Barking & Dagenham LBC

A short period of BNP membership on the Council has put Barking & Dagenham in the spotlight for the politics of intolerance and division, overshadowing a long and rich history of being a place where progressive people championed equality and human rights. But the borough is pushing back: determined and visible community leadership has driven a strong inclusion and diversity policy agenda. Our submission highlights how definitive policy decisions and a vibrant community events programme are restoring cohesion and celebrating diversity. Closing equality gaps and addressing systemic inequalities is now the focus – and back to the tradition of the borough.

This award is open to a single council or where appropriate a partnership of councils, or a council-owned company. Private sector partners can enter on a council’s behalf, with the permission of the council itself. This award recognises strong performance by a council, with a primary focus on the relevant timescale, in developing a diverse and inclusive culture that permeates the council itself and its workforce and/or the broader local area. The entry could demonstrate the council’s attempts to foster a more diverse and inclusive workplace for all employees, and members, and describe how this is helping to attract and retain talent. It could include internal council initiatives, customer/service user-facing work, or work to promote a wide range of careers on the council to appeal to different people. The entry could alternatively focus more on the broader local area, highlighting initiatives to foster diversity and help facilitate inclusion across the local community. It could include how the council has worked with other business and other local organisations to improve opportunity or participation. It could look at engagement.