The Assembly meeting on Wednesday 19 November 2025 heard a positive Leader's Statement highlighting the social care team's outstanding CQC rating and a new 10-year partnership with Queen Mary University London for research into health inequalities. The Assembly also noted the Local Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report for 2024-25, which detailed a 95% success rate in risk removal or reduction for safeguarding concerns, and approved the Annual Youth Justice Plan for 2025-26, which reported an 84% reduction in custody rates.

Leader's Statement

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Dominic Twomey, presented a statement that began with praise for the social care team, who have been rated as outstanding by the CQC. He highlighted the council's commitment to prevention, inclusion, and personalised care, noting that staff have worked with community groups to ensure care respects faith, identity, and language. Councillor Twomey also touched upon International Men's Day, acknowledging statistics around male suicide and homelessness, and urged councillors to reach out to male friends and family.

A significant portion of the statement was dedicated to a new 10-year partnership with Queen Mary University London's SHAPE Institute. This collaboration will focus on research into health inequalities within the borough, aiming to develop research-backed solutions. This partnership coincides with the council's selection to join the first wave of the NHS's National Neighbourhood Health Programme. The Leader also announced that Queen Mary University's dentistry programme is coming to the borough, offering free dental care to over 5,000 residents annually for 15 years.

Further good news included the receipt of £1.5 million in Pride in Place funding for public space improvements, building on £1 million of UK Shared Prosperity Funding. The council also secured £10 million in Heritage Lottery funding over the next 10 years to invest in local heritage sites such as Valence House and Eastbury Manor House. The Leader concluded by mentioning the Cleaner BD campaign, emphasizing collective effort and community involvement in making the borough cleaner and greener.

Appointments to the Political Structure

The Assembly approved the appointment of Councillor Julia Williams to replace Councillor Summya Sohaib on the membership of the Pensions Committee.

Local Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2024-25

Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Housing, Adult Social Care and Health, presented the Local Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report for 2024-25. The report highlighted that 1,388 safeguarding concerns were raised, with 80% occurring in individual's homes. Of those assessed, 95% saw risk removed or reduced, and 98% of individuals achieved their desired outcome. The report also noted that 80% of inquiries involved white people, indicating a need for the board to examine this under-representation. The Assembly noted the report and agreed its recommendations.

Annual Youth Justice Plan 2025-26

Councillor Jane Jones, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, Education & Schools, presented the Annual Youth Justice Plan for 2025-26. The plan detailed the work of the Youth Justice Service, which operates under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Key concerns include high numbers of first-time entrants into the criminal justice system, despite a significant reduction in custody rates (down 84%). The plan prioritises prevention, diversion, and collaboration with community groups. Councillor Josie Channer praised the staff's hard work and questioned how the council works with established youth groups like the Scouts and Cadets. Councillor Jones responded by highlighting the diversity of activities offered, including a youth zone with various creative rooms. Councillor Michel Pongo endorsed the plan, emphasizing its commitment to second chances and tackling inequalities. The Assembly adopted the plan.

Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2025-26 Mid-Year Review

Councillor Rocky Gill, Cabinet Member for Finance & Corporate Services, presented the mid-year review of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2025-26. The report detailed the wider economic situation, including interest rate forecasts and inflation. Total council debt was reported at over £1.5 billion, with over £1 billion linked to investment and acquisition strategies. While IAS income had dropped for two years, the report noted that shortfalls in both the General Fund and IAS were bringing in a budget return, albeit lower than forecast. Work is underway to address these shortfalls, and it was noted that these would not negatively affect the current year's budget due to reserves. Councillor Moin Quadri raised concerns about rising debt and falling income, questioning why risks were not addressed earlier. Councillor Twomey, Leader of the Council, responded by framing debt as investment, highlighting the delivery of over 3,000 new homes and the income reinvested in services. The Assembly agreed the recommendations in the report.

East London Joint Waste Plan Regulation 19 Submission Plan

Councillor Cameron Geddes, Chair of Licensing & Regulatory Committee, presented the East London Joint Waste Plan Regulation 19 Submission Plan. This plan, prepared with Newham, Redbridge, and Havering, aims to ensure sufficient waste capacity across the four boroughs. The good news was that there is a surplus of waste capacity, allowing for the release of three sites within Barking and Dagenham. The Assembly agreed to submit the plan for government approval. Councillor Michel Pongo welcomed the plan, noting its focus on sustainability, waste reduction, and regeneration, and urged the Assembly to approve its submission.

Questions With Notice

Six questions were raised by councillors. Councillor Linda Rice questioned CPZ charges in Longbridge, asking about income and expenditure. Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Enforcement, responded that CPZ charges are ring-fenced by legislation and the surplus is used for capital schemes and highway improvements. Councillor Ghani also confirmed that parking permit fees would not be increased this financial year.

Councillor Moin Quadri asked about the evidence behind the closure of Footpath 47 for flood risk works. Councillor Kashif Haroon, Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change, responded that the closure is aligned with BRL development and forms part of their overarching development boundary and upgrade requirements, including flood risk prevention.

Councillor Quadri also asked about the Cleaner BD campaign's effectiveness, to which Councillor Haroon responded by detailing metrics used for evaluation, including digital analytics, participation in supporting activities, and fly-tip reporting.

Councillor Farouk Choudhury inquired about parking spaces and permits in specific areas. Councillor Ghani responded that the council does not hold specific data on parking spaces but provided figures for permits issued in Thames and Riverside, Gascoyne and Abbey, Beacon Tree and Grosbrook, and Eastbury. Councillor Choudhury also asked about water quality testing in local lakes, which Councillor Haroon stated was taken seriously with measures introduced to improve lake and pond quality.

Finally, Councillor Victoria Hornby questioned Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Housing, Adult Social Care & Health, about alleged mismanagement and failure to act regarding BD Reside. Councillor Worby stated that media reports were not reflective of reality and that the council's counter-fraud team identified the issue and took it to the police. She assured the chamber that procedures had been reviewed and new protocols introduced.

Motions With Notice

There were no motions with notice.

Any other public items which the Chair decides are urgent

There were no urgent items for the Chair to decide.

The Chair, Councillor Irma Freeborn, closed the meeting by wishing everyone a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.