Surgeries for residents take place between 6.30-8.00pm at the Women’s Museum, Barking Wharf Square, Barking, IG11 7BB on the 4th Thursday of each month (excluding August and December).
You can also email your Councillors at alison.cormack@lbbd.gov.uk or jack.shaw@lbbd.gov.uk or dominic.twomey@lbbd.gov.uk
Three Labour Councillors represent you in Gascoigne Ward: Dominic Twomey, Alison Cormack and Jack Shaw.
On this page you can find out what your Labour Councillors and the wider Labour team are doing on your behalf, and what’s going on locally.
If you need help from your Councillors, click ‘surgery details’ above to find out where you can meet them or how get in contact.
This week Labour Councillors in Gascoigne Ward held a residents’ meeting at Double Four the excellent new local coffee shop on Fresh Wharf.
Jack Shaw and fellow councillors are working with residents to challenge the small number of residents that are illegally parking, causing issues for residents and businesses alike.
If you’d like to share your experience or receive further updates on the issue, do get in touch. Click ‘surgery details’ above for our contact details.
The play area had an overhaul over the summer and in keeping with the nautical theme of the area (being so close to the River Roding, London’s 3rd largest river) the play equipment includes a pirate themed slide and climbing frame, rope activity apparatus and even a shark! Disability swings were also installed, in order for the play area to be fully inclusive by its users.
Ward Councillors Jack Shaw and Alison Cormack are to be seen regularly in the park litter picking. Local ward residents also play their part in picking up discarded litter, which helps to keep the park neat and tidy and ensuring that it retains its Green Flag status.
Greatfields Park still maintains its Victorian layout and also boasts having the oldest tree in the borough, which has its own special planting area.
Your Labour Ward Councillors have supported the purchase of a new picnic bench seating area beside the newly refurbished play area for families to enjoy the recreational area further.
Councillors have also used funding to light up the trees around the peripheral boundary of the park. The ambient lighting makes the park look super pretty and enhances the surrounding area.
Did you know that Greatfields Park was created in the early 1920s after Barking Urban District Council bought the land from Movers Farm for £330. The park was officially opened in 1926. The park was laid out as part of the construction of the Greatfields housing estate after the First World War.
More recently, residents will have noticed that the tennis courts have had a recent make over and this has proved to be another popular addition to the park! With help and support from the National Tennis Association, the courts can be booked in advance for use all year round.
Greatfields Park is one of seven parks in Barking and Dagenham to have again received a prestigious Green Flag Award, a mark of excellence given to well-managed parks and green spaces that meet the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and community involvement.
The parks receiving the award this year include Barking Park, Beam Parklands, Eastbrookend Country Park, Greatfields Park, Mayesbrook Park, St. Chad’s Park and Tantony Green.
The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by Keep Britain Tidy.
Labour Councillor Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, said: “We’re so proud our parks have once again been recognised with seven Green Flag Awards. This achievement is a reflection of our amazing staff, volunteers and community groups who go above and beyond to maintain our parks and open spaces all year round.
Labour Councillor Kashif Haroon, Cabinet Member for Public Realm and Climate Change, added: “Maintaining seven award-winning parks is no small task, and this recognition is a testament to the hard work of our parks and cleansing teams who ensure these spaces are clean, safe, and enjoyable. Their commitment keeps our green spaces among the best in the country.”
Labour Councillors are committed to investing in and preserving our green spaces. You’ll frequently see us lending a hand with litter picking.
Over the past eight years, council figures show £25m has been invested into the borough’s parks, made possible by grant funding.