Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absences were received from Councillor Grahl and Councillor Mili Patel.

In welcoming everyone to the meeting, Councillor Muhammed Butt (Leader of the Council) announced that due to Councillor Mili Patel having recently commenced a period of maternity leave he had appointed Councillor Tatler to cover the role of Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Reform. This would be in addition to her existing position as Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Growth.  In welcoming Councillor Tatler to her new position, the Leader also took the opportunity to congratulate Councillor Mili Patel on the recent birth of her second child and wished her and her family well.

Councillor Muhammed Butt also advised members that it was with regret he had to inform them of the death of former Councillor Ruth Moher.  In paying tribute, the Leader recognised the dedicated and compassionate way in which former Councillor Moher had served during her time in office and advised she would be deeply missed by all who knew her.

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 at the meeting.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 17 July 2023 as a correct record.

Cabinet RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 17 July be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

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

None.

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

None.

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

There were no items referred from Scrutiny Committees.

This report provides Cabinet with options for delivering the housing repairs service, following expiry of the current repairs service contract in September 2024 along with the outcome of consultation with members.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)      To agree the principles outlined in section 5.0 of the report.

(2)      To note the process and outcome of the consultation with members outlined in section 8.0 of the report.

(3)      To agree for Brent Housing Management (BHM) to implement option 3 (Hybrid Model) to deliver the Housing Repairs Service.

(4)      To agree the timetable for future repairs delivery actions as detailed within the report.

This report introduces the Brent Data and Insight Strategy and Delivery Plan, which fulfils the commitment in the Brent Borough Plan 2023-27 to develop a dedicated data strategy that supports the council in becoming an organisation that maximises the value of data in all that it does.

Cabinet RESOLVED to endorse the Brent Data and Insight Strategy and the accompanying Delivery Plan set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

This report seeks Cabinet approval for use of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) and Public Health funding to design, plan and deliver improvements to One Tree Hill and Mount Pleasant Open Spaces.

Cabinet NOTED the following comments made by Councillor Georgiou who had requested to speak at the meeting on the report.  In addressing Cabinet, Councillor Georgiou (as one of the local councillors representing Alperton Ward) began by welcoming the proposed additional infrastructure investment in Alperton, stating that the funding was crucial to ensure that regeneration benefitted both new and existing residents. Although recognising the positive impact that the investment could have on the parks identified, Councillor Georgiou highlighted that 40% of residents currently believed the spaces to be in a poor or very poor state and that the parks and surrounding areas experienced heightened anti-social behaviour and fly tipping.

In outlining previous attempts to improve green spaces in the area it was felt that not all of these efforts had managed to fully achieve the desired objectives.  As a result, Councillor Georgiou felt it would be important to ensure that the funding committed was designed to secure long lasting, transformative and meaningful improvements with local residents, schools and community groups such as the Wembley Central and Alperton Residents Association (WCARA) and Friends of Mount Pleasant Space all fully engaged in the decision-making process regarding use of the investment secured.

Furthermore, in highlighting previous issues concerning parks and open spaces, Councillor Georgiou suggested that the 10% budget allocation for ongoing maintenance be increased to ensure it was sufficient to cover necessary costs and ensure the long term benefit of the investment. In addition, Councillor Georgiou requested further investment in enforcement measures in the borough’s green spaces to keep the areas safe and clean. In concluding, Councillor Georgiou welcomed the investment in Alperton and expressed optimism in working with both officers and councillors to ensure that the investment resulted in significant and lasting improvements at One Tree Hill and Mount Pleasant Open Spaces.

In response, Councillor Butt (Leader of the Council) thanked Councillor Georgiou for his comments and welcomed the support expressed for the proposed additional investment, which he felt demonstrated the positive benefits arising from delivery of the Council’s regeneration programme for residents across the borough despite the financial difficulties being experienced.

Having noted the comments received, Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)      To approve £525,466 of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy funding and £100,000 of Public Health funding to design, plan and deliver improvements to One Tree Hill and Mount Pleasant Open Spaces.

(2)      To approve the engagement plan for the proposed improvement works outlined in Appendix 5 of the report.

This report sets out the funding challenges currently facing the delivery of the South Kilburn medical centre and seeks a further contribution of funds in addition to the Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) previously agreed by Cabinet.

Cabinet RESOLVED to agree an additional £600,000 of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy funding for the infrastructure fit out costs of South Kilburn Medical Centre, subject to an amended funding agreement.

This report updates Cabinet on progress with the refurbishment of Picture Palace, 26 Manor Park Road, NW10 as a community facility and seeks approval for £3.3m of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) funding to complete this project.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)      To note the update on the Picture Palace refurbishment project

(2)      To approve the use of £3.3m of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy funding to complete the Picture Palace refurbishment project.

This report presents the Brent Youth Justice Plan 2023/24, which includes an overview of local youth justice progress, priorities and arrangements for monitoring performance.  Following its submission to the Youth Justice Board, Cabinet is now being asked to approve the Plan for final sign off by Council on 18 September 2023.

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the Brent Youth Justice Plan 2023-24 for formal sign off and adoption by Full Council on 18 September 2023.

This report updates members on Treasury Management activity and confirms that the Council has complied with its Prudential Indicators for 2022/23.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)      To note the 2022/23 Treasury Management Outturn Report and the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Strategies set out in Appendix 4-6 of the report.

(2)      To agree that the Treasury Management Outturn Report and appendices be forwarded to Full Council for approval, in compliance with CIPFA’s Code of Practice on Treasury Management.

(3)      To note that for 2022/23 the Council had complied with its Prudential Indicators which were approved by Full Council on 24 February 2022 as part of the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Capital Strategy Statement.

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

Agenda Item 7:       Future of the Housing Repairs Service – Appendix 1 (Repairs and Maintenance Options Appraisal)

This appendix 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 Head of Executive and Member Services or her representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 60.

None.