We had over 60 people come along to the Compass meeting on Thursday 20 October, with a range of perspectives, political leanings and opinions on how to affect change.
One issue that preoccupies the residents of South Barking (Thamesside) above all others, and it’s not the one you might think. Yes, this is part of a constituency whose 80% white British population was reduced to 50% in the decade to 2011. Yes, Barking & Dagenham had 12 BNP councillors in 2006 (although they all lost their seats four years later). Yes, average earnings are lower than most of the rest of Greater London, and austerity is biting. Yes, people are fed up with politicians like local MP Margaret Hodge, who was brought into the safe seat of Barking & Dagenham in 1994 and does not seem to have impressed. And yes, there is no little frustration with the council, which has not always been seen to put local residents’ concerns first. But more than all of these, more than anything else, the good people of South Barking (Thamesside) care passionately about housing.
The Compass volunteers who carried out a reconnaissance mission to this part of the world were cautiously optimistic. South Barking (Thamesside) gave a good account of itself, far removed from the media stereotype: in truth, the area is highly diverse; the people are articulate; the neighbourhoods are as well looked after as any other in London; and but for the road signs, this could be almost anywhere in suburbia. And a week later, at our first local listening exercise, we were not disappointed: it can’t just have been free pizza that brought a capacity crowd to the Sue Bramley Children’s Centre. To be fair, one or two attendees were hopeful of seeing Caroline Lucas, and one or two more thought they were coming to a Momentum meeting, but the rest had plenty to say for themselves.
So after a few introductory remarks from local councillors Sam Tarry and Josie Channer, and a request to not break into groups which were skilfully deflected by the Chair, the team of Compass facilitators listened, and prompted, and listened some more, and were treated to a superbly detailed analysis of the housing situation in Barking – and a few other things:
What is important to you about Barking and what needs to be preserved?
People in affordable housing appreciate what they’ve got, but they don’t see the same care being extended to younger generations, with the result that they are sometimes forced to move out. Furthermore, the areas that the people in Barking felt were important to preserve was the Riverside, Barking Abbey, parks, open spaces and landmarks such as the Abbey ruins and the Eastbury Manor House. Schools, children’s centre, the civic centre, libraries and leisure centres are all facilities that the people of Barking appreciate and want to keep.
Something else that came up in the group discussion was the strong sense of community and multiculturalism in Barking with different generations, cultures and nationalities living together. Free, local community events across the borough such as ‘Dag Fest’ and ‘Cider & Stream Festival’ have been successful in fostering a sense of community in Barking, and these efforts need to continue to be made. The group also discussed the excellent opportunities for sustainable growth and environmental development, this along with a strong local economy supporting small businesses and the market is possible to maintain and further implement in Barking. The strong support agencies for homelessness, drug addiction and immigration, as well as the good infrastructure and transport links to London and other communities, are also vital to maintain.
What are some of the problems facing Barking?
One of the biggest issues that the people of Barking felt were taking place in their communities was that of affordable housing.The housing situation seems to have deteriorated for years: the council now has very little housing left. Those who live in council properties are not always happy with their neighbours, while those who work for the council are not always happy with the tenants. The architectural face of the area is changing, and those who are Barking-born and bred don’t always like what they see. People stated that there is a lack of disabled housing, a rapid increase in rent and house prices as well as council tenants not being held to account. Instead of investing in housing that is affordable to Barking residents, the investment in ‘luxury flats’ did little to improve the issues of affordable housing and overcrowding in Barking. Coupled with low wages on zero-hour contracts, few opportunities for work and a weakening of unions, major concerns are facing the community in Barking. Another issue was the austerity cuts to health services, housing and education resulting in, among other things, long waiting time for hospital appointments and A&E. People also stated that in the process of rapid population change, long-term residents feel alienated and the lack of engagement and integration of ethnic minorities also need to be addressed. As a result of this, people felt there was little sense of community. Moreover, people stated that there is little cultural activities for young people and that little is done to make them more independent. Besides this, the group discussed issues of anti-social behaviour, alcoholism and drug use.
What are the root causes of some of these problems?
The above have led to Barking & Dagenham’s stock of affordable housing all but disappearing. The Tory government is rightly seen as responsible for the marketisation of housing. The local council is said to have been seen as a soft touch, partly due to lower prices, so that many people that other councils saw as undesirable have been moved into the Barking area in recent years. The result has been an increase in antisocial behaviour, a rapid and unmanaged change in the demographic make-up of Barking, and a housing crisis. People also stated that the central government does not invest in Barking nor do they allow local authorities enough autonomy to build on what the people in Barking want to improve in their local community. Failing to plan the future of Barking in the long term means that issues such as affordable housing, decent living wages and changes in population are not dealt with first-hand. Additionally, some said that elected officials stoke racial tension and ignore the government’s hostility toward migrants, the Go Home vans is a demonstrable example of this. The misrepresentation and political disenfranchisement of minorities make it more difficult to engage and integrate migrants moving into Barking. Furthermore, the police have also failed to deal adequately with anti-social behaviour and local crime.
What would your ideal Barking look like?
When asked what the ideal Barking would look like, people said they wanted to see issues of housing improved by making sure that social and affordable housing is accessible. Some also mentioned means-tested council rent and Right-to-Buy revenue taxed. The ideal Barking is also a Barking that takes care of the environment, and many wanted to see the area greener, tidier and cleaner with better recycling and environmental facilities. It was also suggested that there is a need for more democratic involvement, having local decisions made by local people. To provide care for the elderly, the unwell and the disabled, Barking need to have a holistic support for vulnerable people by providing services such as housing, work training, driving lessons, mental health support and so on. The people in the room wanted to see a Barking that provides good infrastructure, healthcare, schools and nurseries alongside social programs for young people and employment schemes. Cultural events that spark a sense of community is also a step forward to make people feel less alienated. To tackle local crime and anti-social behaviour, more police on the street was also wanted.
The description of community land trusts was also well received – the audience generally approved of being given more power to sort out the housing situation themselves, having been failed by their elected officials. The privatisation of the housing market was roundly rejected, a socialist alternative was more desirable. Fostering an improved community spirit would seem to be the popular choice.
How might we begin to move towards a better Barking?
You get the impression that solving the housing problem would go a long way to putting more smiles on the faces of the people of Barking. It is, after all, the one issue they talked and talked and talked about, and to this outsider, it seems as though the situation has got steadily worse over a number of years until it is almost at crisis point. People want to have a sense of security when it comes to housing, rent controls and homes for life are part of the solution.
The consensus was also that there needs to be a clear, open and continuous communication between local MP and councillors and the people of Barking, not just during elections. In particular, community organising meetings with local councillors can make people feel like their voices are being heard. It was also mentioned that councillors need to follow up on their residents, have conversations and make things happen within the community. Another vital point made was the importance of the community working together to achieve common goals. This could be done by campaigning on policy issues, having grassroots from the bottom up, sending group letters to local MPs and setting up issue-based, open meetings. At the heart of all this, is, of course, the need for a strong sense of community. Some suggested that a way to make this happen is to reintroduce school visits to local places of historical interest, others said that bridging existing divides with common-ground events would unify the long-term residents and the newcomers.
Contributions came from all sides: Compass favourite Heather (who we met the week before and who had brought support) had opened the meeting by asking for all hands up to be respected and then demanding to know how we were funded! She had plenty more to say, much of which was directed Sam Tarry’s way. The man from the SWP had flyers to give out, sneakily piggybacking on our non-party-affiliated event. Sam’s colleagues from Momentum were out in force, although some initially seemed a bit disappointed at being brought along under false pretences. And there was a strong contingent of local Greens, proving that the surge of 2014 has borne fruit. As for representation from the right – there didn’t seem to be any avowed UKIP supporters, and if there were any Tories present, they were very shy indeed.
So, three conclusions: first, Barking is Anywhere. It has a lot of the same people, with the same frustrations, as much of the (especially metropolitan) the UK. People just want to get on and make a life for themselves and their loved ones, with somewhere decent to live, reasonable education and healthcare, a few entertainments, and neighbours who will provide community but also give them space.
Second, and contradictorily, even Barking has its different areas. One early and repeated question asked when we were going to do an event for the rest of Barking. South Barking (Thamesside) clearly doesn’t suit everyone, and Dagenham is a whole other place, and as for Rainham and Redbridge and Hornchurch. There are an awful lot of places in this country with their own unique character, and don’t think you know them until you’ve been there – did you know there’s a Barking Abbey? And that the locals enjoy mudlarking? And so if Compass does its listening exercise thoroughly, who knows how long it will take? But South Barking (Thamesside) was a good place to start.
And third, there is a clamour for change. There are a number of concerned citizens who have had enough of misrule from afar, who have fire in their bellies, and who would seem to have the appetite for repeated and prolonged discussions, and maybe actions, in order to effect that change. Watch this space.
As a local boy, Sam Tarry was ideally placed, to sum up, the feelings of all concerned and bring the meeting to a close. He is an accomplished communicator, and he knows how to read his audience and leave them with the right blend of realism and optimism. Something needs to be done to solve the housing problem in Barking; the Tories aren’t helping, and the council could do more. But perhaps most importantly, there are a number of engaged citizens who were prepared to come together for nothing more than the chance to improve their lives and the lives of those around them. Together for a better society runs the Compass motto: we can only hope that that one night in Barking is a step in the right direction. The locals are certainly looking forward to Round Two already, although perhaps we can choose a location on the other side of Barking, or even in Dagenham, next time.
Other interesting reads on this event and the key issues facing the communities in Barking and Dagenham:
On listening to Barking and Dagenham
BBC Documentary: No place to call home
The London borough with a ’50-year waiting list’ for council houses