Local charities and community groups in Barking and Dagenham are being invited to apply for funding from the council’s Equality and Diversity Community Fund to help deliver events for the community.

The events will need to promote social inclusion, celebrate diversity, and support equality.

On Sunday 19 August, Barking and Dagenham Council in partnership with local arts organisation, Studio 3 Arts, hosted the seventh annual Youth Parade, an event to celebrate the borough’s inspirational young people and the positive contribution they make to their community.

300 young people took part in the parade, which took place in Barking this year and made its way from Abbey Green to Barking Park. 

At an awards ceremony held on Thursday 23 September, Her Worshipful the Mayor, Cllr Edna Fergus awarded three 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 and Trevor receiving the Freedom of the Borough, and I can’t think of three more deserving people.

A scheme offering residents free home improvements to stay warm, save energy and lower bills has been crowned the capital’s “best large-scale project of the year” by energy industry experts.

Barking and Dagenham Council’s Cosy Homes initiative beat competition from last year’s winner Islington Council, as well as Newham Council, to win the title at the London region of the Energy Efficiency Awards.

The prestigious accolade recognises successful large-scale energy saving projects where at least a quarter of a million pound has been spent on improving homes.

A three-year extension banning anti-social behaviour around Dagenham Heathway has been granted to Barking and Dagenham Council after receiving the support of residents.



The council’s Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which was originally introduced in the area in 2018, allows fixed penalty notices of £100 to be issued on the spot for unsociable activities such as spitting, harassment, drinking alcohol in the street or begging. Offenders can also be taken to court and given fines of up to £1,000.

A month-long celebration of the culture, history and achievements that Black, African, and Caribbean people have brought to the country kicks off in the borough next Friday.

October marks Black History Month and events will start with a flag-raising event outside Barking Town Hall on Friday, 1 October at 10.45am.

There’s a mix of free online and in-person events to get involved in, including an online talk by Ruth D-Whyte an award-winning educationist on Tuesday, 5 October as well as events at Valence House Museum and Valence Library Arts and Culture Hub.

Barking and Dagenham Council has made the final shortlist for Employer of the Year: Gold in The Investors in People Awards 2021. In a record-breaking year for entries, with nearly three hundred organisations involved, this is an outstanding achievement and one that everyone at the council is really proud of.

 

Barking and Dagenham residents who are worried about losing the £20 Universal Credit uplift at the end of September can apply to join a Community Food Club which could save them £20 per week in food costs.



The community food clubs – a partnership between the council and voluntary sector partners, provides discounted food to local residents. Club members pay £3.50 a visit which allows them to access up to £20 worth of shopping. In addition, they are able to get help, advice and support with finance, health, training and skills to get into work.

Food sellers in Barking and Dagenham are being urged to take action to make sure they comply with a new law on allergen labelling, which comes into force next month. 

 

From Friday, 1 October, businesses selling pre-packaged foods, such as sandwiches, salads, pasties, or cakes, will have to include full ingredients on the product label with allergenic ingredients emphasised.

 

Currently, food prepped on the premises it is being sold on do not need to display allergen information.

 

A local butchers in Barking selling Halal meat has been found guilty in court for attempt to sell poor quality chicken to customers. 



Following an inspection by Barking and Dagenham Council enforcement officers on 23 August 2018 of Barking Halal Meat & Fish, officers discovered 500kg of untraceable chicken. While officers investigated the rest of the business, the manager, Mr Azar Irshad, quickly removed an unknown quantity of poultry. The initial 500kg was detained by officers.