Men and women who suffer the loss of an unborn baby will now be entitled to time off from work, under plans unveiled by Barking and Dagenham Council.

Employees of the east London council will be able to access up to five days of full-paid leave if they tragically experience a miscarriage.

The new scheme includes employees or their partners and was introduced after a consultation with staff on how to improve the support available.

An Indian restaurant has been ordered to pay over £500 after it failed to provide documents showing how it disposes of its waste.



Eastern Paradise of Ripple Road, Barking was visited by Barking and Dagenham Council enforcement officers during a routine trade waste inspection on Tuesday 14 January 2020, but when asked to provide their Waste Transfer Notes, they failed to do so.

Barking and Dagenham Council has ordered a Shisha bar to shut up shop after enforcement officers discovered it was breaking Covid rules.



Byblos Garden of Longbridge Road, Barking, was visited by council officers on Friday 30 April at 11.55pm where they observed 20 to 25 customers smoking coal shisha in an enclosed area.

Local resident, John Janes, who at age 72 continues to volunteer his time across numerous local services, has added another feather to his cap by volunteering at the Broadway Theatre vaccination centre.

John currently does an evening shift at the vaccination centre working from 7 to 10pm. In addition, he also volunteers as a Poppy organiser for the British Legion, and for the NHS voluntary service, Red Cross, Royal Naval Association and the Standard Bearer for the Borough colours.

Barking and Dagenham Council has pledged its support for the resident-led End Our Cladding Scandal campaign, which sets out 10 steps calling on the Government to fix the cladding and building safety crisis. 

Barking and Dagenham Council has ordered a local restaurant to close its doors after enforcement officers discovered during a routine inspection that it was breaking Covid rules.



Sweet London of 62a Longbridge Road, Barking was visited by officers on Friday 23 April observed 25-30 customers congregating in a wooden structure, sharing Shisha and food.

In a bid to combat antisocial behaviour in Barking Town Centre, council enforcement officers and the police teamed up to patrol key hot spots.



The day of action saw council officers and the police split up in three groups and deployed to the Abbey Ruins, East Street, Fishnet Roundabout and other surrounding areas. 



Throughout the day, two patrols took place from 2 to 3.30pm and 4 to 5.30pm at all three locations.

As part of an online Council Assembly meeting last night (27 April), the new Mayor, Her Worshipful, Cllr Edna Fergus was on hand to award four very special people with the Freedom of the Borough - the highest award that can be bestowed in Barking and Dagenham to people who have made an outstanding contribution to the borough.

I am absolutely delighted to see Paul, Dora, Sandie and our very own Claire receiving the Freedom of the Borough, and I can’t think of four more deserving people

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.

During these difficult times, Barking and Dagenham Council hopes that its residents can find inspiration in the story of St. George, a national hero who overcame the odds to make the world a better place.

 

Normally celebrations would be happening in Barking Town Square with an event to bring the community together to celebrate St. George’s Day. But right now, everyone is still following government guidelines to keep each other safe.