Decisions

To procure consultancy services to assist the Council in undertaking feasibility reports for prospective Gypsy and Traveller sites in the borough via a framework.

That the Director Property and Assets:

i)               Approves Brent Council’s participation in a call-off procedure under Lot 1 of Construction Professional Services, Crown Commercial Services Framework RM6165 in respect of the consultancy services for the Gypsy and Traveller Site Feasibility Reports.

ii)              Confirms there is sufficient budgetary provision for the proposed call-off contract.

iii)            Approves inviting bids under the framework agreement for the Employer’s Agent and Quantity Surveyor Consultancy Services on the basis of the pre-tender considerations.

iv)            Approves officers evaluating bids on the basis of the evaluation criteria.

To request authority to vary a contract in respect of the design and build of the Additionally Resourced Provision (ARP) at Newman Catholic College with Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd.

That the Director Property and Assets:

i)               Approves the variation of the contract for the design and build of the Additionally Resourced Provision (ARP) at Newman Catholic College with Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd by £375,447.11 to deal with unforeseen ground conditions, asbestos removal and additional school requirements.

This report concerns the extension of the existing contract to continue the provision of Facilities Management (FM) services for the Council’s retained estate.

That the Corporate Director Neighbourhoods and Regeneration, having consulted with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Property:

i)               Approves the variation of the contract for Hard FM Maintenance with OCS UK&I to permit extension of the contract.

ii)              Approves the extension of the contract for a period of two years, commencing on 1 July 2026.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meetings held on Monday 4 August 2025 be approved as a correct record of the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Kelcher, Chappell (with Councillor Mahmood attending as substitute) and Jayanti Patel.

As Councillor Kelcher (Chair) had submitted his apologies for absence Councillor S.Butt (as Vice-Chair) took the chair for the meeting.

There was no other urgent business.

Granted planning permission subject to the conditions and informatives, as set out in the main committee report.

Refused the recommended granting of planning permission on for the following reason(s):

• The design of the proposed development was not considered to be in keeping with the character of the surrounding area.

Voting on the above decision was as follows: - 4 in favour of refusal & 1 in favour of granting planning permission.

In relation to Agenda Item 4: 24/2877 - 1 Walm Lane, London, NW2 5SN - the Chair advised that due to his publicly stated position against the provision of gambling establishments within the borough and to avoid any allegations of bias or pre-determination, Councillor Johnson had declared a personal disclosable interest and therefore withdrawn from the meeting for the consideration of that item.

In relation to Agenda Item 5 25/0413 – Land North of 125 Preston Road, Wembley, HA9 8NN - all members of the Committee (with the exception of Councillor Mahmood attending as a substitute) confirmed they had received an approach from the applicant and owners of  the neighbouring property (as objectors) but had not engaged in discussion or sought to take any position on the application and therefore felt able to consider the application impartially and without any form of predetermination.

No other declarations of interest were made during the meeting.

RESOLVED to confirm the appointment of Councillor Muhammed Butt as Chair and Councillor Mili Patel as Vice Chair of the Trust Committee for 2025-26.

There were no items that required the exclusion of the press or public.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mili Patel and Councillor Donnelly-Jackson for whom Councillor Rubin substituted.

To update the Barham Park Trust Committee on operational and strategic matters regarding the Barham Park Estate.

RESOLVEDyo note, following the assurances and clarification provided at the meeting, the operational and strategic updates within the report

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Tuesday 16 September 2025

None declared.

There were no items of urgent business.

It was noted that should any further meetings of the Trust Committee be required during the year these would be arranged as needed.

None.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 24 February 2025 be agreed as a correct record.

To request authority to apply for external grant funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology for a project called Brent Digital Futures and Social Value Best Practices.

That the Director Communications, Insight and Innovation, having consulted with the Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Community Power:

i)               Approves the submission of two applications for grant funding for Brent Digital Futures and Social Value Best Practices projects.

ii)              Notes the participation of the Council in the consortium application submitted by the London Borough of Ealing.

To request authority to extend a call-off contract in respect of the Car Share Service with Zipcar (UK) Ltd.

That the Director of Strategic Commissioning, Capacity Building and Engagement:

i)               Approves the extension of the call-off contract for Brent Car Share Service with Zipcar (UK) Ltd for a period of 12 months. The value of the proposed contract is £0.281m.

To request authority to Direct Award a contract for the provision of Occupational Therapy for pupils with a Brent Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

That the Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Community Development, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools:

i)               Approves the direct award of the contract for the provision of Occupational Therapy (OT) for pupils in mainstream Brent Schools, following the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Process C, for an initial period of 17 months, until 31 January 2027, in the sum of £891,111 (exclusive of VAT) to Central London Community Healthcare Trust NHS (CLCH).

There were no items of urgent business.

Prior to ending proceedings, Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) took the opportunity to formally thank Alice Lester (as Corporate Director Neighbourhoods & Regeneration) for the support provided to Cabinet and all members more widely during her time at Brent.  In recognising this would be her final Cabinet meeting prior retiring from Brent he, along with the rest of Cabinet, wished her all the best for the future and thanked her for the legacy left in terms of the programme of regeneration delivered during her time at Brent.

The tribute paid by the Leader was also supported by Councillor Benea (as Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Property) who also took the opportunity to personally thank Alice Lester for her support and to wish her all the best in her retirement.

There were no items that required the exclusion of the press or public.

There were no items referred from either the Community Wellbeing or Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committees.

There were no petitions presented at the meeting.

None identified.

Cabinet RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 28 July 2025 be approved as a correct record of the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made during the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mili Patel.

Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) also took the opportunity to welcome Jehan Weerasinghe to his first Cabinet meeting as the newly appointed Corporate Director Neighbourhoods & Regeneration.

To review and consider the way forward on the tri-borough leisure contract procurement.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To approve withdrawing Brent from the current Tri-Borough leisure procurement with Ealing and Harrow.

(2)       To commence a standalone procurement for Vale Farm Sports Centre, based on a five-year agency agreement model until 2031.

(3)    To delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Service Reform and Strategy, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Leisure, to finalise the procurement process and award the contract, subject to legal advice and the Council’s governance procedures.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 15 September 2025

To agree to the delivery of the Council Homes Acquisition Programme (CHAP) to acquire 15 homes for Temporary Accommodation, and approve the capital investment requirements for completing the acquisition and Temporary Accommodation use of the 15 properties. In addition, to delegate authority to the Director of Property and Assets, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Property, to complete the acquisition of any properties at or above the asking price.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To approve delivery of the Council’s Council Homes Acquisition Programme (CHAP) to acquire 15 homes for temporary accommodation.

(2)       To approve the total capital budget of £11,733,750 required to complete the acquisition and refurbishment of 15 properties.

(3)       To delegate authority to the Director, Property & Assets, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Property to complete the acquisition of purchases above £1m.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 15 September 2025

To present the annual report regarding complaints performance in Brent Council for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 including a focus on the nature of complaints and the learning they provide to inform Brent’s future approach to service improvement

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To note Brent’s performance in managing and resolving complaints.

(2)       To note and endorse Brent’s self-assessment against the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint handling Code as detailed within Appendix D of the report.

(3)       To approve the report being referred, as required, to the relevant Scrutiny Committee.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 15 September 2025

To update Cabinet and seek approval on the NCIL project proposals 2025-26.

Prior to considering the report, Cabinet noted the comments made by Councillors Hack and Dar (as online participants) in support of the Brent Beats and Roots project recommended for inclusion as a project for funding recognising the community driven nature of the cultural initiatives outlined within the project and focus on the borough’s Irish Heritage.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To approve the projects set out in Appendix A of the report for NCIL funding.

(2)       To note the projects that required a capital budget requirement as set out in Appendix A and Appendix B of the report.

(3)       To approve a capital budget funded from NCIL totalling £5,088,231.

(4)       To note the projects in Appendix B that had been approved under delegated authority by the Corporate Director Service Reform and Strategy.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 15 September 2025

To approve entering into an inter authority agreement between Brent, Harrow and Barnet for a Mortuary Service.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To agree that a public mortuary service should continue to be provided by Brent Council at Northwick Park on behalf of Brent, Barnet and Harrow Councils.

(2)       To delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Residents and Housing Services in consultation with the Director Law (Chief Legal Officer) and Corporate Director Finance & Resources (Chief Finance Officer) to agree and finalise the terms of the Inter Authority Agreement (as outlined within Appendix 1 of the report), and to take all necessary action to implement the proposed shared service arrangement.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 15 September 2025

To set out the outturn for the Council’s Treasury Management Activities for 2024/25.

Cabinet RESOLVED

(1)       To note the overall financial performance for 2024/25, as set out within the report.

(2)       To approve submission of the report to Full Council for approval in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's Treasury Management in the Public Services: Code of Practice.

Eligible for call-in: No (report referred to Council for final approval)

To consider the outcome of formal consultation on relocation of Islamia Primary School to Gwenneth Rickus Site.

Prior to considering the report, Cabinet noted the representatives received from Jitu Patel (as Chair of the Board of Trustees representing BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir - Neasden Temple) accompanied by Girish Patel (as a separate Trustee) and Zafar Ashraf (Executive Director - Yusuf Islam Foundation).

In highlighting the position of the Board of Trustees, Jitu Patel outlined their interest in the Gwenneth Rickus site as a key component in their long-term vision for the area along with the representations made in response to the statutory consultation and alternative offer to acquire the site from Brent Council and grant a medium-term lease to Islamia School.  As an alternative, should the decision be made to proceed with the proposed transfer of the site to the Yusuf Islam Foundation the Board of Trustees advised they would be seeking the opportunity, should the site no longer be required in future for educational purposes, for acquisition, subject to the necessary legal consents being obtained.  In seeking a way forward, it was confirmed that the Board of Trustees remained committed to working collaboratively with the Council and the Yusuf Islam Foundation to create a model of co-operation, and to promote and protect faith-based educational provision and community use.

In terms of the position outlined by Zafar Ashraf (on behalf of the Yusuf Islam Foundation), members noted the long running and extensive work undertaken to identify options for future provision of Islamia Primary School (as the only Muslim faith voluntary aided school in the borough) with the proposal, as set out in the report, therefore supported as a viable solution that would meet the needs and approval of key stakeholders.  Whilst aware of issues raised by the Board of Trustees representing BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir it was felt that these could be addressed working in collaboration including an invitation for a representative of the Board to join the Schools Governing Body as a Foundation Governor and confirmation that the new premises (subject to approval) would be made available for local community use outside of school hours for which the Foundation would be willing to engage with the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir regarding any needs they may have.

Having sought technical advice and assurance from officers at the meeting regarding the issues raised as part of the representations received and recognising the exhaustive nature of the process undertaken in seeking to identify a suitable site for relocation of the school, Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To note the outcome and analysis from the formal consultation.

(2)       To approve the proposal to relocate Islamia Primary School to the Gwenneth Rickus site on Brentfield Road as a 2FE school from 1^st September 2027.

(3)       To note that the Gwenneth Rickus site would be transferred into the name of the Yusuf Islam Foundation, who would be required to hold the site for the benefit of the Islamia Primary School. Further details in terms of ownership would be set out in a Trust Deed. This would ensure that the primary school would be protected from eviction in future.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 15 September 2025

To consider the resources required to review Brent’s development plan and proposals for streamlining of decision making.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To approve £880,000 to be added to the Local Plan budget reserve to be used for the processes to support delivery of a review of the development plan documents.

(2)       To delegate authority to the Corporate Director Neighbourhoods and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member Regeneration, Planning and Property to approve Development Plan consultation material to be issued in the stages prior to any final draft plan proposed to be submitted for examination.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 15 September 2025

To note and approve next steps to develop the council’s upcoming Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Strategy.

Prior to considering the report, Cabinet noted the representations and comments made by Mr John O’Donnell (speaking on behalf of residents from the Lynton Close Travellers site). In recognising the progress made in terms of the relationship between residents on the site and Council Mr O’Donnell outlined a number of questions in relation to the investment in Lynton Close site improvements, rent arrangements, search for additional Traveller sites in Brent and new allocations policy referred to as part of the proposed Strategy presented for consideration.

In responding to the comments raised Councillor Donnelly-Jackson (as Cabinet Member for Housing) also welcomed the more positive and meaningful process of engagement with the Traveller community at Lynton Close and highlighted the Council’s commitment to celebrating diversity and ensuring Brent remained an inclusive place for all communities.

As part of this approach, reference was made to the work undertaken with residents of the Lynton Close Traveller Site to address overcrowding and fire safety risks, alongside the clearance of unwanted bulky waste and a dilapidated playground and portacabins that were no longer fit for purpose.  It was pointed out these efforts had also been supported by a series of resident meetings (chaired by the Council’s Chief Executive) covering a range of wider issues, which had also resulted in the organisation of two community support days involving teams from the Council’s Housing, Brent Health Matters, Hubs and Council Tax services with residents (along with the wider community) being kept updated through regular, accessible communications.

Turning to development of the new Strategy, it was highlighted that this had reflected the engagement undertaken to date in partnership with Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities underpinned by an understanding of the needs being identified.  In developing the proposals and working to improve engagement, it was highlighted that the Council had also involved interest groups like London Gypsy & Travellers Association as well as other local authorities to get advice and support in order to ensure the approach outlined was based on recognised best practice.

As part of the process of engagement and in seeking to develop a better understanding of need, it was recognised that the Irish Traveller community had highlighted access to suitable accommodation and the opportunity to meaningfully shape support services as important in supporting residents’ health and wellbeing, as well as their ability to thrive in education and employment with data from the latest Census and other sources also supporting the need to improve outcomes in these areas.  This had also resulted in additional cross Council work being undertaken to ensure ownership and consistency in the approach being developed towards the delivery of improvements with the aim being to not just improve communication but also engage and listen, enabling residents (with the Council’s support) to shape their futures as well as increase wellbeing and reduce marginalisation and stigma.

In terms of the questions which had been raised, an assurance was provided that these would be responded to in detail following the meeting with initial confirmation provided that the liaison role for the Lynton Close site was already in the process of being recruited.

In recognising and supporting the efforts being made to continue and develop the process of engagement and in seeking to provide the foundation for a fairer future Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)       Endorse the proposed direction of travel to develop the Gypsy, Roma & Traveller Strategy. This included:

·            The skeleton outlined in paragraph 3.2.5 of the report.

·            The consultation and engagement approach as captured in paragraphs 3.2.24 – 3.2.27 and detailed within Appendix A of the report.

(2)       To note progress made, and endorse next steps to develop key components of the strategy (as detailed in 3.2.10 – 3.2.23 of the report), including:

·            Draft Pitch Allocation Policy as detailed in Appendix B of the report.

·            Site search – with a report detailing to be provided for Cabinet in 2026.

·            Site management approach.

(3)       To endorse the use of up to c.£500,000 capital investment from 2026/27 through the usual capital governance processes (Capital Programme Board and Cabinet) for site improvements as part of our improved approach to site management. This would be invested in priorities identified through consultation and engagement with the residents.

(4)       To endorse a reduction in the weekly pitch rate from £185.13 to £138.96.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 15 September 2025

To present the Annual Report for the Barham Park Trust for 2024/25 in accordance with the statutory requirement to produce the Annual Report, including the accounts each financial year.

RESOLVED:

(1)        To approve the Annual Report and Barham Park Trust Accounts 2024-25.

(2)        To note the Independent Examiners Review of Barham Park Trust Accounts for 2024-25.

(3)        To authorise officers to update the Charity Commission with the Barham Park Trust Annual Report and Accounts for 2024-25

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Tuesday 16 September 2025

That the Corporate Director Finance and Resources, having consulted with the Leader in accordance with paragraph 13 of Part 3 of the Constitution:

i)               Approves the award of the contract for the provision of laptops, associated products and services under Option 2 for the London Borough of Lewisham to XMA Limited in the sum of £1,636,265.00. option 2 provides laptops with a 12-month manufacturer warranty plus a 3-year extended warranty and accidental damage cover, along with a full Windows 11 upgrade and rollout support, including deployment service for all users.

To seek approval for the direct award of the contract for the Supply and Provision of Community Equipment Services for an initial period of three (3) months with an option to extend for a further three (3) months.

(1)       To note that the Corporate Director, Finance and Resources has granted an exemption from the requirement to obtain 3 written quotes for a Low Value Contract for the Supply and Provision of Community Equipment Services.

(2)       To note the pre-tender considerations as the basis for the award.

(3)       To approve the direct award of the contract for the Supply and Provision of Community Equipment Services for an initial period of three (3) months with an option to extend for a further three (3) months in the sum of £100,000 to Accora Ltd.