The Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday 2 September 2026 to discuss parking policy, procurement, and contract management. Key discussions included the proposed variation to the street cleansing contract with Veolia, which was ultimately confirmed by the committee, and a review of the council's parking strategy, which will consider various aspects of kerbside management, including potential changes to charges and the impact of new vehicle technologies. The committee also reviewed the progress of the Procurement Improvement Programme, noting achievements in team capacity, contract management, and local supplier engagement, and discussed the council's approach to value for money in procurement and contracts, including the development of a new contract database.

Parking Policy Review

The committee engaged in a wide-ranging discussion about Brent Council's parking policies and future strategy. Councillor Mary Mitchell highlighted the need for the forthcoming parking strategy to align with wider council policies on active travel and biodiversity, and questioned the data monitoring that would inform the strategy. Officers confirmed that an officer-led group was established to ensure strategies were integrated, drawing expertise across disciplines. Councillor Mitchell also raised concerns about the potential misnomer of a parking strategy when competing demands for kerbside space, such as EV charging points, deliveries, micromobility, and greening, were evident.

A key point of discussion was the potential for offering free parking on high streets to support businesses, a proposal met with reservations due to the existing financial burden of permits for residents and the fact that a majority of Brent residents do not own cars. Councillor Ben, however, stressed the need for effective enforcement against illegal parking, arguing that both business needs and the requirement for clear enforcement must be factored into policy.

The committee also addressed the issue of hotspots for parking tickets, with concerns raised about significant year-on-year increases in Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) in certain areas, particularly around schools. Officers assured the committee that these spikes were being monitored closely, with weekly meetings to review numbers and lost appeals. They also confirmed that signage was compliant with statutory requirements, but acknowledged that motorists might not always see or realise the enforcement in place. A recommendation was made to review signage, resident communication, and engagement around school streets.

Further discussions touched upon the reduction of pay and display machines, with concerns raised about digital exclusion among older and disabled residents. The potential for differentiated on-street parking charges based on emissions, size, and weight, particularly concerning SUVs, was also discussed. The impact of autonomous vehicles on kerbside parking and the future of motorcycle parking charges were also raised. Finally, the committee considered the implications of large residential schemes on parking, particularly regarding visitor parking and the reliance on PTAL scores for determining parking space requirements, noting that these are set by the London Plan and national planning policy frameworks.

Call-in: Variation to the Integrated Street Cleansing, Waste Collection and Winter Maintenance Contract

The committee considered a call-in request regarding the Cabinet Member's decision to vary the contract with Veolia Environmental Services (UK) Limited for integrated street cleansing, waste collection, and winter maintenance. Councillor Paul Lorber, speaking on behalf of the call-in members, argued that the variation, costing £1.54 million, should not proceed without a fuller review of the existing contract's performance. He highlighted concerns about the current state of street cleanliness, citing issues with bin cleaning, the effectiveness of litter picking versus sweeping, and the lack of proper refuse facilities for residents in flats above shops. Councillor Lorber questioned the cost of the variation, noting that the figure included VAT, and suggested that a review could identify more effective uses for the allocated funds.

Councillor Bart, standing in for the Cabinet Member, defended the variation, stating it was an operational adjustment to invest in frontline services and address issues highlighted by residents and councillors. He confirmed that the contract, which began in 2023 and runs until 2031, would be reviewed closer to its expiry, with member engagement planned. The committee voted to confirm the decision, with four votes in favour of confirmation and four votes for referral back, with the Chair's casting vote in favour of confirmation.

Value for Money in Procurement and Contracts

The committee reviewed the progress of the Procurement Improvement Programme (PIP) and the Council's approach to contract management. Officers reported on achievements in recruiting permanent procurement staff, improving relationships between the procurement function and service areas, and generating income through a partnership with Oxygen Finance. A new contract database is being implemented to manage the council's approximately 2,500 contracts.

Concerns were raised about the low percentage of council spend with local businesses. Officers acknowledged this and outlined ongoing work to engage local suppliers, including updating website pages and holding market engagement events. The committee proposed a recommendation for the procurement team to consider social media advertising to promote local business engagement.

Discussions also covered environmental sustainability within procurement, with a 5% allocation in scoring for sustainability matters on contracts over £100k. The committee heard about the council's commitment to professional curiosity and innovation, with plans for a new innovation forum. Recommendations were made for case studies of inter-departmental collaboration and innovative projects.

A significant focus was placed on the need for a more granular understanding of the council's contract portfolio, leading to a commitment to formulate a dashboard that members can feed into. The committee also discussed the management of risks related to bribery and corruption, and the importance of social value commitments being consistently monitored and reported on, with examples of positive outcomes from organisations like Citizens Advice Bureau being shared. Finally, the committee discussed the process for considering insourcing, noting that it is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Scrutiny Progress Update - Recommendations Tracker

The committee noted the progress of previous recommendations, suggestions for improvement, and information requests. The tracker will be continuously monitored and reviewed.

Other Matters

An apology was noted for Councillor Dar's absence due to an inadvertent communication failure. The committee also took a short five-minute break.