The Cabinet of Redbridge Council is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, 17 June 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a review of the 2025/26 budgetary outturn, discussions on the regionalisation of fostering services, and the preparation for a new Local Plan.

Budgetary Control Report Outturn for 2025/26

The Cabinet is set to receive a comprehensive report detailing the financial performance of the Council for the year 2025/26. This report, titled Budgetary Control Report Outturn for 2025/26 Public reports pack 17th-Jun-2026 19.00 Cabinet.pdf, outlines the final outturn position for the General Fund, Capital Programme, Housing Revenue Account (HRA), and Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). It is scheduled to inform Cabinet of a £26.811 million overspend on the General Fund for the year. The report details variances across various directorates, including significant pressures within Place, Communities & Enterprise, and Adult Social Care. It also covers the delivery of the savings programme, capital outturn, and collection rates for Council Tax and Business Rates. The report will also highlight the outstanding debt position and the Housing Revenue Account's surplus, alongside the Dedicated Schools Grant's overspend. The impact on reserves and the overall reserves position will also be presented.

Regionalisation of Fostering Recruitment, Assessment and Support

A report titled Regionalisation of Fostering Recruitment, Assessment and Support Public reports pack 17th-Jun-2026 19.00 Cabinet.pdf is scheduled for discussion. This report seeks Cabinet's approval for Redbridge's continued participation in the Department for Education's (DfE) Renewing fostering: homes for 10,000 more children programme. The report outlines the proposed approach to meet expanded programme expectations, which include regional hubs taking responsibility for the full fostering recruitment and assessment pathway by September 2026. It highlights Redbridge's existing partnership with Waltham Forest, Tower Hamlets, and Havering in a regional fostering recruitment service, led by Waltham Forest. The report also seeks approval for delegation of decision-making authority to the Executive Director of Children Services to enable timely implementation of the expanded remit. The potential financial implications, including contributions to the lead authority and access to future DfE funding, are detailed, alongside legal and staffing considerations.

Preparation and Programme for a New Local Plan

The Cabinet is scheduled to consider a report on the Preparation and Programme for a new Local Plan Public reports pack 17th-Jun-2026 19.00 Cabinet.pdf. This report emphasizes the statutory duty to maintain an up-to-date Local Plan and its importance in shaping the borough's environment, attracting investment, and delivering key priorities such as affordable housing, job creation, and infrastructure development, while protecting green spaces and heritage assets. The report notes new secondary legislation requiring Local Plans to be completed within 30 months. It proposes the commencement of the Local Plan review process, outlining an indicative timetable and budget of approximately £4.651 million over four years. The report seeks approval to begin the review, with delegated authority requested for agreeing amendments to the timetable and approving the draft Local Plan process. The report also touches upon the importance of resident engagement, including that of children and young people, in shaping the new Local Plan.

The meeting will also include standard agenda items such as Apologies for Absence, Declaration of Interest, Minutes of the Previous Meeting, and Public Question Time. The Forward Plan, which outlines future key decisions, will also be presented.