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Cabinet - Monday 8 September 2025 10.00 am
September 8, 2025 Cabinet View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Cabinet of Brent Council met on Monday 08 September 2025, with key decisions including the approval of the relocation of Islamia Primary School to the Gwyneth Rickus site, the allocation of £8 million for Community Infrastructure Levy projects, and the continuation of the shared mortuary service with Barnet and Harrow Councils. The Cabinet also approved the next phase of the Council Homes Acquisition Programme to acquire 15 properties for temporary accommodation and agreed to withdraw from the Tri-Borough leisure contract procurement to establish a standalone procurement for Vale Farm Sports Centre.
Relocation of Islamia Primary School
Cabinet approved the proposal to relocate Islamia Primary School to the Gwyneth Rickus site on Brentfield Road, transforming it into a 2 Form Entry (2FE) school from September 2027. This decision ensures the future of Brent's only Muslim state-funded primary school, which faced closure due to an eviction notice from its current site on Salisbury Road. The move will provide purpose-built classrooms, more space for play and sport, and improved provision for children with special educational needs, offering a safe and high-quality learning environment. The Gwyneth Rickus site, a council-owned site reserved for educational use, will be transferred to the Yusuf Islam Foundation, who will hold it for the benefit of the school, preventing future evictions. Concerns raised during the consultation regarding the impact on local school pupil numbers and traffic congestion were addressed, with assurances that the council would work with local schools and community groups.
£8 Million Investment Programme for Community Infrastructure Levy Projects
Cabinet approved the allocation of £8 million from the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) for investment across the borough. This programme will fund over 60 individual projects aimed at improving local spaces and services. Key investments include approximately £1 million for cleaner, safer neighbourhoods through expanded patrols, new street bins, and pothole repairs; over £1.5 million for greener spaces, including a tree planting programme of around 1,500 trees and new rain gardens; almost £600,000 to support communities with cost of living programmes and new learning spaces; over £200,000 for culture and identity through the Brent Beats and Roots Project, celebrating Brent's music and cultural heritage; and more than £200,000 for community safety initiatives. The Brent Beats and Roots project specifically includes ring-fenced funding for a permanent Irish monument in Cricklewood, a campaign championed by local councillors Ryan Haack and Tarek Dar.
Inter-Authority Agreement for Shared Mortuary Service
Cabinet approved the continuation of the shared mortuary service between Brent, Barnet, and Harrow Councils at Northwick Park Hospital. This statutory service also serves as the designated disaster site for North London. A major refurbishment is underway, which will expand capacity by 80 refrigerated and freezer spaces, including bariatric units, by 2027. This inter-authority agreement allows the councils to share costs and pool resources, ensuring better outcomes at lower costs and protecting residents' council tax contributions. Brent has led this partnership, and the agreement will extend until 2040, with a break clause after 10 years.
Tri-Borough Leisure Contract Procurement
Cabinet approved Brent's withdrawal from the current Tri-Borough leisure procurement with Ealing and Harrow. Instead, Brent will commence a standalone procurement for Vale Farm Sports Centre based on a five-year agency agreement until 2031. This decision aims to ensure continuity of service for residents, strengthen local control over pricing, programming, and investment, and prepare for an integrated borough-wide leisure model from 2031. This move is the first step in Brent's transition towards an Active Wellbeing approach, moving beyond traditional leisure management to focus on prevention, health equity, and community outcomes.
Council Homes Acquisition Programme Delivery
Cabinet approved the next phase of the Council Homes Acquisition Programme (CHAP), which will acquire up to 15 properties for use as temporary accommodation. This initiative, supported by £1.8 million in grant funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA), will provide good quality homes for 15 Brent families, moving them out of hotels and B&Bs. The total capital budget approved for acquisition and refurbishment is £11,733,750, with authority delegated to the Director of Property and Assets to complete acquisitions above £1 million. This programme is part of Brent's commitment to tackle homelessness and deliver genuinely affordable homes.
Brent Development Plan Documents Review
Cabinet approved an additional budget of £880,000 to support the review of Brent's Local Plan and Development Plan documents. This review is vital to ensure the local plan remains up-to-date and effectively guides new development, delivering homes, infrastructure, and spaces while protecting the borough's character. The funding will support evidence gathering, consultation processes, and public examination. Cabinet also delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Property, to approve consultation materials for the development plan review.
Complaints Annual Report 2024-2025
Cabinet noted Brent Council's performance in managing and resolving complaints for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. The report highlighted that housing-related complaints constitute almost half of all Stage 1 cases, and there was an increase in compensation cases. The Council's performance in managing complaints was positively assessed by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO), with a high compliance rate for Ombudsman recommendations. The report also included a self-assessment against the Housing Ombudsman's Complaint Handling Code and noted updates to the Council's Complaints Policy.
Treasury Management Outturn Report 2024-25
Cabinet noted the treasury management outturn for 2024-25, which detailed the Council's borrowing and investment activities. The report indicated that borrowing outstanding at 31 March 2025 was £900.02 million, an increase from the previous year, while cash investments decreased to £47.3 million. The Council complied with its Prudential Indicators for the year. The report also highlighted that the net interest cost was £17.5 million, with a total capital financing cost of £41.5 million. The Council's investment return decreased to 4.53% reflecting changes in the Bank of England's Bank Rate.
Other Matters
Cabinet also noted the apologies for absence from Councillor Mili Patel and welcomed Jehan Weerasinghe as the newly appointed Corporate Director Neighbourhoods & Regeneration. No declarations of interest were made, and no items required the exclusion of the press and public. There were no urgent business items raised. The meeting concluded with a tribute to Alice Lester, Corporate Director Neighbourhoods & Regeneration, who was retiring after nine years of service.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Council Homes Acquisition Programme Delivery
Recommendations Approved...to deliver the Council Homes Acquisition Programme (CHAP), acquiring 15 homes for temporary accommodation with a £11,733,750 capital budget, and delegated authority to the Director of Property and Assets to complete acquisitions above £1m.
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Matters Arising (if any)
Recommendations Approved...to approve the recommendations, as no matters arising were identified.
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Petitions (if any)
Recommendations Approved...to approve the recommendations, as no petitions were presented at the meeting.
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2025-26 Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) - Projects over £100k
Recommendations Approved...to approve the projects listed in Appendix A of the report for Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding, note the projects requiring a capital budget as detailed in Appendices A and B, approve a capital budget of £5,088,231 funded from NCIL, and note the projects in Appendix B that were approved under delegated authority.
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Exclusion of Press and Public
Recommendations Approved...that no items on the agenda required the exclusion of the press or public.
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Relocation of Islamia Primary School
Recommendations Approved...to approve the relocation of Islamia Primary School to the Gwenneth Rickus site on Brentfield Road as a 2FE school from 1st September 2027, transferring the site to the Yusuf Islam Foundation under a Trust Deed to ensure the school's future.
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Tri-Borough Leisure Contract Procurement
Recommendations Approved...to withdraw from the Tri-Borough leisure procurement with Ealing and Harrow and commence a standalone procurement for Vale Farm Sports Centre based on a five-year agency agreement model until 2031, delegating authority to the Corporate Director of Service Reform and Strategy to finalise the process and award the contract.
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Apologies for Absence
Recommendations Approved...to note the apologies for absence from Councillor Mili Patel and to welcome Jehan Weerasinghe as the new Corporate Director Neighbourhoods & Regeneration.
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Reference of item considered by Scrutiny Committees (if any)
Recommendations Approved...to approve the recommendations as no items were referred from the Community Wellbeing or Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committees.
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Complaints Annual Report 2024 - 2025
Recommendations Approved... to note Brent’s performance in managing and resolving complaints, to note and endorse Brent’s self-assessment against the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint handling Code, and to approve the report being referred to the relevant Scrutiny Committee.
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Inter Authority Agreement - Brent, Barnet, Harrow Mortuary Service
Recommendations Approved...to approve an inter-authority agreement between Brent, Harrow, and Barnet for the continuation of a public mortuary service provided by Brent Council at Northwick Park.
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Any other urgent business
Recommendations Approved...to formally thank Alice Lester, Corporate Director Neighbourhoods & Regeneration, for her service to Brent and wish her well in her retirement.
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Brent Development Plan Documents Review
Recommendations Approved...to support a review of Brent's development plan documents, the Cabinet approved £880,000 for the Local Plan budget reserve and delegated authority to the Corporate Director Neighbourhoods and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Regeneration, Planning and Property, to approve Development Plan consultation material prior to any final draft plan submission.
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Minutes of the Previous Meeting
Recommendations Approved...that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 28 July 2025 were approved as a correct record of the meeting.
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Developing a new Brent Gypsy, Roma & Traveller Strategy
For Determination...to endorse the proposed direction of travel for developing a new Gypsy, Roma & Traveller Strategy, including its skeleton and consultation approach, note progress and endorse next steps for key components like the Draft Pitch Allocation Policy and site search, endorse up to £500,000 capital investment for site improvements from 2026/27, and endorse a reduction in the weekly pitch rate to £138.96.
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Declarations of Interest
Recommendations Approved...that no declarations of interest were made during the meeting.
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Treasury Management Outturn Report 2024-25
Recommendations Approved...to note the overall financial performance for 2024/25 and approve submission of the Treasury Management Outturn Report 2024-25 to Full Council for approval.
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