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.

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 Kelcher thanked Councillor Nerva as the Cabinet Member for Community Health & Wellbeing, for the written response to his question about the measures being taken to support Brent in becoming an age friendly borough.  In welcoming the detailed nature of the response and progress being made in seeking to secure age friendly status alongside work being led by Dr Tony Burch to help shape the approach further details were sought on the progress of the Planning Group in developing the approach and any experience gained from other boroughs.

          In response, Councillor Nerva, in welcoming the interest shown advised that he had invited the Planning Group to present to the Health and Wellbeing Board in the Autumn to help engage other public sector partners in seeking the development of a joined-up approach to ensure Brent (along with key stakeholder and partners) continued to play an active role in developing its own response towards ensure age friendly status for the borough.

11.2   Councillor Begum thanked Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, for the written response to her question on the work underway to address the increase in homelessness and work being undertaken through the “Built for Zero” programme and as a supplementary question sought further details on the steps being taken during the 2024-25 financial year to support vulnerable households at risk of homelessness and rough sleepers.

In response, Councillor Muhammed Butt, having highlighted the ongoing pressures in relation to the increase in homelessness advised that in addition to the programme of work and overall strategy already established to address the challenges identified the Council were also set to launch a new communications campaign which aimed to raise awareness of the deepening homelessness emergency in Brent and the practical realities and life changing consequences this had for homeless households. The Find a place you can afford campaign would also seek to break the perceived link between homelessness and social housing.  In addition, support continued to be provided to those residents seeking alternative accommodation within the private rented sector through a Deposit Guarantee Scheme, with the Council also continuing to work closely with organisations such as St Mungo’s and Advice for Renters in relation to the provision of support, advice and guidance for those households living within temporary accommodation or at risk of homelessness.  In order to support the work being undertaken a count of rough sleepers across the borough was also in the process of being undertaken with the Council also seeking to work with a broad range of stakeholders across Brent to ensure that the homeless crisis was more fully understood.  As a final issue, Councillor Muhammed Butt also highlighted the importance of work continuing on a regional basis and with the new Labour government to ensure a coordinated and more holistic approach was adopted towards the way in which homelessness pressures were being addressed, including the support available for refugees and asylum seekers.

11.3   Having thanked Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet Member for Environment and Enforcement, for the response provided on her question seeking details on the measures being taken to tackle fly tipping and enforce and educate around the dumping of rubbish Councillor Kabir, as a supplementary question, sought confirmation on the planned continuation of the Community Skip initiative.

In response, Councillor Muhammed Butt (who, following her apologies for absence, advised he was speaking on behalf of Councillor Krupa Sheth in her role as Cabinet Member for Environment & Enforcement) thanked Councillor Kabir for her question and in recognising the positive impact of the measures outlined within the written response assured members of the plans to continue the Community Skips programme as a much valued initiative by residents.  This would, he highlighted, also include a focus on the recycling and reuse of items disposed of through the skips.  The additional focus on enforcement activity and increase in fines for fly-tipping outlined within the written response would also, he pointed out, be supported by the launch of a new campaign “Don’t Mess with Brent” which would include enhanced targeted communications to residents and businesses educating them on their responsibilities in relation to waste management and seeking their support in the identification of persistent fly-tipping offenders.

11.4   Whilst noting the written response provided by Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, to his question regarding the rationale for Wembley Park ward not having been included within the Private Sector Landlord Licensing Scheme Councillor Maurice, as supplementary question, sought further details on the data supporting the decision with, he felt, that ward experiencing many of the same issues as other surrounding areas included within the scheme.

In response, Councillor Muhammed Butt highlighted what he felt to have been the comprehensive nature of the written response setting out the basis on which the Private Rented Sector Selective Landlord Licensing Scheme had been implemented.  He confirmed this had included extensive research looking at the Private Rented Sector (PRS) and factors that could be taken into account when selecting the areas for its introduction which had included as key factors housing conditions and significant and persistent problem caused by anti-social behaviour.  Highlighting the availability of supporting data within the Fix My Street App, Councillor Muhammed Butt advised the supporting data had identified no grounds supporting the introduction of selective licensing within the Wembley Park ward which had therefore been excluded from the designation.  He advised that he would, however, be willing to provide further details on the supporting data should Councillor Maurice identify the specific details required with members also advised of the benefits of the Landlord Licensing Scheme in terms of improving living standards and safeguards for residents within the Private Rented Sector.

11.5   Councillor Georgiou in noting the written response from the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Growth to the question submitted regarding the impact of any increase in large scale events permitted to be hosted at Wembley Stadium highlighted the importance of the issue for local residents with the response being clear that no further consultation or detailed impact assessment was due to be undertaken by the Council prior to the planning application being considered seeking approval to the change.  In outlining what he felt was the need for consideration of the application to be informed by a detailed consultation process with local residents and assessment of the wider impact any increase in the number of event days would have, further details were sought as supplementary question, on why (given the pre application meeting between the applicant, Leader and Chief Executive and favourable outcome reported as a result) it would not be possible for the applicant to also meet with local residents who would be directly impacted by any increase in events hosted at the Stadium.

In response, Councillor Muhammed Butt (who following her apologies for absence, advised he was speaking on behalf of Councillor Tatler in her role as Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Growth) whilst highlighting the successful way a majority of large-scale events hosted by the Stadium were delivered also recognised the impact on local residents.  As a result, he highlighted the efforts being made to ensure that the planning application submitted by the Stadium seeking approval to increase the permitted number of events contained the necessary supporting mitigations and struck a healthy balance in terms of seeking to minimise the impact and disruption for the local community and wider benefits for the borough.  The issues and concerns identified in relation to transport provision, such as capacity issues highlighted by Chiltern Railway, were also acknowledged with the Council committed to continue working in partnership with the Stadium and other partners to ensure that these were addressed and efforts to engage with local residents were continued moving forward.

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 Chan regarding efforts being made to address the harm associated with the increase in Adult Gaming Centres within the borough and specifically across Harlesden and Kensal Green, given the detrimental impact on local residents and benefits being created by wider investment and regeneration in the town centres and the high streets affected.

          In response Councillor Nerva, as Cabinet Member for Community Health & Wellbeing, recognised the concerns raised given the social, economic, and public health impacts of gambling but highlighted that the Council did not currently have the powers required to prevent these type of premises from seeking to operate across the borough.  Work was ongoing in seeking to lobby the new Labour government on the need for reform of the current Gambling Act including the introduction of a public health approach with Councillor Nerva advising that he would be willing to work with local councillors on the issue and visit any sites of ongoing concern.

(ii)      Councillor Jayanti Patel regarding the increase in developments that included basement design works without seeking the necessary planning and building regulation permissions with specific reference made, as an example to sites in Barnhill ward and a request for enforcement action to be taken.

In response Councillor Muhammed Butt (responding on behalf of Councillor Krupa Sheth as Cabinet Member for Environment & Enforcement) advised that if details were provided he would ensure the issues raised were investigated.

(iii)      Councillor Choudry who, in commending the more collaborative approach  and work already undertaken by the new Labour government in relation to proposals for planning and infrastructure, energy and transport reform, was keen to explore how the Council would be seeking to engage and work with the new government to ensure Brent was also able to engage and take advantage of the opportunities identified.

In response, Councillor Mili Patel, as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources also commended the progress being made by the new government to deliver economic stability and growth, particularly through planning and infrastructure reform, which she felt was in direct contrast to the approach taken by the previous Conservative government.  An assurance was provided that the new proposals and reforms being introduced would be carefully studied to identify any opportunities available to support the continued delivery of housing and infrastructure across the borough, with the Council also keen to work with the new Energy Secretary to explore ways in which energy bills could be reduced through investment in greener technology.  The new governments more collaborative approach with the regions and regional Mayors was also welcomed, especially in relation to proposals seeking wider devolution of powers relation to employment skills and training.

(iv)     Councillor Mistry regarding concerns and issues being raised by businesses around Queensbury Station Parade in relation to a rough sleeper currently using the roundabout.  Whilst St Mungo’s and the Neighbourhood Manager were aware of the situation it was felt action was required to ensure the individual was provided with the necessary support and the impact on neighbouring businesses was addressed.

In response, Councillor Farah, as the Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Partnerships, advised of the need to recognise the person involved as an individual for whom he would ensure the necessary engagement and support was offered.

(v)      Councillor Lorber regarding concerns about the planning and coordination of recent road works being undertaken at the same time along Harrow Road and East Lane which had gridlocked areas across the borough, including parts of Northwick Park, Preston and Sudbury wards and caused wider transport delays.  As a result, the relevant Lead Member was asked to ensure that when future requests were made by utility companies for these types of works ward members were consulted in advance so they were aware and could highlight any potential issues in an attempt to minimise disruption and the impact on local residents and the surrounding areas.

In response Councillor Muhammed Butt (responding on behalf of Councillor Krupa Sheth as Cabinet Member for Environment and Enforcement) advised that he recognised the concerns raised, which had also been highlighted by a number of other ward councillors facing the same issues along Harrow Road.  Confirming it was current practice to inform ward councillors of these types of road works, where planned in advance, some had involved the need for emergency works for which more limited notice was available.  Work would, however, continue to ensure that as far as possible future works were coordinated with advance notice continuing to be provided via the Council’s website and via social media recognising the current level of infrastructure upgrade works being undertaken by utility companies across the borough.

(vi)     Councillor Miller regarding the difficulties he was experiencing in being able to support a family who had been placed in unsuitable temporary accommodation within his ward (with issues relating to mould, poor ventilation and lack of space) by another local authority.

In response Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, felt this highlighted the ongoing challenges being experienced by local authorities across London as a result of the current housing crisis and limited supply of temporary accommodation available.  In issues, such as the case highlighted involving safety concerns, he advised that these should be raised with the Council’s Private Sector Housing team so they could investigate and, if necessary, take the necessary enforcement action.  As a further measure, he also highlighted the introduction of the Private Sector Landlord Licensing Scheme as a means of safeguarding tenants and ensuring landlords were aware and maintained necessary standards in terms of the quality and safety of their accommodation through which enforcement action could also be taken, as required.

(vii)     Councillor Georgiou in also recognising the scale of the current housing crisis and need to increase the supply of affordable and social housing units sought details on the reasons for the 523 properties currently identified as vacant across Brent and measures being taken to bring them back into use.

In response Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, felt it important to recognise that the total number of vacant properties referred to had included the decanted units within the South Kilburn development that had been scheduled for demolition which, he pointed out, had been clarified within the response to a recent Freedom of Information Request.  Recognising the different reasons why properties may be vacant (including issues such as probate) he advised members the Council had introduced various schemes designed to incentivise landlords to bring vacant properties back into use.  This had included an increase in the Council Tax charge on empty properties, with the need to take all available measures to increase the supply of housing recognised, given the 33,000 people currently on the housing wating list.

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.