Agenda item

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

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 without the need for advance notice.

NOTED

1.     The written response provided by the Cabinet Member for Customers, Communities and Culture to a question submitted by Councillor Rajan-Seelan regarding the activities being planned to ensure the contribution of British Tamils was fully recognised by the Council as part of Tamil Heritage month.  No supplementary question was received.

2.     The written response provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action to a question submitted by Councillor Ahmed regarding the changes to recycling arrangements across the borough and impact these were having at reducing the level of recyclable waste going to landfill in support of the Council’s environmental aim to become carbon neutral by 2030.  No supplementary question was received.

3.     The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security to a question submitted by Councillor Aden regarding the actions being taken by the Council to address the unprecedented increase in homelessness applications and use of Temporary Accommodation along with the contextual factors impacting on the housing crisis in Brent.

4.     The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action to a question submitted by Councillor Hirani regarding operational concerns and the financial and value for money considerations relating to implementation of the blue bag recycling scheme for card and paper across the borough.

5.     The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security to a question submitted by Councillor Georgiou regarding the current position on the Altamira Morland Gardens housing scheme, including the associated impact in terms of costs, grant funding and on the current use of the Twybridge Way site.

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 Jayanti Patel highlighting concerns regarding anti-social behaviour and nuisance being experienced by residents in Milky Way, Queensbury linked to Housing Association tenants living in the surrounding area and action that could be taken by the Council working with the relevant Housing Association and Safer Neighbourhood Team to address the problems being experienced.

·             Councillor Chan regarding the powers and support available through the Council, working with the police and local residents, in seeking to prevent and cease the use of local retail shop premises along Park Parade, Harlesden for illegal and unregulated activities.

·             Councillor Kelcher regarding the powers available to the Council to support the ongoing campaign to save the Royal Oak Public House in High Street, Harlesden from closure and in seeking to protect and offer business support to other similar venues, recognising their importance not only as hospitality but also as local community hubs.

·             Councillor Rubin commending the Council for their ongoing efforts to support and work with the Brent Renters Union in seeking to ensure the necessary protections were provided for tenants in the private rented sector across the borough (including the landlord licensing scheme) in order to tackle serious health and safety concerns, provide protection from evictions and ensure access to interpretation services, and seeking further details on how this could continue to be developed.

·             Councillor Lorber highlighting concern at what he felt had been the limited scope of the discussion permitted in response to the call-in on the decision to approve the Barham Park Trust Accounts at the Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee call-in meeting held to consider the matter.  Details were also sought as to when it was anticipatedthe high-level consultancy based review, which had been commissioned by the Chief Executive in relation to the Trust Accounts would be available to support reconsideration of the decision referred back as an outcome of the call-in process.

·             Councillor Maurice seeking clarification on the eligibility for a family with four children to bid for a three rather than four bedroom property under the Council’s Housing Allocation Policy in order to maximise the opportunities available to secure a suitable property.

·             Councillor Mistry highlighting concerns relating to the dumping of rubbish and impact of other environmental and health and safety hazards identified by local residents along an unadopted alleyway adjacent to shops located on Kingsbury Road close to Kingsbury roundabout and Gore Court and seeking details on what measures the Council could take to address the concerns outlined.

Eligible for Call-In: No

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 provided:

11.1   Councillor Rajan-Seelan thanked Councillor Donnelly-Jackson, as Cabinet Member for Customers, Communities & Culture, for the written response to his question regarding the activities being planned to ensure the contribution of British Tamils was fully recognised by the Council as part of Tamil Heritage month.  Whilst no supplementary question was received members were reminded that Tamil Heritage Month would be taking place during January 2024 with councillors, residents and community groups all being encouraged to participate.

11.2   Councillor Ahmed thanked Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action, for the written response to his question regarding the changes to recycling arrangements across the borough and impact these were having at reducing the level of recyclable waste going to landfill in support of the Council’s environmental aim to become carbon neutral by 2030.  No supplementary question was received.

11.3   Having thanked Councillor Knight, as Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security, for the response provided on his question seeking details on the actions being taken by the Council to address the unprecedented increase in homelessness applications and use of Temporary Accommodation, Councillor Aden, as a supplementary question, sought further clarification on the contextual factors impacting on the housing crisis in the borough.

In response, Councillor Knight began by taking the opportunity to highlight the unprecedented nature of the current level of housing demand, with pressure in relation to the number of homeless households and applications continuing to grow driven by the cost-of-living crisis.  This had led to a 322% increase in the use of temporary accommodation compared to previous years with it forecast (if demand continued to grow at the same rate) that the Housing Needs Service would receive a total of 7,500 applications over the year representing an average of 144 applications each week, the highest recorded.  These pressures were exacerbated by a contraction in the number of properties available within the Private Rented Sector at Local Housing Allowance (LHA) level (used to prevent and relieve homelessness) with many landlords having also exited the sector.  In emphasising that that the Council did not believe homelessness to be a lifestyle choice, Councillor Knight outlined the establishment of a Temporary Accommodation supply and spend project aimed at addressing current pressures on the Temporary Accommodation budget and increasing the supply of temporary accommodation in order to address demand through new and alternative provision.  In addition, she advised that the Council, in partnership with other local authorities, was calling on the government (as part of the Autum Statement) to consider a long-term funding solution to address the pressures and issues highlighted and reassured members of the action being taken by the Council to do everything possible to continue supporting residents in housing need through the provision of an affordable housing supply.

11.4   In reiterating the concerns highlighted within her written question and as part of the deputation at the start of the meeting, Councillor Hirani felt it important to recognise the operational issues which had been highlighted as well as the financial and value for money considerations relating to implementation of the blue bag recycling scheme.  As a supplementary question, and in view of the concerns raised, Councillor Krupa Sheth (as Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action) was therefore asked whether she would consider suspending the blue bag recycling scheme in order for an independent inquiry to be conducted relating to its environmental and financial effectiveness.

In response, Councillor Krupa Sheth advised that she had yet to be provided with detailed evidence of the operational concerns identified in relation to displacement of the recycling bags and reminded members that the introduction of the scheme had already been subject to review at the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee, which included cross-party representation.  Highlighting the positive impact of the scheme in terms of recycling rates for paper and card and need to allow time for the scheme to fully settle, Councillor Krupa Sheth ended her response by highlighting that the Council would continue to monitor roll out of the new service in order to address any issues highlighted and ensure, where and if required, that improvements were made to enhance the service for both residents and the environment.

11.5   Councillor Georgiou, in noting the written response to the question submitted regarding the current position on the Altamira Morland Gardens housing scheme expressed concern at the associated impact in terms of costs, grant funding and on current use of the site now that the original planning permission had expired.  In outlining the basis of the original selection of the architects and design of the scheme further details were sought, as a supplementary question, on whether the £1.6m costs he understood had been incurred as a result of seeking to decant Brent Start could have been avoided and whether, given the failure to deliver the original housing proposed within the scheme, the current project would now be aborted.

In response, Councillor Knight referred to the details provided within the written response on the original question which she felt had also addressed the subsequent issues highlighted.  Whilst the current Morland Gardens scheme had been paused for further review, Councillor Knight thought it important to recognise how the Council was continuing to prioritise the development of new homes (despite current economic conditions), which included recent approval of three Infill development council housing schemes designed to increase the level of affordable housing available across the borough for Brent residents. In recognising the unprecedented homelessness emergency facing the borough, Councillor Knight emphasised that despite the challenges identified the Council would continue to utilise its powers to deliver the homes that residents needed and deserved.

In response to a Point of Order raised by Councillor Georgiou in relation to the extent of the response provided on his supplementary question the Mayor advised that the response was felt to be sufficient with the member able to seek a more detailed response direct from the Cabinet Member following the meeting, should that be required.

Having thanked members for their written questions and Cabinet Members for the responses provided to the supplementary questions, the Mayor then advised that the remainder of 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 Jayanti Patel highlighting concerns regarding anti-social behaviour and nuisance being experienced by residents in Milky Way, Queensbury linked to adjacent Housing Association blocks and action that could be taken by the Council working with the relevant Housing Association and Safer Neighbourhood Team to address the problems being experienced.

In response, Councillor Farah, as Cabinet Member for Safer Communities and Public Protection, advised he was concerned to hear about the issues being experienced and as a result would be willing to facilitate discussions between the housing provider, police and relevant officers within the Council in order to address and seek a resolution to the issues being experienced.

(ii)    Councillor Chan regarding the powers and support available through the Council, working with the police and local residents, in seeking to prevent the use of local shop premises along Park Parade, Harlesden for illegal and unregulated activities.

In response, Councillor Farah, as Cabinet Member for Safer Communities and Public Protection, advised that he was aware of the concerns highlighted having recently visited the area and whilst not seeking to prevent legitimate businesses from operating, advised that it had been possible to secure four three-month closure orders to properties whose operation was causing concern in the area.  As further reassurance, Councillor Farah advised that the Council would continue to work closely with the police in order to monitor the area and ensure the necessary enforcement action could be taken as required, on which ward councillors would continue to be kept updated.

(iii)    Councillor Kelcher regarding the powers available to the Council to support the ongoing campaign to save the Royal Oak Public House in High Street, Harlesden from closure and in seeking to protect and offer business support to other similar venues, recognising their importance as local community hubs.

In response, Councillor Tatler, as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance Resources and Reform and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Growth, felt it important to recognise the important role played by various types of hospitality venues such as public houses as local community hubs.  In outlining the actions available to the Council in seeking to protect and support these type of venues, Councillor Tatler advised of the work being undertaken to support and enhance the vitality of the boroughs high streets and town centres, including the use of planning policy to encourage new residential developments that would also drive business and footfall in the surrounding areas.  In recognising the struggles faced by the hospitality sector due to the pandemic and cost of living crisis, Councillor Tatler ended by assuring members of the Council’s commitment to increasing growth across the borough and working with ward councillors to support town centres and protect valued community assets.

(iv)   Councillor Rubin commended the Council for their ongoing efforts to support and work with the Brent Renters Union in seeking to ensure the necessary protections were provided for tenants in the private rented sector across the borough as a means of tackling serious health and safety concerns, providing protection from evictions and ensuring access to key services with further details sought on how these measures and support could continue to be developed.

Councillor Knight, as Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security, thanked Councillor Rubin for his question and for raising such an important issue.  In highlighting a commitment to continuing working with Brent Renters Union in order to secure the necessary protections for tenants within the private rented sector, recognising the wider associated impact on current pressures relating to homelessness, members were also reminded of the priority given to the introduction of the borough-wide selective landlord licensing scheme that had also been introduced as a means of continuing to support tenants and increase the Council’s ability to take action against rogue landlords operating within the sector.

(v)    Councillor Lorber highlighting concern at what he felt had been the limited scope of the discussion permitted in response to a call-in on the decision to approve the Barham Park Trust Accounts at the Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee meeting held to consider the matter.  Details were also sought as to when it was anticipatedthe high-level consultancy based review, which had been commissioned by the Chief Executive in relation to the Trust Accounts would be available to support reconsideration of the decision referred back as an outcome of the call-in process.

In response, Councillor Tatler, as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance Resources and Reform and Vice Chair of the Barham Park Trust Committee, felt it was important to recognise that the high-level consultancy based review had been commissioned independently by the Chief Executive outside of the call-in process and as such its publication and consideration would not be a matter for either the Cabinet Member or Trust Committee to decide upon.

(vi)   Councillor Maurice seeking clarification on the eligibility for a family with four children to bid for a 3 rather than 4-bedroom property under the Council’s Housing Allocation Policy in order to maximise the opportunities available to secure a suitable property.

In responding, Councillor Knight, as Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security, thanked Councillor Maurice for raising the issue and highlighting the extent to which overcrowding and homelessness remained an issue across the borough.  In terms of the specific case raised, Councillor Knight advised she would be willing to investigate further if Councillor Maurice could provide the relevant details outside of the meeting.

(vii)   Councillor Mistry highlighting concerns relating to the dumping of rubbish and impact of other environmental and health and safety hazards identified by local residents along an unadopted alleyway adjacent to shops located on Kingsbury Road close to Kingsbury roundabout and Gore Court and seeking details on what measures the Council could take to address the concerns outlined.

In response Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action, advised that she would be willing to facilitate a site visit with Councillor Mistry in order to review the issues highlighted and explore how they could specifically be addressed moving forward.

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