Agenda and minutes

Agreed.

Noted a report providing details regarding the performance of Borough schools in relation to school exclusions and provision for excluded pupils.

A copy of the ‘Barking Code’ will be made available to Executive Members, with spare copies available at the meeting.  Copies will also be available in the Member’s Rooms and at public libraries.

Received a report introducing the “Barking and Dagenham Code” which aims to set standards for surface materials, construction details, street furniture, etc. and provide a coordinated and distinctive look for the Barking Town Centre.  The report also outlined details of four pilot areas, including the area around the Broadway Theatre, which is currently underway.

Agreed to adopt the “Barking and Dagenham Code” in order to establish standards for public realms and provide a coordinated and distinctive look for the Barking Town Centre.

Noted the progress report on the implementation of the Regeneration Best Value Review Improvement Plan, which included the achievements to date against the twenty targets identified by the Review.

Deferred.

Noted the report of the above Scrutiny Panel, which will now be submitted to the Assembly on 5 January 2004.

Received a report reviewing the current policy of payments to Kinship Carers under Fostering Regulations, the Council’s position on Supported Residence Orders / Special Guardianship and the current policy in relation to applicants seeking to adopt children from overseas.

The report also sought approval of a specific package of care to enable a profoundly disabled looked after child to move from residential care into a family placement.

Agreed to:

1.  The revised schedule of allowances for Kinship Carers and Supported Residence Orders/Special Guardianship in line with the minimum recommendations made by the Fostering Network in order to comply with recent legal advice;

2.  The suggested policy in respect of applicants seeking to adopt children from overseas in line with the British Association for Adoption and Fostering recommended levels; and

3.  The specific package of support outlined in paragraph 3.6 of the report, to enable a disabled looked after child to move from residential care into a family placement.

Further to Minute 166 (26 October 2004), noted that the Commission for Social Care Inspection has given the Council a 1 star rating for the year ending March 2004, which included improvements in Adult services moving up to promising prospects and Children services remaining as serving some people well and promising prospects.

Agreed to rename the post of ‘Head of Organisational Development and Employee Relations’ to the ‘Head of Human Resources’ in order to attract quality candidates to this position.

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.