The Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee of Brent Council met on Wednesday 16 September 2026 to discuss childhood asthma in Brent, the Brent Youth Strategy, and the Brent Culture Strategy. The meeting also reviewed the committee's work programme and recommendations tracker.

Childhood Asthma in Brent

The committee received an overview of the prevalence, impact, prevention, and management of asthma among children and young people in Brent. Dr. Ruth Duplicy, Director of Public Health, presented data indicating that Brent has a higher rate of childhood asthma admissions compared to the London average, with particular concerns for children from Black ethnic groups and those living in the most deprived areas. The report highlighted various risk factors, including air pollution, damp and mould in housing, overcrowding, and lower vaccination rates.

Significant progress has been made through a multi-agency approach, including the Childhood Asthma Local Enhanced Service (LES), which has seen a 56.5% increase in new asthma diagnoses and a reduction in severe exacerbations. The Brent Health Matters Children and Young People Asthma Programme is also actively working to reduce inequalities through community outreach, training for asthma community coaches, and the development of multilingual resources. The Asthma Nurse Specialist service, though currently a 0.9 WTE post, has seen a 66% increase in referrals following pathway redesign. Schools are also being engaged through the Asthma Friendly Schools Programme, with a significant number achieving accreditation or working towards it.

Members raised questions regarding the consistency of data presented on admission rates, the rationale for variations in admission rates across different neighbourhoods, and the specific measures being taken to address higher admission rates among certain ethnic groups. There was also discussion about the need for more targeted work in schools, particularly in areas like Harlesden, and the potential for notifying schools during high air pollution alerts. The committee also discussed the low flu vaccination rates in Brent and explored strategies to improve uptake, including better engagement with schools and addressing vaccine hesitancy.

Brent Youth Strategy

An update was provided on the delivery of the Brent Youth Strategy 2025-2028. Councillor Jake Rubin, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Employment and Climate Action, highlighted the strategy's focus on youth participation, access to positive activities, wellbeing, and safety. The strategy is a partnership-led initiative, with the Brent Youth Strategy Delivery Group coordinating efforts across council services and external organisations.

Key achievements in the first year include strengthening youth participation through the Brent Youth Parliament and other forums, leading to young people influencing decisions on various issues. There has been a £4 million investment in youth infrastructure and an expansion of opportunities through various programmes, resulting in a decrease in the NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) rate for 16 and 17-year-olds. The wellbeing offer has been enhanced through increased access to mental health support services, with positive outcomes reported. Efforts to improve safety include workshops on knife crime and exploitation, and the development of safe spaces.

For the upcoming year, priorities include broadening youth participation, particularly for vulnerable groups, improving the visibility and coordination of youth opportunities, strengthening preventative wellbeing support, and enhancing the partnership response to safeguarding issues. Members raised concerns about the measurement of outcomes and impact, particularly in relation to crime reduction and feelings of safety among young people. There was also a discussion about the need for clearer KPIs and a more detailed breakdown of funding allocations and their impact at ward level.

Brent Culture Strategy

The committee received an update on the implementation of Brent Creates: A Cultural Strategy for Inclusion, Wellbeing and Growth (2026-31). Councillor Tina Amadi, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Cost-of-Living Support, presented the strategy, which aims to leverage culture to improve community cohesion, health and wellbeing, skills, and economic growth.

Significant progress has been made, including securing approximately £1.5 million in external funding from Arts Council England for programmes like ViBrent and Creative Community Brent. The Brent Cultural Compact has been established to foster strategic partnerships and attract further investment. Key priorities for the upcoming year include expanding participation in cultural activities, developing creative skills and career pathways, strengthening creative health initiatives, and supporting community-led cultural programmes. A performance and evaluation framework is being developed to measure the strategy's impact.

Members raised questions about support for small, grassroots cultural organisations, particularly in accessing funding and building capacity. There was also a discussion about how the strategy addresses commercial organisations and the potential for conflict with planning, nuisance, and licensing regulations, with a recommendation to consider the UK Music Local Music Action Charter. Concerns were also raised about the equitable distribution of cultural investment across different wards and the need for clear KPIs to measure success, including the impact of grassroots organisations and the allocation of funding. The committee also discussed the importance of community venues and the need to ensure they are supported and integrated into the cultural strategy.

Work Programme and Recommendations Tracker

The committee reviewed its work programme for 2026/27, which includes items on childhood asthma, the Brent Youth Strategy, the Brent Culture Strategy, housing, adult social care, and education. Members discussed the flexibility of the work programme and the need for it to adapt to emerging issues. The recommendations tracker was also reviewed, with members expressing a desire for more detailed information on action owners, target dates, and evidence of completion for recommendations. The Chair committed to pushing for better responses and ensuring the tracker remains visible and updated.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the work programme, with a note that housing items may be subject to change due to the establishment of a new Housing Scrutiny Committee. Members also made several recommendations for future reports, including consistent and accurate data presentation, a breakdown of cultural investment by ward, and the inclusion of data on youth engagement by age group.