Redbridge delivers budget that protects and invests in vital services for the people of the borough

Despite continued financial challenges, Redbridge Council has delivered a balanced budget for 2025/26 that maintains weekly bin collections and invests in the local services and facilities that matter most to local people.

The 2025/26 budget proposals were approved at Full Council this evening (Thursday 27 February 2025).

Reductions in government funding have significantly impacted Redbridge. Redbridge has lost more than 54p for every £1 of government grant funding, resulting in a loss of over £160 million to spend on local services each year.

Redbridge is now the fourth lowest-funded London council per head yet faces the same issues and problems as many inner London councils. 

Redbridge Council is protecting its most vital services and has actively listened to the views of local people, as submitted in this year's budget survey. It will continue investing in the services that matter most to them while maintaining financial stability. The budget survey, which closed on Sunday, 1 December, provided a platform for the local community to voice their opinions on the council services they value the most.

The 533 responses were carefully analysed and considered, significantly shaping the 2025/26 budget.

The main findings from the survey were that people wanted the council to focus its reduced resources on fixing potholes, pursuing prosecutions against those who fly-tip in the borough, and maintaining clean streets in the borough's neighbourhoods and town centres.

As part of the survey, respondents strongly indicated that Redbridge Council should continue investing in Children's and Adult Social Services and the borough's libraries, parks, and sports centres.

Approximately seventy-five percent of Redbridge Council's annual budget is for services to help protect its most vulnerable adults, children, and young people.  Redbridge is proud to have nine Green Flag-awarded Hainault Forest and Valentines Park, which were recently recognised as two of the UK's Top Ten parks in the prestigious People's Choice Awards 2024.

Valentines Park boasts the largest outdoor gym in London, newly refurbished tennis courts, and will soon feature a 25-meter, six-lane swimming pool with modern changing facilities, a children's splash pad, café, gym, dance studio, meeting room, outdoor recreation areas, and convenient parking - set to open this year.

Councillor Kam Rai, Leader of Redbridge Council, said: "We've listened to and considered residents' views and delivered a balanced budget that protects vital services and continues to invest in services they told us we need most.

“As a council, we continually meet our financial challenges. A recent report by an independent organisation, Impower, found that Redbridge is number one in London and second in the country for delivering value for money for its residents.

“We have higher-than-average poverty rates in Redbridge and have the 4th lowest funding per head in London after over a decade of austerity.

"Local authorities are facing unprecedented challenges, with many needing exceptional financial support and considering significant council tax increases. We are doing everything possible to maintain a balanced budget and preserve local services that matter to our residents while investing in projects that will generate the vital income we need.

“We do not accept the current funding model, and we’ll continue to fight for the people of Redbridge by lobbying the Government for a fairer funding system, ensuring we receive the support we deserve."

Councillor Vanisha Solanki, Deputy Leader of Redbridge Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, said: "We've put forward a balanced budget that will protect vital services and invest money into highways, social services, and regeneration projects to help make the borough a better place for residents.

“Since 2010, we've lost over £160million of our funding—almost twice the total amount we have to spend this year. We need the Government to listen to us and reset the balance by fully and fairly funding local councils.

“Redbridge is a perfect case study for responsible financial management and award-winning services on an ever-shrinking budget. Imagine what we could do if we were funded fairly."

Our spending plans for 2025/26 include: 

• £8.1m towards the delivery of new leisure centres, including a brand new lido in Valentines Park, an expanded Leisure Centre in Wanstead and a Climbing Centre in Ilford. 
• £6.1m on dealing with fly-tipping and keeping our streets swept and tidy 
• £20.9m on maintaining and repairing our highways and street lighting 
• £8.7m to maintain a weekly bin collection 
• £12.3m net on supporting homeless people 
• £205.5m on new temporary accommodation 
• £37.8m investment in new council homes for local people 

We will be maintaining the following spending this year: 

• £1.1m on new schemes to prevent flooding 
• £4.4m on improvements in maintaining our parks and green spaces 
• £0.9m on maintaining our CCTV to help keep us safer 
• £15.2m on school maintenance and improvements 
• £1.6m on enforcement officers to patrol and keep our borough safe