Leader's message - Friday 18 July 2025

This week, I’m proud to share some fantastic news and important updates from across our borough. 

 

We’ve once again been recognised for the quality of our green spaces, with nine of our parks awarded Green Flag status. This national recognition reflects the hard work of our parks teams and the pride our communities take in caring for these vital spaces.

 

In recent years, we’ve resurfaced tennis courts, created new playgrounds, and planted vibrant flowers and trees to brighten every corner of Redbridge.  Our parks are more than just beautiful—they’re places to enjoy fresh air, exercise, and spend time with loved ones. We’re committed to continuing this work, but we also need your help to keep them safe, clean, and welcoming. 

 

On the theme of nature, we’re also launching our Restore Nature Pledge roadshows this summer. These events are a great opportunity to learn how we can all help protect local biodiversity—whether by planting pollinator-friendly flowers, reducing waste, or supporting wildlife.

 

So far, we’ve created over 400,000sqm of wild spaces in Redbridge, far exceeding our original target. Through the pledge, we’re inviting local communities to help us go even further. 

 

On infrastructure, Cabinet has approved the next phase of work to replace Broadmead Road Bridge, a key route for many residents. This decision made by the Cabinet – to demolish the existing bridge and build a new one that would support cars, buses and heavy vehicles – is an enormous milestone for the council. We now have a clear plan and business case, in the form of the options report presented to us by our specialist contractors. We will now present this to government and our partners to garner their support and do all we can to make this happen. 

 

This was Cabinet’s first chance to formally discuss the recent SEND inspection report, and to hear first-hand from parents and carers about their and their children’s lived experience through a powerful and very valuable extended Public Questions session.

 

A coproduced action plan will now be developed over the summer before submission to government in the autumn – this is important work and I will be keeping people up to date on our progress. 

 

We’ve also published an update on Fullwell Cross Leisure Centre, outlining our commitment to ensuring residents have access to high-quality leisure facilities. We’ll continue to engage with the community as we shape the next steps. 

 

Finally, I was honoured to attend a moving service at Redbridge Town Hall to commemorate the Srebrenica genocide. We stood together to remember the victims and reaffirm our commitment to peace, unity, and rejecting hatred in all its forms. 

 

Thank you to everyone who continues to make Redbridge a borough we can all be proud of.