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Barking and Dagenham Council today (3 November) signed an agreement with global media real estate leader Hackman Capital Partners (HCP) to build London’s largest film and TV production centre in Dagenham.

Eastbrook Studios London will be the capital’s largest studio campus. The project comes with planning permission, and HCP’s ambitious plans include up to 12 sound stages, three acres of backlot, offices and ancillary space, totalling over half a million square feet.

Despite the best efforts of the council, around 55% of businesses in Barking and Dagenham are still not following all of the rules put in place by the government to stop the spread of coronavirus.

In the last two weeks, council enforcement officers visited 270 businesses where concerns have been raised about Covid related issues and have also handed out 10 Fixed Penalty Notices of £1000 each to those found to have continued to flout the rules.

Looking for financial help for an event or project to celebrate and promote equality, social inclusion and diversity in the borough?

Starting from today, the council may be able to help – residents who are part of a local charity or community group can apply for funding from the Equality and Diversity Community Fund to help deliver them.

This funding is a fantastic way for residents to bring their local community closer, to celebrate the things they’re most passionate about, and to help educate their local community about equalities events and issues.

High street retailer B&M might be known for their bargains, but definitely not for following the government’s coronavirus rules.

Last month, the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council issued B&M stores in the borough a Community Protection Warning Notice along with other high street retailers, for failing to enforce the wearing of face coverings in stores.

Up to 24 local business who want to grow and develop their business are being invited to apply to take part in a national peer-to-peer networking programme.

Thanks to funding from the GLA, the programme is open to businesses from across Barking and Dagenham and will include interactive learning and support with finance, HR, sales, marketing and much more.

Barking and Dagenham will remember those who died in the line of duty and made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy, with a limited number of memorial services taking place across the borough from 7 to 11 November, including a special video which will be published on the council’s website and Facebook page.

Officers from Barking and Dagenham Council and the Crime and Enforcement Police Taskforce partnered up earlier this week for a day of action in Barking to address a number of issues.

The planned operation, which took place on Tuesday 20 October, saw council and police officers conduct a weapons sweep, visit businesses in response to COVID-19, engage with people sleeping rough and carried out a general patrol of Barking Town Centre.

Council enforcement officers have issued Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) to two businesses for repeatedly refusing to comply with the coronavirus rules put in place by the government. 

However, two local businesses have been caught not enforcing this despite being reminded on several occasions and have been fined £1000 each.

The Barking and Dagenham Lottery is celebrating three years this week of helping raise valuable funds for local charities and community organisations. 

During this time, the lottery has raised an incredible £60,705 for all the good causes that participate, which is done by selling lottery tickets to not only their supporters, but the wider community, for a chance to win cash prizes of up to £25,000!

Barking and Dagenham Council are pleased to announce that a series of important preliminary archaeological works have been underway. So, the historic moated enclosure in Valence Park can partially reopen in early 2021, will its full reopening in late 2021. Also known as the fishing lake, current work on this important medieval site in Valence Park is part of the first stage of wider ambitious plans for Valence House and Park, for which public consultation will be taking place in early 2021.