Leader's message - Friday 23 May 2025

Last week, I was honoured to deliver the Leader’s Address at Annual Council. It was a moment to reflect on our progress and set out our priorities for the year ahead. From building new council homes to delivering upgraded youth hubs, state-of-the-art leisure facilities, and maintaining award-winning parks, we are making Redbridge a better place to live—and we’re doing it despite the enormous financial pressures that many councils are struggling to manage.

I returned to Cherry Tree Café in Wanstead this week to open its newly refurbished garden and sensory space. Cherry Tree is a lifeline for local college students with special educational needs. The new outdoor space will allow even more activities and social events to take place, including growing herbs and ingredients for the café. My thanks to the volunteers and staff who have brought it to life; it’s a great example of how strong communities and active local people make our borough thrive.

I also attended the opening of the new Ilford Hill campus of the London College of Business Studies alongside Lord Patel of Bradford. This new facility brings more life and opportunity into the town centre, supporting our wider for Redbridge as a place to live, work and study. I am so proud that educational establishments are setting down their roots and expanding right here in our borough.

We’re also beginning early work with Transport for London on options to make more of our local stations step-free. This work is at a very early stage, but the ambition is there. We are blessed in Redbridge with four Elizabeth Line stations and ten Central Line stations. We want a transport network that works for everyone, and accessibility must be included. We’ll continue to push for progress, and I will share more as plans develop.

As we approach the bank holiday weekend, I want to thank everyone who plays their part in keeping Redbridge clean, safe, and welcoming—whether by reporting issues through the Love Clean Streets app, supporting neighbours, or volunteering locally. Our officers work hard every day to deliver the services residents rely on, but we can’t do it alone. Your eyes and ears on the ground make a real difference.

Redbridge is a great place to live, but we know there’s always more to do. We’re working hard to deliver better services and create new opportunities, and we want you to work with us. Your ideas, your feedback, and your pride in our borough all matter.

Thank you for your continued support.