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Tributes continue to pour in from across Barking and Dagenham on the passing of Roger Luxton, a well-loved education chief who also served as the borough’s first ever Director of Children’s Services as well as a deputy chief executive.

Roger served the council throughout the 1990s until his retirement in 2009. He was intensely involved in the development of Jo Richardson Community School – designed from the inside out starting with the classroom, and the creation of Trinity School.

Barking and Dagenham Council is issuing an appeal to parents to set an example to youngsters by remembering to social distance and wear a face covering when dropping off or waiting to collect their children from school.

The plea comes amid growing numbers of Covid infections nationwide.

Matthew Cole, Director of Public Health for Barking and Dagenham Council, said: “Wearing a mask and social-distancing are two of our key weapons in stopping the spread of coronavirus.

Barking and Dagenham Council is celebrating Recycle Week 2020 and asking residents to do their bit by recycling more to make the borough a greener place.

Residents can also get involved by taking a quiz on our website to test their knowledge of recycling, and be entered in a draw to win twenty £25 vouchers for Morrisons.

Running from 21 to 27 September this year and now in its 17th year, Recycle Week is a celebration of recycling.

The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham is one of 12 members of the Inclusive Growth Network, a new initiative hosted by the Centre for Progressive Policy and the only London Council involved.

Barking and Dagenham Council today announced its membership of a new network of councils and combined authorities leading the drive for an inclusive economic recovery across the UK. The Inclusive Growth Network is a new initiative hosted by the Centre of Progressive Policy, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and supported by the Royal Society of Arts (the RSA) and Metro Dynamics.

As the number of COVID-19 tests that can be taken each day is currently limited because there is a national issue with lab capacity, Barking and Dagenham Council is urging residents to only book a test if they have symptoms.

Residents should only book a test if they have at least one of the COVID-19 symptoms, (a temperature or a new, continuous cough, or loss of/change to their sense of taste or smell), or if they have been specifically advised to take a test, to make sure they’re not taking a test slot away from someone who really needs it.

As large outdoor events can’t take place right now and all of Barking and Dagenham Council’s ‘Summer of festivals’ events cancelled, we’re making it possible to bring the festival experience directly to the homes of our residents with the One Borough One Love Festival!

Barking and Dagenham Council has written to a number of major retailers operating in the borough reminding them of their responsibility to ensure shoppers are wearing face coverings and adopting other social distancing rules to keep the borough safe. The council is also asking for the views of its residents on helping to enforce these rules.

Following complaints from a number of residents, the council has contacted a number of major retailers, reminding them of their responsibility to alert shoppers of the need to wear face coverings while shopping.

Residents of Barking and Dagenham are being advised by the council to ignore a letter purported to come from the council telling them of a government scheme which can see them get a refund of Council Tax paid in the past five months.

The letter which on letterheaded paper with an old council logo is asking residents to verify their email addresses and provide an update with personal details of everyone living in the property. Residents are being warned that it is a fake as there is no such scheme being run by the government or the council.

Deuce Lounge in Barking has been served with a closure notice which will see it remain closed for up to two weeks for failing to follow guidelines on social distancing, bringing to a total number of seven the closures issued to such establishments in the borough since the easing of lockdown.

This Wednesday, 9 September, Barking and Dagenham Council paid tribute to the exceptional work of members of the Emergency Services by marking the Emergency Services Day, with a flag raising ceremony outside Barking Town Hall.

Emergency Services Day (999 Day) is a Government backed national day across the UK which takes place on 9 September each year. It is a chance for people to show their support for the selfless men and women who work and volunteer in the NHS and other emergency services. It is also aimed at promoting the work 999 personnel do.