 Friday 8 September 2023
 Following the government announcement on potential Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) last week, Redbridge Council has supported local schools to remain open to students.
Department for Education guidance has been shared with Redbridge schools. Of the schools that suspect they may have RAAC, based on a visual inspection, alternative arrangements have been put in place.
The Leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Jas Athwal, has written to the Secretary of State for Education calling for the government to urgently make funding available to schools to organise essential surveys to determine the existence of RAAC on school sites.
In the meantime, we are continuing to work closely with the senior leadership teams of our affected schools to reduce and mitigate any disruption to their teaching.
 Redbridge Council is proposing to deliver an education and youth hub at Wanstead Youth Centre, securing its future for use by generations of children, young people, and local community groups.
This week, the council published a report recommending a way forward for the centre, which includes the delivery of education services, a tuition centre, and an Early Years Play and Development centre alongside additional youth services. The proposals, which would be funded by the council's Education Service, will go to Cabinet for approval on Thursday 14 September.
The proposals include renovating the building and co-locating education and youth services to create an education and youth hub to serve the west of Redbridge. Additional funding would be secured through the council's ringfenced Education Service budget to deliver the scheme.
 On Sunday 17 September, Wanstead Festival will return to Christchurch Green again. This annual festival will feature many familiar attractions enjoyed at the event before and lots to watch and enjoy.
The festival will run from 11am to 6pm with performances, stalls and activities taking place throughout the day.
The day will feature lots of fun and activities such as:
- Car show
- Nature quiz
- Children’s Rides
- Holistic and Wellbeing Zone
- Zumba
- Sports demonstrations
- Land train
- Strolling performers
 We are delighted to announce that Foxburrows Farm in Hainault Forest is now open.
The Farm is the final attraction to reopen as part of the £7m Hainault Forest Restoration Project, thanks to funding from Redbridge Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Mayor of London.
The farm has welcomed new sheep, pigs, and goats to the existing family of shetland ponies, alpacas, geese, ducks, peafowl, and rabbits, all housed in the beautiful surroundings of Hainault Forest.
Over the coming months, the collection of animals will expand as the farm continues to grow and improve.
Come and say hi to our furry friends.
 The hot weather is set to continue over the weekend. We want you to enjoy the warm weather, but we also want you to keep safe.
Our partners in NHS have some great tips on staying cool and beating the heat.
If you start to feel the heat when you're out and about, why not pop into one of our 17 Community Living Rooms? They are cool and welcoming places to use and shelter from the hot sunshine.
 Parents and carers can now apply online for places at Redbridge schools for the 2024/25 academic year.
For children starting school for the first time, transferring from infant to junior or from primary to secondary, applications should be made via our admissions team.
For primary school admissions, applications are open for children born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020. The deadline for primary school applications or to transfer from infants to juniors is Monday 15 January 2024.
For secondary school admissions, applications are open for children born between 1 September 2012 and 31 August 2013. The deadline for secondary applications is Tuesday 31 October 2023.
You can find more information on how school places are offered by applying online to help you with your application.
 Are you feeling a bit rusty on your bike but want to cycle more for commuting or leisure, or want to get out and about and explore your local area?
If so, why not come along to one of the family-friendly guided rides run by Cycle Confident over the next two Saturdays.
Everyone is welcome; sign up through the Cycle Confident website, or pop along on the day.
Please see the list of events below:
- Loxford Park Saturday 9 September (10 - 11.30am)
- Goodmayes Park Saturday 9 September (11.30 – 1pm)
- Fairlop Waters Saturday 16 September (9 –10.30am)
- Valentines park Saturday 16 September (10.30- 12pm)
Free child, adult and family cycle training is also available to book as part of the We Care for our Air project.
 It’s Zero Waste Week, and we’re supporting the national environmental campaign to get everyone to waste less. We can all play our part to help tackle climate change by reducing our household waste and recycling as much as we can of whatever waste is left.
In support of Zero Waste Week, why not try out these clever waste-cutting ideas:
 Have your say on how we develop the borough’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure and where we place EV charge points.
Head to our Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy consultation to leave your feedback.
 Community Crowdfunding Redbridge has launched its Autumn funding round with another opportunity for local groups to secure up to £10,000 from Redbridge Council's NCIL funding stream towards locally-led projects that will benefit local people.
Our crowdfunding partners Spacehive are hosting a workshop for anyone with an idea to improve their local area on Tuesday 19 September 2023 starting at 12pm.
This will be a one hour in person meeting held in the York Room at the Central Library, Ilford Town Centre, those interested in joining the workshop can register here.
 Do you rent out property in Redbridge?
- Want to make sure you’re complying with your legal requirements?
- What to know about housing enforcement?
- Unsure of your responsibilities as a landlord?
Then why not join us for our next virtual Redbridge Landlord forum on Thursday 5 October, from 7pm – 9pm.
To book your place, visit Eventbrite .To view the agenda, read the PDF.
|
