Agenda item

The report from the Leader or other members of the Executive:

(i)            Improvement and Efficiency programme

Councillor Lorber stated that everybody was aware of the Improvement and Efficiency Strategy the prime objective of which was to continue to provide the best services to local people and respond to the tough economic times ahead.  He added that some departments were already undertaking transformation programmes and the new civic centre would be at the heart of the efficiency agenda.  He asked all members to support the strategy.

(ii)        Council’s response to the recession in Brent

Councillor Lorber reported that work was underway on assessing the impact of the recession on local people.  The biggest challenge in the borough was rising unemployment.  Although there had been talk of the recession being over, he stated that unemployment would continue to rise.  The primary objective of the Council was to assist people to equip themselves with new skills so that they were equipped to face the challenges ahead.

(iii)       Not Another Drop march

Councillor Lorber referred to the Mayor’s announcement that the ‘Not Another Drop’ march was due to take place on 26^th September.  He stated that it was important to get the campaign across to the community and that over 500 organisations had been contacted requesting they support the march.

(iv)       Recycling update

Councillor Van Colle referred to the question answered by Councillor Lorber at the meeting concerning the success of the compulsory recycling scheme and added that this had resulted a reduction in waste of over 4,500 tonnes.  He urged everybody to continue to reduce their waste and increase the amount recycled.  Audited figures now showed a recycling rate in the borough of 28.2% although the rolling monthly figure was estimated at 30% with a figure for the last 3 months closer to 35%.

(v)        School places

Councillor Wharton referred to the question he answered at the meeting regarding school places.  He reported that the expansion of Claremont and Preston High schools had helped meet the demand for places at Years 7 and 8 but that Years 9 to 11 still had pressure on places.  As for primary places he stated that in 2007 the reception year had about 3000 pupils a year which had now risen to 3,300 and was forecast to continue to rise to 3,600 by 2012, which represented a 20% increase over 5 years.  The increase appeared to be largely down to an increasing birth rate.  An additional 200 places had been provided but another 400 would have to be found by 2012.  This would mean a capital cost of £15M with £11M coming to the borough over the next few years meaning that a considerable funding gap existed.  An application had been made to the Government by way of the basic needs safety valve but Councillor Wharton submitted that the government had not yet grasped the scale of the problem facing the borough.

(vi)       The Treasury Management Annual Report 2008/09

Councillor Blackman introduced the Treasury Management Annual Report 2008/09 and urged members to read it. He pointed out the god work undertaken by Council officers and the Council’s external investment managers in converting long term debt into shorter term debt to the financial advantage of the Council.  The report showed that investment activity had outperformed the market, capital finance charges were below budget and all prudential indicators had been met.  Councillor Blackman reported that following the collapse of the Icelandic banks the list of investment bodies had been reviewed which had resulted in a more limited list.  Finally, Councillor Blackman reported that the money owed to the Council by the Icelandic banks was beginning to be returned.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that the Treasury Management Annual report and Annual Investment Strategy report be approved;

(ii)        that the outturn for prudential indicators be noted.