Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration presented a report on the proposed future of the Barking Enterprise Centre (BEC) which provided accommodation for around 50 small businesses as well as a base for the Borough’s business start-up and support service for the local community.

The Cabinet Member explained that the BEC, located in Cambridge Road, Barking, had proved very successful since opening in November 2011, to the extent that there was now a waiting list for the small business units.  An assessment of options to enable the BEC to continue to develop while placing it in a self-funding position had identified the opportunity to expand into space within The Foyer building in Wakering Road, Barking, and to establish a Social Enterprise which would run the services from the two locations. 

Discussions with Agilisys, the current provider of the business support services and facilities management at the BEC, had been positive and arrangements agreed in principle regarding the continued involvement of Agilisys until the new Social Enterprise venture was up and running.

The Leader spoke in support of the BEC initiative and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration took on board the suggestion that an all-Member briefing be provided on the BEC and the Dagenham Business Centre.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Agree the proposed establishment of a Social Enterprise to run the Barking Enterprise Centre and Foyer annexe;

(ii)  Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and the Chief Finance Officer, to agree the final details of the establishment of the Social Enterprise;

(iii)  Agree to the Foyer Annexe being used for small business space under the management of the Barking Enterprise Centre; and

(iv)  Agree to utilise New Homes Bonus Top Slice funding to meet the cost of the fit out work for the Foyer annexe and for Agilisys’ revenue costs for associated business support between April 2015 and the start of the new service.