Agenda item

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

Under the new arrangements agreed as part of the changes to the Constitution at the Annual Council meeting, five 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 written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action to a question submitted by Councillor Long regarding the criteria and investment being made available to improve the condition of yellow lines, parking bays and pedestrian crossings particularly where they had been worn or were in need of replacement.

2.     The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action to a question submitted by Councillor Mitchell in relation to the work being undertaken in partnership with other agencies, such as the NHS, to promote more active modes of travel and ensure that families and schools were engaged to support the healthy and school streets initiative.

3.     The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Adult Social Care to a question submitted by Councillor Choudry regarding the additional support and work being undertaken by the Council with multi-faith organisations, charities and other community organisations in seeking to tackle the level of health inequalities identified across the borough, with a particularly focus on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.

4.     The written response provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action to a question submitted by Councillor Mistry regarding the repair and replacement of footways and highways within the Kingsbury High Road, Preston Road and Wembley area.  No supplementary question was received.

5.     The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Leader of the Council (on behalf of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Planning) to a question submitted by Councillor Georgiou regarding the fire safety of tall buildings, their suitability in relation to providing family accommodation and Council’s policy in relation to the placing of families (particularly with young children) in properties above the 5^th floor level in tall buildings.

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

·             Councillor Chan seeking to recognise the success of the local community campaign in Harlesden and Kensal Green to oppose an application for an Adult Gaming Centre in the area and to reaffirm the Council’s opposition to these type of centres within the borough.

·             Councillor Kansagra regarding the decision made, as part of the changes to the Constitution approved at the Annual Council meeting, to remove the requirement for the Vice-Chair position on each of the Council’s Scrutiny Committee’s to be allocated to the opposition group(s).

·             Councillor Kelcher seeking to recognise and congratulate the young people who had participated in the wayfinding competition run in Harlesden and Kensal Green for the posters they had produced for display to raise awareness around air quality and climate change and regarding the potential to extend the initiative in order to further engage young people across the borough.

·             Councillor Afzal regarding the different between the Council’s and Governments approach towards tackling the pandemic, cost of living crisis and policy in respect of refugees and asylum seekers and stance being taken by the Council in welcoming and supporting diversity across Brent and providing opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background, to succeed.

·             Councillor Mahmood regarding the provision of enhanced public realm cleansing services and update on the consultation regarding the Redefining Local Services procurement arrangements.

·             Councillor Kennelly regarding the action being taken to address concerns raised in relation to repair and maintenance works on a local housing estate within Preston ward.

·             Councillor Lorber seeking further clarification on consultation being undertaken in relation to the future use of Alperton Community Centre and engagement with local community representatives and ward councillors.

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 Cabinet Members (without the need for advance notice) on matters relating to their portfolio.

The Mayor advised that five written questions had been submitted in advance of the meeting for response by the relevant Cabinet Member and the written responses circulated within the agenda were noted. The Mayor then invited supplementary questions on the responses which had been provided:

11.1  Councillor Long thanked Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action, for the written response in relation to her question regarding the criteria for the introduction of yellow lines, parking bays and pedestrian crossings.  As a supplementary question, Councillor Long sought further details on the investment being made available to maintain and to improve the condition of these markings particularly where they had been worn or were in need of replacement given the impact in terms of safety and enforcement.

In response, Councillor Krupa Sheth highlighted the current assessment process undertaken in monitoring the condition of road markings and in maintaining line markings and signage in relation to controlled parking zones, parking bays and yellow lines.  Where issues were reported in relation to worn or faded markings, these would be treated as a priority for stop lines, pedestrian crossings and mini roundabouts given associated safety issues with an annual road marking refresh programme also delivered as part of the Council’s Planned Highways Maintenance work.  Councillor Krupa Sheth advised she would be willing to arrange for concerns relating to specific sites to be investigated in more detail outside of the meeting in order for any necessary corrective action to be taken.

11.2  Councillor Mitchell thanked Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action, for the written response in relation to her question on community and school engagement around healthy and safe streets and the installation of the accompanying CCTV.  In welcoming the action outlined within the response, Councillor Mitchell, as a supplementary question, asked for further details on the work also being undertaken in partnership with other agencies, such as the NHS, to promote more active modes of travel and engagement with families and schools to support the healthy and school streets initiative.

In response, Councillor Krupa Sheth highlighted the communication plan being developed in relation to the schools streets initiative and advised that she would liaise further with Councillor Nerva (as Cabinet member for Public Health & Adult Social Care) in order for a direct response to be provided outside of the meeting on wider partnership work with other agencies.

11.3  Councillor Choudry thanked Councillor Nerva, as Cabinet Member for Public Health & Adult Social Care, for the written response to his question regarding the work being undertaken with multi-faith organisations, charities and other community organisations in seeking to tackle the level of health inequalities identified across the borough.  In welcoming the action highlighted in the response Councillor Choudry, as a supplementary question, asked what additional support it was felt could be offered to these organisations in seeking to tackle the level of health inequalities identified across the borough, with a particularly focus on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.

In response, Councillor Nerva thanked Councillor Choudry for highlighting the issue and work being undertaken to tackle health inequalities, in which it was recognised voluntary and other community organisations would continue to have an important and key role to play.  In terms of specific engagement with multi-faith organisations, this had been key in responding to the pandemic and vaccine roll out and Councillor Nerva advised he would be keen to explore how this level of engagement and involvement could be developed further which would initially be focussed around discussions with the Multi Faith Forum.

11.4  As Councillor Mistry had submitted her apologies for the meeting, the written response provided to her question on footway and highway repairs in Kingsbury was noted with no supplementary question being raised.

11.5  Having noted the response to his question, by Councillor Tatler, as Cabinet member for Regeneration & Planning, Councillor Georgiou as a supplementary question referred to two further fires in high rise blocks across London and (in view of the written response provided) sought further assurance from the Cabinet member regarding the fire safety of tall buildings and their suitability in relation to providing family accommodation and.  In view of the ongoing concerns identified, he asked whether further consideration would be given to the Council’s policy in relation to the placing of families (particularly with young children) in properties above the 5^th floor level in tall buildings.

As Councillor Tatler had submitted her apologies for the meeting Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) advised he would respond on the question raised.  In response he highlighted the strong stance and work undertaken by the Council to support enforcement of the building safety reforms introduced through the Building Safety Act and the Building Safety Regulator in ensuring the necessary building control regulations were being delivered by developers and building owners, which it was felt reflected the importance placed on building and fire safety by the Council and in seeking to protect residents.  At the same time, Councillor Muhammed Butt also felt it important to recognise the extent of the current housing crisis, which he advised the Administration were committed to addressing through the provision of new affordable homes for local residents including the use of tall buildings, where appropriate.

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

(i)     Councillor Chan seeking to recognise the success of the local community campaign in Harlesden and Kensal Green to oppose an application for an Adult Gaming Centre in the area and to reaffirm the Council’s opposition to these type of centres within the borough.

In response, Councillor Muhammed Butt (replying as Leader of the Council) thanked the ward councillors and local residents for their campaign to oppose the application.  In reaffirming the Council’s opposition to these centres within the borough, he felt it important to recognise the negative and harmful impact they created at a time when the Council was working hard to improve the quality of life for local residents across the borough.

(ii)    Councillor Kansagra regarding the decision made, as part of the changes to the Constitution approved at the Annual Council meeting, to remove the requirement for the Vice-Chair position on each of the Council’s Scrutiny Committee’s to be allocated to the opposition group(s).

In responding Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council, reminded members of the comments made at the Annual Council meeting regarding the clear mandate provided for the current Administration following the local election, which he advised would continue to be exercised to its fullest extent.  As a result he confirmed the Administration was not minded to reverse the decision made regarding the allocation of vice-chairs on each Scrutiny Committee, reminding the Opposition Groups of the seats already available to each of them on both Committee’s which would ensure they continued to have the opportunity to actively engage in the scrutiny process.

(iii)    Councillor Kelcher seeking to recognise and congratulate the young people who had participated in the wayfinding competition run in Harlesden and Kensal Green for the posters they had produced for display to raise awareness around air quality and climate change and regarding the potential to extend the initiative in order to further engage young people across the borough.

In response Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action, took the opportunity to commend and thank the young people involved for their active engagement and contribution in raising awareness around such an important issue as air quality.  In terms of the potential for extending the initiative she advised she would also be willing to consider how the work undertaken could be used as an exemplar for other areas throughout the borough.

(iv)   Councillor Afzal regarding the difference between the Council’s and Governments approach towards tackling the pandemic, cost of living crisis and policy in respect of refugees and asylum seekers and stance being taken by the Council in welcoming and supporting diversity across Brent and providing opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background, to succeed.

In responding, Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council, began by expressing concern at the divisions within society which he felt had been created as a direct result of the current Government’s approach and policies, especially towards refugees and asylum seekers.  As a contrast he highlighted the approach taken by the Council in seeking to make Brent such a welcoming borough, reflecting and embracing its diversity and striving to meet residents ambitions and provide them with every opportunity to succeed, which he agreed was an approach the Government could learn from.

(v)    Councillor Mahmood regarding the provision of enhanced public realm cleansing services and update on the consultation regarding the Redefining Local Services procurement arrangements.

In response Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action, confirmed that further details regarding the process and consultation arrangements would be provided as part of the ongoing member briefing and engagement process.

(vi)   Councillor Kennelly regarding the action being taken to address long standing concerns raised in relation to waste collection, repair and maintenance works on a local housing estate in Eskdale Close within Preston ward.

In responding Councillor Knight, as Cabinet member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security, also expressed concern at the apparent delays in the issues identified being fully resolved.  Whilst highlighting the arrangements in place to address housing repairs and waste management issues Councillor Knight advised that she would be willing to follow up the issues raised outside of the meeting with the ward councillors in order to seek a resolution.

(vii)   Councillor Lorber seeking further clarification on consultation being undertaken in relation to the future use of Alperton Community Centre and engagement with local community representatives and ward councillors.

In responding Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council, again highlighted what he regarded as the clear mandate provided for the current Administration following the local election with the Council, as a result, seeking to explore available options for the site which included discussions with a range of interested parties.  As options were developed, he advised that local community representatives and ward councillors would be further engaged in order to ensure their views were also fed into the process for consideration.

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