The Cabinet of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Tuesday 14 October 2025. Key decisions included agreeing to proceed with the development of a Full Business Case for the Neighbourhoods Programme, endorsing Option 3 as the preferred approach to broaden transformation beyond statutory services. A Hybrid Model for resourcing the Full Business Case was also agreed. Investment for the Full Business Case development was approved, subject to funding confirmation.

Cabinet agreed the Valence House and Museum and Valence Park Vision and Masterplan, along with the Indicative Feasibility Estimate. Authority was delegated to the Strategy Director, Inclusive Growth and Place, to manage the procurement process for implementing these proposals.

The Cabinet noted actions being taken to manage school places and meet the demand for specialist provision. They agreed to extend the Local Education Partnership for a further 18 months until April 2027 and approved a 125-year lease of City Farm, Thames Road, Barking to the Partnership Learning Trust for the expansion of Riverside Bridge Special School. Cabinet also approved proposed projects and funding allocations totalling £24,404,726 to support new specialist places and school improvements.

An agreement for the sale of the Council's freehold interest in the Crowlands Heath Golf Club site was agreed, subject to independent valuation. This sale is intended to facilitate the development of approximately 1,106 homes, all of which will be affordable, comprising 60% social rent and 40% key worker housing, and will generate a capital receipt for the Council.

Cabinet noted the key highlights and issues relating to Council-owned companies in the first quarter of 2025/26 and the ongoing scrutiny provided by the Shareholder Panel. The report detailed progress and challenges for Be First, the Reside group of companies, Barking and Dagenham Homes Ltd, BD Energy, and Barking and Dagenham Trading Partnership.

Cabinet agreed that the Council would proceed with the procurement of contracts for both a new UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) supplier and a new CCaaS (Contact Centre as a Service) supplier, commencing March 2027. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Resources, to conduct the procurements and award contracts.

Cabinet noted the performance of the debt management function for the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year and the comparative data relating to Council Tax and Business Rates across London boroughs. The report indicated a slight decrease in Council Tax collection rates compared to the previous year, partly attributed to changes in the Council Tax Support scheme and the ongoing cost of living crisis. Business Rates collection also showed a slight decrease, though expected growth from the new Eastbrook Studio development was noted. Rent collection showed improvement, but the transition to Universal Credit remains a risk. Adult Social Care collection rates saw a significant improvement.

Neighbourhoods Programme Outline Business Case

The Cabinet agreed to proceed with the development of a Full Business Case for the Neighbourhoods Programme, endorsing Option 3 (Statutory + Other Services, Phased or Selected) as the preferred approach to broaden transformation beyond statutory services. A Hybrid Model for resourcing the Full Business Case, combining internal staff with targeted external support, was also agreed. Investment required for the Full Business Case development was approved, subject to confirmation of funding eligibility and availability. Authority was delegated for day-to-day decisions on funding use to the Director of Strategy, advised by the Programme Governance Board and subject to consultation with the Strategic Director, Resources, the Director of Public Health and the Director of Housing Services.

This ambitious programme aims to address persistent inequalities, rising demand, and financial pressures by moving towards a more preventative, integrated, and community-led model of service delivery. It seeks to improve health outcomes, manage financial pressures sustainably, enhance collaboration with partners, empower communities, improve customer experience, leverage technological innovation, and align with policy and legislative changes.

Valence House and Museum and Valence Park Vision and Masterplan

Cabinet agreed the Valence House and Museum and Valence Park Vision and Masterplan, along with the Indicative Feasibility Estimate. Authority was delegated to the Strategy Director, Inclusive Growth and Place, in consultation with the Head of Legal and subject to the endorsement of the Procurement Board, to conduct procurements and award contracts to implement the proposals.

This vision aims to conserve Valence House and its grounds as a site of historical and ecological interest, develop the museum, collections, and archives as places of engagement and learning, and establish Valence House as a destination for visitors. The masterplan includes proposals for repairs to Valence House, improvements to the museum and its collections, enhancements to the park's landscaping, and the development of new facilities such as a cafe and community space. The project seeks external funding, with a major fundraising campaign planned.

Sale of Council-Owned Land - Crowlands Heath Golf Club

Cabinet agreed to enter into an agreement for the sale of the Council's freehold interest in the Crowlands Heath Golf Club site, subject to independent valuation. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development and the Head of Legal, to determine the handover of land for a retail unit and community space/cafe, and to agree final terms for the sale agreement.

The proposed development by Homes for Life (H4L) includes approximately 1,106 homes, all of which will be affordable, comprising 60% social rent and 40% key worker housing. The scheme also includes a retail unit for a supermarket and a community space/cafe, alongside significant enhancements to biodiversity and public access. This sale aims to facilitate the redevelopment of new affordable homes and associated facilities, while generating a capital receipt to support the Council's capital programme.

School Place Planning and Capital Investment Update

Cabinet noted the actions being taken to manage school places and meet the demand for specialist places. They agreed to extend the Local Education Partnership for a further 18 months until April 2027 and approved a 125-year lease of City Farm, Thames Road, Barking to the Partnership Learning Trust for the expansion of Riverside Bridge Special School. Cabinet also approved proposed projects, funding allocations totalling £24,404,726, and procurement routes to support the provision of new specialist places and improvements. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Children and Adults, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement and the Head of Legal, to conduct procurements and award project contracts.

The report highlighted the ongoing demand for special educational needs (SEND) places, with EHCPs doubling since 2018. Significant investment is planned for new specialist places and improvements to school infrastructure, including upgrades to Trinity Special School, conversion of Rectory Road Library, and the new Oxlow Bridge Special School. Funding has also been secured for school condition maintenance and high-needs capital provision.

Council-Owned Companies - 2025/26 Quarter 1 Update

Cabinet noted the key highlights and issues relating to Council-owned companies in the first quarter of 2025/26 and the ongoing scrutiny provided by the Shareholder Panel. The report detailed progress and challenges for Be First (Regeneration), the Reside group of companies and Barking and Dagenham Homes Ltd (Property Management), BD Energy (Energy), and Barking and Dagenham Trading Partnership (BDTP) (Facilities Management). The update included information on homes delivered, financial performance, governance changes, and ongoing legal and regulatory matters.

Joint Procurement of a UCaaS Solution and a CCaaS Solution

Cabinet agreed that the Council would proceed with the procurement of contracts for both a new UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) supplier and a new CCaaS (Contact Centre as a Service) supplier, commencing March 2027. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Resources, in consultation with the Head of Legal, to conduct the procurements and award contracts. This decision aims to improve response times, reduce resident waiting times, enhance the first-contact resolution rate, and move towards an omnichannel contact centre.

Debt Management Performance 2025/26 (Quarter 1)

Cabinet noted the performance of the debt management function for the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year and the comparative data relating to Council Tax and Business Rates across London boroughs. The report indicated a slight decrease in Council Tax collection rates compared to the previous year, partly attributed to changes in the Council Tax Support scheme and the ongoing cost of living crisis. Business Rates collection also showed a slight decrease, though expected growth from the new Eastbrook Studio development was noted. Rent collection showed improvement, but the transition to Universal Credit remains a risk. Adult Social Care collection rates saw a significant improvement.