Agenda and minutes

Agreed.

Received a report setting out the key proposals and legislative changes set out in the Children Bill 2004.

Agreed to the implementation of the key proposals of the Bill, as detailed in the report, in order that the foundations are in place for the Childrens’ Services Inspection in 2005.

Deferred.

Received a report proposing changes to the scale of fines and charges which will allow the Libraries Service to provide a cost efficient service in line with the Council’s projected expenditure.

Agreed, in order to reduce the net cost for the provision of the Library Service in line with agreed targets as part of the overall reduction in service costs for Education, Arts and Libraries, to:

1. The scale of fines and charges as set out in section 2 of the report;

2. The new scale of fines and charges to commence from 1 June 2004; and

3. The Head of Libraries to carry out further research into new charges as set out in the report.

Considered a report regarding appointments to the Council’s political structure for the municipal year 2004/05 (previously published)

(a)  Membership of main Council bodies

The Assembly is recommended to agree the membership set out in Appendix A. 

(b)  Chairs and Deputy Chairs of main Council bodies

The Assembly is recommended to agree the appointment of Chairs and Deputy Chairs as set out in Appendix B.

(c)  Co-opted members

The Assembly is recommended to agree that the following persons be re-appointed as co-opted members on the Scrutiny Management Board (SMB) for such times as education matters are considered:

Reverend R Gayler (representing the Church of England)

Mrs G Spencer (representing the Roman Catholic Church)

Mr P Carter and Mr B Phillips are already elected for a four-year period as Parent Governor representatives for primary and secondary schools respectively and, as such, will be similarly co-opted to the SMB.

(d)  Best Value Reviews

Noted arrangements for Best Value Reviews in 2004 / 2005.

(e)  Representatives on various external and internal bodies

The Assembly is recommended to agree that representation be as set out in Appendix C.

(f)  Appointment of Trustees to Local Charities

The Assembly is recommended to agree:

·  Dagenham United Charity

That Councillors Davis, Wainwright and Justice be reappointed as trustees as detailed in the Executive report.

·  Barking General Charity

That Councillors Mrs Bruce and Porter be reappointed as trustees for 2004/05

·  Barking and Ilford Charities

That Councillors Mrs Bradley and Mrs Flint be reappointed as trustees for 2004/05

·  The Eva Tyne Trust Fund

That Councillors Mrs Bruce, Davis and Mrs Twomey be reappointed as trustees for 2004/05.  Councillor Jones also serves as an ex-officio member of the Trust.

·  The Brocklebank Lodge Trust Fund

That Councillors H Collins and Jones be reappointed as trustees for 2004/05

·  King George V Silver Jubilee Trust Fund

That this continues to be administered by the Mayor and the Director of Social Services.

Noted the report of the above Scrutiny Panel, which will now be submitted to the Assembly on 19 May 2004.

Agreed, in order to address security issues at the Erkenwald Pupil Referral Unit, to support the Panel’s proposal for Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and that funding be identified either through the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) Standards Funding (Capital or Seed Challenge) or the Repairs Programme.

Received a report detailing achievement of the Government’s target for bed and breakfast placements for homeless families.  The report also referred to a letter received from Lord Rooker, Minister for Regeneration and Regional Development, congratulating the Council on meeting the target ahead of schedule.

Agreed, to commit to reduce the usage of bed and breakfast placements for single persons, noting current take up of Private Sector Leased properties as well as the potential for further development of this provision.

Received a report seeking confirmation of a decision, made by the Housing (Estates and Management) Visiting Sub Committee on 2 March 2000, to transfer a strip of land adjacent to 310 Dagenham Road to the owner occupier.

Agreed, in order to alleviate the nuisance caused by youths congregating in the adjacent alleyway, to transfer a strip of land, as identified in the report, to the owner occupier at no charge other than the Council’s legal costs, with full restrictive covenants preventing the land being used for extending 310 Dagenham Road or any development on the land.

Deferred.

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