Agenda, decisions and minutes

None.

Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, the nature and existence of any relevant disclosable pecuniary, personal or prejudicial interests in the items on this agenda and to specify the item(s) to which they relate.

None.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on XXXX as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21 May 2018 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

There were no matters arising.

To discuss any petitions from members of the public, in accordance with Standing Order 66.

There were no petitions submitted to be considered by Cabinet.

This report has two purposes, the first is to ask cabinet to allow amendment to be made to the Council’s Private Housing Assistance Policy and the second is to give an explanation as to why we would like to make those changes.

RESOLVED:-

6.1       That Cabinet approve the revisions to Brent’s Private Housing Assistance Policy attached as Appendix A in relation to the following new and improved services, these being; 

·         (i) The introduction of the Discretionary Disability Adaptations Grant (DDAG);

·         (ii) The improvement of the current Small Works Grant (SWG);

·         (iii) The introduction of the Spend to Save Grant (SSG);

·         (iv) The introduction of the Hospital Discharge Assistance Service (HDAS);

·         (v) The introduction of the Acute Handyperson Service (AHAS).

6.2       That Cabinet grant delegated authority to the Strategic Director Community Wellbeing to make any necessary minor typographical/graphical amendments to the Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy prior to its publication.

Councillor Ellie Southwood, Cabinet Member for Housing and Welfare Reform, introduced the report outlining its two purposes, the first is to ask cabinet to allow amendment to be made to the Council’s Private Housing Assistance Policy and the second is to give an explanation as to why we would like to make those changes.

Councillor Southwood stated that the Private Housing Assistance Policy gives the Council powers under the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002 (RRO) to provide additional, more discretionary assistance grants rather than relying on Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) for the provision of adaptations to the homes of disabled residents. 

In essence, Councillor Southwood stated that it is our intention to introduce additional and amend existing discretionary grants in order to improve independence and wellbeing for vulnerable and disabled Brent residents and prevent wider system demand on hospital, council and residential/community care services.

Councillor Southwood stated that these proposed changes to the RRO allows for an even more customer centred approach to be taken. This will see residents helped more quickly and with more bespoke services, irrespective of what tenure they live in.

RESOLVED:-

6.1       That Cabinet approve the revisions to Brent’s Private Housing Assistance Policy attached as Appendix A in relation to the following new and improved services, these being; 

·         (i) The introduction of the Discretionary Disability Adaptations Grant (DDAG);

·         (ii) The improvement of the current Small Works Grant (SWG);

·         (iii) The introduction of the Spend to Save Grant (SSG);

·         (iv) The introduction of the Hospital Discharge Assistance Service (HDAS);

·         (v) The introduction of the Acute Handyperson Service (AHAS).

6.2       That Cabinet grant delegated authority to the Strategic Director Community Wellbeing to make any necessary minor typographical/graphical amendments to the Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy prior to its publication.

The paper outlines the consultation responses received between 1 February 2018 and 15 March 2018 on the draft Shopfronts Supplementary Planning Document (SPD3). The consultation responses received have resulted in some minor amendments, with revised text now providing clearer guidance. When adopted by Cabinet the document will replace the existing Brent Shop fronts and shop signs (SPG7) adopted in 2003, which will need to be revoked. 

RESOLVED:-

7.1       that Cabinet approves the proposed amendments as set out in Appendix 1 and adopts the Shopfronts Supplementary Planning Document (SPD3) as set out in Appendix 2.

7.2       that Cabinet revokes the existing Brent Shop fronts and shop signs (‘SPG7’) adopted in 2003.           

Councillor Shama Tatler, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Highways and Planning, introduced the report stating that the paper outlines the consultation responses received between 1 February 2018 and 15 March 2018 on the draft Shopfronts Supplementary Planning Document (SPD3).

The consultation responses received have resulted in some minor amendments, with revised text now providing clearer guidance. When adopted by Cabinet the document will replace the existing Brent Shop fronts and shop signs (SPG7)adopted in 2003, which will need to be revoked. 

RESOLVED:

7.1       that Cabinet approves the proposed amendments as set out in Appendix 1 and adopts the Shopfronts Supplementary Planning Document (SPD3) as set out in Appendix 2.

7.2       that Cabinet revokes the existing Brent Shop fronts and shop signs (‘SPG7’) adopted in 2003.           

This report seeks approval to amend the procurement process as previously agreed by Cabinet on 15 January 2018 for a supplier of charge points in lamp columns which are to be installed in streets where residents do not have access to off-street parking to enable them to charge an electric vehicle overnight and close to home.

RESOLVED:-

8.1       That Cabinet notes the reason as set out in paragraph 4.2 as to why the procurement process in respect of the supply, installation, maintenance and operation of charge points in lamp columns for electric vehicles on residential streets in Brent cannot proceed as agreed by Cabinet on 15 January 2018;

8.2       That Cabinet approves the procurement of the supply, installation, maintenance and operation of charge points in lamp columns for electric vehicles on residential streets in Brent from TfL’s Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Framework Agreement; and

8.3       that Cabinet delegates authority to the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with the Lead Member for Environment, to authorise an alternative procurement process for the supply, installation, maintenance and operation of charge points in lamp columns for electric vehicles should the TfL Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Framework Agreement be delayed in its set up or fail to address Brent Council’s needs for the reasons set out in paragraph 4.9.

Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment, introduced the report. She stated that the recommendations seek approval to amend the procurement process as previously agreed by Cabinet on 15 January 2018 for a supplier of charge points in lamp columns which are to be installed in streets where residents do not have access to off-street parking to enable them to charge an electric vehicle overnight and close to home.

As detailed in the report to Cabinet on 15 January 2018, officers are working on three separate electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects in order to provide a range of appropriate charging facilities to meet the demand for electric vehicle infrastructure by residents and businesses in Brent.

            Councillor Sheth stated that Brent Council has received £150,000 of funding from London’s Go Ultra Low Cities Scheme (GULCS) towards 75% of the capital costs of procuring and installing charge points for electric vehicles in lamp columns in streets where residents do not have access to off-street parking. These installations are necessary to allow residents the option of charging their electric vehicles overnight and close to home which is an important factor in encouraging more residents to purchase electric vehicles. To date, 50 requests from residents have been received for on-street charging facilities. The Council’s £50,000 match funding for this project is being sourced from S106 developer contributions in specific wards, Neighbourhood CIL and TfL Local Implementation Plan Funding.

RESOLVED:

8.1       That Cabinet notes the reason as set out in paragraph 4.2 as to why the procurement process in respect of the supply, installation, maintenance and operation of charge points in lamp columns for electric vehicles on residential streets in Brent cannot proceed as agreed by Cabinet on 15 January 2018;

8.2       That Cabinet approves the procurement of the supply, installation, maintenance and operation of charge points in lamp columns for electric vehicles on residential streets in Brent from TfL’s Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Framework Agreement; and

8.3       that Cabinet delegates authority to the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with the Lead Member for Environment, to authorise an alternative procurement process for the supply, installation, maintenance and operation of charge points in lamp columns for electric vehicles should the TfL Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Framework Agreement be delayed in its set up or fail to address Brent Council’s needs for the reasons set out in paragraph 4.9.

No items identified in advance of the meeting.

None.

Notice of items to be raised under this heading must be given in writing to the Head of Executive and Member Services or his representative before the meeting. Any decisions taken urgently under this heading must comply with the provisions outlined in paragraph’s 12 and 39 of the Council’s Access to Information Rules (part 2 of the Constitution).

None.