The Cabinet of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, to discuss a range of important issues including the revenue budget and capital programme, major repairs and lettings at Maritime House, and the annual education performance review. Key decisions made included approving Council borrowing for upgrades to Maritime House and Barking Industria, allocating Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) funding to Queen Mary University London, and endorsing the draft Becontree Estate Supplementary Planning Document for public consultation.

Revenue Budget and Capital Programme Update

The Cabinet noted the projected £0.8 million General Fund revenue overspend forecast at period 6 of the 2025/26 financial year. They approved a planned movement in reserves totalling £11 million and noted progress on savings delivery. The projected breakeven position for the Housing Revenue Account and the projected £3 million overspend within the Dedicated Schools Grant were also noted, as was the projected £207.4 million capital programme expenditure forecast.

Maritime House - Healthcare Operator Letting and Major Repairs

The Cabinet approved Council borrowing of £4.6 million to fund full window replacement, mosaic, and concrete cladding works at Maritime House. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Inclusive Growth and Place, to agree the final terms of a 15-year lease to Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) for the use of the 9th and 10th floors. The Strategic Director was also authorised to commission external repair works via Be First, and the Head of Legal was delegated authority to execute all necessary legal agreements. This decision supports a partnership with QMUL to establish a new Faculty of Dentistry, providing dental care to an estimated 12,000 residents annually and training 130 dental students each year.

Allocation of Strategic CIL to Queen Mary University London

The Cabinet approved the allocation of £4.1 million of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) funding to Queen Mary University for the North East London Dental Outreach Collaborative. This funding will support the conversion of two floors in Maritime House into a dental training facility, which will also provide NHS dental care to approximately 5,200 primary care patients annually. The Strategic Director, Inclusive Growth and Place, in consultation with the Head of Legal, was delegated authority to ensure compliance with the Subsidy Control Act 2022 and execute all necessary agreements.

Annual Education Performance Review 2024/25

The Cabinet reaffirmed the Council's commitment to strengthening partnerships with schools and other educational bodies to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people. They noted the performance against the priorities of the Education and Participation Strategic Plan 2023-26. The report highlighted strong performance, with 98% of schools rated 'Good' or 'Outstanding' by Ofsted, exceeding national and London averages. GCSE and A-level results were also noted as being above pre-pandemic levels and the best achieved in the borough excluding pandemic years.

New Service Delivery Contract with Barking and Dagenham Trading Partnership Limited

The Cabinet agreed to enter into a new five-year contract with Barking and Dagenham Trading Partnership Limited (BDTP) commencing 1 April 2026, for housing repairs and maintenance via BDMS Ltd and cleaning and catering services via BDCC Ltd. They agreed that the Council would pay BDMS Ltd and BDCC Ltd quarterly in advance to support their financial liquidity, subject to compliance with the Subsidy Control Act 2022. The draft heads of terms for the housing repairs and maintenance contract were noted, and specialist housing law advisers will be commissioned. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Communities, to conclude negotiations and finalise the new contracts.

Annual Youth Justice Plan 2025/26

The Cabinet noted the Barking and Dagenham Youth Justice Plan 2025/26, which outlines the work of the youth justice service in addressing youth crime and sets priorities for the coming year. These priorities include a clearer understanding of first-time entrants and reducing their numbers, improving participation with children, increasing the use of volunteers, developing gender-specific groupwork, and enhancing the parenting offer. The Cabinet recommended that the Assembly adopt the plan.

12 Thames Road, Barking - Secondary Power and Sprinkler Upgrades

The Cabinet endorsed the proposed interim solution for secondary power at 12 Thames Road to enable the occupation of residential units. They approved the upgrade of the sprinkler system at Crossness Yard from an Ordinary Hazard 3 System to a High Hazard System to enhance lettings potential. An additional budget provision of £3.166 million was approved to cover the projected costs. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Inclusive Growth and Place, to procure contractors and designers, and to take legal action against relevant parties to recover costs associated with the secondary power non-compliance issue.

Barking Industria - Upgrade of Existing Fire Safety System

The Cabinet approved Council borrowing of £2.23 million to enable the retrofit of the fire safety system, specifically sprinklers, at Barking Industria. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Inclusive Growth and Place, to commission the necessary works via Be First, and to the Head of Legal to execute all legal agreements. This upgrade is intended to allow for higher storage racking, thereby improving the lettings potential of the industrial units.

Draft Becontree Estate Supplementary Planning Document and Design Code Public Consultation

The Cabinet approved the commencement of an eight-week public consultation on the draft Becontree Estate Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and Design Code. They also approved the making of, and public consultation on, two non-immediate Article 4 Directions to revoke permitted development rights for porches on all properties and for side and roof alterations on corner blocks within the Becontree Estate. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Inclusive Growth and Place, to make final minor changes to the draft SPD and Article 4 Directions. Further reports will be presented to the Assembly and Cabinet following the consultation period.

Annual Housing Performance Report 2024/25

The Cabinet noted the report detailing the performance of Housing Services in 2024/25 and the first half of 2025/26. They also made observations and recommendations on the priorities for Housing Services, considering the review of Service Plans and the development of the new Housing Strategy for 2026-36. The report highlighted improvements in homelessness prevention and rent collection, but noted ongoing challenges with void turnaround times and tenant satisfaction, although methodology changes have shown an upward trend.

Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2025/26 Mid-Year Review

The Cabinet recommended that the Assembly note the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2025/26 mid-year review, the economic update, and the Council's borrowing and investment positions. They noted the projected shortfall in investment income on the General Fund and the Investment and Acquisition Strategy. The Council's total borrowing was £1,553.7 million, with total treasury investments at £454.4 million.