Residents are invited to find out more about Barking and Dagenham Council’s latest budget proposals by joining an online Facebook Live Q&A event this week.

The live question-and-answer session will take place on Thursday, 27 January between 6pm and 7pm, and will be hosted on the Facebook page of Councillor Darren Rodwell, the Leader of the Council.

Joining him to answer questions about the 2022/23 budget proposals will be Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Core Services, Councillor Dominic Twomey. 

The proposals, announced earlier this month, include no cuts to frontline services, as well as plans for around £11million to be invested over four years to provide specialist early intervention for people in need, and an upgrade to the council’s computer systems to support the increase demand for online services due to coronavirus restrictions.

Councillor Twomey said: “The live Q&A is the opportunity for residents to ask questions and get answers as to how and why we have created the budget plans we have.

“We’ve never been shy to admit the pressures we face as a council, and even before the pandemic, Barking and Dagenham had an ever-increasing challenge on all of our services with £7 of every £10 we spend going on caring for the most vulnerable in our community before we can do anything else.

“We’ve pressed the government for a number of years to do more to help end austerity measures, but they haven’t been forthcoming, and coronavirus has simply added to the pressures councils face.

“I urge everyone, please set aside some time and join us, ask questions and find out more about our investment in the future of Barking and Dagenham.”

The budget proposals include an increase in Council Tax of 1.99 per cent with an additional 1 per cent ringfenced for adult social care services, adding around 78p per week onto a band D property (excluding the GLA element).

The budget consultation is open until Thursday 3 February. Residents can find out more about the proposals, and provide feedback, by visiting oneboroughvoice.lbbd.gov.uk/budget-consultation-2022-23.

The Facebook Live Q&A will take place on Thursday, 27 January between 6pm and 7pm at facebook.com/cllrdrodwell.