Here's a summary of the Redbridge Council cabinet meeting held on 13 November 2025. Councillors approved the Budget Strategy for 2026/27, reviewed the Treasury Management Strategy, and discussed budgetary control for the second quarter of 2025/26. They also approved a new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, and a Procurement Strategy with an updated ESG Procurement Policy.

Budget Strategy 2026/27

The cabinet approved the Budget Strategy for 2026/27, which outlines the council's approach to financial planning for the upcoming year. The strategy sets out the financial challenges facing the council, including increasing demand for services and continued pressure on funding.

2025/26 Treasury Management Mid-Year Review

The cabinet reviewed the 2025/26 Treasury Management Mid-Year Review. Treasury management refers to how the council manages its investments and cash flow. The report provided an update on the council's treasury management activities during the first half of the financial year, including investment performance and borrowing.

Budgetary Control Report for Quarter 2 2025/26

The cabinet discussed the Budgetary Control Report for Quarter 2 2025/26, which provided an overview of the council's financial performance during the second quarter of the financial year. The report included details of spending against budget, as well as any significant variances. Supporting documents for this item included the General Fund Revenue Q2 Appendix A, Savings Summary Q2 Appendix Di, Capital Q2 Appendix B, HRA DSG Q2 202526 Appendix C and Outstanding Debt Q2 202526 Appendix E.

Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-30

The cabinet approved the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-30, which sets out the council's approach to tackling homelessness and rough sleeping in the borough over the next five years. The strategy focuses on prevention, early intervention, and providing support to those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Supporting documents for this item included the Draft Homeless and RS Strategy Action Plan 2025 V17 13102025 Appendix A and the Homeless Rough Sleeping Strategy EQIA 31 July 2025 APP B.

Procurement Strategy and ESG Procurement Policy Update 2025

The cabinet approved the Procurement Strategy and ESG Procurement Policy Update 2025. The Procurement Strategy outlines the council's approach to buying goods, services, and works. The ESG Procurement Policy sets out how the council will consider environmental, social, and governance factors in its procurement processes. Supporting documents for this item included the Consultation and Evidence Document - Oct 2025 V7 01102025 App C, LBR procurement-strategy-2025-2030 Draft Appendix A and LBR ESG Procurement Policy 2025-2030 Draft v2 Appendix B.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

The cabinet discussed the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule Review & Infrastructure Delivery Plan Update (IDP). The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge that Redbridge Council imposes on new developments to help fund infrastructure improvements. The council is currently reviewing its CIL Charging Schedule and updating its Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP). The IDP sets out the infrastructure needs and costs for the borough. The cabinet agreed to:

• Approve the publication of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Draft Charging Schedule and a six-week statutory public consultation.
• Delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, to approve any minor amendments to the statement of representations' procedure and minor amendments to the CIL Draft Charging Schedule following the public consultation.
• Delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, to submit the Draft CIL Charging Schedule to an independent examiner for Examination in Public, if there are no substantive modifications required following consultation.
• Approve the updated Infrastructure Delivery Plan for publication on the council's website and delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, to make any minor amendments, corrections, and clarifications to the Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

CIL Relief Governance Arrangements

The cabinet agreed to change the governance arrangements for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) relief decisions for values over £0.250m. Previously, only the Leader of the Council could approve these decisions. Now, the Executive Director of Place, Communities and Enterprise, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, will have the delegated authority to make these decisions. This change aims to speed up development commencements by reducing delays in the CIL relief decision-making process.

Corporate Peer Challenge Feedback Report

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Growth introduced the Corporate Peer Challenge Feedback Report. The report shared the findings of the Corporate Peer Challenge that took place in Redbridge during 15 – 18 July 2025. The cabinet noted the findings of the Local Government Association (LGA) Feedback Report and the draft action plan in response to the report.

Modernising Redbridge

The Cabinet Member for Transformation and Digital introduced the Modernising Redbridge Programme. The programme is described as a structured, whole-council response to challenges such as austerity, rising inequality, and a growing population. It aims to reinvent the way the council operates by investing in people, processes, and platforms. The cabinet approved the Modernising Redbridge Programme and delegated authority for additions and removals of projects to the Leader in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Member and Executive Leadership team. They also approved the governance arrangements for the programme and noted the commencement of resident, staff, and partner survey activities.

Redbridge Corporate Performance Report Quarter 1 2025/26

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Growth introduced the Redbridge Corporate Performance Report for Quarter 1 2025/26. The report demonstrates progress made towards delivering the council's key priorities as outlined in the Redbridge Plan 2022-2026. The cabinet noted the performance against the key priority measures for Redbridge.

Continuation of the 4 Borough Emergency Duty Team Service

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People introduced the report on the Continuation of the 4 Borough Emergency Duty Team (EDT) Service. The four-borough service, which includes the London Boroughs of Havering, Barking & Dagenham, Waltham Forest and Redbridge, provides a standardised service across the boroughs and is managed and delivered by Redbridge Council. The cabinet agreed that the Executive Director of People, with the agreement of the respective Cabinet Members, be authorised to negotiate the terms of and to enter into the necessary legal agreements to continue a children's four borough EDT service.

Forward Plan

The cabinet agreed to the items shown in the Forward Plan for 1 November 2025 to 30 January 2026.