Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Amer Agha and Phil Porter (who was represented by Hakeem Osinaike).

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Amer Agha and Phil Porter (who was represented by Hakeem Osinaike).

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.

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

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

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 20^th July 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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To consider any reference reports from any of the Council’s two Scrutiny Committees.

This report presents the recommendations from the review of the Council’s Parks Strategy undertaken by Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee on 12 March 2020 along with the proposed Executive response.

Following their introduction by Councillor Matt Kelcher (as Chair of the Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee) Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the Executive Response to the recommendations made by the Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee on 12 March 2020 relating to the Council’s Parks Strategy.

Cabinet noted that consideration of the provision to allow use of BBQs in designated areas would require further review, in terms of the options available to manage any change as part of the ongoing development of the strategy, on which the Scrutiny Committee would continue to be kept updated.

Councillor Muhammed Butt (Leader of the Council) welcomed Councillor Kelcher to the meeting who had requested to speak on this item as Chair of the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee, in order to outline the recommendations made by the Scrutiny Committee when they had considered the Council’s park strategy at their meeting on 12^th March 2020.

In introducing the report, Councillor Kelcher informed Cabinet that the committee had both scrutinised the past performance and management of the parks, and discussed development of the future strategy. After taking into consideration oral evidence provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment as well as relevant officers, three recommendations had been produced, namely:

·                That a new Brent Parks Strategy encompass the green and open spaces as a whole and include measurable targets, including bespoke targets for Brent, to facilitate the use of parks and open spaces by a diversity of different people in the community and to encourage sporting activities which will help to tackle health issues in the borough.

·                That data on people using the parks be improved, and to use this data to better inform the strategy. To develop an understanding of what would be needed to encourage people to use the parks, and to make sure users receive maximum benefit from their visit.

·                That provision be made within the strategy and management of parks to allow for barbeques in designated areas, perhaps with the requirement of a permit or following a trial period.

In introducing the accompanying report, outlining the draft Executive Response, the Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Krupa Sheth, highlighted that the development of the park strategy had now commenced. Consideration was being given in its formation to diverse areas such as the climate emergency, biodiversity, additional public walking and cycling routes, and sports provision. Input would also be sought from the public health team to ensure that the parks were accessible, open, and safe.  Whilst assurance was given that the recommendation relating to the provision for the use of barbeques in designated areas would be considered, its inclusion would require further review in terms of the options available to manage any changes with the Scrutiny Committee to be kept updated on this process and overall development of the strategy.

In expressing his support for the recommendations, Councillor Butt thanked the Scrutiny Committee and Councillor Kelcher for their work on the issue. 

It was RESOLVED that the Executive Response to the scrutiny recommendations on the Council’s parks strategy made by the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 12 March 2020, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report,  be agreed.

This report sets out a revised approach proposed to the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding strategy based on a review of projects (2017-2019) and consultation completed in December/January 2020.

Cabinet RESOLVED, subject to the following amendments to the report, to agree the funding strategy for 2020-2023, which would be used for decisions on expenditure of the neighbourhood element of the Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) to ensure all risks to the council were mitigated and the best outcomes for residents of Brent were achieved:

·                Section 5.2.3 – Final sentence “All members will have no decision-making powers” to be amended to read “All members will act in an advisory capacity only”; and

·                Section 5.2.6 – to be amended with the addition of “This revised approach will bring the NCIL process in line with the administration of all other Brent Council grants for the voluntary and community sector.”

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning, Councillor Tatler introduced the report which provided Cabinet with an overview of NCIL spending to date, as well as recommendations for the future administration of NCIL through the development of a funding strategy. Cabinet heard how the procedural changes contained in the strategy would include a more evidence based approach, in terms of outcomes to guarantee value for money for the community. Member’s attention was drawn to the recommendation for the creation of an Advisory Panel, the membership of which would include the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Engagement, and which would link together the community sector and planning policy.  Councillor Miller welcomed the development of these wider links and his inclusion on the Panel.

In celebrating the success of the NCIL programme, Cabinet noted that in excess of £12 million had been allocated to over 200 community projects supporting regeneration and development in the borough. Cabinet recorded their thanks to the NCIL team who had been administrating the grants.

It was RESOLVED, subject to the following amendments to the report, to agree the funding strategy for 2020-2023, which would be used for decisions on expenditure of the neighbourhood element of the Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) to ensure all risks to the council were mitigated and the best outcomes for residents of Brent were achieved:

·                Section 5.2.3 – Final sentence “All members will have no decision making powers” to be amended to read: “All members will act in an advisory capacity only”; and

·                Section 5.2.6 – to be amended by the addition of: “This revised approach will bring the NCIL process in line with the administration of all other Brent Council grants for the voluntary and community sector.”

This report provides an update on the progress of the South Kilburn Regeneration Programme along with a high-level summary of current projects and expected progress over the coming year, along with delivery options for the remainder of the programme and how these can be implemented for the next phase.

In addition, approval is sought to serve Initial Demolition notices on the secure tenants at William Dunbar House & William Saville House.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)      Note and commend the progress made to date in delivering the South Kilburn Regeneration Programme.

(2)     Authorise the Strategic Director of Regeneration & Environment to serve the Initial Demolition notices to suspend the secure tenants Right to Buy in relation to premises contained within William Dunbar and William Saville and to serve the Final Demolition notice on the Council’s secure tenants once the date for demolition is known, as per previous phases.  This would be conducted in consultation with residents, as detailed in section 3.8 of the report.

(3)     Authorise the Strategic Director of Regeneration & Environment to apply to the Secretary of State for authorisation to extend the period of suspension if the initial notices referred to in paragraph (2) expire.

(4)     Note the following schemes collectively referred to as the Sites were scheduled to be brought forward, and the recommendations in (5), (6), (7) and (8) were in relation to these:

§    Neville, Winterleys, Carlton House & Carlton Hall

§    Carlton & Granville

§    Hereford & Exeter

§    Craik, Crone, Zangwill,

§    Austen & Blake

§    Masefield, Wordsworth & Dickens

(5)     Delegate to the Strategic Director of Regeneration & Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property & Planning, authority to award consultants, development or construction contracts in respect of the Sites listed above using the procurement approach set out within section 3 of the report for the reasons detailed in paragraph 3.9 of the report.  It was noted that the preference for these contracts would be to tender via a framework.

(6)     Delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Regeneration & Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property & Planning to appropriate the Sites for planning purposes pursuant to section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972 and to override third party rights and interests in the Sites pursuant to section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

(7)     Delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Regeneration & Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property & Planning to undertake consultation with members of the public who may be affected by the appropriation undertaken in accordance with (6) above.

(8)     Delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Regeneration & Environment to seek permission from the Secretary of State to serve Ground 10a notices and to appropriate the Sites for Planning Purposes pursuant to section 19 of the Housing Act 1985 so that the Sites no longer remain in the Housing Revenue Account.

(9)     To agree that future developments within the programme deliver social housing that will be managed by Brent Council in the first instance, and that delivery routes as set out in section 3.9 of this report are assessed on a scheme by scheme basis.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning, Councillor Tatler, introduced the report, seeking to update Cabinet on the progress of the South Kilburn Regeneration programme, whilst also requesting approval for legal notices to allow for work to progress on certain sites. 

In expressing their pride in the transformational nature of the programme and the progress made since the outcome of the resident ballot, as detailed within Appendix 1 of the report, Cabinet expressed their thanks to the regeneration team for their work on the programme, given the impact the achievements were having in improving the aspirations and expectations of residents in the area and in terms of delivering and exceeding the Council’s social housing targets for the scheme.

It was RESOLVED to:

(1)     Note and commend the progress made to date in delivering the South Kilburn Regeneration Programme.

(2)     Authorise the Strategic Director of Regeneration & Environment to serve the Initial Demolition notices to suspend the secure tenants Right to Buy in relation to premises contained within William Dunbar and William Saville and to serve the Final Demolition notice on the Council’s secure tenants, once the date for demolition is known, as per previous phases. This would be conducted in consultation with residents, as detailed in section 3.8 of the report.

(3)     Authorise the Strategic Director of Regeneration & Environment to apply to the Secretary of State for authorisation to extend the period of suspension if the initial notices referred to in (2) above expire.

(4)     Note the following schemes collectively referred to as the Sites were scheduled to be brought forward, and the recommendations in (5), (6), (7) and (8) were in relation to these:

·                Neville, Winterleys, Carlton House & Carlton Hall

·                Carlton & Granville

·                Hereford & Exeter

·                Craik, Crone, Zangwill,

·                Austen & Blake

·                Masefield, Wordsworth & Dickens

(5)     Delegate to the Strategic Director of Regeneration & Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property & Planning, authority to award consultants, development or construction contracts in respect of the Sites listed above using the procurement approach set out within section 3 of the report for the reasons detailed in paragraph 3.9 of the report. It was noted that the preference for these contracts would be to tender via a framework.

(6)     Delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Regeneration & Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property & Planning to appropriate the Sites for planning purposes pursuant to section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972 and to override third party rights and interests in the Sites pursuant to section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

(7)     Delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Regeneration & Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property & Planning to undertake consultation with members of the public who may be affected by the appropriation undertaken in accordance with (6) above.

(8)     Delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Regeneration & Environment to seek permission from the Secretary of State to serve Ground 10a notices and to appropriate the Sites for Planning Purposes pursuant to section  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

This report provides an update on funding secured from Historic England as part of The High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) for shop front improvements and community space provision within the designated conservation area in Harlesden Town Centre.

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the project as described in the report.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning, Councillor Tatler, introduced the report which informed Cabinet of the securing of £437,600k in funding from Historic England as part of a successful bid in relation to the High Streets Heritage Action Zones. The Council would be contributing a further £454,000 as match funding, and the total would be used to deliver a programme of physical improvements to improve the high street as well as enhance community space provision in Harlesden town centre, with the work to be carried out in consultation with the local community, local businesses and ward councillors. In concluding her introduction, Councillor Tatler expressed her thanks to the regeneration and conservation team for their efforts in securing the funding.

Cabinet welcomed the report on behalf of the local businesses and community given the negative impact COVID had had on the area. The Refugee Support Network Programme was provided as an example of a community asset that would benefit from the work. Cabinet further noted the opportunities regeneration would engender for a cultural programme in Harlseden, including the Harlseden ‘Big Weekender’.

It was therefore RESOLVED to approve the project as described in the report.

This report sets out a proposal to move all of Brent’s Parking Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) to the higher band “A” level on a borough wide basis, which if approved would be subject to endorsement by London Councils, the Mayor for London and Secretary of State for Transport.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)      Consult parking account holders and residents, during autumn 2020, on moving all Brent parking Penalty Charge Notices to the higher Band ‘A’ penalty rates and note that if this proposal was implemented, the value of a Penalty Charge Notice would then no longer be determined by the location of the contravention within the borough.

(2)     Delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment to consider the outcome of the consultation process and thereafter, apply to the Transport and Environment Committee of London Councils to seek approval to implement the proposed change to have a borough wide Band A level for penalty charge notices in the borough of Brent and support any subsequent application for approval to the Mayor of London and the Secretary of State for Transport.

(3)     Subject to the consultation and approval process, delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment to give effect to the proposed banding changes for penalty change notices in the borough of Brent, including amending current traffic management orders.

Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for the Environment, introduced the report which proposed standardising all Penalty Charge Notices for highways in the borough to the ‘Band A’ category. The change sought to provide a more effective deterrent for parking infringements, which was evidenced by the rising number of contraventions in sections of the borough currently on ‘Band B’. Cabinet were informed that a consultation would take place in autumn with any decision to proceed needing to be ratified by London Councils’ Transport ad Environment Committee, the Mayor of London and the Department of Transport.

In outlining their support for the proposal Cabinet noted that neighbouring boroughs were also undertaking a similar process.

It was RESOLVED to:

(1)     Consult parking account holders and residents, during autumn 2020, on moving all Brent parking Penalty Charge Notices to the higher Band ‘A’ penalty rates and note that if this proposal was implemented, the value of a Penalty Charge Notice would then no longer be determined by the location of the contravention within the borough.

(2)     Delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment to consider the outcome of the consultation process and thereafter, apply to the Transport and Environment Committee of London Councils to seek approval to implement the proposed change to have a borough wide Band A level for penalty charge notices in the borough of Brent and support any subsequent application for approval to the Mayor of London and the Secretary of State for Transport.

(3)     Subject to the consultation and approval process, delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment to give effect to the proposed banding changes for penalty change notices in the borough of Brent, including amending current traffic management orders.

This report considers a proposal to make a formal link between the cost of daily visitor permits across the borough and the cost of bus fares in Greater London.  The report also considers a proposal to increase the maximum value of refunds on parking permits that are returned or cancelled, from one third to one half, reflecting the reduction in associated administrative costs following the widespread introduction of virtual permits.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)      Consult parking account holders on a recommendation to formally link and align the cost of daily visitor permits to bus fares set by Transport for London (TfL); charges for daily visitor permits would then directly align with any future price changes made by TfL to the cost of bus fares.

(2)      Consult parking account holders on a recommendation to increase the maximum refund value for all parking permits that are cancelled, from the current entitlement of up to one third of the value of the permit to up to half of the remaining value of the permit.

(3)      Delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with the Lead Member of the Environment:

(a)      to consider the outcome of the consultation responses in relation to the proposals set out in (1) and (2) above; and

(b)      if he thinks fit to do so, to proceed thereafter with the statutory consultation and notification process in respect of those proposals; and

(c)       after consideration of the responses to this statutory consultation and notification process, if he thinks it fit to do so, to implement the proposed changes to the daily visitor parking permits and permit refunds; and

(d)      to amend current Traffic Management Orders to implement the proposals set out in (1) and (2) above.

Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for the Environment, introduced the report which outlined a proposal to formally link and align costs of daily visitor permits to bus fare set by Transport for London (TfL).  The link to changes in bus fares would, ensure that there was no price incentive to travel by private vehicle rather than use public transport, in support of the objectives in the Council’s Long Term Transport Strategy.  Other benefits linked to the proposal included the impact on air quality as part of the climate emergency agenda.  The report further recommended an increase to the maximum value of refunds for permits that were cancelled, up from a third to a half of the cost, as administration costs had reduced following the introduction of virtual permits.

It was RESOLVED to:

(1)     Consult parking account holders on a recommendation to formally link and align the cost of daily visitor permits to bus fares set by Transport for London (TfL); charges for daily visitor permits would then directly align with any future price changes made by TfL to the cost of bus fares.

(2)     Consult parking account holders on a recommendation to increase the maximum refund value for all parking permits that are cancelled, from the current entitlement of up to one third of the value of the permit to up to half of the remaining value of the permit.

(3)     Delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with the Lead Member of the Environment:

(a)      to consider the outcome of the consultation responses in relation to the proposals set out in (1) and (2) above; and

(b)      if he thinks fit to do so, to proceed thereafter with the statutory consultation and notification process in respect of those proposals; and

(c)       after consideration of the responses to this statutory consultation and notification process, if he thinks it fit to do so, to implement the proposed changes to the daily visitor parking permits and permit refunds; and

(d)      to amend current Traffic Management Orders to implement the proposals set out 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 requiring 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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