The Council of Redbridge met on Thursday, 17 March 2022, to discuss a range of important issues, including the adoption of new policies, the calendar of meetings for the upcoming year, and several business motions. Key decisions made included the adoption of the Redbridge Gambling Policy 2022-2025, a new Member Code of Conduct, and a Social Media Protocol. The Council also passed business motions expressing solidarity with Ukraine, seeking Fields in Trust status for Brocket Way Park, addressing women's safety, and calling for an increase in the Public Health Grant.

Calendar of Meetings for the Municipal Year 2022/23

The Council approved the proposed Calendar of Meetings for the Municipal Year 2022/23. This calendar outlines all scheduled meetings for the Council, Cabinet, Committees, and other Council-appointed bodies, as well as Local Forum meetings. Efforts were made to space meetings evenly, avoiding religious holidays and school breaks, and ensuring time for councillors to meet in their groups. An amendment was made to the proposed date of the External Scrutiny Panel meeting, moving it from 15 February 2023 to 27 February 2023 to avoid school holidays. Additionally, the Pension Fund Committee Meeting scheduled for 27 May was moved to 10 June to allow members to receive specific training beforehand.

Redbridge Gambling Policy 2022-2025

The Council adopted the revised Statement of Principles for Gambling 2022-2025. This policy is a legal requirement under the Gambling Act 2005¹ and must be reviewed every three years to provide a framework for gambling licence and permit applications. The adopted policy sets out the principles the Council will follow in regulating gambling within the borough.

Members Code of Conduct and Social Media Protocol

A new Member Code of Conduct, based on the Local Government Association (LGA) Model Member Code of Conduct, was adopted and will be implemented from 6 May 2022. Alongside this, a Social Media Protocol was also adopted with immediate effect. The Governance and Assurance Committee had previously reviewed these documents. The Council also agreed to delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Governance and Assurance Committee, to make amendments to the Member Code of Conduct to align with any future updates from the LGA, unless such updates significantly alter the Council's code. In cases of significant change, the Monitoring Officer will report to the Governance and Assurance Committee for consideration.

Redbridge Stands with Ukraine Business Motion

The Council passed a business motion condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine and expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people. The motion called for an unequivocal end to Russia's military campaign, urged the government to amend the Local Government Act to prevent local authorities from awarding contracts to Russian state-backed suppliers, and publicly recorded the Council's united support for Ukrainians in Redbridge, Ukraine, and globally. The motion also remembered those who have lost their lives in the conflict. The vote was 34 in favour, with 0 against and 1 abstention from the Mayor, Councillor Roy Emmett.

Business Motion on Fields in Trust Status for Brocket Way Park

A business motion was passed requesting that the Cabinet pursue the necessary statutory processes to grant Fields in Trust status to Brocket Way Park in Hainault Ward. This aims to protect the park as a valuable community asset from development and ensure its long-term enjoyment by future generations. An amendment was accepted, which congratulated the Council on its investment in improving the park's play area facilities and noted the Labour administration's prioritization of leisure, culture, sports, and nature facilities. The amended motion resolves that the Cabinet considers a report on protections for Brocket Way Park, which may include Fields in Trust status, and that the Council continues its investment in leisure, sports, and culture facilities. The amended motion was carried with 34 votes in favour, 0 against, and 1 abstention.

Business Motion on Women's Safety

The Council unanimously passed a business motion addressing violence against women and girls. The motion noted statistics on violence against women, including the murder of Sarah Everard and Mariah Rawlings in Redbridge, and highlighted the disproportionate impact on Deaf and Disabled women, women from Black Asian Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ women, and women living in poverty. It also detailed existing Council initiatives such as Women's Walks, a Women's Survey, the Community Crime Commission, and an online Women's Resource Centre. The Council resolved to call on the government to prioritise funding to end violence against women and girls, continue work on ending violence and street harassment in Redbridge, encourage reporting and education in local institutions, endorse the Community Crime Commission's findings, work with partners for zero tolerance towards harassment, improve women's safety with Redbridge Police, lead behaviour change campaigns, and join relevant networks. The vote was 34 in favour, 0 against, and 1 abstention.

Business Motion on Public Health in Redbridge

A business motion was passed highlighting concerns about Redbridge's Public Health Grant, which is noted as one of the lowest in London and the country. The motion stated that the government's 24% cut to the Public Health Grant since 2015/16, coupled with the transfer of responsibilities without adequate funding, has undermined the Council's ability to address community needs. It acknowledged the vital role of Public Health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Council resolved to thank the Redbridge Public Health Team for their work and to request that the Chief Executive write to the Minister for Public Health seeking an increase in the grant commensurate with the community's needs. An amendment proposed by Councillor Paul Canal, which largely mirrored the original motion, was defeated with 7 votes in favour and 26 against. The substantive motion was then carried with 26 votes in favour, 0 against, and 9 abstentions.

Public Questions and Member Questions

During the meeting, several public questions were addressed. Vicky Foster raised concerns about flooding in Fullwell Ward, asking about the regular clearing of gullies and drains and the availability of the section 19 flooding report. Councillor Jo Blackman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability, responded that the Council was committed to addressing flooding issues and that while gullies were cleared annually, the primary cause of flooding in Fullwell was insufficient capacity in the surface water sewer network, a matter being pursued with Thames Water. She also mentioned the development of rain gardens for sustainable drainage.

Members also posed questions to the Cabinet. Councillor Muhammed Javed asked for an update on the restoration of barns at Hainault Forest Country Park, with Councillor Kam Rai, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Growth and Regeneration, reporting that the restoration was halfway complete and scheduled for completion by early September 2022, promising new visitor facilities and opportunities for local entrepreneurs. Councillor Bert Jones inquired about RideLondon passing through the borough, and Councillor Athwal confirmed the event would take place on 29 May, expecting around 25,000 cyclists and highlighting the opportunity for local businesses. Councillor Namreen B. Chaudhry asked about continuing COVID-19 measures, with Councillor Mark A. Santos, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, stating the Council would continue to advise on vaccination, staying home when symptomatic, wearing face coverings in enclosed spaces, and maintaining good ventilation and hand hygiene. Councillor Hannah Chaudhry sought information on the achievements of the Work Redbridge Scheme, and Councillor Rai detailed significant successes in supporting residents into employment and training. Councillor Shoaib Patel asked about new features for an expanded Fairlop Waters Country Park, with Councillor Rai outlining plans for over 225 acres of additional land, a new visitor centre, adventure trail, and expanded facilities. Councillor Sadiq Kothia asked for an update on the Crime Commission, and Councillor Athwal reported that the Commission had concluded its review with 48 recommendations, which the Cabinet supported, with £1.4 million committed in the next year's budget for implementation. Councillor Suzanne M. Nolan questioned planning enforcement cases, and Councillor Sheila A. Bain, Cabinet Member for Planning and Enforcement, reported a significant reduction in open cases and the time taken to close them under the current Labour Council compared to the previous administration. Finally, Councillor Saima Ahmed asked about initiatives to make Redbridge cleaner and greener, and Councillor Blackman highlighted the success of the Neighbourhood Streetscene Service and the adoption of a new green open landscape policy, alongside measures to improve air quality, including the Schools Street Scheme and the installation of segregated bike lanes.