Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:-

that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 January 2010 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, any relevant financial or other interest in the items on this agenda.

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

The following positions on Children’s Centres 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 welcomed Fiona Ledden, Interim Borough Solicitor, who had taken up her role following the departure of Terry Osborne at the end of January.

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor thanked Councillors Coughlin, Farrell and Mrs Fernandes, as well as any other existing councillors who were not standing at the next election, and wished them all the very best for the future.

The Mayor reminded members that his Civic Service would take place on Sunday 7 March at St Andrew and St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Dollis Hill and hoped to see many there. 

The Mayor drew attention to the list of current petitions showing progress on dealing with them circulated around the chamber in accordance with Standing Orders.

RESOLVED:-

That the following appointments be made:

General Purposes Licensing Sub-Committee            Delete Cllr Bertha Joseph

Insert Cllr Francis Eniola

Staff Appeals Sub-Committee A                                     Delete Cllr Bertha Joseph

Insert Cllr Francis Eniola

Planning Committee – 2^nd alternate for Baker              Delete Cllr Bertha Joseph

Insert Cllr Alan Mendoza

Forward Plan Select Committee

– 2^nd alternate for HB Patel                                                Delete Cllr Bertha Joseph

Insert Cllr Francis Eniola

Alcohol & Entertainment Licensing Committee

– 1^st alternate for HB Patel                                                 Delete Cllr Bertha Joseph

Insert Cllr Francis Eniola

Report of the Interim Borough Solicitor attached

Members had received a report setting out proposed changes to the Constitution arising from the forthcoming new executive arrangements and incidental changes required as a result of changes in legislation, or to overcome problems which had arisen with the current constitution.

RESOLVED:-

(i)           that the proposed amendments to the Constitution as set out in Appendix A of the report be adopted to take effect on 9 May 2010;

(ii)          that the proposed amendments to the Constitution set out in Appendix B of the report be adopted to take effect immediately.

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

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 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 2010/11 Budget and Council Tax:

the Leader of the Opposition be permitted to speak for up to 30 minutes;

the Deputy Leader of the Council be permitted to speak for up to 30 minutes;

the Chair of Budget Panel be permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes;

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

the Deputy Leader of the Opposition 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 be taken en bloc.

Report from the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources circulated separately

The Council had before it a report from the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources seeking approval for the 2010/2011 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 to be made on:

-       the 2010/11 General Fund revenue budget

-       the 2010/11 Schools budget

-       the 2010/11 Housing Revenue Account

-       the council’s capital programme for 2010/11 to 2013/14

-       the council’s treasury management strategy

-       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 Council and moved the motion circulated in his and Councillor Blackman’s names.   Councillor John addressed the Council and moved a separate budget motion, circulated in her name, proposing a number of alternative budget decisions. Councillor Blackman addressed the Council in support of the recommendations in the report.

Councillor Mendoza reported on the deliberations of the Budget Panel.  He thanked the members of the Panel and officers for their work during the year and congratulated the Executive on the way it had dealt with the challenges faced by the Council. He urged the Executive to be ready to deal with the tough spending regime facing the council.  Having adopted an ambitious improvement and efficiency strategy, Councillor Mendoza also stressed the importance of the Executive ensuring it was effectively monitored and implemented.  He referred to the very good performance of the Executive in meeting the number of corporate strategy priorities that it had and hoped the aim could be to exceed this during the next four years.

Councillor Jones referred to the work of members on the overview and scrutiny committees/sub-committees and the task groups as contributing to the services provided to Brent residents.  She referred particularly to the work on day centres which had resulted in a change of approach.  Councillor Jones referred to the many recommendations coming out of the work of task groups, some of which were aspirational.  She felt the Executive was lacking in aspiration and stated that a tracking system would follow the implementation of these recommendations.  The task groups took on a wide range of issues including those affecting partner agencies and Councillor Jones referred to some of the issues raised as a result of their work.  She gave notice that the next round of task groups aimed to look at issues covering extending democracy, health services, alley gating, and agency staff. She wished the overview and scrutiny committee under the new administration success in its work and urged that members attend and take part in its deliberations.

A general debate then followed with members expressing views on the proposals from the Executive and the alternative proposals from the Leader of the Opposition.

Councillor Butt addressed the meeting by submitting that the recession was being used as a smokescreen for the cuts and inefficiencies within the Council.  The Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

At the discretion of the Mayor to consider any urgent business.

There was none.