The Cabinet of Barking and Dagenham Council met on 15 October 2024 to discuss several key issues, including the renewal and expansion of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), the future of Colne House and Mersea House, and the allocation of funding for local projects. Decisions were made to renew and extend PSPOs across four areas, approve the demolition of two tower blocks with a view to regeneration, and allocate funding for highway improvements.

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs)

The Cabinet agreed to renew and extend Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in Barking Town Centre, Dagenham Heathway, and Broad Street, and to introduce a new PSPO in Gale Street. These orders, which will come into effect on 1 November 2024 for a period of three years, aim to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) by prohibiting activities such as alcohol consumption in public spaces, spitting, urination, begging, nuisance group behaviour, amplified music and speech, and cat-calling and other street-based sexual harassment. Breaches of these orders will result in a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100, with a maximum fine of £1,000 upon prosecution. The decision to implement these PSPOs was informed by extensive public consultation, which indicated strong support for their continuation and expansion to include prohibitions on amplified noise and cat-calling.

Colne House and Mersea House, Harts Lane Estate - Future Options

A decision was made to proceed with community consultation on the future of Colne House and Mersea House on the Harts Lane Estate, with a preferred Council option of demolition and future estate regeneration. An estimated budget of £15.384m has been approved for the demolition of these two tower blocks, which were found to have combustible cladding and other fire safety deficiencies. This decision follows an options appraisal that considered refurbishment versus demolition and regeneration, with demolition being the most cost-effective option in the short term. The Council will engage with residents to guide the next steps.

Allocation of Strategic CIL to the Gascoigne Road Highway and Public Realm Improvement Project

The Cabinet approved the allocation of £470,387 of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) funding to the Gascoigne Road Highway and Public Realm Improvement Project. This funding will support the creation of new infrastructure to address safety issues, reduce severance between the east and west of the neighbourhood, and improve the public realm. The project, which has already received planning permission, is expected to commence in November 2024 and be completed by April 2025. The allocation includes a contingency of £130,000, which will be returned to the CIL pot if grant funding from Thames Water and the Forestry Commission is secured.

Household Support Fund (HSF) and Welfare Funding

The Cabinet approved the Council's updated Local Discretionary Financial Hardship Schemes Policy 2024/25, which incorporates the Household Support Fund (HSF) policy. This extension of the HSF, funded by the government, will provide £2,162,051.52 for the period October 2024 to March 2025. The funding will continue to offer crisis support to vulnerable households for essentials like food and energy, debt and welfare advice, and support for voluntary organisations. New initiatives will target pensioners struggling with living costs despite being above the Pension Credit threshold, and those impacted by the migration from legacy benefits to Universal Credit.

Contract for Provision of Temporary / Interim Staff and Ancillary Services

The Cabinet approved the procurement and award of an initial two-year contract for temporary and interim staff to Adecco UK Limited under the new MSTAR4 Framework. This framework, developed collaboratively with 20 London Boroughs, is expected to deliver significant cost avoidance, estimated at a 23% reduction in commercial margins, and added value through Work Programmes designed to support local residents into employment. The contract has the potential to be extended for up to six years in total.

The meeting also included the confirmation of the minutes from the previous meeting held on 17 September 2024.