Grafton Primary School got into the festive spirit before Christmas and raised over £600 for Romford Soup Kitchen.

 Teachers from the Dagenham school asked parents to donate to the Romford charity instead of sending in gifts with the children for staff members. 

The initiative set out to teach the pupils about the true meaning of Christmas and with the money raised, the school was able to purchase a range of items for homeless people living locally including sleeping bags, mats, pillows, toiletries, first aid items, clothing and more. 

A local business has been fined for failing to the let the council know how much waste they have received or disposed of over the last two years.

Becontree Heating & Plumbing Merchants Ltd, 427 Becontree Avenue was served with a Section 34 Environmental Protection Act 1990 notice by Barking and Dagenham Council enforcement officers requiring them to provide them with waste transfer notes for the period of 14 September 2016 to 14 September 2018.

Residents are being encouraged to give their views on Barking and Dagenham Council’s 2020/21 budget proposals.

Following severe government cuts over the last ten years, the council’s proposals aim to continue to protect key services and support our most vulnerable residents.

Dagenham school is first in London to be awarded Thrive Ambassador status

Thomas Arnold primary school in Dagenham, was recently awarded Ambassador status by Thrive, an education training provider. The Dagenham school becomes the first in London to achieve Ambassador status.

Thrive provides teachers with the necessary training required to make pupils feel safe and secure, as well as empowering them to meet their emotional and social needs.

Two illegal street traders who fell foul of the law have had their wares confiscated thanks to a joint operation by council enforcement officers and the police. 

In two separate incidents in Barking, enforcement officers seized goods from a man selling perfume and Apple Air Pods and then from a woman who was trying to flog tobacco, cigarettes and DVDs.

A wannabe ‘Del Boy’ has been found guilty in court for selling counterfeit designer clothes at Dagenham Sunday Market.

Kane Steven McCarthy of Rose Lane, Romford was sentenced last week (Wednesday 4 December) at Snaresbrook Crown Court for selling fake clothes and was ordered to pay £4,440.40 for proceeds of crime, fined £500 and charged £1000 in costs.

It’s December, it’s cold and the council does not expect anyone to be sleeping rough in Barking and Dagenham.

A local business has been fined £400 following investigations into a mass fly-tip in Barking last week.

Last Monday, enforcement officers attended reports of a huge fly-tip on Ripple Road, Barking following complaints from local people. Investigation by the officers led officers to discover that some residents and businesses had discarded their rubbish there including a nearby firm.

Albania marked 107 years of Independence yesterday 28 November. To mark the occasion, the Albanian flag was raised at Barking Town Hall, as the borough came together with members of the Albanian community, council staff and well-wishers.

Since Albania was declared independent on 28 November 1912, every 28 November is commemorated by all Albanians (wherever they live in the world) as their National Day.

The role of inspirational women and their achievements is being celebrated during March next year, as part of Barking and Dagenham’s sixth annual Women’s Empowerment Month.

A highlight of the month-long celebration is the 2020 Women’s Empowerment Awards which will honour and celebrate the borough’s amazing and inspirational women.