Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interest they may have in any matter which is to be considered at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

Agreed

Received a third quarter management report from the Corporate Director of Resources bringing together the progress of actions previously agreed and identifying areas for future focus, which was considered in detail at the Executive/Corporate Management Team Strategy meeting on 12 February 2008.

Noted that the Borough overall had reduced burglaries by 31.5% and crime and disorder by 10.9%.  The Council had received the “London Problem Solving” award in recognition of the successful partnership working with the Metropolitan Police on the Gascoigne Estate.

Agreed, in order to assist the Council in its priority of “Improving Performance Across the Board”, to:

(i)  Note the progress against the Second Quarter actions;  and,

(ii)  The Third Quarter actions as set out in Appendix E to the report.

Received a report from the Corporate Director of Adult and Community Services setting out a draft Alcohol Harm Reduction strategy for 2008-2011, developed by the local Alcohol Strategy Group, prioritising health, crime reduction and community safety issues.

Noted the key recommendations from the draft strategy and discussed the following issues for development to tackle the misuse of alcohol:

(a)  Use graphic images of liver damage caused by alcohol abuse;

(b)  Use of positive role models to support responsible alcohol intake;

(c)  Encourage current and new licensees to work with the Council to discourage the sale of cheap alcohol to young people;

(d)  Inappropriate alcohol related sponsorship in the Borough, especially on children’s clothing;

(e)  Removal of fly posting advertising clubs and cheap alcohol deals;

(f)  Prosecution of organisations referred to on fly posters;  and

(g)  Drink exclusion zones across the Borough.

Agreed, to assist the Council in its Community Priorities “Improving Health, Housing and Social Care” and “Making Barking and Dagenham Cleaner, Greener and Safer” to adopt the Barking and Dagenham Alcohol Strategy “Stronger Measures” as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Received a report from the Corporate Director of Children’s Services setting out the revised procurement route and budget for the development of the new Eastbury Primary School expansion project.

Agreed, in order to assist the Council in its Community Priority “Better Education and Learning for all” to:

(i)  A change in the procurement route to enable refurbishment and remodelling and provision of some additional facilities;

(ii)  The use of the Council’s framework contractor where value for money can be demonstrated; 

(iii)  The Corporate Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Resources, be authorised to approve the acceptance of the most appropriate tender price based on added value and benefits to the Council;  and

(iv)  The reallocation of the capital resources as set out in the report and the relevant amendment to the Council’s capital programme.

Received a report from the Corporate Director of Customer Services setting out a six month pilot project for refuse collection in low rise (houses) residential properties, namely:

§  A weekly collection of residual waste from a 140 litre wheelie bin;

§  A weekly collection of mixed dry recyclables in orange bags, placed beside the bin;

§  A fortnightly collection of green garden waste from a 140 litre wheelie bin;  and

§  A fortnightly collection of mixed glass from a 30 litre plastic box.

Note Correction to the report:  Recommendation (i) should read “…….Waterbeach Road area of Mayesbrook Ward….”

Noted that the Assisted Collection Scheme was in operation and would be available to residents who required help with their refuse.

Agreed, in order to assist the Council in achieving its Community Priorities “Making Barking and Dagenham Cleaner, Greener and Safer” and “Raising General Pride in the Borough”, to:

(i)  The introduction of a six month pilot project to provide houses in five areas -  Chadwell Heath, the Leftley Estate, Barking, Rush Green, Waterbeach Road area of Mayesbrook Ward and the Rylands Estate, Dagenham covering a total of 8,500 properties with free wheelie bins for residual waste;  green wheelie bins for green waste;  and plastic boxes for mixed glass collection commencing in June 2008;

(ii)  The revised collection arrangements for these pilot areas as detailed in the report;

(iii)  Note that the funding for the pilot project is met within existing resources of the Environmental and Enforcement Service, including the need to enter into an agreement to rent the relevant vehicles for the six month pilot period;

(iv)  The introduction of a permanent borough-wide fortnightly mixed glass collection service with effect from June 2008;

(v)  The purchase of wheelie bins and plastic boxes through Consortium Framework Agreements with e-sourcing;  and

(vi)  Note that a further report will be presented at the conclusion of the pilot project on the feasibility of rolling the project out Borough-wide, including the full financial, legal and contractual implications.

Received a report from the Corporate Director of Regeneration seeking approval of the revised Regeneration Strategy 2008-13 reflecting new challenges and opportunities in accordance with local priorities of the Borough’s residents.

Discussed issues in detail relating to:

(i)  Qualifications and aspirations of local residents;

(ii)  Transport;

(iii)  Review of shopping parades;  and

(iv)  House conversions into smaller units.

Agreed, to assist the Council in achieving its Priorities in “Raising General Pride in the Borough” and “Regenerating the Borough”, to recommend the Assembly adopt the revised Regeneration Strategy 2008-13.

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

Received a report from the Corporate Director of Children’s Services concerning the procurement and delivery of Phase Three Children’s Centres to be developed between April 2008 and March 2010 and managed and operated by an external provider.

Agreed, in order to assist the Council in achieving its Community Priorities of “Better Education and Learning for All” and “Improving Health, Housing and Social Care”, to the procurement of Phase Three Children’s Centre services on the terms detailed in the report.

Received a report from the Corporate Director of Regeneration seeking approval to a further phase of Extensions and De-conversions programme to provide an additional three extended 4/5 bedroom homes, a new one bedroom mobility standard flat and funding a continuing programme of such extensions.

Noted that the programme had proved very effective in meeting the housing needs of local families.

Agreed, to assist the Council in achieving its Community Priorities of “Improving Health, Housing and Social Care” and “Making Barking and Dagenham Cleaner, Greener and Safer, to:

(i)  The proposed conversion and refurbishment, at a total estimated cost of £338,000, inclusive of professional fees, to the three identified properties;

(ii)  The Corporate Director of Regeneration, in consultation with the Divisional Director of Democratic and Legal Services, appoint individual contracts on an individual property basis from approved Constructionline contractors;

(iii)  Allocate £500,000 from the Housing Capital Programme for 2007/08/9 to fund the works and, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, identify any further properties to meet future need; 

(iv)  The relevant budget transfer from the Decent Homes programme budget as outlined in the report;  and

(v)  Authorise the Corporate Director of Regeneration to pursue grant funding from the Greater London Authority Targeted Funding Stream for 2008/09 through the East London Housing Partnership.