The Cabinet of Redbridge Council met on Thursday 20 October 2022, agreeing to establish a new specialist school provision, endorse a finance strategy, and consult on proposals to renew selective licensing for private rented properties. They also agreed to increase fostering allowances and fees.

Specialist School Provision for Children with Special Educational Needs

A decision was made to formally establish a Social and Communication Additionally Resourced Provision (ARP) at Redbridge Primary School for 28 pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan, across Year R to Year 6. This provision will be effective from 1 September 2023. The report presented to the Cabinet highlighted the need for more school places for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) within the borough, with the ARP being a key element of the programme to meet this demand. A statutory public consultation on the proposal took place between 5 September and 3 October 2022.

Redbridge Finance Strategy 2023/24

The Cabinet endorsed the proposed finance strategy for 2023/24, which aims to deliver the Redbridge Plan while maintaining the Council's financial resilience. The strategy focuses on investing and redirecting the Council's resources to activities that achieve the greatest desired outcomes. The report acknowledged the current economic environment and the potential impact of the cost of living crisis on both the Council and its residents. Detailed budget proposals will be presented to the Cabinet at their meeting on 13 December 2022.

Proposals for Selective Licensing Renewal

The Cabinet agreed to consult on proposals to renew selective licensing for private rented properties across 18 of the borough's 22 wards. This decision follows a review of the progress of existing selective licensing schemes, which were first introduced in Redbridge in 2017 to tackle poor housing conditions and associated anti-social behaviour (ASB) and crime. The current schemes are due to expire in September 2023. The report indicated that evidence gathered supports the case for re-designation, citing poor housing conditions and persistent ASB linked to private rented properties as qualifying criteria. However, the current evidence base does not support the inclusion of Monkhams, Bridge, Fulwell, and Clayhall wards in the proposed designation. The Cabinet noted the outcome of the evidence base compilation and the outlined approach for consultation, delegating the agreement of the final consultation programme and questionnaire to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness. A further report on the consultation outcome and final recommendations will be presented to Cabinet before a submission is made to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) for Secretary of State for Housing approval. Councillors Jas Athwal and Vanisha Solanki declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest but were granted a dispensation to participate in the item.

Review of Fostering Allowances and Fees

The Cabinet agreed to increase fostering fees and allowances for foster carers approved by Redbridge Council, effective from 1 January 2023. This decision aims to improve the care experience for children in Redbridge by ensuring they are looked after in a foster family environment supported by the Redbridge Fostering Team. The revised offer recognises the comparatively low rates previously offered by Redbridge compared to neighbouring authorities and the impact of the cost of living crisis on existing carers. The Council also seeks to reduce its reliance on Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs), which are significantly more expensive than using approved local foster carers. The Corporate Director of People has been given delegated authority to approve annual increases in fostering fees in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People and the Corporate Director of Resources.

RCS Ltd Contract

The Cabinet approved recommendations (i) to (v) from the Shareholder Reference Group concerning a proposal by Redbridge Civic Services Ltd (RCS). This proposal had budgetary implications and was referred to the Cabinet for consideration after the Shareholder Reference Group could not make the decision itself.

Forward Plan

The Cabinet agreed to the items shown in the Forward Plan for 1 October 2022 to 31 January 2023.