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Cabinet - Tuesday, 15 September 2026 - 7:00 pm
September 15, 2026 at 7:00 pm Cabinet View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Cabinet of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Tuesday 15 September 2026, approving a budget strategy that highlighted a significant projected budget gap, a revised Council Tax Support scheme, and a new four-year Community Safety Partnership Strategy. The meeting also saw the approval of a comprehensive borough-wide Parking Strategy, a refreshed Corporate Parenting Strategy, and an updated Housing Strategy Action Plan.
Budget Strategy and MTFS Update 2027/28 - 2028/29
The Cabinet noted the updated financial context, which revealed a projected budget gap of £27.9 million for 2027/28, rising to £58 million cumulatively by 2028/29. Despite a welcome increase in funding from the Fair Funding Review, persistent demand pressures in adult social care, children's social care, temporary accommodation, and SEND services continue to outpace funding growth. Cabinet approved the Budget Strategy and the approach to setting the 2027/28 budget, acknowledging that difficult decisions will be required to achieve a balanced budget. The Housing Revenue Account, Schools, and Capital budget strategies were also noted.
Council Tax Support Scheme 2027/28 - Draft Proposals
Cabinet approved Option 1 for the draft Council Tax Support scheme for 2027/28, which maintains current support levels while making a necessary legal amendment to disregard the Universal Credit Transitional Protection element as income, following a High Court judgment. This change is expected to increase costs by approximately £150,000 per year and will be reflected in the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy. Public consultation on the proposed scheme was also approved. A minimum Discretionary Council Tax Relief fund of £500,000 was approved to support households experiencing exceptional financial hardship, with the Council's General Fund contribution capped at this amount.
Community Safety Partnership Strategy 2026-2030
The Cabinet resolved to recommend that Full Council adopt the Community Safety Partnership Strategy 2026-2030. This strategy sets out the borough's shared vision for community safety, identifying priority areas such as serious youth violence, violence against women and girls, residential burglary, personal robbery, anti-social behaviour, substance misuse, reducing reoffending, counter-terrorism, and hate crime. The strategy also outlines the partnership delivery model, governance arrangements, and resident engagement framework, aiming to reduce crime and improve community safety across Barking and Dagenham.
Corporate Parenting Strategy 2026-2030
Cabinet agreed to the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2026-2030. This strategy reaffirms the Council's commitment to its role as a Corporate Parent, outlining five key promises to care-experienced children and young people: best care and support, building lasting relationships, supporting health and wellbeing, enabling best educational outcomes, and helping them achieve goals and secure a safe home. The strategy has been co-produced with care-experienced individuals and sets out commitments and priorities for the next three years, to be overseen by the Corporate Parenting Board.
Parking Strategy
Cabinet agreed to adopt a Comprehensive Borough-Wide Parking Strategy. This strategy establishes a long-term framework for managing parking, kerbside space, and enforcement across Barking and Dagenham. It aims to improve parking management, support sustainable growth, enhance public health outcomes, improve community safety, and contribute to thriving neighbourhoods. The strategy includes measures to address increasing parking pressures, support sustainable travel, encourage electric vehicle infrastructure, and implement smarter enforcement.
Housing Strategy 2026-2031: Implementation Update
Cabinet noted the progress made in implementing the Housing Strategy 2026-2031 and approved the updated Action Plan for 2026/27. This update incorporates additional actions related to new statutory duties, including the publication of a Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan and a Local Supported Housing Strategy. Revised internal governance arrangements, including the establishment of a Planning and Delivery Group and updated Housing Strategy Delivery Board arrangements, were also approved. The updated Resident Engagement Framework, which integrates engagement for the Housing Strategy and landlord functions, was also approved.
Procurement of Arboricultural Services
Cabinet agreed that the Council would proceed with the procurement of an open framework agreement for arboricultural services. This framework, accessible to internal partners, public bodies, and schools, will ensure compliant procurement for eight years. Authority was delegated to the Director of Public Realm, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change and the Director of Law and Governance, to conduct the procurement process. Social value, focused on environmental benefits, will be a key part of the procurement criteria.
Travelodge, Yew Tree Avenue, Dagenham - Lease Re-Gear
Cabinet approved the entering into of a new 30-year lease with Travelodge for the Travelodge site at Yew Tree Avenue, Dagenham. This re-gear will include the hotel, the vacant ground floor retail unit, communal areas, and the car park. Travelodge will undertake conversion works for an additional 16 hotel bedrooms at their own cost and risk. This agreement is expected to secure additional income for the Council, increase the value of the asset, and reduce the Council's landlord responsibilities for communal maintenance.
B&D Group Business Plan 2026-2031
Cabinet approved the BD Group Business Plan 2026/31. This interim plan outlines a new strategic direction, high-level financial projections, and a transformation approach for the company, following recent changes in senior management. The plan has been scrutinised and endorsed by the BD Group Board and the Council's Shareholder Panel. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Inclusive Growth and Place, to take necessary actions for the implementation of the plan, subject to the Subsidy Control Act 2022.
Council-Owned Companies - 2025/26 Quarter 4 Update
Cabinet noted the key highlights and issues relating to Council-owned companies in the fourth quarter of 2025/26, as presented by the Shareholder Panel. The update covered Be First, the Reside group of companies, BD Energy Ltd, and BD Group. Concerns were raised regarding Be First's delivery of homes and partnership formation delays. Progress was noted in Reside's market rent lets and shared ownership sales, and the establishment of Be First as the Building Safety Agent. BD Energy is forecasting a net profit for FY 2025/26, and BD Group's business plan, which forecasts a break-even position by 2027/28, was also discussed.
The meeting concluded with no other urgent public or private items being raised.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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The Cabinet decided to approve the procurement strategy for arboricultural services via an Open Framework on 15 September 2026. Authority was delegated to the Director of Public Realm, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change and the Director of Law and Governance, to conduct the procurement and establish the framework.
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The Cabinet decided to approve the Budget Strategy and MTFS Update for 2027/28 - 2028/29 on 15 September 2026. They noted the updated financial context, the forecast budget gap of £27.9m for 2027/28, and various budget strategies and timetables.
The Cabinet decided to approve the procurement of Electrical Testing Services on 21 April 2026. They agreed to source contractors through a mini-competition via the SEC Framework Agreement and authorised the Strategic Director to conduct the procurement award and enter into contracts. This includes a four-year contract estimated at £6.329m for testing over 17,938 domestic dwellings and 942 communal areas, with remedial works included.
The Cabinet decided to approve, in principle, the creation of a multi-sports hub at May & Baker Sports Club on 21 April 2026. They agreed to utilise the Football Foundation Hubs programme grant for RIBA Stage 1 and 2 designs, provide 40% match funding, and approved accessing frameworks for 3G pitch and pavilion design and build contracts. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director to conduct procurement and enter into contracts.
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The Cabinet decided to approve Option 1 as the Council's proposed draft Council Tax Support scheme for 2027/28, maintaining support at current levels and ensuring legal compliance. They also approved the commencement of public consultation on the proposed draft scheme and the maintenance of a minimum Discretionary Council Tax Relief fund of £500,000 for 2027/28. The Cabinet delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, to approve the final Discretionary Council Tax Relief policy, scheme criteria, and total fund allocation once external funding was known.
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The Cabinet decided to approve the terms of a new 30-year lease with Travelodge for the land at Yewtree Avenue, Dagenham. The Cabinet authorised the Strategic Director of Resources to complete negotiations and legal documentation, and delegated authority to the Director of Law and Governance to execute all necessary agreements.
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The Cabinet of Barking and Dagenham Council decided to note progress on the Housing Strategy 2026-2031, approve its updated action plan for 2026/27, and approve revised governance arrangements including the establishment of a Planning and Delivery Group. The Cabinet also approved an updated Resident Engagement Framework.
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The Cabinet of Barking and Dagenham Council decided to approve the Budget Strategy and approach to setting the 2027/28 budget on 15 September 2026. They also noted the updated financial context, the projected budget gap of £27.9m for 2027/28, and the underlying assumptions, risks, and uncertainties. The Cabinet further noted the Housing Revenue Account, Schools, and Capital budget strategies, along with the outline budget setting timetable for 2027/28.
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The Cabinet of Barking and Dagenham Council resolved to note the key highlights and issues relating to Council-owned companies in the fourth quarter of 2025/26 and the ongoing scrutiny provided by the Shareholder Panel. This decision was made on 15 September 2026.
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B&D Group Business Plan 2026-2031
ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve the BD Group Business Plan 2026/31. They also authorised the Strategic Director, Inclusive Growth and Place, in consultation with the Shareholder Panel and the Director of Law and Governance, to take necessary actions for the plan's implementation and to agree any variations to agreements, subject to the Subsidy Control Act 2022.
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Community Safety Partnership Strategy 2026-2030
Recommendations approvedThe Cabinet and Full Council decided to adopt the Community Safety Partnership Strategy 2026-2030. This decision was made on 15/09/2026. The strategy sets out the borough's framework for partnership action to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour, and harm.
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The Cabinet of Barking and Dagenham Council approved the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2026-2030 on 15 September 2026. The strategy sets out the council's commitments to support children in care and care leavers. It includes five promises to care experienced children and young people covering care, relationships, health, education, and achieving goals.
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Parking Strategy
ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve the adoption of a Comprehensive Borough-Wide Parking Strategy on 15 September 2026. This strategy aims to improve parking management, support sustainable growth, enhance public health, and contribute to community safety. The decision includes plans for an intelligence-led approach to parking enforcement, expansion and review of Controlled Parking Zones, support for electric vehicle infrastructure and car clubs, School Streets, customer service improvements, and stronger partnership working.
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