The Cabinet of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Tuesday 16 April 2024, discussing and approving several key initiatives. Decisions included the recommissioning of a domestic abuse victim support service, joining a dynamic purchasing system for children's residential care and foster care services, and procuring a new reablement at home service. The Cabinet also approved a development agreement to convert retail space at the Travelodge Hotel in Yew Tree Avenue, Dagenham, into additional hotel rooms.

Contract for the Provision of a Domestic Abuse Victim / Survivor Support Service

The Cabinet agreed to proceed with the procurement of a new contract for a Domestic Abuse Victim / Survivor Support Service. This service, which will commence on 1 October 2024, aims to provide an outcome-based and proactive support system for victims and survivors of domestic abuse. The contract will be for a maximum of five years. Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, presented the report, highlighting that Barking and Dagenham had the highest rate of domestic abuse offences in London. The new service will feature a single point of access, trauma-informed provision, refuge accommodation, independent advocacy, therapeutic support, sanctuary schemes, and community engagement initiatives. Cabinet members expressed strong support for the proposals, emphasising the critical need for such services for vulnerable individuals and their children.

Provision of Children's Residential Care Homes and Independent Foster Care Agency Services

The Cabinet approved the Council's participation in the London Borough of Newham's Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for children's residential care homes and independent foster care agency services. This move will provide access to a pool of pre-approved providers, aiming to source placements that best meet the individual needs of looked-after children and young people. Councillor Jane Jones, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care and Disabilities, explained that this initiative would supplement the council's existing in-house foster care provision and was expected to reduce costs by lowering membership fees compared to current arrangements and minimising the need for spot purchasing. The initial agreement will be for 23 months, with an option to extend for a further four years, allowing the council to evaluate its effectiveness.

Procurement of Reablement At Home Service

A new Reablement at Home service will be procured, following strong support from Cabinet members. Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, presented the report, explaining that reablement is a short-term care service designed to help individuals regain independence after a crisis, such as illness or an accident. The aim is for individuals to return to living independently, reducing their reliance on long-term care. The service will be therapy-led, incorporating occupational therapists and potentially physiotherapists. The council has been piloting different models of reablement, and the positive results have led to the extension of these pilots until the new service is commissioned. The procurement will be for a four-year contract with two one-year extensions, with an estimated total value of £11.5 million. Cabinet colleagues reiterated the need for adequate resourcing for adult social care services.

Travelodge Hotel, Yew Tree Avenue, Dagenham - Development Agreement

The Cabinet approved entering into a Development Agreement with Travelodge to convert the vacant ground floor retail space at the Travelodge Hotel in Yew Tree Avenue, Dagenham, into 15 additional hotel rooms. Councillor Cameron Geddes, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, presented the report, noting that while the hotel had been trading successfully, the retail unit had seen limited occupancy. The conversion is expected to increase rental income for the council and create a more marketable asset. The proposal is subject to planning permission, and while alternative options were considered, the conversion was deemed the most economically advantageous. Cabinet members acknowledged the financial benefits but also discussed the potential merits of retaining retail space, with the understanding that any retail offers would still be considered.