Leader's update - Friday 27 March 2026
Published: 27 March 2026
This week has been one of the proudest of my time as a councillor.
On Thursday, I attended the celebration event marking Redbridge’s recognition as a UNICEF Child Friendly Borough – the first borough in England to receive this honour. The event showcased everything that has been clear throughout the years of hard work that have led to this point: that the children and young people of Redbridge have fantastic ideas, powerful voices, and a unique perspective that is vital to shaping our services, our places and our communities.
Their role in this achievement cannot be overstated. Across every project that contributed to our recognition, young people have not simply been shown a plan and asked whether they like it – they have been equal partners from the very start.
In the Ilford Arrival project, aimed at reconnecting this area with the beautiful green spaces surrounding it, a group of young women aged 16 to 25 have acted as co‑decision makers. Their insights are helping to design a space that reflects their identity and lived experiences.
In our Fairlop Waters expansion project, the drawings and models made by children showing the features they would love to see in the new adventure trail have been brought to life in the emerging designs.
Through our Youth Climate and Sustainability Forum, young people have put forward thoughtful, practical and ambitious proposals for how we can make Redbridge greener and more sustainable.
On Monday, I attended a meeting of the Redbridge Youth Council. It was inspiring, as always, to hear young people speak so clearly about what matters to them. During the meeting, we announced our new Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) and Members of the Youth London Assembly (MYLAs). More than 18,000 young people took part in the election – a remarkable sign of their engagement. I want to wish our MYPs, Inaaya and Shakirah, their deputy Hannah, and our MYLAs, Dua and Ishaan, every success.
On Thursday evening, we held the final council meeting of this term. We passed a motion celebrating our Child Friendly recognition and acknowledging the essential role played by all involved. We also passed a motion recognising our wonderful NHS. The NHS is a lifeline in our communities, and we will never take it for granted.
On Friday, I visited Newbury Park Primary School to learn about their UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools. We had an excellent discussion about children’s rights – including the right to be safe, to be free from discrimination and to be heard.
This is my final Friday update to residents before the election, as the pre‑election period begins on Monday. For this reason, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to everyone in our borough marking important festivals at this time. To our Jewish community, I wish you a happy and peaceful Passover. To our Christian community, a happy Easter. To our Buddhist community, a joyful Wesak. And to our Sikh community, a very happy Vaisakhi. In Redbridge, we celebrate each other’s faiths and traditions, and we bring the love, tolerance and care for others that they teach into all that we do.
I believe the role of a councillor is to bring communities together, to represent everyone – whoever they are – and to stand up for all of Redbridge. Together we have achieved a great deal, but there is always more to be done.
I look forward to meeting many of you in the community over the coming weeks, during what I hope will be a campaign that showcase the very best of democracy: tolerance, understanding and perhaps even respectful disagreement.
One thing is certain, though. After a week like this, I am more convinced than ever that our borough is in safe hands with our children.
Take care,
Cllr Kam Rai
Leader of the Council
