Are you a resident of Barking and Dagenham, a graduate or due to graduate by July 2022?

If yes, have you ever thought of a career working for your local council? 

We are offering local people and employees the opportunity to join our graduate scheme as a National Management Trainee to lead critical projects and services that make a real difference to the lives of our residents.

Residents of Barking and Dagenham who are not used to the digital world are being encouraged and supported to give it a go thanks to a new council initiative.

 

The council has partnered with Citizens Online, a digital skills charity, to provide resources and training to residents. The programme pairs learners with volunteers who help them to develop their digital skills – whether that’s communicating online through sending and receiving emails, creating a CV or something else. 

Ford Dagenham recently celebrated its 90th anniversary, with the first cars having rolled off the production line in October 1931. Since then, Dagenham has helped keep Britain on the move, producing iconic models from the Model Y to the Anglia and the Zephyr to the Fiesta.

Now a centre of engine production, Ford is still an integral part of the borough’s identity and the nearly 11 million cars, trucks and tractors built over the years of vehicle production would stretch more than 400,000km or 10 times around the world – not forgetting the 50 million engines built.

Barking and Dagenham Council (LBBD), in partnership with Serpentine, will launch Becontree Broadcasting Station: Radio Ballads Legacy Project with a livestreamed programme featuring legendary music producer Brian Eno, LBBD’s Artist in Residence Joe Namy and Serpentine 2021 Summer Pavilion architect Sumayya Vally.

Last week, Barking and Dagenham Council’s Trading Standards team joined forces with the police to carry out a number of test purchase operations on premises selling alcohol and tobacco.



Working with the Police Cadets (aged 13-16 years old), the young people visited the businesses and attempted to purchase alcohol, tobacco and cigarettes.

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

A highlight of the month-long celebration is the 2022 Women’s Empowerment Awards, which will honour and celebrate the borough’s amazing and inspirational women.

Dagenham Park Church of England School recently welcomed George Monbiot, author of This Can’t be Happening, and documentary filmmaker and climate justice activist Alice Aedy, to speak to students about the urgency of the climate crisis and what they can do about it.

The visit was organised by Penguin Random House, in partnership with Speakers for Schools, as part of their programme Penguin Talks. The programme allows young people to hear from and directly question a world-renowned thinker, writer, or influential figure from the publisher’s family of authors.

Barking and Dagenham Council in partnership with Creative Barking & Dagenham will be hosting a community focused Winter Lantern Parade followed by a spectacular firework display on Sunday 7 November, to celebrate the centenary of the Becontree Estate.

Part of the council’s Becontree Forever programme, the Winter Lantern Parade will take place on Chitty’s Lane to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first houses built on that road, on the estate.

With climate change now at the top of the news agenda, drivers using roads in Barking and Dagenham are being encouraged to turn their vehicle engines off when they’re not moving.



The move follows the council’s declaration of a climate emergency in 2020 and is part of its ambitious plans to create a cleaner, greener borough, by cutting unnecessary air pollution.



Leaving engines running while they’re stationary - also known as engine ‘idling’ - can have a huge impact on the health of other residents who may be walking, cycling or jogging nearby.

Residents of Barking and Dagenham who are most in need could be entitled to help and support from the Household Support Scheme and are being encouraged to get in touch with the council to get help and support through the winter.



The borough’s share of the scheme is £2.1m, which falls far short of the money our residents have lost as a result of the £20 a week Universal Credit reduction.



The funding will be available to vulnerable residents to support them with essentials over the coming months.