The Assembly of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Wednesday 25 February 2026, approving the budget framework for 2026-27 and a medium-term financial strategy. The meeting also saw the adoption of the Barking and Dagenham Housing Strategy 2026-2031 and the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge report.

Budget Framework and Medium-Term Financial Strategy

The Assembly approved the budget framework for 2026-27 and the medium-term financial strategy (MTFS) for 2026-27 to 2030-31. Councillor Toomey, the Leader of the Council, presented the report, highlighting a recent royal visit by Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, which showcased the borough's community programs and film sector. The visit included a tour of Barking Learning Centre, arts and wellbeing initiatives, and Barking and Dagenham College, culminating in the King officially opening Eastbrook Studios. The Leader also noted the positive inspection of the youth justice services, rated good by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation.

The budget proposals include an 11.5% uplift in core spending power due to fair funding secured from the Labour government, providing a three-year funding allocation. This will allow for an investment of just under £33 million into communities, with additional funding for frontline services, street cleansing, bulky waste collection, enforcement, and highways and footpaths. However, pressures remain, with an estimated £31 million needed to repair all roads and footpaths. Significant investment is also planned for adult, children's, and disability social care.

A key decision within the budget was the approval of a 4.99% council tax increase, which includes a 2% adult social care precept. This equates to an annual increase of £80 for a Band D property. Councillor Toomey argued this increase was necessary to meet statutory duties and protect frontline services. Councillor Hornby questioned the increase, stating it would disproportionately affect poor families during a time of rising poverty. Councillor Toomey responded that discretionary support for vulnerable families, totalling over £5 million, would continue and that without the council tax increase, a balanced budget would not be achievable.

The MTFS identifies a significant gap in years four and five if no further action is taken, driven by demand and inflationary pressures. The strategy aims to address this through redesigning services, modernising council operations, and a renewed focus on assets, regeneration, and financial resilience. The council's investment and acquisition strategy is undergoing a fundamental review, with some schemes paused due to increased construction costs and interest rates.

The budget was approved following a recorded vote.

Treasury Management Strategy and Capital Strategy

The Assembly also approved the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2026-27 and the Capital Strategy for 2026-27 to 2027-28. Councillor Toomey explained that these reports cover the management of the council's long-term borrowing and cash investments. As of December 31, 2025, the council's borrowing stood at £1.59 billion, split between the General Fund (£180 million), Housing Revenue Account (£295 million), and the Investment and Acquisition Strategy (£1.1 billion). The Investment and Acquisition Strategy, largely borrowed at low interest rates, has provided significant returns and delivered new housing. The strategy proposes borrowing of £63 million for the General Fund and £46 million for the Housing Revenue Account in 2026-27. A key element is the approach to borrowing, with the council actively seeking to refinance £470 million of short-term debt at 4.25% to avoid being locked into high long-term interest rates. Councillor Hornby raised concerns about potential cost jumps and the impact on frontline services, to which Councillor Toomey responded that the strategy includes mitigations for various scenarios and that no services would be cut overnight.

Barking and Dagenham Housing Strategy 2026-2031

The Assembly adopted the Barking and Dagenham Housing Strategy 2026-2031, presented by Councillor Warby, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing. The strategy focuses on delivering safe, good quality, and affordable homes, while enhancing neighbourhoods and ensuring services are fair, transparent, and prevention-led. Key objectives include increasing the supply of high-quality housing, with 400 new homes expected this year and 800 in the pipeline. The strategy aims to improve affordability through a balanced mix of tenures and rent levels aligned to local incomes, with a commitment to maintaining 50% affordable homes on new developments. It also prioritises preventing homelessness and rough sleeping through partnerships with the voluntary sector and early intervention. Councillor Warby highlighted the council's commendable track record in keeping temporary accommodation numbers lower than most authorities. The strategy also addresses improving housing quality and safety, particularly in council stock, by shifting from reactive repairs to planned maintenance. A zero-tolerance approach to damp and mould in the private rented sector will continue, alongside the borough-wide licensing scheme. The strategy will also introduce an updated approach to accessible, adapted, and supported housing. Resident involvement will be enhanced through a structured engagement and scrutiny system, including a resident scrutiny group and a lived experience panel.

Councillor Quadri questioned how the strategy would reduce the housing waiting list, and Councillor Warby explained that the allocations policy would be reviewed, and the housing register would be re-evaluated to ensure accuracy. Councillor Ashraf commended the report for its focus on collaboration, prevention, affordability, and safety. Councillor Rice shared a personal account of a rough sleeper who had been moved into temporary accommodation, highlighting the council's efforts.

LGA Corporate Peer Challenge

The Assembly received and noted the findings of the Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge. Councillor Toomey, the Leader, presented the report, describing Barking and Dagenham as an innovative and creative council with ambition and grip. The peer review team highlighted the committed workforce and the strength of partnerships. The report made several recommendations, including improving the communication of the council's achievements, bringing more clarity to the neighbourhood model, and completing the review of the investment and acquisition strategy. Councillor Toomey stated that the action plan published in the appendix responds to each recommendation and that the council is not in crisis but has momentum. Councillor Quadri raised concerns about governance failures, which Councillor Toomey refuted, stating the report highlighted successes and that the council was outperforming in many areas. Councillor Hornby questioned the need for external experts to identify the need for stronger financial resilience, to which Councillor Toomey responded that few councils are financially resilient and that 14 years of austerity cannot be overturned in one year.

It Starts Here - A New Vision for Barking and Dagenham

Councillor Ashraf, Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, presented the It Starts Here report, a new vision for Barking and Dagenham. This narrative links the 2017 Borough Manifesto to the current It Starts Here reset, framing it as a compelling story of the borough's evolution through a turbulent decade. The vision acknowledges the challenges of austerity, Brexit, the pandemic, and the cost of living crisis, which have increased demand across all public services. The It Starts Here vision focuses on the journey, with 10 sharper, more focused missions grounded in residents' realities, including school readiness, poverty, employment, and community safety. It introduces a neighbourhood model built on relationships, trust, and shared responsibilities, elevating the voluntary sector as equal partners. Councillor Hornby questioned how the vision would help families struggling today, and Councillor Ashraf explained that support is available through community hubs and libraries, with staff assisting residents in accessing benefits and financial help. Councillor Quadri's question regarding increasing income and tackling poverty was deferred to a written response due to time constraints, but Councillor Ashraf highlighted ongoing work in training, job shops, apprenticeships, and internships.

Corporate Parenting Annual Report 2024-25

The Assembly received the Corporate Parenting Annual Report for 2024-25, presented by Councillor Jones, Cabinet Member for Children's Social Care and Disabilities. The report highlighted strong progress across five Corporate Parenting Promises, including the launch of Lifelong Links and a new Mockingbird Hub. The council continues to focus on stable, high-quality care, with 95% of review meetings held on time and most children remaining close to home. Early work has begun on developing the council's own residential care homes. In education, 96% of personal education plans were up-to-date, and children in care achieved above the national average. For care leavers, 94% have an up-to-date pathway plan, 91% live in suitable accommodation, and 60% are in education, employment, or training. Councillor Hornby questioned the continued placement of children in costly private homes instead of building stronger local services. Councillor Jones explained that complexity of need drives the cost of private placements, but the council has a high level of children in foster or kinship care. Councillor Quadri asked about care leavers facing housing pressure, and Councillor Jones stated that the council has a strong relationship with the housing department, with many young people in semi-independent housing and council housing.

Review of Council Governance Arrangements

The Assembly reviewed the council's governance arrangements, presented by the Chief Executive. The report proposed amendments to the council's constitution, including merging the Assembly and Ceremonial Council into the Full Council, chaired by the Mayor. It also recommended consulting on changes to the Personnel Board and expanding overview and scrutiny functions. Councillor Quadri raised concerns about the impact on democracy and the challenges of changing scrutiny committee criteria. Councillor Hornby questioned the minimal savings from the governance changes in relation to the council's debt. The Leader responded that savings are a by-product of good governance and that the changes aim to strengthen democracy and increase scrutiny.

Motion on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

A motion supported by White Ribbon UK on ending violence against women and girls was moved by Councillor Spohr and seconded by Councillor Mason. The motion called for violence against women and girls to be more embedded in council policy, for the council to work towards White Ribbon accreditation, and to support prevention measures as set out in the Istanbul Convention. Councillor Spohr highlighted research showing that girls change their behaviour to avoid sexual harassment and that politicians are not doing enough to tackle misogyny. The motion was supported by councillors from across the chamber, with many sharing personal experiences and emphasizing the need for prevention alongside enforcement. The motion was agreed by the Assembly.

Questions of Notice

Several questions were put to the Leader and Cabinet Members. Councillor Quadri questioned the transparency of public money spending and the existence of financial reports. Councillor Hornby asked about the justification for above-inflation fee increases, including street trading charges and parking, and the lack of income forecasts. Councillor Chowdhury inquired about environmental actions and the council's progress towards a zero-carbon economy. Councillor Rice asked about the spending of a £1.8 million government grant from the Department of Health and Social Care. Councillor Rice also asked about the number of cameras in use in Longbridge ward for identifying and deterring fly-tippers. Responses were provided by the Leader, Councillor Haroon, and Councillor Garney, with some questions deferred for written responses.

Urgent Business

Under urgent business, Councillor Mukhtar Youssef was nominated and appointed as the Deputy Chair for the Standards Committee.