This week in Barking and Dagenham:

Council Faces Tough Choices as Budget Deficit Looms

Barking and Dagenham Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee grappled with the stark reality of the draft budget strategy for 2026-27 to 2030-31, which projects a significant budget gap of £9.6 million for the upcoming year alone. This challenging financial picture, exacerbated by a late government settlement and increased demand for services like children's and adult social care, means difficult decisions lie ahead.

• The Stakes: The council's budget directly impacts every resident, determining the level and quality of essential services from social care to waste collection. A significant deficit could mean service reductions or increased costs for residents.
• Vulnerable Groups: Increases in council tax and potential cuts to services could disproportionately affect low-income households and those most reliant on council support.

Read the full details of the meeting.

Council Tax and Fees Under the Microscope

The committee scrutinised proposed increases to council tax and various fees and charges. While the government's provisional local government finance settlement was better than anticipated for Barking and Dagenham, it still presents a considerable challenge.

• Council Tax Dilemma: Councillors debated a potential 4.99% council tax increase, with some advocating for a lower 2% rise in the first year to ease the burden on residents. However, the council's Section 151 Officer, Richard Harbord, cautioned that not taking the full allowance could cost the council an additional £2.7 million, and that the government penalises councils that don't increase council tax by the full amount.
• Fees and Charges Review: Proposed increases to fees and charges, including for visitor parking permits and street trading, were also discussed. While some increases are intended to recover costs, residents questioned the scale of hikes, such as the 87% increase in street trading fees, and whether they align with supporting local markets.

The Challenge of Transformation

A recurring theme was the council's ongoing efforts towards transformation of its services. While transformation has been ongoing since 2016 and has reportedly saved millions, councillors raised concerns about the lack of detail and clarity on the impact of these proposals on services and staffing. The need for robust equality impact assessments to understand the effect on residents and staff was also highlighted.

Audit Committee Confronts Governance Weaknesses and Contract Management Issues

The Audit and Risk Committee faced a challenging session, reviewing draft annual governance reports and internal audit findings that highlighted significant weaknesses in financial governance, contract management, and data security.

• The Stakes: Weaknesses in governance and contract management can lead to financial mismanagement, inefficient service delivery, and potential risks to residents.
• Vulnerable Groups: Issues in areas like housing repairs and building safety, flagged in audit reports, have direct implications for the safety and well-being of residents, particularly those in council housing.

Read the full details of the meeting.

Governance Concerns Persist

The committee expressed frustration with the draft Annual Governance Statement, noting a lack of clear progress updates on identified headline governance challenges, including staffing, statement of accounts, financial resilience, and subsidiary company governance. While officers assured the committee that these issues are being monitored, the lack of detailed action plans and evidence of progress in the report led to concerns about the council's ability to effectively manage its risks.

Contract Management and Building Safety Under Fire

Several critical areas were flagged for their lack of assurance and potential risks:

• Contract Management: Repeated concerns were raised about the council's contract management, with councillors noting a lack of assurance and difficulty in accessing contract details. The upcoming arrival of a new Head of Procurement was seen as a potential opportunity to address these long-standing issues.
• Building Safety: Reports highlighted significant concerns regarding fire safety, with the fire safety strategy not having been developed and a lack of competent registers for high-risk buildings. The absence of evidence for training provided to staff on the Building Safety Act was also a major point of concern, given the serious implications of getting this wrong.
• BDMS Subsidiary: The relationship between the council and its subsidiary company, BDMS, was also a focus, with limited assurance on performance management and penalties for poor performance. The lack of detailed performance information and historical data raised questions about the council's ability to monitor commissioned services effectively.

Health and Wellbeing Board Tackles Winter Pressures and Service Restructuring

The Health & Wellbeing Board and ICB Sub-Committee met to discuss a range of critical health and social care initiatives, including the winter plan, the restructuring of the Integrated Care Board (ICB), and the impact of service centralisation on residents.

• The Stakes: Decisions made by the Health & Wellbeing Board directly affect the health and social care services available to all residents, with particular implications for those with complex needs or facing health inequalities.
• Vulnerable Groups: The discussion on service centralisation highlighted concerns about travel burdens for residents, particularly children with health conditions, impacting their access to essential care.

Read the full details of the meeting.

Winter Plan Shows Promise, But Challenges Remain

An update on the 2025/26 Winter Plan revealed positive progress in areas like universal care plans for proactive care residents and increased activity at the ARI hub. However, concerns were raised about the potential decommissioning of the community spirometry service, which is vital for identifying respiratory conditions in a borough with a high smoking prevalence. The centralisation of services, such as children's asthma care moving to St. George's Hospital, also raised significant concerns about accessibility and travel burdens for residents, particularly those with limited mobility or financial resources.

ICB Restructure and Neighbourhood Working

The meeting provided an update on the significant restructure of the NHS North East London ICB, which aims to reduce running costs and become a leaner organisation. While the intention is to maintain dedicated place delivery teams, councillors expressed concerns about potential distancing of decision-making from neighbourhood levels and the loss of critical expertise and relationships during the transition. The Neighbourhood Working Programme is progressing, with a focus on developing integrated teams and involving residents in shaping local health priorities.

Adult Social Care Rated Outstanding

A significant highlight was the outstanding rating received by Barking and Dagenham's adult social care services from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This rating reflects strong partnership working, effective hospital discharge processes, and a culture of continuous improvement. However, areas for improvement were identified, including enhancing information for unpaid carers and addressing delays in Occupational Therapy assessments.

Progress Towards a Smokefree 2030

The board received an update on the ambitious 'Smokefree 2030' target. Despite a significant increase in residents supported to quit smoking, the borough faces a challenging trajectory due to higher-than-average smoking prevalence. The need for increased funding and innovative approaches was stressed, with concerns raised about the long-term effects of vaping as a smoking cessation tool.

Carers' Health Needs Under the Spotlight

A deep dive into the health needs of informal carers revealed that while many feel included in decision-making, a substantial number face emotional, social, and financial challenges. The report recommended a more holistic, individualised approach to supporting carers and families, with a particular focus on improving support for young carers and addressing specific needs within the LGBTQ+ community. The need for better data linkage to identify and support carers was also emphasised.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Assembly is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 28 January 2026. See the meeting details.
• The Policy Task Group is scheduled to meet on Monday 19 January 2026. See the meeting details.
• The Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 20 January 2026. See the meeting details.
• The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 21 January 2026. See the meeting details.

This week in Barking and Dagenham:

Pension Fund Investments Under Scrutiny Amid Divestment Calls

The Pensions Committee met to discuss the fund's investment strategy, responsible investment policy, and governance, including a request to divest from companies seen to support conflict in the Occupied Palestinian Territories[^4]. The committee also addressed concerns about past financial practices and the fund's performance.

• The Stakes: Decisions about pension fund investments have significant ethical and financial implications for residents, particularly those relying on their pensions for retirement income.
• Vulnerable Groups: Ethical investment decisions can reflect the values of the community and avoid supporting activities that harm vulnerable populations.

Read the full details of the meeting.

Calls for Divestment from Occupied Palestinian Territories

The committee discussed a request from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) to divest from investments that are seen to support the conflict in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The council has received emails expressing concern over the fund investing in Israeli companies.

• Current Investments: The fund has two global equity managers: Kempen, which has no exposure to Israeli companies, and UBS, which has an exposure of £600,000 to Israeli companies through their Life Fund. Through the LCIV, the Baillie Gifford Global Growth Paris Aligned Fund has a £600,000 investment in Mobileye, which was founded in Israel.
• Responsible Investment Matrix: The LCIV is asking for the position of funds on the Responsible Investment matrix they have developed, which essentially places the varied approaches of 32 partner funds into three options, or Pillars.
• Next Steps: The committee is expected to discuss consulting on a Human Rights violation overlay for its equity allocations and authorising the Strategic Director to write to the Chief Executive of the LCIV setting out the fund's requirements on mandates as they transfer to LCIV funds.

Historic Financial Practices Addressed

The committee addressed reports from BDO, the external auditor, regarding the years 2019/20 to 2022/23, which identified significant issues related to loans between the Pension Fund and the council, as well as what the report refers to as prepayments .

• Loans Issue: The loans issue has been discussed previously and the practice terminated. The council obtained a King's Counsel opinion in December 2024 supporting the legality of the transactions.
• Prepayment Concerns: BDO also raised concerns about prepayment of contributions by the council in the period 2019/20 to 2021/22, which were not reflected in the actuary's Rates and Contributions Certificate. The report states that there appears to have been a misuse of the term prepayments by council officers, and that these transactions are historic and have no impact on the 2023/24 and 2024/25 accounts.
• Disclaimer of Opinion: BDO will issue a disclaimer of opinion on the financial statements for all four years (2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, and 2022/23) for the council's accounts incorporating the Pension Fund accounts. The disclaimer reflects circumstances rather than failure in the current arrangements.

Actuarial Valuation Shows Positive Results

The committee received a presentation from Barry McKay, the fund actuary from Barnett Waddington, on the initial results of the triennial actuarial valuation[^2].

• Funding Level Increase: The funding level has increased from 101% to 108%.
• Primary Rate Reduction: The Primary Rate reduces from 21.5% to 18.1%.

Planning Applications for Chadwell Heath and Barking Properties Considered

The Planning Committee met to discuss planning applications for properties in Chadwell Heath and Barking, including the White Horse, The Croft, and 3 Gallions Close.

• The Stakes: Planning decisions shape the physical environment of the borough and can impact residents' quality of life, access to services, and property values.

Read the full details of the meeting.

Other Matters

• A meeting was held on Friday 19 December 2025, attended by Councillor Dominic Twomey, Leader of the Council / Labour Group, Councillor Kashif Haroon, Cabinet Member for Public Realm & Climate Change, Councillor Donna Lumsden, Deputy Chair, Health Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Rubina Siddiqui, Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, Fiona Taylor, and Gail Clark. No video was provided.

This week in Barking and Dagenham:

Council Approves Budget Strategy Amidst £50 Million Funding Gap

Barking and Dagenham Council's Cabinet approved a draft budget strategy for 2026/27 to 2030/31, outlining a revised budget gap of £21.8 million for 2026/27, increasing to £49.9 million by 2030/31. The council plans to consult with residents on a proposed 2.99% general council tax increase and a 2% adult social care precept[^1].

• The Stakes: The budget decisions will directly impact the services and support available to residents, particularly the most vulnerable. Balancing financial constraints with the needs of the community is a critical challenge.
• Vulnerable Groups: Proposed cuts and council tax increases could disproportionately affect low-income households and those reliant on council services.

Read the full details of the meeting.

Savings and Growth Proposals

The report included a summary of savings and growth proposals identified by strategic directors, including new growth needs totalling £23.1m and proposed savings amounting to £1.9m. Councillor Dominic Twomey, Leader of the Council, noted the difficulty of the situation, stating:

We all know it's incredibly difficult, the situation that we're in and the backdrop that we've been in for a number of years. And I think it's important to note that we've done incredibly well contextually.

Council Tax Increase Consultation

The council will consult with residents on a proposed 2.99% general council tax increase and a 2% adult social care precept. Councillor Twomey acknowledged the burden on residents, stating:

I know everybody sitting in this chamber, living in a borough, would like to not increase council tax. Again, in the backdrop, of course, that every 1% of council tax brings in just shy of £1 million, means that by not taking council tax increases, it is less money to spend on services, less money to support jobs, and less money to provide the support to our most vulnerable.

Budget Support Reserve

The Cabinet also reviewed the council's reserve position, with usable earmarked reserves having increased from £26.8m at the start of 2024/25 to £46.9m in 2025/26. Within this, the Budget Support Reserve has increased from £15.4m to £32m.

Rent Increases Approved for Council Tenants

The Cabinet agreed to proposed increases to rents and some service charges in 2026/27 to support the financial resilience of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) in maintaining and improving council homes, regenerating estates and developing new housing.

• The Stakes: Rent increases can significantly impact the affordability of housing for council tenants, particularly those on low incomes.
• Vulnerable Groups: Tenants on benefits and universal credit will have the increase absorbed, but others may struggle to meet the increased costs.

Read the full details of the meeting.

Awaab's Law Implementation

The report noted that the main reason for a reduction to the revenue contribution to capital was the provision of an additional £3.062m in the revenue repairs budget for the cost of implementing Awaab's Law¹, which were not in the original budget.

30-Year Business Plan

The Cabinet also noted the 30-year business plan for the HRA, which ensures balanced budgets are achieved every year, that the HRA remains on a sustainable path in terms of borrowing and debt repayment, and that appropriate amounts are spent every year on maintaining and improving housing assets and providing efficient and high-quality services to tenants and leaseholders. Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, stated:

There is a requirement every year to present not only our budget for this year, but for that rolling 30-year business plan. And that is because we need to demonstrate that we have a viable housing revenue account, HRA, going forward.

Rent Convergence Postponed

The report also discussed rent convergence, with the government committing to introducing a mechanism to move to rent convergence, i.e. the harmonisation of rents for each property type by increasing the rents for occupied properties gradually to formula rent levels. However, the implementation of rent convergence has been postponed.

Roding Primary School Consolidation Approved Amidst Falling Demand

The Cabinet agreed to the reduction of Roding Primary School’s published admission number (PAN) from 6 forms of entry (6FE) to 4FE, with a published admission number (PAN) of 120, to reflect current and future demand for places at the School. The Cabinet also approved the issue of a statutory notice to close the Roding Primary School site at Hewett Road on 31 August 2026 and the transfer of all remaining pupils and staff to the Cannington Road site from 1 September 2026.

• The Stakes: School closures and consolidations can disrupt the education of children and impact the local community.
• Vulnerable Groups: Children from low-income families may face additional challenges due to increased travel distances and changes in school environment.

Read the full details of the meeting.

Falling Demand for Primary School Places

The report noted that across London, schools are currently dealing with a significant fall in demand for primary mainstream school places. Families are continuing to move away from London due to the lack of affordable housing, increased cost of living, the impact of the pandemic as well as Brexit. With more people choosing to raise a family outside the capital, birth rates in London have fallen and continue to decline.

Financial Viability

The report also noted that Roding Primary School originally operated from its Hewett Road site in Dagenham. As a result of rapid growth in demand for school primary school places across the borough in 2010, the school was expanded onto the Cannington Road site. At its peak, the school became 6FE and operated at full capacity over two sites: Hewett Road (2 FE) and the newer purpose-built Cannington Road (4FE). Councillor Elizabeth Kangethe, Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment & School Improvement, stated:

Consolidating onto one single site is seen as essential to restoring the financial viability and supporting high-quality education, which is so much needed.

Other Matters

• The Cabinet approved the Customer Experience and Access Strategy 2025-2028 and its action plan for implementation. The strategy sets out a new approach to delivering council services that is accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all residents and customers.
• The Cabinet approved the Council’s Digital, Data and Technology Strategy 2025-2028. The strategy sets out how the Council will make best use of emerging technologies to support its residents across all Council services.
• The Cabinet approved the procurement of a new All-Age Care Technology Service. The new All Age Care Technology Service will be commissioned as an all-age model, supporting children, young people, and adults.
• The Cabinet agreed to cap the contribution to growing the Borough Community Endowment fund at a maximum of £100,000 or 20% of the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) income above £300,000, whichever was lower.
• The Cabinet approved a retrospective waiver of the Council's Contract Rules and direct award of the contract servicing and maintenance of passenger lifts and associated plant equipment with Professional Lifts Services Ltd until March 2026, to facilitate the payment of annual uplift provisions within the original contract agreement.
• The Health Scrutiny Committee discussed GP performance, public health spending, and health facilities at Barking Riverside. No video was provided.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Planning Committee are scheduled to meet on Tuesday 16 December 2025. See the meeting details.
• The Pensions Committee are scheduled to meet on Wednesday 17 December 2025. See the meeting details.
• A meeting is scheduled for Friday 19 December 2025, attended by Councillor Dominic Twomey, Leader of the Council / Labour Group, Councillor Kashif Haroon, Cabinet Member for Public Realm & Climate Change, Councillor Donna Lumsden, Deputy Chair, Health Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Rubina Siddiqui, Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, Fiona Taylor, and Gail Clark. See the meeting details.

This week in Barking and Dagenham:

Cafe Licence Approved Despite Resident Concerns Over Noise and Anti-Social Behaviour

The Licensing Sub-Committee approved a new premises licence for Brati A&A Cafe, allowing the sale of alcohol until 10:30pm, Monday to Sunday, with a condition to end alcohol sales at 10pm on Sundays. The decision followed concerns raised by local residents about potential noise, anti-social behaviour, and the impact on vulnerable individuals.

• The Stakes: Licensing decisions directly impact the quality of life for residents, particularly those living near licensed premises. Balancing business interests with community concerns is a key challenge for the council.
• Vulnerable Groups: Residents with chronic health conditions, such as lung disease, may be particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of noise and air pollution from nearby establishments.

Read the full details of the meeting.

Residents Voice Concerns About Noise and Disorder

During the meeting, residents expressed fears that the new licence could exacerbate existing problems with noise, anti-social behaviour, and drug dealing in the area.

• Noise Pollution: Terry Abbott, a resident of Mona Mara South, stated that he has chronic lung disease and heart disease, and that he can already smell cigarette smoke and hear music from nearby establishments. He expressed concern that the new licence would worsen these issues, stating:

I have chronic lung disease and heart disease. The shop roughly, approximately five shops away, which is identical in appearance. I can smell the smoke. I can hear the music from there. Frankly, from my point of view, in the row of shops of 14, there, as it stands at the moment, five shops selling alcohol. This would be number six. In 14 shops, I would suggest that's a bit excessive.

• Anti-Social Behaviour: Another resident, Terry, raised concerns about construction work happening outside of permitted hours, potential obstruction to emergency services, and existing issues with drug dealing and anti-social behaviour in the area. He said:

I'm not sort of condemning Lowe's Inn and butty ANA, but what I'm saying is the fact that they're contributing to that problem that already exists. So, it's like I'm saying, you know, they can't control the amount of alcohol their, their clients consume. As we all know, once you are intoxicated, you behave differently.

Applicant Pledges to Support Licensing Objectives

In response to these concerns, the agent for the applicant, Nursever Er, highlighted the steps the applicant was willing to take to support the licensing objectives¹, including the installation of CCTV cameras. Luljim Brati stated that alcohol would only be sold with food, aiming to create a family-friendly environment.

Sub-Committee Approves Licence with Condition

Ultimately, the sub-committee resolved to approve the application, with the condition that the sale of alcohol would cease at 10pm on Sundays.

Other Matters

• The Community Safety Partnership met on Wednesday 03 December 2025. No video was provided.
• The Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday 03 December 2025 was cancelled.
• A meeting was held on Friday 05 December 2025, attended by Councillor Dorothy Akwaboah, Cabinet Assistant, and Councillor Kashif Haroon, Cabinet Member for Public Realm & Climate Change. No video was provided.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Cabinet are scheduled to meet on Tuesday 09 December 2025. See the meeting details.
• The Health Scrutiny Committee are scheduled to meet on Wednesday 10 December 2025. See the meeting details.
• The Planning Committee are scheduled to meet on Tuesday 16 December 2025. See the meeting details.
• The Pensions Committee are scheduled to meet on Wednesday 17 December 2025. See the meeting details.
• A meeting is scheduled for Friday 19 December 2025, attended by Councillor Dominic Twomey, Leader of the Council / Labour Group, Councillor Kashif Haroon, Cabinet Member for Public Realm & Climate Change, Councillor Donna Lumsden, Deputy Chair, Health Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Rubina Siddiqui, Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, Fiona Taylor, and Gail Clark. See the meeting details.