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Honour delight for long-serving Councillor

Long-serving Barking and Dagenham Councillor, Sid Kallar has been awarded a MBE for services to local government and the local community in the New Year's Honours List.

Councillor Kallar has lived in Dagenham for 60 years and has served as a Barking and Dagenham Councillor for 17 years. He has been the Executive Member for Regeneration since 2002 and has played a major part in driving forward a whole host of regeneration improvements in the borough.

On hearing the news, Councillor Kallar said:

"I was quite amazed when I received the letter telling me that I had been awarded the MBE. I was totally lost for words.

"I feel extremely privileged and greatly honoured as well as delighted. My family and I are very much looking forward to the actual Investiture which, for me, will be one of the most remarkable days of my life."

Over the past 15 years Councillor Kallar has spearheaded moves to revitalise south Dagenham and Barking Town Centre, and make the borough an attractive place for local people to live and work.

He was also the driving force behind the new Barking Learning Centre which opened last year and provides east London with a new state-of-the-art library, a conference centre, a 3-stage adult learning centre, a one stop shop and 250 residential apartments.

His vision for a vibrant, modern and thriving Barking and Dagenham has led him to campaign tirelessly for funding for projects such as the regeneration of Dagenham Docks infrastructure and £20 million towards regeneration in Barking Town Centre.

At 87 years old he shows no sign of slowing down in his efforts to transform the borough. He has played a major role in lobbying the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government as well as the Mayor of London, for a commitment on the extension of the Docklands Light Railway to the borough, which will be an invaluable service to those living in the 10,800 homes being built at Barking Riverside and residents in south Dagenham.

Councillor Kallar has also provided excellent support to schools when facing particular challenges and have temporarily required additional governors. He was also awarded an honorary degree by the University of East London in recognition of his work for local government and educational standards well beyond the borough's boundaries.

Welcoming the news, Council Leader Councillor Charles Fairbrass MBE said:

"I am absolutely delighted that Sid has been awarded this honour by Her Majesty. This award is a fitting tribute that recognises Sid's considerable contribution to this Borough, both as one of my fellow ward councillors and as the Executive Member for Regeneration.

"His input into the future of this Borough is outstanding. I know my colleagues will be very pleased to hear this news."

Wednesday 2 January 2008.

Councillor Sid Kallar MBE

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