The Cabinet of Redbridge Council met on Tuesday 8 March 2022, approving a new masterplan for Fairlop Waters and endorsing recommendations to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour across the borough. The meeting also saw decisions made regarding the development of community hubs in Seven Kings, Gants Hill, and Hainault, and an update on flood risk management following recent severe weather.

Redbridge Community Crime Commission

The Cabinet endorsed the Redbridge Community Crime Commission (CCC) report, adopting its 48 recommendations aimed at reducing crime and anti-social behaviour. The report, developed through extensive community engagement, seeks to place the views and priorities of residents at the heart of tackling crime. The Council has committed conditional funding to implement these recommendations, subject to the development of detailed business cases and plans. Delivery of these recommendations will be governed by the Community Safety Partnership, including the Police, acknowledging that crime is a borough-wide issue requiring collaborative effort. Recommendations requiring Council investment will need to be developed within financial limits and approved by the Leadership Team. The Council will also use its influence to lobby for recommendations that fall outside its direct remit.

Community Hubs - Development of Seven Kings and Next Phase on Gants Hill and Hainault

Significant progress was noted on the Community Hubs programme, which aims to create six purpose-built centres across the borough to bring together Council services, community groups, and public sector organisations. For the Seven Kings scheme, the Cabinet approved the recommended development option, noting the projected costs and receipts from the Housing Development Programme. Funding of £1.5 million was agreed for professional fees and costs to enable design, planning, and procurement for the Seven Kings development. A further report is expected in January 2023 to confirm viability and seek approval for physical delivery. The delivery strategy, including the procurement of enabling and main works contracts, was approved, with authority delegated to the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Culture to finalise procurement processes and appoint contractors. The appropriation of the Seven Kings High Road site for planning purposes was also agreed.

For the Gants Hill Hub, the completion of concept designs, informed by community co-design, was noted. The procurement of professional teams to undertake design, planning, and management of the development was approved, with authority delegated to the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Culture. Similarly, for the Hainault site, the procurement of professional services for initial feasibility and design assessments was approved. A total of £1.5 million was agreed for the Community Hubs allocation within the capital programme to progress these proposals.

Fairlop Waters Draft Masterplan

The Cabinet endorsed the draft masterplan for Fairlop Waters for formal consultation. This plan aims to transform one of the borough's largest open spaces into a country park that conserves nature and ecology while celebrating community. The vision, developed through a comprehensive co-design process with residents, seeks to create an inclusive park balancing nature and community with health and wellbeing. The draft masterplan, developed by a consultant team led by Focus, translates this vision into a spatial framework for the expanded Fairlop Waters, which will include land from the final phase of gravel extraction. A future report in Autumn 2022 will present the final masterplan.

Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC) planning obligations governance arrangements for Strategic Access Management Measures (SAMMs)

The Cabinet approved new governance arrangements and a new payment tariff for Strategic Access Management Measures (SAMMs) related to the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC). As a Competent Authority under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, Redbridge Council has a duty to ensure planning decisions do not adversely affect the integrity of the Epping Forest SAC. Developers whose projects fall within the Zone of Influence for Epping Forest are obliged to contribute financially to SAMMs, delivered by the City of London Conservators, to mitigate the impact of visitors. The interim rate of £30 per dwelling will be replaced by an increased rate of £255.84 per new dwelling, subject to change, along with an administration fee. Authority was delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control to approve future amendments to these arrangements.

Flood Risk Management

The Cabinet noted the findings of a Section 19 flood risk investigation report, commissioned following the events of 25 July 2021. The report identified that surface water sewers were overwhelmed during the rainfall event, which had a return period of over 1 in 100 years, exceeding the capacity of typical surface sewer networks. The report contains location-specific recommendations, largely concerning sewer and pipe capacity. The Council has committed to actions detailed in Section 3 of the report, with authority delegated to the Corporate Director of Communities to ensure their implementation, subject to funding and partner collaboration. Progress will be reported to the relevant Cabinet Member quarterly, and the Action Plan will be presented to the Place Scrutiny Committee every six months for scrutiny. Thames Water has also commissioned its own independent review into the flooding events.

Proposal to remove the Language Facility Additionally Resourced Provision at Churchfields Infants' School

The Cabinet agreed to determine the statutory notice, formally closing the 16-place Language Facility Additionally Resourced Provision (ARP) at the nursery of Churchfields Infants' School, effective from 1 September 2022. This decision aligns with a key recommendation of Redbridge's High Needs Review, which advocates for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to be supported in their local mainstream settings. The establishment of Redbridge's own Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) service since September 2021 enables better support for children within their local early years provision. Statutory public consultation on this proposal was conducted between 10 January and 7 February 2022.

Review of Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements for Children

The Cabinet agreed that the statutory responsibility for multi-agency safeguarding of children will revert to the local level, led by the Redbridge Safeguarding Children Partnership (RSCP), with effect from April 2022. This amendment transfers the responsibility from the Barking, Havering and Redbridge (BHR) Safeguarding Partnership, as established in the Children and Social Work Act 2017.

Proposals for pre-Localism Act homeless cases

The Cabinet noted the approach being taken to reassess pre-Localism Act homeless cases to support move-on. A change to the profile of properties purchased under the purchase and repair scheme was approved, with 30% allocated for 2-bedroom properties, 30% for 3-bedroom properties, and 40% for properties with 4 or more bedrooms. A reduction in the number of units acquired through the purchase and repair programme was also approved. The intention to review the Rent Policy to ensure the financial viability of larger homes acquired under this scheme was noted, as were the savings identified through the 700 homes programme.

Annual Procurement Plan 2022/23

The procurement of contracts contained within the Annual Procurement Plan 2022/23 was approved. It was noted that detailed Procurement Business Cases for each proposed procurement will be subject to approval by the Strategic Commissioning Board to ensure value for money, sustainability, and legal compliance. Once approved, the procurement of these contracts may not require further Cabinet approval before commencement. Any procurement not included on the APP or not approved by Cabinet will require a Procurement Business Case to be considered by the Strategic Commissioning Board and subsequently approved by the Appropriate Decision Maker. Councillor Mark A. Santos declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in this item as his employing charity was mentioned and left the room during the discussion.

Digital Programme Phase 2 Summary

The progress of Phase 1 of the Digital Programme was noted, which successfully delivered 26 out of 27 commissioned projects, achieving £2.609 million in efficiencies, including £1.637 million in revenue savings over three years. Phase 2 of the Digital Programme was approved, which will utilise £1.180 million of the conditional capital programme for 2022/23 to deliver three further programmes commissioned by the Children's, Adults, and Communities directorates. Business cases for each workstream will be developed and agreed with directorates and Finance prior to expenditure, with identified efficiencies forming part of the 2023/24 Medium Term Financial Strategy. The culmination of Phase 2 is expected to deliver improved customer experiences and new efficiencies across these service areas, increasing the digitisation of services.

IT 2022/23 Capital Programme Expenditure

The capital spend for 2022/23 for the 'Rationalise and Improve' (£0.778m) and 'Modernising IT Applications' (£5.075m) programmes was approved. This expenditure is in line with the requirement for approval of conditional capital budgets identified in the Capital Programme reported to Council in February 2022.

Information Governance Strategy 2022/23

The Information Governance Strategy 2022/23 was approved and adopted. This strategy directs and implements a formal programme of work to ensure sustained monitoring and improvement of data protection compliance, aligning the Council's IG activity with its overall strategy and building on existing good practice. It sets out objectives and actions for compliance with UK GDPR and DPA, and should be read alongside the Cyber Security Strategy and the Digital Transformation Programme.

Risk Management Strategy and Policy 2022/23

The Risk Management Strategy and Policy 2022/23 was approved. This strategy provides a framework for managing uncertainty systematically, effectively, consistently, and efficiently. It has been reviewed and remains appropriate for the Council's embedded Risk Management Framework, with no changes proposed. The strategy was previously considered and endorsed by the Governance and Assurance Committee on 26 January 2022.

Highways Maintenance & Street Lighting Contract Award

The outcome of the Highways Maintenance and Street Lighting Contracts procurement exercise was noted, and the appointment of Bidder 1 for Lot A (Highways Maintenance) and Bidder 8 for Lot B (Street Lighting) was approved for a period of 5 years, with the option to extend for a further 3 years. As a Highways Authority, Redbridge Council has a duty to maintain highways, including street lighting. The current contracts, held by Kenson Contractors Ltd and Milestone Infrastructure Ltd, are due to expire on 30 April 2022.

Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy and supporting policies for 2022/23

The Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy 2022/23 and related policies were approved and adopted. The strategy reiterates the Council's stance that fraud will not be tolerated, prevention is key, and strong redress actions will be taken where fraud occurs. An action plan for 2022/23 has been created to outline how the strategy will be delivered.

Cyber Security Strategy 2022/23

The updated Cyber Security Strategy 2022/23 was noted. This strategy provides a framework for improving cyber security practices across the Council, building on the strategy approved in February 2021. It sets out objectives and actions to ensure digital services and information are adequately protected, and follows a foundational cyber security programme of improvements established in November 2020. The work being carried out to implement the strategy and the cyber threat outlook were also noted.

Contract Waiver Monitoring August 2021 - October 2021

The contract waivers approved during the period 1 August 2021 to 31 October 2021 were noted. This report is provided quarterly to Cabinet to assure controls over procurement activity, as required by the Council's Contract Standing Orders.