A company that was caught street trading without a license in Barking and Dagenham has been ordered to pay £2,500.

Barking and Dagenham Council at its Assembly last night, Wednesday 30 January, committed to a Charter for mental health.

This follows the launch of the Charter on World Mental Health Day in October last year. The Charter will receive further support when partner organisations such as the NHS, NELFT, MIND, Lifeline and Healthwatch meet in February to commit to it.

Last week, over 8,000 votes were cast from 13 schools across Barking and Dagenham and as a result, 78 young people have been elected to the 2018 Barking and Dagenham Youth Forum.

“The young people of the BAD Youth Forum play an integral part in how the council communicates with the younger generation.”

Barking and Dagenham residents will get one last chance to have their say on the proposed redevelopment of Central Park, with CU London hosting a final consultation event on Wednesday 13 February.

The council approved the £1.1 million revamp of Dagenham's Central Park in October 2018, which will include a new adventure play track, a BMX track for toddlers and investment in Dagenham Rugby Club’s clubhouse worth around £200,000.

On Saturday Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington along with a host of aquatic Olympic heroes kicked off the launch event of the new 50m Olympic length pool at Becontree Heath Leisure Centre.

Adlington, who won two gold medals at the Beijing Olympic Games, was joined by Olympic medallists Joanne Jackson and Steve Parry, Commonwealth Champion James Goddard and Olympians Grant Turner and Craig Figes.

Over 30 families are now benefiting from a unique programme in Barking and Dagenham, which is helping them to both reduce their food shopping bill and access a wide range of support services.

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.

Baking and Dagenham Council has today (Monday 21 January 2019) launched its own greener energy provider, Beam Energy, to help its residents save on their fuel bills. 

All people need to do is get a two-minute quote and switch, for cheaper gas and electricity bills. 

Barking and Dagenham Council has hosted London’s first tri-borough Serious Violence Summit, bringing together key partners and local communities to jointly tackle the complex root causes of violent crime.

Almost 240 people attended the Serious Violence Summit, which took place on Wednesday 16 January in London East, Dagenham, in partnership with Havering and Redbridge councils.

Students with disabilities from six schools in Barking and Dagenham have won the first round of the East London Panathlon Championships.

The competition is a multi-sport event including Table Cricket, Polybat, Boccia, Kurling and Athletics.

The event, which took place at Frenford Club in Ilford, was for students in Years 7 to 13 and they were competing against other young people from Havering, Redbridge and Waltham Forest. 

2018 has been a year to remember for the Barking and Dagenham (BAD) Youth Forum and the Young Mayor as together, they have raised the highest ever amount for their chosen charity.

Over the last year, local young people hosted a number of fundraising events and have raised a record £4,340 for local homeless charity, the New Horizon Youth Centre. 

Some of the fundraising activities included a sponsored walk, a games night, non-uniform days, and bucket sharing at Summer of Festivals events.