A case has finally closed on a local solicitor who was caught out for failing to license two premises in Dagenham.

Ms. Kate Okoli, who works in a local solicitors in Barking, has been fined £10,000 following a three-year battle after she was initially investigated in 2017, in relation to several properties. She has since been prosecuted for failing to license both premises on Hewett Road and Neville Road.   

A rogue landlord who was originally jailed in February last year, has now been convicted under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.   

Siddarth Mahajan, of Milton Crescent, Ilford, was last year sentenced to 12 weeks in jail for falsifying documents in an attempt to prevent enforcement action relating to houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).   

A pupil at Trinity School, in Dagenham, has been awarded a mini trampoline by the Charles Ronayne Foundation.

Oscar Birch, who is seven years old, was born with a visual impairment as well as severe learning difficulties. Following a marked improvement in his mobility, Trinity School contacted the Charles Ronayne Foundation to secure funding for a mini trampoline he could use. The trampoline can be used in class to help further develop his balance and motor skills.

More than three quarters of young people given preferred secondary school place, smashing the London average

More than three in four young people in Barking and Dagenham will attend their first preference secondary school from September this year.

Figures show that out of 3,381 applications, 2,627 (77.67 per cent) of 10 and 11-year-olds have been offered their first preference, smashing the capital’s average of 68.30 per cent. 

The area near a local primary school has been transformed, thanks to the vision of its pupils. 

Students from Thomas Arnold Primary School were unhappy with how some areas around their school looked and wanted to make a change by creating a community garden.     

The children constantly talked about how it was upsetting to see people continuously dropping litter and making their school grounds look messy, so they decided to do something about it.   

Local hero Artan Mahmood, who recently saved a child from an attack by a dog, has had his bravery recognised by being honoured with a Leader’s Recognition Award from Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council.

The incident for which Mr Mahmood was given the award saw him save his neighbours’ six-year-old son from a vicious dog attack in November, with no regard for his own safety.

The student Mr Mahmood saved, Arjun, is a classmate of one of Mr Mahmood’s own children.

A number of people were arrested following an operation by the Safer Neighbourhood Police Team to tackle crime in Barking Town Centre. 

The operation, which took place on Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 February was set up by the police to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the centre of Barking. 

In total, police officers stopped and searched 10 different individuals and arrested people for robbery, grievous bodily harm and a breach of a Court Order. 

Councillors in Barking and Dagenham have agreed the budget for the next financial year – a budget which will continue to protect key services and support the borough’s most vulnerable residents.

The 2020/21 budget was agreed at a full council meeting in the Town Hall last night (Wednesday 26 February) and there will be no cuts to council services.

Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, is calling on the government to give local councils a fair funding deal following a tour he has made of the home counties recently.

Cllr Rodwell’s video highlights what the government’s Fair Funding Formula review could mean for Barking & Dagenham compared to places like Hampshire, Surrey and Kent. He concludes, everyone is being short-changed.  

Barking and Dagenham residents could benefit from a warmer home this winter through the council’s Cosy Homes Scheme.

The council is working in partnership with E.ON energy and J&J Crump installers to help eligible residents make their homes warmer and cheaper to heat by offering free energy saving measures including cavity wall, party wall and loft insulation, and in some cases replacement boilers or new heating systems.