Leader's update - Friday 6 March 2026
Published: 06 March 2026
Last night we approved the 2026/27 budget, marking a big step forward for the borough after years of underfunding. Together we have fought hard for fairer government funding, I have met Ministers and they've listened, Redbridge has secured £61.5m more over the next three years. This is a major breakthrough and great news for the community.
The improved funding will help us continue to provide care and support for vulnerable neighbours, protect the Freedom Pass, and continue our investment in cleaner, greener, safer neighbourhoods.
It’s a ‘no cuts’ budget as we’re protecting frontline services like the Freedom Pass and care, and building on the progress made across housing, social care and local infrastructure, even as councils nationally face significant pressure. We’ve put extra money into your priorities ranging from upgraded CCTV and better roads, to leisure, culture and libraries that will all make our Borough a better place to live.
Years of underfunding cannot be undone overnight though, and as the extra money comes in over the next 3 years we have asked for further support to bridge the gap, which has been agreed. Finally we have a Government who recognises that we have been historically underfunded and gone some way in repairing that damage. We also submitted our strong bid to the Department for Transport for Broadmead Road Bridge. It is our priority and I look forward to hearing the result in the coming weeks. If you’d like to dig deeper into the budget details, you can read our full news story.
It’s been a big week in the community, too and I have been out and about planting new trees in Aldborough Hall nature reserve, part of Fairlop Waters. Over 20,000 have now been planted in the last four years, strengthening biodiversity, improving air quality and making our Borough greener for the long term. I was also delighted to visit Ekota Academy, based in Goodmayes Park, to watch their junior cricket teams in action. They’re a great organisation and it was fantastic to see young people developing skills and confidence through sport. I am really pleased that we have been able to support them with Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding and I know they will put it to good use.
As a council we have also been marking International Women’s Day by encouraging people to take a free lunchtime Zumba class at Serenity Ilford, our new women's only gym, and enjoy a free induction with tea and biscuits!
The free Green Garden waste service has also resumed and as the weather has improved I know many of you will be in your gardens. You can purchase new bags at your local library, with more details on our website.
Finally, I ended the week by joining celebrations at Fullwell Cross library for World Book Day. It was great to join our local MP Wes Streeting to meet over 100 local reception age children from Newbury Park Primary, and champion reading for pleasure and support the brilliant work of our libraries. It was great to give them a copy of the Gruffalo, as they begin their reading journey.
Looking ahead, Sunday marks the sixth COVID-19 Day of Reflection – this is an opportunity for people and communities are invited to mark the day in ways that feel meaningful to them. I'm proud of the memorial garden in Valentines Park which contains hundreds of stones as a memorial to the local people who sadly passed away during the COVID pandemic. Local people are invited to make their own tribute by writing on the memorial stones.
Take care,
Cllr Kam Rai,
Leader of the Council
