Agenda item

For questions to be put to members of the Cabinet by Opposition and Non-Cabinet Members in accordance with Standing Order 35.

Four advance notice questions have been received under this item, which have been attached along with the written responses provided.

Members are asked to note that this session will also include an opportunity (within the time available) for other Non-Cabinet members and the Opposition to ask questions of Cabinet Members.

NOTED

1.      The joint written response provided by the Lead Members for Community Safety & Engagement and Regeneration, Property & Planning to a question submitted by Councillor Kelcher regarding the action being taken to prevent the proliferation of Adult Gaming Centres across the borough. As Councillor Kelcher had submitted his apologies for absence no supplementary question was raised.

2.      The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Resources to a question submitted by Councillor Johnson in relation to the social value commitments being generated through the Council’s Procurement Strategy and way in which the Strategy was being used to support the response to the Climate and Ecological Emergency in conjunction with other London Boroughs.

3.      The written and supplementary response provided by the Lead Member for Schools, Employment and Skills to a question submitted by Councillor Sangani regarding measures being undertaken by the Council to expand SEND school places and provision across the borough and to lobby the Government to ensure the necessary level of funding was provided to support this process.

4.      The written response provided by the Lead Member for Regeneration, Property & Planning to a question submitted by Councillor Maurice regarding the planning consent and development work on the Preston Library site.  In response to a supplementary question the Director of Legal, HR, Audit & Investigation clarified the position in relation to the outcome of the legal challenges regarding the granting of planning consent for the development.

Responses were also provided by the relevant Lead Members on the following additional questions raised during the open session of this part of the meeting:

·                Councillor Mahmood regarding the Council’s response to the Nationality and Border Bill currently being considered by Parliament.

·                Councillor Agha regarding problems being experienced with delays in the notification of covid test results and difficulties in being able to clarify these by phone.

·                Councillor Chan regarding the support available from the Council in seeking to address, with TfL, concerns raised following a local campaign by residents in Kensal Green and parents of children who attend Kenmont Primary School about the crossing and traffic related issues at the Harrow Road junction with Wrottesley Road.

·                Councillor Georgiou regarding the Council’s policy on development of tall buildings, with specific concerns identified in relation to Alperton, how the policy impacted on the measures being taken to address the Climate and Ecological Emergency and response to the GLA Planning & Regeneration Committee’s review in relation to the impact of Tall buildings.

·                Councillor Miller regarding the steps being taken to address the issues highlighted in the findings of a recent Ombudsman complaint regarding a case involving disabled accessibility within temporary accommodation.  The Mayor advised that as the Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform had needed to submit her apologies for the meeting a written response would be provided.

·                Councillor Chan regarding the process undertaken in developing the Council’s tree felling and replanting programme.

·                Councillor Kansagra seeking further clarification on the outcome of the legal challenges in relation to the granting of planning consent for the Preston Road library development.  As the Lead Member for Regeneration, Property & Regeneration had needed to submit her apologies for the meeting the Director of Legal, HR, Audit & Investigations advised that she would arrange for a written response to be provided clarifying the position.

·                Councillor Miller regarding the measures being undertaken to support the recruitment and retention of both adult and children’s social care staff.

·                Councillor Maurice seeking clarification as to whether the Council was developing proposals for introduction of a borough wide Controlled Parking Zone.

Before moving on to consider the questions submitted by non-Cabinet members, the Mayor reminded Members that a total of 30 minutes had been set aside for this item, which would begin with consideration of the written questions submitted in advance of the meeting along with any supplementary questions. Once these had been dealt with, the remaining time available would then be opened up for any other non-Cabinet members to question Lead Members (without the need for advance notice) on matters relating to their portfolio.

The Mayor advised that four written questions had been submitted in advance for response by the relevant Lead Member. The written responses supplied had been circulated within the agenda. The Mayor then invited supplementary questions on the responses which had been provided:

11.1 As Councillor Kelcher had submitted his apologies for absence no supplementary question was raised on the joint written response provided by the Lead Members for Community Safety & Engagement and Regeneration, Property & Planning to his question regarding the action being taken to prevent the proliferation of Adult Gaming Centres across the borough.

11.2 Councillor Johnson thanked Councillor McLennan, as Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Resources, for the written response in relation to his question on the social value commitments being generated through the Council’s Procurement Strategy and way in which the Strategy was being used to support the response to the Climate and Ecological Emergency.  In welcoming the way in which the Procurement Strategy was being used to support social value and community wealth building, Councillor Johnson, as a supplementary question, asked for further details on the work being undertaken to develop this approach in conjunction with other London Boroughs.

In response, Councillor McLennan advised of the success of the Strategy in using the Council’s purchasing power to ensure suppliers were aligned with the Council’s aims and objectives.  In terms of the focus on the climate and emergency strategy and work with other London Boroughs she highlighted the activity being undertaken through the West London Alliance (involving Brent and the other Local Authorities covering West London) to deliver a Carbon Reduction Charter in order to achieve the ambition of net zero.  The Charter included a number of innovative initiatives such as working with suppliers to encourage the use of lower carbon sources of power; to improve the energy efficiency of their equipment; to delivery digital social value and provide clearer data on levels of greenhouse gas emissions all designed to support the move towards carbon net zero.  Under the Charter, suppliers would also be asked to provide details on their carbon reduction strategies meaning that once in place, this would provide an opportunity to ensure work being undertaken across the Alliance towards sustainability and securing carbon net zero was also being supported by suppliers across West London.

11.3 Councillor Sangani thanked Councillor Stephens, as Lead Member for Schools, Employment and Skills, for the written response to her question regarding measures being undertaken by the Council to expand SEND school places and provision across the borough.  As a supplementary question further details were sought on the extent of lobbying being undertaken with Government in order to ensure the necessary level of funding was provided to support the delivery of SEND provision within the borough.

In response, Councillor Stephens highlighted the extensive lobbying being undertaken by both himself, the Lead Member for Children’s Safeguarding, Early Help and Social Care and the Deputy Leader at national and regional level (through London Councils) both in terms of the wider funding allocation for schools in Brent and to ensure a fair allocation for the High Needs Block within the Dedicated Schools Grant.  Alongside these efforts the Council had recognised the need to invest in local SEND provision in Brent giving the growing level of demand, with proposals currently being finalised for a programme of investment designed to deliver an increase of almost 50% on current local available spaces.  Alongside the lobbying for a fairer funding allocation, this would reduce the need for out of borough placements whilst increasing the level of good quality SEND provision for local residents in Brent.

11.4 Councillor Maurice acknowledged the response to his written question provided by Councillor Tatler, as Lead Member for Regeneration, Property & Planning regarding the planning consent and development work on the Preston Library site.  In commenting on the outcome of the Judicial Review process relating to the planning appeal and work which had commenced on site, Councillor Maurice, as a supplementary question, sought further details on why work had been permitted to go ahead on the development.

In response to this question the Director of Legal, HR, Audit & Investigation clarified the position in relation to the outcome of the legal challenges regarding the granting of planning consent for the development, with it being noted that the Council’s decision to grant planning permission had been upheld enabling the development to proceed.

The Mayor thanked members for their written questions and Lead Members for the responses provided to the supplementary questions.  She then advised that the remainder of the time available would be used for an open question time session to the Cabinet.  The following questions were raised and responses provided:

(i)     Councillor Mahmood regarding the impact and Council’s response to the Nationality and Border Bill currently being considered by Parliament.

In response, Councillor Knight, Lead Member for Community Safety & Engagement, advised that she along with the Council were aware of the significant and detrimental impact the Bill, if passed, would have on residents across Brent and as such assured Councillor Mahmood of the robust response that would be made on behalf of the Council as part of the consultation process.

(ii)    Councillor Agha regarding problems being experienced with delays in the notification of covid test results and difficulties in being able to clarify these by phone and in details being available regarding those who had received the booster vaccine.

In response, Councillor Nerva in recognising the concerns expressed felt it was important to start by reminding members that the Council was not responsible for delivery of the national vaccine programme.  Concerns had already been raised regarding the availability and way in which data from the programme was being shared with both Local Authorities and local health services to support them in being able to engage with and reach out to local communities where take up of the vaccine was lowest.  Concerns had also been raised in relation to the level of data available on the number of children within Brent having received the vaccine and fact that details on those having received a booster vaccine was also not available through the NHS App given the increasing requirements for access to Covid passports in order to travel and gain entry to certain venues.  In sharing the concerns raised, Councillor Nerva advised that he would be seeking to raise the issues identified with local MP’s and the relevant Government Ministers.

(iii)    Councillor Chan regarding the support available from the Council in seeking to address, with TfL, concerns raised following a local campaign by residents in Kensal Green and parents of children who attend Kenmont Primary School (which included a number of families who lived within Kensal Green) about the crossing and traffic related issues at the Harrow Road junction with Wrottesley Road.

In response Councillor Krupa Sheth, Lead Member for Environment, advised that she would be willing to liaise further with the local ward councillors on the issue and support that could be provided to promote walking, cycling and other more active forms of travel in the area.

(iv)   Councillor Georgiou who advised he was awaiting a full response to his previous question raised at the September Council meeting from the Lead Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning, highlighted concerns regarding the ongoing development of tall buildings particularly within Alperton ward and wider impact in terms of addressing the Climate Emergency.  Given the concerns raised, further details were sought on the steps being taken to acknowledge and act on the issues outlined within the report from the GLA Planning and Regeneration Committee on the impact of tall buildings. In addition clarification was sought on the Council’s policy in relation to the ongoing development of tall buildings, taking account of concerns expressed by local residents and whether the Council would commit to undertaking a full environmental assessment on each planning application involving a tall building in advance of any decision being made.

In response to the concerns raised in relation to resident engagement and the Climate Emergency Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Lead Member for Environment, highlighted the success achieved in terms of engagement on the Strategy with over 1000 individuals now having joined the Brent Environmental Network.  As the Lead Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning, had needed to give her apologies for the meeting Councillor Georgiou was advised that a written response would be provided on the wider planning issues raised.

(v)    Councillor Miller regarding the steps being taken to address the issues highlighted in the findings of a recent Ombudsman complaint regarding a case involving disabled access within temporary accommodation. 

The Mayor advised that as the Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform had needed to submit her apologies for the meeting a written response would be provided.

(vi)   Councillor Chan regarding the process undertaken in developing the Council’s tree felling and replanting programme, particularly given the challenge arising from insurance claims.

In recognising the balance needing to be maintained and difficulties identified when dealing with insurance issues relating to trees Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Lead Member for Environment assured members of the replacement planting undertaken should any tree need to be removed as the result of an insurance related issue.

(vii)   Councillor Kansagra seeking further clarification on the outcome of the legal challenges in relation to the granting of planning consent for the Preston Road library development.

As the Lead Member for Regeneration, Property & Regeneration had needed to submit her apologies for the meeting the Director of Legal, HR, Audit & Investigations advised that she would arrange for a written response to be provided clarifying the position.

Councillor Kansagra also requested a copy of the written response to be provided in relation to the supplementary public question asked earlier during the meeting on behalf Philip Grant.

(viii)  Councillor Miller regarding the measures being undertaken to support the recruitment and retention of both adult and children’s social care staff.

In response Councillor Farah, Lead Member for Adult Social Care, confirmed that suppliers being commissioned to provide care were already required to pay care workers the London Living Wage.  Councillor Stephens, as Lead Member for Schools, Employment and Skills, also referred to the Good Work for All programme provided through Brent Start and funded by the GLA, which included a specific focus in supporting the development of carers across the care sector and on which he would be willing to provide further details outside the meeting.

(ix)   Councillor Maurice seeking clarification as to whether the Council was developing proposals for introduction of a borough wide Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ).

In response Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Lead Member for Environment, confirmed that no plans were being developed for the introduction of a borough wide CPZ although consideration was being given to the ways in which parking could be made more efficient across the borough whilst also supporting schemes to enhance Active Travel.

At this stage in the proceedings, the Mayor advised that the time available for the open question session had expired. She therefore thanked all members for their contributions and advised that she would now move on to the next item.