Grant Williams

Local Democracy Reporter - Covering politics in Brent and Harrow for @myldn, @bbclondonnews, @dailymirror etc ~ Email me at [email protected]

[Grant Williams @GrantLDReporter]

Here's Cllr Muhammed Butt's thoughts

[Grant Williams @GrantLDReporter]

The count is underway at Brent Council's Civic Centre - with the first declarations expected to come in just after mid day

[Grant Williams @GrantLDReporter]

There's still 2 more wards to declare but it's confirmed that Labour have lost overall control of Brent Council. They needed 29 seats but they only have 22 with just 6 more to go

[Grant Williams @GrantLDReporter]

Former Brent Lib Dem Leader Anton Georgiou is back standing for re-election in Alperton. He seems optimistic about winning his seat. He told me: "I'm really looking forward to getting back to work in Alperton and delivering for residents."

[Grant Williams @GrantLDReporter]

The council’s Labour budget has been approved without amendment, as expected. In terms of tax rises for residents, this will mean a total annual cost for the average Band D tax payer of £2,235.27 - which includes the mayoral precept

[Grant Williams @GrantLDReporter]

The town hall is starting to fill up with councillors as Brent Council convenes to agree the budget and set the tax prices for the next financial year. I’ll be posting live updates here as the meeting takes place

[Grant Williams @GrantLDReporter]

Deputy Leader, Cllr Mili Patel, responds to the alternative amendments using a Wizard of Oz analogy. She suggests the Conservatives are the "heartless" tin man, the Lib Dems the "cowardly" lion and the Greens the scarecrow that is "all heart but lacks rational thought"