Content

(1)   
Following the approval of an amendment
moved by the Labour Group in relation to the original Motion
submitted by the Conservative Group, the following Motion (as
amended) was AGREED:

 
“Management of Road and Utilities Work across the
borough
 
The coordination and management of the many road
works, repairs and temporary traffic lights in our borough
continues to be of importance to Brent Council to ensure cohesion
for our residents travelling around the borough.
 
The Council have listened to concerns from residents
who whilst appreciating that these works need to be carried are
apprehensive about the potential disruption this can cause to them
and continues to work with utility companies and meet with
officials regularly to ensure disruption to residents during
necessary major works is kept to a minimum.
 
The Council’s Network Management Team hold
quarterly coordination meetings with utility companies in order to
coordinate works and minimize disruption however there are times
when emergency works are required and this can unfortunately clash
with other works near the location.
 
Council is therefore asked to note that in relation
to the following concerns:
 

·            
Roadworks, though essential, cancause major traffic hold ups including in some cases gridlock,
can lead to road rage and leads to an increase in pollution, and
the Council continues to work with utility companies to prevent
major disruption arising from these major works.
 

·            
The lack of regular interaction between the various
agencies who own services beneath our streets - There is regular
interaction between the various agencies with quarterly
coordination meetings between the Council and utility companies to
discuss major works.
 

·            
The coordination of roadworks - There is
coordination to ensure that roadworks are carried out in such a
manner so they do not interact to cause further
disruption.The Council requires 10 days
notice for major works and 3 days notice for minor works. The
permitting software used will automatically identify clashes should
two sets of works be programmed in close proximity to each other
during the same time period.
 

·            
Disruption to road users - There are measures put in
place by the Council to ensure that roadworks are timed and
coordinated so as to cause the minimum disruption to road users.
However, there may be times where emergency and urgent works are
required which may clash with other scheduled works.
 
Therefore, the Cabinet Member for Environment,
Infrastructure and Climate Action is asked to ensure:
 

(1)    That, with the exception of
emergencies e.g. burst water mains, when a utility company applies
for permission to carry our road works, the Council continues its
work with utility companies to coordinate their planned works
programme to ensure minimal disruption for residents across the
borough.
 

(2)    That the Network Management Team
continues to hold quarterly coordination meetings with utility
representatives to discuss major works and assist in avoiding
clashes.
 

(3)    That companies continue to apply for
permission to carry out works and in line with the regulations of
their permit if granted must do so within a certain time frame and
if not completed on time, should be fined by the local authority in
accordance with the current Government legislation, unless an
extension is agreed.”

 

(2)    Having
been put to a vote, in accordance with Standing Order 42(l), the
Motion submitted by the Liberal Democrats Group “Making our
Borough Clean and Safe” was withdrawn from consideration at
the meeting.
 
Eligible for Call-In:
No
 

(3)    The
following Motion submitted by the Labour Group was unanimously
AGREED:
 
“Rogue
Landlords
 
This
Council notes:
 

·            
The important contribution the Private Rented Sector
(PRS) makes to the provision of housing in the borough, with
renters of private accommodation making up the largest proportion
of occupants in our borough.

 

·            
The majority of private landlords renting out
properties in Brent are good landlords who work in close
partnership with the Council.

 

·            
However, this is not the case for all landlords and
the Council is fully committed to ensure that no private rented
sector tenant is living in substandard accommodation. We believe
everyone should live in a warm and dry home.

 

·            
A recent survey by the Chartered Institute of
Environmental Health (CIEH) showing that of those officers working
on housing enforcement in the private rented sector, nine out of
ten had encountered landlords engaging in harassment or illegal
eviction, and 78% had dealt with landlords who persistently refuse
to maintain their property to a safe condition.

 

·            
That rogue landlords can have a devastating impact
on vulnerable tenants and the wider community.

 
This
Council further notes:
 

·            
The Labour Administration’s commitment to take
a zero tolerance approach to rogue landlords and to use the full
range of tools and powers at its disposal to tackle rogue
landlords.

 

·            
The case of Jaydipkumar Valand, who was found guilty
of raking in £360,000 by packing up to 40 tenants in to a
four bed semi-detached home in Napier Road, Wembley, back in 2018.
Due to the hard work of Brent enforcement officers, Valand was
issued with Brent Council’s first ever banning order which
now prevents him from letting out any houses in England or engaging
in any sort of property management work in the country for the next
five years.

 

·            
The new selective licensing scheme that the Council
introduced on 1 August to protect renters’ rights and secure
a decent standard of living for all residents. Landlords who rent
out properties in Dollis Hill, Harlesden & Kensal Green and
Willesden Green are now legally required to have a property
licence.
 
This
Council resolves:
 

·            
To do more to publicise successful legal action
against landlords and lettings agents, which will act as a
deterrent to bad landlords and raise awareness of landlords duties
and responsibilities.

 

·            
Request that the Cabinet Member for Housing,
Homelessness and Renters Security calls on the Secretary of State
for Housing, Levelling-Up and Communities to support Brent
Council’s commitment to further landlord licensing schemes in
the borough.

 

·            
Request that the Cabinet Member for Housing,
Homelessness and Renters Security calls on the UK Government to
urgently bring forward legislation to bring the Decent Homes
Standard to the private rented sector as proposed in the Renters
Reform white paper.

 

·            
To continue to work with the Mayor of London to
lobby the Government to increase funding to London and its Boroughs
for the delivery of affordable homes.”
 
Eligible for Call-In:
No