Agenda and minutes

Agreed

Received and noted a report regarding the urgent action taken by the Chief Executive under the urgency procedures contained within paragraph 17.1 of Article 1, Part B of the Council’s Constitution, in respect of the establishment of a Children’s Services Appointment Panel.

Received a report in respect of the performance monitoring information for the second quarter of 2005/06, and scrutinised all the bottom quarter PIs and the action proposed to improve performance.

Agreed, in order to ensure that the Council’s performance continues to improve in order for Barking and Dagenham to become a ‘Good’ Council by 2006 and ‘Excellent’ by 2008, a number of further actions that needed to be taken.

Received and noted a report detailing the Council’s revenue and capital position from the beginning of April to the end of September 2005, and details of the action being taken by Chief Officers to ensure a balanced position by the year end.

Agreed, as a matter of good financial practice, to:

1)  Note the current position of the Council’s revenue and capital budget;

2)  Note that the Regeneration and Environment Management Board and

Director of Housing and Health are currently reviewing their budgets to ensure a balanced position by the year end and that the Director of Regeneration and Environment is continuing to address the position through a detailed action plan;

3)  A £50,000 drawing from the contingency to support an improved Burglary target under the  Local Public Service Agreement and that this sum be reimbursed from the Performance Reward Grant due in 2006/07;

4)  Note the position and projected out-turn for the Housing Revenue Account and agree that a revenue contribution of £2 million be made to support the capital investment in the Council’s Housing stock.

Received a report recommending the adoption of the Social Model of Disability (SMD).

By adopting the SMD and implementing the six year change

programme, the Council will:

·  produce a strategy on accessibility for disabled people, and promote disability rights;

·  be fulfilling its obligation under the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) and the Amendment Act (2005);

·  be responding to a clear message sent out by local disabled people concerning the promotion of disability equality;

·  be able to demonstrate in practical terms its commitment to disability equality and the development of a disability rights agenda, by working with other local agencies;

·  enhance its community cohesion policies by improving access to goods and services for disabled people, as well as ensuring inclusion into mainstream community life.

Agreed, in order to achieve all of the above, that:

1)  The Social Model of Disability (SMD) be adopted and the social model change programme be implemented over a period of six years beginning 31 March 2006;

2)  The Council seek specialist advice and provide support to services via local disabledpeople and their representative organisations;

3) This decision be reported to the Barking & Dagenham Partnership for further action in implementing the social model change programme, and provide the basis for a shared approach to meeting the requirements of the DDAA 2005

Received a report describing the new provisions of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 which aims to tackle truancy and school exclusion. Provisions include Parenting Contracts, Parenting Orders and Fixed Penalty Notices.  These are intended to enable schools and Local Authorities to assist parents to fulfil their responsibilities in relation to the behaviour and attendance of children and young people.

 Agreed, in order to have in place procedures to meet the requirements of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2000, to the proposed arrangements for implementing Parenting Contracts, Parenting Orders and Fixed Penalty Notices as detailed in the report.

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

Appendix F to this report is private and confidential as it contains details of the proposed terms of land disposals (paragraph 8)

Received a report detailing the proposals for delivering the Decent Homes Standard by 2010 and focusing particular attention on the delivery of retained stock which amounted to some 16,500 units of accommodation.

Agreed, in order to set the course of direction necessary to deliver the government’s decent homes standard by 2010, that:

1)  The strategy for the phasing of works as set out in paragraph 3.1.2 of the report be approved;

2)  Where available resources exceed the amount needed to fund this approach, the remaining amount should be used to anticipate works from the subsequent year;

3)  The 2006/07 Housing Capital Programme be approved;

4)  The Housing Capital Programme for future years be included in the Capital Programme review in spring 2006; and

5)  Ward specific proposals will be subject to discussion with ward members prior to submission to Community Housing Partnership meetings.