The Cabinet of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Tuesday 15 October 2024 to discuss several key issues, including the renewal of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) across the borough, proposals for the future of Colne House and Mersea House on the Harts Lane Estate, and the allocation of funding for the Gascoigne Road Highway and Public Realm Improvement Project. The meeting resolved to renew PSPOs in four areas, approve the demolition of two tower blocks on the Harts Lane Estate with a view to regeneration, and allocate additional funding for the Gascoigne Road project.

Public Space Protection Orders Renewed

The Cabinet approved the renewal of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in four areas of the borough: Barking Town Centre, Dagenham Heathway, Broad Street, and Gale Street. These orders, which prohibit specific anti-social behaviours in designated public spaces, will come into effect on 1 November 2024 for a period of three years. The decision follows a public consultation on the re-introduction of PSPOs in areas where anti-social behaviour (ASB) has been a concern, and the inclusion of new areas like Gale Street, which is a CCTV-recorded ASB hotspot.

The renewed PSPOs will cover a range of activities including alcohol-related anti-social behaviour, spitting, urination, begging, amplified music and speech, nuisance group behaviour, and catcalling and other street-based sexual harassment. The consultation report, which included a Violence Against Women and Girls survey, indicated strong public support for the continuation of these orders. For example, in Barking Town Centre, 71% of respondents believed the PSPO was a beneficial tool, with street drinking and aggressive begging identified as the most common issues. Similarly, in Dagenham Heathway, 75.6% supported the PSPO, with drinking and aggressive begging also being the most frequently cited problems. In Broad Street, 71.4% supported the continuation, with drinking and spitting being the most common concerns. For Gale Street, 70.1% believed the PSPO would be valuable, with drinking and begging identified as the primary issues.

The consequences for breaching the PSPOs will be a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100, with prosecution carrying a maximum fine of £1,000. The Cabinet also agreed to delegate authority to the Operational Director for Enforcement, Regulatory Services and Community Safety to finalise the wording of the PSPOs and all other arrangements for their implementation. Cabinet colleagues expressed strong support for the proposals, highlighting the need for extensive signposting within the PSPO areas, a responsive enforcement service, and engagement with the Faith Forum regarding the use of amplification systems. They also noted the importance of support and referral arrangements for individuals who may be in breach of the orders, such as those begging due to homelessness.

Future Options for Colne House and Mersea House on Harts Lane Estate

The Cabinet agreed to initiate a comprehensive public consultation with local residents regarding the future of Colne House and Mersea House on the Harts Lane Estate. These tower blocks, built in the late 1960s, were found to have combustible cladding and other fire precaution deficiencies following surveys commissioned in response to the Building Safety Act 2022.

Initial surveys indicated that the minimum level of works to ensure compliance with new safety regulations would cost approximately £38 million, with enhanced refurbishment options costing considerably more. These works would also result in significant disruption to residents. Consequently, the preferred option identified by the Council is to demolish the two blocks with a view to long-term regeneration of the area. The Cabinet approved an estimated budget allocation of £15.384 million for the demolition, which includes potential leaseholder and homeloss payments, subject to the outcome of the community consultation. Senior Council officers have been holding engagement meetings with residents, which will continue under more formal arrangements.

Gascoigne Road Highway and Public Realm Improvement Project Funding

The Cabinet approved the allocation of an additional £470,387 of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding to support the highway and public realm improvement project in the Gascoigne neighbourhood. This funding will address existing safety issues for school children, pedestrians, and cyclists, reduce severance between the east and west areas of the neighbourhood, and improve the condition of and access to the public realm. Planning approval for the scheme was received earlier in the year, with works expected to commence later in 2024 and be completed by April 2025.

The allocation includes a contingency of £130,000, which would not be required if the project successfully secures grant funding from Thames Water and the Forestry Commission. Cabinet Members spoke in support of the proposals and the resident engagement that had taken place during the scheme's development, and suggestions regarding planting and other public realm elements were noted.

Household Support Fund and Welfare Funding

The Cabinet approved the Council's updated Local Discretionary Financial Hardship Schemes Policy for 2024/25, which incorporates the Household Support Fund (HSF) Policy. The HSF scheme, originally due to end on 30 September 2024, has been extended by the government until at least the end of the 2024/25 financial year. Barking and Dagenham's latest allocation of approximately £2.1 million will enable the Council to continue providing crisis support to vulnerable households with the cost of essentials, debt and welfare advice, and support for voluntary organisations.

Two new initiatives will be supported through this allocation: one aimed at pensioners whose income or savings are above the qualifying threshold for Pension Credit but who are still struggling financially, and another for those impacted by the managed migration from legacy benefits to Universal Credit. Cabinet colleagues welcomed the extension of the HSF scheme and the customer support arrangements, emphasising the need for the qualifying criteria and application process to be easily understood by the local community. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Resources, in consultation with the Leader, to vary the allocation of funding and scheme criteria as appropriate to reflect future demand.

Contract for Temporary/Interim Staff and Ancillary Services

The Cabinet approved the procurement and award of an initial two-year contract for the provision of temporary/interim staff and ancillary services to Adecco UK Limited. This will be done under the recently established MSTAR4 (Managed Services for Temporary Agency Resources) Framework, developed by the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO) in collaboration with 20 London Boroughs. The Leader highlighted the significant financial, social value, and other benefits associated with this new framework. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Resources, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Head of Legal, to conduct the procurement and award, and to enter into the necessary contracts and agreements.