The Full Council of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Wednesday 28 January 2026, discussing a wide range of topics including the annual report of the BAD Youth Forum, the Council Tax Support Scheme, and the Director of Public Health's annual report. Key decisions included the adoption of the revised Sex Establishment Licensing Policy for 2026-2029 and the approval of the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27.

BAD Youth Forum Annual Report 2025

The council received the annual report from the BAD Youth Forum, highlighting the significant achievements of young people in 2025. The report detailed the work of the Community Action subgroup, which focused on a Race and Social Justice project, the creation of a digital mental health booklet for students, and a TikTok video educating young people about their rights during stop and searches. The Young Mayor subgroup successfully fundraised £4,316 for Richard House Children's Hospice, a 79% increase from the previous year. The forum also engaged in various consultations and activities, including inspections of pharmacies providing the C-Card condom distribution service, workshops on knife crime, and meetings with police and cabinet members. The report concluded with positive statistics on the growth in confidence and skills among youth forum members. Councillors praised the maturity and articulacy of the young presenters, with many expressing pride in their work and the positive impact they are having on the borough.

Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27

The council resolved to retain the current Council Tax Support (CTS) Scheme for 2026/27, with income band thresholds to be uprated for inflation. The Discretionary Council Tax Relief (DCTR) scheme will also be maintained at £0.5 million, with a £0.2 million contribution from the Greater London Authority. The report noted the national welfare change to remove the Two-Child Cap within Universal Credit, which will see an uplift in income for approximately 1,245 families, reducing the overall cost of the CTS scheme by an estimated £370,000. Councillors discussed the scheme's impact on low-income families and the rising cost of living, with the Leader of the Council assuring that discretionary funds and the Homes and Money Hub would continue to support vulnerable residents.

Sex Establishment Licensing Policy 2026-2029

The council adopted the revised Sex Establishment Licensing Policy for the period 2026 to 2029. The policy review ensured it remained legally robust and aligned with current practices, with minor updates including grammatical corrections and date changes. Key changes following public consultation included clarifying that brothels are not included within the policy, defining in the vicinity as within 25 to 250 meters, and clarifying that occasional performances do not require a licence. The policy aims to ensure clear standards, protect residents, and maintain legal compliance.

Adoption Annual Report 2024/25

The council noted the Adopt London East (ALE) Annual Report for 2024/25. The report highlighted the challenging national adoption landscape, with a decrease in approved adopters. ALE approved 19 new adoptive families and placed 31 children for adoption in the East London area, with 8 children from Barking and Dagenham placed. The report also detailed work on improving support for Black prospective adopters, a social group for Black adopted young people, and specific information sessions for Black families considering adoption. Early Permanence and the Black Adoption Project were identified as priority areas, with ongoing national challenges including adopter shortages and funding constraints.

Director of Public Health Annual Report 2024/25

The council noted the Director of Public Health's Annual Report for 2024/25, titled Getting Serious about Prevention Together. The report emphasizes the importance of prevention in addressing health inequalities and aligns with the government's 10-Year Health Plan for England. Key themes included agreeing place-based outcomes, delivering through Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, and focusing on prevention and early detection of long-term conditions. The report highlighted significant health inequalities in Barking and Dagenham, with a particular focus on cardiovascular diseases and the need to improve early childhood development. The council acknowledged the need for increased investment in the Public Health team to support the delivery of these ambitious plans.

Pay Policy Statement 2026/27

The council approved the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27. This statutory document outlines the council's approach to the remuneration of its chief officers and lowest-paid employees. The statement confirmed the council's commitment to paying the London Living Wage and detailed the pay structure for chief officers, noting that the Chief Executive's salary remains lower than many other councils and the gap between the highest and median employee salaries is narrowing. The council also confirmed its adherence to national pay awards and its policy on redundancy and pension arrangements.

Motions With Notice: Support for Zane's Law and Action on Contaminated Land in Barking and Dagenham

The council unanimously approved a motion supporting Zane's Law and calling for action on contaminated land in Barking and Dagenham. The motion noted the tragic death of Zane Gbangbola, linked to contaminated land, and the ongoing campaign for robust regulation. The council resolved to formally support Zane's Law, write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs urging its adoption, review potentially contaminated sites within the borough, take immediate action on any identified contaminated land, and work with relevant groups to promote best practice. The council also agreed to invite Zane's parents and campaign representatives to a future meeting.

Questions With Notice

Several questions were raised regarding the Council Tax Support Scheme, with the Leader of the Council reiterating the council's commitment to supporting vulnerable residents through discretionary funds and anti-poverty strategies. Questions were also raised about flood defence funding, with an allocation of £250,000 per year planned for flood defence, and the council's approach to affordable housing delivery. The council also provided an update on the procurement of a new lift maintenance contract and discussed the Director of Public Health's annual report, with particular focus on the need for preventative measures. The council also addressed questions regarding recycling services and the ageing vehicle fleet for bin collections.

The meeting concluded with the Chair reminding members of the time constraints and that any further questions would be responded to in writing.