of Transfers and Virements shown as tracked changes in Appendix B to the report,

c)            the Schools Financial Regulations set out in Appendix C to the report, and

d)            the Required Financial Practice Notes set out in Appendix D to the report

be adopted with immediate effect;

(ii)        that the Constitution be amended by replacing the Financial Regulations in Part 6 with those set out in Appendix A to the report and that the Scheme of Transfers and Virements be amended as shown in Appendix B of the report.

RESOLVED:-

that the result of the Kenton ward by election be noted.

To debate any motions submitted in accordance with standing order 45.

Give libraries a chance

Councillor Lorber moved the motion submitted by the Liberal Democrat Group.

The motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED:-

that this council

(a)       thanks the many residents who made an effort to attend this meeting of the Council to listen to the budget debate on libraries, and

            (b)       expresses support for their cause.           

Controlled Parking Zones

Councillor Lorber moved the motion submitted by the Liberal Democrat Group which sought to oppose the increases in parking permit charges for residents living within Controlled Parking Zones.  The motion was put to the vote and declared LOST.

Green Zones

Councillor Lorber moved the motion submitted by the Liberal Democrat Group which sought to continue the promotion of the Green Zone scheme.  The motion was put to the vote and declared LOST.

Brent Community Law Centre

Councillor Lorber moved the motion submitted by the Liberal Democrat Group.

The motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED:-

that this council:

(a)       thanks the many residents and service users who made an effort to attend the Executive meeting on 15 February 2011 and this Council meeting to listen to the budget debate on the Brent Law Centre,

(b)       thanks the Brent Law Centre for their work in support of Brent’s residents over the years, and

(c)        resolves to conduct a fundamental review of the service required from the law centre as promised.

Library service

The motion circulated in the name of Councillor HB Patel was ruled out of order for seeking to undermine decisions already made on the budget.

There was none.