The Council of Redbridge met on Thursday 24 September 2026. The agenda included proposed reforms to planning committees, the council's treasury management outturn for the 2025/26 financial year, and a petition regarding the completion of the Wanstead High School and Leisure Centre project. The meeting also included consideration of business motions on responsible investments, the Broadmead Road Bridge, and the response to recent Thames Water disruptions.

Planning Committee Reform

The council was scheduled to consider proposed reforms to the operation of Planning Committees, as mandated by the government. These reforms aim to standardise decision-making across England and are intended to support the delivery of new homes. Key changes include the introduction of a national scheme of delegation, requiring smaller planning committees, and the stipulation that planning decisions must comply with new regulations from 31 October 2026. The report highlighted that failure to implement these changes could expose the council to judicial review of planning decisions. The proposed amendments to the council's Constitution were designed to ensure compliance with these new regulations.

Treasury Management Outturn 2025/26

A report was scheduled to be presented detailing the council's treasury management activities for the 2025/26 financial year. This would include an overview of borrowing and investment of cash balances, and treasury prudential indicators. The general policy outlined was the prudent investment of treasury balances and cost-effective borrowing to finance long-term investments in council assets. The report was required by regulations under the Local Government Act 2003 and would cover the outturn position, including commentary on the strategy adopted and actual prudential indicators.

Petition for Debate: Wanstead High School and Leisure Centre

The council was scheduled to consider a petition signed by over 2,000 residents demanding the urgent completion of building works at Wanstead High School and the associated Leisure Centre. The petition highlighted a decade of delays and a lack of urgency from the council, citing significant disruption to pupils, staff, and the wider community. Concerns were raised about the impact on the quality of education due to extended reliance on temporary facilities and the absence of a contractor or timeline for the leisure centre project. The report outlined the council's recovery process following the insolvency of the original contractor, including a gap analysis, enabling works, and surveys to determine the outstanding scope of work.

Business Motions

Several business motions were scheduled for consideration:

• Responsible Investments: This motion, moved by Councillor Kam Rai and seconded by Councillor Matthew Goddin, was scheduled to focus on the Redbridge Pension Fund's adoption of a Responsible Investment Policy. The policy integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks, including human rights considerations, into investment decision-making. The motion aimed to reaffirm the council's commitment to responsible investment, active stewardship, and transparency.
• Broadmead Road Bridge: Proposed by Councillor Jo Blackman and seconded by Councillor Guy Williams, this motion was scheduled to address the critical role of Broadmead Road Bridge in Redbridge and Northeast London. The bridge has been closed since July 2023 due to structural defects, impacting 15,000 vehicle journeys daily and leading to increased London Fire Brigade attendance times. The motion supported the council's application for funding from the Department for Transport's Structures Fund to replace the bridge, highlighting the broad support for the project.
• Thames Water: Moved by Councillor Judith Garfield and seconded by Councillor Jamal Uddin, this motion was scheduled to address the significant disruption experienced by over 17,000 Redbridge residents due to multiple water main bursts in August 2026. The motion noted the inconvenience and distress caused, the council's efforts to support residents when Thames Water's response was deemed insufficient, and expressed thanks to those involved in the support efforts. It also requested a meeting with Thames Water to discuss preventative measures and recommended that the Chair of the External Scrutiny Committee invite Thames Water representatives to a future meeting.

Changes to Appointments to Committees

The council was asked to consider changes to committee memberships, including appointments to the Licensing Committee, Pension Fund Committee, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Standards Committee, Clean and Green Committee, and the Housing Committee.

Leader Appointments to Statutory Boards and Panels

The council was to note appointments made by the Leader to various panels and other bodies, including the Health & Wellbeing Board, Local London Joint Committee, Corporate Parenting Panel, Public & Voluntary Sector Corporate Partnership, Fairlop Liaison Group, Commissioning Panel, and Shareholder Reference Group.

Other Agenda Items

The agenda also included standard items such as apologies for absence, declarations of interest, correspondence, approval of minutes from the previous meeting, Mayor's announcements, questions from members of the public and councillors, and any urgent business.