Agenda, decisions and minutes
Venue: Conference Hall - Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ. View directions
Contact: James Kinsella, Governance Manager Tel: 020 8937 2063; Email: james.kinsella@brent.gov.uk
Note: The press and public are welcome to attend this meeting or alternatively to follow proceedings via the live webcast. The link to follow the meeting is available via the Livestreaming page on the Council and Democracy section of the Council's website or link on the front page of the published meeting agenda.
Media
No. | Item |
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Apologies for Absence Additional documents: Decision: No apologies for absence were submitted at the meeting. Minutes: No apologies for absence were received at the meeting. |
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Declarations of Interest 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. Additional documents: Decision: No declarations of interest were made during the meeting. Minutes: No declarations of interest were made during the meeting. |
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Minutes of the Previous Meeting To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 9 December 2024 as a correct record. Additional documents: Decision: Cabinet RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 9 December 2024 be approved as a correct record. Minutes: Cabinet RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 9 December 2024 be approved as a correct record. |
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Matters Arising (if any) To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting. Additional documents: Decision: None identified. Minutes: None identified. |
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Petitions (if any) To consider any petitions for which notice has been received, in accordance with Standing Order 66. Additional documents: Decision: There were no petitions presented at the meeting. Minutes: No petitions were presented at the meeting. |
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Reference of item considered by Scrutiny Committees (if any) To consider any items referred by either the Community Wellbeing or Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committees. Additional documents: Decision: There were no items referred from either the Community Wellbeing or Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committees. Minutes: There were no items referred from either the Community Wellbeing or Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committees. |
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Neasden Civic Partnership Programme This report provides an update on the Neasden Civic Partnership Programme and seeks Cabinet approval for up to £7.4m Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy capital funding to deliver public realm and highways infrastructure improvements in and around Neasden Town Centre. Additional documents:
Decision: In considering the report Cabinet noted the comments made by Councillors Ahmed and Dixon (as local ward councillors for Dollis Hill) in support of the Neasden Civic Partnership Programme. Highlighting the diversity, history and vibrant nature of Neasden the challenges faced in the area, particularly in relation to social and economic inequalities were also recognised with the proposals and funding (which it was noted included £3.1m in capital grant funding from the Mayor of London and up to £7.4m from Brent’s Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy) outlined within the report therefore welcomed as a means of focussing delivery of a programme of transformative regeneration and sustainable development within Neasden Town Centre that would also, it was felt, enhance the quality of life within the wider area.
In outlining their support for the programme, particular reference was made to the public realm and highways improvements as well as potential to secure wider environmental sustainability which had been identified along with the engagement and collaboration undertaken with local residents, businesses and other key stakeholders in the co-design and development of the Neasden Town Centre Action Plan. It was noted this would form a key element in delivery of the programme designed to make Neasden a safer, greener and more prosperous area for all.
Consideration of the report was also supported by a presentation from Rumi Bose (Rumi Bose Consultancy) providing an outline of the key elements of the programme and summary of the engagement undertaken to develop the Neasden Town Action Plan.
Having noted the comments made by the local ward councillors and supporting presentation Cabinet RESOLVED:
(1) To approve up to £7.4m Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy capital funding to deliver public realm and highways infrastructure improvements in and around Neasden Town Centre.
(2) To note that a range of contracts for consultants and contractors would be required to design, plan and develop the proposed public realm, community programming and highways improvements for the Neasden Civic Partnership Programme.
(3) To note and endorses the proposed installation of a temporary building for community use on top of the council-owned car park next to 237 Neasden Lane, subject to obtaining any planning permission and other statutory consents.
Eligible for call-in: Yes
Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Wednesday 22 January 2025 Minutes: Prior to considering the report, Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) welcomed Councillors Ahmed and Dixon to the meeting who, he advised, had asked to speak (as local Dollis Hill ward councillors) in support of the Neasden Civic Partnership Programme. Highlighting the diversity, history and vibrant nature of Neasden, Councillor Ahmed in opening his comments, also felt it important to recognise the challenges faced in the area, particularly in relation to social and economic inequalities. The proposals and funding (which it was noted included £3.1m in capital grant funding from the Mayor of London and up to £7.4m from Brent’s Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy) outlined within the report were therefore welcomed as a means of focussing delivery on a programme of transformative regeneration and sustainable development within Neasden Town Centre that would also, it was felt, enhance quality of life across the wider surrounding area.
In further support of the programme, particular reference was made by both Councillors Ahmed and Dixon to the public realm and highways improvements as well as potential to secure wider environmental sustainability, which had been identified as part of the programme, along with the engagement and collaboration undertaken with local residents, businesses and other key stakeholders in the co-design and development of the Neasden Town Centre Action Plan. It was noted this would form a key element in delivery of the programme designed to make Neasden a safer, greener and more prosperous area for all.
Having thanked Councillors Ahmed and Dixon for their comments, Councillor Muhammed Butt then introduced Rumi Bose (Rumi Bose Consultancy) who, he advised, had been invited to attend the meeting in order to provide (as supporting background information) an outline of the key elements of the programme and summary of the engagement undertaken to develop the Neasden Town Action Plan. The key issues covered within the presentation were as follows:
· The background and outline of the programme and development of the Neasden Town Centre Action Plan as the basis for submission of a bid under the Mayor of London Civic Partnership Programme (CPP), which had resulted in Brent being selected as one of 12 boroughs to join Stage 1 of the programme. As a result of work to develop the Action Plan, funded through the Stage 1 programme, a subsequent bid had been submitted for Mayor of London CPP Exemplar (implementation) funding with Brent having been one of five boroughs securing a share (£3.1m) of the stage two funding available. · The key strategic principles around which development of the proposals and Neasden Action Plan had been based, which included the aim to enhance public realm; tackle climate change and ecology and enhance community programming and leadership. · The detailed mapping process undertaken in relation to the socio, economic and infrastructure issues identified across Neasden as a basis to support development of the Action Plan. · The detailed and extensive nature of the community engagement process undertaken to inform co-design of the Neasden Town Centre Action Plan, which had involved a range ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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Quarter 3 Financial Report 2024-25 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 3 2024-25. Additional documents:
Decision: 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 Q3 Financial Forecast.
(2) To note progress on the savings delivery tracker, as detailed in Appendix A of the report.
(3) To note the prudential indicators for treasury management, as detailed in in Appendix B of the report.
(4) To approve the virements set out in section 4.7.13 of the report.
Eligible for call-in: Yes
Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Wednesday 22 January 2025 Minutes: Councillor Mili Patel (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources) introduced a report which set 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 3 2024-25.
In introducing the report, Councillor Mili Patel highlighted that the current forecast would be the final update on the Council’s financial position in advance of the 2025-26 budget proposals being presented for consideration in February, highlighting that once again, despite the considerable efforts to maintain financial control, the operating environment and wider economic context faced by the Council remained challenging. In seeking to prioritise key statutory services the ongoing impact of austerity was again highlighted and whilst welcoming the new Government’s promise of future multi-year funding settlements the need for this to be accompanied by urgent wide ranging reform of Local Government Funding arrangements was also highlighted.
In outlining the challenging financial conditions faced by the Council and recognising the efforts made to innovate, identify efficiencies and generate income members were advised these measures alone would no longer be sufficient over the longer term with the latest forecast predicting an overspend of £17.4m in the General Fund budget. Whilst officers, in seeking to address the pressures identified, had identified in-year savings of £8m members were advised that the potential need to drawn down from unallocated reserves therefore remained a concern especially given the ongoing levels of demand and revenue pressures in relation to Housing Needs.
In focussing on these pressures, members noted that the Housing Needs Service in Brent had experienced a 12% increase in the number of homelessness presentations, with Council’s across London now spending £4m a day in seeking to address the crisis, and solutions to tackle the scale of the housing emergency becoming increasingly limited. As a result, the government was being urged to increase the funding available to local authorities to cope with the loss in Housing Benefit subsidy to ensure the Local Housing Allowance was truly reflective of the cost of living in London.
Whilst recognising the financial pressures and surge in demand faced by the Council, members also noted the positive outcomes which had been achieved including the delivery of a £1.7m underspend within Neighbourhoods and Regeneration and the contribution through the i4B initiative in generating (on a self-financing basis) annual savings exceeding £4m in terms of cost avoidance relating to Temporary Accommodation costs, with additional proactive efforts in homelessness prevention and relief having also yielded positive results.
Recognising the extent of the significant challenges identified in seeking to manage demand and address the pressures identified, the transparent assessment of the Council’s current position was welcomed, with the need for continued financial discipline and careful stewardship highlighted in order to sustain and ensure the Council’s financial sustainability.
In considering the report, Cabinet noted the specific updates provided by members in relation to the following areas:
· Children and Young People (CYP) with members advised that the current forecast overspend of £1.3m reflected ... view the full minutes text for item 8. |
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Brent Council's School Admission Arrangements and Schemes of Co-ordination 2026-2027 This report seeks Cabinet approval to the proposed admission arrangements for Brent community schools and schemes of co-ordination for 2026-27 in accordance with statutory requirements which require Admission authorities to determine their admission arrangements by 28 February in the determination year. Additional documents:
Decision: Cabinet RESOLVED:
(1) To agree (“determine”) the proposed admission arrangements for Brent community schools and schemes of co-ordination for all maintained schools and academies in Brent for the 2026/2027 academic year, as detailed within Appendices 1 and 2 of the report.
(2) To note the scheme of co-ordination which would be in place for the 2026-2027 offer year for co-ordinated applications to start school in years Reception, 3, 7 and 10.
Eligible for call-in: Yes
Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Wednesday 22 January 2025 Minutes: Councillor Grahl (Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Schools) introduced a report outlining the proposed admission arrangements for Brent Community schools and Schemes of Coordination for 2026-27 (as set out within Appendices 1 & 2 of the report) which required determination and approval by the Admission Authority, in accordance with statutory requirements and timescales.
In considering the report, Cabinet noted the key aim within the proposed admission arrangements and schemes of co-ordination for all maintained schools and academies to ensure that every child in Brent had the opportunity to access high-quality education as a means of establishing the foundation for their future success and wellbeing. In recognising the financial challenges being experienced by many schools in relation to falling pupil numbers and increased demand for SEND provision the establishment of effective admission arrangements was therefore recognised as more than an administrative requirement, with the need for a clear and transparent process regarded as key in ensuring places continued to be allocated in a fair way enabling the needs of young people and their families to be prioritised and addressed.
Officers and schools were thanked for their support to ensure that the approach established enabled children from all backgrounds across the borough to have access to local schools, supporting community cohesion and providing a stable environment for families, with the Scheme of Coordination outlined in the report also highlighted as an essential part of the admissions process in terms of providing clarity and structure and in maintaining work being undertaken across maintained schools and academies to ensure that children could transition smoothly and equitably into educational provision.
In noting the importance in terms of the forward planning for provision of school places across the borough, given the need to balance demand for school places with the availability of high-quality provision, across the family of schools in Brent, members also recognised the way in which the proposed arrangements would also support provisions within the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill relating to school places in a way that would also provide certainty for schools, assisting them to plan ahead and continue delivering the best possible education for young people across the borough.
In welcoming the transparent nature of the arrangements, given the importance and impact of the school admission process on families and young people, members commended what they felt to be the thorough and fair nature of the proposals outlined in relation to maintained schools and academies across the borough.
In support of the transparent nature of the approach outlined, Cabinet therefore RESOLVED:
(1) To agree (“determine”) the proposed admission arrangements for Brent community schools and schemes of co-ordination for all maintained schools and academies in Brent for the 2026/2027 academic year, as detailed within Appendices 1 and 2 of the report.
(2) To note the scheme of co-ordination which would be in place for the 2026-2027 offer year for co-ordinated applications to start school in years Reception, 3, 7 and 10. |
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Exclusion of Press and Public 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 7: Neasden Civic Partnership Programme - Appendix 2 (Programme project costs) & Appendix 3 (GLA Funding Agreement).
These appendices 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)" Additional documents: Decision: There were no items that required the exclusion of the press or public. Minutes: There were no items that required the exclusion of the press or public. |
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Any other urgent business 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. Additional documents: Decision: There were no items of urgent business. Minutes: There were no items of urgent business. |