Leader of Redbridge

Despite some slightly encouraging economic news recently, we all know that the recession is likely to be a fact of life in Redbridge during 2010. That is why I was delighted to be able to launch the Redbridge Card, which is a ‘local loyalty card’ to encourage people to support Redbridge businesses. Nearly 300 businesses have signed up to the scheme, providing discounts and special offers on a wide range of goods and services. I would like to thank all Redbridge business that have signed up to the scheme, and I hope that they find it a good way to attract new business. I would particularly like to thank Jude Richards from Blush Temples florist on Wanstead High Street who hosted the launch, and all of the Councillors and local business representatives who came along.

You should receive your Redbridge Card in the new edition of Redbridge Life, or you can pick up your Card from local libraries and The One Stop Shop or by calling 0208 708 3042. You can find out about special offers on Redbridge i

It was great to see the fantastic turnout at the public meeting on Barkingside Town Centre on 1^st February, as local residents and traders had their say on the Barkingside draft improvement plan.

The improvement plan is very much at an early stage, and feedback from the community will shape the final proposals. Clearly some proposals were more popular than others, and some very useful suggestions were put forward that the Council  will look at carefully.

Barkingside residents should be proud of the passion and commitment they have for their town, and I would like to thank everyone who came to the meeting for their time, interest and ideas. I would also like to thank Barkingside 21 whose co-operation also helped make the meeting a success.

The  meeting is not the end of the consultation process and we are still keen to hear your views.  Copies of the draft improvement plan are available on the Environment and Planning pages of Redbridge i, or at Fullwell Cross Library on Barkingside High Street.

To comment or ask questions about any of the proposals, please contact Matthew Maple, Senior Project Officer, at matthew.maple@redbridge.gov.uk or 020 8708 2078  by 12 February. Or you can leave your comments on this blog.

I attended a special service on Holocaust Memorial Day on Wednesday 27 January.  The service remembered the lives of the millions who died in the Holocaust and other genocides and atrocities including those in Rwanda, Cambodia, Darfur and Bosnia. This year Holocaust Memorial Day marks the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Holocaust survivors and survivors of other genocides have played an immense role in bringing our attention to the lessons of the Holocaust.  They have also passed a message of resilience and hope to the next generation. We must listen to the voices of the victims and the survivors of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution as well as those affected by more recent genocides and those who remain excluded today and commit to tell others what we hear and to make these hopes, experiences and voices part of our future.

The Leader and community group leaders at the Holocaust Memorial Day service

It was only fitting that on such a poignant day we remembered Leon Greenman and his words. He believed that if people knew what had happened in the camps, they would commit themselves to preventing a repetition of the Holocaust. He spoke to hundreds and thousands of people about his experiences and said, “There is no difference in colour or religion. If I had survived to betray the dead, it would have been better not to survive. We must not forget. Please do not forget.”

Read our press release to find out more about Redbridge Holocaust Memorial Day

This week Redbridge welcomed Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, to the Kenneth More Theatre for a ‘Question Time’ debate on the environment. Thanks to everyone who came and packed out the KMT. I also thanked the Mayor for the £400k grant for improvements to Fairlop Waters Country Park which will help us improve the Borough’s important green space.

Judging from the questions from the audience, hot button environmental issues are recycling, increased flights to London City Airport, and reducing the risk of the Roding flooding people’s homes. We are currently recycling around a third of our refuse, but that has to increase and I understand residents are particularly keen on cardboard recycling. We are working on it!

We are also pressing Thames Water to install the necessary hardware that would enable floodwater to flow safely away without threatening homes. I get the message loud and clear about the City airport expansion, and understand that there will be a review of flight paths shortly. I will be making sure that the Council is on the case to represent residents’ views on this issue.

Not only are we expanding recycling, we are also keen for people to start cycling. We are pleased that the Mayor of London’s office has agreed that Redbridge will be a ‘Biking Borough’. The panel were asked about how individuals could make a difference to the environment, and one suggesting was everyone going vegetarian for a day. As a vegetarian already I am doing my bit for the environment on that score but, like everyone, I am sure I could do more.

A question was also raised at the event about school’s recycling.    We currently have 18 secondary and 65 primary schools with recycling facilities serviced by the Borough. 

You could use the comments section to tell me how you are making a difference to the enviornment in your daily life, and how the Council could help.

On Monday 18 January at 7.00 pm,  I will be sitting on a panel alongside the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

London needs to be recognised as a world leader in improving the environment both locally and globally, so come along and put your questions on the environment to the Mayor and his guest speakers.
This is the Mayor’s 5th consultative public event.

The meeting will be held at The Kenneth More Theatre, Oakfield Rd, Ilford, Essex.
Find out more about this Boris Johnson consultation event here.

Tickets

Admission is free but you are advised to book tickets in advance from the Kenneth More Theatre Box Office.

Telephone 020 8553 4466. Unreserved seating is allocated on a first come, first served basis on the night.
The theatre doors will open at 6pm. Ticket does not guarantee entry.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.

Congratulations to Longwood House Dental Care of Ilford, which have been named winners The Dentistry Awards for being the “Best Dental Practice 2009” in the East of England.

Cllr Keith Prince with Dr Tasleem Ahmed

I’m told this is a prestigious award in the dental profession. They are a credit to the Borough and I was delighted to be able to attend a dinner to celebrate their major achievement.

Well done, Longwood House!

Happy New Year to everyone who, lives and works in Redbridge.

When we look back at 2009, the recession and credit crunch hit the country hard. It would be foolish to pretend that the difficult times are over. Even if the economy picks up, as I hope it will this year, every Council will have to make some difficult choices. Redbridge will be no exception..

The Council has already said that it aims to achieve a freeze in the level of Council Tax for 2010/11 and I believe we will deliver on this. We are also committed to protecting the frontline services which makes the most difference to people’s quality of life – keeping the streets safe and clean; continuing to provide excellent care to people who need it most; maintaining the excellent standards in our schools, and continuing to improve the quality of our parks, libraries and leisure facilities.

I am proud of the services we provide and will work hard to protect them during these tough times. I look forward to meeting as many residents as possible during the year as part of my regular ‘Meet the Leader’ sessions so I can hear first hand your suggestions for making Redbridge a better place to live.

I’d like to wish everyone in Redbridge a Happy Christmas. I hope that whatever you do over the festive period that you are able to spend time with friends and family.

During the year I have met many residents, community groups and leaders of many different faiths. Like me, they are proud to live and work in Redbridge and are committed to making the Borough a better place to live for everyone. Thank you to all the people who have helped make a difference in Redbridge during 2009.

At this family time, we should take a moment to remember the people who can’t be with their loved ones because they are away from home for whatever reason – including the men and women serving abroad in our armed forces.

And I would particularly like to thank the people who will be working in the Borough over Christmas to provide our emergency services and look after vulnerable people. To all Redbridge residents, have a great holiday and good luck for 2010!

Following the recent announcement of a consultation on the future of healthcare in the Borough that could have an impact on King George Hospital, I am tabling a cross-party motion with the support of Cllrs Elaine Norman and Hugh Cleaver at the Council meeting on Thursday (19 November).

This is an issue that I know will be of great interest to residents and I would welcome your views and comments.

Thank you.

The details of the motion are below:
Motion to be Moved by Councillor Prince and Seconded by Councillors Norman and Cleaver:
“Council notes that proposals have now been produced for significant changes in the structure of the health service in north-east London.
The review includes proposals for a substantial downgrading of medical facilities at King George Hospital, which is the only remaining general hospital in the borough.
The Health Scrutiny Committee and the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the local Boroughs will be scrutinising the detail of the proposals and making their response in due course.
This Council is very concerned at these proposals and the potential effect that such changes will have on the quality of health services provided in the Borough.  It is particularly concerned at the proposals with regard to Accident and Emergency provision and the risks that this may have for local residents.
This Council resolves to request the Chief Executive to write to the Chief Executives of NHS London and NHS Redbridge and the Secretary of State for Health to seek reassurance and information about how these proposals are intended to safeguard and improve the quality of medical care in Redbridge and regarding the long term future of emergency medical services in Redbridge. Copies of these letters should be sent to the MPs representing Redbridge.”

On 12th November 2009,  I held a meeting with the Redbridge Swimmers Association to let them know the latest position on building a new leisure and library facility in Ilford.

I am pleased to say about 50 people attended and in summary I advised that since the Cabinet decision on 1st September 2009 where it was agreed in principle to build a new leisure and library facility  -

Read the 1st September 2009 cabinet meeting notes on the proposals here – agenda item 24

Officers had looked at:

• possible alternative sites for a new facility; currently the only possible sites appear to be Seven Kings Lorry Park and the existing Ilford Pool site at Cricklefields.

The proposed new leisure and library facility will have:

• 25 m swimming pool
• Learner pool
• Sports Hall
• Fitness Gym (100 station)
• Library Facilities
• Meeting room facilities

I will be holding further meetings at key intervals in the process and would like to present the concept drawings as and stage C designs as part of a wider community consultation in February 2010.

If you would like to be included on the contact list for these meetings please email me your address details at leader@redbridge.gov.uk