Leader's message - Friday 3 October 2025
Published: 03 October 2025
I must begin this week’s message by expressing my deep sorrow and shock at the horrific terrorist attack that took place at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur. I visited several of our synagogues yesterday afternoon and evening to join Yom Kippur services and offer my support and solidarity. I also want to acknowledge the speed and professionalism with which our local police officers provided much-needed visible reassurance to our Jewish community. To all my neighbours, I send my heartfelt Yom Kippur greetings. May this time of reflection bring peace and renewal.
This week also marked the end of Navratri, and I want to extend my warmest wishes to all our Hindu neighbours. Over the past nine nights, many of you have come together in prayer, music, and dance, celebrating the victory of good over evil and embracing positivity and inner strength. As the festival season continues, Navratri flows into Diwali. May it bring happiness, prosperity, and renewed hope to you and your loved ones.
I also want to say a big thank you to everyone involved in our recent Hainault Community Activity Day. This was the second of our ‘We Are Redbridge’ neighbourhood events, and it was fantastic to see so many people come together to make it a success. As well as helping plant flowers and brighten things up, council officers spoke with lots of residents about support available; whether it’s finding work, changing jobs, or sorting out financial and benefits issues. The Healthy Bus was also on hand offering quick check-ups, which many people made good use of. If you missed it, do keep an eye out for future dates and locations.
On a lighter note, many of you noticed a strange smell across parts of the borough last week. Our Pollution Control Team investigated and traced the source to agricultural muck spreading in a neighbouring borough. While this is perfectly lawful, the wind direction carried the smell further than usual. We’ve worked closely with those involved to ensure best practice is followed, and I’m pleased to report the smell has now dissipated. Thank you for your patience and for reporting the issue.
I also started the week at the Labour Party Conference, which was productive and energising. The Prime Minister’s speech was particularly powerful; it rings true that there is no place for hate in this country. That message feels especially important right now.
Finally, I want to highlight a really positive development for local transport. TfL has announced it will assess 17 Underground stations for step-free access, including Snaresbrook here in Redbridge. This is a welcome step towards making our transport network more inclusive, and will make a real difference for residents with mobility needs, parents with pushchairs, and older people. We’ll continue working closely with TfL to help make this happen and to push for Barkingside, which was also being considered for upgrades.
As always, please help us look after Redbridge by reporting issues via Love Clean Streets or Report It. Your care and vigilance make a real difference and helps us keep the borough cleaner, greener and safer. Let’s continue to stand together, celebrate our diversity, and look out for one another.
