Barking & Dagenham helps residents to decorate their homes

Barking and Dagenham Council has introduced a new scheme offering some residents free decorating.

It recently reported that members of the council have carried out free painting and decorating on behalf of older residents, over the age of 65.

The scheme was launched in September and since then has helped over 50 people living within the borough.

Those claiming disability benefits were also given a helping hand, as long as they had a good tenancy record, if there was no-one else living in the property who was able to decorate.

Councillor Mick McCarthy, cabinet member for housing in the borough paid a personal visit to members of the council team. He also highlighted the case of one resident, Andy Lorimer, who had four rooms of his house decorated last month.

Mr McCarthy said: "The scheme has two benefits. Firstly it helps some of the more vulnerable members of society who find it difficult to decorate their homes, and secondly it is a way of improving our housing stock.
 
"Barking and Dagenham Council is a responsible landlord and we're proud of the way we look after our tenants."

The council has also encouraged others who may be eligible for the scheme to come forward.

But Councillor McCarthy also urged people in the borough who were waiting for work to be carried out, to be patient. 

He added: "So far more than 170 people who have contacted the council have met the criteria with more than 50 properties decorated to date, so please be patient and we will help all eligible residents as soon as we can."

In a separate project, the council has also encouraged young people in the area to cycle more. The scheme involves youth centres in addition to voluntary organisations. 

Gascoigne Youth Centre, which is located in the area, is hosting a bike building project that shows youngsters how to fix their bikes.

The project is run by Sustrans and will last for around four weeks.

Published 5th December, 2013

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