Agenda item

To receive an annual report on the Borough from the Leader of the Council, in accordance with Standing Order 38.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council, to present his Annual Report on the work of the Council and State of the Borough.

Councillor Muhammed Butt opened the Annual Report by reflecting on the role of politicians and challenges faced in being able to uphold the principles and fulfil their responsibilities and duties in relation to public service.  In recognising the role played by all local councillors in seeking to make the borough the best it could be he also took the opportunity to personally reflect on the previous year and remember those former councillors who had sadly passed away for their public service in seeking to make things better, including Ruth Moher and Ramesh Patel.

Moving on, the Leader then took the opportunity to welcome and highlight the decisive change delivered following the recent General Election in the form of the first new Labour Government in 14 years, which he felt could not have come soon enough given the previous Conservative Governments record in office.  Whilst highlighting the previous Government’s failure to address the investment needed in health and public services along with the water network and energy security Councillor Muhammed Butt felt the most significant issue had been their failure to address the housing crisis and deliver as a priority the level of affordable homes required.  Outlining the challenging nature of the issues inherited by the new Labour Government, including NHS waiting times, growing housing demand and increasing reliance on foodbanks he was pleased to now be able to focus on supporting the aims of the new Labour Government in seeking to restore belief in politics as a force for good and in working to renew public services in order to support local residents, particularly those identified as more vulnerable.

In outlining the work being undertaken by the Council to support this approach the Leader commended the efforts being made to support Byron Court Primary school in seeking to oppose  forced academisation as well as invest in the health prevention and screening programmes being delivered through Brent Health Matters.  Specific reference was also made to the progress in delivery of new Social and Affordable housing schemes and developments across Brent with further schemes and investment in new neighbourhoods to be delivered in areas including Northwick Park (working in partnership with the NHS) and Neasden in an effort to attract more first-time buyers.  Whilst welcoming this progress, the Leader felt it was also important to acknowledge the fact that wealth inequality still persisted and significant challenges needing to be addressed in relation to the housing and homelessness crisis, including ongoing pressures in the supply and costs associated with the use of Temporary Accommodation (TA) to meet current levels of demand with Council’s across London currently spending £90m per month on TA just in order to meet their legal obligations and stand still.  In being clear about the ongoing financial impact on the Council, the need was identified for a fundamental change in approach to the way local government was funded, given the constraints of the current system.  Whilst the environment in which the Council was now having to operate had become more challenging he was pleased to note this had not prevented the Council from continuing to deliver in seeking to protect public services and local residents.  As examples, he referred to launch of the Don’t Mess with Brent Campaign and provision of additional enforcement activity and powers to address the dumping of rubbish and fly tipping; the work being undertaken to future proof Brent’s libraries and champion the Community Wellbeing Project as a means of providing wraparound support for more vulnerable residents facing real hardship; the continuation of the popular Community Skip initiative along with the unlocking of investment in renewable energy schemes (including Willesden Sports Centre) and planned relaunch of the Council’s Climate Emergency Strategy and work (supported by the Raheem Sterling Foundation) to tackle knife crime and remove weapons from the street through the provision of knife bins, roll out of bleed control kits and defibrillators supported through investment secure from the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit to provide support for grassroots organisations in developing a “whole village” approach to community safety, providing more youth outreach, sport and training to our young people.

In commending the work of each Cabinet Member in support of the Council’s objectives, Councillor Muhammed Butt concluded by recognising the extent of work still required to mitigate against the damage caused through the actions of the previous Conservative Government but outlined the commitment of the new Labour Government and Council in seeking to address the challenges identified and continue improving the lives of residents and to make the borough an even better place to live and work.

The Mayor thanked the Leader for his Annual Report and then advised that he would open up the debate for contributions from other members, starting with a response from the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Group.

In responding to the Annual Report, Councillor Maurice (speaking on behalf of the Conservative Group) began by challenging the basis of the £22m black hole in public finances identified by the new Labour Government and highlighted the  significantly worse fiscal position inherited by the coalition government when they had taken over from the last Labour Government in 2010.  Referring to the progress made by the previous Conservative Government in relation to the changes in schools, standards of education house building programme and delivery of Brexit he felt this needed to be contrasted with the new Labour Governments approach in terms of cutting Winter Fuel Payments for the elderly, the early examples of cronyism and inflated pay rises in support of Trade Unions highlighting the struggle faced by many small business in comparison.  On this basis he expressed concern at the approach which appeared to have been adopted by the new Labour Government and impact on residents and businesses across Brent.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Georgiou to respond on behalf of the Liberal Democrats Group. In referencing the Leaders comments regarding the decisive nature of Labour’s victory in the recent General Election he felt it important to note this had been delivered with one of the lowest turnouts in recent history and assisted by what he felt to be one of the worst performing Conservative Governments on record. Highlighting, in contrast, the performance of the Liberal Democrats he felt this meant they were now best placed to offer meaningful opposition in seeking to hold the new Labour Government to account on issues such as social care, NHS, investment in schools and action to address the climate emergency. Whilst keen to continue working with the Council’s Labour Administration and new Government, Councillor Georgiou pointed out this would involve them continuing to push as hard as possible for the change needed in order to address the significant challenges faced by the country and also local residents across the borough as a whole.

Having thanked Councillors Maurice and Georgiou for their contributions, the Mayor then moved on to open up the debate and invite contributions from other members.

Referring to the comments made by the Leader when presenting his Annual Report on the privilege in being able to serve as a local councillor, Councillor Lorber expressed concern at the fact no statement had been made regarding the current position of the Deputy Mayor, given the outcome of the recent standards investigation in relation to her conduct was due to be reported to the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee.  Debra Norman (Corporate Director of Law & Governance and the Council’s Monitoring Officer) intervened at this stage in proceedings to remind members that this was not an item included for consideration on the Council agenda with the matter due to be reported to the next Audit & Standards Advisory Committee. On this basis the Mayor was advised to continue with the debate without any further consideration of a request made by Councillor Lorber for the suspension of Standing Orders to enable further consideration of the matter.

As a final contribution to the debate, Councillor Mistry also spoke to highlight her concerns at the approach adopted by the new Prime Minister and Labour Government in relation to the way they had conducted themselves since gaining power in relation to the receipt of gifts and hospitality and cutting of Winter Fuel payments for the elderly.  The basis of the extent of the black hole in public finances which the Labour Government claimed to have inherited was also queried with reference to an independent assessment and also use of funding to provide inflated pay rises for supporters within the Trade Union movement which Councillor Mistry felt provided a more accurate reflection of the stance to be taken by the new Labour Government.

As no further members indicated that they wished to speak, the Mayor then invited the Leader to sum up and close the debate on the Annual State of the Borough Report.

Councillor Muhammed Butt began his response by reminding members of the ability for politicians to serve as a force for good in changing people’s lives and welcomed the resounding nature of the electoral victory achieved, both in terms of the re-election of the Mayor for London and change in Government, which he felt highlighted the strength of public feeling and desire for change. Focussing on Brent, he was keen to demonstrate how the Labour Administration intended to continue matching their ambition with actions including working with partners and key stakeholders to secure the necessary investment in the ongoing delivery of new homes, creation of jobs and support for local businesses.  This was alongside the work being undertaken to improve community safety, education, health and social care provision and the local environment in order to ensure the best possible outcomes for local residents and those needing support and address what he felt remained the stark inequalities across the country.  Although recognising the difficult nature of challenges faced, Councillor Muhammed Butt ended by expressing hope at what he felt to be the start of a new political era.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Muhammed Butt for his response and advised that this concluded the debate.  As a result, it was therefore RESOLVED to formally note the Annual State of the Borough Report.