The Cabinet meeting on Monday 19 January 2026 was scheduled to discuss a range of significant financial and strategic matters for Brent Council. Key topics included the council's financial forecast for the third quarter of the 2025-26 financial year, an update on treasury management activities, and proposals for the council's digital roadmap for 2026-28. The meeting also planned to address capital investment programmes for school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the South Kilburn District Heat Network, and the admission arrangements for Brent schools.

LGA Corporate Peer Challenge - Progress Review Report

The Cabinet was scheduled to receive an update on the progress made following the Local Government Association's (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC). This report was intended to provide feedback on the council's advancements against the initial review recommendations and outline the next steps. The CPC process is designed to support continuous improvement and assurance within local authorities, helping them to meet their statutory Best Value Duty. The report, available as Appendix A to the report, was expected to detail findings and an updated action plan.

Q3 Financial Forecast 2025-26

Councillor Mili Patel, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, was due to present the Quarter 3 Financial Forecast for 2025-26. This report, detailed in the Public reports pack, was intended to outline the financial forecast for the General Fund revenue budget, the Housing Revenue Account, the Dedicated Schools Grant, and the Capital Programme as at the third quarter of the financial year. The report also included an update on the status of savings delivery, detailed in Appendix A, and prudential indicators for treasury management, as set out in Appendix B.

Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2025-26

Members were scheduled to receive an update on treasury activities for the first half of the financial year 2025-26. This report, available as Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2025-26, was to detail the council's treasury management activities, including borrowing and investment decisions, in the context of prevailing economic conditions. The report also included an Economic Commentary and details of the Debt and Investments Portfolio.

Proposal for Buckinghamshire Pension Fund to join London CIV

A key item on the agenda was the proposal for the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund to join the London LGPS CIV Limited (London CIV). The purpose of this report was to seek approval from Brent Council, as a shareholder of London CIV, for the admission of Buckinghamshire Pension Fund as a new member. This initiative aligns with the government's 'Fit for the Future' reforms for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), aiming to strengthen governance, achieve greater scale, and pool assets. The detailed proposal, business case, and updated legal agreements were provided in exempt appendices.

Brent Digital Roadmap 2026-28

Councillor Jake Rubin, Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Community Power, was scheduled to present the Brent Digital Roadmap for 2026-28. This report outlines the council's ambitions for using digital technology to enable transformation and support the delivery of savings over the two-year period, following the end of the current digital strategy in April 2026. The roadmap focuses on three core ambitions: improving resident experience, empowering the organisation, and harnessing data for collaboration. The Brent Council Digital Roadmap 2026-28 document was available for review.

Phase II Capital Investment Programme for School Place Sufficiency for Children and Young People with SEND

Councillor Gwen Grahl, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Education & Employment, and Councillor Teo Benea, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Property, were expected to present proposals for delivering additional SEND places within the borough. This report details plans to create 212 SEND places at a cost of £10.6m, aiming to reduce the financial cost of SEND provision and support the management of expenditure on the Council's Special Needs Transport budget. The report, titled SEND Phase II Capital Investment Programme for School Place Sufficiency for Children and Young People with SEND, also references the School Place Planning Strategy 2024-28.

Brent Council's School Admission Arrangements and Schemes of Co-ordination 2027/2028

This report sought agreement on the proposed admission arrangements for Brent community schools and schemes of co-ordination for the 2027-28 academic year. As required by statutory regulations, admission authorities must determine their arrangements by 28 February in the determination year. The proposed arrangements are detailed in Appendix One and the Schemes of Co-ordination are in Appendix Two.

South Kilburn District Heat Network - Tender Outcome & Financial Model Report

Councillor Jake Rubin, Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Community Power, was scheduled to present a report on the South Kilburn District Heat Network (SKDHN). This report sought approval to move to the preferred bidder stage for the design, build, operate, and maintain (DBOM) contract for the network. The report summarised the procurement process and the required financial modelling. Appendix 1, containing the names of contractors, was classified as exempt information.

Exclusion of Press and Public

Two agenda items, Item 10 (Proposal for Buckinghamshire Pension Fund to join London CIV) and Item 14 (South Kilburn District Heat Network – Tender Outcome & Financial Model Report), included appendices that were not for publication due to containing exempt information relating to financial or business affairs.

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as apologies for absence, declarations of interest, minutes of the previous meeting, matters arising, petitions, and references from scrutiny committees.