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As Lockdown eases, shops open and some people are returning to work, Barking and Dagenham Council has pledged its commitment  to the work essential workers have been doing over the past months by extending its offer of free parking for NHS staff and key workers until the end of September. 

When lockdown was announced the east London council quickly recognised the important role NHS staff, key workers and volunteers would play in keeping residents safe and that’s why they offered them the opportunity to apply for a free parking permit.

An exclusive interview with the Sunday Times bestselling author, Jane Corry sits at the centre of an extraordinary COVID-19 edition of Write On! 5. However, Jane’s is just one of the voices that have contributed experience, strength and hope to the issue. This special edition brings together the diverse voices that have created such power through Write On! Extra, into a beautifully designed, digital magazine.

Dance group Diversity came back home to Dagenham, to film at the site of the future film studios. It was a special homecoming for the group as Ashley Banjo and most of the other dancers, are originally from the borough.

Working with Film LBBD, the council’s film office and Londoneast-uk, Diversity produced a moving performance in response to the recent Black Lives Matters protest across the world and showed their support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Barking and Dagenham Council’s Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills and Aspiration is urging residents especially those from BAME communities to take advantage of the Met Police’s ongoing recruitment drive.

Councillor Sade Bright is urging the borough’s residents, especially those from communities currently underrepresented in the force to consider a career in the force and make a difference in their communities. 

Coronavirus hasn’t stopped the competitive attitude of youngsters from Barking and Dagenham as they took part in the London Youth Games (LYG) Virtual Games and finished 9th out of 33 boroughs.

The newly formed London Youth Games took place over four weeks and gave young people the chance to represent the borough in a series of sport-related challenges that can be done at home, school or while out for their daily exercise. 

Joseph Gill, an 8-year-old Southwood Primary School student, has won the prestigious Panathlon ‘Primary Outstanding Achievement Award.’

Joe, who suffered a brain injury shortly after birth due to contracting meningitis has been recognised for his tenacity and good attitude in the face of adversity.

Panathlon are a charity that aim to help children with special educational needs get active by running sports competitions and challenges.

This week, (13 -17 July) is Private Fostering Week, which aims to raise awareness about the number of young people that are living in other people’s care as well highlighting the importance of letting their local council know.

If you are currently caring for someone else’s child who is under the age of 16 years (or 18 years if disabled), for longer than 28 days, then you are private fostering and must inform the council immediately unless you are a close relative. Close relatives include stepparents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles or aunts (related by blood).

Barking Riverside Limited and Thames Clippers have agreed a long-term contract to extend the capital’s leading River Bus service to the growing East London district. 

Expected to open Winter 2021, Barking Riverside will be Thames Clippers’ newest stop across the river network, which will expand the service to 24 locations along the River Thames, marking the ambition to move services to the heart of East London.  

As lockdown eased with pubs, restaurants, bars and hairdressers opening, it turned into a busy weekend for Barking and Dagenham Council enforcement officers.

As residents got their drinking and eating hats on, enforcement officers at the east London borough had a very important job to do, to ensure that businesses were following government guidance and keeping their customers and staff safe.

The trading standards team at Barking and Dagenham Council has been recognised for its excellent work in anti-counterfeiting enforcement at the annual Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG) Awards.

It’s been a successful year for the team with a significant number of seizures and prosecutions, both online and in physical premises, with one case seeing officers recover over 60,000 items of fake clothing.