The Assembly of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Wednesday 22 November 2023, discussing the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report and the Treasury Management and Investment and Acquisition Strategy mid-year review. Key decisions included noting the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report and approving the recommendations of the Treasury Management and Investment and Acquisition Strategy review.

Leader's Statement

Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of the Council, began by reflecting on the troubling violence in the Middle East, calling for a humanitarian pause in Gaza and safe corridors for aid. He also addressed the UK's Autumn Statement, criticising the government's economic policies and highlighting the impact on local government funding, which he stated would necessitate council tax increases. Councillor Rodwell announced a new partnership with the Seoul Digital Foundation, Thames Freeport, and Connected Places Catapult to launch a Smart Homes Innovation Hub, aiming to promote smart city technology and sustainable living. He also acknowledged Interfaith Week and Trans Day of Remembrance, stating the council's commitment to celebrating all residents. Finally, he addressed the recent incident at Weaver's Quarter, where a balcony facade fell, assuring residents that Bouygues Construction and L&Q would be held accountable for remedial works. Councillor Alison Cormack, Ward Councillor for Gascoigne Ward, added a statement regarding Weavers Quarter, acknowledging resident concerns and the need for urgent resolution of outstanding balcony issues.

Appointments

The Assembly resolved to appoint Councillor Summya Sohaib to the Licensing and Regulatory Committee.

Barking and Dagenham Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2022/23

Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, presented the Barking and Dagenham Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) Annual Report for 2022/23. The report detailed the SAB's role, its collaboration with statutory partners (the Council, NHS North East London Integrated Care Board (NEL ICB), and the Police), and its achievements. The SAB's priorities for 2022/23 included support for hoarding and self-neglect, the implementation of a Learning and Development Committee, preparation for CQC regulation, improved integration with children's social care, enhanced interfaces with the NEL ICB, and the development of a community safeguarding offer.

The report included data on Section 42 enquiries under the Care Act 2014, which relate to individuals experiencing or at risk of abuse and neglect. In 2022/23, Barking and Dagenham received 1,511 adult safeguarding concerns, with 252 (17%) leading to a Section 42 enquiry. Councillor Worby noted this rate compared favourably to the national average of 30% but expressed concern about the low referral rate from agencies like the Police and the disproportionately high number of referrals concerning white adults, suggesting a need for more targeted awareness-raising among minority ethnic groups. She also observed a low referral rate (3%) related to domestic abuse.

The Assembly resolved to note the Local Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2022/23.

Treasury Management and Investment and Acquisition Strategy 2023/24 Mid-Year Review

Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of the Council, presented the mid-year review of the Council's treasury management activities and Investment and Acquisition Strategy (IAS) for 2023/24. He highlighted the impact of the current economic climate, including interest rate rises and the Council's borrowing position, noting a projected deficit of approximately £6 million for 2023/24. Factors contributing to this included lost income from delayed property lettings and performance issues within some commercial entities. Councillor Rodwell stressed the importance of diligent and prudent treasury management and investment, acknowledging that some previously viable projects might need to be paused or abandoned to protect the Council's finances.

The Assembly resolved to note:

• The Treasury Management Strategy Statement Mid-Year Review 2023/24.
• The economic update detailing increased inflation and Bank of England Base Rate rises.
• The pressures impacting Treasury and IAS returns, including increased interest rates affecting borrowing requirements, delays in renting private rental units and disposing of shared ownership units impacting revenue income, loss of income from commercial holdings due to rental delays and increased borrowing costs, loss of interest income from wholly owned companies like Be First and BDTP, and administrative delays from Reside in forecasting rental income.
• The value of treasury investments and cash balances at 30 September 2023 (£38.2m at 4.2%).
• The value of residential loans to Reside at 30 September 2023 (£190.3m at an average rate of 2.6%).
• The total borrowing for Private Rented Schemes transferred to Reside at 30 September 2023 (£105.7m).
• The total of other loans, including those to LEUK, Energy Loans, and Working Capital Loans (£50.4m).
• The total IAS borrowing at 30 September 2023 (£844.3m), with additional Housing Revenue Account (HRA) borrowing (£295.9m) and General Fund (GF) borrowing (£135.4m), bringing the total Council borrowing to £1.275.6bn.
• The forecast HRA interest payable (£11.033m against a budget of £10.742m, an overspend of £0.291m).
• The forecast gross interest payable for IAS and GF borrowing (£21.33m), to be covered by capitalised interest (£10.231m) and commercial rent allocation (£6.141m), resulting in a net interest payable charge of £5m against a budget of £10.139m, representing a surplus of £5.182m.
• The forecast interest receivable from loans, IAS, and treasury activity (£10.9m), split into £4.046m (non-IAS Council loans and GF investments) and £6.848m (Reside Loans, treasury investments, and IAS treasury investments), against a budget of £6.5m, representing a surplus of £4.4m.
• The forecast IAS operational income (£1.057m against a budget of £6.861m, a deficit of £5.8m).
• The net surplus from the IAS (£207k) and the net surplus from the GF treasury strategy (£454k), for a combined surplus of £661k, to be added to the IAS reserve, increasing it to £31.6m by year-end.
• Confirmation that the Council complied with all 2023/24 treasury management indicators in the first half of the financial year.