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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 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.

Barking and Dagenham is proud to ‘Step It Up’ this week in the biggest and best Recycle Week ever.

We’re committing to protecting the environment to help create a better, greener and safer future for our children and generations to come, and we’re asking residents to ‘Step It Up’ in the fight against climate change by recycling more.

Throughout the week, we will be working with residents and partners to encourage everyone to play their part in creating a greener and safer world. 

An eight-week inquest into the deaths of four men murdered by serial killer Stephen Port is set to begin on Monday 4 October at Barking Town Hall.

The long-awaited inquest will examine the Metropolitan Police’s initial response to the deaths of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor, who were drugged, raped and killed by Port between 2014 and 2015. 

Port was sentenced to life in prison at the Old Bailey in November 2016 for the murders of the four men.

Residents of Barking and Dagenham aged 19 to 24 are being invited to take advantage of a 12-week traineeship with the Adult College. 

 

The traineeship opportunity will provide participants with the chance to improve their potential and prepare them for a career in hospitality, fitness and customer service.

 

Interested residents will be expected to meet the eligibility requirements and attend a pre assessment interview.

 

Last week, Trading Standards officers from Barking and Dagenham Council launched a campaign to protect residents against scams. 



In the first of many drop-in sessions, Trading Standards Officers provided information to residents and welcomed questions about all types of scams in Barking Town Centre last Thursday (9 September).



Dozens of local residents benefitted from best practice guidance on how to be scams aware, alert, and assertive against cold callers, doorstep sellers and potential distraction burglars.