Decisions

To seek authority to award an interim contract for leasehold property insurance. The interim contract will be subject to a Section 20 consultation, following which the final contract will be awarded.

That the Corporate Director Resident Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security:

i)             Approves the interim award of contract for Leasehold Property Insurance to Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Ltd in the sum of £1,244,935.38 in the first contract year and £4,979,741.52 for a further period of four years, making a total of £6,224,676.90 over the contract period if there are no changes to the leasehold property portfolio, inflation, and / or risk levels in the market.

ii)            An interim award is required in this instance so as to commence consultation with the leaseholders via the statutory Section 20 Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, Stage 2 Notice.

Authority to award contract for general insurance services.

That the Corporate Director Finance and Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources & Reform:

i)             Approves the award of contracts for General Insurances for the duration of three years plus two years to the organisations outlined in section 2.1.1 of the accompanying report.

That the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources & Reform:

i)             Approves the pre-tender considerations set out in the report.

ii)            Approves the award of contract for Mobile Voice and Data Services to VMED O2 UK Limited (trading as Virgin Media O2) for an initial period of 3 years in the sum of £1,470,528 with the option to extend the contract by a further year.

Approval to tender for a contract for the provision of a Targeted Service that Promotes Education, Employment and Training for young people at risk of becoming NEET (not in Education, Employment or Training).

That the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools, having consulted with the Leader:

i)             Approves inviting tenders for a contract for the provision of a Targeted Service that promotes education, employment and training for young people, on the basis of the pre-tender considerations.

ii)            Approves officers evaluating the tenders on the basis of the evaluation criteria.

To seek approval to consult on the Council’s Housing Voids Lettable Standard and Repairs and Maintenance Policy.

To approve tenant consultation on the Housing Voids and Repair’s standards.

None.

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

There were no items referred from Scrutiny Committees.

None.

None.

Cabinet RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 17 July be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made at the meeting.

Apologies for absences were received from Councillor Grahl and Councillor Mili Patel.

In welcoming everyone to the meeting, Councillor Muhammed Butt (Leader of the Council) announced that due to Councillor Mili Patel having recently commenced a period of maternity leave he had appointed Councillor Tatler to cover the role of Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Reform. This would be in addition to her existing position as Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Growth.  In welcoming Councillor Tatler to her new position, the Leader also took the opportunity to congratulate Councillor Mili Patel on the recent birth of her second child and wished her and her family well.

Councillor Muhammed Butt also advised members that it was with regret he had to inform them of the death of former Councillor Ruth Moher.  In paying tribute, the Leader recognised the dedicated and compassionate way in which former Councillor Moher had served during her time in office and advised she would be deeply missed by all who knew her.

This decision seeks formal approval of Brent’s Youth Justice Plan for recommendation onto Full Council for formal adoption.

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the Brent Youth Justice Plan 2023-24 for formal sign off and adoption by Full Council on 18 September 2023.

To approve the use of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy to complete the Picture Palace Refurbishment Project.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)      To note the update on the Picture Palace refurbishment project

(2)      To approve the use of £3.3m of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy funding to complete the Picture Palace refurbishment project.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)      To note the 2022/23 Treasury Management Outturn Report and the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Strategies set out in Appendix 4-6 of the report.

(2)      To agree that the Treasury Management Outturn Report and appendices be forwarded to Full Council for approval, in compliance with CIPFA’s Code of Practice on Treasury Management.

(3)      To note that for 2022/23 the Council had complied with its Prudential Indicators which were approved by Full Council on 24 February 2022 as part of the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Capital Strategy Statement.

Cabinet NOTED the following comments made by Councillor Georgiou who had requested to speak at the meeting on the report.  In addressing Cabinet, Councillor Georgiou (as one of the local councillors representing Alperton Ward) began by welcoming the proposed additional infrastructure investment in Alperton, stating that the funding was crucial to ensure that regeneration benefitted both new and existing residents. Although recognising the positive impact that the investment could have on the parks identified, Councillor Georgiou highlighted that 40% of residents currently believed the spaces to be in a poor or very poor state and that the parks and surrounding areas experienced heightened anti-social behaviour and fly tipping.

In outlining previous attempts to improve green spaces in the area it was felt that not all of these efforts had managed to fully achieve the desired objectives.  As a result, Councillor Georgiou felt it would be important to ensure that the funding committed was designed to secure long lasting, transformative and meaningful improvements with local residents, schools and community groups such as the Wembley Central and Alperton Residents Association (WCARA) and Friends of Mount Pleasant Space all fully engaged in the decision-making process regarding use of the investment secured.

Furthermore, in highlighting previous issues concerning parks and open spaces, Councillor Georgiou suggested that the 10% budget allocation for ongoing maintenance be increased to ensure it was sufficient to cover necessary costs and ensure the long term benefit of the investment. In addition, Councillor Georgiou requested further investment in enforcement measures in the borough’s green spaces to keep the areas safe and clean. In concluding, Councillor Georgiou welcomed the investment in Alperton and expressed optimism in working with both officers and councillors to ensure that the investment resulted in significant and lasting improvements at One Tree Hill and Mount Pleasant Open Spaces.

In response, Councillor Butt (Leader of the Council) thanked Councillor Georgiou for his comments and welcomed the support expressed for the proposed additional investment, which he felt demonstrated the positive benefits arising from delivery of the Council’s regeneration programme for residents across the borough despite the financial difficulties being experienced.

Having noted the comments received, Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)      To approve £525,466 of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy funding and £100,000 of Public Health funding to design, plan and deliver improvements to One Tree Hill and Mount Pleasant Open Spaces.

(2)      To approve the engagement plan for the proposed improvement works outlined in Appendix 5 of the report.

To endorse the Brent Data Strategy and Delivery Plan.

Cabinet RESOLVED to endorse the Brent Data and Insight Strategy and the accompanying Delivery Plan set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

To request authority for Housing to go out to tender for housing maintenance services.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)      To agree the principles outlined in section 5.0 of the report.

(2)      To note the process and outcome of the consultation with members outlined in section 8.0 of the report.

(3)      To agree for Brent Housing Management (BHM) to implement option 3 (Hybrid Model) to deliver the Housing Repairs Service.

(4)      To agree the timetable for future repairs delivery actions as detailed within the report.

Cabinet RESOLVED to agree an additional £600,000 of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy funding for the infrastructure fit out costs of South Kilburn Medical Centre, subject to an amended funding agreement.

To request authority to extend a contract in respect of Independent Reviewing Officers (IRO) for Looked After Children and  Fostering Reviewing Service with Aidhour Limited.

That the Corporate Director Children and Young People:

i)             Approves an extension to the current contract with Aidhour Limited for a period of 12 months from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024 as permitted in the current contract.

ii)            Notes that there has been an increase in the total contract value by £153,600 over the 3+1 year term of the contract due to a greater than anticipated demand for services under the contract with Aidhour Limited, and the effect of an increase in hourly rates and travel costs agreed with Aidhour.

Granted

Subject to conditions agreed with the Licensing Authority

RESOLVED to confirm the appointment of Councillor Muhammed Butt as Chair and Councillor Tatler as Vice-Chair of the Trust Committee for the 2023-24 Municipal Year.

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

None.

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

None.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous Trust Committee held on Monday 5 September 2022 be agreed as a correct record, subject to the following amendment:

Reference to Friends of Barham Park Library to be amended to Friends of Barham Library.

Councillor Donnelly-Jackson declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 7 Barham Park Strategic Property Review as a Trustee of Actionspace who were an Art based Charity supporting emerging and established artists with learning disabilities that had used studio space provided through ACAVA (one of the tenant organisations in the Barham Park building).

No other interests were declared at the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mili Patel (who had commenced a period of Maternity Leave) and Councillor Tatler.

Councillor Farah was attending as a substitute for Councillor Mili Patel.

To review and consider updates to the 2013 Barham Park Trust governance document.

RESOLVED to agree the amendments to the Governance and Guidance documents as set out in Appendix A of the report.

To review the governance options available to the Barham Park Trust Committee.

RESOLVED having considered the detailed options available for the future governance of the Barham Park Trust:

(1)    To approve Option 1 (Maintain the Status Quo) as the ongoing governance model to conduct the management arrangements for the Trust.

(2)    on the basis of (1) above, to agree and confirm that it continues to be in the best interest of the charity for the local authority to remain as trustee.

(3)    That officers be requested to explore the potential establishment of a wider consultation mechanism to engage users of the park and the local community representatives, alongside other key stakeholders such as tenant organisations, on issues relating to the ongoing management of the park and its facilities.

To provide an update on the Barham Park Strategic Property Review including the position regarding the restrictive covenant relating to 776 – 778 Harrow Road.

RESOLVED to:

(1)    To note the outcomes from the architect’s feasibility study commissioned by the Council on behalf of the Trust, as detailed within the report.

(2)    To delegate authority to the Director for Environment and Leisure Services in consultation with the Chair of the Trust Committee to:

(a)    Obtain detailed costings of the preferred option presented in the architect’s report including a cost/benefit analysis and financial appraisal of the proposed scheme.

(b)    Undertake detailed analysis of the legal risks associated with the proposed scheme and the means as to their mitigation and management.

(c)    Prepare a draft investment strategy to establish the Council’s ability to fund the refurbishment proposal and prepare an outline delivery plan for consideration by the Trust.

(3)    To agree for the Director for Environment and Leisure Services in consultation with the Chair of the Trust Committee to report back the findings and recommendations to the next available Trust Committee, outlining the suggested interventions, the amount of funding required to deliver the whole Estate option being recommended by RLB, and the potential financial options that would enable delivery of the scheme.

(4)    To agree to hold in abeyance the letting/lease renewal of units 2, 7 and 8 until such time as the Director for Environment and Leisure Services has considered the viability of progressing the proposed scheme, with an update being provided at the next available Trust Committee.

(5)    Agree for the Director for Environment and Leisure Services in consultation with the Chair of the Trust Committee to negotiate in principle the variation of the restrictive covenant in respect of 776 and 778 Harrow Road for the best terms that can reasonably be obtained, subject to final approval by the Trust Committee, and any approval required by the Charity Commission under the Charities Act 2022 and 2011.

To update on operational issues at Barham Park and on current progress on the building and other projects.

Noted the verbal updates provided from the following individuals and organisations who had requested to speak at the meeting:

·             Lorna Gemmell – (representing ACAVA) highlighting the work and being undertaken through ACAVA and need to ensure meaningful consultation with all tenant organisations on further development of the Feasibility Study and Strategic Property Review on the Barham Park building.

·             Jane Ryan – (as a local artist using a studio provided through ACAVA) highlighting concerns relating to security of the Barham Park building and the impact on current users.

·             Chris Murray – (representing Young Brent Foundation) highlighting the work of the charity and supporting the concerns raised in relation to security of the Barham Park building given issues being caused by an individual persistently gaining illegal access to the property.

·             Mr J M Patel – (representing Barham Park Veterans Club) – highlighting the work of the club and links to the local community and seeking support in securing accessible access and the ongoing maintenance of the building.

·             Shivakumar Gurung – (representing Tamu Samaj UK) highlighting the work of the organisation and range of activities being offered for all sections of the local community with the request made for an extension of their lease to further support development and use of the facility.

·             Francis Henry – (representing Friends of Barham Library) highlighting the work of the organisation and seeking clarification on the potential impact relating to the outcome of the Feasibility Study and Strategic Property Review and plans to engage with current tenants within the Barham Park building.

The Chair advised that the issues raised had been noted and would be responded to as appropriate.  In moving on to then consider the General Update report it was RESOLVED to note the issues set out in the report along with the co-ordinated multi-agency approach being developed to address the security concerns which had been identified.

To present the Annual Report for the Barham Park Trust for 2022-23 in accordance with the statutory requirement to produce and Annual Report, including the Accounts each financial year.

The Trust Committee were advised that consideration of the Trust Accounts and Annual Report 2022-23 had been withdrawn from the agenda and would be resubmitted for consideration at an additional meeting of the Trust to be arranged for that purpose.