The Barking and Dagenham Assembly met to discuss treasury management, children's services, and updates to the council's constitution. The Assembly approved the Treasury Management Annual Report, noted the Children's Care and Support Self-Evaluation, and approved revisions to the Council's Financial Regulations, Contract Rules, and Councillors' Code of Conduct. They also agreed to continue the appointment of the current three independent persons.

Tributes to Former Councillor David Smith

The Assembly began with a tribute to former Councillor David Smith, who passed away on 7 May 2025. Mr Smith was elected as a Liberal Focus Team Councillor in May 1986, representing Eastbury Ward, and served for four years.

Councillor Tony Ramsay, Labour Group Chair, remembered Mr Smith as a friend and opponent, recalling political debates in the Spotted Dog pub¹ and praising his loyalty to his principles. Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, highlighted Mr Smith's community focus and dedication to representing the people of Eastbury. Councillor Cameron Geddes, Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economic Development, shared anecdotes from former Liberal and Liberal Democrat councillors, noting Mr Smith's passion for housing tenants and his surprising knowledge of classical music.

Leader's Statement

Councillor Dominic Twomey, Leader of the Council / Labour Group, began his statement by acknowledging the passing of two residents, Leona Rooker and AJ Patel, and asked the Assembly to observe a minute's silence in their memory. He then addressed a recent fire at Beam Parklands, praising the preventative measures taken by the Council's parks team and the London Fire Brigade for minimising the damage. Councillor Twomey also noted recent issues with recycling waste collection due to operational problems, but assured the Assembly that the team is working to resolve the situation.

Other items mentioned in the Leader's Statement included:

• A visit from colleagues in South Korea to share ideas on technology for local care services.
• A visit from Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health, and Joe Wicks to Ripple Primary School to launch a new fitness series called Activate.
• The launch of a health hub at Dagenham Library by Baroness Twycross to help people with health conditions return to work.
• Planning permission being granted for the restoration of the moat at Valence House.
• The celebration of South Asian Heritage Month.
• The annual Barking and Dagenham Civic Parade.

Treasury Management Annual Report 2024/25

The Assembly approved the Treasury Management Annual Report for 2024/25. The report summarised treasury management activity during the year, noting that the majority of the council's borrowing relates to its investment and acquisition strategy, with interest and associated costs met from rental income. The report highlighted that general fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) borrowing was slightly down, while borrowing for the investment and acquisition strategy was significantly higher at £875 million, a net increase of just over £200 million. This increase was attributed to the regeneration pipeline. The report also noted a net overspend in the revenue position of just over £5.2 million, attributable to increased construction borrowing costs and a slowdown in the build programme, resulting in less income from Reside² than previously forecast.

Children's Care and Support Self-Evaluation 2024/25, Ofsted Activity and Social Work Reform

The Assembly noted the Children's Care and Support Self-Evaluation for 2024/25, findings from an Ofsted-focused visit in March, and progress on national social work reforms. Councillor Jane Jones, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care & Disabilities, presented the report, highlighting positive feedback from Ofsted, including improvements in threshold application, child protection plans, timeliness of statutory visits, permanence planning, and management oversight.

Ofsted acknowledged the council's significant population growth and mobility, and recognised the well-regarded and stable leadership team. Areas for improvement identified by Ofsted included long-term stability for children in care, timeliness of pre-proceedings, and placement sufficiency. Councillor Jones noted that the council is addressing these challenges by providing its own children's homes within the borough and setting up a dedicated court team. The report also provided an update on national social work reforms, including the Family First Partnership, and the establishment of multi-disciplinary child protection teams.

Councillor Twomey thanked Councillor Jones for the report and acknowledged the pressure on council staff to deliver services for vulnerable youngsters.

Review of the Council's Financial Regulations, Contract Rules and Other Constitution Updates

The Assembly approved a review of the council's financial regulations, contract rules, and other constitution updates. Councillor Twomey introduced the report, noting that it is good practice and a statutory duty to deliver sound financial management, ensure transparency, and uphold legal and regulatory compliance. He drew attention to procedural changes in public procurement law, with the Public Contract Regulations 2015 being replaced by the Procurement Act 2023³. He also highlighted a change to the wording in the Councillor's Code of Conduct, to ensure councillors cooperate with the Monitoring Officer in upholding the council's standards function.

The amended wording in the Councillor's Code of Conduct now reads:

to be accountable for your decisions to the public and within 14 days of a request being received cooperate with the monitoring officer in upholding the council standards function and to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to your office

Localism Act 2011 - Appointment of Independent Persons

The Assembly agreed to continue the appointment of the current three independent persons until the next Assembly meeting following the annual assembly in 2027. The Monitoring Officer explained that the council must have at least one independent person to carry out an advisory role as part of the arrangements to investigate complaints regarding the council's code of conduct, as required by the Localism Act 2011⁴. The report also noted potential implications associated with the government's English Devolution White Paper 2024.