Agenda and minutes

Agreed.

Received a report providing an update on progress with the preparation for Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) bids, for Eastbury Manor House andthe Valence House site, and seeking permission to proceed with the delivery of background research for business planning purposes.

Agreed, to allow officers to proceed with the commissioning of external consultants, to work with officers, to produce the necessary background business research information to enable a bid to the HLF for Project Planning funds for the Valence site and a subsequent Heritage Lottery Grant.

Received a report providing an update on the new housing development currently underway at St Ann’s, Barking and outlining the need to name the new buildings.

Agreed, in order to allow for the first affordable units to be commissioned, to:

1. Name the 3 blocks Ardleigh, Curfew and Gateway houses.  The names put forward by local residents will be added to the list of approved names held by the Borough Archivist for future consideration; and

2. In light of the forthcoming developments around the Barking Town Centre and Barking Reach, to produce a detailed guidance for selecting names of new buildings and streets.

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

Concerns a Criminal Matter (paragraph 14)

Further to Minute 247 (23 December 2003), noted a report setting out the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate’s (BFI) findings and recommendations, following a site inspection in November 2003, and the implications this has for the Council and specifically the Revenues Service.

Agreed, to:

1. Endorse the Council’s Action Plan, which is to be submitted to the BFI in response to their final report;

2. Note the short and medium term actions undertaken to date by officers to address the BFI’s findings and recommendations; and

3. Note the work undertaken by the Council in partnership with the BFI’s Performance Improvement Action Team (PIAT).