Cleaning and security services at Brent Council buildings will be brought in-house next year – even though it costs the taxpayer more.

The council’s cabinet has agreed to take control of ‘soft’ facilities management services in its buildings, with a focus on Brent Civic Centre and Willesden Green Cultural Centre.

This includes cleaning and security, as well as helpdesk, portering and landscaping services.

The move, which will come into effect in August 2021, will cost an extra £182,000 a year – as well as one-off set-up costs – but councillors believe it should result in “more effective services”.

A council report also noted that the existing service structures could be “revised” to help mitigate any new financial pressures.

Cllr Shama Tatler, who is responsible for regeneration, property and planning, said: “This might not be the most exciting subject, but it is absolutely vital in terms of how are services in the civic centre and [Willesden] library are carried out.

“The workers who will benefit are predominantly Brent residents and it will provide them with job security, a London Living Wage and a local government pension.”

Fellow cabinet member Cllr Tom Miller described the move as a “win all round” that will benefit staff, residents and the council.

He said: “Bringing these services in-house means we will be able to respond to queries a lot quicker and a lot better. We will see much more effective services.”

‘Hard’ facilities management services at the sites – engineering, electrical and mechanical tasks, building repairs and maintenance – as well as catering services will continue to be outsourced.