The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Wednesday 9 September 2026 to discuss the Corporate Plan's performance and the implementation of the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) Strategy.

Corporate Plan 2023-2026 Outcome Framework Performance Report

The committee reviewed the performance of the Corporate Plan 2023-2026 for quarters three and four of the 2025/26 financial year. Leanna McPherson, Head of Programmes and Change, presented the report, highlighting that the framework includes 54 outcome measures across seven priority areas. Councillors raised concerns and sought further information on several areas, including food security, with Moin Quadri, Leader of the Green Party Group, questioning the council's budget for long-term solutions like living wages and employment support. Mukhtar Yusuf, Deputy Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, inquired about the mechanism for revising targets and how this reflected cost of living issues.

Ingrid Robinson, Deputy Chair of the Personnel Board and Labour Group Chair, raised concerns about the closure of the Homes and Money Hub and how residents would access support. Phil Waker, a councillor, echoed these concerns, questioning the effectiveness of the Homes and Money Hub and its replacement. Ben Suter, Leader of the Opposition / Reform UK Group, suggested that the committee investigate the use of Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies.

Communication and digital exclusion were also discussed, with Ingrid Robinson and Julia Williams, Chair of the Pensions Committee and Labour Group Secretary, highlighting the need for better communication channels for residents who are not online. Phil Waker also raised concerns about obesity, social housing, and overcrowding, suggesting that these areas warranted further investigation.

The committee identified several areas for further scrutiny, including housing, digital inclusion, customer experience, cost of living, and data-specific questions.

Controlled Parking Zone Project 3

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement, presented an update on the implementation of the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) Strategy 2022-25. The report detailed progress made, proposed areas for consultation under CPZ Project 3, and refinements to the CPZ decision-making criteria. Keith Stanger, Director of Enforcement, Regulatory Services and Parking, and Daniel Connelly, Parking and Environmental Design Team Manager, provided further details.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on the impact of CPZs on air quality and health. Daniel Connelly presented data showing a substantial increase in permits for low-emission vehicles and a significant reduction in permits for high-emission vehicles. However, councillors raised concerns about the accuracy of air quality measurements and the socioeconomic impact of parking charges on low-income residents. Ben Suter highlighted the affordability and space challenges for residents in deprived areas, while Mukhtar Yusuf questioned the methodology for measuring air quality and sought comparative data with other boroughs.

The fairness of the emissions-based permit pricing structure was debated, with councillors arguing that it disproportionately affected low-income residents who rely on older vehicles. Tina Brooks, Head of Parking, explained that the parking service must be self-financing and that permit charges were benchmarked against neighbouring boroughs. She also noted that charges increased for households with more than two cars.

Concerns were raised about the consultation process, with the Chair recommending that consultation letters clearly state how residents can provide feedback. Ingrid Robinson suggested that individual submissions should be encouraged over petitions. The role of ward councillors in the decision-making process was also discussed, with a proposal that their feedback should carry greater weight.

The report also addressed the potential for introducing parking controls in parks and green spaces, and the review of existing CPZs. The financial implications of expanding CPZs were noted, with a detailed financial analysis to be conducted. Legal implications were also discussed, emphasizing the need to adhere to the Traffic Management Order process and consider all representations received.

The committee also discussed the provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, with Julia Williams highlighting the disparity between residents with driveways and those living in tower blocks. George Miller questioned the extent of consultation with elderly and disabled groups, and the council's access team confirmed that they were consulted on proposals.

Finally, the committee discussed the decision-making process for CPZs, with clarification provided that the Cabinet makes the final decision. The threshold for considering consultation feedback was also requested.

Work Programme

The committee noted the work programme for 2026/27, with an amendment to the 'Heritage Place Designation' and 'Climate Change – decarbonisation of the built environment' items. An item on the BD Group was requested to be added to the work programme.

The meeting concluded at 8:59 pm.

Attendees:

• Cllr Andrew Achilleos (Chair)
• Cllr Dorothy Akwaboah
• Cllr Donna Lumsden
• Cllr George Miller
• Cllr Faiza Noreen
• Cllr Ingrid Robinson
• Cllr Muazzam Sandhu
• Cllr Ben Suter
• Cllr Phil Waker
• Cllr Julia Williams
• Cllr Syed Ghani (Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Enforcement)
• Emma Murphy (Senior Governance Officer)
• Leanna McPherson (Head of Programmes and Change)
• Keith Stanger (Director of Enforcement, Regulatory Services and Parking)
• Daniel Connelly (Parking and Environmental Design Team Manager)
• Tina Brooks (Head of Parking)

Apologies:

• Cllr Mukhtar Yusuf (Deputy Chair)
• Cllr Ajanta Deb Roy
• Cllr Moin Quadri