The Assembly meeting of Barking and Dagenham Council was held on Wednesday, 15 May 2024. Key discussions included the passing of former Councillor Jeff Wade, the Council's Children's Services improvement plan, and the Director of Public Health's annual report. Decisions were made regarding appointments to various committees and bodies, the Members' Allowances Scheme, and the appointment of a Statutory Scrutiny Officer.

Death of Former Councillor Jeff Wade

The Assembly noted with deep regret the passing of former Councillor Jeff Wade, who served as the Chadwell Heath ward councillor from May 2010 to May 2018. Members paid tribute to his dedication to social justice and his tireless work for the Labour Party and his constituents. A minute's silence was observed in his memory.

Leader's Statement

Councillor Dominic Twomey, Leader of the Council, delivered a statement covering several key areas:

• Serious Incident in Whalebone Lane South: He addressed a distressing attack on a young man on May 2nd, confirming arrests had been made and that the incident was believed to be linked to gang crime.
• Local and Mayoral Election Results: Councillor Twomey celebrated the Labour Party's significant gains across the country, including taking control of eight new councils and winning ten out of eleven metro mayoral contests. He also congratulated Unmesh Desai on his re-election as Greater London Assembly Member.
• Barking and Dagenham Jobs and Skills Fair: He highlighted the success of the recent fair, which connected residents with employers, apprenticeships, and training opportunities.
• Launch of B&D Opportunities: The new online portal, designed to be a one-stop shop for training, jobs, and business support services, was announced.
• Care Experienced History Month: The Council's participation in this event was noted, with a flag-raising ceremony at Barking Town Hall. Councillor Twomey acknowledged the importance of corporate parenting and thanked Mayor Donna Lumsden for sharing her experiences as a foster carer.
• International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia: The Council reaffirmed its commitment to celebrating diversity and standing against hatred.
• New Deputy Cabinet Member: Councillor Simon Perry was appointed as Deputy Cabinet Member for Co-Production, supporting Councillor Maureen Worby's portfolio.
• British Muslim Awards: Congratulations were extended to Councillor Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, who received a Highly Commended award.

Appointments to the Political Structure and Other Bodies 2024/25

The Assembly approved the appointments to various Council committees and other internal and external bodies for the 2024/25 municipal year. Authority was delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to fill any vacant positions before the next meeting.

Appointment of Church Representative (Church of England) Co-optee to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Reverend Mark Adams, Vicar at St. Margaret's Church, Barking, was appointed as the Church Representative (Church of England) co-optee to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. This appointment is in line with the Council's Constitution and relevant legislation, allowing for scrutiny of education-related matters.

OFSTED Inspection of Children's Services Improvement Plan and Children's Care and Support Self-Evaluation 2023/24

The Cabinet Member for Children's Social Care and Disabilities presented a report on the Ofsted inspection of Children's Services. The service was rated as 'Requires Improvement to be Good', with a 'Good' rating for the experiences and progress of care leavers. Eight recommendations were made by Ofsted, and the Council has developed an Improvement Plan to address these. Members noted the progress made, acknowledging the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic, population growth, and increasing needs. Concerns were raised about the inadequacy of government funding for social care, which could slow the pace of improvement. The Assembly resolved to note the Improvement Plan and the progress made.

Health Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2022/23

Councillor Paul Robinson, Chair of the Health Scrutiny Committee, presented the committee's annual report. The committee's work programme included shaping the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy, making recommendations for early pregnancy units, and promoting better access to healthcare for minority groups. The report was noted by the Assembly.

Annual Report of the Director of Public Health 2022/23

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Integration presented the Director of Public Health's Annual Report. The report highlighted significant public health challenges in Barking and Dagenham, including lower healthy life expectancy, higher rates of avoidable deaths, and the impact of wider social determinants such as housing and employment. Key messages included the need for a greater focus on prevention, addressing health inequalities, and the disparity in Public Health Grant funding compared to other boroughs. The report was noted by the Assembly.

Members' Allowances Scheme 2024/25

The Chief Executive presented the proposed Members' Allowances Scheme for 2024/25. The scheme includes a 3.88% increase to the Basic Allowance and Special Responsibility Allowances, in line with the Local Government Services Pay Agreement. The Dependants' Carers' Allowance was also increased in line with the London Living Wage. The Assembly resolved to adopt the proposed scheme.

Appointment of Statutory Scrutiny Officer

Sal Asghar, the Council's Director of Strategy, was designated as the Council's Statutory Scrutiny Officer, effective from 16 May 2024. This appointment fulfills the Council's legal obligation under the Local Government Act 2000.

The meeting concluded with the Chair reminding members of their role in supporting all communities and declaring the meeting closed.