The Cabinet of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, approving a revised Empty Property Policy, a new Procurement Strategy and Policy, and a 30-year lease for the Galleon Arts Centre. The meeting also saw the recommendation for adoption of the Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy 2026-2029 and the approval of several contract procurements and direct awards for services including infant feeding, fleet replacement, and substance use support.

LBBD Empty Property Policy

Cabinet approved the revised Empty Property Policy, which aims to bring long-term vacant properties back into use. The policy updates reflect revised government guidance and changes to council tax premiums for long-term empty homes and second homes. The policy provides a framework for identifying, supporting, and taking enforcement action against empty properties. Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement, presented the report, highlighting that the number of empty properties in the borough had increased from 202 in 2015 to 410 in 2025, while over 6,300 households were on the housing register. The policy distinguishes between transactional and long-term empty properties, offering support measures such as leasing schemes and rent deposit schemes to owners before considering enforcement powers like Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs) and enforced sale procedures. Council Tax premiums will be applied to properties vacant for one to five years (200%), five to ten years (300%), and over ten years (400%), with second homes attracting a 100% premium from April 2026. Councillor Maureen Worby welcomed the policy, stating it was galling to see properties sitting there for no apparent reason given the housing need. Councillor Ben Suter questioned what was fundamentally changing beyond council tax premiums, but Councillor Ghani assured that a dedicated officer would now focus solely on empty homes, supported by new government powers.

LBBD Procurement Strategy 2026-2030 and LBBD Procurement Policy

Cabinet approved the LBBD Procurement Strategy 2026-2030 and the LBBD Procurement Policy. The strategy sets the commercial direction for procurement and contract management to support service transformation, financial resilience, and better resident outcomes. Councillor Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community, Business & Engagement, presented the strategy, explaining it would shift procurement from a transactional process to a strategic, consistent, and outcome-focused function, using the Council's purchasing power more deliberately. Key benefits expected include stronger compliance, better value for money, improved supplier performance, and increased social value and sustainability. Councillor Maureen Worby welcomed the phased approach to centralising procurement, ensuring appropriate skills were in place. Councillor Dominic Twomey, Leader of the Council, emphasised the importance of maximising social value, noting that the Council spends hundreds of millions of pounds on procurement. The new Procurement Policy, presented by Councillor Ashraf, sets out the Council's core requirements for planning, governing, delivering, and managing procurement activity, aiming to strengthen consistency, reduce risk, and support better commercial decision-making. Councillor Simon Perry commented that governance and risk management were crucial for transparency and clarity on where money is going.

Galleon Arts Centre - Appointment of Operator and Lease

Cabinet agreed to enter into a 30-year lease with CREATIVE BARKING & DAGENHAM for the management and operation of the Galleon Arts Centre. Councillor Simon Perry, Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage and Leisure, described the report as really exciting, highlighting that the lease would be at a peppercorn rent to allow income to be reinvested into the building and its activities. Creative Barking and Dagenham was selected following an open process and demonstrated a strong vision, understanding of local needs, and a proven track record. Their approach includes a citizens' panel to ensure the centre remains community-led and accessible. The plan includes affordable workspace, studios, and performance space, aiming to support local talent and collaboration. Councillor Saima Ashraf and Councillor Lucy Lee, Cabinet Assistant (Arts & Culture), both spoke in strong support, praising Creative Barking and Dagenham's track record and the positive impact the centre would have on the community, particularly in the Gascoigne area. Councillor Perry noted the importance of tackling the void of culture, arts, heritage in the borough and saw this as a significant step in shaping the Council's arts and culture offer.

LBBD Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy 2026-2029

Cabinet resolved to recommend Full Council adopt the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy 2026-2029. Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement, presented the policy, which is reviewed every three years as required by the Gambling Act 2005. The updated policy aims to ensure legal compliance and strengthen the approach to safeguarding vulnerable residents and addressing gambling-related harms. Formal consultation took place between 13 July and 24 August 2026, receiving 16 responses. While most public responses expressed general concern about gambling premises and related harm, no significant objections to the policy's overall direction were received. The policy focuses on three key licensing objectives: preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, ensuring it is conducted fairly and openly, and protecting children and vulnerable persons. Councillor Maureen Worby welcomed the references to public health and the impact of gambling, expressing interest in how premises comply with requests to display public health notices. Councillor Dominic Twomey highlighted the oversaturation of betting shops in certain areas, particularly Barking Town Centre and Dagenham Heathway, and stated the Council would actively use new powers to prevent new betting shops from opening.

Procurement of Infant Feeding Services

Cabinet agreed to proceed with the procurement of a contract for Infant Feeding Services. Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Housing, Adult Social Care and Health, presented the report, explaining that the service includes a peer support programme and a specialist infant feeding programme, funded by the Best Starts Family Hubs and Healthy Babies grant. The initial award is £730,000 for 2026-2029, with potential for a three-year extension. The aim is to ensure parents understand the benefits of breastfeeding and have access to high-quality, non-judgmental support. Councillor Jane Jones and Councillor Rubina Siddiqui both endorsed the proposal, highlighting its importance in a borough with a high birth rate and the need for non-judgmental support for new parents. Councillor Worby noted the emphasis on quality over price for this vital service and confirmed the requirement for the London Living Wage to be paid to staff.

Fleet Replacement Programme - Procurement of Light Commercial Vehicles, Light Tippers and Plant

Cabinet agreed that the Council should proceed with a full procurement process for the purchase of fleet vehicles. Councillor Kashif Haroon, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, presented the report, seeking approval for the procurement of up to 59 replacement vehicles, including light commercial vehicles, standard vans, light tippers, and caged tippers, at a maximum total contract value of £2.585 million. These vehicles are essential for frontline services within the Public Realm Department. The replacement of ageing assets will improve reliability, safety, reduce maintenance costs, and contribute to the Council's objective of maintaining a fit-for-purpose fleet. Councillor Ben Suter raised concerns about the Council's climate policy and the feasibility of achieving net zero by 2030 due to funding limitations for electrification. Councillor Haroon assured that a Fleet Strategy would be produced in March 2027, and the Council would continue to explore electric vehicles and funding opportunities.

Direct Award of a Contract for the Provision of the VIA Subwize Young People Substance Use Service

Cabinet approved the direct award of a three-year contract to VIA for the Subwize Young People Substance Use Service. Councillor Maureen Worby presented the report, explaining that this was due to additional funding received from the Department of Health and Social Care for continued investment in substance abuse services. The funding, totalling £935,475, will ensure VIA Subwize can continue to deliver enhanced services, including a complex criminal justice practitioner, outreach work, and a team leader. The direct award was deemed practical and necessary to ensure continuity of service, as VIA is the existing provider with a longer contract for the core service. Councillors Jane Jones, Lucy Lee, and Rubina Siddiqui all spoke in support, having witnessed the positive impact of VIA's work with young people during pop-up clinics and youth services.

Direct Award of a Contract for the Provision of the Change Grow Live (CGL) St Luke's Adult Substance Use Service

Cabinet approved the direct award of a three-year contract to Change Grow Live (CGL) for the St Luke's Adult Substance Use Service. Councillor Maureen Worby presented the report, stating that this was also due to confirmed investment from the Department of Health and Social Care for adult treatment services. The funding of £1.78 million over three years will ensure CGL St Luke's can continue to deliver enhanced services. Councillor Worby highlighted the critical importance of continuity of delivery in this area, especially with the emergence of synthetic opioids. Councillor Lucy Lee praised St Luke's for their immediate support during homeless clinics and their ability to help individuals navigate addiction and life afterwards. Councillor Worby agreed, emphasising that the service goes beyond addiction treatment to support life post-addiction, including navigating complex systems like welfare and housing.

Council-Owned Companies - 2026/27 Quarter 1 Update

Cabinet noted the key highlights and issues relating to Council-owned companies in the first quarter of 2026/27. Councillor Maureen Worby provided an update on Be First, reporting the delivery of 386 affordable and social rented homes in Q1. She also mentioned progress on partnerships and the resolution of issues with delayed schemes like 12 Thames Road. For Reside, lettings were on schedule, and shared ownership at Town Quay had seen offers on all properties. BD Energy was slightly behind on connections but expected to catch up, with plans in place for the energy centre. Concerns remained regarding BD Group's performance and stability, with the Shareholder Panel closely monitoring the situation. Councillor Simon Perry commended BD Energy for holding off on tariff increases, while Councillor Ben Suter questioned the payback timeline for loans to BD Energy, to which Councillor Worby responded that a detailed report on loan repayment paths was publicly available.