The Cabinet of Barking and Dagenham Council is scheduled to convene on Tuesday 15 September 2026. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on the council's budget strategy and medium-term financial plan, proposals for the Council Tax Support Scheme, and updates on various key strategies including community safety, corporate parenting, and housing.

Budget Strategy and MTFS Update 2027/28 - 2028/29

A significant portion of the meeting is dedicated to the council's financial planning, with a report on the Budget Strategy and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) update for 2027/28 and 2028/29. This report, presented by Councillor Rocky Gill, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, outlines the council's financial context, including national and global economic factors, and forecasts a budget gap of £27.9 million for 2027/28, rising to £58 million in 2028/29. The report details the assumptions underpinning these forecasts, financial risks, and proposes a budget strategy to address these challenges. It also covers budget strategies for the Housing Revenue Account, Dedicated Schools Grant, and Capital Programme. The council's reserves position is also noted as being under pressure, with a recommendation to review the Reserves Policy.

Council Tax Support Scheme 2027/28 Draft Proposals

Councillor Rocky Gill also presents draft proposals for the Council Tax Support (CTS) Scheme for 2027/28. The report highlights the council's statutory duty to review this scheme annually. A key issue to be discussed is the impact of a High Court judgment concerning the treatment of the Universal Credit Transitional Protection element as income within a CTS scheme. The recommendation is to consult on a revised scheme that disregards this element to ensure legal compliance, while maintaining current support levels. The report also proposes maintaining a Discretionary Council Tax Relief fund of £500,000 for households experiencing exceptional financial hardship.

Community Safety Partnership Strategy 2026-2030

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement, presents the Community Safety Partnership Strategy for 2026-2030. This strategy outlines the borough's partnership approach to preventing and reducing crime, anti-social behaviour, reoffending, substance misuse, and serious violence. It identifies priority areas such as serious youth violence, violence against women and girls, residential burglary, personal robbery, anti-social behaviour, environmental crime, substance misuse, reducing reoffending, counter terrorism (including Prevent), and hate crime. The report details the proposed delivery model, partner roles, resident engagement, and equality considerations. Cabinet is asked to recommend the adoption of this strategy to Full Council.

Corporate Parenting Strategy 2026-2030

Councillor Jane Jones, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, Education & Schools, presents the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2026-2030. This strategy reaffirms the council's commitment to its role as a Corporate Parent for children in care and care leavers. It has been developed through co-production with care-experienced young people and is structured around five promises: to provide the best care and support, help build lasting relationships, support health and wellbeing, facilitate education, and assist in achieving goals and preparing for adult life with a safe home. The strategy outlines commitments and priorities for the partnership to fulfil these promises.

Parking Strategy

Councillor Syed Ghani also presents the Barking and Dagenham Parking Strategy. This strategy establishes a framework for managing parking and kerbside space across the borough, aiming to support corporate priorities such as safer neighbourhoods, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. It includes measures to encourage active travel, improve air quality, support town centres, enhance accessibility for disabled residents, and outlines a modern approach to parking enforcement. The strategy also addresses electric vehicle infrastructure, School Streets, and customer service improvements.

Housing Strategy 2026-2031: Implementation Update

Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Housing, Adult Social Care and Health, provides an update on the implementation of the Housing Strategy 2026-2031. The report details changes to the Action Plan since its approval in February 2026, including new statutory requirements for a Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan and a Local Supported Housing Strategy. Revised internal governance arrangements and an updated Resident Engagement Framework are also presented for approval.

Procurement of Arboricultural Services

Councillor Kashif Haroon, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, presents proposals for the procurement of arboricultural services. The report outlines plans for a new open framework agreement for an eight-year term, commencing January 2027. This framework aims to ensure compliant purchasing, a more comprehensive procurement process, and better value for money by listing qualified suppliers. Social value, particularly environmental benefits, will be a key component of this procurement.

Travelodge, Yew Tree Avenue, Dagenham Lease Re-Gear

Councillor Rocky Gill, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, presents a proposal regarding the Travelodge hotel site at Yew Tree Avenue, Dagenham. The report details discussions with Travelodge regarding a potential lease re-gear to include the vacant ground floor retail unit, converting it into additional hotel bedrooms. Provisional Heads of Terms have been agreed for a new 30-year lease, subject to Travelodge securing planning permission. This proposal aims to secure additional income for the council, increase the asset's value, and reduce landlord responsibilities for communal maintenance.

BD Group Business Plan 2026-2031

Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Housing, Adult Social Care and Health, presents the BD Group (Barking and Dagenham Trading Partnership) Business Plan for 2026-2031. This plan outlines the group's strategic direction, financial projections, and transformation approach, following changes in senior management. The plan has been scrutinised and endorsed by the BD Group Board and the Council's Shareholder Panel. Cabinet is asked to approve the plan, with ongoing monitoring of the company's performance by the Shareholder Panel.

Council-Owned Companies – 2025/26 Quarter 4 Update

Councillor Maureen Worby also presents the Q4 2025/26 performance update for council-owned companies. This report follows previous quarterly updates and provides highlights and challenges from the companies' Q4 reports and meetings with the Shareholder Panel. It also includes final updates on progress made in addressing recommendations from the Grant Thornton Value for Money Review. The report details the performance of Be First (Regeneration), the Reside group of companies and Barking and Dagenham Homes Ltd (Property Management), BD Energy Ltd (Energy), and Barking and Dagenham Trading Partnership (BDTP) Ltd (Facilities Management).

The meeting will also address any other public items the Chair deems urgent and consider whether to exclude the public and press for any confidential or exempt business.