Issue - decisions
the Executive
28/09/2023 - Questions from the Opposition and other Non-Cabinet Members
NOTED
1. The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Schools to a question submitted by Councillor Gbajumo regarding the examination results achieved by young people across Brent and wider steps being taken to maintain and support levels of educational attainment across the borough.
2. The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Public Health & Adult Social Care to a question submitted by Councillor Long expressing concerns regarding the impact of the recent decision by a private sector provider to seek a buyer for the GP practices they currently operated, including within Brent, both in terms of patients and the wider primary care sector across Brent and North West London.
3. The written response provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure & Climate Action to a question submitted by Councillor Dixon seeking details on the measures taken to address concerns relating to the introduction of the new Resident Parking Permit contract and transition to the new permit system. As a result of the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action having submitted her apologies for absence at the meeting no direct supplementary question was asked but in recognising the work undertaken to address the concerns identified the opportunity was also taken to highlight the need to ensure that lessons learnt, particularly in relation to engagement with local residents, were recognised.
4. The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security to a question submitted by Councillor Maurice regarding the measures taken to deal with rough sleepers in Woodcock Park and what was felt to be a delay in appropriate action being taken to address the concerns identified by local residents and other stakeholders neighbouring the park.
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 seeking clarification on the Council’s position regarding the use of Shared Ownership and its appropriateness in being classified as a genuinely Affordable Housing option in the development of housing schemes across Brent, particularly given the difference in approach between schemes such as Grand Union, Alperton and Watling Gardens.
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 Kennelly regarding the recent change in approach announced by the Metropolitan Police in no longer attending calls to a majority of mental health related incidents introduced under the Right Care Right Person scheme and the wider impact it was anticipated this would have in terms of health services and professionals across Brent along with the action being taken to address the concerns identified.
· Councillor Hirani supporting the concerns raised in relation to the delay in identifying a solution to tackle the rough sleepers in Woodcock Park and seeking details on visits undertaken by the Leader and Cabinet Member(s) and engagement with local ward councillors on any lessons learnt as a result.
· Councillor Lorber highlighting concern at the way in which the Barham Park Trust Committee held on 5 September 23 had been conducted in relation to the opportunity provided for tenant organisations and representatives of the local community to speak at the meeting and the specific treatment of the representative from Barham community Library.
· Councillor Mistry highlighting concerns regarding the problems being caused by the use of paan along Kingsbury Road and requesting the introduction of a similar approach towards prevention, education and enforcement as that implemented along Ealing Road in order to tackle the issue. Given the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action had submitted her apologies for absence, the Mayor advised that a written response would be provided on the issue raised following the meeting.
· Councillor J.Patel seeking further detail on the action being taken by the Council against Utility Companies undertaking works without the necessary permission or who were found not to have completed highway repairs to the necessary standard following the conclusion of their work, with reference as specific examples to works along Stag Lane and Kingsbury Road. Given the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action had submitted her apologies for absence, the Mayor once again advised that a written response would be provided on the issue raised following the meeting.
· Councillor Georgiou seeking details as to when the next scheduled update in relation progress on theNew Council Homes Programme would be available.
Eligible for Call-In: No
17/07/2023 - Questions from the Opposition and other Non-Cabinet Members
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 Choudry regarding the enforcement work being undertaken to tackle blue badge theft and fraud and how best to report concerns.
2. The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security to a question submitted by Councillor Kennelly in relation to the work being undertaken with Housing Associations and other housing providers to tackle cases of mould and damp in properties and support available from the Council to assist in holding providers to account.
3. The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Cabinet Member for Safer Communities and Public Protection and Cabinet Member for Public Health and Adult Social Care to a question submitted by Councillor Chan regarding the work being undertaken by the Council to address gambling as a public health issue as well as in terms of anti-social behaviour linked to the increase in adult gaming centres.
4. 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 rationale behind the approach taken to the implementation of proposals arising from the review of the housing estate caretaking service and associated impact on service charges and costs, which it was felt required further scrutiny.
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 the current approach towards the payment of carers allowances under the Members Allowance Scheme.
· Councillor Lorber regarding the commitment towards the Neighbourhood Planning process and application of policies adopted as a result through the planning process.
· Councillor Kennelly highlighting concern at the recent vandalism of commemoration tree planted by the Association of Jewish Refugees in Preston ward and action being taken to protect and prevent any further damage in future.
· Councillor Mistry seeking assurance in relation to the Council’s policy on the collection of rent from vulnerable residents living within Supported Accommodation.
· Councillor Kelcher regarding the Council’s commitment to continue supporting the improvement and development of parks and open spaces, including those located across Harlesden and Kensal Green ward such as Bramshill Road Park.
· Councillor Long relating to accessibility of the details and information being provided on the Landlord Selective Licensing Scheme.
· Councillor Jayanti Patel regarding the measures being taken to tackle and enforce against illegal footway parking along Kingsbury Road and around Kingsbury Circle.
· Councillor Georgiou regarding the appropriateness of Shared Ownership being classified as a genuinely Affordable Housing option in the development of housing schemes across Brent and rationale behind the approach being to the disposal of 23 properties in Alperton due to be considered by Cabinet on 17 July 2023.