Leader's message - Friday 1 August 2025

Over the past fortnight, I’ve been getting out and about in our borough, celebrating our community and the progress we’re making together.

I was thrilled to attend the Disability in the Park Festival in Wanstead, a truly unique event organised with partners like One Place East and Vision. This fully accessible festival, designed by people with disabilities, brought together residents for a day of music, comedy, creative activities, and community connection.

I’m so proud of how it celebrates diversity and inclusion, and I am pleased that we host it here in Redbridge. I was thrilled to attend, and I would like to extend my thanks to the organisers and sponsors for their support, as well as to everyone who made it such a special day.

I also visited the Redbridge Foodbank, which now has a permanent home thanks to the collective efforts of our council and community partners. The foodbank plays a vital role in supporting residents facing hardship, and securing this stable base ensures it can continue its incredible work for years to come.  

I’m thrilled to share that we’ve secured £16.6 million in Council House Acquisition Programme (CHAPS) funding from the Greater London Authority to deliver over 100 new homes for local families. This investment will see 106 properties purchased across Redbridge, with 90 providing temporary accommodation and 16 bolstering our long-term affordable housing stock. This is a significant step in tackling our housing waiting list and reducing reliance on costly out-of-borough placements.

By now, you should have received your Discover Redbridge summer booklet, packed with ideas for events, activities, and ways to enjoy our borough’s parks, cultural venues, and more. If you haven’t already, dive in and explore what’s on offer - there’s something for everyone to enjoy this summer. Additional and replacement booklets are on offer across our libraries.

Finally, I want to highlight again the Love Clean Streets app, which makes it easier than ever to report issues like litter, fly-tipping, or graffiti. Our borough is at its best when it’s clean and welcoming, but we need your help to maintain that standard. By using the app, you can help preserve the beauty of Redbridge for everyone to enjoy. Download it for your phone here: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/report-it/love-clean-streets/

As always, thank you for your support and dedication to making Redbridge a borough we can all take pride in. Together, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive community.

Cllr Kam Rai
Leader of Redbridge Council