Agenda item

7.1   To receive questions submitted by the public to Cabinet Members, in accordance with Standing Order 33.

Members are asked to note that one public question has been received, which has been attached along with the written response.

7.2   To receive questions submitted from Brent Youth Parliament to Cabinet Members, in accordance with Standing Order 33(c).

One question has been received under this item, which has been attached along with the written response provided.

NOTED

1.         The written response provided by the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Equalities and Culture to a public question submitted by M. Whiteley regarding the Council’s membership of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Scheme.  No supplementary question was received.

2.      The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet for Children, Young People and Schools to a question submitted by Brent Youth Parliament regarding the support and funding available to assist in development of the Brent Youth Strategy and youth engagement forums.

8.1   Questions from the Public

The Mayor advised that the following question had been received from a member of the public:

Question 1 from M.Whiteley to Councillor Donnelly-Jackson, Cabinet Member for Community, Engagement, Equalities & Culture regarding the Council’s membership of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Scheme.

The Mayor advised that whilst the member of the public had been invited to the meeting in order to ask a supplementary question, they had unfortunately advised they were unable to attend.  Members therefore noted the written response which had been provided, without further comment.

The Mayor then moved on to deal with a question submitted by Brent Youth Parliament.

8.2   Question from Brent Youth Parliament

The Mayor advised that the following question had been received from Brent Youth Parliament:

Question 1 from Chris Mutombo-Ramazani (Brent’s Member of the UK Youth Parliament) and Kenechi Ezeajughi (Brent Youth Parliament Media & Communications lead) to Councillor Grahl, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools regarding the support and funding available to help with the continued development of youth engagement forums and youth spaces.

Members noted the written response provided on the question with the Mayor welcoming Chris Mutombo-Ramazani and Kenechi Ezeajughi to the meeting in order to ask a supplementary question.  The supplementary question from Brent Youth Parliament was as follows:

Supplementary Question from Brent Youth Parliament to Councillor Gwen Grahl, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools.

Having thanked Councillor Grahl for the written response provided, further details were sought on the funding available, moving forward, for ongoing investment in youth services and to assist in development of the Brent Youth Strategy and youth engagement forums.

In response, Councillor Grahl took the opportunity to thank the Brent Youth Parliament for the important role they played in representing young people across the borough and began her response by outlining the ambitious nature of the youth strategy and practical steps already taken to support its ongoing delivery, as set out in her written response.  Highlighting the Council’s commitment to continue working with the voluntary and community sector to develop more spaces for young people, she advised that discussions were also ongoing with a national charity to consider how an Onside Youth Zone could also be established within the borough.  Amongst other initiatives, reference was also made to proposals being developed for the provision of an additional youth centre, with potential sites currently being identified.  Whilst recognising that the level of investment available would need to take account of the Council’s current and future budget position, Councillor Grahl ended by advising that she would be willing to meet representatives of the Youth Parliament outside of the meeting to update them further on the work being undertaken and plans moving forward to continue supporting development of the strategy

Having noted the response provided, the Mayor thanked Councillor Grahl for her response and Chris Mutombo-Ramazani and Kenechi Ezeajughi for the question and attending the meeting. As there were no further questions the Mayor concluded the public question session.