Issue - decisions

NOTED

1.     The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Public Health & Adult Social Care to a question submitted by Councillor Fraser regarding the recognition, impact and support available for residents and staff experiencing the impact of long covid.

2.     The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Schools to a question submitted by Councillor Gbajumo in relation to the support available for Looked After Children and impact of the cost-of-living crisis as part of the Council’s Corporate Parent role.

3.     The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources & Reform to a question submitted by Councillor Akram regarding the impact of the current economic position on the Council’s budget and provision of services and in highlighting the need for reform of the current system for funding local government.

4.     The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action to a question submitted by Councillor Mistry regarding the need to ensure more vigorous parking enforcement in cycle lanes along Kingsbury Road.

5.     The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action to a question submitted by Councillor Lorber regarding the consultation undertaken on introduction of a new trial recycling scheme and concerns raised in relation to implementation of new street cleaning arrangements.

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 Kansagra regarding current levels of crime recorded across the borough and specific measures in place to tackle ongoing concerns regarding knife crime.

·             Councillor Afzal regarding the positive action being taken by the Council working with the Multi-Faith Forum to recognise and welcome the diverse nature of communities across the borough and in seeking to support ongoing delivery of the recommendations made by the Poverty Commission and within the Black Community Action Plan.

·             Councillor Lorber relating to the local environmental impact of the targets within the Local Plan for the delivery of new homes across the borough.

·             Councillor Kelcher regarding the plans to ensure local residents were aware of the changes due to be implemented in relation to voter identification as a means of seeking to avoid those impacted being disenfranchised at future elections.

·             Councillor Georgiou regarding the appropriateness of Shared Ownership being included as a genuinely Affordable Housing option in the development of housing schemes across Brent.

·             Councillor Kennelly in seeking confirmation of the Council’s ongoing support for the LGBTQ+ community across the borough, particularly given its location as the home of the Football Association (FA) and national football team and in view of the stance taken by Qatar as the host nation of the FIFA World Cup.

·             Councillor Long highlighting concerns about the use of rental e-bikes on pavements across the borough.

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.

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.