Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Gail Tolley(Strategic Director Children & Young People who was represented by Nigel Chapman).

Apologies for absence were received from Gail Tolley (Strategic Director Children & Young People) who was represented by Nigel Chapman.

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 16 August 2021 as a correct record.

Cabinet RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 16 August 2021 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous Cabinet meeting held on Monday 16 August 2021 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.

None.

There were no petitions submitted for consideration at the meeting.

To consider the Executive response provided to the following reference from the Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee:

6.1       Recommendations from the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee 13 July 2021 – UEFA European Championship 2020 Finals at Wembley Stadium

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the Executive response to the recommendations made by the Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee on 13 July 2021 regarding the UEFA European 2020 Championship Final hosted at Wembley Stadium, as detailed within Appendix 1 of the report.

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of the Council, introduced a report detailing the Executive response to a reference received from the Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee held on 13 July 21 relating to the circumstances surrounding the UEFA European 2020 Championship final at Wembley Stadium.

In presenting the report, Councillor Butt highlighted the Council’s participation in the independent review being led by Baroness Casey as the single overarching review process which all partners had agreed to support.  As part of this, members noted that the Council had already committed to undertake its own assessment of activities relating to its responsibilities covering safety, licensing and enforcement around the stadium in the build up to the final in order to feed into the Baroness Casey review and to fully review and respond to any recommendations around the Council’s role moving forward.

The Leader ended by once again thanking everyone involved in supporting delivery of the Championships at Wembley for their hard work and efforts and it was RESOLVED to approve the Executive response to the recommendations made by the Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee on 13 July 2021 regarding the UEFA European 2020 Championship Final hosted at Wembley Stadium, as detailed within Appendix 1 of the report.

This report presents the Highways Maintenance Programme for 2021-22 to Cabinet for approval.

Cabinet NOTED the comments made by a member of the public, Frank Treviss, who had requested to speak on the item.  In addressing Cabinet, Mr Treviss advised that he was speaking in support of a petition previously submitted seeking an upgrade of the pavements in Logan Road.  Highlighting what he felt was the dangerous condition of the pavements, in terms of trip and fall hazards for local residents, members were also advised of the lack of any previous upgrade works and importance of the footway as a well-used route to the local school.  He also reminded members that the road provided the main pedestrian and vehicle access to a bowling and social club, which was well used by a range of community organisations.  He was therefore keen to ensure consideration was given to what he felt was the necessary footway repairs and upgrade required as part of the Council’s ongoing major road and footway resurfacing programme.

In responding to the speech, Councillor Krupa Sheth (as Lead Member for Environment), began by thanking Mr Treviss for his presentation and recognising the impact that the quality of footways had on the local environment for residents.  Whilst highlighting the improvement in the overall conditions of footways across the borough as a result of the £20m Highway and Footway Improvement programme over the last two years, she pointed out that this had still left a third of the borough’s footways in need of significant maintenance.  Whilst the footways in Logan Road had been surveyed (with 49% by length found to be in poor structural condition) this had unfortunately still not represented a high enough priority within the criteria to be considered for inclusion as part of the 2021/22 programme.  Members noted that the footways included for investment as part of the recommended programme had all been assessed with a minimum of 70% in poor condition.  Mr Treviss was reassured, however, that Logan Road’s future inclusion would continue be reviewed on a regular basis, with the next survey due later in 2021 and local; residents encouraged to report any immediate safety concerns of defects.  In the meantime it was also reported that the Lead Member for Environment and Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment had agreed to visit Logan Road in order to further examine the pavements and explore options for future improvement works.

Having noted the response provided, Councillor M Butt (Leader of the Council) ended by welcoming the contribution made at the meeting and reaffirming the Council’s commitment to improving the condition of Brent’s roads and footways within the financial constraints identified, recognising their importance to local communities.

Having noted the comments provided, CabinetRESOLVED:

(1)      To approve the proposed Highways Maintenance Scheme Programme 2021-22 as detailed in Appendix B of the report.

(2)     To note the receipt of a petition on 9^th August 2020 for Logan Road with 52 signatures asking for the renovation and upgrading of the pavements in that road, and comments made in response to the petition, as  ...  view the full decision text for item 7.

Prior to consideration of this item Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of the Council, welcomed Mr Frank Treviss to the meeting who had requested to speak in support of a petition previously submitted seeking an upgrade of the footways in Logan Road.  Highlighting what he felt were the dangerous condition of the pavements, in terms of trip and fall hazards for local residents, Mr Treviss also outlined the lack of any previous upgrade works and importance of the footway as a well-used route to the local school.  He also reminded members that the road provided the main pedestrian and vehicle access to a bowling and social club, which was well used by a range of community organisations.  He was therefore keen to ensure consideration was given to the necessary footway repairs and upgrade as part of the Council’s ongoing major road and footway resurfacing programme.

In responding, Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Lead Member for Environment, began by thanking Mr Treviss for his presentation and recognising the impact that the quality of footways had on the local environment for residents.  Whilst highlighting the improvement in the overall conditions of footways across the borough as a result of the £20m Highway and Footway Improvement programme over the last two years, she pointed out that this had still left a third of the borough’s footways in need of significant maintenance.  Whilst the footways in Logan Road had been surveyed (with 49% by length found to be in poor structural condition) this had unfortunately still not represented a high enough priority within the criteria to be considered for inclusion as part of the 2021/22 programme.  Members noted that the footways included as part of the recommended programme had all been assessed with a minimum of 70% in poor condition.  Mr Treviss was reassured, however, that Logan Road’s future inclusion would continue be reviewed on a regular basis, with the next survey due later in 2021 and local; residents encouraged to report any immediate safety concerns or defects.  In the meantime it was also reported that the Lead Member for Environment and Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment had agreed to visit Logan Road in order to further examine the pavements and explore options for future improvement works.

Having noted the response provided, Councillor Muhammed Butt thanked Mr Treviss for his contribution at the meeting.

Councillor Krupa Sheth, Lead Member for Environment, then moved on to introduce the report which set out the Council’s Highways Maintenance Scheme Programme for 2021-22.  In presenting the report, members noted the £3.5m base allocation for the programme funded through the Council’s Capital budget along with the additional bid submitted for funding through Transport for London’s (TfL) London wide Principal Road Network scheme, which totalled £1.371m.  Details on the outcome of the TfL bid were still awaited, with Cabinet also noting the additional funding provided through the Council’s own £20m footway improvement programme, that was due to end in 2021-22.  This would require the base capital funding available for the programme to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

This report presents a proposal for Capital Investment in the Parks Service to allow for essential improvements across a number of parks and allotment sites.

Cabinet RESLOVED to approve Council borrowing of £1.43m to allow the Parks Service to carry out a number of urgent infrastructure improvements required in a number of locations across the borough.

Councillor Krupa Sheth, Lead Member for Environment, introduced a report providing details of proposed capital investment within the Parks Service of £1.43m to allow for a programme of essential improvements across a number of sites.

In considering the report, members noted that the proposed investment had been designed to improve various areas of ageing infrastructure across the borough’s parks and open spaces as a means of addressing ongoing maintenance issues and costs as well as improving the safety of pathways and playgrounds.

The investment programme, set out in section 3.4 of the report, had been developed on the basis of an analysis of issues raised and risk.  Cabinet were supportive of the programme identified, highlighting the important role and value of the borough’s parks and open spaces for the local community.  Specific initiatives highlighted by members as benefits included the work being undertaken to enhance biodiversity and CCTV coverage across parks, with the proposals also felt to demonstrate the Council’s ongoing commitment towards improving services and the quality of life for residents across the borough.

As no further issues were raised Cabinet RESOLVED to approve Council borrowing of £1.43m to allow the Parks Service to carry out a number of urgent infrastructure improvements required in a number of locations across the borough, as detailed within section 3.4 of the report.

This report presents the Brent Youth Strategy and Delivery Plan, which fulfils the recommendation of the Independent Brent Poverty Commission for the Council to bring together a statutory-led “Youth and Community Strategy for Young People” in Brent.

Cabinet RESOLVED to note and endorse the Brent Youth Strategy and Delivery Plan, as detailed within Appendices A & B of the report.

Councillor Mili Patel, Lead Member for Children’s Safeguarding, Early Help & Social Care, introduced a report presenting the Brent Youth Strategy and Delivery Plan.

In considering the report members noted that development of the Strategy and associated Delivery Plan had been designed to fulfil the recommendation within the Independent Brent Poverty Commission to bring together a statutory-led “Youth and Community Strategy for Young People” in Brent.  The Strategy and Delivery Plan had also been developed to ensure they were aligned with relevant planned and in-progress activity include the Black Community Action Plan, other recovery projects, connectivity to the new health Integrated Care Systems and further education settings as well as clarifying the funding position.

In expressing their support for the Strategy & Delivery Plan, Cabinet felt it important to recognise the level of engagement with young people in developing and shaping the Strategy and commitment it was felt this demonstrated to young people across the borough.  Members thanked the Lead Member and officers involved in development of the strategy and noted the eight key themes which had emerged from the engagement process and around which the Strategy and Delivery Plan had been focussed as a means of driving positive change, with specific reference at the meeting to themes including skills and opportunities, safety and wellbeing & mental health.

In summing up, Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council, highlighted the Council’s commitment to continue ensuring the best outcomes for all young people across the borough and providing every opportunity for them succeed.

As a result Cabinet RESOLVED to note and endorse the Brent Youth Strategy and Delivery Plan, as detailed within Appendices A & B of the report.

This report seeks approval for the Council to apply its discretion to award rate relief in respect of non-domestic rate liability.

Cabinet RESOLVED

(1)      To approve the applications for discretionary rate relief in respect of national non-domestic rate liability as set out and detailed withinin Appendix 2 of the report.

(2)     To note that the Council’s National Non-Domestic Rates Discretionary Relief awards would be reviewed in October 2022, for subsequent consideration by Cabinet in early 2023 instead of October 2021 as previously planned due to the effect of the pandemic.

Councillor McLennan, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Resources, introduced the report, which detailed new applications received for discretionary National Non-Domestic Rate (NNDR) relief since Cabinet had last considered applications in December 2020. 

In presenting the report, Cabinet’s attention was drawn to the criteria to be considered in dealing with applications for NNDR relief from charities and non-profit making organisations, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report, along with the applications which had been received for consideration, as detailed within Appendix 2 of the report.  Members were also advised of the requirement to review all existing awards for discretionary relief to ensure they continued to meet the necessary criteria and were focussed on organisations providing a recognised service for residents within the borough.  In view of the impact of the pandemic it had been proposed that this review should be moved back to October 2022, with organisations then being required to reapply for relief from April 2024.

Cabinet RESOLVED

(1)      To approve the applications for discretionary rate relief in respect of national non-domestic rate liability as set out and detailed within Appendix 2 of the report.

(2)     To note that the Council’s National Non-Domestic Rates Discretionary Relief awards would be reviewed in October 2022, for subsequent consideration by Cabinet in early 2023 instead of October 2021 as previously planned due to the effect of the pandemic.

This report sets out the further enhancements which are achievable within the Oracle Cloud System and seeks approval for further investment to gain further efficiencies and transformational aspects that the system offers.

Cabinet RESOLVED

(1)     To approve the investment of £2.5m for the Oracle Cloud Roadmap (Release 2).

(2)      To agree that each project would be subject to regular review and monitoring by the Corporate Landlord Board and reported into the Capital Programme Board.  This would be in consultation with the Deputy Leader, as Lead Member with responsibility for IT.

Councillor McLennan, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Resources, introduced a report seeking approval to further investment in the Oracle Cloud System and Transformation roadmap as a means of gaining further efficiencies and accessing additional transformational aspects offered within the system.

In considering the report members noted the progress being made with implementation of the Oracle Cloud Release 1 project along with the improvements these were expected to deliver in relation to current ways of working, including the use of real time data and other efficiencies in terms of systems and processes.  Looking to build on the improvements identified through implementation of Release 1, a range of further benefits and additional functionality had subsequently been identified, which had formed the basis of the additional investment being sought for Release 2 under the Oracle Cloud Roadmap.  These included projects related to Finance Accounting and Transactional Management performance, case and project management, governance and risk compliance, sourcing and contract management which would be expected to provide further enhancements and efficiencies in relation to the Finance, Procurement and HR systems, integration and control mechanisms.

Having noted the benefits identified, Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)     To approve the investment of £2.5m for the Oracle Cloud Roadmap (Release 2).

(2)      To agree that each project identified with Release 2 of the Roadmap would be subject to regular review and monitoring by the Corporate Landlord Board and reported into the Capital Programme Board.  This would be in consultation with the Deputy Leader, as Lead Member with responsibility for IT.

No items have been identified in advance of the meeting that will require the exclusion of the press or public.

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

There were not 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.

None.

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