Agenda item

To receive reports from the Leader or members of the Executive in accordance with Standing Order 42.

Willesden Green redevelopment project

Councillor Crane (Lead member for Regeneration and Major Projects) reported that, following the carrying out of an appropriate consultation strategy, he was able to advise members that the Executive had agreed to award a contract to Galliford Try PLC for the construction of a new Willesden Green centre to include a library, education space, museum, exhibition space and a customer contact centre.  This would be at no capital cost to the Council.  A delivery strategy had also been agreed and it was hoped that building would start around September 2012 and be completed in April 2014.  Councillor Crane expressed the view that this could be the catalyst for the future regeneration of the area.  A detailed community engagement strategy had been drawn up.  The proposal was now subject to planning permission and detailed design work.

Civic Centre

Councillor Crane (Lead member for Regeneration and Major Projects) reported that the construction of the new Civic Centre remained on time and within budget with an anticipated completion date of December 2012.  He added that 28.5% of the labour employed on site came from Brent.  Brent schools had arranged visits to the site and all the companies employed on the site were registered with Brent in2work.  Finally, Councillor Crane reported that the building was well on track for receiving full BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) status.

Cross borough working on sports and leisure facilities

Councillor Powney (Lead member for Environment and Neighbourhoods) reported on the work being undertaken by the West London boroughs to jointly provide sport and leisure facilities that would produce genuine efficiency savings without cuts to the services.

Waste and recycling

Councillor Powney (Lead member for Environment and Neighbourhoods) reported that the first quarter statistics showed that the recycling rate had risen to 42% from 30% the year before.  He felt this showed how successful the new recycling arrangements were and expected further increases in recycling next year.

School places

Councillor Arnold (Lead member for Children and Families) reported that in order to meet the increasing demand for school places, ten additional classes had been opened since September 2011.  These additional places were now being allocated and a further increase in places was planned for September 2013.  There was a consultation exercise currently underway on the provision of school places and it was anticipated that demand would continue to rise.  The Council was therefore continuing its lobbying efforts to attract further funds in addition to the £25M already secured.

Update on Customer contact project

Councillor Jones (Lead member for Customers and Citizens) reported that the customer contact project was a key project in the One Council programme with possible savings of £3M to be achieved over the next three years.  The aim was to provide quicker service access by encouraging people to use alternatives to one to one contact and give the staff more time to deal with the borough's more vulnerable residents.  The project was overseen by a project board and a new team was headed by Margaret Read.  There had already been a reduction in posts of 29, 21 of which had been vacant.  Another aspect of the project would be the redesign of the Council's web pages to provide for more transactions to be done on-line.  An updated switchboard had also been installed.  Councillor Jones stated that it was now important to convey these changes to residents and to keep members informed of developments.

Harlesden Town Centre

Councillor J Moher (Lead member for Highways and Transportation) added to the Executive report by reporting on a £4M scheme to upgrade Harlesden town centre.  The core aim was to reduce the impact traffic had on the area.  The scheme was out for consultation.  Councillor Moher added that the Government's recent announcement on the HS2 (High Speed railway) would have an impact on the area which would need to be taken into account.