The Cabinet of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Tuesday 15 October 2024 to discuss several key issues, including the future of two tower blocks on the Harts Lane Estate, the allocation of funding for improvements to Gascoigne Road, the renewal of Public Space Protection Orders, the extension of the Household Support Fund, and a new contract for temporary staff. Decisions were made to proceed with public consultation on the demolition of Colne House and Mersea House, allocate funding for the Gascoigne Road project, renew and extend Public Space Protection Orders across four areas, continue the Household Support Fund, and award a new contract for temporary staff.

Colne House and Mersea House, Harts Lane Estate - Future Options

Cabinet agreed to initiate a public consultation on the future of Colne House and Mersea House, two 17-storey tower blocks on the Harts Lane Estate. These blocks, built in the late 1960s, were found to have combustible cladding and other fire safety deficiencies. Following detailed investigations, the preferred option is demolition and long-term estate regeneration, with an estimated budget of £15.384 million allocated for demolition, including leaseholder and homeloss payments, subject to the outcome of the consultation. This decision aims to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and remove potentially hazardous structures.

Allocation of Strategic CIL to the Gascoigne Road Highway and Public Realm Improvement Project

The Cabinet approved the allocation of £470,387 of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding to the Gascoigne Road Highway and Public Realm Improvement Project. This funding will support the creation of new infrastructure to address safety issues for pedestrians and cyclists, reduce severance between the east and west of the neighbourhood, and improve the public realm. The project, which has already received planning permission, is scheduled to commence in November 2024 and be completed by April 2025. The allocation includes a contingency of £130,000, which will be returned to the CIL pot if grant funding from Thames Water and the Forestry Commission is secured.

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs)

Four Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) were approved for Barking Town Centre, Dagenham Heathway, Broad Street, and Gale Street, effective from 1 November 2024 for a period of three years. These orders aim to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) by prohibiting activities such as alcohol consumption in public places, spitting, public urination, begging, nuisance group behaviour, amplified music and speech, and catcalling and other street-based sexual harassment. The consultation process, which included surveys and engagement with residents, indicated strong support for the renewal and extension of these orders. Breaches of the PSPOs will result in a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100, with a maximum fine of £1,000 upon prosecution.

Household Support Fund (HSF) and Welfare Funding

The Cabinet approved the Council's updated Local Discretionary Financial Hardship Schemes Policy 2024/25, which incorporates the Household Support Fund (HSF) policy. This extension of the HSF, funded by the Government, will provide £2,162,051.52 for the period October 2024 to March 2025. The funding will continue to support vulnerable households with the cost of essentials, debt, and welfare advice, with a particular focus on energy, food, utility, and water bills. New initiatives will target pensioners struggling with living costs despite being above the Pension Credit threshold, and those impacted by the migration from legacy benefits to Universal Credit. The policy also includes provisions for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) and Discretionary Council Tax Relief (DCTR).

Contract for Provision of Temporary / Interim Staff and Ancillary Services

A contract for the provision of temporary and interim staff and ancillary services was approved to be awarded to Adecco UK Limited under the new MSTAR4 Framework. This new framework, developed collaboratively with 19 other London Boroughs, is expected to deliver a 23% cost reduction on commercial margins compared to the current arrangements. The initial contract term will be two years, with options to extend for two further 24-month periods, potentially leading to a six-year contract. The framework also includes provisions for Work Programmes to support local residents into employment and skills development, and a tenure discount based on the length of temporary agency worker assignments. This contract is demand-led and aims to provide best value for the Council when utilising temporary labour.