The Cabinet of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Tuesday 17 October 2023 to discuss the council's revenue budget monitoring, the Council Tax Support scheme, and proposals for controlled parking zones. Key decisions included the approval of amendments to the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) policy, the endorsement of a new income-banded discount scheme for Council Tax Support, and the agreement to participate in a business rates retention pool with Thurrock and Havering Councils.

Revenue Budget Monitoring 2023/24

Councillor Dominic Twomey, Leader of the Council, introduced the revenue budget monitoring report for the 2023/24 financial year, noting a projected net overspend of £11.037 million for the General Fund. He highlighted that while mitigating actions were having an effect, significant work remained to achieve a balanced budget. Councillor Twomey detailed the wider financial pressures facing local government, including rising demand in social care, increased placement costs, and new regulatory pressures without adequate funding. He pointed to a substantial real-terms cut in central government funding since 2010 and the impact of government-imposed council tax increases. The report also noted a projected overspend of £6.899 million on the Housing Revenue Account. Despite these challenges, Cabinet resolved to note the projected overspends and the returns for the Investment and Acquisition Strategy.

Council Tax Support Scheme 2024/25

Councillor Dominic Twomey also introduced the report on options and consultations for the Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme for 2024/25. He explained the council's statutory duty to annually consider revisions to the scheme for working-age recipients. The current scheme, which retains many aspects of the former Council Tax Benefit scheme and was aligned with Housing Benefit administration, has become less tenable due to the introduction of Universal Credit. The report detailed the modelling of various options, with the preferred option being an 'income banded discount' scheme. This new scheme aims to be more aligned with the benefits regime, easier to administer, and simpler for claimants to understand. Cabinet endorsed the recommended 'income banded discount' CTS scheme as the draft proposed replacement and agreed to commence public consultation.

Gascoigne East Phase 3A (Block J) - Approval of Disposals, Head Lease and Loan Facility Agreement

Councillor Cameron Geddes, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, presented a report on proposals to progress the disposal of a further 124 new homes developed as part of the Gascoigne Estate Renewal Programme. These properties, located in Gascoigne East Phase 3A Block J, are due for completion in November 2023 and will be at sub-market rent. Cabinet resolved to approve, in principle, the disposal of the scheme by granting long leases to the appropriate Reside entity, and to approve the draft Heads of Terms and loans. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Finance and Investment, and the Head of Legal Services to finalise and execute the necessary documents.

Parking Proposals - Amendment to Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) Policy

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, introduced proposals to amend the Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ) decision-making criteria. The report aimed to provide a clearer and more transparent process for CPZ decision-making, review, and permit issuance. Key proposals included introducing a minimum resident feedback response rate of 30%, with a two-thirds majority of respondents determining the outcome if the threshold is met. Where the threshold is not met, decisions would be based solely on identified needs and ward councillors' feedback. Cabinet agreed to the amendments to the CPZ decision-making criteria, revised arrangements for CPZ reviews, and restrictions on parking permit issuance.

Adult Social Care - CQC Assurance and Improvement Update

Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, presented a report on preparations for an inspection of the council's adult social care provision by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). She explained that the CQC aims to assess all local authorities over a two-year period, with inspections beginning soon. Barking and Dagenham has completed a detailed self-assessment and developed an improvement plan to address identified strengths and areas for development. Cabinet agreed the Adult Social Care full self-assessment, summary self-assessment, and the improvement plan.

Process and Governance of Allocation and Spend of Developer Contributions

Councillor Cameron Geddes introduced a report on plans to streamline the governance and working procedures for the allocation of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 funding. These contributions support infrastructure development across the borough. The proposals include the creation of an officer sub-group to meet monthly and report to the Assets and Capital Board, which will then report to a member sub-group. Cabinet agreed the proposed governance and workflows for the allocation and spend of CIL and s106 developer contribution funding.

Sale of Front Garden Land at 10 Calverley Crescent, Dagenham

Councillor Dominic Twomey, Leader of the Council, introduced a report on the proposed sale of a small area of Council-owned amenity land at the front of 10 Calverley Crescent, Dagenham. The land had been valued, and the resident wished to purchase it. Cabinet approved the sale on the terms set out in the report, delegating authority to the Strategic Director, My Place, to agree final terms and execute the necessary documents.

Urgent Action - Participation in a Business Rates Retention Pool with Thurrock and Havering Councils

Councillor Dominic Twomey reported on urgent action taken by the Chief Executive regarding the entry into a new Business Rates retention pooling arrangement with Thurrock Council and the London Borough of Havering. This arrangement is projected to benefit Barking and Dagenham by at least £1 million per annum. The urgency was due to the 10 October deadline for applications. Cabinet noted the action taken by the Chief Executive and delegated authority to the Strategic Director, Finance and Investment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Growth and Core Services, to make the final decision to enter the pooling arrangement.

The meeting also included the confirmation of the minutes from the previous meeting held on 19 September 2023 and a minute's silence to commemorate those affected by the events in the Middle East.