The Cabinet of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Tuesday 20 January 2026 to discuss a range of important issues affecting residents. Key decisions included the continuation of the Council Tax Support Scheme at its current level, with inflationary uplifts to income thresholds, and the approval of funding for various community improvement projects through the Pride in Place and Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy schemes. The Cabinet also agreed to proceed with the delivery of the Holiday Activities and Food Programme for the next three years and to consult on a draft Supplementary Planning Document for the regeneration of Dagenham Heathway.

Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27

The Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27 will be maintained at its current level, with income thresholds being uprated in line with inflation. This decision aims to provide stability for residents while allowing the Council to fully assess the impact of changes introduced in the previous financial year. The Discretionary Council Tax Relief scheme will also continue, with a fund of £0.5 million, including a £0.2 million contribution from the Greater London Authority, to support residents facing exceptional hardship. The removal of the national two-child benefit cap within Universal Credit was noted, which will impact the level of Council Tax Support for some families.

Dedicated Schools Budget and School Funding Formula 2026/27

The Cabinet noted the indicative allocation of the Dedicated Schools Grant for 2026/27, which shows an increase of 2.23% compared to the previous year when excluding specific grants. Approval was given to the strategy for the Dedicated Schools Budget and the principles for the Local Schools Funding Formula, following consultation with schools and the Schools Forum. Delegated authority was granted to finalise the formula, ensuring fairness, stability, and support for children with the greatest needs, despite national funding pressures.

Pride in Place and Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy Funding

The Cabinet approved the allocation of £2,883,640 from the Pride in Place and Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding towards 12 projects across the borough. These projects aim to enhance community spaces, improve public realm and green spaces, and support community safety. Notable allocations include funding for street cleansing improvements, refurbishment of St Chad's Park Pavilion, the reintroduction of beavers and white storks at Eastbrookend Country Park, and the installation of rapid deployment CCTV cameras. Funding was also approved for the refurbishment of Leys Pavilion, community asset development across nine Neighbourhood Networks, park bridge repairs, and the development of community assets.

Delivery of the DfE Holiday Activities and Food Programme 2026-2029

The Cabinet agreed to continue delivering the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme for the next three years, building on its success in providing enriching activities, nutritious meals, and safe childcare for children from low-income families. The programme will be enhanced with a focus on SEND inclusion, mental health support, and the procurement of a centralised booking system to improve accessibility and data accuracy.

Draft Dagenham Heathway Supplementary Planning Document Public Consultation

The Cabinet approved the commencement of a six-week public consultation on the draft Dagenham Heathway Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). This document provides a comprehensive vision for the regeneration of Dagenham Heathway, aiming to encourage growth, guide future development, and improve the area's safety, cleanliness, and vibrancy. The SPD will form a material consideration in planning applications and aims to transform the area into a thriving civic heart for Becontree and Dagenham.

Species Reintroduction Programme (Eastbrookend Country Park)

The Cabinet agreed to proceed with a species reintroduction programme at Eastbrookend Country Park in partnership with the London Wildlife Trust. This initiative, supported by £500,000 from the Mayor of London's Green Roots Fund and £95,000 from Pride in Place/Strategic CIL funding, will see the reintroduction of Eurasian beavers and white storks. This project aims to enhance biodiversity, support environmental education, and position Barking and Dagenham at the forefront of urban nature recovery.

Orchards Medical Centre, Gascoigne Road, Barking Lease Extension

A proposal to extend the long lease of the Orchard Medical Centre to 999 years was approved. This will generate a capital receipt of £300,000 for the Council and obligate the leaseholder to undertake a refurbishment of the medical centre, ensuring its continued provision of healthcare facilities for local residents.

Provision of a Children's Out of Hours Emergency Duty Service

The Cabinet agreed to continue the existing four-borough partnership agreement for the Children's Out of Hours Emergency Duty Service, managed by Redbridge Council. This three-year agreement, running from April 2026 to March 2029, ensures the continued provision of a high-performing, cost-effective safeguarding service for vulnerable children and young people outside of normal working hours.

Governance of the Technical Skills Academy

The Cabinet agreed to dissolve the current Technical Skills Academy (TSA) Commissioning Board and subsume its functions into Barking and Dagenham College's wider Board. This streamlining of governance aims to improve efficiency, reduce duplication, and focus resources on young people's futures, reflecting the significant changes in the TSA's offer and the Council's relationship with the College since its inception.

Contract for the Provision of Food Waste Collection Vehicles

Approval was given to proceed with the procurement of food waste collection vehicles. This is a statutory requirement under the Environment Act 2021, mandating weekly separate food waste collections from March 2026. The Council plans to commence its service in October 2026 and will procure eight vehicles, with a decision on the exact specification to be made based on final cost assessments and capacity needs.

Contract for Fire Risk Assessments to Residential Blocks

The Cabinet agreed to the procurement of a contract for Fire Risk Assessments for all managed residential blocks. This is a legal responsibility for the Council, and the contract, valued at approximately £1.2 million over four years, will involve over 1,000 inspections to ensure the safety of residents.

Calculation and Setting of the Council Tax Base for 2026/27

The Cabinet agreed that the Council Tax Base for 2026/27 will be 57,526.52 Band 'D' properties. This calculation follows a prescribed process mandated by regulations and is essential for setting the Council Tax for the upcoming financial year.

Council-Owned Companies - 2025/26 Quarter 2 Update

The Cabinet noted the performance updates for the Council-owned companies for the second quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. The report highlighted key achievements and challenges for Be First (Regeneration Ltd), the Reside group of companies and Barking and Dagenham Homes Ltd (Property Management), BD Energy Ltd (Energy), and Barking and Dagenham Trading Partnership (Facilities Management). Progress on addressing recommendations from the Grant Thornton Value for Money Review was also noted.

Corporate Plan 2023-2026 – Outcomes Framework Performance Report Q1 and Q2 2025/26

The Cabinet reviewed the performance of the Corporate Plan's Outcomes Framework for the first two quarters of the 2025/26 financial year. The report indicated that while many areas are performing well, challenges remain in areas such as food insecurity, council tax collection, and placement stability for children in care. Changes were agreed to two outcome measures: The proportion of children in care experiencing long term placement stability and Overall tenant satisfaction with housing management service .

LGA Corporate Peer Challenge

The Cabinet noted the positive findings of the Local Government Association's Corporate Peer Challenge, which described Barking and Dagenham Council as an innovative and creative council that is well respected by its partners. The report highlighted the council's strengths in regeneration, community-facing work, and leveraging partnerships, while also identifying areas for development, including clarifying the neighbourhood model and strengthening procurement governance. An action plan in response to the eight recommendations will be published by March 2026.

The meeting concluded without any other urgent public items or private business being discussed.