Issue - meetings

Appendix 1 to the report is exempt from publication as it contains commercially confidential information (exempt under paragraph 3, Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended)).

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Growth and Core Services presented the Barking and Dagenham Trading Partnership (BDTP) Business Plan for 2023/24 to 2026/27.

The Cabinet Member explained that many aspects of the BDTP group were performing well, such as its commercial cleaning, school catering and cleaning, and facilities management services.  However, its property repairs and maintenance service continued to face significant challenges resulting in consistent under-performance and, as referred to in the earlier Outturn report, it had been necessary for the Council to make considerable provision in its 2022/23 accounts to mitigate for the possibility that some or all debts owed by BDTP to the Council may not be paid.

It was unsurprising therefore that the primary focus of the BDTP Business Plan was on the steps to be taken to turn the repairs and maintenance service around.  The Cabinet Member alluded to the company’s initial priorities, strategic objectives and improvement plans aimed at addressing the service delivery issues and the 14 ‘imperatives’ to be delivered in the first year of the new Business Plan period.  He expressed his confidence that the ‘green shoots’ of improvement and recovery referred to in the Business Plan were achievable.  He strongly emphasised, however, the need for the company to maintain a fast pace in delivering on those imperatives, not only to enable BDTP to continue as a viable concern but, most importantly, to ensure that local residents received a standard of repairs and maintenance service that they expected and deserved.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Approve the BDTP Business Plan for 2023/24 - 2026/27, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report; and

(ii)  Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Shareholder Panel, to take all necessary action to enable BDTP to implement its proposals within the Business Plan and to agree any variations to the Business Plan, legal agreements or shareholder agreement as necessary, subject to the provisions of the Subsidy Control Act 2022.