Redbridge Council calls for fair funding

Redbridge Council has launched a campaign calling for a fair funding deal from government. As part of the campaign, local people are invited to sign an open letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and fill in a survey sharing what council services matter most to them.

A new website has been created by the Council outlining Redbridge’s financial position and giving local people the opportunity to sign the open letter to the Prime Minister and share their priorities with the Council.

A decade of Government austerity has meant grant settlement funding to councils has been cut by an average of 63% since 2010. To make ends meet, councils have had to make tough decisions, reducing costs and increasing revenue where possible.

With the rising cost of living, energy bills, and inflation impacting councils across the country, Redbridge Council has called for increased government funding to meet these rising costs while continuing to provide key services for local people.

In order to continue to run services for local people, additional funding is essential, either from increased revenue or additional government grant funding.

Cllr Kam Rai, Deputy Leader of Redbridge Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, Leisure and Culture, said, “There are trying times ahead for all of us in Redbridge because of the rising cost of living.

Our Council has already been forced to make £230M of savings thanks to government cuts, but we have never stopped fighting for local people or delivering the services our neighbours need and deserve.

We’re among the lowest funded councils in London and yet one of the highest performing - retaining and improving services, but the government cuts alongside inflation are forcing councils to make tough choices.

Now is the time for government to step up to the plate and give Redbridge a fair funding deal so we can continue to deliver for local people.”

Redbridge Council provides 400 services locally, including waste collection, enforcement, libraries and safeguarding. Increased fuel and energy bills and rising inflation are set to significantly increase council costs to provide the same services.

Please sign the letter calling for fair funding for Redbridge and fill in the Budget survey.