Minutes:
Question 1
From Councillor Paul Robinson
Would the Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health Integration update the Assembly on the success of the vaccine roll out in Barking and Dagenham?
Response from the Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health Integration
The Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health Integration advised that the vaccination uptake for Barking and Dagenham continued to improve. As of 18 July 2021, a total of 110,063 (61.7%) Barking and Dagenham residents had had their first dose and 78,102 (43.8%) their second dose.
Thanks to outreach and engagement work by the Council, there was now a higher update among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities (BAME) in the Borough.
Question 2
From Councillor Paul Robinson
Can the Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and Schools Improvement explain what support is being offered to families, children and our schools in cases where a class bubble has to isolate?
Response from the Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and Schools Improvement
The Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and Schools Improvement advised that in terms of teaching and learning, isolating pupils attended class remotely. Schools maintained contact with self-isolating pupils and checked attendance where necessary.
Free School Meal (FSM) provision had continued in schools throughout the pandemic. For pupils isolating that were eligible for FSM, the school provided the family with a voucher or hamper until the pupil could return to school.
Question 3
From Councillor Saleem
Can the Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement update the Assembly on what events will be taking place to mark the centenary year of the Becontree Estate?
Response from the Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement
The Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement advised that the programme was underway
The biggest event would be the Becontree Weekender on 14th and 15th of August, right in the heart of the estate at Parsloes Park – part of the free Summer of Festivals programming. The Saturday would see the Becontree100 Festival, in partnership with Love Music Hate Racism. This would be followed on the Sunday by the Roundhouse Music Festival.
Information on all events could be found on the website - www.becontreeforever.uk.
Question 4
From Councillor Nalule
This borough has a proud history of raising football legends – from Bobby Moore to Bobby Zamora. Following the outcome of the Euro 2020 finals and the disgraceful increase in racially motivated attacks, what will this Council be doing to unite our community and honour these football heroes?
Response from the Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement
The Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement advised that there was never justification for racist abuse. The Council celebrated the players’ behaviour both on and off the pitch.
The Council would continue to use national days, awareness months and other celebrations across the year and to celebrate all aspects of diversity and inclusion, and would continue to stand with the Black Lives Matter movement.
To honour footballing heroes of both past and present, Sebastian Court had been renamed Bobby Moore Court.