Agenda and minutes

Agreed.

Received a report proposing a corporate strategy for the management of asbestos in non-domestic properties, as well as capital funding to meet management requirements, in order to comply with the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 (CAW).

Agreed, in order to assist the Council in achieving its Community Priority of “Making Barking and Dagenham, Cleaner, Greener and Safer”, and to comply with the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 by the deadline of May 2004, to:

1. The corporate strategy for the management of asbestos in non-domestic dwellings as outlined in the report;

2. The allocation of resources to meet the management requirements of the CAW Regulations 2002, including Capital funding totalling £2,185,000, and the re-profiling of this funding to £1,400,000 in 2004 / 2005 and £785,000 in 2005 / 2006; and

3. A further report in June 2004 in relation to asbestos management in Council owned residential properties.

Received a report identifying local transport networks and services that need to be improved as well as links to regional transport routes that run through the Borough, highlighting areas for improvement. 

Agreed, in order to assist the Council in achieving its Community Priority of “Regenerating the Local Economy”, that:

1.  Barking and Dagenham, jointly with London Riverside Ltd and London Borough of Havering:

(a)  Initiate discussions with London Buses to investigate ways of strengthening bus network connections in both boroughs;

(b)  Undertake a feasibility study of public transport crossing over Rainham Creek to connect Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME) and Ferry Lane, in the London Borough of Havering (LBH);

(c)  Undertake with the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) project scoping of extension of Barking Gospel Oak line services to Rainham (LBH);

(d)  Undertake with the SRA project scoping for new stations at Renwick Road (LBBD) and Beam River (LBH).  Noted that there are conflicting aspirations between the two boroughs regarding the construction of these two stations;

(e)  Identify with Transport for London (TfL) project scope of new interchange facilities at Dagenham Dock (LBBD) and Rainham (LBH);

(f)  Press TfL for a commitment to upgrade to a non bus-based system such as trams.  Noted the Strategy proposes the implementation of a bus-based East London Transit (ELT) further phase to Rainham by 2008 and extend the next phase of the East London Transit from Barking to Gallions Reach across the ThamesGatewayBridge to connect with the Greenwich Waterfront Transit to provide a public transport link across the River Thames;

(g)  Secure from TfL the implementation of the Renwick Road grade separation (LBBD);

(h)  Work with Docklands Light Rail Ltd to develop an alignment for an extension to Dagenham Dock by 2012 as revised by TfL (LBBD);

(i)  Develop with the SRA and TfL and others the London Riverside / Thames Gateway Metro (LBBD & LBH); and

2.  The Head of Planning and Transportation be authorised to undertake these next steps.

Received a report regarding the open plan status of the Heath Park Estate following a recent enquiry from a resident of the Estate.

Agreed:

1. To re-affirm the present policy of retaining front garden land on Right to Buy sales in order to protect the open plan status of the Heath Park Estate;

2. That appropriate enforcement action only be taken in consultation with Ward Members where there is already a breach of the restrictive covenant; and

3. That a ‘Design Guide’ for the Heath Park Estate be produced by the Director of Leisure and Environmental Services.

Received a report outlining requirements placed on all local authorities under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, which require Citizenship ceremonies for all successful applicants for naturalisation or registration as a British citizen, aged 18 or over, whose application has been received and processed by the Home Office from 1 January, 2004.

Agreed, in order to comply with the requirements of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 and assist the Council in achieving its Community Priority of “Raising General Pride in the Borough”, that:

1. Citizenship ceremonies be held in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre from 26 April 2004, and at other suitable premises as may be required in the future; and

2. A review to be undertaken after the first 3 / 4 ceremonies to look into the suitability of the location and costs associated.

Received a report outlining proposals on how the Council’s corporate grants programme will be utilised to support local voluntary and community sector organisations in 2004 / 2005. 

Agreed, in order to allocate corporate grant funding to voluntary sector organisations, that:

1. Any voluntary sector organisation receiving funding from the corporate grants programme will at best receive a standstill amount for 2004 / 2005 compared with 2003 / 2004;

2. Those organisations delivering health and social care or education services are funded through the Social Services or the Education Formula Spending Share (£121,700 in 2004 / 2005) allocated as per Appendix 2 of the report;

3. The corporate grants programme for 2004 / 2005 will be £531,037, which represents a budget reduction of £185,859 allocated as per Appendix 1 of the report;

4. The necessary budget adjustments are made to meet the required budget reduction; and

5. In view of the significant reduction in overall budget, that no single organisation receives a grant above £150,000.

Agreed to exclude the public and press for the remainder of the meeting, as the business was confidential.

* Item considered as a matter of urgency with the consent of the Chair under Section 100 (4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972