Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Grahl (Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Schools), Councillor Krupa Sheth (Cabinet Member for Public Realm & Enforcement) and Alice Lester (Corporate Director Neighbourhoods & Regeneration) with Gerry Ansell (Director Inclusive Regeneration & Climate Action) 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.

No declarations of interest were made during the meeting.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 10 March 2025 as a correct record.

Cabinet RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 10 March 2025 be approved as a correct record of the meeting.

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

None identified.

To receive and consider any petitions for which notice has been provided under Standing Order 66.

Members are asked to note that there are currently no petition(s) due to be presented at the meeting

Cabinet NOTED the comments made by Elisabeth Corcoran (as a local resident and representative of the Lynton Close Travellers Site), who was supported by Nancy Hawker (London Gypsies and Travellers Association), in support of a letter and petition relating to management of fire safety risks and the future provision of Lynton Close Travellers site.

In thanking the Leader of the Council for the opportunity to present the petition, Elisabeth Corcoran called on the Council to pause any eviction proceedings, install fire risk mitigations in collaboration with the residents of Lynton Close, and find alternative land that could be used as a temporary site in the case of a humanitarian emergency and which could be used, if required, until more permanent, adequate and suitable accommodation could be arranged.  Whilst acknowledging the issues highlighted within the accompanying Cabinet Report ‘Housing Management – Building Safety Update, New Building Safety Policy and Update on Fire Safety at Lynton Close’, in relation to overcrowding and fire safety risks associated with the site, it was pointed out that residents on the site had previously raised concerns with the Council on the same issues.  Despite assurances that every effort was being made to secure another more suitable site it was pointed out this had not yet been achieved.

In representing the views of residents on the site, reference was also made to Brent’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy which it was pointed out included the ambition for Brent to become a borough of all cultures where all backgrounds were represented, celebrated and felt that they belonged.  This was not, Elisabeth Corcoran advised, an approach that currently resonated with Brent’s Traveller Community given the way in which other communities were felt to be treated when compared to the approach adopted in seeking to address the safety issues at Lynton Close as the only traveller site in the borough which it was felt did not make the traveller community on the site feel like they belonged or that their culture was respected.

As a further example, reference was made to the comments in the accompanying Cabinet report, which it was highlighted had described the residents of Lynton Close as ‘unwilling’, ‘disruptive’ and ‘demanding’ when detailing their interactions with Council officers.  It was felt this continued to feed a narrative of negativity in relation to the traveller community located on the site with the resident engagement process outlined also not felt to have been presented accurately.

Concerns were also expressed regarding the negative impact any potential displacement of residents from the site would have on education provision for the children on the site, including those with additional needs or SEND who had long awaited assessments and support plans in place.  It was felt the momentum and trust built in terms of engagement with the education system would also be placed at significant risk by any displacement.

As further concerns, reference was made to the health and wellbeing of the traveller community with specific issues  ...  view the full decision text for item 5.

To consider any reports 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.

This report details the outcome of the Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) undertaken in Brent in January 2025 along with the key recommendations and Action Plan produced in response.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)        To note the Corporate Peer Challenge feedback report from the LGA, attached as Appendix A to the report.

(2)        To approve the Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan, attached as Appendix B to the report which it was noted would include the following as an additional milestone in relation to Recommendation 8. Shared Vision for the Future of Brent:

Milestone 3: establish a strategic culture approach

Brent Culture Service has engaged a specialist consultant to map the existing assets of Brent’s cultural and creative landscape in order to better understand Brent’s existing and potential audiences and identify baseline data sets. This would help to then understand Brent’s creative and visitor economy and inform the future strategic planning.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 14 April 25

This report provides an update on all compliance and building safety streams in housing management property services and also presents a newly drafted Building Safety Policy for the Housing Management Service. This report also provides an update on fire safety at the council-owned traveller site, Lynton Close.

Cabinet RESOLVED

(1)        To note the performance update against each key compliance stream, as detailed in the report.

(2)        To note, having also considered the issues raised following presentation of the petition on the same issue under Agenda Item 5, the update on fire safety at Lynton Close, as detailed in the report.

(3)        To endorse the Building Safety Policy set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 14 April 25

The purpose of this report is to update the Cabinet on the progress Brent Community Land Trust, (BCLT) has made towards establishing a Community Led Housing (CLH) scheme utilising a site at Brentfield Road and outlines the next steps in the process.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)        To confirm the position that the Brentfield Road site, as detailed at Appendix 1 of the report, continues to be ring-fenced for the purpose of Community Led Housing.

(2)        To agree that the site be ring fenced for a further period until March 2026.

(3)        To delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Neighbourhoods and Regeneration to certify whether Brent Community Land Trust (BCLT) had met the specific criteria detailed at paragraph 3.2.3 of the report and, based on that certification, to approve the next steps outlined in (4) and (5) below.

(4)        To delegate authority to the Director of Property and Assets (in consultation with the Corporate Director Neighbourhoods and Regeneration) to agree heads of terms and enter into a conditional agreement for lease with the BCLT.

(5)        To delegate authority to the Director of Property and Assets to enter into a 250 year lease (and/or any ancillary legal document) with the BCLT once the conditions detailed at paragraph 3.2.3 of the report were fulfilled.

(6)        To agree in principle to further consider the use of appropriation for planning purposes under section 19 (1) of the Housing Act 1985 and/or section 122 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 to support the development of the Brentfield Road site and to ensure the scheme was not frustrated or delayed by legal injunction.

(7)        To delegate authority to the Corporate Director Neighbourhoods and Regeneration to formally cease the site ring-fencing upon non-compliance of the specific criteria detailed at paragraph 3.2.3 of the report.

(8)        To delegate authority to the Corporate Director Neighbourhoods and Regeneration to extend the site ring fencing by an additional 6 months should BCLT fail to meet the specific criteria detailed in paragraph 3.2.3 of the report but be able to demonstrate significant progress towards meeting the criteria.

(9)        To note that should BCLT fail to meet the specific criteria detailed in paragraph 3.2.3 of the report or demonstrate significant progress towards meeting the criteria, the site would be returned to Brent Council and the formal arrangement with BCLT would cease.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 14 April 25

The report seeks approval of an updated Brent Local Development Scheme,  which sets out the Council’s proposed timetable for the replacement of parts of the Development Plan including the Brent Local Plan and other planning related documents such as Supplementary Planning Documents and Conservation Area document updates.

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the Brent Local Development Scheme as set out in Appendix A of the report.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 14 April 25

This report seeks approval to an updated Flood Risk Management Strategy, which details actions the Council and other key stakeholders are taking to manage flood risk in Brent and has been produced in accordance with the duties placed on Local Lead Flood Authorities under the Flood Risk Regulations 2009.  The original Strategy was adopted in 2015 and has been revised and updated following consultation undertaken with key stakeholders, including local residents and businesses, neighbouring boroughs, Thames Water and the Environment Agency.

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the Flood Risk Strategy for Brent as detailed in Section 3 and appended to the report.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 14 April 25

This report seeks approval for a funding contribution towards the next stage of development of the West London Orbital rail scheme (WLO) which involves the Option Selection stage in the Governance for Railway Investment Projects process (GRIP 3).

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To agree that the Council contribute £465,516 and £150,000 contingency funded from Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy, as its agreed share of the cost of taking forward the next stage of the development of the WLO.

(2)       To delegate authority to the Corporate Director Neighbourhoods and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Property, to approve use of contingency for the final sum payable following confirmation from all WLO borough’s governance processes.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 14 April 25

This report provides a summary of the informal consultation undertaken between January 2025 and February 2025 on the proposal to amalgamate Malorees Infant School and Malorees Junior School as one primary school for children aged between 3 – 11, including provision for nursery aged children.  The report recommends a move to formal consultation through publication of a statutory notice on the closure of Malorees Junior School, the expansion of the age range at Malorees Infant School and the change of name of Malorees Infant School to Malorees Primary School to achieve the amalgamation.

Prior to considering the report, Cabinet noted the comments and concerns raised by Patrick Martin (NEU representative), Michael Cleary (staff representative) and Aidan Reilly (local parent representative) in relation to the proposed amalgamation of Malorees Infant & Junior School.  These included the lack of perceived benefit to the school community arising from the amalgamation given the school was already operating as a Federation with a single Governing Body and senior leadership team along with the uncertainty over the rebuild proposals and potential financial impact on the funding available to the school moving forward, which it was pointed out was already in deficit.

Whilst acknowledging the concerns highlighted, Councillor Muhammed Butt (responding as Leader of the Council following the apologies for absence received from Councillor Grahl) took the opportunity to assure the school staff and parent community that the approach being recommended did not include any proposed redundancies or changes in the terms and conditions of school staff; would retain Malorees as a community school and not lead to the risk of academisation and had been designed to secure access to DfE funding that would provide long overdue and transformative infrastructure investment for the rebuilding of both school buildings recognising the school as an important community asset in Brondesbury Park.  In clarifying the funding reduction outlined in the report, it was pointed out this reflected the move towards the National Funding Formula, set by the DfE, with the Governing Body together with Council commitment to securing the schools financial resilience and confident of the plans in place to manage the funding reduction without an impact on staff.

In recognising the offer extended by the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools to meet with NEU representatives in order to continue discussions around the proposals moving forward Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)        To approve a period of formal consultation, through publication of a statutory notice, on proposals to:

(a)        Close Malorees Junior School;

(b)        Expand the age range of Malorees Infant School to admit children aged between 3 – 11; and

(c)        Change the name of Malorees Infant School to Malorees Primary School

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 14 April 25

This report outlines the council’s new approach to community cohesion and inclusion events, detailing the overarching, guiding approach and the specific components that shape how the council will mark and celebrate community cohesion and inclusion events moving forward through the adoption of the ‘Enabler Approach’ outlined in the report.

Cabinet RESOLVED to endorse the new community cohesion and inclusion events approach which will replace the existing approach agreed in 2011 comprising the components outlined in paragraph 3.2.5 – 3.2.15 of the report.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 14 April 25

This report provides details on the London Sexual Health Commissioning Collaborative Programme (LSHP) and seeks approval to the procurement of a new London Sexual Health and Contraception E-Service through the Programme.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To approve the Council’s participation in a collaborative procurement with the other 30 London boroughs for a contract for the provision of the London Sexual Health and Contraceptive E-Service.

(2)       To approve an exemption from the usual tendering requirements of Contract Standing Orders 84(a) to agree that the City of London Corporation act as the lead authority in the collaborative procurement detailed in (1) above for the reasons detailed in paragraph 3 of the report and accordingly that its Standing Orders and Financial Regulations be used for the collaborative procurement.

(3)       To delegate authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Leisure,to agree the award of a new contract with the successful bidder for a period of 5 years (with an option to extend for a further 4 years)

(4)       To delegate authority to the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Leisure, to agree for the Council to enter into the Inter-Authority agreement (IAA), and any other necessary legal agreement/s, with the City of London Corporation, to enable the provision of services to Brent Council following completion of the procurement process.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 14 April 25

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.