Barking and Dagenham Council is set to embark on a new community-led neighbourhood plan, aiming to address key local issues and foster a stronger sense of community. The plan aims to ensure future strategies align with borough-wide strategies and policies. It will replace the Borough Manifesto from 2017. Future strategies and plans will be expected to align with 'Our B&D' and demonstrate the golden thread of strategy and delivery.
The Barking and Dagenham cabinet convened on Tuesday 15 July 2025, to discuss and approve the new direction of travel for the council, as Cllr Dominic Twomey, Leader of the Council / Labour Group put it, tackling significant issues and moving the council into a community-led organisation.
The council plans to engage with staff, residents and key stakeholders over the summer period alongside data, economic and financial analysis and modelling, in order to develop an outline business case for Cabinet’s consideration later in the year. The document 'Our B&D' shall be presented to Assembly for adoption in September 2025.
A Plan for People, Place and Partnerships
Cllr Twomey emphasised that the neighbourhood plan is about people, place and partnerships,
requiring a one system approach across the council.
The plan aims to improve accessibility, share new technologies, and examine co-location opportunities, such as with the DWP at the Barking Learning Centre. The council aims to balance the need for a 'one system approach' with responsiveness to community needs through true, extensive, and meaningful consultation.
Beyond co-location, the council envisions partnerships with the voluntary sector, faith sector, the police, local businesses and the NHS.
The initiative builds upon the 'Our B&D' vision, a refreshed place-based strategy for the borough. Cllr Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership & Engagement, explained that events such as Brexit, the pandemic, and the cost of living crisis have necessitated a new plan, focusing resources on the most important issues. The plan will involve collaboration with residents and organisations in the voluntary and faith sector, and will be based upon data and insight to understand community issues. The plan also aims for true consultation and extensive and meaningful consultation to ensure diverse voices are heard.
The six key themes of 'Our B&D' are:
- Reduced child poverty
- Inclusive economy
- Independent adulthood in communities
- Stable and decent homes
- Healthier and fairer borough
- Safer and cleaner borough
The plan will focus on six outcomes with 15 indicators, which will help focus resources on the most important issues. The outcome indicators are listed in Our BD - App 1.
The meeting underscored the council's commitment to addressing local challenges through community-led initiatives and strategic partnerships, setting a new direction for the future of Barking and Dagenham.
