Leader's update - Friday 9 January 2026

Published: 09 January 2026

Firstly, I hope everyone got to spend time with their families and friends over the Christmas period, and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy New Year.

This week I met with the Prime Minister at a local Government reception in Number 10. It was an opportunity to thank him and his government for taking our representations seriously for fair funding. For 14 years Redbridge faced savage cuts to our funding and our demands fell on deaf ears. In the past year we have been listened to and our settlement from government will mean redressing some of that unfairness over the next three years and will protect vital services we all rely on. We will also continue to try and access the Structures Fund, and as soon at the applications open we will be ready with our strong case for Broadmead Road Bridge funding.

Work has also started to an important community space in the centre of Ilford.  The aim is to provide a place for those people and organisations who support all our neighbours through advice and help by bringing them together for both physical and mental health and wellbeing.  I will bring you further updates in the coming weeks on how this space can be used by everyone.

It was a pleasure to have Steve Reed MP, Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government visit our Borough this week to see some of our new 600 council homes. We met with residents, and they told us how much their new homes mean to them and their children.

The start of the year has seen some cold spells and weather warnings being issued.  Our dedicated crews have been out gritting roads and bus routes to ensure we can all move safely around the borough. We have also implemented the Severe Weather Extreme Protocol (SWEP) to ensure that anyone sleeping rough on the streets can access help and support.  If you know someone who is sleeping rough, please contact Streetlink online.  This referral will go to our rough sleeping and outreach team, who will carry out a visit either the same day or the next day. 

I spoke to BBC London this week about all the work we do during these cold weather periods, including gritting our highways, offering help to our rough sleepers and offering our community living/warm spaces in the borough.  Please look out for vulnerable or elderly neighbours that may need our help during these times.

Have a good weekend,

Cllr Kam Rai,
Leader of the Council