Cllr Edna Fergus took over the reins from out-going Mayor, Cllr Peter Chand, at the annual ceremonial event last night (27 April) at an online Council Assembly meeting.

 

Cllr Fergus has been a resident of Barking and Dagenham for 31 years. Serving her local community as an elected member since 2014 representing Becontree Ward and in various roles including Deputy Chair of the Council’s Community Forums. She enjoys being a councillor, representing the borough and engaging with residents to learn about their hopes and dreams for the future.

It will be a joy and an honour to serve my local community as the Mayor for Barking and Dagenham in 2021/2022

Cllr Fergus has worked in education, banking and the National Health Service. She also served as Chair of the Alibon Police Safer Neighbourhood Team Panel Meetings and was a member of the Independent Advisory Group to the police in Barking and Dagenham. She has also been a school governor and volunteered at the office of Dame Margaret Hodge MP for approximately 8 years.  

 

Cllr Fergus will be raising funds for her chosen charities throughout the year, namely Refuge and Hestia. Refuge because they do fantastic work helping people suffering from domestic abuse as well as running the Barking and Dagenham Domestic and Sexual Violence Support Service which offers independent support to those in need locally. And Hestia because of their work across London supporting people recovering from various traumas including domestic abuse, modern-day slavery, the Grenfell Fire tragedy and more. 

 

Cllr Edna Fergus said of her appointment: “It will be a joy and an honour to serve my local community as the Mayor for Barking and Dagenham in 2021/2022. I especially look forward to engaging with our children and young people, as well as our elderly residents and help raise valuable funds for both Refuge and Hestia.”

 

Cllr Fergus’s Mayoress and Consorts will be her Daughter and Son in Law and Cllr Evelyn Carpenter and Cllr Muhammad Saleem.