Redbridge Council

Redbridge Council is addressing a projected £17.352 million overspend on its Dedicated Schools Grant, primarily due to rising demand for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision, as detailed in a report to Cabinet in September 2026. In September 2026, the Cabinet approved the Children's Social Care Sufficiency Strategy 2026–2029 to provide accommodation for children in care and received a report on positive early impacts from piloting national children's social care reforms. The council is also developing a School Organisation Strategy to manage changing demand for school places, with a growing need for specialist SEND places.

In September 2026, the council adopted four new council housing landlord policies, including an updated Domestic Abuse Policy and an Anti-Social Behaviour Policy. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee heard in September 2026 that complex anti-social behaviour cases in council housing are taking an average of 300 days to resolve. The Housing Committee began developing a new Supported Housing Strategy in September 2026, a statutory requirement by March 2027, to ensure vulnerable residents have access to safe homes and support.

The council faces a projected General Fund overspend of £8.485 million for the 2026/27 financial year, reported to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in September 2026, with pressures in directorates including Place, Communities and Enterprise. In July 2026, the Cabinet approved a review of its Local Plan to guide future development and continued participation in a regional fostering recruitment service. A new parking strategy, including emissions-based permits, was adopted in September 2026.