Agenda and minutes

The Mayor welcomed all those present to the meeting and thanked everyone for their attendance.  Members were thanked for their cooperation with the change in start time for the meeting, with the Mayor reminding everyone of his intention to briefly pause proceedings for a 15 minute period at 5:30pm to enable those members observing Ramadan to participate in Iftar before resuming to complete the remainder of the agenda.

Before consideration of the formal agenda, the Mayor informed members of a change to the order of business. Given the attendance of Paul Dossett (Grant Thornton) as the Council’s External Audit Partner for the External Audit Annual Report, he advised of the intention to move that report (listed as Item 7 on the agenda) for consideration in advance of the main Budget and Council Tax debate.

It was therefore RESOLVED that:

(1)       The business to be considered at the meeting be re-arranged in the following order:

·            Agenda Item 6 – Auditors Annual Report on the London Borough of Brent

·            Agenda Item 7 – Budget & Council 2006-27

(2)    The remaining items of business to then follow in the same order as listed on the agenda.

Please note the minutes reflect the order of business taken at the meeting.

The Mayor advised that as this meeting had been designated as the Council’s formal budget and Council Tax setting meeting, he would be inviting Councillor Dixon (as the Majority Group Chief Whip) to move a procedural motion, in accordance with Standing Orders, relating to the conduct of the debate on the budget report. Councillor Dixon then proceeded to the move the procedural motion.

Prior to being put to the vote, Councillor Lorber (as Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group) spoke to highlight his objection to the proposed timing for the length of his speech in response to the Leader having moved the budget proposals, during the budget debate.  As a result of the concerns expressed, he therefore moved an amendment to the proposed timings outlined within the procedural motion designed to provide the Leaders of all Opposition Groups with up to 10 minutes each to speak when responding to the budget and moving their alternative proposals.

Given there was no provision for debate on procedural motions, the Mayor advised that he would put the amendment followed by the substantive motion straight to the vote without further discussion.

On this basis, the amendment moved by Councillor Lorder to the procedural motion on the arrangements for the budget debate was put to the vote and declared LOST.

The Mayor then moved on to put the substantive (unamended) procedural motion to the vote which was declared CARRIED.  It was therefore RESOLVED (with all Liberal Democrats & Green members voting against and Conservative members abstaining) that the following procedural motion be agreed:

(1)       That the Leader of the Council be permitted to speak for up to 20 minutes in presenting the report to the meeting and setting out the Cabinet’s proposals for the budget, after which, the following arrangements be agreed for the purpose of debating and voting upon the Budget and Council Tax:

(a)       The Leader of the Conservative Group as the Principal Opposition Group (or their nominated representative) be permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes in response to the Leader and in order to move their alternative budget proposals.

(b)    The Leader of the Green Group (or their nominated representative) be permitted to speak in response to the Leader and in order to move their alternative budget proposals for up to 5 minutes.

(c)    The Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group (or their nominated representative) be permitted to speak in response to the Leader and in order to move their alternative budget proposals for up to 5 minutes.

(d)    The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources be permitted to speak on the budget proposals for up to 10 minutes.

(e)    The Chair of the Budget Scrutiny Task Group be permitted to speak for up to 5 minutes in order to present the Task Group findings and key recommendations;

(f)     A general debate follow during which the usual rules for debate will apply as set out in Standing Orders (save as set out in this procedural motion);

(2)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The Mayor reported that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Aden, Begum, Chan, Chappell, Collymore, Hirani, T.Smith and Tatler.

An apology for lateness was also received from Councillor Shah.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the following Council meetings:

(a)       Council Meeting – Monday 10 November 2025

(Agenda republished to include the attached minutes on 20 February 2026)

(b)       Extraordinary Council Meeting – Tuesday 13 January 2026

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous Council meetings held on the following dates be approved as a correct record:

(a)    Monday 10 November 2025

(b)    Tuesday 13 January 2026 (Extraordinary Council Meeting)

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 declarations of interest made at the meeting.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor made the following announcements:

(i)     Kings New Years Honours List

The Mayor opened his announcements by congratulating all those associated with Brent who had received an honour in the Kings New Year Honours list for 2026.

(ii)    Holocaust & Genocide Memorial Day

He then moved on to refer to the Holocaust & Genocide Memorial Day event, which had been had held during January focussed around the theme of “Bridging Generations”.

Reflecting on the theme of the event, the Mayor highlighted the importance in recognising remembrance not only as an historical consideration but also as a responsibility belonging to everyone in the present to ensure that the lessons learnt from the past and voice of survivors could be passed between generations and never forgotten.

(iii)    Passing of ex-Councillor Chandubhai Patel

The Mayor advised that it was with regret he had to announce the sad passing of former Councillor Chandubhai Patel.  Members were advised that former Councillor Patel had served as a member of the Council from 2002 to 2014 representing Sudbury ward and had been survived by his wife Manjula and three adult children.

On behalf of Brent Council, the Mayor offered his sincerest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of former Councillor Patel.

(iv)   Kingsbury High School

As a final announcement, the Mayor took the opportunity on behalf of the Council to offer his thoughts, hope and well wishes to everyone within the Kingsbury High School community along with those families directly affected, following the recent and distressing incident at the school.

(v)    Petitions

Prior to ending his announcements, 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).

The Mayor advised that there were no appointments to Council Committees, Sub Committees and other bodies which had been received for consideration.

This report presents the Council’s External Auditor’s Annual Report on value for money as part of the 2024 - 25 audit of the year end accounts. It also sets out the key recommendations made within the Annual Report.

Members are asked to note that a representative of the Council’s External  Auditor’s (Grant Thornton) will be present at the meeting to present the report and respond to any issues raised.

In accordance with the change in the order of business agreed at the start of the meeting, the Mayor then invited Paul Dossett (Grant Thornton) as the Council’s External Auditor Partner to introduce the External Audit 2024-25 Annual Report on Value for Money (VFM).

In introducing the report, Paul Dossett summarised the approach towards the VFM audit and drew Members attention to the focus of the Annual Report on the Council’s arrangements in relation to three areas, Governance, Financial Sustainability and Improving economy, efficiency and effectiveness along with the key findings detailed within the Annual Report.  Members were advised that work to finalise sign-off of the Council’s 2024-25 Financial Statement of Accounts was now in the process of being completed, with the Executive Summary providing an overview in relation to the Value for Money assessment of the Council’s arrangements.

As part of the auditor’s work, members were advised that whilst no significant areas of risk or weakness had been identified in the Council’s arrangements for Governance, a significant area of risk and weakness had been raised in respect of the Council’s arrangements to secure Financial Sustainability.  This related to the ability to set a budget for 2025-26 that could be delivered without any further draw on reserves to fund in-year overspends, based on challenges identified in relation to delivery of the Medium Term Financial Plan and identification of a pipeline of recurrent savings and income generation schemes.  In addition, a further area of weakness had been identified in relation to the arrangements for Improving Economy, Efficiency and Effectiveness reflecting the need identified to ensure improvements in compliance in the housing service following the outcome of the Council’s self-referral to the Regulator of Social Housing in May 2025.

In recognising the significant financial pressures and challenges faced across local government, Paul Dossett advised that the report included a detailed commentary on the review of arrangements in relation to the Council’s Governance, maintaining the Council’s financial sustainability and Improving economy, efficiency and effectiveness with the recent Local Government Association Peer Challenge having identified a strong track record in delivering services and managing performance.  It was also noted that the auditors had found that the Council’s arrangements for managing risk to be adequate with further improvements identified in arrangements relating to the performance management framework.

Whilst a number of improvement recommendations had also been identified, all recommendations had been acknowledged and accepted with action plans put in place to address the matters raised and management responses provided that would be subject to ongoing monitoring.  Members were also reminded of the new timescales to be introduced during 2026-27 for completion of the Statement of Accounts and Audit requirements, which it was noted would require continued focus in terms of production of the financial statements moving forward. In commending the report to Council thanks were expressed to all officers involved in supporting the audit process.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Mili Patel, as Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, to respond to the Annual  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

6.1      Budget & Council Tax 2026-27

This report sets out the Council’s budget proposals for 2026 - 27. It also details the results of the consultation, scrutiny and equalities considerations in relation to the budget proposals. The report also sets out the overall financial position facing the Council for the medium term and highlights the significant risks, issues and uncertainties.

Members are asked to note that the recommendations in the report were approved by Cabinet on 9 February 2026 for reference on to Council.

6.2      Conservative Group amendments to the Budget & Council Tax proposals 2026 – 27

To consider the proposed amendments submitted by the Conservative Group in relation to the Council’s budget proposals for 2026 – 27.

6.3      Green Group amendments to the Budget & Council Tax proposals 2026-27

To consider the proposed amendments submitted by the Green Group in relation to the Council’s budget proposals for 2026 – 27.

(Agenda republished to include the alternative budget proposals submitted by the Green Group on 20 February 2026)

6.4      Liberal Democrats Group amendments to the Budget & Council Tax proposals 2026 – 27

To consider the proposed amendments submitted by the Liberal Democrats Group in relation to the Council’s budget proposals for 2026 – 27.

The Mayor then moved on to receive the report from the Corporate Director of Finance & Resources setting out the Council’s budget proposals for 2026-27.  Included within the report were the results of the budget consultation, scrutiny and equalities processes along with a summary of the overall financial position, risks, issues and uncertainties facing the Council over the medium term.

In accordance with the procedural motion agreed at the start of the meeting, the Mayor invited Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council, to introduce and move the budget proposals within the report.

In taking a moment to reflect on the comments made by the Mayor during his announcements on the recent distressing incident at Kingsbury High School, Councillor Muhammed Butt opened his introduction of the report by taking the opportunity to express his thanks to the emergency services, staff and students for the courage and professionalism displayed in their response to the incident given the challenging circumstances and wished all those affected, including the young people still recuperating, a speedy recovery.

Before moving on to focus on the detail of the budget, Councillor Muhammed Butt also placed on record his thanks to officers, councillors the public and other stakeholders for their contribution in preparation of the budget, highlighting the significant amount of work undertaken to ensure that the budget had been subject to proper challenge and scrutiny, and that the Council was in a position to present a lawful and balanced budget.  In recognising the difficult nature of choices reflecting current reality as opposed to political rhetoric, he felt it important to recognise the way in which the current Administration had once again be able to present a budget which had not only been designed to deliver a fair and responsible long term approach but would also continue to make a difference for residents across the borough and had avoided the need to seek Exceptional Financial Support.

Given that the meeting was the final Full Council before the local elections, Councillor Muhammed Butt also reflected on the role of elected members and the privilege of public service, thanking those councillors who were not standing in the upcoming election for the time and service they had dedicated in seeking to represent their constituents in delivery of a better Brent, regardless of their political persuasion.

Moving on to the budget proposals, Councillor Muhammed Butt reminded members that budgets were about choices, but that not all choices were optional, outlining the increasing pressures faced by the Council in relation to an increasingly ageing population, rising demand in adult social care and children’s services alongside inflationary pressures impacting on placement and contract as well as a range of other costs.  The scale of these issues had been highlighted in the budget report with growth pressures identified totalling £54.2m, driven by inflation, demographic change and service demand, which were felt to demonstrate the price of the reality faced by the Council in seeking to set a balanced budget.  In highlighting the resulting need for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

This report provides an update on treasury management activities for the first half of the financial year 2025-26.

Members are asked to note that the report was considered by Audit & Standards Advisory Committee on 3 December 2025 and referred on to Council by Cabinet on 19 January 2026 for consideration in compliance with CIPFAs Treasury Management in the Public Services Code of Practice.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Mili Patel, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, to introduce the report from the Corporate Director of Finance & Resources updating members on Treasury Management activity for the first half of the 2025-26 financial year. Members noted that the report had also been considered and agreed by the Audit and Standards Advisory Committee on 3 December 2025 and Cabinet on 19 January 2026 who had agreed to refer it on to Council for consideration in compliance with the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management.

In introducing the report, Councillor Mili Patel advised that as part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to financial transparency, the mid-year review included details on the Council’s borrowing requirement, cash investment balances and compliance with the Prudential Indicators enabling Brent to meet its financial obligations.  Members were reminded that as part of the approach outlined in terms of managing Treasury Management activity to support the Council’s priorities, it was only possible to borrow for capital investment and not to fund operational day-to-day expenditure, for example, to offset the increasing financial pressures being experienced within the revenue budget.

As a result of the Council’s careful financial stewardship and compliance with Prudential Indicators, Councillor Mili Patel outlined the ongoing approach towards the repayment of loans along with investment in the Council’s capital programme, where possible, including key projects in Alperton and Staples Corner alongside work to increase the supply of affordable housing, support the Council’s move towards net zero, upgrading of leisure centres at Vale Farm & Willesden, support Family Wellbeing Centres and the move towards more active forms of travel.  In highlighting the ongoing commitment towards seeking opportunities to borrow in as sustainable a way as possible to deliver on key infrastructure projects the Council’s borrowing strategy was therefore recognised as continuing to address the key issue of affordability without compromising the longer-term stability of the debt portfolio

In outlining the importance of the Council’s Treasury Management function in underpinning all Borough Plan priorities and in ensuring the Council was able to continue meeting its financial obligations, including those associated with the affordability and delivery of the Capital Programme, the opportunity was taken to thank officers for their support in providing clear direction and delivery of the Council’s Treasury Management activity.  In commending the report to Council, Councillor Mili Patel ended by highlighting how this was again felt to demonstrate the prudent approach adopted in terms of the financial management required to support delivery of the Council’s wider ambitions and priorities.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Mili Patel for introducing the report and as no other members had indicated they wished to speak, and Councillor Mili Patel advised she did not wish to exercise any right of reply, he then moved to put the recommendations to the vote, which were unanimously declared CARRIED

Council therefore RESOLVED to note (in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's Treasury Management in the Public Services: Code of Practice) the 2025-26 Mid-Year Treasury  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

This report outlines the annual review of the Members Allowance Scheme undertaken for 2026 – 27.

(Agenda republished to include an amendment to the proposed Members Allowance Scheme  submitted by the Liberal Democrats Group on 20 February 2026)

As the final item on the agenda, the Mayor then invited Councillor Mili Patel, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, to introduce a report from the Corporate Director of Finance & Resources seeking approval to the proposed Members Allowance Scheme for the 2026-27 financial year.

Councillor Mili Patel moved the report as presented within the agenda (without further comment).  Having thanked Councillor Mili Patel, the Mayor then drew members attention to an amendment submitted by Councillor Lorber on behalf of the Liberal Democrats Group to the proposed Members Allowance Scheme, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting.

In moving the amendment, Councillor Lorber felt it important to reflect on the nature of the budget debate which had been undertaken at the meeting and current financial pressures being experienced by the Council, which he felt supported the need for a wider review of expenditure across a number of areas including the provision of Special Responsibility Allowances relating to a number of positions within the current members allowance scheme which it was also felt reflected the need for a wider democratic reset.  On this basis, the amendment moved by Councillor Lorber was as follows:

(1)    To amend the list of Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) proposed under the 2026-27 Members Allowance Scheme, as detailed within Appendix 1 of the report, as follows:

(a)    In accordance with the Liberal Democrats alternative budget proposals,reduce Cabinet to 6 members (comprising the Leader and 5 other Cabinet Members) removing the need to provide 4 Cabinet Member SRAs.

(b)    Abolish the current SRA for the position of Deputy Leader (£30,891) and reduce that SRA to the normal Cabinet Member SRA level (£20,354)

(c)    Remove SRA for the position of Deputy Mayor (£3,449)

(d)    Remove the SRA currently payable to the Group Whip for the Majority Party (£4,265), reflecting this is a purely political position.

(e)    Reduce the SRA level for the position of Scrutiny Chair and Chair of Planning Committee from £15,229 to £9,000 pa

(f)     End payment of the SRAs (£2,120) to the Chairs of Brent Connects Area Consultative Forums – with these meetings to be chaired by Neighbourhood Managers in future.

(2)    To add, as an additional recommendation - A further review of the SRAs payable under the Members Allowance Scheme be undertaken following the local elections on 7 May 2026.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Lorber for moving the amendment before inviting other members to speak, with the following contribution received.

Speaking in further support of the amendment, Councillor Clinton felt it important to recognise the basis of the changes being sought given the need to ensure that where flexibility and choice was available funding was being utilised as effectively as possible and providing maximum value for residents across the borough.

With no other members indicating they wished to speak the Mayor then invited Councillor Mili Patel (as mover of the report) followed by Councillor Lorber (as mover of the amendment) to exercise their right of reply.

Prior to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

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

There were no urgent items of business raised at the meeting.

As this was his final Council meeting as Mayor, Councillor Hack ended proceedings by taking the opportunity to thank members for their support and cooperation over the year.  Members were reminded that the next Full Council meeting would now fall after the local elections, with the Annual Council and Mayor Making Meeting having been scheduled for Wednesday 20 May 2006. The Mayor therefore formally closed proceedings by taking the opportunity to pay tribute to those members not standing in the local borough elections for their public service, dedication and commitment to the residents of Brent and to wish them well for the future.