Agenda and minutes

Councillor Conneely (as Chair) took the opportunity to welcome all newly appointed members of the Scrutiny Committee to their first meeting of the new Municipal Year, including Councillor Kennelly as Vice-Chair.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Maurice and also Councillor Kansagra (who it was reported had been appointed to attend as a substitute).

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 interests were made at the meeting.

The Chair agreed to vary the order of business on the agenda to enable the Scrutiny Progress Update – Recommendation Tracker (Agenda Item 7) to be considered as the first main item of business on the agenda. The minutes therefore reflect the order in which the items were dealt with at the meeting.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 23 April 2024 as a correct record.

(Agenda republished on 16 July 2024 to include the final minutes)

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meetings held on Tuesday 23 April 2024 be approved as a correct record.

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

The Chair informed members that due to the General Election, the final scrutiny work programme planning session for the Committee had needed to be rescheduled and would now take place on Monday 22 July 2024.  The Committee’s 2024-25 work programme would therefore be presented to the September meeting for final endorsement.

No other matters arising were raised at the meeting.

To hear any deputations requested by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 67.

There were no deputations considered at the meeting.

This report presents the Scrutiny Recommendations Tracker for review by the Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee.

(Agenda republished to include updated recommendation traker on 12 July 2024)

Councillor Conneely (as Chair) introduced the report presenting an updated version of the Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee recommendations Tracker.

Members were invited to comment on the updates provided, with the following issues raised:

(a)    Budget Scrutiny Task Group Findings 24-25 & 25-26: Establish a strategic approach to income generation

Having noted the initial response provided on 9 July 2024, as detailed within the report, a further update was requested on the remit of the Income & Debt Board and whether this would include the ability to review strategic commissioning and procurement arrangements across the Council as part of the approach towards income generation.  In response, Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) supported by Minesh Patel (Corporate Director Finance & Resources) advised that strategic commissioning and procurement had been included within the scope of the Board supported through the newly appointed Director of Strategic Commissioning & Capacity Building.  In terms of the collection of individual income and debt, whilst these would remain the responsibility of the relevant Directorates the Board would retain an overview on performance with the process supported by the Council’s Ethical Debt Collection Policy.

(b)    Budget Scrutiny Task Group Findings 24-25 & 25-26: Climate Action commitments

Whilst noting the response provided on 9 July 2024, further details were sought on the specific proposals relating to adoption of a “green budget” outlining the climate and environmental implications arising from specific budget proposals.  In response, Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) reminded members of the inclusion, now required within all decision reports, of a section outlining relevant climate and environmental considerations relating to the proposed decision.  Whilst the Council remained committed to addressing climate and environmental implications within schemes being bought forward for consideration members were advised of the need to recognise the impact which the ongoing financial pressures being experienced by the Council would have in terms of delivery and need to also assess plans against the approach of the new Government.

As no further issues were raised it was AGREED to note the updates provided within the Scrutiny Recommendation Tracker.

This report provides an update on Brent’s overall financial position by examining the financial outturn position for 2023-24, the Q1 financial forecast for 2024-25 and the medium term financial outlook, which is part of the committee’s role in undertaking budget scrutiny throughout the year.

Councillor Mili Patel (as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources) was invited to introduce a report providing an update on Brent’s overall financial position including the Financial Outturn for 2023-24 (attached as Appendix 1 to the report), Q1 Financial Forecast 2024-25 (attached as Appendix 2 to the report) and Medium Term Financial Strategy (attached as Appendix 3 to the report), which members noted also formed part of the Committee’s role in undertaking budget scrutiny throughout the year.

In presenting the report, Councillor Mili Patel highlighted the detail provided within the Q1 Financial Forecast 2024-25 on the current Q1 position regarding the General Fund (GF) revenue budget, Housing Revenue Account (HRA), Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and Capital Programme with the Council’s revised GF revenue budget for 2024-25 totalling £387m.  As at Q1, members were advised the forecast had identified an overspend of £10m against the revenue budget which. if not addressed. would potentially involve a carry forward into the following year.  As a result, the Council had introduced a number of mitigating measures in an effort to contain the identified pressures, which included the implementation of a range of spending controls and were in addition to the £8m worth of savings already approved for delivery during 2024-25.  In terms of both the immediate and the medium-term financial outlook, Councillor Mili Patel highlighted the challenging financial environment in which the Council continued to operate given the uncertain funding environment and the lack of clarity around long term funding for social care.  In addition, significant spending pressures were continuing to be experienced in relation to demand-led services with a particular focus on homelessness and ongoing pressures as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.  Whilst the Medium Term Financial Strategy had included growth to help alleviate some of the pressures identified, the Committee were advised that these continued to present a significant budget risk particularly in relation to demographic pressures, the increasing demand for housing and cost of provision for temporary accommodation and wider economic climate, with the Council therefore continuing to take a prudent approach in terms of managing a sustainable budget position given the nature of risks and pressures identified.

Councillor Conneely (as Chair) thanked Councillor Mili Patel for presenting the report and then opened up discussion on the information provided with the following comments and issues discussed.

·             In recognising the nature of financial challenges and pressures identified the Committee began by querying the reference to the £0.2m underspend identified within Communities & Regeneration as referenced within the 2023-24 Financial Outturn Report which it was reported was partially linked to a pause in some spending on communications pending development of a new Communications Strategy.  Focussing on wider communications activity, details were sought on plans being developed to support the promotion of key messages with different stakeholders around the Council’s budget and overall financial position as part of the budget consultation process.

In response, Minesh Patel (Corporate Director of Finance & Resources) advised of the plans for the upcoming budget consultation process,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

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.

No items of urgent business were identified, prior to the meeting ending.