The country is now back in a national lockdown due to a rise in coronavirus cases and Barking and Dagenham Council is determined more than ever to keep all residents safe, so that’s why they have brought in more Covid Marshals.

Since early November, Covid Marshals have been patrolling high footfall areas in the borough offering advice and guidance to businesses and residents on staying safe, obeying the rules and acting responsibly during the pandemic, including providing information on social distancing and wearing face coverings.

In today’s announcement (30 December) from the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson MP, we discovered that Barking and Dagenham is on a list which means our primary schools will only be open to children with a social worker and children of key workers on Monday 4 January. 21 other London boroughs are also on this list which appears to be based on case rates.

Barking and Dagenham Council is seeking the help of residents and motorists to help identify a man who was captured on CCTV causing damage worth tens of thousands of pounds to glass frontage at the Becontree Leisure Centre in Dagenham.

The incident, which was captured on CCTV took place between 3.30 and 4am on the morning of Monday 21 December.

I am appealing to residents and also motorists who may have been driving past at the time and witnessed this dastardly act, or to anyone who may recognise the suspect to please get in touch.

The Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, Cllr Darren Rodwell, was on hand to help Youth League UK, a local charity working to support disadvantaged young people and their families in the borough.

 

Youth League UK launched a Christmas food distribution project for vulnerable families at risk of hunger and starvation. Cllr Rodwell, was in attendance to assist at the launch event along with Youth League UK’s Programme Manager John Wainaina, at the Attik Youth and Community centre in Dagenham Heathway.

 

Residents of Barking and Dagenham and their families with or without Covid-19 symptoms will be able to get a test on a number of sites across the borough and at a time to suit them.

The council has prioritised increased testing for its residents over the holiday period by ensuring there are a number of testing facilities across the borough, so people do not have to go far from home to get tested.

Barking and Dagenham Council has launched its community testing programme in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care to help drive down transmission rates of Covid-19 in the borough to help protect people most at risk, using rapid turnaround tests supplied by NHS Test and Trace.

 

Barking and Dagenham Council have been working with local voluntary organisations and companies to bring some ‘Christmas Cheer’ to the borough, in what has been an awful year for everyone. With residents being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in one way or another, and as Christmas is just round the corner, the council wanted to put a smile back on people’s faces before the year is out.

Businesses operating in Barking and Dagenham who have been impacted by local and national Covid-19 restrictions are being invited to check if they are eligible for grant support.

Businesses must complete an online application in order to receive a grant as there are four different types of grants all with different eligibility criteria and grant award amounts.

Barking and Dagenham Council’s Cultural Education Partnership linked up with Film LBBD and Dagenham storage solutions company CAMA to award every pupil that took part in their logo competition with a special prize.

 

Community organisations in Barking and Dagenham are set to benefit from an endowment fund, which was agreed by Council cabinet members on 15 December.

 

In what is a significant moment for the council and the community, this endowment fund will create a permanent, inclusive, and sustainable source of income for community groups and will help to create a lasting legacy for the borough.