The Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to discuss several key issues at its upcoming meeting. These include an overview of childhood asthma in Brent, an update on the Brent Youth Strategy, and an update on the Brent Culture Strategy. The committee will also review its work programme for the upcoming year.

Childhood Asthma in Brent

The committee is scheduled to receive an overview of childhood asthma in Brent, covering its prevalence, impact, prevention, and management among children and young people. The report details risk factors contributing to childhood asthma, such as multiple deprivation, housing conditions like damp and mould, air pollution, and exposure to household smoking. It highlights that Brent has a higher prevalence of diagnosed childhood asthma compared to northwest London, with admission rates significantly higher than the London average. The report also outlines prevention and early intervention activities, including the Childhood Asthma Local Enhanced Service (LES) and the Brent Health Matters Children and Young People (BHM CYP) Asthma Programme, which aims to reduce inequalities through community outreach and culturally appropriate education. The role of the Brent Asthma Nurse Specialist service and the Asthma Friendly Schools Programme will also be discussed.

Brent Youth Strategy

An update on the progress of the Brent Youth Strategy 2025–2028 is scheduled for discussion. This strategy, launched in April 2025, aims to improve outcomes for children and young people by strengthening participation, access to positive activities, prevention, early intervention, and targeted support. The report summarises progress made during the first year, highlighting strengthened governance through the Brent Youth Strategy Delivery Group and improved coordination across services and partners. Key achievements by priority area include enhanced youth participation in decision-making, broadened access to positive opportunities and activities, strengthened preventative wellbeing support, and a coordinated response to safeguarding issues. Priorities for the second year include broadening youth participation, improving visibility and coordination of youth opportunities, strengthening preventative wellbeing support, and enhancing the partnership response to exploitation and youth violence.

Brent Culture Strategy

The committee is set to receive an update on the implementation of the Brent Culture Strategy, Brent Creates: A Cultural Strategy for Inclusion, Wellbeing and Growth (2026-31) . This strategy aims to use culture to support wider borough priorities, including community cohesion, health and wellbeing, skills and employment, inclusion, regeneration, and sustainable growth. Since its approval in March 2026, significant progress has been made, including securing approximately £1.5 million in external funding from Arts Council England programmes. Key delivery activities include the launch of BrentCreates.com, the development of the Brent Cultural Compact, and the expansion of creative skills opportunities for young people. Priorities for the upcoming year include establishing the Brent Cultural Compact, expanding participation in cultural activity, developing creative skills and career pathways, strengthening creative health initiatives, and embedding a performance and evaluation framework.

Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

The committee will review its proposed work programme for 2026/27. This programme outlines the items the committee intends to consider throughout the municipal year, aligning with the committee's remit which covers Adult Social Care, Safeguarding, Children's services, Cultural services, Education, Health, Housing, and Public Health and Wellbeing. The programme is designed to be flexible and will be regularly reviewed and updated. The proposed items for the year include discussions on the Brent Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report, the Brent Safeguarding Children Partnership Report, the Brent Youth Strategy, the Brent Culture Strategy, Childhood Asthma in Brent, updates from the Housing Management Advisory Board, the Private Rented Sector, Supported Accommodation, CQC Assurance following Local Area Assessment, Adult Social Care, Making Brent an Inclusive Borough (SEND), Housing Management: Tenant Satisfaction Measures, Temporary Accommodation and Homelessness Prevention, the Annual Setting and School Standards Achievement Report, and the Family First Programme.