Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Harbi Farah (Lead Member of Adult Social Care), Carolyn Downs (Chief Executive) and Phil Porter (Strategic Director, Community Wellbeing – represented by Hakeem Osinaike).

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Harbi Farah (Lead Member of Adult Social Care), Carolyn Downs (Chief Executive) and Phil Porter (Strategic Director, Community Wellbeing who was represented by Hakeem Osinaike Operational Director - Housing).

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 Amar Agaha declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 7 – National Non-Domestic Rates: Applications for Discretionary Rate Relief as one of the Council’s appointed representatives on the South Kilburn Trust.

Councillor Amar Agaha declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 7 – National Non-Domestic Rates: Applications for Discretionary Rate Relief as one of the Council’s appointed representatives on the South Kilburn Trust.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 20 April 2020 as a correct record.

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 20 April 2020 as an accurate record of the meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 20 April 2020 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

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

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

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There are no reference reports from either of the Council’s Scrutiny Committees for consideration at this meeting.

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This report outlines the discretion available to the Council to award rate relief to charities or non-profitmaking bodies.  The award of discretionary rate relief is based on agreed policy and criteria, with Cabinet required to consider any new applications for relief pursuant to existing policy.  The report details, for consideration, all new applications for relief received since Cabinet last considered such applications in September 2019.

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the applications for discretionary rate relief in respect of National Non-Domestic Rate liability, as set out and detailed in Appendix 2 of the report.

Councillor Margaret McLennan (Deputy Leader) introduced the report detailing the new applications received for discretionary National Non-Domestic Rate relief from charitable and non-profit making organisations.  Cabinet noted the existing policy and criteria upon which the award of discretionary rate relief was based (as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report), along with details of the applications received, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report.  Members were also keen to recognise the valued service and support being provided by charitable and non-profit making organisations across the borough as part of the co-ordinated emergency response to Covid 19.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approve the applications for discretionary rate relief in respect of National Non-Domestic Rate liability, as set out and detailed in Appendix 2 of the report.

This report is seeking authority to award contracts for the supply of electricity and gas for two years from the LASER Framework.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)    approve the award of a contract for the supply of electricity to NPower Limited for two years as from 1^st October 2020 via a call-off from LASER Framework Y18003,

(2)    approve the award of a contract for the supply of gas to Total Gas and Power for two years from 1^st October 2020 via a call-off from the LASER Framework Y18002; and 

(3)    approve, alternatively to the recommendations at (1) and (2) above, the award of contracts for gas and electricity to the next ranked Suppliers on Lot 1 of each of the Frameworks referred to in section 5 of the report,  if NPower Limited or Total Gas and Power cannot, or do not accept the offer of a Council contract. Such award shall be in accordance with the offer and award process described in section 5 of the report;

(4)    approve the Council’s entry into an Access Agreement with Kent County Council referred to in section 5 of the report, to enable its participation and purchase of gas and electricity from the Frameworks referred to in (1) and (2) above.

Councillor Margaret McLennan (Deputy Leader) introduced the report seeking approval to award contracts for the supply of electricity and gas for a two-year period from the LASER Framework.  Cabinet noted that the two-year timeframe had been designed to enable the Council to focus its efforts on reducing its energy usage and to explore innovative ways of seeking to reduce its carbon footprint whilst closely following developments in the energy market as part of the wider focus on Brent’s Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(1)     approve the award of a contract for the supply of electricity to NPower Limited for two years as from 1^st October 2020 via a call-off from LASER Framework Y18003,

(2)     approve the award of a contract for the supply of gas to Total Gas and Power for two years from 1^st October 2020 via a call-off from the LASER Framework Y18002; and 

(3)     approve, alternatively to the recommendations at (1) and (2) above, the award of contracts for gas and electricity to the next ranked Suppliers on Lot 1 of each of the Frameworks referred to in section 5 of the report,  if NPower Limited or Total Gas and Power cannot, or do not accept the offer of a Council contract. Such award shall be in accordance with the offer and award process described in section 5 of the report;

(4)     approve the Council’s entry into an Access Agreement with Kent County Council referred to in section 5 of the report, to enable its participation and purchase of gas and electricity from the Frameworks referred to in (1) and (2) above.

No items have been identified in advance of the meeting that will require

the exclusion of the press or public.

There were no items requiring the exclusion of the press or public.

There were no items that required the exclusion of the press or public.

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 in accordance with Standing Order 60.

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