The Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee meeting on Wednesday 29 July 2026 focused on the council's financial position, highway maintenance, and the revitalisation of high streets. Key discussions included the significant overspend in temporary accommodation, the challenges of funding highway repairs, and strategies for improving the borough's town centres.

Financial Position and Budget Update

The committee reviewed the council's financial outturn for 2025-26, the Q1 forecast for 2026-27, and the medium-term financial outlook. Councillor Graal, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, presented the report, highlighting the ongoing pressures of rising demand for statutory services, high inflation, and the housing crisis. The council has faced significant overspends, particularly in temporary accommodation (£11.7 million in 2025-26) and the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), with an £18.2 million deficit forecast. While the council has strengthened financial controls and is rebuilding reserves, the current level of reserves is a concern, with only £20 million available against a potential £9.5 million overspend forecast for the current financial year. The committee noted that while the government has committed to covering 90% of eligible high-needs deficits, the ongoing growth of these deficits and the lack of a clear long-term funding solution from central government remain significant risks.

Highway Maintenance and Investment

A substantial portion of the meeting was dedicated to the council's approach to highway maintenance. Councillor Promise Knight, Cabinet Member for Cleaner Streets, Transport and Public Realm, introduced a report detailing the shift from reactive repairs to a planned, preventative asset management approach. Despite significant investment in recent years, including £35 million on footways and highways, residents continue to express dissatisfaction with road conditions. Officers explained that current funding levels are insufficient to address the extensive backlog, estimated at £180 million for footways alone, with full resurfacing costs potentially reaching £250 million.

Concerns were raised about the effectiveness and cost of the current pothole repair contract with Velocity, particularly regarding the spray injection method. Councillors questioned whether alternative methods and in-house repair options had been sufficiently explored and whether the costings were accurate. The council acknowledged that while they aim to repair all reported defects, only approximately 35% of medium-priority defects can be funded due to budget constraints. The committee requested further information on ward-by-ward highway condition data and investment allocation to assess equity and need. A recommendation was made to continue using Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) funding for highway improvements and to explore potential funding from Transport for London (TfL) for bus lane maintenance. The committee also noted the importance of communication with residents regarding repair schedules and the rationale behind maintenance decisions.

Revitalising High Streets

The committee discussed strategies for revitalising Brent's high streets, with a focus on addressing anti-social behaviour, improving local economies, and enhancing community engagement. Councillor Anderson highlighted that the emerging high street strategy would aim to create destinations by celebrating local culture while also tackling issues such as drug use, street drinking, and environmental cleanliness. The strategy will seek to foster local jobs, business growth, and apprenticeships, with examples of existing initiatives like the Brent Hairdressing Academy and Brent Start being cited.

Discussions also touched upon the need to ensure that all neighbourhoods, including areas like Stonebridge, benefit from regeneration efforts. The strategy aims to be collaborative, involving residents and businesses in its development. Concerns were raised about the long-term vacancy of commercial premises and the potential for repurposing these spaces for housing or community uses. The committee also explored the role of community organisations like One Kilburn in driving local initiatives and the importance of working closely with them. The council acknowledged the need to improve communication with residents about maintenance and repair work, and to provide a more detailed dashboard on highway conditions and investment.

Other Key Discussions

• Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation: The significant overspend in temporary accommodation was a recurring theme, linked to rising private rents and a lack of affordable housing. The council is focusing on reducing reliance on expensive nightly-paid accommodation and increasing the supply of more cost-effective options. Prevention work, including the use of digital tools like Zantura and partnerships with organisations like Crisis, is being ramped up. The council is also developing a supported housing strategy.
• Commercial Property and Vacancies: A query was raised about developing a borough-wide register of vacant commercial premises and exploring flexible rent arrangements. The council agreed to take this query back to the property department for a detailed response.
• Stress Testing and Financial Resilience: The committee questioned the extent of downside stress testing undertaken for combined economic scenarios and the council's financial headroom. The council's Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) aims for two years of certainty, with ongoing annual reviews to adapt to changing economic conditions and government policy.
• Adult Social Care and Commissioned Services: The committee discussed the consistent overspend in adult social care, attributing it to a combination of optimism in forecasting and the increasing cost of placements. The council is working to improve forecasting and has built more growth into the current year's budget. Efforts are underway to improve procurement data and management information.
• Mental Health and Homelessness: The link between homelessness, mental health, and the wider public services was highlighted. The council is trialling community-based teams and working with voluntary sector resources to address these issues, with homelessness teams also operating out of hospitals and mental health wards.
• High Streets and Business Types: The strategy will consider transitioning town centres away from non-aspirational businesses, such as gambling centres and fast-food outlets, towards more aspirational ones. The council is exploring new powers, including cumulative impact zones, and is incorporating these considerations into its new local plan.
• Staples Corner: The deterioration of Staples Corner and the shared responsibility for its maintenance between Brent, Barnet, Network Rail, and TfL was raised. The council is seeking an update from TfL on their maintenance priorities and funding contributions.