Subscribe to updates

You'll receive weekly summaries like the ones below about this council every week.

If you have any requests or comments please let us know at community@opencouncil.network. We can also provide custom updates on particular topics across councils.

AI Generated

Weekly updates

Student Housing Approved: Brent Council News & Updates

This week in Brent:

Student Accommodation Approved Despite Objections Over Height and Community Impact

The Planning Committee has approved a planning application for the demolition of the existing Matalan Discount Club building on Cricklewood Broadway and the erection of two buildings ranging from 3 to 9 storeys, despite concerns from local residents about the height and impact on the community. Link to the meeting

  • The Proposal: The development includes 826 student bed spaces, with 35% designated as affordable student accommodation. It also features commercial floorspace on the ground floor and a publicly accessible pedestrian street.
  • Resident Concerns: Ben Tansley, representing the Northwest 2 Residence Association, argued that the nine-storey frontage on Cricklewood Broadway is a bleak mass that is greatly in excess of anything else fronting the Broadway. He stated that the development is not in accordance with the local plan, which favours development of the site with heights of up to five storeys.
  • Applicant Response: Mark Pender, the applicant's planning consultant, stated that the consented residential scheme was no longer viable due to changes in market conditions. He argued that the student accommodation scheme is policy compliant, has green credentials, and could potentially free up 740 existing Brent homes occupied by students.
  • Officer Assessment: Planning officers recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to referral to the Mayor of London and the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement1. They stated that the development would cause 'less than substantial harm' to the identified heritage asset, and that the public benefits were considered to clearly outweigh this limited level of harm.
  • Committee Decision: The committee voted to approve the application, with some members expressing concerns about the height and massing of the development. Councillor Saqib Butt stated that the development was not policy compliant and that he did not give the same weight to the officer's assessment. Councillor Ajmal Akram cited policy D9 on tall building design and breaches regarding the 30 and 45 degree angles as reasons for voting against the application. Councillor Liz Dixon stated that the development did not meet a Brent need and breached regulations around privacy, overlooking, and internal quality.

The approval of this application highlights the tension between the need for housing and the desire to protect the character of local neighbourhoods. The decision could have a significant impact on residents living near the development, particularly those on Temple Road and in the Railway Terraces Cricklewood Conservation Area.

HMO Approved in Willesden Green Despite Resident Concerns

The Planning Committee has approved an application for the conversion of a dwellinghouse to a 7-bedroom, 8-person house in multiple occupation (HMO) at 81 Balmoral Road in Willesden Green, despite strong objections from local residents and a ward councillor. Link to the meeting

  • The Proposal: The application includes a rear dormer extension, new patio doors, and the installation of refuse and cycle storage in the front garden.
  • Resident Objections: Tanya Payne, speaking on behalf of multiple households, raised concerns about noise nuisance, HMO concentration, and the risk of exacerbating existing antisocial behaviour issues. She stated that the HMO concentration diagram was inaccurate and that the Brent data understated the number of HMOs in the area due to the lapse of the additional licensing scheme.
  • Ward Councillor Concerns: Councillor Janice Long objected to the application, stating that there seemed to be an overabundance of HMOs in the area and that the decision would not protect the supply of family housing.
  • Applicant Response: Peter Lee, the applicant, stated that the property was underutilized and that the HMO would be managed by a professional company with strict rules against antisocial behaviour. He also stated that he would look into internal sound insulation.
  • Officer Assessment: Planning officers recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to the completion of a Unilateral Undertaking under Section 106 of Town and Country Planning Act to secure a payment of £4,500 for the provision of a bike hangar to be sited on the public highway within the vicinity of the site.
  • Committee Decision: The committee voted to approve the application.

The approval of this application raises concerns about the potential impact on the quality of life for residents in the area, particularly those living in close proximity to the HMO. The decision also highlights the challenges of balancing the need for housing with the desire to maintain stable and balanced communities.

House Extension Approved in Queen's Park Conservation Area

The Planning Committee has approved an application for a single-storey side-to-rear extension, basement extension with front and rear lightwells, and replacement of existing timber windows at 82 Chevening Road, located within the Queen's Park Conservation Area. Link to the meeting

  • The Proposal: The application sought to provide additional extensions and alterations to a previously approved application.
  • Agent Statement: Alistair Newton, the agent for the application, stated that the proposal was limited in scope beyond that of the current consent and did not differ from other approved and constructed extensions in the local area.
  • Officer Assessment: Planning officers recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions including materials to match existing, tree protection measures, landscaping, a Construction Management Plan, and Non-Road Mobile Machinery2. They stated that the proposal would preserve the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and would not result in a harmful impact on neighbouring amenities.
  • Committee Decision: The committee voted to approve the application.

This decision suggests that the council is willing to approve extensions in conservation areas as long as they are in keeping with the character of the area and do not have a harmful impact on neighbouring amenities.

Upcoming Meetings

  • Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee on Tuesday 19 August 2025. Link to the meeting
  • Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee on Tuesday 19 August 2025. Link to the meeting

  1. A Section 106 agreement is a legally binding agreement between a local planning authority and a developer, used to mitigate the impact of a development on the community. ↩

  2. Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) refers to a wide range of mobile machines and equipment used in construction, demolition, and other industries that are powered by internal combustion engines. ↩

Brent: Police object to late-night alcohol sales, homelessness costs rise

This week in Brent:

Police Object to Late-Night Alcohol Sales at One Stop Caribbean

A temporary event notice (TEN) application for One Stop Caribbean, a shop on High Street, NW10, to extend its hours for licensable activities during the August bank holiday weekend is facing strong opposition from the Metropolitan Police. The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to consider the application on Wednesday. Link to the meeting

  • The plan: Ms. Sophia Dixon applied for two TENs to extend the sale of alcohol and regulated entertainment from 11pm to 2am on 22-23 August and 25-26 August, with a maximum of 80 people present.
  • Police concerns: PC Phil Graves, Licensing Constable, objects to both TENs, citing concerns related to all four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm1.
  • Past breaches: PC Graves stated that a previous TEN granted to the venue was breached, and police were refused entry, which he stated is an offence under section 179 of the Licensing Act 2003.
  • Carnival chaos: PC Graves stated that the High Street and Craven Park Road had been turned into a public order nightmare during the Notting Hill Carnival weekend, with unregistered street trading, unauthorised sales of alcohol, unauthorised regulated entertainment and mass disorder.
  • Venue's response: Ms. Dixon stated that the public order incident was unrelated to One Stop Caribbean, and that the venue was overwhelmed by people seeking refuge after the police closed the surrounding area. She stated that the venue had ended its relationship with the security firm employed at the time, and that future TENs would be supported by a fully vetted security team.

The sub-committee will need to weigh the potential economic benefits of the extended hours against the police's concerns about public safety and disorder, especially given the venue's past history and the potential for disruption during the busy bank holiday weekend.

School Amalgamation Approved Despite Financial Concerns

Brent Council's Cabinet has approved the amalgamation of Mallory's Infant School and Mallory's Junior School, located in Bronzebury Park, following a formal consultation. The schools will merge to become Mallory's Primary School, catering for children aged 3 to 11. Link to the meeting

  • Rationale: The decision includes the closure of the junior school, expansion of the infant school's age range, and a commitment to retain the junior school land for educational use.
  • Support: Angus Hisslop, the vice chair of Mallory Schools Federation, expressed strong support for the amalgamation, highlighting the opportunity for a rebuild of the school with Department for Education (DfE) funding.
  • Staffing assurances: Councillor Gwen Grahl, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Schools, addressed concerns about potential staffing cuts, assuring that no redundancies are expected as a result of the amalgamation.
  • Financial challenges: The schools will lose a lump sum worth about 5% of their combined expenditure.

While the amalgamation is expected to bring long-term benefits, the immediate financial challenges and the reliance on DfE funding for a rebuild raise questions about the sustainability of the plan.

Council Grapples with Rising Homelessness Costs and Budget Gap

Brent Council's Cabinet reviewed the council's financial performance, noting the overall financial position for the 2024-25 financial year. Despite delivering a balanced general fund outturn2, there was a £15.5 million overspend across all services, primarily due to rising homelessness costs. Link to the meeting

  • Financial pressures: The council faces a £30 million budget gap over the next three years, with pressures in adult social care, children's services, and housing.
  • Homelessness crisis: Councillor Fleur Donnelly-Jackson, Cabinet Member for Housing, noted the stark statistics around homelessness and the need to explore every avenue for securing housing.
  • Temporary recruitment: The cabinet approved the award of a contract for temporary recruitment managed services to Reed Specialist Recruitment Ltd for five years, with an option for a two-year extension, to provide access to a reliable agency staff workforce while reducing dependency on agency costs.
  • Affordable housing: The cabinet discussed the council's commitment to delivering 5,000 genuinely affordable homes by 2028, with 1,700 directly delivered by the council.

The council's financial challenges and the rising cost of homelessness could lead to difficult decisions about service cuts and resource allocation, potentially impacting vulnerable residents.

Other Matters

  • The cabinet approved the appointment of new board members to housing companies i4B Holdings Ltd and First Wave Housing Ltd. Link to the meeting
  • The cabinet approved the allocation of up to £14.533 million of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) funding to support infrastructure improvements in highways, parks, and CCTV. Link to the meeting
  • The cabinet approved the commencement of a tender process to appoint charging point operators to supply, install, operate, and maintain electric vehicle charge points in Brent. Link to the meeting

Upcoming Meetings

  • Planning Committee on Monday 04 August 2025 to discuss planning applications, including student accommodation on Cricklewood Broadway and a house in multiple occupation in Willesden Green. Link to the meeting

  1. The licensing objectives are set out in the Licensing Act 2003, and licensing authorities must promote them when making decisions about licensing applications. ↩

  2. A general fund is a fund that is used to account for most of a government's financial resources and obligations. ↩

Brent: Housing Safety Breaches, Navratri Noise, School Worship

This week in Brent:

Council Faces Scrutiny Over Housing Safety Failures

Brent Council is under pressure after self-reporting significant breaches in building safety compliance to the Regulator of Social Housing. The Audit and Standards Advisory Committee heard that thousands of fire safety actions were incorrectly marked as complete in the council's compliance software, True Compliance, without proper evidence. Link to the meeting

  • The scale of the problem: Up to 12,500 fire safety actions were falsely recorded as complete.
  • Potential consequences: The Regulator of Social Housing has issued a regulatory notice, potentially restricting access to grant funding for new housing developments and improvements. This could disproportionately affect vulnerable residents relying on affordable housing.
  • Data integrity questioned: The council struggled to reconcile performance data on asbestos management, water safety, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This raises serious questions about the reliability of council data and its ability to effectively manage risks.
  • Corrective action: The council has hired specialists to assess compliance and develop a recovery program.

This incident highlights the critical importance of accurate data and robust risk management in ensuring the safety and well-being of residents, particularly those in social housing.

Navratri Celebrations at Alperton Studios Face Noise Objections

The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to consider a new premises licence for Alperton Studios, 416 Ealing Road, to host Navratri celebrations, but faces objections due to noise concerns. Link to the meeting

  • The event: Jaz Walia applied for a temporary licence between 22 September and 1 October 2025, for regulated entertainment and late-night refreshment, expecting 1,500 attendees each night for the Hindu festival Navratri1.
  • Noise concerns: Tim Rolt, Planning Enforcement Manager at Brent Council, objected, citing a prior planning enforcement notice due to noise from last year's event. He stated that granting the licence would facilitate the criminal act of breach a planning enforcement notice and cause undue noise and disturbance and loss of amenity to neighbouring residents.
  • Resident impact: A local resident complained of loud, constant noise last year, leading to sleep deprivation and inability to work.
  • Police agreement: PC Phil Graves, Brent Licensing Officer for the Metropolitan Police Service, initially made representations, but withdrew them after agreeing conditions with Jaz Walia, including CCTV, security, and no alcohol sales.
  • Conditions proposed: Proposed conditions included a maximum of 1500 attendees, SIA-licensed staff, CCTV, a medical area, and a sound management plan.

The sub-committee is scheduled to consider these objections and proposed conditions to determine whether the licence should be granted, balancing cultural celebrations with residents' right to peace and quiet.

Primary Schools Seek Exemptions from Christian Worship Requirement

The Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) met to consider determination applications from several primary schools seeking exemptions from the requirement that collective worship be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character under the Education Act 1996. Link to the meeting

  • Diverse communities: Fryent Primary School, Kingsbury Green Primary School, Leopold Primary School, Park Lane School, Roe Green Junior School, and Wykeham Primary School all cited their diverse, multicultural communities as justification for adopting a multi-faith approach to collective worship.
  • SACRE's role: SACRE is responsible for advising the council on matters relating to religious education and collective worship in schools.
  • Curriculum updates: Nadia Nadeem, SACRE Advisor, provided updates on teaching a decolonised RE curriculum, ensuring RE isn't 'Green washed', making the RE curriculum accessible to neurodiverse pupils and teachers, and the use of AI in the RE curriculum.

This highlights the ongoing efforts to ensure that religious education and collective worship in Brent schools reflect the diversity of the borough's population.

Health Board Grapples with SEND Challenges and ICB Reforms

The Health and Wellbeing Board discussed a range of critical issues, including SEND inspection outcomes, primary care transformation, and the impact of Integrated Care Board (ICB) reforms. Link to the meeting

  • SEND inspection: While Brent received a positive SEND inspection outcome, concerns were raised about lengthy waiting lists for neurodevelopmental assessments and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
  • Primary care transformation: The board received an update on efforts to address challenges facing general practice, tackle health inequalities, and improve access to primary care.
  • ICB reforms: The board discussed the government's announcement of cuts to ICB operating costs and the potential merger of ICBs, highlighting the importance of local government as a key partner in the reformed system.
  • Better Care Fund: The board ratified the Better Care Fund Year-End 2024-25 report and discussed plans for 2025-26, noting that growth received has been lower than in previous years.

These discussions underscore the complex challenges facing Brent's health and social care system, particularly in ensuring timely access to services for vulnerable children and young people.

Other Matters

  • The Senior Staff Appointments Sub-Committee met on Wednesday 23 July 2025. Link to the meeting No video was provided.
  • The Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee was scheduled to meet to discuss updates to the Welsh Harp Management Plan from both the London Borough of Brent and the London Borough of Barnet, as well as receive an update from the Canal & River Trust. Link to the meeting

Upcoming Meetings

  • Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee on Wednesday 30 July 2025 to consider a temporary event notice (TEN) application for One Stop Caribbean. Link to the meeting
  • Planning Committee on Monday 04 August 2025. Link to the meeting
  • Cabinet on Monday 28 July 2025 to discuss financial performance, housing, school organisation, public realm improvements and electric vehicle charging. Link to the meeting

  1. Navratri is a Hindu festival spanning nine nights and ten days, celebrated in the autumn every year. ↩

Navratri Noise Objections, Shop Licence Review, & Recycling

This week in Brent:

Navratri Celebrations Face Noise Objections

The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence for Alperton Studios, 416 Ealing Road, to host Navratri celebrations, but faced objections due to noise concerns. Link to the meeting

  • The event: Jaz Walia applied for a temporary licence between 22 September and 1 October 2025, for regulated entertainment and late-night refreshment, expecting 1,500 attendees each night for the Hindu festival Navratri1.
  • Noise concerns: Tim Rolt, Planning Enforcement Manager at Brent Council, objected, citing a prior planning enforcement notice due to noise from last year's event. He stated that granting the licence would facilitate the criminal act of breach a planning enforcement notice and cause undue noise and disturbance and loss of amenity to neighbouring residents.
  • Resident impact: A local resident complained of loud, constant noise last year, leading to sleep deprivation and inability to work.
  • Police agreement: PC Phil Graves, Brent Licensing Officer for the Metropolitan Police Service, initially made representations, but withdrew them after agreeing conditions with Jaz Walia, including CCTV, security, and no alcohol sales.
  • Conditions proposed: Proposed conditions included a maximum of 1500 attendees, SIA-licensed staff, CCTV, a medical area, and a sound management plan.

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider these objections and proposed conditions to determine whether the licence should be granted, balancing cultural celebrations with residents' right to peace and quiet.

Shop Faces Licence Review After Closure Order

The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to review the premises licence for Essentials, a shop on Church Lane, after the Metropolitan Police obtained a closure order due to concerns about crime and disorder. Link to the meeting

  • Closure order: The shop is currently subject to a three-month closure order, prohibiting access to the premises until 1 October 2025.
  • Licensing objectives: The review was triggered by concerns about the prevention of crime and disorder, public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.
  • Potential actions: The sub-committee could modify the licence conditions, exclude licensable activities, remove the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), suspend the licence, or revoke it entirely.
  • Licence conditions: The existing licence includes mandatory conditions such as age verification, minimum alcohol pricing, and a DPS requirement, as well as additional conditions related to CCTV, staff training, and incident logging.
  • Exclusion of public: The sub-committee was scheduled to consider excluding the press and public from the meeting due to the sensitive nature of the police representations.

This review highlights the council's commitment to addressing crime and disorder issues in the borough, even if it means potentially impacting a local business.

Corporate Parenting Committee Focuses on Children in Care

The Corporate Parenting Committee was scheduled to discuss several reports concerning the welfare and care of children and young people in Brent. Link to the meeting

  • Annual Corporate Parenting Report: The committee was scheduled to consider the Annual Corporate Parenting Report 2024-2025, which fulfils the council's statutory obligation to report on outcomes for looked after children and care leavers.
  • Annual Looked After Children Health Report: The Corporate Parenting Committee was scheduled to receive the Annual Looked After Children Health Report 2024/25, which provides information on the health needs of children in care in Brent and the services provided to them.
  • Annual Independent Reviewing Officer Report: The committee was scheduled to discuss the Annual Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) Report 2024-2025. The report informs the Corporate Parenting Committee about the contribution of IROs to quality assuring and improving services for children who are looked after.
  • Update from Brent Care Journeys 2.0 Representatives: The committee was also scheduled to receive an update from representatives of Brent Care Journeys 2.0 (BCJ 2.0). This was scheduled as an opportunity for members of BCJ 2.0 to provide feedback on recent activity.

Recycling Rates Rise, Contamination Remains a Challenge

The Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to receive an update on recycling performance in Brent. Link to the meeting

  • Upward trend: Brent's recycling rate has improved from 24.8% to 33.8%.
  • Food waste improvement: Collected food waste has seen a 6.9% improvement due to expanded collection from flats and promotion to kerbside properties.
  • Contamination issues: A sharp increase in contaminated waste occurred in October 2023 with the introduction of separate collection of paper and card, although this has since decreased.
  • Simpler Recycling: Local authorities will be required to collect core recyclable waste streams from all households in England by March 2026, and kerbside plastic film collections from businesses, relevant non-domestic premises, and households will need to be introduced by 31 March 2027.

Other Matters

  • The Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss Brent's overall financial position, including the financial outturn position for 2025/26, the Q1 financial forecast for 2025/26, and the medium-term financial outlook. Link to the meeting

Upcoming Meetings

  1. Navratri is a Hindu festival spanning nine nights and ten days, celebrated in the autumn every year. ↩

Brent Votes on Nablus Twinning, Smartphone Concerns Raised

This week in Brent:

Council Approves Nablus Twinning Amidst Community Division

Brent Council has voted to proceed with its twinning arrangement with Nablus, despite significant community concerns and a petition against the decision. Link to the meeting

  • Concerns raised: Critics, including Ian Collier, who presented the petition, cited Nablus's association with militancy and terrorism, arguing that the twinning does not reflect the values of the borough. Collier stated, Nablus is a hotbed of militancy, of hatred, of racism, of terrorism and is the home of the notorious Lion's Den terror group.
  • Council's response: Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of the Council, acknowledged the concerns but emphasized that the twinning is about peace and cultural exchange. He also committed to a live and continuous equalities impact assessment.
  • Community impact: The decision has sparked division within the borough, with some residents expressing fears that it favors one group over another. Councillor Suresh Kansagra, Leader of the Conservative Group, moved a motion for a consistent, fair, and inclusive process for international partnerships, addressing concerns raised by the Nablus twinning.
  • Motion outcome: A Labour amendment was carried, emphasizing the council's commitment to equalities and community cohesion. The substantive motion, as amended, was then carried.

This decision underscores the challenges of balancing international solidarity with local community cohesion, particularly in a diverse borough like Brent.

Smartphone Motion Aims to Protect Children

Brent Council has approved a motion to tackle smartphone use among children, aiming to improve their outcomes. Link to the meeting

  • The problem: Councillor Rita Begum, who moved the motion, highlighted the excessive amount of time children spend on smartphones, with UK teens averaging 35 hours per week. She also noted the link between smartphone use and cyberbullying.
  • The solution: The motion proposes a joined-up approach between schools, parents, community organizations, and the local authority to inform, educate, and empower teachers and protect children from the harms of excessive screen time.
  • Concerns raised: Councillor Sunita Hirani raised concerns about the cost of implementing the motion.
  • Motion outcome: Despite concerns, the motion was carried, signaling a commitment to addressing the potential negative impacts of smartphone use on children's wellbeing and academic performance.

This initiative reflects a growing awareness of the need to balance the benefits of technology with the potential risks to children's development.

Street Cleanliness Motion Fails to Pass

A motion to address street cleanliness and antisocial behaviour, moved by Councillor Charlie Clinton, failed to pass. Link to the meeting

  • The issue: Councillor Clinton criticized the council's current efforts, arguing that streets are filthier than ever and antisocial behaviour is on the rise.
  • Proposed solutions: The motion suggested solutions that have been proven to work in other boroughs, as well as suggesting where the money can come from.
  • Amendment: Councillor Kansagra proposed an amendment requiring consultation and an impact assessment before introducing a local tourist tax to fund the improvements.
  • Motion outcome: Councillor Clinton accepted the amendment. The substantive motion, as amended, was lost.

This outcome suggests a lack of consensus on the best approach to tackling these persistent issues, leaving residents concerned about the cleanliness and safety of their neighbourhoods.

Other Matters

  • New Deputy Mayor Appointed: Councillor Ryan Hack, Mayor of Brent, announced the appointment of Councillor Narinder Singh Bajwa as the new Deputy Mayor. Link to the meeting
  • Delivery Rider Protection: A motion to protect delivery riders and pedestrians in Brent, introduced by Councillor Ethapemi, was carried. Link to the meeting
  • East Lane Theatre Petition: The council heard a petition to save the East Lane Theatre, but cited financial challenges. Link to the meeting
  • Barham Park Petition: The council heard a petition to save Barham Park, but defended its actions. Link to the meeting

Upcoming Meetings

Recent meetings
Planning Committee

Planning Committee - Monday 4 August 2025 6.00 pm

The Brent Council Planning Committee met on Monday to discuss planning applications for a student accommodation complex, a house in multiple occupation (HMO), and house extension. The committee approved all three applications, with the student accommodation decision generating the most debate.

August 04, 2025
Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee

Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee - Wednesday 30 July 2025 2.30 pm

The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee of Brent Council met on Wednesday 30 July 2025 to consider a temporary event notice (TEN) application. The meeting was held as an online virtual meeting. Councillor Parvez Ahmed, Chair of the Licensing Committee, Councillor Janice Long and Councillor Lesley Smith were in attendance.

July 30, 2025
General Purposes Committee CANCELLED

General Purposes Committee - Monday 28 July 2025 9.30 am

This meeting has been cancelled.

July 28, 2025
Cabinet

Cabinet - Monday 28 July 2025 10.00 am

The Brent Council cabinet met on 28 July 2025 and made decisions on a number of key issues, including approving the amalgamation of two schools, addressing financial challenges, and investing in public infrastructure. The cabinet approved recommendations relating to the 2024/25 financial outturn, the medium-term financial outlook, and the Q1 financial forecast for 2025/26. They also approved a plan to allocate Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) funding to improve highways, parks, and CCTV, and agreed to seek tenders for electric vehicle charging points.

July 28, 2025
Health and Wellbeing Board

Health and Wellbeing Board - Thursday 24 July 2025 6.00 pm

The Brent Health and Wellbeing Board met on 24 July 2025, noting the positive findings of the recent Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) inspection, discussing primary care transformation, and receiving an update on the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The board also discussed upcoming changes to the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and ratified the Better Care Fund (BCF) year-end report.

July 24, 2025
Audit and Standards Advisory Committee

Audit and Standards Advisory Committee - Wednesday 23 July 2025 6.00 pm

The Audit and Standards Advisory Committee met on 23 July 2025, and among the topics discussed were the council's treasury management performance, an update on the procurement review, and emergency preparedness. The committee agreed to note the key recommendations of the Procurement Review and the establishment of the Procurement Improvement Programme, and requested a further progress update in six months. The committee also approved the submission of the Treasury Management Outturn Report to the cabinet.

July 23, 2025
Senior Staff Appointments Sub-Committee

Senior Staff Appointments Sub-Committee - Wednesday 23 July 2025 12.45 pm

We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.

July 23, 2025
Pension Board

Pension Board - Tuesday 22 July 2025 6.00 pm

The Brent Pension Board convened to discuss key aspects of the fund's performance, administration, and future strategy. The board noted the overall positive state of the fund, highlighting its strong valuation, cash-flow positivity, and good investment returns, while also addressing areas needing attention, such as help desk performance and employer representation.

July 22, 2025
Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE)

Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) - Tuesday 22 July 2025 5.00 pm

The Brent Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) met on Tuesday 22 July 2025 to discuss several items, including the election of a chair and vice chair, and determination applications from six local primary schools. The meeting also included a general RE update and a NASACRE [^2] update.

July 22, 2025
Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee

To be hosted as an online meeting by the London Borough of Brent, Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee - Monday 21 July 2025 6.00 pm

The Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee met on 21 July 2025 to discuss updates to the Welsh Harp Management Plan from both the London Borough of Barnet and Brent Council, as well as an update from the Canal & River Trust. The committee was also scheduled to elect a chair and vice-chair for the 2025-26 municipal year. The meeting was held online and was available for the press and public to follow via a live webcast.

July 21, 2025
Upcoming meetings
Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee

Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee - Tuesday 19 August 2025 2.00 pm

August 19, 2025
Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee

Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee - Monday 1 September 2025 10.00 am

September 01, 2025