An extraordinary meeting of Brent Council was scheduled to take place on Tuesday 13 January 2026 to discuss changes to the representation of political groups on council committees and to make consequential appointments. The meeting's agenda focused on reviewing and adjusting committee memberships following the formation of a new political group.

Representation of Political Groups on Committees

The primary item scheduled for discussion was a report from the Corporate Director Finance & Resources concerning the representation of different political groups on council committees. This review was necessitated by five members resigning from the Labour Group to form a new Green Party group. The report outlined the current council membership of 57 councillors and detailed how this change in political balance would affect the allocation of seats on various committees.

The report proposed that the size of each committee would remain unchanged from the previous review in November 2025. It detailed the revised allocation of seats across five ordinary committees : the General Purposes Committee, Planning Committee, Audit & Standards Committee, Corporate Parenting Committee, and Licensing Committee. It also addressed the allocation of seats on other committees, including the Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee, and the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee.

According to the report, the total number of ordinary committee seats subject to political balance requirements is 38. Following the review, the proposed breakdown of these seats is:

• Labour Group: 28 seats (a reduction from 32)
• Green Group: 4 seats (a new entitlement)
• Conservative Group: 4 seats (no change)
• Liberal Democrat Group: 2 seats (no change)

The report noted that the political balance rules, as prescribed by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, aim to ensure that committee compositions reflect the overall political balance of the council. These rules are detailed in Appendix 1 of the report. The report also stated that the single independent councillor is not entitled to an allocation of seats as the rules define a political group as having two or more members.

Furthermore, the report indicated that the newly established Green Party group would be formally designated as the second Opposition Group on the Council for the purposes of the Members Allowance Scheme, replacing the Liberal Democrats Group in this role.

Appointments to Committees and Other Relevant Bodies

Following the discussion and agreement on the representation of political groups on committees, the council was scheduled to consider appointments to these committees and other relevant bodies. This agenda item was contingent on the outcome of the review of political representation. The report indicated that appointments would be made to give effect to the wishes of the political groups allocated the seats. It was also noted that the political balance on sub-committees would be reviewed at the first available meeting of the General Purposes Committee and the Licensing Committee.

The report also touched upon the contribution to the Borough Plan priorities, stating that the allocation of seats supports transparent and effective decision-making and promotes confidence in the council's good governance. Financial, legal, equity, diversity, inclusion, climate change, environmental, human resources, property, and communication considerations were also addressed in the report, with most sections stating no direct implications arising from the report itself.