Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received from Kim Wright (Chief Executive) with Nigel Chapman (Corporate Director Children, Young People and Community Development) acting 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 13 October 2025 as a correct record.

(Agenda republished to include the attached minutes on 13 November 25)

Cabinet RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 13 October 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, in accordance with Standing Order 66.

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

(a)       Opposition to the Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) scheme between Kingswood Avenue and Salusbury Road.

The supporting details on the petition have been attached, for reference.

(Members are asked to note this petition was approved for presentation following the original agenda having been published)

(b)       Addressing the nuisance being created by pigeons under the Network Rail Green bridge, Kilburn Station.

(Members are asked to note that presentation of this petition has now been withdrawn from the agenda)

5.1      Experimental Traffic Order Scheme between Kingswood Avenue & Salusbury Road

Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) welcomed Sanjay Nazerali (as lead petitioner) to the meeting who he advised was attending to present a petition regarding the Experimental Traffic Order scheme between Kingswood Avenue & Salusbury Road.

In thanking the Leader of the Council for the opportunity to present the petition, Sanjay Nazerali advised that the representations followed the presentation of a previous petition to Cabinet by Alastair Balfour a year ago which included reference to the ETOs between Kingswood Avenue and Salusbury Road.  Given the exclusive focus of the current petition on the Kingswood Avenue and Salusbury Road scheme, he felt this represented Part 2 of the same process, highlighting the similar number of signatures within the current petition as evidence that the issues had not disappeared.

In outlining the concerns being raised, Mr Nazerali advised that the ETOs between Kingswood Avenue and Salusbury Road had created deep division within the local community, resulting in what petitioners saw as a two-tier ward whereby the relief enjoyed by the few as a result of the ETOs corresponded with equal levels of nuisance for their neighbours, reflecting not just an issue related to traffic but also on wider community cohesion.  As such, it was not felt the Council had listened to the concerns being raised, with concern expressed that the most recent report published relating to Queens Park Healthy Neighbourhoods had stated the 1,400 signatories to the previous petition ‘welcomed the scheme’, which he confirmed was not factually accurate. As a result of those comments, residents had made a formal complaint seeking amendment to the report with further concerns raised from a governance perspective around the process followed in relation to the investigation of that complaint involving the officer who had prepared the original report.

Concern was also expressed at the process of engagement with local ward councillors in Queens Park given what the petitioners felt to have been a lack of response when they queried them about the representation of constituents’ views in the report, which had subsequently been escalated to the Leader of the Council.  Given the number of signatures across both petitions which had now been presented to Cabinet, concerns were also highlighted at the view expressed by one local councillor that the sentiment being expressed in opposition to the scheme was only held by a small group of residents.

In summarising the impact of the ETO scheme on the community, Mr Nazerali felt that it represented a socially regressive policy that had caused division in the community and eroded trust in the Council’s commitment to transparency.  As a way forward, given the strength of feeling represented by the number of signatures across both petitions which had been presented to Cabinet, he advised the petitioners were calling on the Council to cancel what was felt to be the divisive and unfair ETO scheme between Kingswood Avenue and Salusbury Road and to develop a more holistic solution that would  ...  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.

The purpose of this report is to set out the Council’s budget proposals for 2026 - 27. 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, as detailed within the report.

(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 2026/27.

(4)       To endorse the approach to the statutory process of consultation, scrutiny and equalities between November 2025 and February 2026, 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 sections 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.

(9)       To note the revised Debt Recovery Policy, as set out in Appendix C of the report.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 24 November 25

This report seeks Cabinet approval for the redevelopment of the Gladstone Park Youth and Community Centre site to deliver a new Health and Wellbeing Integrated Hub. The Hub will provide modern health services, community amenities, and wellbeing spaces for some of Brent’s most disadvantaged communities, while supporting growth in nearby regeneration areas with approval being sought for the required SCIL funding allocation and delegated authority to enable disposal and lease arrangements for delivery of the scheme.

Prior to considering the report, Cabinet noted the representations and comments made by Dr Muhammed Najim (as a lead GP located within the Willesden Green surgery and NHS Brent’s Clinical Director for Health Inequalities) supported by Tom Shakespeare (Managing Director Brent Integrated Care Board) speaking in support of the proposals outlined within the report to develop a Health and Wellbeing Integrated Hub on the Gladstone Park Youth and Community Centre site, which would deliver modern primary health services alongside a range of community amenities and wellbeing spaces for some of Brent’s most deprived communities within a modern, sustainable building. In thanking the Council for their support, the opportunity was also taken to outline the engagement with local community groups in seeking to develop the scheme in partnership with the NHS and in line with the transition towards an Integrated Neighbourhood model with the Hub becoming a flagship centre for health and wellbeing and centre for green excellence.

Having welcomed the support expressed and process of engagement led by the Willesden Green GP surgery in developing the Integrated Hub proposals Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)       Approve the allocation of up to £2.97m Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) funding to support the redevelopment of the Gladstone Park Youth and Community Centre site into the Willesden Green Health and Wellbeing Integrated Hub, as set out in section 3.14 (Option 1) of the report, subject to the conditions in (2) below.

(2)       Approve the release of SCIL funding in staged payments, aligned to delivery milestones and contingent upon:

·            Planning consent being granted;

·            Confirmation of the full external funding; and

·            Completion of the agreement to lease with Willesden Green Surgery.

(3)       Approve the granting a 150-year peppercorn lease to Willesden Green Surgery to enable delivery of the Hub, with the Council retaining the freehold and securing lease clauses to protect health and community uses in perpetuity.

(4)       Authorise the Director of Property and Assets to agree the detailed terms of the agreement to lease and long lease disposal and to enter into the necessary legal agreements to facilitate the disposal and development and to take all necessary steps to complete the transaction.

(5)       Note the intentions to relocate Kilburn Cosmos Rugby Football Club (KCRFC) from the Gladstone Park Youth & Community Centre to the Gladstone Park Pavilion to secure suitable alternative premises for KCRFC and full vacant possession of the site to enable on-site delivery.

(6)       Note that Willesden Green Health and Wellbeing Integrated Hub would be a temporary working name for the new facility. The permanent name would be determined following discussions with key stakeholders, to reflect the hub’s location within the Cricklewood and Mapesbury ward and to ensure the name was appropriate and inclusive.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 24 November 25

This report seeks approval for the allocation of resources to enable the installation of an alternative, low carbon heating solution at Willesden Green Library and other energy conservation measures following the Council’s successful bid for grant funding under the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Phase 4 (PSDS P4) with the project aiming to deliver significant carbon savings, improve energy efficiency, and reduce operational costs.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)       Approve a total capital budget of £917,628, which included £807,000 for installation, £111,000 contingency, and staff capitalisation costs.

(2)       Note that the total capital budget of £917,628 would be sourced from £667,628 Salix grant and £250,000 from the Carbon Offset Fund. The budget would be split across delivery of the following two projects: Willesden Green Library and Willesden New Cemetery.

(3)       Acknowledge the findings of THE Equality Impact Assessment (detailed within Appendix 1 of the report) regarding the installation of an alternative heat supply at Willesden Green Library that included the results of a public consultation undertaken.

(4)       Note the grant spend timeline stipulated by Salix and its implication on the delivery of the project, particularly when it comes to the requirement to spend all grant funding by March 31^st, 2026, as set out in section 5.3 – 5.4 of the report.

(5)       Note the significant financial, energy and carbon savings that the delivery of an alternative heat supply at Willesden Green Library would provide as set out section 3.7 of the report.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 24 November 25

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

Prior to considering the report Cabinet noted the comments made by Councillor Kennelly who had requested to speak (as a local ward councillor) in support of the strategy adopted towards the expansion of local SEND provision and proposals relating to development of the Strathcona site within his ward.

Having welcomed the support expressed for the strategy and approach adopted towards the expansion of local SEND provision, Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)       Approve the second refresh of the School Place Planning Strategy 2024-2028, as provided in Appendix 1 of the report.

(2)    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)       Note the very early signs of a reversal of declining pupil numbers in the borough and that a requirement to accommodate higher demand in some planning areas may be required in the future.

(4)    Note there continued 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 as Brent’s strategy to address this need, as set out in Section 3.7 of the report.

(5)    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 4 of the report.

(6)    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 Monday 24 November 25

This report sets out a proposal for the council to formally adopt the Socio-Economic Duty (SED) as part of its commitment to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

Cabinet RESOLVED to Approve the Council’s formal adoption of the socio-economic duty.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 24 November 25

This report seeks approval for participation in a collaborative procurement with two other councils in respect of a new Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) sexual health services contract as an open-access service that addresses rising demand, responding to local and regional sexual health needs.

On the basis of the amendment to the recommendations identified at the meeting, Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To note the deletion of recommendation 2.1 within the report.

(2)       To approve the Council’s participation in a collaborative procurement with Ealing and Harrow Council’s.

(3)       On the basis of the legal considerations within the report, to approve an exemption from the usual tendering requirements of Contract Standing Orders 84(a) to enable Ealing Council act as the lead authority in the collaborative procurement detailed in (2) above for the reasons detailed in section 3 of the report and accordingly that the collaborative procurement is undertaken in accordance with its Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.

(4)       To delegate authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health & Leisure, to agree the award of contract on completion of the procurement process for a period of 5 years with an option to extend for a further 4 years to (a total of 9 years) to London North West University Healthcare Trust (LNWHT).

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 24 November 25

The following items are not for publication as they relate to the category of exempt information set out below as specified under Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972:

Agenda Item 8:        Willesden Green Health and Wellbeing Integrated Hub– Appendix 2 (Valuation)

This appendix exempt has been classified as exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, namely: “Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)”

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 & Corporate Governance 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 of the Council) advised that it was sadness he had to announce the recent death of former Mayor and Councillor Mr Harbahjan Singh.

Members were advised that former Councillor Singh had represented Welsh Harp ward where his passion and commitment to making a positive impact on the local community he served were recognised and fondly remembered.

On behalf of all members of Cabinet and in advance of a formal tribute being provided by the Mayor at the next Full Council meeting, the Leader offered his condolences to the family of former Councillor Singh.