Residents are being asked to help form the borough’s blueprint for the future.

Barking and Dagenham council wants everyone to play their part in creating the Borough Manifesto which will establish the issues that matter most to people.

“Barking and Dagenham is London’s growth opportunity and we are one community – so it is important that everyone has a say in how the borough will look in the future,” explained Cllr Saima Ashraf, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for community leadership and engagement.

“The Borough Manifesto will set out the long term vision of the borough and it’s important that we don’t just plan for the immediate future – but that we have goals and aspirations for the next 20 to 30 years, and that we start working towards those goals now.

“We have a very diverse borough and it’s important that we hear from everyone, from people who have lived or worked here their whole lives to those newly settled, and from our oldest residents to our young people.

“Everyone in Barking and Dagenham has their part to play in helping us to develop this manifesto, and we want to accurately reflect the views of everyone who has taken part.”

The consultation, which goes live today, can be completed online by visiting lbbd.gov.uk/manifesto. There is also a paper version available at various council locations, including libraries and children’s centres.

The consultation runs until October 31. Everyone who takes part will have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win a new iPad.