Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 April 2019 were confirmed as correct.

Further to Minute 19(x) (17 July 2018) and Minute 25 (18 September 2018), the Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety presented a report on the proposed roll-out of the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) project and changes to the Council’s Domestic Vehicle Footway Crossover Policy (the “Dropped Kerb Policy”) in relation to CPZ areas.

The Cabinet Member explained that the Borough faced a number of challenges in its efforts to improve road safety and reduce congestion and vehicle pollution.  The introduction of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in central London on 8 April 2019 and its proposed expansion in the years ahead was predicted to increase the pressure on Barking and Dagenham’s roads as drivers and commuters sought to avoid the new charge by parking in areas just outside of the ULEZ.  The expansion of the Borough’s CPZ programme would, therefore, support local residents’ expectations to be able to park outside their homes, while also responding to concerns expressed by the emergency services in relation to the problems caused by indiscriminate parking and congestion on the Borough’s roads.

The Cabinet Member referred to the costs associated with the project, covering public consultation, the implementation of Traffic Management Orders and installation works.  It was also pointed out that the additional income from the project, once the borrowing had been repaid, would be ring-fenced to support the Parking Service and improved / increased enforcement.

With regard to the Dropped Kerb Policy, the Cabinet Member advised that some changes were necessary to ensure that the Council’s costs were fully recovered.  To ensure, therefore, that the arrangements continued to be fair and transparent it was proposed that the information sent to residents would clearly state that an additional charge (above the normal fees) would be payable for applications for a dropped kerb received after a TMO was in place.  All successful applications made prior to the publication of a TMO would be charged at the ‘normal’ rate.

Cabinet Members spoke in support of the proposals, in particular the public consultation arrangements, the measures to improve safety around the Borough’s schools and improving access for emergency and refuse vehicles. 

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Agree the roll-out of the Controlled Parking Zone project at an estimated total cost of £3.523m as detailed in the report, to be funded initially by borrowing and on the basis that the funding, plus interest costs, shall be recovered by the income raised from the project in the initial years;

(ii)  Agree the carry forward of the remaining capital allocation of £260,000 from 2018/19 to the 2019/20 Capital Programme and the reprofiling of the current allocation (totalling £860,000) to 2019/20;

(iii)  Agree additional capital funding of £901,600 for 2019/20 and £1,761,600 for 2020/21;

(iv)  Delegate authority to the Director of Law and Governance, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Social Housing, to amend the Council’s Domestic Vehicle Footway Crossover Policy based on the principles set out  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Further to Minute 54 (13 November 2018), the Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety introduced a report on proposed revisions to a number of charges relating to fixed penalty notices (FPN) and other licences and permits.

The Cabinet Member advised that a recent service review had looked at ways to further deter anti-social behaviour associated with fly tipping, litter and commercial waste.  Steps to improve the food safety inspection regime had also been identified while licence fees for a range of functions, including the licensing of mandatory Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), had been included in the review following recent Court rulings. 

In respect of fly tipping, litter and commercial waste, the Cabinet Member pointed out that as well as increasing the level of fines, the option of an early payment discount was to be removed so as not to ‘reward’ those who committed such offences.

Associated with the previous report relating to CPZs, the issue of parking for school staff had also been reassessed with a view to achieving a balance between the principles of CPZs and the operational needs of schools and their staff.  As a result, the Cabinet Member confirmed that school staff would be eligible to apply for a parking permit for the CPZ area(s) aound their place of work, at the same rate as the permit charge made to Council employees.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Agree to increase the fixed penalty notice (FPN) fee for littering offences (including littering from vehicles) from £75 to £150 with no early repayment discount;

(ii)  Agree to increase the FPN fee for fly-tipping offences from £150 to £400 with no early repayment discount;

(iii)  Agree to increase the FPN fee for commercial waste receptacle offences from £100 to £110;

(iv)  Agree to introduce a new charge for food premises re-inspections of £240;

(v)  Agree the amendment of various licensing fees, including those for mandatory HMOs, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report; and

(vi)  Agree the introduction of a new School Staff parking permit, set at the same rate as the LBBD staff permit, to enable school staff to park in a controlled parking zone area. 

The Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement presented the draft Cohesion and Integration Strategy “No one left behind: we all belong”, which reflected the vision set out in the Borough Manifesto and the Council’s direction of travel in relation to participation and engagement, inclusive growth and prevention, independence and resilience.

The Cabinet Member commented on the history of the Borough and the steps taken by the Council, particularly over the past 4-5 years, to reconnect with the local community.  Over 3,000 local residents had contributed to the development of the Borough Manifesto and a wide range of initiatives had been implemented since its adoption in 2017, such as the Summer of Festivals events, the Good Neighbour Guide and events to recognise national days and memorials.

The Cabinet Member referred to the three main themes and associated priorities that would underpin the delivery of the overall vision, which were:

1.  Relationships and culture:

·  Priority 1: To increase the opportunities for people from different backgrounds to meet and interact;

·  Priority 2: To celebrate our culture, heritage and cultural diversity.

2.  Inclusion and participation:

·  Priority 3: To help all residents integrate in our community;

·  Priority 4: To listen better.

3.  Equality of opportunities:

·  Priority 5: To create new and better jobs accessible to all and ensure a fair distribution of the benefits of regeneration.

Cabinet Members spoke in strong support of the Strategy and the wide range of practical ways of bringing people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures together.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Approve the “No one left behind: we all belong - A Cohesion and Integration Strategy for Barking and Dagenham”, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report; and

(ii)  Note the proposed approach to cohesion, including the socio-cultural, political and economic themes, and associated priorities and actions.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Core Services introduced a report on proposals to procure the provision of print and postage services via an existing, compliant framework(s), following a review of the Council’s current print and postage arrangements.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Agree that the Council proceeds with the procurement of print and postage services in accordance with the strategy set out in the report, namely that the services are procured via an existing framework(s) covering:

·  General printing and postage requirements;

·  Multi-Functional Devices (MFDs);

·  Specialist printing.

(ii)  Authorise the Chief Operating Officer to dispose of any relevant print and post assets and equipment (including MFDs) which may be deemed surplus to requirements once a supplier(s) has been sourced; and

(iii)  Delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Core Services and the Director of Law and Governance, to conduct the procurement and award and enter into the contract(s) and all other necessary or ancillary agreements with the successful bidder, in accordance with the strategy set out in the report.

The Cabinet Member for Public Realm presented a report on the retendering of the contract for the provision of liquid fuel to serve the Council’s vehicles, plant and machinery, as the current arrangements were due to expire on 30 September 2019.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Agree that the Council proceeds with the procurement of contracts for the provision of liquid fuel in accordance with the strategy set out in the report; and

(ii)  Delegate authority to the Director of My Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Realm and the Director of Law and Governance, to conduct the procurement and award the contract(s) to the successful bidder(s).

The Cabinet Member for Public Realm introduced a report on the proposal to utilise the Commercial Services Kent Limited (CSKL) Vehicle Rental Framework to procure all of the Council’s short-term and spot hire vehicle requirements.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Agree that the Council proceeds with the procurement of various short term / spot hire of vehicles contracts in accordance with the strategy set out in the report; and

(ii)  Delegate authority to the Director of My Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Realm and the Director of Law and Governance, to carry out the procurements and award the contract(s) to the successful bidder(s).

Appendix A to the report (pages 131 – 190) is an exempt document.

Further to Minute 100 (19 February 2018), the Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Core Services presented the second 5-year rolling Business Plan of Be First, the Council-owned company launched on 1 October 2017 with the key objective of driving forward the delivery of the Council’s regeneration agenda.

The Cabinet Member drew attention to the key aspects within the Business Plan which included:

·  An improved financial position for 2018/19, with Be First forecasting a surplus compared to the projected £2.8m deficit position in the 2018-23 Business Plan;

·  The delivery of more new Council-funded homes than previously forecast, with 3,088 properties now expected to be built during the next 5 years and the majority being truly affordable in the London housing market;

·  The commencement of 12 new development schemes in 2019/20, delivering over one-third of the new Council-funded homes planned for 2019-2024;

·  The construction of a further 6,814 properties by the private sector over the next five years;

·  A projected total return to the Council of £49m over the five-year period and the achievement of the target £10.3 net financial contribution to the Council by 2021;

·  The use of £777m of development funding to support the accelerated, innovative development programme;

·  The creation of apprenticeships and a sustainable local employment programme, which would require developers to employ 25% of the project workforce from the local community and to supply an ‘Employment, Skills and Suppliers Plan’ as part of the contractual arrangements;

·  A range of place-shaping, public realm and community engagement initiatives.

The Cabinet Member confirmed that the Business Plan had been rigorously scrutinised by the Be First Board and the Council’s Shareholder Panel prior to being presented to Cabinet.

Members commented on Be First’s integral role in the delivery of the Council’s vision for the Borough and the Leader placed on record the Council’s thanks to all Be First staff.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Approve the Be First Five-Year Business Plan (2019-2024) at Appendix A to the report; and

(ii)  Approve Be First entering into any procurement related agreement or commitment required to enable the delivery of the Business Plan in accordance with its Company scheme of delegation subject to:

a)  compliance with relevant procurement regulation;

b)  compliance with relevant procurement law;

c)  Be First’s compliance with its own scheme of delegation;

d)  compliance with state aid rules, and

e)  any other relevant approvals by the Council which may be relevant or required for the specific project.