Alex Holmes - Councillor for Redbridge (Valentines)

Councillor Alex Holmes

Labour Valentines

Email: Alex.Holmes@redbridge.gov.uk

Council: Redbridge

Council Profile: View on council website

Committees: Children and Young People Policy Development Committee (Chair) Council (Member) External Scrutiny Committee (Member)

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Positions, Voting Record & Activity Summary

Last updated: 8 days ago

Councillor Alex Holmes has demonstrated a consistent and evolving commitment to Redbridge Council over his years of service, with a pronounced focus on the well-being of young people and the equitable treatment of vulnerable residents, particularly in his most recent activities.

Key Themes and Priorities:

Across his council service, Holmes has consistently prioritized the welfare of children and young people, as well as advocating for vulnerable communities. His work has spanned areas such as the cost and standard of placements for looked-after young people, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision, and ensuring equitable access to services. More recently, his focus has broadened to include direct engagement with ward-specific issues, such as social housing eligibility and the protection of natural assets.

Evolution of Focus:

While Holmes has maintained a strong dedication to youth services, his recent activities show an expansion of his engagement. In earlier years (2024-2025), his leadership as Chair of the Children and Young People Policy Development Committee (PDC) was central. By 2026, while still deeply involved in youth-related matters, his role as a Valentines ward representative became more prominent, leading to direct involvement in policy debates on social housing and environmental protection. This suggests a progression from a committee-focused leadership to a more direct, ward-level advocacy alongside his broader council responsibilities.

Most Significant Contributions (Emphasis on Recent Years):

In 2026, Holmes was a highly visible figure. He chaired the Children and Young People Policy Development Committee, with a specific emphasis on SEND provision outside mainstream settings. Critically, he took a strong stance against the proposed increase in the income threshold for social housing eligibility, directly challenging Redbridge's methodology by stating it was >looser and less refined < and questioning the rationale for families in temporary accommodation. His co-sponsorship of the motion >Protect and Restore Our Natural Assets < further highlights his engagement with pressing environmental concerns.

In 2025, his leadership as Chair of the Children & Young People PDC was significant. He successfully guided the Cost and Standard of Placements for Looked After Young People report, leading to actionable recommendations. His advocacy for improved SEND provision, including the timely issuance of EHCPs, was a cornerstone of his work. He also demonstrated a commitment to inclusivity through his motion supporting equal access for the Roma community and raised concerns about temporary accommodation placements.

In 2024, Holmes laid the groundwork for his future leadership. He advocated for improved bus stop facilities for vulnerable individuals and took on a role within the Clean and Green PDC. His early involvement in addressing The Cost and Standard of Placements for Young People as Chair-elect of the Children and Young People PDC demonstrated his foresight and commitment to addressing critical youth welfare issues.

Patterns and Consistent Areas of Interest:

Throughout his council service, Alex Holmes has consistently demonstrated a deep concern for the most vulnerable members of the community, particularly children and young people. His dedication to scrutinizing council policies and ensuring their fairness and effectiveness is a recurring theme. His active participation in policy development committees, coupled with his direct engagement on ward-level issues, showcases a comprehensive approach to public service.

Yearly Activity Timeline

In 2026, Councillor Alex Holmes was a prominent figure at Redbridge Council, particularly in January. He chaired the Children and Young People Policy Development Committee, with a stated focus on SEND provision outside mainstream settings. Holmes also actively represented Valentines ward, voicing strong opposition to the proposed increase in the income threshold for social housing eligibility. He criticized Redbridge's methodology as >looser and less refined < and questioned the justification for families in temporary accommodation. Furthermore, he seconded the motion >Protect and Restore Our Natural Assets. <

Monthly Activity in 2026

During January 2026, Councillor Alex Holmes was actively involved in Redbridge Council meetings. He served as Chair of the Children and Young People Policy Development Committee, noting their upcoming focus on SEND provision outside mainstream settings. Holmes also represented Valentines ward and raised significant concerns about the proposed increase in the income threshold for social housing eligibility, questioning its justification for families in temporary accommodation and criticizing Redbridge's methodology as looser and less refined compared to neighboring boroughs. Additionally, he seconded the motion Protect and Restore Our Natural Assets.

Meetings in January 2026
Redbridge Council - 22 January 2026

Councillor Alex Holmes seconded the motion Protect and Restore Our Natural Assets, which was moved by Councillor Kam Rai.

Activity Timeline

Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.

57 meetings · Page 1 of 12

External Scrutiny Committee Member

Redbridge Council

February 05, 2026
Council Member

Redbridge Council

The Council of Redbridge met on Thursday, 22 January 2026, to discuss a range of reports and motions. Key topics included the mid-year review of treasury management, the local council tax reduction scheme for 2026/27, and the Governance and Assurance Committee's annual report. The meeting also featured several business motions addressing small businesses, violence against women and girls, and the protection of natural assets.

January 22, 2026
Children and Young People Policy Development Committee Chair

Redbridge Council

The Children and Young People Policy Development Committee met to discuss the impact of falling school rolls and the upcoming government white paper on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Key discussions included strategies to manage declining student numbers, the potential for school closures or amalgamations, and the implications of national SEND reforms for local provision.

January 15, 2026
Committee Member

Redbridge Council

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, 9 January 2025, was set to review several key council reports and performance data. Discussions were planned around the budgetary control report for month 8, the corporate performance report for the second quarter of 2024/25, and the annual complaints and ombudsman report for 2023/24. Additionally, updates from Policy Development Committees, including reports on the future of waste collection and disposal, and tackling poverty, were scheduled for consideration.

January 01, 2026
Committee Member

Redbridge Council

The General Purposes Committee met to discuss the ongoing review and redrafting of the council's constitution, agreeing to a revised timetable for its approval. The committee noted the progress of Phase 2 of the review, which includes significant changes to the structure, content, and accessibility of the constitution. A final version of the constitution is expected to be submitted to the committee at its next meeting, before going to the Full Council in March for adoption.

December 11, 2025

Decisions from Meetings

1 decision

Public Question Time

From: Redbridge Council - September 10, 2025

Recommendations Approved

Summary

Meetings Attended: 57

Average per Month: 2.7

Decisions Recorded: 1