Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Carolyn Downs (Chief Executive).

Apologies for absence were received from Carolyn Downs (Chief Executive).

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.

None.

None.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 28 May 2020 as a correct record.

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday 28 May 2020 as an accurate record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday 28 May be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

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

None.

None.

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

None.

None.

To consider any reference reports from any of the Council’s two Scrutiny Committees.

None.

None.

This report seeks approval of the final Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Management Policy.  The strategy sets out how all landlords in the borough should let and manage homes. The Tenancy Management Policy outlines how the council in its role as a landlord will manage Brent Council Homes in line with its strategies vision and commitments. Both documents have been subject to statutory consultation, with the report highlighting the support received and how the feedback gained from all stakeholders throughout the development process has shaped the proposed strategy and policy.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)      note the duty placed on the Council by the Localism Act 2011 to produce and publish a Tenancy Strategy.

(2)      note and approve the content of the draft Tenancy Strategy.

(3)      note and approve the content of the draft Tenancy Management Policy.

Councillor Eleanor Southwood (Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform) introduced the report detailing the recent review of the Tenancy Strategy which set out expectations for all landlords in the borough, as well as the production of a Tenancy Management Policy which reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to its own tenants.  It was felt that the new provisions outlined in the documents provided tenants with a greater degree of certainty and security, which was welcomed by all members.

Cabinet noted that the documents had been subject to consultation, with the report highlighting the outcome and how the feedback gained from all stakeholders throughout the development process had assisted to shape both the Strategy and Management Policy.  In terms of key changes to the way in which the Council managed its own tenancies, members noted these included the ending of fixed-term tenancies and replacing them with life time tenancies, the introduction of demoted tenancies to tackle anti-social behaviour where necessary and the offering of joint tenancies to cohabiting couples.  Assurance was also provided in relation to frequency of the tenancy audits being conducted to review and assess tenants’ needs.

Having noted minor amendments to the wording of recommendations 2.1 and 2.3 in the report, it was RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(1)      note the duty placed on the Council by the Localism Act 2011 to produce and publish a Tenancy Strategy.

(2)      note and approve the content of the draft Tenancy Strategy.

(3)      note and approve the content of the draft Tenancy Management Policy.

This report outlines the background and seeks approval to the proposed approach for Brent’s Local Authority Discretionary Grants Scheme.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)        approve the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Scheme for Brent as set out in this report, using the eligibility criteria specified in sections 4.2, 4.6, and 4.11 of the report and agreeing a single tier grant payment of £5,000.

(2)        delegate to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment the administration and award of grants under the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Scheme.

Councillor Shama Tatler (Lead Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning) introduced the report seeking approval to the arrangements and criteria for administering the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Scheme.  Members were advised that the scheme had been established as part of the Governments response to Covid-19 in order to provide a mechanism for supporting small businesses outside the scope of the original Covid-19 business grant schemes, with the amount of funding provided for Brent totalling £3.3million.

Cabinet noted the mandatory criteria set by the Government along with the discretionary criteria, which the Council had the ability to consider and apply, as detailed in section 4 of the report with the proposal to offer a single tier grant of £5,000 per business.  Whilst it was felt this would provide the best balance between breadth and impact members recognised that the overall level of funding available was likely to cover business seeking to apply and as a result it was noted that lobbying of Government on the support being made available matter would need to continue.

In commenting on the criteria, members were keen to ensure that the distribution of funding was undertaken as quickly as possible recognising the need, at the same time, for the necessary checks to be completed to ensure businesses met the relevant eligibility criteria. It was also confirmed that businesses who had received alternative business support grants (other than access to the furlough scheme) would not be eligible to apply.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(1)      approve the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Scheme for Brent as set out in this report, using the eligibility criteria specified in sections 4.2, 4.6, and 4.11 of the report and agreeing a single tier grant payment of £5,000.

(2)      delegate to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment the administration and award of grants under the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Scheme.

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 their representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 60.

None.

None.