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Weekly updates

New Mayor Elected & Key Appointments in Brentwood

This week, the Brentwood Council held three meetings: the Planning Committee on Tuesday, 25 June 2024, the Ordinary Council on Wednesday, 26 June 2024, and the Audit, Governance and Appointments Committee also on Wednesday, 26 June 2024. Here are the key highlights and what they mean for the local community.

Ordinary Council

The Ordinary Council meeting was particularly significant as it marked the annual appointments and provided updates on recent local elections.

Appointment of Mayor and Deputy Mayor

Councillor Mark Haigh was unanimously elected as the new Mayor, with Councillor Jay Laplain appointed as Deputy Mayor. Both will serve for the 2024-2025 municipal year. These roles are vital as the Mayor represents the council at official events and the Deputy Mayor supports this function.

Committee Appointments

The council discussed and approved the size, terms of reference, and membership of its various committees. This included confirming the allocation of seats on committees to different political groups and ratifying nominations from these groups. These decisions are in compliance with the Local Government Act 1972, which sets out the powers and duties of local authorities and establishes the system of committees they use.

The Council operates a committee system form of governance and is required by law to establish certain committees and has discretion to appoint other committees to facilitate the effective conduct of business under that committee system.

Election Results

The recent local elections saw the formation of political groups within the council. The Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Stephenson, reported that the Conservative Group and the Brentwood Joint Administration Group both submitted notices, which were acknowledged by the council.

Leader's Statement

Councillor Aspinell, the Leader of the Council, extended congratulations to both re-elected members and newly elected ones. Councillor Russell, the Leader of the opposing group, responded to Councillor Aspinell's statement.

Calendar of Meetings

The council agreed on a calendar of meetings for the 2024-2025 municipal year to ensure effective and efficient decision-making.

The Calendar of Meetings enables effective and efficient decision making throughout the Municipal Year.

Members' Allowances

Discussion on members’ allowances for 2024-2025 was postponed to a later meeting.

Audit, Governance and Appointments Committee

This committee meeting focused on the appointment of senior council officers and an update on Data Protection policies.

Appointment of Tier 2 and Tier 3 Chief Officers

The committee discussed the appointment of two new senior officers as part of the ongoing OneTeam restructure, which aims to improve efficiency and reduce the council's running costs. The new posts of Executive Director (Place) and Executive Director (Growth and Homes) were advertised publicly, and the committee resolved to offer the positions to the recommended candidates.

This report seeks approval for the appointment of two chief officers … to provide leadership, direction, and support to the relevant tiers within the organisation. - Brentwood Borough Council, Appointment of Tier 2 and Tier 3 Chief Officers as part of OneTeam 26.06.24

Data Protection

The committee received a verbal update on the implementation of recommendations made by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's independent authority set up to uphold information rights. The UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018 are central to data protection law in the UK. Councillors were satisfied with the progress made.

Planning Committee

The Planning Committee meeting was held on Tuesday, 25 June 2024, but no video or transcript was provided. Therefore, we are unable to report on the specific discussions or decisions made during this meeting.

Understanding Local Government

These meetings illustrate the governance structure and decision-making processes within the council. Here are some key points:

  • Mayor and Deputy Mayor: These roles are crucial for representing the council and supporting its functions.
  • Committees: Each committee focuses on specific areas, such as governance, planning, and appointments, ensuring that decisions are made by subject experts.
  • Local Government Act 1972: This act consolidates much of the law relating to local government in England and Wales, setting out the powers and duties of local authorities.

Conclusion

The decisions made in these meetings reflect the council's ongoing efforts to improve governance, efficiency, and service delivery for Brentwood residents. Understanding these processes can help residents engage more effectively with their local government.

For more details on the meetings, you can view the full transcripts and agendas through the provided links. Stay tuned for more updates on Brentwood Council's activities and how they impact your local neighbourhood.

Brentwood Council Approves Housing Works Programme and New Asset Management Strategy

This week, the Brentwood Council held two key meetings: the Housing, Health & Community Committee on Monday, 17 June 2024, and the Assets, Projects and Strategy Committee on Wednesday, 19 June 2024. Let's delve into the highlights and explore how these meetings illustrate the workings of local government.

Housing, Health & Community Committee

The Housing, Health & Community Committee meeting covered a range of topics, from garage site reviews to the implementation of a new grounds maintenance Service Level Agreement (SLA). One of the key decisions was the approval of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Planned Works Programme for 2024-2027. This programme outlines the council's plans for maintaining and improving council housing stock over the next three years.

Key Decisions and Discussions

  1. Garage Site Reviews:

    • Councillors discussed the ongoing issues with garage sites, including security concerns and the need for better communication with ward councillors. The review highlighted the importance of making these sites more secure and potentially repurposing them for better use.
  2. Grounds Maintenance SLA:

    • The committee approved a new SLA for grounds maintenance, which aims to improve the quality and frequency of maintenance work on council-owned green spaces. This decision is part of the council's broader strategy to enhance the living environment for residents.
  3. HRA Planned Works Programme:

    • The approved programme includes significant investments in CCTV, door entry systems, and external refurbishments. This is in line with the council's commitment to improving safety and living conditions in council housing.

Assets, Projects and Strategy Committee

The Assets, Projects and Strategy Committee focused on strategic planning and asset management. One of the primary outcomes was the agreement on the principles for a new asset management strategy, which will guide the council's approach to managing its property portfolio.

Key Decisions and Discussions

  1. Asset Management Strategy:

    • The committee agreed on seven overarching principles for the new asset management strategy. This strategy will ensure that the council's assets are managed efficiently and effectively, providing maximum benefit to the community.
  2. Community Infrastructure Project Plan:

    • The committee approved a plan to audit and assess the condition of community infrastructure, such as benches and bins, starting with town centres and high streets. This is the first step in ensuring that community infrastructure is well-maintained and meets residents' needs.
  3. Asset Disposal and Lease Policies:

    • The committee discussed the principles for disposing of and leasing council assets. This includes ensuring that any disposals are done transparently and in the best interest of the community. The final policy will be presented later in the year.

Understanding Local Government

These meetings provide a glimpse into how local government operates and makes decisions that impact the community. Here are a few key points to understand:

  • Committees: Local councils are divided into committees, each responsible for different areas such as housing, health, and asset management. These committees discuss and make decisions on specific issues within their remit.
  • Service Level Agreements (SLAs): SLAs are formal agreements that define the level of service expected from a service provider. In this case, the grounds maintenance SLA sets out the standards for maintaining council-owned green spaces.
  • Housing Revenue Account (HRA): The HRA is a ring-fenced account used to manage council housing. It funds maintenance, repairs, and improvements to council properties.

Conclusion

The decisions made in these meetings reflect the council's ongoing efforts to improve services and infrastructure for Brentwood residents. By understanding the workings of local government, residents can better engage with and influence the decisions that affect their community.

For more details on the meetings, you can view the full transcripts and agendas through the provided links. Stay tuned for more updates on Brentwood Council's activities and how they impact your local neighbourhood.

Recent meetings
Committee

Assizes House Trust Fund - Wednesday, 25th September, 2024 7.00 pm

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

September 25, 2024
Audit, Governance and Appointments Committee

Audit, Governance and Appointments Committee - Tuesday, 24th September, 2024 7.00 pm

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

September 24, 2024
Clean & Green Committee POSTPONED

Clean & Green Committee - Monday, 23rd September, 2024 7.00 pm

This meeting has been postponed.

September 23, 2024
Assets, Projects and Strategy Committee

Assets, Projects and Strategy Committee - Wednesday, 18th September, 2024 7.00 pm

The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarised.

September 18, 2024
Licensing Sub-Committee

Licensing Sub Committee - Review of Premises Licence, Licensing Sub-Committee - Tuesday, 17th September, 2024 10.00 am

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

September 17, 2024
Scrutiny, Performance and Standards Committee

Scrutiny, Performance and Standards Committee - Wednesday, 11th September, 2024 7.00 pm

The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarised.

September 11, 2024
Planning Committee CANCELLED

Planning Committee - Tuesday, 10th September, 2024 7.00 pm

This meeting has been cancelled.

September 10, 2024
Housing, Health & Community Committee

Housing, Health & Community Committee - Monday, 9th September, 2024 7.00 pm

The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarised.

September 09, 2024
Licensing Sub-Committee

Licensing Sub-Committee - Application for New Premises Licence - Foureighty, Licensing Sub-Committee - Thursday, 22nd August, 2024 1.00 pm

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

August 22, 2024
Audit, Governance and Appointments Committee

Audit, Governance and Appointments Committee - Tuesday, 30th July, 2024 7.00 pm

The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarised.

July 30, 2024
Upcoming meetings

No meetings found.