Council and Democracy

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Welcome to the Council and Democracy web page.

This section of the website provides information about the business of running the council. Use this site to find out how to get in touch with your local councillor or Member of Parliament, or for information about council meetings.

Want to find out more about the main decisions due to be taken by the Assembly in the coming weeks?. Please see the forward plan web page and the what's new page.

Unsure of what you are looking for?. Please see topics arranged in the Local Government Council and Democracy Category.

You can also view the A-Z of Council Services.

Councillors or 'Members' are elected at local elections held every 4 years.

Councillors run the council on behalf of the community.

They make all the major decisions about Council policy, services and finances. They are advised by officers, who implement their decisions and operate the Council on a day-to-day basis.

Barking and Dagenham is divided into 17 areas called 'Wards', each electing 3 councillors.

There are 51 councillors in all - 38 Labour, 12 British National Party and 1 Conservative.

If you want to talk to a councillor about a council service drop in to one of their surgeries in your area.

Copies of the register of interests of the Members and co-opted Members of the Council are available for inspection at the office of the Divisional Director of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer, Town Hall, 1 Town Square, Barking, IG11 7LU during office hours.

Picture of the Council Chamber in Barking Town Hall