The Regeneration and Economic Development Committee met to discuss the council's approach to regeneration and economic development, and to agree on a work plan for the upcoming year. Key discussions included strategies for inclusive growth, town centre revitalisation, and support for local businesses and employment.

Regeneration and Economic Development Work Plan

The committee discussed and agreed upon a work plan for the 2026-2027 municipal year. Director of Regeneration and Growth, Tom Dewey, presented an overview of the council's regeneration and economic development strategies, highlighting Redbridge's strengths and challenges. The committee agreed to structure future discussions under two main headings: Economic Growth Strategy and Regeneration Strategy. The Chair, Councillor Ben Cornish, will consult with officers and committee members on the specific topics for each upcoming meeting.

Economic Development and Inclusive Growth

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing Redbridge's approach to economic development and inclusive growth. Tom Dewey outlined the council's framework, which includes fostering economic development, facilitating placemaking, delivering high-quality housing, and ensuring residents are involved in the process. He emphasised the importance of positioning Redbridge as a growth location, with a focus on inclusivity.

Councillor Kallan Greybe raised concerns about inward investment potentially leading to hollowing out the local economy if profits flow out of the borough. Tom Dewey responded that this is being addressed through strategies that create reasons for people to stay in the borough, both in terms of placemaking and housing, and by fostering skills that encourage employers to invest locally.

The committee also discussed the creation of 6,000 new homes, with Councillor Erza Doda inquiring about the proportion of these homes that would be adaptable or accessible for people with specific needs. Tom Dewey indicated that the need for different types of homes would be detailed further, with evidence presented to the committee.

Councillor Marwan Elfallah highlighted Redbridge's status as the fourth fastest-growing borough in the UK, yet noted concerns about falling school rolls. Tom Dewey acknowledged this as a good question and suggested bringing back more evidence on demographic changes across different age groups.

Councillor Stephen Adams proposed a borough-wide health check report for town centres and high streets to assess occupancy rates, footfall, and specific needs. This was met with agreement, and it was noted that an economic growth dashboard is being developed to inform the economic growth strategy.

Employment and Skills

The committee explored various aspects of employment and skills development within the borough. Councillor Adam Austin inquired about job guarantees, and Tom Dewey explained that the council is testing a wage incentive program to encourage local employers to hire residents, with a focus on paying the London Living Wage. The council is also bidding for the Youth Guarantee program.

The discussion also touched upon supporting micro-businesses, with the Queen Victoria House Business and Enterprise Hub¹ being highlighted as a resource for local entrepreneurs. Liz Hannum, Economic Development Team Manager, mentioned the Work Redbridge programme, which has been running for 12 years and focuses on providing person-centred careers advice and employment support, particularly for priority groups.

Councillor Erza Doda reiterated the difficulties young people face in securing employment due to a lack of experience. Tom Dewey suggested that the committee could help inform the development of an economic growth strategy that addresses these issues, including potentially developing a graduate program. He also noted the reliance on external funding for employment and skills services and the potential need for lobbying for more fluid funding models.

Placemaking and Infrastructure

The importance of placemaking was a recurring theme. Councillor Shorif Hossain Akhonda raised the issue of residential roads lacking unique character and suggested future regeneration projects could address this. Tom Dewey agreed that this ties into public realm improvements and that best practices could be explored.

Concerns were also raised about housing development preceding local services. Tom Dewey explained that the local plan and opportunity area planning frameworks are tools used to ensure infrastructure requirements are met, and that developers contribute through community infrastructure levies. The committee also discussed the potential for expanded planning powers for the council.

The committee also considered sustainable transport, with a question about the prioritisation of cycling. Tom Dewey noted that this is being considered within transport frameworks, including the Ilford Arrival project, and that modal shift is a key consideration. The role of electric vehicles and their integration into high street planning was also discussed.

Financial Safeguards and Implementation

In response to a question about financial pressures and ambitious projects, Tom Dewey outlined the council's approach to implementation, which includes enabling others to deliver projects, working with partners like the GLA and Homes England, and robust risk management strategies. The importance of developers contributing to infrastructure and quality placemaking was also stressed.

The discussion also touched upon the need for a skills budget to assess the council's capacity to deliver projects and secure external funding. Tom Dewey explained that understanding project objectives and identifying where additional skills are needed is crucial for tackling grant funding.