Agenda, decisions and minutes

Prior to formally opening the meeting, the outgoing Mayor Councillor Hylton took the opportunity to welcome all councillors and guests to the Annual Council meeting.  She 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 moved on to formally open the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Crabb, Mistry, Smith and Tatler.

The Mayor advised that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Crabb, Mistry, Smith and Tatler.

For the Council to elect a Mayor for the 2024-2025 Municipal Year, in accordance with Standing Order 27(a).

Councillor Tariq Dar MBE was elected to serve as Mayor of the London Borough of Brent for the 2024 - 25 Municipal Year.

Prior to handing over to the Chief Executive for the conduct of the election process, Councillor Hylton began by asking members for nominations to the office of Mayor of the London of Borough of Brent for the 2024 - 2025 Municipal Year.

Councillor Muhammed Butt proceeded to nominate Councillor Tariq Dar MBE.  In moving the nomination, he firstly took the opportunity to thank Councillor Hylton for her 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 Dar for the position, recognising the important role undertaken by the Mayor in representing and providing strong civic leadership across the borough.

Councillor Mili Patel then seconded the nomination of Councillor Dar for the office of Mayor of the London of Borough of Brent for the 2024 - 2025 Municipal Year.

There were no other nominations and it was therefore RESOLVED that Councillor Tariq Dar MBE be elected Mayor of the London Borough of Brent for the 2024 - 2025 Municipal Year.

Councillor Dar 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 Diana Collymore was appointed to serve as Deputy Mayor of the London Borough of Brent for the 2024 - 25 Municipal Year.

Councillor Dar, as newly appointed Mayor, thanked members for his nomination and appointment as Mayor.  He then announced the appointment of Councillor Diana Collymore to serve as Deputy Mayor for the 2024 - 2025 Municipal Year.

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

Councillor Dar 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 Dar regarded this as the culmination of the work he had undertaken since arriving in the UK in 1965 in seeking to champion residents, for which he was also proud to have been recognised with the award of an MBE in 2019.  Having been a local councillor since 2018, Councillor Dar advised he was honoured to currently serve as a representative of Mapesbury ward as well as to have served as Deputy Mayor during 2023-24 and paid specific tribute to his family and fellow councillors for their support during this time.  He also took the opportunity to express gratitude to all the elders across the borough, with specific reference to his and other families proud legacy in their service to the UK (including its Armed forces) and in providing a platform for the establishment of various Welfare Associations, Mosques and Community Centres given the support being provided to communities across the borough, which he blessed and hoped would continue for many generations to come.

Having advised how delighted he was to have been joined by so many guests, Councillor Dar then moved on to express his thanks to Councillor Hylton and congratulated her for the success achieved as Mayor, recognising the hard work she had undertaken to support local community groups and events across the borough and to continue promoting Brent so diligently.

The Mayor then moved on to congratulate Councillor Collymore on her appointment as Deputy Mayor and advised how much he was looking forward to working with her over the coming year in order to continue delivering, positives outcomes for the borough.

Referring to teamwork, the Mayor outlined that he intended to continue working closely with fellow members, the Chief Executive, Council Management Team and other officers in order to capitalise on the strengths and experience available in continuing the hard work of the outgoing and previous Mayors in seeking to achieve the best results for the borough focussed around cohesion and trust.

Councillor Dar 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 Pakistan Community Centre as his chosen charitable organisation during his year in office.  Referring to their role as a voluntary and charity organisation,  ...  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 with contributions from Councillors M.Butt, Kansagra, Kabir, Mahmood, Kennelly, Moeen, Gbajumo, Hack, Miller, S.Butt, Nerva, Johnson, Choudry and Dixon.

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

Councillor Mili Patel began by congratulating Councillor Dar on his appointment as Mayor before moving 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 her thanks, she 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, she 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 Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) to formally propose a vote of thanks for the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Hylton.  In doing so, the Leader began by congratulating the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor on their appointment and 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 Hylton had worked hard to fulfil during her time as Mayor.  Recognising her passion and commitment to the people of Brent and the range of local community organisations and events she had supported, the Leader praised Councillor Hylton for her efforts and for the valued contribution made in representing the borough during her 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.

Councillor Kansagra, as Leader of the Conservative Group, in opening the tributes began by taking the opportunity to congratulate the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor on their appointment, which he hoped they would take full advantage of in seeking to work with the varied communities across the borough.  He then moved on to thank Councillor Hylton, as the outgoing Mayor, for the way she had conducted herself in her civic role as well as for the way she had chaired the Council meetings and wished her well on her return to ordinary ward councillor duties.

Following on, Councillor Kabir also took the opportunity to welcome and congratulate the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor on their appointment before moving on to commend Councillor Hylton for the dignity, friendliness dedication and passion she had demonstrated in supporting so many local community events during her time as Mayor, which she felt sure had left a lasting impression on all those involved.

Councillor Mahmood also took the opportunity to thank and commend Councillor Hylton for a successful year in office, recognising the extent of work undertaken to engage with local community organisations across the borough and authority displayed in fulfilling her role.  Recognising the honour in being  ...  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.

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 29 February 2024.

AGREED the minutes from the Council meeting held on Thursday 29 February 2024 as a correct record.

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday 29 February 2024 be approved as a correct record.

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

(Agenda republished on 21 May 24 to include details of further amendment(s) to the Constitution submitted by the Liberal Democrats Group)

Council RESOLVED:

(1)    To agree the amendments to the Constitution as set out in Appendix 1 of the report reflecting the corporate realignment of senior managers and directorates and updating the responsibility for functions, Terms of Reference for the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee and Local Code of Corporate Governance as well as the arrangements for Group Motions at Full Council meetings (under Standing Order 41).

Having been put to the vote, proposed amendments to the Constitution relating to the chairing and vice-chairing arrangements for scrutiny moved by Councillor Georgiou were declared LOST.

(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 made and allocation of functions by the Leader.

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

(4)    To note that, to the extent the changes agreed under (1) above related to executive functions of the Council, they had been approved by the Leader.

The Mayor invited Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) to introduce the report from the Corporate Director of Law & Governance.  In presenting the report, Councillor Muhammed Butt advised this detailed a number of proposed changes to the Constitution as a result of its annual review including changes to reflect the recent realignment of senior management functions and changes to Cabinet portfolios.  The other changes outlined included amendments to the procedure for dealing with motions to Full Council (Standing Order 41 Part 2 of Constitution) along with changes to the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee Terms of Reference, Local Code of Corporate Governance (Part 5 of Constitution) and Members Allowance Scheme in relation to the Maternity, Paternity, Adoption and Sickness Pay Policy (Part 6 of Constitution)

Having introduced the report, the Mayor then invited Councillor Georgiou (as leader of the Liberal Democrats Group) to move an amendment to the report submitted prior to the meeting in relation to the chairing arrangements for the Council’s scrutiny function.

Councillor Georgiou began by congratulating the Mayor on his appointment and in moving the amendment started by making reference to the importance of scrutiny as a key element in a healthy functioning democracy which, to ensure maximum effectiveness, he felt should be as independent of the Executive as possible.  Highlighting the efforts made to support the role of effective scrutiny within the Council reference was made to the use of call-in and scrutiny as a means of seeking to hold the Executive to account but with concerns expressed at the changes introduced to the chairing arrangements for each Committee, which he felt had effectively prevented the Opposition Groups from having any meaningful say in the way scrutiny was led.  In order to safeguard the effectiveness, democratic accountability and independence of Brent’s scrutiny function, Councillor Georgiou advised the Liberal Democrats had therefore proposed an amendment to Standing Order 49(ii) within Part 2 (Procedural Rules) of the Constitution requiring that the Chairs of the existing Scrutiny Committees should be Opposition Group appointments with an alternative also moved,  should the initial amendment not be agreed, to require that the Vice-Chairs of the existing Scrutiny Committee become Opposition Group appointments.

The Mayor then opened the debate inviting other members to speak on the report and amendment(s) moved by Councillor Georgiou, with the following contributions made.

As an initial contribution, Councillor Kelcher felt it important to clarify the position regarding the appointment process for members of each scrutiny committee and the Chairs, which he reminded members reflected the overall proportion of seats each political group held on the Council and democratic mandate the current Administration had been provided with following the local election.  These were, he pointed out, well-established principles and had not been designed to undermine the independence or important role of the scrutiny function as a critical friend.  On this basis he advised he would not be supporting either of the amendments moved.

Councillor Kansagra speaking in support of the proposed changes within the amendment, as Leader  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

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).

Council 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

The Mayor then moved on to invite Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) to introduce the report from the Corporate Director of Law and Governance.  In introducing the item, Councillor Muhammed 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.  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.

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)    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 Law & Governance 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 21 May 2024 to include appendices 1-4 of the main report detailing the full list of appointments)

Council RESOLVED:

(1)       To approve the appointments of members, co-opted members and substitutes to Council Committees and Outside Bodies for the 2024-2025 Municipal Year, as detailed within section 3.2.4 and Appendix 1 of the report.

(2)    To approve the appointments of Chairs and Vice Chairs to Council Committees for the 2024-2025 Municipal Year, as detailed within Appendix 1 of the report.

(3)    To note the appointments:

(a)       of the Cabinet, Cabinet Committees and Joint Executive Committees and their respective Chairs and Vice Chairs for the 2024-2025 Municipal Year, as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report.

(b)       to be confirmed by the General Purposes Committee for the 2024-2025 Municipal Year, as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report.

(c)    to be confirmed by Licensing Committee for the 2024-2025 Municipal Year, as detailed in Appendix 4 of the report.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) to introduce the report from the Corporate Director of Governance.  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 2024 - 25 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.

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)        To approve the appointments of members and substitutes as well as the continuing appointment of co-opted members to Council Committees and Outside Bodies for the 2024-2025 Municipal Year, as detailed within section 3.2.4 and Appendix 1 of the report.

(2)    To approve the appointments of Chairs and Vice Chairs to Council Committees for the 2024-2025 Municipal Year, as detailed within Appendix 1 of the report.

(3)    To note the appointments:

(a)        of the Cabinet, Cabinet Committees and Joint Executive Committees and their respective Chairs and Vice Chairs for the 2024-2025 Municipal Year, as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report.

(b)        to be confirmed by the General Purposes Committee for the 2024-2025 Municipal Year, as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report.

(c)    to be confirmed by Licensing Committee for the 2024-2025 Municipal Year, as detailed in Appendix 4 of the report.

(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 Corporate Director of Law & Governance seeking approval to the final calendar of Council meetings to take place following the Annual Council meeting for the 2024 - 2025 Municipal Year, in accordance with Standing Order 27 (j) & (k).

Council RESOLVED

(1)       To approve the dates for Full Council and other meetings to take place during the 2024-25 Municipal Year, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

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

The Mayor then invited Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) to introduce the report from the Corporate Director of Law and Governance which the Leader advised detailed the calendar of meeting dates for Full Council and other meetings during the 2024 - 25 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 2024-25 Municipal Year, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

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

To receive a report from the Corporate Director Law & Governance presenting the outcome of a review of the current arrangements for “Call-In” of Executive decisions to Scrutiny Committees and seeking a decision on any changes required to the process as a result.

(Agenda republished on 21 May 24 to include details of an amendment to the proposals submitted by the Liberal Democrats Group)

Council RESOLVED:

(1)    To adopt the change in arrangements for call-in of Executive decisions requiring the submission of a valid call-in request by five non-cabinet members to involve those members representing more than one political group.

Having been put to the vote, an amendment moved by Councillor Lorber detailing alternative arrangements relating to the number of members required to submit a valid call-in was declared LOST.

(2)    Following on from (1) above, to authorise the Corporate Director of Law & Governance to amend the Constitution accordingly, including making any necessary incidental or consequential changes.

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 Law and Governance.  In introducing the item, Councillor Muhammed Butt advised that the report presented the outcome of a review undertaken on the current “call-in” arrangements for Executive decisions with members being asked to consider a proposal (developed as an outcome of the review) that would require the submission of any future “call in”, whilst still only requiring five individual signatories, to also be supported by members of more than one political group.

Having introduced the report, the Mayor then invited Councillor Lorber (on behalf of the Liberal Democrats Group) to move an amendment to the report submitted prior to the meeting seeking approval to alternative arrangements for the number of members required to submit a valid call-in in response to the review of current arrangements.

In moving the amendment, Councillor Lorber began by highlighting what he felt had been the lack of justification for the change proposed within the report presented by the Leader of the Council on the basis of the review which had been undertaken and expressed concern at the impact this would have at further reducing the ability of non-executive members to hold the Executive to account as part of an effective and democratic scrutiny process.  Highlighting the need to maintain a strong and effective scrutiny function along with the need to maintain a meaningful ability for any member or political group to be able to call-in decisions for review as part of the balance provided in the current governance arrangements, Councillor Lorber felt it important to outline the value of recent call-in and scrutiny activity, including a focus on the Morland Gardens/Altamira development and changes to the Council’s street cleansing and recycling arrangements, as a means of ensuring the decisions made had been based on sound information and advice.  Having taken account of the current review on the arrangements for call-in he advised that the amendment being moved on behalf of the Liberal Democrats Group was therefore seeking the following alternative changes to the call-in provisions:

(1)    That any Cabinet decision which had implications for the whole or a large part of the borough could be called in by any three Councillors from one or more political groups.

(2)    That any Cabinet decision which had implications for just one ward within the borough could be called in by any one councillor.

In order to safeguard the objectives of effective democratic scrutiny he therefore urged all members to reject the proposals within the report and support the amendment as moved.

Having moved the amendment, the Mayor then opened the debate inviting other members to speak on the report and amendment, with the following contributions made.

Speaking in support of the amendment, Councillor Kansagra, also felt it was important to recognise the impact which the proposal moved by the Leader would have in restricting the ability of members (including those within  ...  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).

None.

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 8 July 2024.  He then invited all members and guests to join him at his reception.