The Cabinet of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Tuesday 24 March 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, approving key regeneration partnerships, financial support schemes, and contracts for essential public services. Decisions were made regarding the Barking Regeneration Partnership, a Discretionary Financial Support Scheme, an Interim Biodiversity Duty Statement, the extension of Fews Lodge into Kallar Lodge, and the award of contracts for Public Health Primary Care Services, Integrated Sexual Health Services, and Children's Residential Care Homes and Independent Foster Care Agency Services.

Barking Regeneration Partnership

The Cabinet approved the appointment of two preferred partners, Bidder A and Bidder B, for the Barking Regeneration Partnership. This partnership aims to accelerate high-quality regeneration and development across priority sites by reducing reliance on council borrowing and utilising private capital. The Council will retain 50% ownership and influence over site selection. Authority was delegated to finalise the financial and legal terms for the formation of two Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) to manage these regeneration projects. An additional £195,000 was approved for the capital budget to support the formation of these partnerships and the preparation of regeneration plans.

Discretionary Financial Support Schemes 2026/27

The Cabinet approved the Discretionary Financial Support Schemes for 2026/27, which will incorporate the new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) and the Discretionary Council Tax Relief (DCTR) policies. The CRF replaces the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments, providing a more integrated approach to crisis support and financial resilience with guaranteed funding for three years. Barking and Dagenham has been allocated £4.8 million for 2026/27, including £727,763 for Housing Payments. The DCTR scheme will continue with £500,000 from the General Fund and £200,000 from the Greater London Authority (GLA). Authority was delegated to the Director of Financial Services to make operational changes to ensure compliance with CRF guidance.

Interim Biodiversity Duty Statement

The Cabinet approved the Interim Biodiversity Duty Statement for publication, fulfilling the Council's duty under the Environment Act 2021 to conserve and enhance biodiversity. The statement outlines the Council's current and planned activities aligned with the London Local Nature Recovery Strategy's six key objectives. These include helping people enjoy nature through planning policies like Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and educational programmes, creating diverse habitats through tree planting and wetland restoration projects, boosting wildlife populations with species reintroduction schemes, supporting pollinators, maintaining healthy soils and watercourses, and protecting wildlife from invasive species.

Extension of Fews Lodge Expansion into Kallar Lodge

Approval was given for the redevelopment of Fews Lodge to create 23 dementia-specialist ensuite bedrooms, integrated with Kallar Lodge. This £3.251 million capital investment, funded through borrowing, aims to address a critical shortage of dementia care capacity in the borough and reduce reliance on costly external placements. The scheme is projected to generate an annual income of £1.554 million, with an operating surplus of £299,463, supporting an invest-to-save approach. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director, Children's & Adults, to finalise procurement and deliver the scheme.

Award of Contracts for Public Health Primary Care Services

The Cabinet agreed to waive the requirement for competitive tendering and directly award a contract to 33 local GP practices and 40 community pharmacies for the provision of public health primary care services. This two-year contract, with an option for a further two-year extension, has an estimated value of £2.44 million over four years and is funded by the Public Health Grant. The services include NHS Health Checks, Long-Acting Reversible Contraception, Condom Distribution, Supervised Consumption, and HIV Rapid Testing, ensuring continuity of care and comprehensive geographical coverage across the borough.

Contract for the Provision of Barking, Havering and Redbridge Integrated Sexual Health Service

The Cabinet approved the direct award of a seven-year contract to Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) for the provision of an Integrated Sexual Health Service. This contract, valued at an estimated £28.12 million overall (£12.4 million to Barking and Dagenham), will commence on 1 October 2026. The direct award under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) regulations was deemed appropriate due to BHRUT's satisfactory performance, no significant change in contract value, and no significant change in the scope of service provision. Barking and Dagenham will lead the procurement on behalf of Havering and Redbridge Councils, with a Memorandum of Understanding to be established.

Extension of Contract with Barking & Dagenham School Improvement Partnership 2026/27 - 2027/28

The Cabinet agreed to a two-year contract extension with Barking and Dagenham School Improvement Partnership Ltd (BDSIP), commencing 1 April 2026. BDSIP, which is 81% owned by local schools and 19% by the Council, provides essential school improvement and SEND support. The extension, valued at £1.64 million, includes additional funding for statutory Education Psychologist assessments for early years children, careers support for vulnerable children with SEND, and future projects addressing evolving needs and government policies. The direct award is permissible due to BDSIP's unique ownership structure and exemption from standard procurement rules.

Provision of Children's Residential Care Homes and Independent Foster Care Agency Services

The Cabinet approved the continued paid membership of the London Borough of Newham's Pseudo-Dynamic Purchasing System (PDPS) for the provision of Children's Residential Care Homes and Independent Foster Care Agency Services. This four-year membership, costing £6,300 per annum, provides access to a pool of pre-approved providers, ensuring compliance with procurement regulations and value for money. The PDPS aims to source placements that best meet the individual needs of looked-after children and young people, with 91.5% of residential homes and 88% of independent fostering agencies on the system rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted.

Contract for the Provision of Tyres and Associated Products and Services

The Cabinet agreed to proceed with the procurement of a five-year contract for the supply, fit, and management of tyres and associated products and services for the Council's fleet of over 400 vehicles. The estimated contract value is £750,000, including VAT. The procurement will be conducted through an open tender process under the Procurement Act 2023, with tenderers evaluated on 60% price, 30% quality, and 10% social value. The contract aims to ensure the fleet remains safe and road legal, minimising vehicle downtime and supporting the Council's Net Zero Carbon targets through the contractor's carbon reduction policy.

Contract for Provision of Deep / Blitz Cleaning Services for Residential Properties and Vulnerable Residents

Approval was given to proceed with an open market tender for a five-year contract for Deep/Blitz Cleaning Services for residential properties and vulnerable residents. The estimated contract value is £600,000, funded by Landlord Services (£190k) and Adults' Care and Support (£410k). This service is crucial for fulfilling statutory duties under the Care Act 2014, promoting resident wellbeing, supporting tenancy sustainment, and ensuring suitable living accommodation. The procurement process will prioritise local suppliers and incorporate social value objectives.

Crowlands Heath Golf Course: Disposal of Public Open Space

The Cabinet noted that no objections were received following a public notice regarding the Council's intention to dispose of land at Crowlands Heath Golf Club. Consequently, Cabinet reconfirmed its previous approval from October 2025 for the disposal of the Council's freehold interest in the site, subject to planning permission being secured by the developer, Homes for Life. This disposal aims to facilitate the redevelopment of new affordable homes and associated facilities, generating a capital receipt for the Council's capital programme.

Debt Management Performance 2025/26 (Quarter 3)

The Cabinet noted the debt management performance for the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. The report highlighted mixed results across different income streams. Council Tax collection was 0.5% lower than the previous year, partly due to increased charges for low-income households following changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme, although engagement and repayment plans have improved collection rates for this group. Business Rates collection was down 6.2%, influenced by reduced retail, hospitality, and leisure relief and the timing of new assessments. Rent collection was 2.46% lower than the previous year, with arrears rising, largely attributed to the ongoing migration of tenants from Housing Benefit to Universal Credit. Sundry debt collection remained strong, and Adult Social Care collection saw a slight improvement, though progress in recovery rates has plateaued due to limited resources. The report also noted that approximately £600k of Adult Social Care debt is expected to become statute-barred this year.