New members of the Barking and Dagenham Pride in Place Neighbourhood Boards have met for the first time following their selection. 

The boards, made up of local residents, community leaders, councillors and MPs, will decide how £40million will be spent in two areas of the borough.  

Applications for board membership opened May and closed on 15 June for Board Chairs and 22 June for Board Members. Following a lengthy and competitive selection and interview process, the new board members and chairs were decided. 

First announced in March, the Central Park and Frizlands Lane area, and the Mayesbrook Park and Rippleside area will each receive £20million in Government funding over the next ten years.  

The chair of the Central Park and Frizlands Lane area board has been named as Amy Sivetoglu. Ms Sivetoglu was born and raised in Dagenham and has been working in the Central Park and Frizlands Lane area since 2011. A proud mum, she is looking to help others and make a positive difference for her community.  

The Central Park and Frizlands Neighbourhood Board had an introductory meeting on 19 August 2026 at Heath Communnity Centre.  

The chair of the Mayesbrook Park and Rippleside area board has been named as Pascal Ezeabasili. Mr Ezeabasili was raised and lives in the Barking area. He works in the food industry and has an academic foundation in Aerospace Engineering.  

The Mayesbrook Park and Rippleside Neighbourhood Board had an introductory meeting on 20 August 2026 at Barking Football Club.  

The Pride in Place funding is designed to give communities significant opportunities to focus on local priorities and make lasting, positive changes. The programme aims to:   

• Build stronger communities: bring people together to create strong, resilient communities where residents feel proud of where they live and feel safe in their neighbourhoods.  

• Create thriving places: build vibrant neighbourhoods, a good range of local services, and high‑quality buildings, spaces and infrastructure.  

• Empower people: create opportunities for residents to have a real say in decisions about their area and feel more in control of their lives and communities.  

Cllr Dominic Twomey, Leader of the Council, Eastbury Ward Councillor and Member of the Mayesbrook Park and Rippleside Board, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity not just for the two funding areas but for the borough as a whole.  

"I'm excited to work with other board members, hear their ideas and put them in action so that we can bring real, lasting change to these areas.  

"What's great about both boards is that they have people from all walks of life bringing their experience and views to the table, all working together to improve the areas they love.  

"This is a really exciting new chapter for the borough, and I cannot wait to see where it leads - in Barking and Dagenham, it starts here."  

Nesil Caliskan MP, MP for Barking and a Member of the Mayesbrook Park and Rippleside Board, said: “"I’m pleased to get started with our work for the Pride in Place programme in Mayesbrook Park and Rippleside.  

“Since being elected MP for Barking, I’ve been calling for additional investment for area. I’m pleased that we’ve secured £20 million from the government and look forward to working with our fantastic local Pride in Place board members and residents to deliver projects for our community." 

Margaret Mullane MP, MP for Dagenham and Rainham and a Member of the Central Park and Frizlands Lane Board, said: “The Board is in place and following the initial meeting I am really excited about the potential. This is real people from the community with real power to change the future of the area.  

“The ideas are already flowing, and I have every confidence that the Chair, Amy, will do a fantastic job alongside the Board members.  

“This is about making Heath Ward, the Central Park and Frizlands area, somewhere people feel proud to live and work. Watch this space!” 

Amy Sivetoglu, Chair of the Frizlands Lane and Central Park Neighbourhood Board, said: "I'll be overseeing the board to make sure that we're keeping residents at the centre of what we're trying to do.  

"We're going to try to get the best value for money and that everyone's voices are heard.  

"It's a huge amount of money and an amazing opportunity and I think we can shape the area into somewhere people are proud to live."