Planning powers were the focus of the first council assembly meeting following the summer recess last night.

Members packed into Barking Town Hall to agree more control over the loss of the borough’s pubs and the adoption of an employment order that will allow for the change of use of certain industrial buildings without planning permission.

Council leader, Cllr Darren Rodwell, also laid out his vision and priorities for the borough, proposing the all-Labour local authority would strive to be “one borough, one community and London’s growth opportunity”.

Over two hours the 49 councillors agreed six main agenda items affecting the future of the borough.

One item, relating to the appointment of independent persons who deal with complaints against councillors under the code of conduct, was deferred after some members questioned their connection to Barking and Dagenham.

Also under scrutiny was the proposal of new borrowing, including more than one million pounds from the European Investment Bank towards the regeneration of Gascoigne Estate.

For full coverage, pick up a copy of next week’s Post.