This week in Brent:

Council Tackles Children's Mental Health and Food Insecurity with New Strategies

Brent Council's Health and Wellbeing Board met on Thursday 16 April 2026, discussing critical initiatives to support the borough's youngest residents and address growing concerns around food security. The board was set to review progress on an Age-Friendly Brent initiative, updates on children and young people's mental health services, and the first draft of a new Brent Food Strategy. Link to the meeting

Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Mental Health Support for Young People

A key focus was the development of LYRA (Local Young People Resources and Advice Service), a new model designed to provide early intervention and prevention for children and young people experiencing emotional wellbeing and mental health challenges. This initiative aims to create a vital link between community support and specialist mental health services, a crucial step given the significant pressures on children's mental health in Brent. The report highlighted a high prevalence of probable mental health disorders and increasing referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). The LYRA service is intended to offer a more accessible and responsive support system, potentially reducing waiting times and providing help before issues escalate. Plans for a neurodiversity profiling tool and a crisis safe hub for young people were also discussed, signalling a commitment to a more comprehensive approach to youth mental wellbeing.

A Fairer Plate: Launching Brent's New Food Strategy

The board was presented with the first draft of a new Brent Food Strategy, a significant step towards creating a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable food system for everyone in the borough. This strategy addresses six core Food Missions :

• Improving access to healthy and affordable food: Tackling food deserts and ensuring everyone can afford nutritious options.
• Reducing food insecurity: Directly addressing the growing problem of people not having enough to eat.
• Developing food literacy and skills: Empowering residents with the knowledge to make healthy choices and prepare meals.
• Promoting good food jobs: Creating employment opportunities within the local food sector.
• Encouraging food growing: Supporting community gardens and urban farming initiatives.
• Empowering residents and institutions to reduce food waste and support sustainable food choices: Promoting responsible consumption and waste reduction.

This strategy is particularly vital for vulnerable groups, including low-income families, older residents, and those with disabilities, who are often disproportionately affected by food insecurity and the rising cost of living. The proposed actions aim to build a more resilient local food economy and ensure that no one in Brent goes hungry.

Making Brent Age-Friendly

The board also received an update on the Age-Friendly Brent initiative, a resident-led project focused on improving the quality of life for older people. This initiative seeks to address barriers related to transport, accessible spaces, health services, and digital inclusion. By engaging directly with older residents, the strategy aims to create a borough that better supports its ageing population, promoting independence and social connection.

Corporate Parenting Committee Reviews Support for Children in Care

The Corporate Parenting Committee met on Monday 13 April 2026 to review the council's commitment to children in its care. The committee received updates on the Brent Pledge for Children in Care, the Brent Virtual School's annual report, and the Fostering Service's six-monthly update. Link to the meeting

Refreshing the Brent Pledge for Children in Care

The committee was presented with an updated Brent Pledge for Children in Care. This pledge outlines the promises Brent Council makes to children and young people in its care. The refresh, developed with input from young people, aims to make the pledge more accessible and engaging through simpler language and updated visuals. This ensures that children in care clearly understand their rights and what they can expect from the council, fostering greater accountability.

Educational Outcomes for Looked-After Children

The annual report from the Brent Virtual School (BVS) highlighted the educational progress of Looked-After Children (LAC). While there was a concerning decrease in attendance rates for both primary and secondary school pupils compared to the previous year, the report noted a significant improvement in Key Stage 4 attainment. A greater proportion of LAC achieved five GCSE passes at grades 4-9, including English and Maths. The BVS continues to focus on monitoring and supporting LAC to achieve their educational potential, which is crucial for their future life chances and stability.

Fostering Service Update

The six-monthly report on the Fostering Service detailed efforts to recruit and support foster carers, aiming to provide stable, local placements for children. The service is working to enhance support for existing carers and implement new models like the Mockingbird Family Model. This focus on local placements is vital for maintaining children's connections to their communities and schools, minimising disruption during a challenging period in their lives.

Convenience Store's Alcohol Licence Application Under Scrutiny

The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee met on Tuesday 14 April 2026 to consider a new premises licence application for API AVI Convenience Store at 383 Church Lane, NW9 8JB. Link to the meeting The application sought permission to sell alcohol for off-premises consumption, but faced objections from the Police, the Licensing Officer, a Ward Councillor, and a local resident.

The premises is located within the Kingsbury Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ), meaning new alcohol licences are typically refused unless it can be proven they won't negatively impact licensing objectives. The Police raised concerns due to the premises' history, which includes a previous licence revocation following a police drugs warrant. They proposed stringent conditions, including enhanced CCTV and restrictions on alcohol sales, to mitigate potential harm. Councillor Amer Agha, the Labour Party councillor for Welsh Harp Ward, also objected, citing concerns about public nuisance, anti-social behaviour, and safety due to the proximity of a school. A resident's objection echoed these concerns, highlighting the premises' past licensing issues and the potential for increased public nuisance and harm to children. The sub-committee was tasked with weighing these concerns against the applicant's proposals to ensure the licensing objectives were upheld.

This week in Brent:

Council Boosts Temporary Accommodation Supply and Enhances Telecare Services for Vulnerable Residents

Brent Council's Cabinet met on Tuesday 7 April 2026, making key decisions to address the growing need for temporary housing and to improve support for vulnerable individuals and their carers. The meeting, which was the final cabinet session before local elections, saw the approval of a new strategy to increase the supply of temporary accommodation through long-term leasing and the endorsement of continued development for telecare services. Link to the meeting

Securing Homes for Homeless Families: A New Approach to Temporary Accommodation

The Cabinet approved a strategic shift towards securing temporary accommodation through long-term leasing arrangements with private sector providers. This decision comes in response to a significant surge in demand for housing support, with approximately 170 households approaching the council weekly. Rising rents, a shortage of affordable homes, and an increase in residents with complex needs are driving this demand.

Councillor Fleur Donnelly-Jackson, Cabinet Member for Housing, explained the urgency, noting that London accounts for over half of all homeless households in England and faces a substantial shortfall in temporary accommodation. The new strategy involves leasing properties for 10 years or more, which is expected to provide a stable supply of quality accommodation in Brent and surrounding areas. This approach is anticipated to offer better value for money over time and ensure that accommodation meets the Decent Homes Standard.

A key benefit of these longer leases is the ability to claim greater housing subsidy. Furthermore, some of these arrangements will include wrap-around support packages, such as the Civic Nest initiative, to help alleviate the stress associated with homelessness. Councillor Mili Patel, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, highlighted that this new approach offers stability for residents and demonstrates financial responsibility, projecting nearly £5 million in savings or cost avoidance. Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of the Council, emphasised the importance of the quality of accommodation and safeguarding for individuals and families, noting the plan aligns with the council's medium-term financial strategy.

Enhancing Independence: Telecare Services for Vulnerable Residents and Carers

The Cabinet also gave its backing to the continuation and development of telecare services, which provide crucial support for vulnerable people and their carers. Councillor Neil Nerva, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Leisure, stressed the importance of enabling residents to maintain their independence at home, even with significant care needs. He explained that advancements in technology offer a more responsive way to provide this support.

The telecare service uses assistive technology to help older people and younger working-age individuals with disabilities live safely and independently for as long as possible. The service has evolved beyond basic alarm systems to a more flexible offer that enhances safety and provides reassurance. By partnering with Harrow Council, Brent aims to ensure service continuity, benefit from economies of scale, and leverage new opportunities in assistive technology. Councillor Nerva emphasised that telecare is intended as a first-line offer for all residents who wish to use it, not just those eligible for funded care. The proposed contract is structured as a flexible 3-plus-1-plus-1 arrangement.

The meeting concluded with Councillor Muhammed Butt thanking staff and councillors for their work, noting this was the final cabinet meeting before the elections.

This week in Brent:

Council Restructures Adult Social Care and Housing Management, Approving Severance Payments

The General Purposes Committee met on Monday 30 March 2026, approving significant changes to senior management within Adult Social Care and authorising severance payments for redundancies in both Adult Social Care and Housing. Link to the meeting

Adult Social Care Senior Management Restructure and Severance Payments

The committee agreed to a substantial restructure of senior management in Adult Social Care, reducing the number of senior roles from five to two. The stated aim is to create a more focused approach to the customer journey – the experience individuals have when accessing council services. This reorganisation will result in two compulsory redundancies and one voluntary redundancy. The council will cover the notice periods for these redundancies, with the associated costs falling within the new financial year starting April 1st.

Councillor Harbi Farah raised concerns about the potential impact of these senior exits, particularly in light of a recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating that requires improvement. He sought reassurance that service continuity and CQC improvement would be maintained. Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, Jobs & Skills, explained that the restructure was intended to improve clarity and focus, with an increase in the number of service managers to compensate for the reduction in senior roles.

The committee also agreed to delegate authority to the head of paid service to approve the final severance amount for one employee, referred to as applicant B, to prevent further delays.

Housing Severance Payment

In the Housing department, the committee approved severance payments for a redundancy resulting from the creation of a new holistic area tenancy manager role. This new role is designed to provide more comprehensive support to residents regarding income, rent arrears, and related issues. The individual affected was in the income service and was not successful in securing one of the new positions. The redundancy was deferred to allow for knowledge transfer to new team members and the new manager.

Councillor Fleur Donnelly-Jackson, Cabinet Member for Housing, acknowledged the individual's long service and highlighted how the new area tenancy management approach aims to better embed the tenant voice and improve support for residents.

Personal Licence Application for Agnaldo Pains Dos Santos Dal Forno Under Review

The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee met on Wednesday 1 April 2026 to consider an application for a personal licence by Mr Agnaldo Pains Dos Santos Dal Forno. Link to the meeting This application is being considered under the Licensing Act 2003, which governs the sale of alcohol and provision of entertainment.

The committee reviewed information related to a conviction for a relevant offence by Mr Dal Forno. The specific details of the application and conviction were contained within restricted documents, meaning they were not publicly available. The sub-committee members, including Councillor Parvez Ahmed (Chair - Licensing Committee), Councillor Lesley Smith, and Councillor Michael Maurice, would have assessed whether granting the licence would uphold the licensing objectives, which include the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

New Premises Licence Application for Akshar Food & Wine in Wembley Central

The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Akshar Food & Wine, located at Unit 15, 87 Ealing Road, Wembley, HA0 4BD. Link to the meeting The applicant, Aarav Sales Ltd, sought permission to sell alcohol from 9am to 11pm daily, with the premises to remain open from 7am to 11pm.

This application was particularly significant as it falls within the Ealing Road Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ) [^1]. Brent Council's policy for CIZs creates a presumption against granting new off-licence applications or variations that would increase the sale of alcohol, unless the applicant can demonstrate that the licence will not negatively impact the licensing objectives.

Representations were received from the Police and the Licensing Officer, both raising concerns. The Police noted high crime figures in the area and argued that granting the licence would be detrimental to the licensing objectives. The Licensing Authority expressed the view that no compelling evidence had been presented to demonstrate that granting the licence would not add to the cumulative impact in the local area. The applicant's agent responded to these concerns, highlighting existing licences in the vicinity and indicating a willingness to consult on additional conditions.

The meeting was cancelled, meaning no decision was made on this application.

Other Matters

• The Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to meet on Thursday 2 April 2026. Link to the meeting This meeting was cancelled.

This week in Brent:

Pension Fund Sees Significant Financial Improvement, But Investment Scrutiny Continues

The Pension Board met on Monday 23 March 2026, revealing a remarkably positive shift in the financial health of the Brent Pension Fund. The triennial actuarial valuation, a crucial assessment of the fund's assets and liabilities, showed a dramatic turnaround. Just three years ago, the fund faced a deficit; now, it boasts a surplus, with its funding level rising from 87% to an impressive 113%. Link to the meeting

This significant improvement is largely attributed to stronger-than-expected investment returns. The positive news means that employer contribution rates are set to decrease. For Brent Council, local authority schools, and most academies, this could mean a reduction in their contribution rates from 30.5% to 23% from April 2026. This financial strengthening is vital for ensuring the long-term security of pensions for current and future retirees.

The meeting also received updates on the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF)'s engagement activities. LAPFF, representing a vast pool of local authority pension funds, actively engages with companies on critical environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. Recent discussions have focused on water stewardship, particularly concerning UK water utilities and their handling of storm overflow pollution. Engagements have also targeted executive remuneration, nature and biodiversity commitments, and due diligence in conflict-affected areas. These efforts aim to protect the long-term value of pension investments by encouraging responsible corporate behaviour.

However, some key reports, including the Investment Strategy Review and the Q4 2025 Investment Monitoring Report, were discussed in detail. The Fund will work with the London CIV (LCIV) for the implementation of the new investment strategy from April 2026. The report proposed reducing exposure to growth assets and increasing allocations to private equity and natural capital, while increasing allocations to income assets like infrastructure and property.

Council Companies Face Scrutiny Over Governance and Performance

The Audit and Standards Advisory Committee met on Tuesday 24 March 2026 to review the governance and oversight arrangements for i4B Holdings Ltd (i4B) and First Wave Housing (FWH), two companies wholly owned by Brent Council. Link to the meeting The report outlined the mechanisms through which the Council monitors their performance, risk, and compliance.

The work of i4B and FWH contributes to the Borough Plan's priority of Prosperity and Stability in Brent: Safe, Secure and Decent Housing by increasing the supply of affordable housing and reducing the use of temporary accommodation. The report detailed the governance framework for both companies, including oversight through formal meetings, scrutiny by other council committees, and annual reviews of business plans and statutory accounts.

A key point of discussion was the operational performance, with challenges noted in void turnaround times and rent collection. Proposals for increasing stock, including small-scale development schemes and partnerships, were also presented. The committee also reviewed the Council's Procurement Strategy progress, the use of RIPA powers, and the annual standards and governance report.

Welsh Harp Management Plans Under Review

The Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee was scheduled to meet on Thursday 26 March 2026 to discuss updates on the management plans for the Welsh Harp and West Hendon Playing Fields. Link to the meeting The meeting's agenda included reports from the Canal & River Trust and the Brent Catchment Partnership, as well as a review of future meeting dates.

The committee was scheduled to receive updates on site improvements, engagement sessions, habitat management, and the treatment of invasive non-native species. Discussions were also planned regarding the management of the Welsh Harp and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), including site clearance and habitat management activities with conservation volunteers. The development of the Welsh Harp Education Centre, aimed at providing vocational skills for young people with special educational needs and disabilities, was also on the agenda.

Other Matters

• The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 31 March 2026 to consider an application for a new premises licence for Akshar Food & Wine. Link to the meeting
• The Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 07 April 2026 to discuss proposals for increasing the supply of temporary accommodation and establishing a partnership for telecare services. Link to the meeting
• The Corporate Parenting Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 07 April 2026. Link to the meeting
• The General Purposes Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday 30 March 2026 to consider proposals for severance payments related to restructures within Adult Social Care and Housing Services. Link to the meeting
• The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 01 April 2026 to consider an application for a personal licence. Link to the meeting