Agenda and minutes

Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, the nature and existence of any relevant disclosable pecuniary, personal or prejudicial interests in the items on this agenda and to specify the item(s) to which they relate.

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To hear any deputations received from members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 67.

None.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 10 November 2021.

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 10 November 2021 be approved as a correct record.

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

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The Chair explained that this topic had been brought forward by Councillors Krupa Sheth (Lead Member for Environment, Brent Council and Shama Tatler (Lead Member for Regeneration, Property & Planning, Brent Council) and they introduced the item to the Committee.

Councillor Tatler noted that this item was raised as the result of a Cabinet paper, and was a policy area that was introduced following emergency transport initiatives from central Government. The Council had explored an ambitious programme around school streets and healthy neighbourhoods; and following significant community interest in the matter the Council committed to a full engagement and independent consultation process. One of the overwhelming responses from residents was noted as reducing traffic, improving air quality as well as road safety. Residents had also expressed a desire to be involved in the co design of these initiatives, which was being embarked upon and continued. It was also announced that following analysis of the consultation on the new school streets programme, there would be 26 school streets made permanent in Brent, which was a total of 28 schools. This would mean that young people were able to walk more safely and active travel would be encouraged across Brent. It was explained that the name ‘Healthy Neighbourhoods’ was used in order to have a broader scope from which to consult with residents. The Council was also looking at establishing a team dedicated to healthy streets and parking agenda, which would look at how the Mayor of London’s objectives were supported.

The Committee was then invited to raise questions on the information provided, which focussed on a number of key areas, as highlighted below:

·                Regarding the funding from central government, it was asked how much funding was received for the school streets project and whether CCTV had been utilised in the deployment of the scheme. It was noted that the money was not specifically for school streets but also for the Healthy Neighbourhoods programme; this money had not come from the Brent revenue account but from Central Government. It was noted that due to the project requiring to be delivered at pace, rather than CCTV, planters and bollards had been a more effective solution. A policy was now being explored as to how CCTV cameras could be introduced within active travel schemes.

·                It was asked how much funding had been received; it was noted that the funding had been received in different phases. It was noted that there was around £130,000 was received in the first instance.

·                It was asked how the maintenance of school streets would work, to which it was answered that the status of new school streets was dependent on the financial status of TFL. The Committee was updated that when ANPR cameras were installed, this would be funded by TFL. Based on the assessments of the first two trials, the monies from Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) would cover the cost of the cameras.

·                In relation to school cameras, the Committee asked for an explanation as to why these were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

A report on how the Council is supporting Covid-19 economic and community recovery.

Councillor Margaret McLennan (Deputy Leader, Lead Member for Resources and Children's Safeguarding, Early Help and Social Care, Brent Council) and Councillor Shama Tatler (Lead Member for Regeneration, Property & Planning, Brent Council) presented these reports. It was noted that the pandemic had resulted in serious implications for Brent residents; the borough had the most amount of people on furlough, digital access for residents was low, as well as food and fuel poverty. The work from the Transformation Team at the Council was praised, as well as that of Citizens Lab and Age UK. This work had resulted in granular, real time work which enabled the Council to set up the Residents Support Fund and other funds such as the Household Support Fund. Coming out of the pandemic, this work had been able to identify residents with the most issues, as well as making communities more resilient. In future, funding was available to kick-start Brent’s economy, looking at how businesses could be supported, as well as additional education provision. The schemes carried out by the Council were delivered across Customer Services and in Community Hubs. As a result, the organisation of the service was being considered, with collaboration in mind. It was also noted that the procurement strategy tied into this report, including affordable workplaces and inclusive growth. It was noted as being vital  to provide residents with digital access so that they could achieve their goals and ambitions. Brent’s Council Tax Support scheme was also highlighted as being one of the best in the country, allowing the Covid-19 funding to be utilised elsewhere. However, the Committee were asked to note that the funding and support to residents was due to end in March 2022, though support for businesses would extend beyond this date. To date, there had been 4000 applications to the Residents Support Fund, of which 1500 applications had been successful. In future, it was planned to make the application process for the Council’s schemes more accessible to residents.

The Committee was then invited to raise questions on the update provided, which focussed on a number of key areas as highlighted below:  

·                The Committee noted that it would be useful to have a clear picture of the total grants received, the money spent to date, the monies remaining and the outcomes from the schemes. It was noted that the breakdown of each particular grant would be available for the Committee.  

·                The Committee asked about the deadlines for personal and business support, and what would happen if that money was not spent by the March deadline; it was answered that the business grants would extend beyond this financial year, with the Household Support Fund ending on 31 March. 60% of the grant had been given to residents, with 40% remaining. If this money was not spent by the deadline, this would be returned to Central Government.

·                Further to this point, the Committee asked if the Council were confident of spending the remaining money on the Household Support Fund,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To agree the budget scrutiny task group report on the budget proposals for 2022/23.

Councillor Margaret McLennan (Lead Member for Finance, Brent Council) introduced the report which provided an update regarding Q3 updates, as well as updates on the various departments of the Council. It was updated that forecasts were on track for the Council to be able to present a balanced budget. It was noted that within Children and Young People, there was an outcome pressure amounting to £6.9m, with the high needs block and EHCP (Educational Healthcare Plans) costs rising. This was in addition to £1.5 million provided to unaccompanied asylum seeking schoolchildren. It was updated that money from the Dedicated Schools Grant would be recouped in later years, however this would lead to an overall deficit of £14m. In terms of the Council’s savings profile, it was updated that £8.5 million in cuts would be met, in line with the Council’s most recent budget. Therefore, the main area where a deficit was seen was within CYP.

The Committee was then invited to raise questions on the update provided, which focussed on a number of key areas as highlighted below:

·         In relation to the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) asylum seeking schoolchildren deficit, it was asked how could this be sustained in the future if the Government would not fund this. It was answered that the DSG would be recovered in later years, and that the Council and other Local Authorities across the country were lobbying the Government regarding the deficit around asylum seeking schoolchildren. It was also explained that Local Authorities that do have a deficit had a deficit recovery plan, which would be put in place to attempt to bring growth down to a sustainable level. It was noted that reducing this deficit was a key priority within the finance agenda for the Council and nationally. At the recent Local Government Finance Conference, it was acknowledged that lobbying and advocating would need to take place for this to happen. The Committee were also assured that this was not having an impact on current provision within the high needs block, with Cabinet recently approving the investment in 427 special needs places within Brent.

·         The Committee raised whether there was an underspend in the Black Community Action Plan and why this had happened. It was clarified that many projects had been delayed due to the impact of Covid-19. The money had been allocated however it was delayed in being spent.

·         In relation to the risks in the Q3 financial report, it was asked whether an equality impact assessment had been made for the reduction of bus routes for disabled adults. It was clarified that these services had not been reduced, but may not have been utilised in the current financial year and that a decision had not been made around reducing those routes.

·         In relation to 1.12 of the Scrutiny report, it was asked whether the Social Care precept reduction from 2% to 1% would have an impact on service delivery. It was noted that this was factored into the draft budget for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To review the implementation of the Violence Against Women and Girls Scrutiny Report and recommendations.

Councillor Promise Knight (Lead Member for Community Safety and Engagement, Brent Council) provided an update on this report. Introducing the report, Members were provided with assurance that issues concerning Violence Against Women and Girls continued to be a top priority. Referencing the Action Plan, it was noted that the vast majority of items had been implemented. It was noted that that corporate funding was increased to VAWG organisations, as well as increased MARAC service provision to meet the demands at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The Committee was then invited to raise questions on the update provided, which focussed on a number of key areas as highlighted below:

·         The Committee asked what changes had been made to the VAWG strategy, in light of some high profile cases in the last 12 months and new threats that had become known as a result of such cases. It was answered that these cases had informed the work going forward, though the existing work within Brent was already robust. The Council was currently undergoing a consultation process to review the VAWG strategy priorities. More generally, it was acknowledged that Covid-19 had affected the landscape of Community Safety work. As the economy reopened, it was updated that workshops had been conducted with local businesses in relation to the Borough’s night-time economy, with input from women and victims of Domestic abuse. The Action Plan was working on feedback around open and public spaces in light of some events in the past 12 months which had been highlighted in the media. This also included work with police partners, not only in terms of investigations but also in community reassurance work.

·         Referencing an area of the Action Plan,it was asked for clarity to be provided as to how businesses could participate in this scheme. It was noted that whilst workshops were ongoing with the night time economy, training could be opened up to a wider variety of businesses. Added to this, Councillor Knight stressed that it was important to develop an inclusive approach to people who could potentially be victims of Domestic Abuse. It was clarified that no community or member of any community was excluded from support within Brent.

·         The Committee asked whether outcomes and members numbers of people being reached could be included from training sessions, it was confirmed that this could be provided in future.

·         The Committee raised Item 7 on the Action Plan around the number of women in refuge with teenage male children who had been successfully rehoused, and whether this data could be provided. It was confirmed that this data was available and could be provided to the Committee. 

It was RESOLVED:

(1)     That the following areas for improvement be noted:

·         For the Council to ensure emphasis is given to the initiatives to support for perpetrators within the VAWG strategy.

·         For the Council to ensure that the business training provided to the night time economy (local pubs, bars, restaurants etc.) around supporting vulnerable women and safeguarding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To receive a report providing a brief summary update on issues previously considered by the committee, including responses to information requests made, updates on reports and recommendations to the Executive and the Executive response and Executive decision made in respect of scrutiny reports and recommendations.

The Scrutiny Progress report, outlined the issues previously considered at the Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee. The Chair noted that the new format of the report was welcomed, which incorporated all activity within the report.  

The committee requested further information on the changes implemented as a result of the out-of-hours emergency crisis response review, originally requested at previous meeting held on 10 November 2021.

To review the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for any issues that the

Committee may wish to consider.

The Forward Plan of Key Decisions was noted.

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.