Agenda, decisions and minutes

None received.

None received.

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.

The following personal interests were declared in respect of Agenda Item 7 – Draft Budget 2024/25 and 2025/26 (with regard to the budget saving proposals):

·             Councillor Nerva – as one of the Council’s appointed representatives on the North West London Integrated Care Partnership and Integrated Care Board.

·             Councillor Donnelly-Jackson – as Chair of the Brent Disability Forum

No other interests were declared at the meeting.

The following personal interests were declared in respect of Agenda Item 7 – Draft Budget 2024/25 and 2025/26 (budget saving proposals):

·             Councillor Nerva – as one of the Council’s appointed representatives on the North West London Integrated Care Partnership and Integrated Care Board.

·             Councillor Donnelly-Jackson – as Chair of the Brent Disability Forum.

No other interests were declared at the meeting.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 16 October 2023 as a correct record.

Cabinet RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 16 October 2023 be approved as a correct record of the meeting.

Eligible for Call-In: No

Cabinet RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 16 October 2023 be approved as a correct record.

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

None

None

To discuss any petitions from members of the public for which notice has been provided, in accordance with Standing Order 66.

There were no petitions submitted for presentation at the meeting.

There were no petitions presented for consideration at the meeting.

To consider any reports referred by either the Community and Wellbeing or Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committees.

There were no items referred from either the Community Wellbeing or Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committees.

There were no references from the Community & Wellbeing or Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committees submitted for consideration at the meeting.

This report sets out the Council’s budget proposals for 2024/25 and 2025/26. It also provides a general update on the Council’s overall financial position, including an overview of the current economic outlook.

Cabinet NOTED the following comments made by Rajas Falker, as a local resident, who had requested to speak at the meeting on the report.  In addressing Cabinet, Mrs Falker advised she was attending the meeting in order to express concerns about the budget saving proposal identified for 2025-26 relating to the potential closure of the New Millennium Day Centre, given the impact it was felt this would have on service users and carers using the Centre.  In outlining the detrimental impact it was felt the proposal would have on the health and wellbeing of existing service users and their carers, the opportunity was also taken to advise members of the much valued level of care and social interaction being provided for vulnerable adults through the Centre which it was felt had enabled them to thrive and flourish in a safe and supportive environment.  Referring to the closure of other surrounding day care centres, Mrs Falker felt it was also important to recognise the importance locally of the service being provided by the New Millennium Day Centre.  Whilst aware of the financial pressures faced by the Council, Mrs Falker ended by urging members to reconsider the saving proposal and to keep the New Millennium Day Centre open to ensure those vulnerable adults and their carers who relied on the service being provided were not adversely impacted and could continue to benefit from the support available through the Centre.

In response, Councillor Nerva (as Cabinet Member for Public Health & Adult Social Care) whilst recognising the concerns highlighted felt it important to begin by outlining the challenging context in which the budget proposals presented for consideration had needed to be developed.  This had included the impact arising from austerity and the cumulative funding cuts which had been imposed on local authorities by the current Conservative Government along with their failure to deliver reform of the social care system.  These challenges had been compounded, particularly in relation to adult social care providers across all sectors, by the wider economic and inflationary cost pressures currently being experienced alongside an increase in demand for services.  Faced with the pressures identified the Council had needed to consider ways in which Adult Social Care services could continue to be delivered as effectively and sustainably as possible working in partnership across a range of sectors whilst also seeking to support and maximise, as part of a wider transformation process, the independence of service users.

In terms of the specific proposal identified, Mrs Falker and Cabinet were assured that the decision due to be taken at this stage was to commence a wider community and service user consultation and engagement process on the budget proposals identified.  As part of the consultation process outlined, Councillor Nerva and Councillor Tatler (as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Reform) confirmed that this would include users of the New Millennium Day Centre and would involve a full assessment of options and alternative provision prior to any final decision being  ...  view the full decision text for item 7.

Prior to consideration of the report, Councillor Muhammed Butt (Leader of the Council) invited Rajas Falker, a local resident who had requested to speak on the item, to address the meeting.  Having introduced herself, Mrs Falker advised she was attending the meeting in order to express concerns about the budget saving proposal identified for 2025-26 relating to the potential closure of the New Millennium Day Centre, given the impact it was felt this would have on service users and carers using the Centre.  In outlining the detrimental impact she felt the proposal would have on the health and wellbeing of existing service users and their carers the opportunity was also taken to advise members of the much valued level of care and social interaction being provided for vulnerable adults using the Centre, which she advised had enabled those individuals to thrive and flourish in a safe and supportive environment.  Referring to the closure of other surrounding day care provision, Mrs Falker felt it was also important to recognise the importance locally of the service being provided by the New Millennium Day Centre.  Whilst aware of the financial pressures faced by the Council, Mrs Falker ended by urging members to reconsider the saving proposal and to keep the New Millennium Day Centre open to ensure those vulnerable adults and their carers who relied on the service being provided were not adversely impacted and could continue to benefit from the support available through the Centre.

In response Councillor Nerva (as Cabinet Member for Public Health & Adult Social Care) whilst recognising the concerns highlighted, felt it important to begin by outlining the challenging context in which the budget proposals presented for consideration had needed to be developed.  This had included the impact arising from austerity and the cumulative funding cuts which had been imposed on local authorities by the current Conservative Government along with their failure to deliver reform of the social care system.  These challenges had been compounded, particularly in relation to adult social care providers across all sectors, by the wider economic and inflationary cost pressures currently being experienced alongside an increase in demand for services.  Faced with the pressures identified the Council had needed to consider ways in which Adult Social Care services could continue to be delivered as effectively and sustainably as possible working in partnership across a range of sectors whilst also seeking to support and maximise, as part of a wider transformation process, the independence of service users.

In terms of the specific proposal identified, Mrs Falker was assured that the decision outlined for consideration at this stage was to commence a wider community and service user consultation and engagement process on the budget proposals identified.  As part of the consultation process outlined, Councillor Nerva and Councillor Tatler (as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Reform) confirmed this would include users of the New Millennium Day Centre and would involve a full assessment of options and alternative provision prior to any final decision  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

This report advises Cabinet of the representations received following consultation on the Sudbury Town Residents’ Association’s application to be the Neighbourhood Forum for the Sudbury Town Neighbourhood Area and seeks a decision on the application.

Cabinet RESOLVED, having considered the representations received following consultation on Sudbury Town Residents’ Association’s (STRA) application to be the Neighbourhood Forum for the Sudbury Town Neighbourhood Area, as set out in Appendix F of the report:

(1)    To confirm that the Council refused STRA’s application to be the Neighbourhood Forum for the Sudbury Town Neighbourhood Area as set out in the refusal statement in Appendix G of the report.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Thursday 23 November 23

Councillor Tatler (as Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Growth) introduced a report outlining the outcome of the consultation process undertaken on an application from the Sudbury Town Residents’ Association (STRA) to be the Neighbourhood Forum for the Sudbury Town Neighbourhood Area and seeking a decision on the application.

In presenting the report, Councillor Tatler reminded members of the original background behind the introduction of neighbourhood planning which had been to provide residents and businesses in a specific area with the opportunity to engage in the identification of localised planning policies designed to assist in shaping development outcomes across the relevant area.  Where local communities wanted to take up these opportunities there was a requirement to establish a Neighbourhood Forum as the relevant “qualifying body” with a requirement for Forum status to be renewed every five years.  Members were advised that STRA had initially been designated as a Forum in December 2012 with the Sudbury Town Neighbourhood Plan having subsequently been adopted in September 2015.  They had then successfully reapplied for Forum status in December 2017 with the current application to renew this status submitted in December 2022.  As required, the current application had been subject to a statutory consultation process which had run from January – February 2023 with a summary of the responses detailed within Appendix F of the report.  Of the 30 responses received members were advised that seven were in support of STRAs continued designation as a Forum, 16 had raised objections and the remaining seven had been submitted by statutory consultees.  As part of the consultation responses, members also noted that a prospective counter application for Neighbourhood Forum status had been received from another organisation “Sudbury Matters”.  Given the issues raised in objection to STRAs application as part of the response to the consultation (as detailed within section 3.2.13 of the report) and as it was only possible for one Forum to be designated in any specific area, attempts had been made to engage and arbitrate with STRA utilising an independent organisation who specialised in providing support to local community organisations.  Despite these efforts. Members were advised it had not been possible to resolve the concerns identified and having applied the statutory criteria and tests (as set out within the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 and Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012) in assessing the application and considered the outcome of the consultation process and lack of progress it had been possible to make with STRA in addressing the issues identified, it had been recommended that STRAs application for Neighbourhood Forum status should be refused.

Members were supportive of the approach outlined, having considered the attempts made to engage with STRA and representations received following consultation on their application for Neighbourhood Forum status, which it was noted had included concerns relating to the transparency, accessibility and diversity of the organisation along with a lack of focus on neighbourhood planning activities or clarity on the distinction between the Forum and wider Resident Association business and perceived lack of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

This report seeks comments on the Council’s Statement of Gambling Principles which sets out the policy for dealing with applications and regulating gambling premises within their borough in advance of its referral to Full Council on 20 November 2023 for formal approval and adoption.

Cabinet RESOLVED to note and approve (without any amendment) the draft revised Statement of Gambling Principles (31 January 2022 – 31 January 2025) at set out within Appendix 1 of the report, for recommendation to Full Council on 20 November 2023 in order to confirm its formal adoption and fulfill the necessary legal requirements.

Eligible for call-in: No (Recommendation to Full Council)

Councillor Farah (Cabinet Member for Safer Communities & Public Protection) introduced a report setting out the Statement of Gambling Principles, which Cabinet noted it was a requirement for all local authorities designated as a Licensing Authority to have to keep under review and prepare and publish every three years, under the Gambling Act 2005.

In considering the report members were advised that as part of the Statement each Licensing Authority was expected to outline local issues, priorities and risks that would be used to inform their approach and policy for dealing with applications and regulating gambling premises, with the draft updated Statement for Brent having been detailed within Appendix 1 of the report.  In preparing the Statement of Principles each authority would also be required to reflect current regulations and have regard to the Gambling Commission’s guidance, with members noting the limitations these placed on Licensing Authorities in terms of relevant matters that could be taken into consideration when setting the policy and considering specific licensing applications.

Members were advised that the draft Statement of Principles had been subject to an extensive consultation process, with the responses and any amendments included as a result having been detailed within Appendix 2 of the report.

In recognising the work undertaken to prepare the revised draft Statement, Members specifically welcomed the focus included under Objective 3 in terms of the protection of children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.  Concerns were, however, expressed at the limits placed on Licensing Authorities under the current legislation in terms of relevant matters that could be taken into account when considering applications in relation to gambling premises, which excluded being able to consider issues such as public health, demand or moral objections.

In recognising the concerns highlighted and efforts made within the draft Statement of Principles to continue seeking to protect, as far as was possible within the limitations of current regulations, local communities and individuals from the harm and anti-social behaviour associated with gambling activity Cabinet RESOLVED to note and approve (without any amendment) the draft revised Statement of Gambling Principles (31 January 2022 – 31 January 2025) as set out within Appendix 1 of the report, for recommendation to Full Council on 20 November 2023 in order to confirm its formal adoption and fulfill the necessary legal requirements.

This report sets out proposed amendments to the Admission Arrangements for Brent Community Schools for 2025/26 and seeks Cabinet’s view on whether Brent Council should carry out a formal consultation to be completed by 31 January 2024.

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve consultation being undertaken on the following amendments to existing admission arrangements (having noted that the proposals were not inter-dependent and could be agreed individually):

(1)    The reduction of the Published Admission Number (PAN) for Mitchell Brook Primary School from 90 to 60.

(2)    The reduction of the Published Admission Number (PAN) for Fryent Primary School from 120 to 90.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Thursday 23 November 23

Councillor Grahl (Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools) introduced a report which set out proposed amendments to the Admission arrangements for Brent Community Schools in 2025 – 26 along with proposals for formal consultation on a reduction in the Published Admission Number (PAN) for Mitchell Brook Primary School and Fryent Primary School.

In considering the report, Cabinet noted the detail provided in support of the proposals, recognising the fall in demand for pupil places within the primary sector across areas of the borough.  In commenting on the nature of the challenges identified, members felt it important to note the impact of the current cost-of-living crisis, increase in the cost of housing and changes introduced as a result of austerity to the welfare system which it was felt had all contributed to families struggling to afford to settle in the borough and across London, with the associated impact on varying demand for pupil places made more challenging (especially in relation to the primary sector) by the ongoing pressures on school funding as a result of the Government’s education policy.

In commending the work being undertaken with schools to support them in managing the impact of falling demand and any resulting transition process, members also recognised the way in which the proposals had been designed to support and ensure the longer-term sustainability of educational provision across the borough given the importance of schools and education provision across Brent.

As a result, it was RESOLVED to approve consultation being undertaken on the following amendments to existing admission arrangements (having noted that the proposals were not inter-dependent and could be agreed individually):

(1)    The reduction of the Published Admission Number (PAN) for Mitchell Brook Primary School from 90 to 60.

(2)    The reduction of the Published Admission Number (PAN) for Fryent Primary School from 120 to 90.

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 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 Chief Executive and Member Services or their representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 60.

There were no items of urgent business.

In closing the meeting Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of Council) took the opportunity to formally thank Zahur Khan for his support to the Cabinet and in the delivery of services to residents across the borough during his time at Brent.  Noting this would be his final Cabinet meeting in advance of leaving the Council to return to a new role at Lewisham, Members took the opportunity to wish him well.

There were no items of urgent business.

In closing the meeting Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of Council) took the opportunity to formally thank Zahur Khan for his support to the Cabinet and in the delivery of services to residents across the borough during his time at Brent.  Noting this would be his final Cabinet meeting in advance of leaving the Council to return to a new role at Lewisham, Members took the opportunity to wish him well.