The Cabinet of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Tuesday 16 April 2024, approving new contracts for domestic abuse support and reablement services, and a development agreement for the Travelodge hotel in Dagenham. The meeting also saw the approval of a new arrangement for children's residential care and independent foster care services.

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

Cabinet approved the procurement of a new contract for a Domestic Abuse Victim / Survivor Support Service. The existing contract is due to expire on 30 September 2024, and the new service will commence on 1 October 2024, with a maximum term of five years. Barking and Dagenham has the highest rate of domestic abuse offences in London, and the new service aims to provide an outcome-based, proactive support system that can adapt to changing needs and resources. The service will include a single point of access, trauma-informed provision, refuge accommodation, advocacy, therapeutic support, sanctuary schemes, and community engagement. The estimated annual value of the service is £635,991, with an aggregate value over five years of £3,179,995.

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

The Council will join the London Borough of Newham's Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) to access a pool of pre-approved providers for children's residential care homes and independent foster care agencies. This arrangement, commencing on 1 April 2024 for an initial 23-month period, aims to ensure suitably matched, high-quality placements for looked-after children and young people, complementing the Council's existing in-house foster care provision. The DPS is expected to reduce costs through lower membership fees and a decreased need for spot purchasing. The Council has the option to extend its participation for a further four years until March 2030. The estimated total potential value of the contracts over the initial 23-month period is £22,321,616.80.

Procurement of Reablement At Home Service

Cabinet agreed to proceed with the procurement of a Reablement at Home service, designed to help residents regain independence after a period of illness or crisis. This service, which is free for up to six weeks, aims to prevent hospital admissions and reduce reliance on long-term care. The Council currently lacks a formal reablement service and has been running two pilot schemes, which have shown positive results and will be extended until the new service is commissioned. The new service will be therapy-led, involving occupational therapists and potentially physiotherapists, and will focus on supporting individuals to achieve personal goals and return to independent living. The contract will be for four years with two one-year extensions, with an estimated total value of £11.5 million. The service aligns with the Council's priorities of supporting residents during the cost-of-living crisis, protecting the vulnerable, and promoting healthier, independent lives.

Travelodge Hotel, Yew Tree Avenue, Dagenham - Development Agreement

A Development Agreement with Travelodge was approved for the conversion of the vacant ground floor retail space at the Travelodge hotel in Yew Tree Avenue, Dagenham, into 15 additional hotel rooms. The original development in 2018 included a 78-bed hotel and a retail unit. While the hotel has traded successfully, the retail unit has remained vacant. Under the new agreement, the Council will provide a capital contribution for Travelodge's development costs, in exchange for Travelodge entering an Agreement for Lease and paying rent on the additional space. This proposal is expected to generate increased rental income for the Council, create a more marketable asset, and increase the number of hotel rooms available. The financial details are contained within an exempt appendix due to commercial confidentiality. The proposal is subject to planning permission for the change of use.