Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Krupa Sheth (Cabinet Member for Environment & Enforcement) and Alice Lester (Corporate Director Neighbourhoods & Regeneration).  The Leader of the Council advised that Gerry Ansell (Director Inclusive Regeneration & Employment) was attending to represent Alice Lester.

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 17 June 2024 as a correct record.

Cabinet RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 17 June 2024 be approved as a correct record.

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 no petitions are due to be presented at this meeting.

No petitions were submitted for consideration at the meeting.

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.

This report sets out the outturn for income and expenditure versus the revenue budget and capital programme for 2023-24 and other key financial data.

Cabinet RESOLVED to note the overall financial Outturn position for 2023-24, as detailed within the report.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 22 July 24

This report sets out the overall financial position facing the Council and highlights the significant risks, issues and uncertainties with regards to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). It also sets out the proposed budget setting strategy for 2025-26 and outlines how the MTFS will aim to provide a framework to invest in broader ambitions and long-term priorities such as the Borough Plan, the cost-of-living crisis and other future steps to ensure the Council continues to operate in a financially sustainable and resilient way as well as supporting residents in need.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)    Note the contents of the report and the potential financial impact on the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy, as set out within the report.

(2)    Agree the budget setting process for 2025-26, as set out in section nine of the report.

(3)    Endorse the response to the Minister for Local Government on Brent’s productivity plans, as set out in Appendix A of the report.

(4)    Note and agree the proposed 2023-24 capital budget carry forwards and capital virements for 2024-25 as set out in section ten of the report.

(5)    Note the financial position with regards to the Housing Revenue Account, as set out in section eleven of the report.

(6)    Note the financial position with regards to Schools and the Dedicated Schools Grant, as set out in section twelve of the report.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 22 July 24

This report sets out the financial forecast for the General Fund revenue budget, the Housing Revenue Account, the Dedicated Schools Grant and the Capital Programme, as at Quarter 1 2024-25.

Cabinet RESOLVED

(1)    To note the new grant funding received in year, the overall financial position and the actions being taken to manage the issues arising as detailed within the report.

(2)    To note the savings delivery tracker as detailed in Appendix A of the report.

(3)    To note the Prudential Indicators for Treasury Management, as set out in Appendix B of the report.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 22 July 24

This report sets out the main contents and concepts of the draft Brent Post-16 Skills Strategy, including supporting evidence from research of stakeholders, outlining the high-level visions and expected impact.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)    Note progress on the work in relation to the Post 16 Skills Strategy and accompanying research commissioned in support.

(2)    Endorse the Post 16 Skills Strategy for progression to publication.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 22 July 24

This report seeks approval for the award of a four year contract with two possible one year extensions for the provision of Parking CCTV camera, equipment and software maintenance services (for both existing and new) and the supply of new cameras & associated software. The award of the contract will facilitate the continued enforcement of Parking and Moving Traffic Contraventions, including; banned turns, one-way systems, yellow box junctions, bus clearways & bus lanes, school keep clears, weight restrictions and pedestrian only zones (school streets).

In addition, this report sets out the proposal to continue to improve the parking and on road CCTV infrastructure in the Borough to enable the Council to deliver its objectives within its Long-Term Transport Strategy (LTTS).

Cabinet RESOLVED having noted the exempt appendix circulated as part of the report and benefits of using CCTV cameras for the effective enforcement of parking and traffic contraventions alongside the benefits to the Council in terms of meeting its associated strategic objectives:

(1)      To approve the award of a four-year contract with two possible one-year extensions for the goods and services detailed above to DSSL Group Limited to a value of up to £9,746,610 following the conclusion of a tender process via an ESPO framework, to commence on 1^st November 2024.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 22 July 24

This report seeks approval for projects recommended to receive a Community Grants Fund (NCIL) award over £100,000.00 in value, which in accordance with the constitution, require Cabinet approval.

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve and confirm the final award of Community Grant (NCIL) funding to the following schemes:

(1)    Step Up Hub - £114,000

(2)    Forest United (1973) Youth Football Club Ltd - £146,976 subject to additional funding being secured for the total amount of the project cost (£1.2m).

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 22 July 24

The purpose of the report is to inform Cabinet of the debts written off between 1 October 2023 and 31 March 2024 that exceed £20,000.00 in relation to council tax, sundry debts, adult social care client contributions, and housing benefit overpayments.

Cabinet RESOLVED, having noted the exempt information circulated as part of the report, to

(1)    Note the debt written off as detailed within Appendix 1 of the report.

(2)    Note a total debt write-off of £606,101.94 for the period October 2023 – March 2024.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 22 July 24

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 11:         Award of a Contract for the provision of Parking & Traffic CCTV Enforcement Services using a Framework Agreement - Appendix 1 (List of Tenderers).

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)"

Agenda Item 13:         Uncollectable Debt for Write Off – Appendix 1 (Individual Debt Write Off between 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2024)

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 Deputy Director Democratic Services or their representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 60.

There were no items of urgent business.