Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Rubin (Cabinet Member for Employment, Innovation and Climate Action) and from Alice Lester (Corporate Director Neighbourhoods and Regeneration) with Gerry Ansell (Director Inclusive Regeneration & Employment) attending as her representative along with Rachel Crossley (Corporate Director Health & Wellbeing) with Rhodri Rowland (Director Strategic Commissioning & Capacity Building) attending as her representative.

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 Nerva declared a personal interest in relation to Agenda Item 7 (Draft Budget 2025 -26) as a member of the North West London Integrated Care Board given the link between NHS funding and delivery of services across the borough.

No other declarations of interest were made during the meeting.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 14 October 2024 as a correct record.

Cabinet RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 14 October 2024 be approved as a correct.

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

None.

To consider any petitions for which notice has been received in accordance with Standing Order 66.

Members are asked to note that the following petition is due to be presented at the meeting:

Keep Pavements free of clutter- including dockless bikes

Cabinet NOTED the comments made by Mr Rehan Khan (as lead petitioner) in support of a petition containing 174 signatures requesting that the Council take action to ensure its pavements were kept free of clutter, including dockless bikes in order to ensure pedestrian safety.  In introducing the petition, Mr Khan highlighted the major concern for residents in relation to the management of dockless e-bikes, specifically those operated by Lime, which he pointed out were cluttering pavements and creating obstructions, particularly for wheelchair users, children in pushchairs, the blind or partially blind residents.  In terms of actions to address these concerns the petitioners felt that limiting the number of dockless e-bikes in the borough would not solve the issue and that there was a need for better management and control in relation to their operation and authorised use.  Referring to research on bike use in other European countries, Mr Khan highlighted that over 60% of residents in Copenhagen, Denmark used bikes as a mode of transportation with very low reports of them causing a nuisance or danger to pedestrians through cluttering the pavements.  In referring to a petition he had submitted a number of years previously, Mr Khan highlighted the positive measures introduced as a result to improve pavements along Salmon Street but with the progress made now being impacted by the nuisance of dockless e-bikes being abandoned or improperly parked in the area with concern also expressed at any potential costs associated with personal injury or insurance claims relating to any hazards created as a result.  In summing up, Mr Khan hoped the Council would be able to use its influence to ensure enhanced measures were introduced to control and manage dockless e-bikes given the concerns highlighted in an aim to ensure that pavements were free of clutter across the borough.

As a supporter of the petition, Councillor Long was also invited to address Cabinet who felt it important to note that in addition to dockless bikes the petition was also focussed around the need to keep pavements free from all clutter.  Whilst recognising the work undertaken with Lime as the dockless e-bike operator in Brent, she highlighted the issue also being created by other providers operating in the borough, such as Human Forest, which involved similar issues being experienced and was keen to ensure these concerns were also addressed as part of the Council’s wider response. Highlighting further concerns with regard to the technology supporting the operation of dockless e-bike schemes Councillor Long felt that the issues identified could not be resolved until this was also addressed preventing bikes from being hacked.

In response, Councillor Krupa Sheth (as Cabinet Member for Environment and Enforcement) thanked Mr Khan and Councillor Long for attending Cabinet in order to ensure the views of those supporting the petition were presented. She highlighted that the Council shared the petitioners’ commitment to keeping pavements safe, uncluttered and accessible for everyone, especially pedestrians with the Council seeking to actively hold Lime to rigorous account through a  ...  view the full decision text for item 5.

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

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

The purpose of this report is to set out the Council’s budget proposals for 2025/26. It also provides a general update on the Council’s overall financial position, including an overview of the current economic outlook.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)        To note the overall financial position.

(2)        To agree to consult on the new budget proposals, as set out in Appendices A and B of the report.

(3)        To agree to consult on a Council Tax increase of 4.99% (consisting of a 2.99% general increase plus 2% for the Adult Social Care Precept) in 2025/26.

(4)        To endorse the approach to the statutory process of consultation, scrutiny and equalities between November 2024 and February 2025, as set out in section ten of the report.

(5)        To endorse the changes to the technical budget assumptions underpinning the budget, as set out in section six and seven of the report.

(6)        To note the position with regard to the funding for Schools and the Dedicated Schools Grant, as set out in section eleven of the report.

(7)        To note the position with regard to the Housing Revenue Account, as set out in section twelve of the report.

(8)        To note the position with regard to the Capital programme, as set out in section thirteen of the report.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Tuesday 19 November 2024

This annual report sets out complaints performance in Brent Council for the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 and focuses on the nature of complaints and the learning they provide to inform Brent’s future approach to service improvement.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To note Brent’s performance in managing and resolving complaints.

(2)       To note (having reviewed) Brent’s self-assessment against the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code in Appendix D of the report.

(3)       To approve referral of the report to the relevant Scrutiny Committees for consideration and comment.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Tuesday 19 November 2024

This report provides Cabinet with a refresh of the School Place Planning Strategy 2024-2028, approved by Cabinet in October 2023.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To approve the refresh of the School Place Planning Strategy 2024-2028, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

(2)       To note the continued focus on planning for the sufficiency of places and the sustainability of schools, based on varying demand patterns impacting on school planning areas in Brent.

(3)       To note there continues to be increasing demand for places that meet the needs of children and young people with SEND aged 0-25 and the intention to further develop the SEND estate capital investment programme with strategies to address this need, as set out in Section 4 of the report.

(4)       To note the school place planning actions completed in the first year of the strategy and the actions planned for the coming academic year as set out in section 5.1 of the report.

(5)       To note the update on the success measures set out in the original strategy in section 3.1.3 of the report.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Tuesday 19 November 2024

The council in its role as a Licensing Authority under the Licensing Act 2003 has a duty to determine, publish and keep under review its Statement of Licensing Policy (‘Policy’) which covers a five-year period but can be replaced at any time during that five-year period.  The current Policy is due to expire on the 5 January 2025 and this report therefore presents the outcome of the review and proposed new Licensing Policy for comment, prior to referral to Full Council for formal adoption.

Members are asked to note that this item includes reference to the following two documents as background papers:

·        Licensing Policy Consultation responses

·        Equality Assessment

These documents have been published as a separate supplementary pack to accompany the main Cabinet agenda.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To note (having considered) the draft revised Statement of Licensing Policy (5 January 2025 – 4 January 2030) as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

(2)       In order to fulfill legal requirements to refer the draft revised Statement of Licensing Policy to Full Council on 18 November 2024 for formal adoption.

Eligible for call-in: No (report referred to Council for final approval)

The Gambling Act 2005 was fully implemented during 2007 creating a system of licensing and regulation for commercial gambling. It requires the council to prepare and publish a Statement of Principles for each successive period of three years, which outlines the principles to be applied in exercising our functions as the Licensing Authority under the Act. Statutory consultation must take place prior to the Statement of Principles being determined by Full Council.

The Statement of Principles was comprehensively reviewed last year, but to bring the policy in line with the Gambling Commission review timetable this report sets out the outcome of a further review and proposed amendments identified as a result for comment prior to referral to Full Council for formal adoption with the current Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles due to expire on the 31 January 2025.

Members are asked to note that this item includes reference to the following two documents as background papers:

·         Gambling Statement Consultation responses

·         Equality Assessment

These documents have been published as a separate supplementary pack to accompany the main Cabinet agenda.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To note (having considered) the draft revised Statement of Gambling Principles (31 January 2025 – 31 January 2028) as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

(2)       In order to fulfill legal requirements to refer the draft revised Statement of Gambling Principles to Full Council on 18 November 2024 for formal adoption.

Eligible for call-in: No (report referred to Council for final approval)

Cabinet (28 May 2024) approved the draft Staples Corner Growth Area Masterplan and Design Code Supplementary Planning Document (SCGA Masterplan SPD) for publication and statutory consultation.  This report sets out the consultation feedback, officer consideration and recommended changes to the document and seeks final approval of the Staples Corner Growth Area Masterplan and Design Code Supplementary Planning Document for adoption.

(Members are asked to note that the agenda was republished to include this report on 7 November 2024)

Cabinet RESOLVED having considered the consultation feedback, officer consideration and recommended changes to the Staples Corner Growth Area Masterplan and Design Code Supplementary Planning Document.

(1)        To approve the Staples Corner Growth Area Masterplan and Design Code Supplementary Planning Document for adoption, subject to any de minimus and non-substantial edits to the document.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Tuesday 19 November 2024

This report concerns the procurement of Street Lighting services for maintenance and schemes and seeks approval to invite tenders in respect of a contract for the provision of street lighting maintenance services.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)        To approve inviting tenders for the provision of Street Lighting Maintenance Services on the basis of the pre - tender considerations set out in paragraph 3.3 of the report.

(2)        To approve officers evaluating the tenders referred to in (1) above on the basis of the evaluation criteria set out in paragraph 3.3.1 section (vi) of the report.

(3)        To delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Neighbourhoods and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Enforcement to award the contract for the provision of Street Lighting Maintenance Services for a term of four (4) years with the option to extend by yearly periods up to a maximum of two (2) years (on a 4+1+1 basis).

(4)        To approve the variation of the existing contract for street lighting maintenance services with FM Conway to permit the extension for the reasons set out in paragraph 3.2.7 of the report.

(5)        To approve the extension of the Contract detailed in (4) above for a period of three (3) months from 1 April 2025 to 30 June 2025 in the sum of £333,000.00 for the reasons set out in paragraph 3.2.7 of the report.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Tuesday 19 November 2024

This report outlines proposals to expand electric vehicle charging provision in Brent including a funding opportunity to further expand the charge point network in the borough. The Council, as part of a six strong London boroughs partnership, is seeking to invite tenders in respect of appointing a Charge Point Operator(s) to supply, install, operate and maintain up to 2,723 additional electric vehicle charge points in Brent.  The report seeks approval for the acceptance of Office for Zero Emission Vehicles funding and to enter a tender process as part of a borough partnership.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)        To approve the Council receiving Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (“LEVI”) funding provided by the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles (“OZEV”) for the purpose of procuring additional on-street electric vehicle charge point infrastructure within Brent and entering into a funding agreement with OZEV in the sum of £1,250,000.

(2)        To approve the Council collaboratively procuring with five other London boroughs a Charge Point Operator(s) to supply, install, operate and maintain up to 2,723 electric vehicle charge points across Brent.

(3)        To agree that the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham will act as the lead authority in the collaborative procurement detailed in (2) above for the reasons detailed in paragraph 3.4.1 of the report and accordingly that its Standing Orders and Financial Regulations will be used for the collaborative procurement.

(4)        To delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Neighbourhoods and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Enforcement, to award a fifteen-year contract(s) with the successful bidder(s) to provide up to 2,723 on-street electric vehicle charge points across Brent, as specified in the Heads of Terms set by OZEV.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Tuesday 19 November 2024

This report concerns the delivery of the Integrated Treatment Recovery Wellbeing and Substance Misuse Service, outlining the current position with regard to delivery of services and sets out proposals for the re-procurement of a contract for the Integrated Treatment Recovery Wellbeing and Substance Misuse Service using the Provider Selection Regime.

Cabinet RESOLVED

(1)       To note that the Integrated Treatment Recovery Wellbeing and Substance Misuse Service was currently provided to the Council by VIA Community Ltd.

(2)       To approve the direct award under the Provider Selection Regime of a replacement Integrated Treatment Recovery Wellbeing and Substance Misuse Service to VIA Community Ltd for a period of 1 year 4 months.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Tuesday 19 November 2024

This report concerns the procurement of care and support for six supported living schemes and seeks approval to invite tenders for care and support at the following six Supported living sites - 57 Preston Road, 36 Woodhill Crescent, 54 Beechcroft Gardens, 63 Manor Drive, 115 Gladstone Park Gardens and 18 Ruby Street.

Cabinet RESOLVED

(1)        To approve inviting tenders for care and support services at six supported living sites for adults with learning disabilities separated into 3 Lots on the basis of the pre - tender considerations set out in paragraph 3.3 of the report. The 3 Lots are set out below:

·             Lot 1: Learning Disabilities Supported Living Service at Preston Road and Woodhill Crescent

·             Lot 2: Learning Disabilities Supported Living Service at Beechcroft Gardens and Manor Drive

·             Lot 3: Learning Disabilities Supported Living Service at Gladstone Park Gardens and Ruby Street

(2)    To approve officers evaluating the tenders referred to in (1) above on the basis of the evaluation criteria set out in paragraph 3.3 section (vi) of the report.

(3)        To delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Community Health and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Health and Wellbeing to award the contract for the 3 Lots identified in (1) above for care and support services at six supported living sites for adults with learning disabilities for a term of 3 years with the option to extend by yearly periods up to a maximum of 2 years (3+1+1).

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Tuesday 19 November 2024

No items have been identified in advance of the meeting that will require the exclusion of the press and 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 Deputy Director Democratic Services or their representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 60.

There were no items of urgent business.

Prior to ending proceedings, Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader) advised members that following the announcement made at the previous Cabinet meeting Councillor Tatler had (with effect from 8 November 2024) formally  stepped down as Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Growth with him having assumed current responsibility for that portfolio.  The Leader took the opportunity to formally thank Councillor Tatler for her support and time serving on Cabinet and to wish her well in her new role.