The Redbridge Council Cabinet met on Thursday, 13 November 2025, to discuss the borough's budget strategy for 2026/27, review treasury management, and approve updates to the procurement strategy and ESG policy. Key decisions included approving the budget strategy, noting the mid-year treasury management review, and adopting the new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy for 2025-30.

Budget Strategy 2026/27

The Cabinet discussed the significant financial challenges facing the Council, with a projected budget gap of £59.574 million for 2026/27, rising to £228.448 million over the five-year Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) period. Councillor Vanisha Solanki, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced the report, highlighting that despite Redbridge being recognised for its efficiency, the increasing demand for adult social care and homelessness services, coupled with historic underfunding, makes balancing the budget increasingly difficult. The strategy acknowledges the need for financial efficiencies and outlines plans to rebuild the Council's depleted reserves. The Cabinet was recommended to endorse the strategy to balance the budget and noted that detailed budget proposals would be presented in January 2026.

2025/26 Treasury Management Mid-Year Review

Councillor Vanisha Solanki also presented the mid-year review of the Council's treasury activities. The review confirmed that all borrowing and investment activities have been conducted in accordance with the approved Treasury Management Strategy and within the set Prudential Limits. The report noted that interest rates are forecast to continue falling over the next three years, albeit at a slower pace than previously anticipated. The Council's borrowing and investment portfolio remains within the approved limits, with risks managed and balanced against yield. The Cabinet was recommended to refer this report to the Council meeting on 20 November 2025 for noting.

Budgetary Control Report for Quarter 2 2025/26

Councillor Vanisha Solanki presented the Q2 Budgetary Control Report, highlighting a significant forecast overspend of £31.666 million for the General Fund. This overspend is primarily attributed to pressures in Adult Social Care and Homelessness services. The report indicated that if all planned cost mitigations were delivered, the forecast outturn would reduce to £27.850 million. The Cabinet was recommended to note the forecast overspend, the mitigating actions included, and the progress of the approved savings programme. Significant slippage in the capital programme was also noted, with General Fund capital slippage from 2025/26 to 2026/27 agreed at £79.037 million.

Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-30

Councillor Saima Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, introduced the new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy for 2025-30. The strategy aims to prevent and reduce homelessness through early intervention and proactive working with the Council's statutory and voluntary sector partners and with the wider community. It outlines four strategic objectives: increasing the supply of suitable housing, increasing homelessness prevention, preventing and minimising rough sleeping, and enhancing partnership working. The Cabinet was recommended to adopt the strategy and its accompanying first-year action plan, noting the consultation feedback and the Equalities Impact Assessment. The report highlighted significant pressures on homelessness services, with over £106 million spent on temporary accommodation over the past five years, resulting in an overspend of £38 million. Data presented showed a disproportionate impact of homelessness on Black and Asian households, and on female-led households in temporary accommodation.

Procurement Strategy and ESG Procurement Policy Update 2025

Councillor Helen Coomb, Cabinet Member for Resources and Transformation, presented an update to the Council's Procurement Strategy and the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Procurement Policy. The updated Procurement Strategy aligns with the new Procurement Act 2023 and the National Procurement Policy Statement 2025, aiming for ethical, sustainable, and inclusive procurement practices. The ESG Procurement Policy embeds principles focused on community value, responsible procurement, local economic support, and climate action. The Cabinet was recommended to approve the updated Procurement Strategy and the ESG Procurement Policy.

Continuation of the 4 Borough Emergency Duty Team Service

Councillor Lloyd Duddridge, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, presented a report on the continuation of the 4 Borough Emergency Duty Team (EDT) service. This service, provided across Havering, Barking & Dagenham, Waltham Forest, and Redbridge, has been a cost-effective arrangement since 2014. The report recommended continuing the current arrangements with a new three-year agreement from April 2026 to March 2029. The Cabinet agreed to authorise the Executive Director of People to negotiate the terms and enter into the necessary legal agreements.

Redbridge Corporate Performance Report Quarter 1 2025/26

Councillor Kam Rai, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Growth and Regeneration, introduced the Quarter 1 Corporate Performance Report. The report demonstrated progress towards the Council's key priorities as outlined in the Redbridge Plan 2022-2026, showing outturn data and achievements between April and June 2025. The Cabinet noted the performance against key priority measures for Redbridge.

Modernising Redbridge

Councillor Helen Coomb, Cabinet Member for Resources and Transformation, presented the Modernising Redbridge Programme. This programme is a comprehensive response to the challenges of austerity, rising inequality, and increasing demand for services, aiming to fundamentally reinvent the Council's operations. The Cabinet approved the programme, delegated authority for project additions and removals to the Leader in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Member and Executive Leadership team, and approved the governance arrangements.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule Review & Infrastructure Delivery Plan Update (IDP)

Councillor Vanisha Solanki, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced the report on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule Review and Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) update. CIL is a charge on new developments to fund supporting infrastructure. The review aims to encourage development by proposing lower or removed charges. The Cabinet approved the publication of the CIL Draft Charging Schedule for public consultation and delegated authority for minor amendments and submission to an independent examiner. The updated IDP was also approved for publication.

CIL Relief Governance Arrangements for Values Over £0.250m

Councillor Vanisha Solanki also presented a report on CIL Relief governance arrangements for values over £0.250m. To speed up development commencements, it was proposed that CIL relief decisions over £0.250m be made under delegated authority by the Executive Director of Place, Communities and Enterprise in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance. The Cabinet approved this change in governance.

Corporate Peer Challenge Feedback Report

Councillor Kam Rai, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Growth and Regeneration, introduced the feedback report from the Corporate Peer Challenge. The Cabinet noted the findings of the LGA Feedback Report and the Draft Action Plan developed in response.

Forward Plan

The Cabinet agreed the items shown in the Forward Plan for November 2025 to January 2026.

The meeting concluded with the date of the next meeting being set for 11 December 2025.