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

• Corporate Parenting Committee on Monday 14 July 2025. Link to the meeting
• Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee on Monday 14 July 2025. Link to the meeting
• Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 16 July 2025. Link to the meeting
• Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee on Monday 21 July 2025. Link to the meeting
• Pension Board on Tuesday 22 July 2025. Link to the meeting
• Audit and Standards Advisory Committee on Wednesday 23 July 2025. Link to the meeting
• Health and Wellbeing Board on Thursday 24 July 2025. Link to the meeting
• Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee on Monday 14 July 2025. Link to the meeting

This week in Brent:

Temple Jubilee Celebrations Face Licensing Hurdles

The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence for Neasden Studios, 430 High Road, NW10 2DA, for a nine-day celebration of the Willesden Temple's 50th Golden Jubilee, but the meeting was cancelled. Link to the meeting

• The plan: The application sought permission for regulated entertainment and extended opening hours (9am to 10pm) from July 5th to 13th, 2025, including plays, live music, dance performances, and recorded music.
• Safety concerns: A licensing inspector, Esther Chan, requested further information from the applicant, Mr. Ravi Bhudiya, regarding capacity, security measures, and event management plans.
• Security Shortfalls: Mr. Bhudiya stated that there would be no security checks such as a scanner or wand, and that this was the same set up as they have at the Temple.
• Holding Representation: Ms. Chan submitted a holding representation[^1] until she could propose suitable conditions once she had the documents. [^1]: A 'holding representation' is a temporary objection to a licensing application, made to allow time for further information to be gathered or concerns to be addressed.
• Community Impact: The event was expected to attract over 1500 people per session, with some evening events anticipating up to 1750 attendees. A street procession was planned for July 5th, starting at Deerhurst Road and ending at Neasden Studios.
• Risk Assessment: The event management submission pack included a risk assessment summary, which identified several hazards and control measures. The hazards included large crowds, traffic conflict, fire, medical emergencies, lost children, slips, trips, falls, noise complaints, adverse weather, electrical hazards, food safety and terror threat.

The cancellation means that the licensing sub-committee will not be able to discuss the application, and the event may not be able to proceed as planned.

Scrutiny Committee Tackles Community Wellbeing

The Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday 02 July 2025. Link to the meeting No video was provided.

Council to Debate Visitor Levy and Twinning Petition

The council is scheduled to meet on 7 July 2025 to discuss a range of issues, including petitions, questions from the public and the Brent Youth Parliament, and reports from scrutiny committees. Link to the meeting

• Visitor Levy: A key item for debate is a motion on empowering Brent with visitor levy powers to support local communities. The motion proposes that Brent Council should be granted powers to introduce a visitor levy on hotel and short-stay accommodation within the borough. It suggests that the revenue generated should be invested into transforming Brent's public realm, making Brent greener through investment in street trees and green infrastructure, enhanced street cleaning, and additional waste enforcement officers.
• Twinning Petition: Members are scheduled to consider a petition expressing opposition to Brent's twinning with Nablus, citing concerns about equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as safety and peace. The petitioners argue that the proposal to twin has not given due regard to the effects of this decision to those residents with protected characteristics. They also raise concerns about Nablus being the home of militant groups and the safety of Jewish, Christian, and LGBTQ communities.
• East Lane Theatre: Members are scheduled to consider a petition calling on the council to reconsider the rent increase of circa 5000% on the current rent of £1,500 per annum on the East Lane Theatre, a volunteer-run theatre. The petitioners argue that an affordable rent would ensure the theatre can continue to serve the community of Brent.
• Barham Park: Members are scheduled to consider a petition urging the council to listen to local residents and supporters of Barham Park and to respect the wishes of Titus Barham, who gifted his home and gardens for recreation, by upholding the covenant which prevents the building of extra houses on the site of 776/778 Harrow Road.

Upcoming Meetings

• Council on Monday 07 July 2025. Link to the meeting
• Joint Committee of the London Boroughs of Brent, Lewisham and Southwark on Tuesday 08 July 2025. Link to the meeting
• Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) on Thursday 10 July 2025. Link to the meeting
• Corporate Parenting Committee on Monday 14 July 2025. Link to the meeting
• Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee on Monday 14 July 2025. Link to the meeting
• Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 16 July 2025. Link to the meeting

This week in Brent:

Pension Fund Performance Dips Amid Market Volatility

The Brent Pension Fund Sub-Committee convened to review the fund's performance and discuss key strategic decisions. Link to the meeting A key focus was the Q1 2025-26 Investment Monitoring Report, which revealed a decrease in the fund's valuation.

• The numbers: The fund's valuation dropped to £1,310.1 million, down from £1,335.8 million at the end of the previous quarter.
• Why it matters: This dip could affect future pension payouts for Brent Council employees and retirees, impacting their financial security.
• What drove the losses: The report cited negative returns from passive global equity mandates and UK government bonds as primary factors. Rising gilt yields led to a fall in the value of UK government bonds.
• Looking ahead: The report also noted that tariffs introduced by the US President after the quarter's end led to significant falls in equity valuations, although markets have largely recovered since.

The exclusion of the press and public from discussions on the Investment Monitoring Report and the 2025 Triennial Valuation raises questions about transparency, especially given the direct impact on residents' financial futures.

Government Pension Scheme Reforms: More Control for Pools?

The sub-committee also received an update on the government's response to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) 'Fit for the Future' consultation.

• What's changing: The government is moving forward with proposals requiring funds to delegate investment strategy implementation and advice to their pools[^1], and transfer all assets to pool management. [^1]: A 'pool' is a collaboration of multiple local government pension schemes that pool their assets for investment purposes to achieve economies of scale and potentially better investment returns.
• Local investment push: The government is encouraging increased LGPS investment in the UK, particularly in local opportunities, requiring funds to set a target allocation for local investment. This aligns with the council's manifesto pledge to support local businesses and communities.
• Governance focus: New governance proposals will require partner funds to publish governance and training strategies, as well as conflict of interest policies.

These reforms could lead to greater efficiency and potentially higher returns, but also raise concerns about local control over investment decisions and the potential impact on community-based projects.

LAPFF Engagement: Holding Companies Accountable

The sub-committee received an update on the engagement activity undertaken by the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF).

• Key focus areas: The LAPFF is engaging with investee companies on water stewardship, financing of fossil fuels, governance, and nature-related risks.
• Why it matters: This engagement aims to promote higher standards of corporate governance and protect the long-term value of the pension fund, aligning with the council's commitment to responsible investment.
• Specific actions: The LAPFF is revisiting governance concerns with Vistry Group, following up on a previous discussion about decarbonisation.

This proactive approach to corporate engagement demonstrates a commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, which are increasingly important to pension fund members and the wider community.

Triennial Valuation: Setting the Stage for Future Contributions

The sub-committee agreed on the key assumptions for the 2025 Triennial Valuation, which will determine future contribution rates for employers and employees.

• Key assumptions: These include the discount rate, future investment returns, inflation, salary expectations, and longevity.
• Why it matters: These assumptions directly influence the calculation of liabilities and funding levels for the fund and individual employers, impacting the financial stability of the pension scheme.
• Actuarial advice: The sub-committee received a report from Hymans Robertson, the Fund Actuaries, outlining the proposed assumptions.

The outcome of the valuation will have significant implications for the council's budget and the affordability of pensions for its employees.

London CIV Update

The sub-committee received an update on recent developments regarding Brent's Pension Fund investments held with the London CIV.

Other Matters

• The sub-committee received an update on the provision of the LGPS online learning facility. The report noted that the government in November 2024 had published their Fit for the Future consultation, which proposed a number of new measures to enhance governance, including a focus on the training of members involved in overall strategic direction of local authority pension funds.

Upcoming Meetings

• Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 02 July 2025. Link to the meeting
• Council on Monday 07 July 2025. Link to the meeting
• Joint Committee of the London Boroughs of Brent, Lewisham and Southwark on Tuesday 08 July 2025. Link to the meeting
• Planning Committee on Wednesday 09 July 2025. Link to the meeting
• Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) on Thursday 10 July 2025. Link to the meeting

This week in Brent:

Housing Safety Concerns Trigger Regulator Intervention

Brent Council has self-referred to the Regulator of Social Housing following the discovery of significant breaches in building safety compliance. The Audit and Standards Advisory Committee heard that up to 12,500 fire safety actions were incorrectly marked as complete in the council's compliance software, True Compliance, without proper supporting evidence. Link to the meeting

• What happened: The council found it couldn't reconcile performance data on asbestos management, water safety, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• The impact: The Regulator of Social Housing has issued a regulatory notice requiring the council to address the breaches. While operating under the notice, access to grant funding for housing developments may be reduced or ceased. This could slow down the building of new affordable homes and improvements to existing ones.
• The response: The council has appointed specialists to assess compliance arrangements and develop a recovery program.

This situation echoes concerns raised in previous meetings about the accuracy of council data and the effectiveness of its risk management processes. The council's ability to provide safe and secure housing for its residents is now under scrutiny.

Alcohol Licence Sparks Debate Amid Cumulative Impact Concerns

The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee considered an application for a new premises licence for Shree Sai Krupa UK Ltd, a supermarket on Ealing Road, Wembley. Link to the meeting The application sought permission to sell alcohol between 09:00 and 23:00, Monday to Sunday. The application form describes the premises as a convenience store that specialises in party supplies.

• The issue: The shop is located within a Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ), where there is a rebuttable presumption to refuse new applications unless the applicant can demonstrate it won't worsen existing problems.
• Police concerns: PC Brendon McInnes of the Metropolitan Police stated that the police were concerned with all four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. He argued that adding another off-licence to the already busy Ealing Road would exacerbate street drinking, anti-social behaviour, and crime.
• Licensing Authority's view: The Licensing Authority noted that Kettan Patel, now company secretary for Shree Sai Krupa UK Ltd, had previously submitted a similar application in an individual capacity, which was refused on 6 February 2025. The Licensing Authority questioned whether alcohol was secondary to the business model and if granting the application would add to the cumulative impact in the area.

This decision highlights the tension between supporting local businesses and managing the negative impacts of alcohol consumption in areas already struggling with crime and anti-social behaviour.

Schools Forum Approves High Needs Budget Amid Funding Concerns

The Schools Forum approved the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs Block budgets for 2025/26, but concerns were raised about funding levels for special schools and provisions for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Link to the meeting

• The budget: The Department for Education (DfE) High Needs Block (HNB) funding was confirmed at £90.3 million for 2025/26, a £5.3 million (6%) increase from 2024/25.
• Concerns raised: Nick Cooper, Head of Special Education Needs, questioned the sustainability of the 3.4% funding increase for Special Schools and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) and noted that top-up funding rates have remained the same since 2021.
• Impact on children: With Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) having increased by 8%, along with the complexities of the children's needs, there are concerns that the funding may not be sufficient to meet the growing demand for SEND services.
• Council response: Councillor Gwen Grahl, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Schools, stated that the SEND capital investment programme was a priority, with any empty buildings that were formally educational sites to be retained for educational use.

The approved budget aims to address the increasing demand for SEND services, but the long-term sustainability of funding remains a concern, potentially impacting the quality of support available to vulnerable children.

Other Matters

• Annual Governance Statement Approved: The Audit and Standards Committee formally approved Brent Council's 2024-25 Annual Governance Statement, assuring the public that the council is managing its business properly. Link to the meeting
• Temporary Event Notice Faces Police Opposition: A temporary event notice (TEN) application for a Jamaican Independence Day celebration on Neasden Lane faced opposition from the police due to concerns about crime, disorder, and public nuisance in a Cumulative Impact Zone. Link to the meeting

Upcoming Meetings

• Brent Pension Fund Sub-Committee on Tuesday 24 June 2025 will discuss investment performance, a government consultation outcome, and the fund's triennial valuation. Link to the meeting
• Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 02 July 2025. Link to the meeting