Agenda and minutes

Agreed.

Received a report proposing improvements to the stewardship of the pension fund following the publication of the Myners Review of Institutional Investment.

Agreed, in order to assist the council in the discharge of its responsibilities regarding pension matters, to:

1. Recommend the Assembly to extend the membership of the Pension Panel to four and appoint to all four positions.  Nominations for unfilled positions will be reported to the Assembly; and

2. The split of responsibilities between the Executive, the Director of Finance and the terms of reference of the Pension Panel as set out in Appendix A to the report.

Further to Minute 33 (17 June 2003), received a report introducing the finalised co-ordinated Admissions Schemes for both Primary and Secondary Schools in Barking and Dagenham.

Agreed, in accordance with guidance from the Department of Education and Skills, to adopt the Primary and Secondary School Admissions schemes attached as Appendices 1 and 2 to the report.

Received a report seeking approval for three elements required in order to finalise funding bids and progress the regeneration of the Dagenham Dock area.

Agreed, in order to finalise the funding bids and progress the regeneration of the Dagenham Dock area, to:

1. Enter into a legal agreement with the London Development Agency to provide the £798,000 former East Thames Side Partnership funds and secured Section 106 contributions related to the project;

2. Support innovative sustainable construction methods and materials to ensure the project is a flagship example of sustainable infrastructure whilst minimising future maintenance costs; and

3. Not seek commuted sums, providing the highway is designed and constructed to a 40 year design life approved by the Council’s Highways Department.

Received a report seeking approval for the draft Barking Town Centre Interim Planning Guidance (IPG) prior to public consultation.

Agreed, in order to conduct public consultation, to:

1. Approve the draft Barking Town Centre Interim Planning Guidance as attached to the report; and

2. The consultation program as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

Received a report proposing new rates for Street Trading Charges for 2004 / 2005.

Agreed to increase Street Trading Charges, as detailed in paragraph 3.3 of the report, with effect from 1 July 2004, in accordance with the principles of the Charging Policy Commission.

Received a report seeking the Executive’s approval for the provision of accommodation for a Youth and Community Worker for St George’s Church, Dagenham.

Agreed, in order to support St George’s Church to develop their work in the local community, to approve the request received and that determination of any future requests for renewal of this arrangement be delegated to the Director of Housing and Health in line with existing criteria.

Received a report seeking approval for attendance at the Chartered Institute of Housing Conference.

Agreed, in accordance with the Council’s Conference, Visits and Hospitality Rules, to approve attendance at the Chartered Institute of Housing Conference by three representatives.

Received a report highlighting the potential benefits to London, should it be successful in its bid to host the Olympics in 2012, and the impact this will have on Barking and Dagenham.  London has been granted Candidate City Status

Agreed, in order to assist the Council in achieving its Community Priorities of “Raising General Pride in the Borough” and “Regenerating the Local Economy”, to:

1. Support the London Olympic bid on the basis that the Barking and Dagenham gains added value through the process, either by external funding opportunities, improved infrastructure and leisure facilities for the community that go beyond the Olympics in 2012, to improve the quality of life for the community that resides or works in the Borough; and

2. Include the Olympics as part of the Portfolio for the Lead Member for ‘Raising General Pride in the Borough’.

Received a report highlighting the key changes, issues and developments that have impacted on the construction of the 2004 / 2005 Council Scorecard.  The report also highlighted how the Council’s profile has increased from its use of the Balanced Scorecard, placing Barking and Dagenham at the leading edge of performance management in the public sector.

Agreed, the Council Scorecard objectives and performance indicators as set out in the report, in order to enable the Council to move forward with the 2004 / 2005 priorities for managing the Council as a whole.

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.