London Borough of Brent: local authority assessment

How we assess local authorities

Assessment published: 16 August 2024

About London Borough of Brent

Demographics

The London Borough of Brent Council is home to nearly 340,000 residents, and according to the 2021 Census, is the 5th largest London Borough. The borough’s population has grown by 28,600 since the last census in 2011, a rise of 9%. Although Brent has a younger age profile compared to England and Wales, the wider trend shows that the population is ageing, as the number of residents who are aged 50+ has increased by 27% since 2011.

Brent has one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the country. The majority of population (85%) are from ethnic minority groups; 19% are from White minority groups and 65% are from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups. Brent has the 2nd highest percentage of Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups in England & Wales.

The council footprint has an index of multiple deprivation score of 8. A local authority with a decile of 1 means it is in the least deprived group (lowest 10%), while a local authority with a decile of 10 means it is in the most deprived group (highest 10%).

Brent is in the North West London Integrated Care System together with 7 other London boroughs. The London Borough of Brent is a Labour-led council, with a large majority.

Financial facts

• The local authority’s total net budget in 2022/23 was £311.9 million. Its actual spend for that year was £316.1 million, which was £4.2million more than budgeted.
• The local authority estimated it would spend £105.7 million of its total net budget on adult social care in 2022/23. Its actual spend was £106.6 million, which was £0.9 million more than estimated.
• In 2022/2023, 34% of the local authority’s budget was spent on adult social care.
• The local authority has raised the full adult social care precept for 2023/24, with a value of 2%. Please note that the amount raised through ASC precept varies from local authority to local authority.
• Approximately 5120 people were accessing long-term adult social care support, and approximately 1015 people were accessing short-term adult social care support in 2022/23. Local authorities spend money on a range of adult social care services, including supporting individuals. No two care packages are the same and vary significantly in their intensity, duration, and cost.

This data is reproduced at the request of the Department of Health and Social Care. It has not been factored into our assessment and is presented for information purposes only.