Agenda and minutes

The Mayor welcomed all those present to the meeting and thanked everyone for their attendance.

The Mayor reported that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Chappell, Crabb, Donnelly-Jackson, Hylton, Kennelly and Tatler.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the previous Council Meeting held on Thursday 19 September 2024.

(Agenda republished to include the attached minutes on 16 November 2024)

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the of the previous Council meeting held on Thursday 19 September 2024 be approved as a correct record.

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.

Councillor Hirani & Jayanti Patel both declared a personal interest in relation to the question submitted by the Conservative Group on the Private Sector Landlord Selective Licensing Scheme (Item 12 - Questions from the Opposition & other Non Cabinet Members) as landlords within the borough.

There were no other declarations of interest made at the meeting.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor made the following announcements:

(i)       Appointment of Deputy Mayor

The Mayor began his announcements by advising members that he had appointed Councillor Ryan Hack to fill the vacancy as Deputy Mayor for the remainder of the 2024-25 Municipal Year.

In raising a Point of Order on the basis of the appointment process for the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Lorber sought further clarification from the Corporate Director Law & Governance on the constitutional requirements regarding the need for advance notice to have been provided on the agenda and ability for the appointment to be made part way through the year.  Concern was also expressed at no reason being provided for the vacancy having occurred.  In response, Debra Norman (as Corporate Director Law & Governance) confirmed that the appointment of the Deputy Mayor was a decision made by the Mayor.  Under Standing Order 27(b) the Mayor was required to provide written notice of the appointment, which had been received, with the matter then reported to Council.  There were no specific constitutional requirement for the appointment to be listed separately on the Council agenda.  In addressing the reason for the appointment, it was confirmed the vacancy had arisen following the resignation of the previous post holder from the role.

Having confirmed the appointment, the meeting was paused briefly to enable Councillor Hack to be robed and receive the Deputy Mayors Chain of Office prior to him joining the Mayor on the dais for the remainder of the meeting.

The Mayor then invited all members to join him in welcoming and congratulating Councillor Hack on his appointment as Deputy Mayor.

Members then joined the Mayor in a round of applause welcoming the new Deputy Mayor.

(ii)      Remembrance Sunday

The Mayor then moved on to pay tribute to all those who had lost their lives in conflicts around the world.  As part of the tributes, the Mayor advised he had been honoured to attend the borough remembrance service at Barham Park, which he was pleased to report had been so well attended.  He felt the service had been an opportunity to remind everyone about the importance of peace and harmony and need to work towards a future without conflict.

(iii)      Mayoral events attended

The Mayor then took the opportunity to provide a brief summary on the range of Mayoral engagements he had attended since the previous Council meeting.  This had included numerous events to celebrate Black History Month as well as a visit to HMS Belfast where the Windrush anchor flag had been raised celebrating Caribbean hero’s.  In addition, he was pleased to have been able to attend several Diwali celebrations including a visit to Neasden Temple for their firework display.

(iv)     Petitions

As a final announcement, the Mayor referred members to the list of current petitions tabled at the meeting, in accordance with Standing Orders which also detailed the action being taken to deal with them.

To agree any appointments to Committees and Outside Bodies (if any) in accordance with Standing Order 30 (g).

(Agenda republished to include the list of appointments on 16 November 2024)

The Mayor referred members to the list of changes circulated in relation to appointments to Council Committees, Sub Committees and other bodies.

Having considered the changes outlined it was RESOLVED:

(1)        To note that effective from 8 November 2024 the Leader of the Council had incorporated the role of Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Growth within his remit following Councillor Shama Tatler having stood down from her role as a Cabinet Member.

(2)        To approve the following changes in committee membership:

(a)        Audit & Standards Advisory Committee and Audit & Standards Committee – Councillor Lesley Smith to replace Councillor Teo Benea as a full member.

(b)        Community & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Teo Benea to replace Councillor Diana Collymore as a full member.

(c)         Corporate Parenting Committee – Councillor Lesley Smith to replace Councillor Diana Collymore as a full member.

(d)        Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee - Councillor Teo Benea to replace Councillor Diana Collymore as a substitute member

(e)        Service User Consultative Forum Pensioners – Councillor Diana Collymore to be replaced by a vacancy.

To hear any deputations requested by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 32.

Members are asked to note that at the time of agenda publication there are no deputation(s) due to be presented at the meeting.

The Mayor advised that no requests had been received for the presentation of any deputations at the meeting.

7.1   To receive and consider the question(s) submitted by the public for response by the relevant Cabinet Member, in accordance with Standing Order 33.

Members are asked to note that three public questions have been received, which have been attached to the agenda along with the written responses provided.

7.2   To receive question(s) submitted by the Brent Youth Parliament for response by the relevant Cabinet Member, in accordance with Standing Order 33(c).

Members are asked to note that one question has been received, which has been attached to the agenda along with the written response provided.

8.1     Questions from members of the Public

The Mayor advised that three questions had been received from members of the public, which were as follows:

Question 1 from Martin Francis regarding progress on the development and delivery of various educational development sites.

Question 2 from Joy Field regarding the delivery of grounds maintenance services on housing estates.

Question 3 from Madeleine Shea regarding the availability of on-street parking provision across Alperton.

The Mayor advised that those members of the public who had submitted questions had all been given the opportunity to the attend the meeting in order to ask a supplementary question.  Whilst he was pleased to welcome Martin Francis to the meeting, members were advised that Joy Field and Madeleine Shea had not been able to attend with the written responses provided in relation to their questions therefore noted.

Following the Mayors introduction, the following supplementary question was then raised:

Question 1 supplementary Question from Martin Francis to Councillor Gwen Grahl, Cabinet Member for Children Young People & Schools.

In thanking Councillor Grahl for her written response, Martin Francis began by welcoming the approach outlined to increase local SEND provision within the borough.  Concerns were, however, highlighted regarding the ongoing uncertainty over the future of Islamia Primary School, with the outcome of an informal consultation undertaken in November 2022 (which had been the only consultation to date) having revealed that 141 parents opposed the proposed move to the Strathcona site and only 19 were in favour.  It was also pointed out that the local Resident Association had also opposed the proposal.  As a result, further details were sought on whether the Islamia Primary School had put forward any plans for a statutory consultation process to be conducted with the assistance of Brent Council; what  expenditure had been incurred by Brent Council on the Strathcona site to date and whether (following the Leopold Primary School Brentfield Road site having been earmarked for closure) any discussions had taken place with the Islamia Governing Body or the Yusuf Islam Foundation regarding the use of that location as an alternative site for Islamia Primary School.

In thanking Martin Francis for his question, Councillor Grahl responded by advising that there were currently no plans for a formal consultation regarding the Strathcona site.  Confirmation was also provided that the Council remained committed to collaborating with Islamia Primary School to secure a site within the Borough with no specific expenditure incurred to date in relation to the Strathcona site for this potential purpose.

The Mayor thanked Martin Francis for his attendance and supplementary question along with Councillor Grahl for her response and with no further questions to be considered, then moved on to deal with the question submitted by Brent Youth Parliament.

8.2     Questions from Brent Youth Parliament

The Mayor advised that the following question had been received from Brent Youth Parliament:

Question 1 from Brent Youth Parliament to Councillor Grahl, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Schools, relating to the provision of budget support for Brent  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

For Members to consider any petitions with more than 200 signatures on which a debate has been requested, in accordance with the Council’s petition rules and Standing Order 68.

Members are asked to note that at the time of agenda publication no petitions have been submitted for presentation at the meeting.

The Mayor advised that no requests for the presentation or debate of any petitions had been received for consideration at the meeting.

Following the change in procedure for dealing with Motions agreed as part of the changes to the Constitution at the Annual Council Meeting in May 2024, the debate on motions submitted to Full Council, in accordance with Standing Order 30(k) and 41 will now be undertaken at this stage of the meeting.

Members are asked to note:

·            The motions submitted for debate have been attached.

·            Where a motion concerns an executive function, nothing passed can be actioned until approved by the Executive or an officer with the relevant delegated power.

(Agenda republished to include the motions submitted for debate on 12 November 2024 along an amendment submitted by the Conservative Group on the 1^ST Labour Group motion - Item 9.3 on 16 November 2024)

Before moving on to consider the motions listed on the summons, the Mayor advised members that a total of 40 minutes had been set aside for consideration of the four motions submitted for debate, based on an initial allocation of 10 minutes per motion. Should the time taken to consider the first motion be less than 10 minutes he advised that the remaining time available would be rolled forward for consideration of the remaining motions.

10.1    1^st Motion (Conservative Group) – Effect of Labour Government budget on residents in Brent

The Mayor then invited Councillor Mistry to move the first motion which had been submitted on behalf of the Conservative Group.  Councillor Mistry began by highlighting concerns at what she felt to be the broken promises by the Labour Government in relation to the impact of their most recent budget on working people, pensioners and students.  This included increases in National Insurance, Inheritance Tax and removal of Winter Fuel Allowance payments based on what were felt to unsubstantiated claims regarding the £22 fiscal billion black hole the Chancellor had claimed to have inherited.  Despite the time available for them to plan when in Opposition, it was felt the budget had exposed traditional Labour rhetoric in seeking to increase public spending and taxes impacting on economic growth, families, business and those more vulnerable such as the elderly.  Particular concerns were highlighted in relation to the impact of the increase in National Insurance contributions across sectors such as social care and also in relation to the impact on the farming sector and food production as a result of the change in Inheritance Tax rules and anti-business regulation affecting the flexible labour market.

Asa result of the concerns expressed and outlined within the motion, Councillor Mistry ended by calling on the Leader of the Council to write to Sir Keir Starmer in seeking restoration of the Winter fuel supplement and reverse of the NI increases in recognition of the impact on Brent residents.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Mistry for moving the motion before inviting other members to speak, with the following contributions received.

Councillor Maurice, speaking in support of the motion, also highlighted how he felt the Labour Government had ignored the wishes of the electorate and broken their manifesto promises given the way in which the recent budget had impacted on families and working people and was anti-business.  Concern was also expressed regarding the imposition of VAT on private school fees and impact this would have on those from less wealthy backgrounds in seeking to access the sector.  Given the impacts outlined in relation to the budget, he felt these demonstrated the reality of a Labour Government and price that would be paid by residents across Brent as a result.

Speaking in opposition to the motion, Councillor Kelcher felt there was a need to recognise the difficult nature of the decisions faced by Labour in seeking to balance the financial position inherited from the previous Conservative Government.  Highlighting what he felt  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To receive a report from the Leader of the Council in accordance with Standing Order 31 providing an update on any key or significant issues arising from any matter within the responsibility of the Cabinet.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council, to introduce the report updating members on the work being undertaken across each Cabinet portfolio in order to provide ongoing support and services to meet the needs of residents across the borough.

In congratulating Councillor Hack on his appointment as Deputy Mayor, Councillor Muhammed Butt began by thanking all members of the Cabinet for the work being undertaken across their portfolios to continue supporting and safeguarding local residents in line with the Council’s core strategic priorities, recognising the ongoing nature of the financial pressures faced by the Council.  In commending the work being undertaken to manage demand and address the pressures identified members were assured that the need for continued financial discipline and careful stewardship (often involving difficult decisions) had also been recognised in order to sustain and ensure the Council’s financial sustainability.

The opportunity was also taken to formally thank Councillor Shama Tatler for the programme of regeneration activity delivered during her time serving on Cabinet following her decision to step down as Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Growth in order to take up a new role with the Local Government Association.

As part of the update, members were also asked to note that no Executive decisions had been taken under the Council’s urgency procedures, since the previous update provided for the Council meeting in September.

The Mayor thanked the Leader for the report and it was RESOLVED to formally note the update provided.

For questions to be put to members of the Cabinet by Opposition and Non-Cabinet Members in accordance with Standing Order 35.

Five advance notice questions have been received under this item, which have been attached along with the written responses provided.

Members are asked to note that this session will also include an opportunity (within the time available) for other Non-Cabinet members and the Opposition to ask questions of Cabinet Members without the need for advance notice.

Before moving on to consider the questions submitted by non-Cabinet members, the Mayor reminded Members that a total of 30 minutes had been set aside for this item, which would begin with consideration of the written questions submitted in advance of the meeting along with any supplementary questions. Once these had been dealt with, the remaining time available would then be opened up for any other non-Cabinet members to question Cabinet Members (without the need for advance notice) on matters relating to their portfolio.

The Mayor advised that five written questions had been submitted in advance of the meeting for response by the relevant Cabinet Member and the written responses circulated within the agenda were noted. The Mayor then invited supplementary questions on the responses provided:

12.1   Councillor Kelcher thanked Councillor Krupa Sheth as Cabinet Member for Environment & Enforcement) for the written response regarding the effectiveness of Brent’s School Streets programme in reducing emissions and in terms of encouraging more active modes of travel and wider public health, community and safety benefits.  As a supplementary question details were sought regarding plans to further expand the programme to cover all schools across the borough in recognition of the associated benefits.

In response, Councillor Krupa Sheth confirmed that the roll out of School Streets remained a priority for the Council aligned with the Climate Emergency Strategy to reduce air pollution across the Borough. The Brent School Streets programme was in high demand, and the Council would continue to seek funding from TfL to ensure the programme could be implemented where there was a demand, thereby improving the lives of young children across Brent.

12.2Councillor Choudry thanked Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet Member for Environment and Enforcement, for the written response to his question seeking an update on the negotiations with Lime regarding the future operation of their dockless e bike scheme within Brent.  As a supplementary question, details were sought on the plans being developed to continue holding Lime to account for the operation of the scheme in Brent (with specific concerns outlined in relation to issues being experienced across Willesden).  Confirmation was also sought on the arrangements being made to host the first Resident Forum with the suggestion also made that a dedicated page should be established on the Council’s website including responses to FAQs on the scheme and how to report to issues of concern.

In response, Councillor Krupa Sheth  assured members of the Council’s commitment to continue holding Lime to account for their performance in Brent with concerns raised (including those identified within Willesden) continuing to be addressed directly though the revised KPIs and regular operational meetings now established.  The Council was in the process of scheduling the first Resident Forum, aiming for early January or February 2025, and was also working on creating a dedicated page on the Council’s website for Lime’s FAQs to facilitate easier navigation for residents.

12.3Having thanked Councillor Mili Patel, as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, for her  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

To receive reports from the Chairs of the Council’s Scrutiny Committees in accordance with Standing Order 36. The reports have been attached as follows:

12.1    Committee Community & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee

12.2    Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny

(Agenda republished to include the update from the Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee on 16 November 2024)

Members are asked to note that this session will include an opportunity (within the time available) for Non-Cabinet Members to ask questions of relevant Scrutiny Chair’s in relation to the remit of their Committees.

Before being presented with the updates from each Scrutiny Committee, the Mayor reminded members the time set aside for this item was 12 minutes, with each Chair having up to three minutes in which to highlight any significant issues arising from the work of their Committees.  Once these updates had been provided, the remaining time available would then be opened up for any other non-Cabinet members to question (without the need for advance notice) the Scrutiny Committee Chairs on matters relating to the work of their Committee.

Councillor Ketan Sheth was then invited to introduce the update report on the work being undertaken by the Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, with the following issues highlighted:

·             Issue considered at the last meeting of the Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee had been focused around Children and Young People including an overview of SEND provision in Brent and Early Years Provision and progress being made towards meeting the expansion of childcare entitlements.  Both items had provided an enhanced understanding on how the Council continued to deliver services for children and young people along with the pressures schools and other providers were facing both financially and in relation to resources as they prepared for the planned expansion of childcare entitlements.

·             The review of SEND provision across the borough had highlighted current levels of need in terms of the number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) and associated pressure on the Council to assess each child and ensure the appropriate packages of support were available, recognising the increasingly complex nature of need being identified.  Despite the challenges identified, the Committee had also been pleased to recognise the work being undertaken to maximise the support available to children and young people with SEND, including both inclusive and specialist educational provision along with the progress in delivery of the SEND capital programme which aimed to provide more than four hundred local SEND places.  Areas for improvement identified had included the gap for post-sixteen provision, which members were advised the new post-sixteen skills and resource centre in Welsh Harp would help to address, and the continued work being carried out to reduce the waiting times for families applying for an EHCP on which the Committee had agreed to continue monitoring developments and progress.

·             In terms of Early Years provision and progress being made towards meeting the expansion of childcare entitlements the Committee had received an update on the borough-wide response focussed around the provision by independent nurseries or childminders and Council’s supporting role.  The Committee had been pleased to note the range of excellent provision already on offer along with the contribution early years providers made to the borough, with members reassured that Brent had prepared for the expansion and was supporting providers and the parent carer experience.  The review undertaken by the Committee also included evidence from a voluntary agency nursery manager and an early years childminder who both not only thanked the Early Years Team and the Inclusion Team for their support but also explained  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

To receive a report from the Vice Chair of the Audit and Standards Advisory Committee updating Council on the work of the Committee, in accordance with Standing Order 37.

The Mayor invited Councillor Chan, as the Vice-Chair of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee, to introduce the report updating members on the work of the Committee.

In terms of issues highlighted Councillor Chan, having also congratulated Councillor Hack on his appointment as Deputy Mayor, drew members’ attention to the important role and work undertaken by the Committee in relation to monitoring and advising on various governance matters relating to audit activity, the Council’s finance, accounting and regulatory framework and members standards of conduct.

The importance of the Committee’s role was also highlighted in terms of the wider financial challenges, risks and pressures being faced by the Council with a focus provided in relation to delivery of the Internal Audit Plan and Council’s risk management structure and strategic risk management process including not only the effectiveness of governance processes but also Council’s financial resilience given the ongoing financial pressures faced.  Members were advised this had also been identified as a significant risk by the External Auditors within their 2023-24 Annual Value for Money Report with the Council having already recognised the challenging nature of decisions required to address the position and ensure the Council was able to continue delivering a balanced and financial sustainable budget.  In outlining the range of other work being undertaken in relation to issues such as delivery of a more flexible and agile risked based Internal Audit Plan, the Council’s emergency planning arrangements and development of the Strategic Risk Register, Councillor Chan concluded his update by reminding members of the Committee’s continued focus on the adequacy of the Council’s governance, risk and control arrangements in order to provide assurance and confidence on compliance and control of the Council’s key governance, financial management and accounting arrangements.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Chan for the update provided and it was RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To enable Non-Cabinet Members to raise an issue of relevance to Brent for debate on which notice has been provided in accordance with Standing Order 34 and to receive updates from Cabinet members, as required, on any issues previously raised.

Members are asked to note that the subject identified for debate at this meeting is as follows:

Guaranteeing new builds are safe and free of dangerous defects

Please note: The motion submitted as the basis for this debate has been attached.

In accordance with Standing Order 34, the Mayor advised that the next item on the agenda was the non-cabinet member debate, with the subject chosen for consideration being guaranteeing new builds were safe and free of dangerous defects.

Members were advised that the motion submitted as the basis for the debate had been circulated with the agenda and that the time available for the debate was 25 minutes.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Georgiou to introduce the motion which had been submitted as the basis for the Non-Cabinet Member debate.  In moving the motion, Councillor Georgiou began by highlighting the significant increase in residential developments across the borough over recent years, which it was felt had changed the landscape of Brent particularly in terms of the concentration of large tower blocks around Wembley Stadium, Wembley Central and Alperton.  Recognising the need for residents to be able to live in safe buildings free from defects, Councillor Georgiou advised that the subject put forward for debate was seeking to highlight not only the negative impacts associated with the scale of these developments on existing residents in Brent but also the poor standard of many of the new builds and effect on those living within the developments.  As examples, reference was made to issues which had been highlighted by residents relating to dangerous and faulty lifts in high rise blocks, water and waste leaks, damp and mould and unsafe balconies and outdoor communal space.  Whilst developers at the planning stage were keen to highlight how seriously they took building standards with commitments given to the construction of good quality and safe developments. these were not always delivered with concerns also highlighted at the way they were subsequently being held to account by the Council.  As a result, the motion was seeking a tougher line being taken with developers who consistently failed to meet the required standards in terms of building safety and construction with a need identified to better hold developers, construction companies and housing management companies to account for the speedy resolution of safety issues and defects, where identified, to minimise the impact on residents.  Given the concerns highlighted, Councillor Georgiou hoped that all members would support the motion submitted as the basis for the debate and action being sought to ensure the Council became a leading voice in calling for better regulation and accountability from developers who were failing residents living in their buildings.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Georgiou for introducing the motion and then opened up the debate for contributions from other members.

In providing an initial response to the debate and motion, Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration Planning & Growth, thanked Councillor Georgiou for highlighting the issues raised and implicit recognition within the motion that devolving more powers, to local government would be a beneficial thing to improve building safety.  In support of this position the Leader advised he would be willing to write to the new Government making the Council’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

The council in its role as a Licensing Authority under the Licensing Act 2003 has a duty to determine, publish and keep under review its Statement of Licensing Policy (‘Policy’) which covers a five-year period but can be replaced at any time during that five-year period.  The current Policy is due to expire on the 5 January 2025 and this report therefore presents the outcome of the review and proposed new Licensing Policy for formal adoption.

Members are asked to note that the policy is also due to be considered by Cabinet on 12 November 2024 with any comments made as a result to be reported to Council as part of consideration of the final policy for adoption.

(Agenda republished on 16 November 2024to include an updated cover report including comments added following the Cabinet meeting on 12 November 2024)

Please note, this item also includes reference to the following two documents as background papers:

·        Licensing Policy Consultation responses

·        Equality Assessment

These documents have been published as a separate supplementary pack to accompany the main Council agenda.

The Mayor invited Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet Member for Environment & Enforcement, to introduce a report from the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods & Regeneration presenting the outcome of a review of the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and updated Policy being recommended for formal adoption following that review.

In moving the report, Councillor Krupa Sheth advised members of the duty placed on the Council, in its role as a Licensing Authority under the Licensing Act 2003, to determine, publish and keep under review a Statement of Licensing Policy covering a five-year period.  Members were advised that as the current Policy was due to expire on the 5 January 2025 the report presented the outcome of the current review and changes identified as a result, which had been designed to meet statutory requirements and the evolving needs of local communities across the borough.  As such, members were advised the Policy was as a key document not only in terms of defining the approach adopted towards the way licensing the sale of alcohol, late-night refreshments, and licensed venues was managed but also in providing guidance to applicants and license holders and in setting out the Council’s (as Licensing Authority) expectations on compliance, community safety, and the integration of the licensing approach with broader council strategies.  Members were advised that, subject to formal approval and adoption, the new Policy would become effective from January 2025 with the content having been designed to carefully align with the Borough Plan priorities in terms of supporting Prosperity and Stability in Brent, a Healthier Brent, and Thriving Communities.

The new Policy had also included a number of updates, which had reflected an evidence based approach towards their development as well as feedback from Responsible Authorities with the changes designed to address key issues such as alcohol-related crime, health impacts, and nuisance affecting local communities based around 32 specific policies .  These included measures for twelve cumulative impact zones (based on areas identified as facing challenges due to high levels of street drinking and alcohol-related incidents) seeking to limit the growth of new off-licences and other alcohol-serving establishments in an effort to reduce cumulative impact on local residents.  In addition, the Policy had also sought to address a number of critical and emerging areas and priorities including (in preparing for the introduction of Martyn’s Law) measures for enhanced event and venue safety, including risk assessments and emergency preparedness; introducing targeted measures to improve safety and reduce harm for women and vulnerable populations focussed around the nighttime economy; provide enhanced oversight of delivery services and dark kitchens to ensure they meet (given the growth of these type of businesses) the same standards as traditional licensed premises and the introduction of clear expectations for licensees to prevent and respond to drink spiking.  Members attention was also drawn to the additional background papers circulated for reference purposes alongside the main report in relation to the Equality Assessment and consultation responses received as part of the review process and agreement by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

The Gambling Act 2005 was fully implemented during 2007 creating a system of licensing and regulation for commercial gambling. It requires the council to prepare and publish a Statement of Principles for each successive period of three years, which outlines the principles to be applied in exercising our functions as the Licensing Authority under the Act. Statutory consultation must take place prior to the Statement of Principles being determined by Full Council.

The Statement of Principles was comprehensively reviewed last year, but to bring the policy in line with the Gambling Commission review timetable this report sets out the outcome of a further review and proposed amendments identified as a result for formal adoption with the current Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles due to expire on the 31 January 2025.

Members are asked to note that the Statement of Principles is also due to be considered by Cabinet on 12 November 2024 with any comments made as a result to be reported to Council as part of consideration of the final statement for adoption.

(Agenda republished on 16 November 2024to include an updated cover report including comments added following the Cabinet meeting on 12 November 2024)

Please note, this item also includes reference to the following two documents as background papers:

·        Statement of Gambling Principles Consultation responses

·        Equality Assessment

These documents have been published as a separate supplementary pack to accompany the main Council agenda.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet Member for Environment & Enforcement, to introduce a report from the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods & Regeneration detailing the outcome of a review of the Council’s Statement of Gambling Principles.

In presenting the report, Councillor Krupa Sheth advised that the review had been undertaken as a result of the current Statement of Principles expiring on the 31 January 2025 with the requirement to produce a Statement of Gambling Principles established under the Gambling Act 2005 and required to cover a three-year period.  Each Statement was designed to outline the principles to be applied in exercising the Council’s functions as the Licensing Authority under the Act which included the issuing of premises licences for casinos, bingo halls, betting shops, adultgaming centres and licensed family entertainment centres as well as permits for gaming machines in pubs, clubs, and other alcohollicensed premises.  Whilst the Statement had been subject to a comprehensive review during 2023, the current review had been designed to ensure it was brought in line with the Gambling Commission review timetable and involved amendments to website links as well as changes reflecting the outcome of the consultation process which had been undertaken to support the review.  In noting the key role the statement fulfilled in terms of outlining local priorities and way in which gambling was managed and regulated in response to local concerns, based around the key licensing objectives, members were also reminded of the work currently being undertaken to develop a Joint Strategy Needs Assessment that would include an estimate on the scale of potential risk that gambling posed to the health of Brent resident.  In commending the report to Council, Councillor Krupa Sheth ended by highlighting the additional work being undertaken by the Council, working in partnership with a variety of stakeholders, to ensure the new government was aware of the level of shared concern regarding the harm being caused by gambling and particularly around the approval of new gambling premises.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Krupa Sheth for introducing the report and then opened the debate for contributions from other members.

Speaking in support of the Statement, Councillor Nerva highlighted concerns identified in relation to the public health impact and harm on local communities arising from gambling, specifically in the areas where this activity was focussed. Frustration was expressed at the restrictions on issues that could be included as matters for consideration in terms of the wider approach adopted towards regulation under Gambling Commissions guidance, with the efforts being made to work with the new Government to address the focus on the harm and public health impact caused by gambling welcomed and endorsed.

As a further contribution to the debate, Councillor Kelcher echoed the concerns raised reminding members of the significant blight being caused in his ward (Harlesden & Kensal Green) by the cluster of adult gaming centres and gambling premises located in that specific area.  Referring to the motion agreed at the last Council meeting in September 2024 on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

This report provides an update in respect of the council’s 2024 Voluntary Redundancy Scheme (the “Scheme”) and seeks approval to make 10 severance payments, consisting predominantly of actuarial strain costs relating to the release of a pension, on the basis that the employees’ posts are redundant.   As the pension strain costs that the council must bear as part of the Pension scheme rules amount to over £100,000 in each case, Full Council is asked to approve the payments.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Mili Patel, as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources to introduce a report from the Chief Executive in respect of the Council’s 2024 Voluntary Redundancy Scheme and seeking approval to make ten severance payments, consisting predominantly of actuarial strain costs relating to the release of a pension, on the basis that the employees’ posts were redundant.

In moving the report, Councillor Mili Patel confirmed that as the pension strain costs the Council would be required to bear under the Pension Scheme rules amounted to over £100,000 for each of the proposed severance payments, Full Council approval would be required for each of them.

As no members indicated they wished to speak on the item and Councillor Mili Patel advised she would not, therefore, be seeking to exercise her right of reply the Mayor advised that he would move straight to the vote.

Having noted the exempt information contained in the appendix, without the need to exclude the press and public from the meeting and move into closed session, the recommendations in the report were then put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

Council therefore RESOLVED to:

(1)        Approve the severance payments set out in the exempt appendix to the report.

(2)        Note that all payments contained within the report had been calculated in line with the council’s Managing Change Policy and the pension strain payments that would arise under the Local Government Pension Scheme which were required to be paid.

(3)        Note the overall outcome of the Voluntary Redundancy Scheme run during 2024.

The following item is not for publication as it relates to the category of exempt information as specified under Paragraph 1, Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, namely: “Information relating to an Individual”.

Agenda Item 17:        Voluntary Redundancy Scheme 2024 (Appendix 1 – Voluntary Redundancy Scheme figures)

There were no items that required the exclusion of the press and public from the meeting.

At the discretion of the Mayor to consider any urgent business, in accordance with Standing Order 37(s).

There were no urgent items of business raised at the meeting so the Mayor, in closing the meeting, thanked all members for their co-operation and support and advised that he looked forward to seeing everyone again in person at the next Full Council which would be the Council budget setting meeting taking place at 6pm on Thursday 27 January 2025.

As this was the final Full Council meeting prior to the Christmas and New Year holiday period the Mayor closed the meeting by thanking all members for their support over the year and wished everyone happiness for the festive season.