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.  The questions along with written responses provided have now been republished as part of the agenda.

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.

(Agenda republished to include Advance Notice Questions and responses on 16 September 2022)

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 Kelcher regarding the impact being created by the increase in movements of HGVs within Harlesden Town Centre and the surrounding area and work being undertaken with the Old Oak & Park Royal Development Corporation (ODPC) to tackle the issues being created as a result of the current weight restriction on nearby bridge in terms of available alternative access routes.

2.      The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources & Reform to a question submitted by Councillor Molloy in relation to the Council’s commitment towards supporting the Council’s for Fair Tax Declaration.

3.      The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools to a question submitted by Councillor Kennelly recognising the achievements of pupils across Brent in terms of their GCSE, AS and A Level results and ongoing support being provided in relation to securing future levels of attainment.

4.      The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Public Health & Adult Social Care to a question submitted by Councillor Hirani regarding the measures being taken to encourage the take up of the polio booster vaccination linked to the virus being identified within wastewater sampled from Brent by the UK Health Security Agency working with the Medicines & Health Care Products Regulatory Agency (MHC).

5.      The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action to a question submitted by Councillor Georgiou regarding the funding, timescales and programme of delivery for Active Travel schemes across Brent including proposals to further develop cycling infrastructure working in conjunction with the Brent Cycling Campaign.

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 Lorber seeking to explore concerns in relation to the use of Shared Ownership as part of the Council’s package of Affordable Housing products and options.

·                Councillor Maurice regarding compliance of the current CCTV system to enforce bus lane restrictions across the borough.

·                Councillor Afzal regarding the measures being taken to secure the necessary accountability from Housing Management companies in seeking to protect renters security during the current cost of living and housing crisis.

·                Councillor Chan regarding progress implementing the School Streets initiative and engagement with schools and parents in order to ensure the success of the programme.

·                Councillor Long regarding the inspection programme and process for reporting concerns regarding the condition of yellow parking restrictions and pedestrian crossings particularly where they had been worn or were in need of replacement, given safety concerns.

·                Councillor Miller regarding delivery of infrastructure to support cycling across the borough, including safe cycle storage facilities and cycle lanes.

·                Councillor Kansagra regarding the current planning requirements in relation to the installation of cavity wall insulation.

·                Councillor Kennelly seeking assurances on the actions being taken to manage and address fire safety within the Council’s parks and open spaces following the increase in summer temperatures being experienced and recent wildfires within his ward.

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 Kelcher thanked Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action, for the written response in relation to his question regarding the impact being created by the increase in movements of HGVs within Harlesden Town Centre and the surrounding area.  As a supplementary question Councillor Kelcher asked for an update on work being undertaken with the Old Oak & Park Royal Development Corporation (ODPC) and other partners to tackle the issues being created as a result of the current weight restriction on a nearby bridge affecting traffic flows in the area and in terms of available alternative access routes.

In response, Councillor Krupa Sheth advised that as the bridge referred to fell within the boundary of Hammersmith & Fulham the strengthening works would require identification of the necessary funding and also agreement between them, ODPC, TfL and Network Rail.  Whilst discussions had been undertaken no firm plan had yet been agreed.  As a result, Councillor Krupa Sheth advised that she would be willing to liaise further with relevant stakeholders along with the London Assembly Member in an effort try and progress discussions in recognition of the impact the current weight restrictions on the bridge had in limiting the options for diverting HGV traffic around the town centre and surrounding area.  In addition, she advised that she would be willing to visit the area and undertake further discussions with local ward councillors in order to consider options for a longer-term solution to manage and mitigate the flow of traffic within the town centre and surrounding area.

11.2  Councillor Molloy thanked Councillor Mili Patel, as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Reform, for the written response in relation to his question on support for the Council’s for Fair Tax Declaration.  In welcoming the commitment outlined within the response, Councillor Molloy, as a supplementary question, sought further detail on the Council’s plans to sign up to the Fair Tax Declaration.

In response, Councillor Mili Patel thanked Councillor Molloy for highlighting the work being undertaken by the Fair Tax Foundation with local authorities to collectively encourage fair tax practices amongst their suppliers.  As such, she advised the Council was commitment towards supporting the Council’s for Fair Tax Declaration which she was working with officers to bring forward for approval.

11.3  Councillor Kennelly thanked Councillor Grahl, as Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools, for the written response to his question regarding the performance of pupils across the borough in relation to GCSE, A Level and technical qualification results.  In welcoming and recognising the achievements of pupils across Brent, Councillor Kennelly as a supplementary question, sought further details about the ongoing support being provided in order to secure future levels of attainment, particularly following on from the impact of the pandemic.

In response, Councillor Grahl thanked Councillor Kennelly for recognising the achievements of young people given the significant challenges and disruption faced as a result of the pandemic, which she felt was testament to not only their hard work and resilience but also the support being provided by within schools and by young people’s families and carers.  In addition, Councillor Grahl took the opportunity to outline the support provided through the Council’s School Effectiveness Team, both during and after the pandemic, which she pointed out had played an important role in ensuring that Brent’s schools had continued to be rated by Ofsted as ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’.  Reference was also made to success of the Holiday Activities and Skills Programme, in terms of the support being made available for young people and, looking forward, Councillor Grahl advised of the Council’s ongoing commitment and investment in the Brent Works Programme and in the provision of apprenticeship opportunities as a means of continuing to ensure that every young person in the borough had the opportunity to succeed.

11.4  In noting the response to her question by Councillor Nerva, as Cabinet Member for Public Health and Adult Social Care, in relation to the discovery of the polio virus in samples collected from waterways in North and East London as well as Brent, Councillor Hirani, as a supplementary question, sought further details on the measures being taken to encourage the take up of the polio booster vaccination across Brent.

In response, Councillor Nerva thanked Councillor Hirani for highlighting the importance of the child immunisation programme which he was keen to promote and encourage parents to take up as a precautionary and preventative measure across the borough.  He advised that that vaccination centre located at the Civic Centre matter continued to offer both the covid as well as polio vaccinations, which the Council were keen to promote and support in order to encourage as extensive a take up as possible.

11.5  Having noted the response to his question by Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action, regarding the funding, timescales and programme of delivery for Active Travel schemes across Brent, Councillor Georgiou, as a supplementary question, highlighted what he felt to be the need to prioritise the delivery of active travel schemes and supporting infrastructure as a key means of addressing the current climate emergency and air quality across the borough.  Whilst recognising the challenges in relation to securing funding and community support, specific concerns were highlighted in relation to cycling infrastructure across the borough and as a result further details were sought on proposals being developed to enhance this provision, working in conjunction with the Brent Cycling Campaign.

In response, Councillor Krupa Sheth, assured Councillor Georgiou of the work being undertaken with cyclists across Brent regarding development and implementation of Brent’s Active Travel Plan, which included a range of measures designed to improve and enhance cycling and walking and the associated infrastructure.  As the Council’s Active Travel Champion, she also referred to the work being undertaken by Councillor Mitchell to support this process alongside the ongoing work being undertaken by the Council with TfL and their Cycling Commissioner to secure the necessary funding in order to support be able to progress various initiatives and related infrastructure improvements.

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.  Questions relating to the following issues were raised and responses provided, as set out below:

(i)     Councillor Lorber seeking to explore concerns in relation to the use of Shared Ownership as part of the Council’s package of Affordable Housing products and options.

In response Councillor Tattler, as Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Planning, advised that Shared Ownership was a product that could be used as part of a package of intermediary affordable housing tenure measures.  Whilst recognising the need to explore the wider issues identified in relation to the demand, interest and impact of shared ownership schemes across Brent, Councillor Tattler felt it important to recognise the success achieved by the Council in delivering its programme of genuinely affordable housing across the borough, within which Shared Ownership remained one of a number of different products.

(ii)    Councillor Maurice regarding compliance of the current CCTV system to enforce bus lane restrictions across the borough.

In response Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action, advised that she was not aware of any advice having been received about the current CCTV system being non-compliant for enforcement purposes.

(iii)    Councillor Afzal regarding the measures being taken to secure the necessary accountability from Housing Management companies in seeking to protect renters security during the current cost of living and housing crisis.

In response Councillor Knight, as Cabinet member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security, thanked Councillor Afzal for his question given the importance of the issues raised in relation to the interests of renters across the borough, particularly within the private rented sector.  Whilst pointing out that Registered Providers and Housing Management companies were not legally obliged to work in collaboration with the Council she advised that the Council remained committed to doing all within its power to safeguard the interest of renters across all sectors within the borough, recognising the ongoing challenges arising as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.  In terms of specific actions being taken, Councillor Knight advised that she was already meeting on a regular basis with the main Registered Providers operating in the borough and encouraged members to highlight any concerns so they could be raised direct as a means of continuing to hold providers to account.

(iv)   Councillor Chan regarding progress in implementing the School Streets initiative and engagement with schools and parents in order to ensure the success of the programme.

In response Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action, updated members on the progress with installation of the CCTV cameras in order to support implementation of the scheme, which were due to be completed and operational by October 2022.  Members were also advised of the appointment of a dedicated officer to deal with any applications for exemptions and other queries relating to implementation of the School Street zones with all residents and businesses located within the areas having now been advised.  Further communication would be issued once the final “go live” dates were confirmed and final signage installed with the necessary Traffic Management Orders now having been amended to enable implementation.

(v)    Councillor Long regarding the inspection programme and process for reporting concerns regarding the condition of yellow parking restrictions and pedestrian crossings particularly where they were worn or in need of replacement, given safety concerns.

In response Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action, advised how the Council continued to work with its contractors in order to ensure delivery of the necessary maintenance, repair and renewal programme for road markings.  Whilst the renewal programme was prioritised through the asset management system and use of video condition surveys members were advised that improvements to the process for reporting issues were also being reviewed as part of the Redefining Local Services process.

(vi)   Councillor Miller regarding delivery of infrastructure to support cycling across the borough, including safe cycle storage facilities and cycle lanes.

In responding Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action, highlighted the work being undertaken by the Council to respond to various requests for cycle lanes, hangers and supporting infrastructure, particularly within the south of the borough and on housing estates.  She advised that engagement was continuing with local residents, which she would also be happy to discuss further with ward councillors, as required.

(vii)   Councillor Kansagra regarding the current planning requirements in relation to the installation of cavity wall insulation.

Whilst keen to ensure the planning process was operated as efficiently as possible, Councillor Tatler in responding as Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, felt it important to recognise the relevant planning policies which the Council was required to follow in respect of the assessment of individual planning applications.  These had been designed to ensure the necessary building safeguards and protections were in place for each development, which she pointed out the Council would be required to continue operating under pending any subsequent change in legislation or relevant regulations.

(viii)  Councillor Kennelly seeking assurances on the actions being taken to manage and address fire safety within the Council’s parks and open spaces following the increase in summer temperatures being experienced and recent wildfires within his ward.

In responding Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action, began by highlighting the importance and value of the meadows programme introduced within the borough’s parks and open spaces, from a biodiversity perspective.  Given these spaces were now well established and appreciated by residents she confirmed there were no plans to remove any of the areas as a result of concerns relating to the risk of wildfires due to the hot weather, although it was recognised that a sensible balanced needed to be achieved in the way the risks identified were managed.  As a result the Council had prohibited the use of BBQs in parks, through its Public Spaces Protection Order, supported by the Council’s Parks Team and contractors through a programme of mowing and the provision and widening of fire break areas to protect wildlife and neighbouring properties on the boundary of these spaces.  As further assurance members were also advised that this had also been supported by a communications programme to highlight the fire risks associated with the use of BBQs and dropping of cigarette’s etc during such extreme hot weather.

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.