Agenda and minutes
Venue: Conference Hall - Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ. View directions
Contact: Andrew Phillips, Governance Officer Tel: 020 8937 3679 ; Email: Andrew.Phillips@brent.gov.uk
Media
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Apologies for absence and clarification of alternate members Additional documents: Minutes: None received. |
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Declarations of interests 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: Minutes: No interests were declared at the meeting. |
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Deputations (if any) To hear any deputations received from members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 67. Additional documents: Minutes: None. |
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Minutes of the previous meeting PDF 250 KB To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 19 July 2022 as a correct record. Additional documents: Minutes: It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 July 2022 be approved as an accurate record. |
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Matters arising (if any) To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee were updated that following a deputation received by the Committee in the last Municipal Year from a resident, Mr Philip Grant, an assurance had been received by the Chair in terms of the accuracy of the information presented at the meeting. It was expressed that clarity of language would be welcomed in future to ensure the confidence of information being shared to the Committee. |
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Cost of Living crisis PDF 807 KB This report outlines the actions the Council is taking to mitigate the impact of the Cost of Living crisis in Brent and updates members of the Committee on the progress of the Cost of Living themed Outcome Based Review (OBR). Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Eleanor Southwood (Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy & Citizen Experience) introduced a report, updating the Scrutiny Committee on actions being taken by the Council to mitigate the impact of the Cost of Living crisis in Brent and updating the Committee on progress with the Cost of Living themed Outcome Based Review (OBR). Members noted the OBR had been established to investigate the issues arising from the Cost of Living Crisis as well as considering future solutions and had involved considerable input from local stakeholders and partners, who were supporting residents on the ground. Members were also welcomed and encouraged to play a part in this process, where possible.
Peter Gadsdon (Corporate Director Resident Services) and Tom Cattermole (Director of Customer Access) were present alongside Sadie East (Director of Transformation), to answer questions from the Committee, which are noted below:
· Regarding the current challenges of delivery of these projects; it was noted that work had taken place alongside London Community Kitchen to provide free school meals to residents. The research of the Outcome Based Review would help to observe how closely linked mental health was with the Cost of Living Crisis, as well as the importance of early intervention so that residents were able to approach the Council at an early stage. There have also been delivery gaps with partners on health issues, on which the Council was working with GPs for referrals to circle back to the Council around debt issues. · Further to partnership working, it was asked how the Council was linking with the NHS on the Cost of Living Crisis. There were discussions ongoing with the NHS to ensure that residents going from hospital to home would have safe, heated conditions. The Council were also waiting for confirmation from the Secretary of State to sign off on future funding for the Household Support Fund. · It was suggested that detail of the NHS’ communications plan be shared with residents. It was agreed that this would be circulated with Members. · From the support outlined in the paper, details were sought on the funding being provided by Brent and how much was coming from central government. It was agreed that Officers could create a document to signpost exactly how this money was set out. The Council was currently providing significant support to residents, which would increase in the coming months. · Referring to the extra £3 million pledged to the Residents’ Support Fund, it was asked whether this would be able to cover the likely increase in demand on the scheme. It was updated that this figure would be clarified as part of the Council’s budget discussions, as well as funding received from Central Government with early intervention being prioritised. · Regarding the current wait time of 8 weeks on a Residents’ Support Fund application, it was updated that this time frame was due to the volume of requests since the Cost of Living Crisis had begun. There was an option on the form to fast track emergency applications, which were then completed ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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Budget Scrutiny Task Group PDF 126 KB The purpose of this report is for the Committee to establish a Scrutiny TaskGroup to consider the Cabinet’s budget proposals for 2023-24. Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee received a report for the Committee to establish a Scrutiny Task Group to consider the Cabinet’s budget proposals for 2023-24.
Having considered the report it was AGREED:
(1) That a Budget Scrutiny Task Group be established, as set out within the report.
(2) To approve the terms of reference for the Task Group as follows:
1. To consider the Cabinet’s budget proposals for 2023-24 2. Receive evidence from Cabinet Members, senior departmental officers, and any other relevant stakeholders 3. Agree a draft report to comment on the budget proposals for submission to the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee for ratification and submission to Cabinet. |
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Scrutiny Work Plan 2022/23 update PDF 211 KB To consider the scrutiny committee’s work plan for 2022/23. Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee considered and noted and the updated work plan for the 2022-23 Municipal Year. |
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Scrutiny Progress Update - Recommendation Tracker PDF 303 KB This report updates the committee on the scrutiny recommendations tracker. Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee received and noted an update on the Recommendations Tracker. |
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Any other urgent business Notice of items to be raised under this heading must be given in writing to the Head of Executive and Member Services or their representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 60. Additional documents: Minutes: None. |