Leader's update - Friday 13 November 2026
Published: 13 November 2026
Dear neighbours,
As we marked Remembrance week across Redbridge, I had the privilege of attending several services and events, including the Armistice Day service at Fairlop. These occasions are an important opportunity to remember all those who have served our country, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We remember not only their courage and service, but also the families whose lives were shaped by war and conflict.
It was particularly meaningful to attend alongside pupils from John Bramston School, seeing them pay their respects and helping to ensure that the stories and sacrifices of previous generations continue to be remembered.
I would like to thank everyone who organised and attended the commemorations across our borough. The turnout at events across Redbridge showed the deep respect our community continues to hold for those who served, and for the families whose lives were forever changed by war.
On Thursday evening, Cabinet approved Redbridge's new strategy to tackle violence against women and girls.
This is an issue that is deeply personal for many people. But you do not need a personal connection to believe that violence against women and girls is wrong. Every woman and girl deserves to feel safe, whether they are at home, at work, in education, online or out in our community.
Our ambition, in line with the Government's own ambition, is to halve violence against women and girls over the lifetime of this strategy. We know that is a significant challenge, and there are no quick fixes. But that does not mean we should lower our sights.
We will do everything in our power to work with partners across Redbridge to tackle violence against women and girls. That means focusing on prevention, supporting victims and survivors, and holding perpetrators to account.
I am also incredibly proud of the work our staff already do in this area. Behind every referral, every phone call and every request for help is a resident going through one of the most difficult periods of their life. What continually impresses me is that our teams never see these cases as numbers on a spreadsheet or statistics in a report. They take them personally. Every day, they provide practical support, understanding and reassurance to people who need it most. Through services such as Reach Out and the work of our partners across the borough, they help survivors find safety, rebuild their confidence and begin to look ahead again. It is work that rarely makes headlines, but it changes lives and saves lives.
Ultimately, this is about the kind of borough we want to be. A borough where women and girls feel safe, respected and able to live their lives free from fear. I know that is something we can all get behind, and something we all have a role to play in achieving.
I hope you have a peaceful weekend.
Kam
