Agenda and minutes

Agreed.

Noted a report summarising progress made in the performance of the Development Control service against the performance indicator BV109.

Received the end of year Best Value Performance Plan monitoring report for 2003 / 2004, excluding Social Services.  The Management Team gave a presentation on, and we discussed performance against a range of key Performance Indicators within the Plan.

A presentation on the end of year actuals is to be made at the Assembly meeting on 16 June 2004.

Received a report summarising the main proposals contained in the Government’s “Decision Document” on the London Thames Gateway Urban Development Corporation (UDC), including an assessment of the likely benefits to the Borough.

Agreed, in order to assist in achieving the Council’s Community Priority of Regenerating the Local Economy:

1. That the Council should not petition against the Order establishing the UDC in its present form and boundaries, but lobby the Government for further minor boundary changes around Barking Town Centre and South Dagenham.  It will be made clear that the Council’s agreement to the UDC is subject to confirmation of a seat on the UDC Board for its nominee, Councillor Kallar;

2. To endorse the strategy, as set out in the report, to work constructively with the London Thames Gateway UDC in order to promote regeneration in Barking and Dagenham; and

3. To authorise the Director of Leisure and Environmental Services to undertake action on the basis set out in the report, including an early meeting with the newly appointed Chair of the UDC, Lorraine Baldry.

Noted a report outlining details of the events resulting in the failure to collate and report the required data for the Best Value Performance Indicator 118c, which relates to library service performance, by the required date.  The report also set out remedial actions and highlighted changes to current procedures.

Received a report giving details of the Age Concern Daisy Chain Appeal which aims to raise funding for the Active Age Service.

Noted details of a steering committee organised by Age Concern and that any Councillor who sits on this does so in their own right.  Council officers are to continue to offer appropriate support to Age Concern to raise funding for the Service.

Agreed, in order to assist Barking and Dagenham Age Concern to become self sufficient, to:

1. Support the Age Concern Daisy Chain Appeal in principle but without any financial commitment; and

2. Receive further reports, updating progress, in due course.

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.