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Monday, 23 December 2024
 Dear neighbour,
It's hard to believe we're at the end of another year, and the festive season is nearly upon us.
I hope you're all looking forward to having a well-earned break with your family and loved ones.
Please spare a thought for our frontline workers, who will be out in all weathers keeping our streets clean and safe, picking up the thousands of tonnes of waste and recycling accumulated over Christmas, and caring for some of our most vulnerable adults and children.
2024 has been a remarkable year, filled with numerous successes we can all celebrate and take pride in. Our Children’s Services Department was awarded an Outstanding rating, Fullwell Cross Library reopened after a makeover, and we successfully repaired over 12,000 potholes in the borough.
Nine of our parks won a Green Flag award, while Hainault Forest and Valentine's Park were both voted into the top 10 in the country. A report by an independent organisation also ranked us number one in London and number two in the country for being the most efficient council. It’s testament to our collective work to deliver high quality services while being a low funded council. I’ll keep fighting to make sure we get our fair share of funding, and the funding our residents deserve.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who have dedicated their time and efforts to make our borough a better place. Whether it's a community litter pick, tree planting day, or a play streets scheme for children, your contributions and sense of pride in our borough are truly remarkable.
While Christmas is a time of joy for many, it can also be a challenging period for some members of our community. If you have an elderly or vulnerable neighbour, please take a moment to check in on them. Your care and concern can make a significant difference and show them they are not alone.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
 Remember that your usual bin collection day will change over the festive period and New Year. Note down your revised collection dates so you don’t miss them!
Once the festivities are over, we’ll also collect real Christmas trees for free to recycle. To ensure collection, you must:
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Leave your tree at the boundary of your property by 6am on Monday 6 January
- Remove all decorations
- Ensure your tree is clearly visible
Alternatively, local charity Haven House is collecting and recycling Christmas trees from Friday 10 January to Thursday 13 January for a small donation that goes directly towards their work. This is a great opportunity to contribute to a local cause and be part of a community effort.
 Doctors in Redbridge are reminding people that choosing the right place for medical help over the Christmas holidays can help them get the treatment they need faster.
More than 242,000 people attended A&E in northeast London between December last year and February this year—with average daily attendances exceeding 2,600—and local hospital emergency departments are expected to be extremely busy again this winter.
Patients can seek urgent help and advice 24/7 from NHS 111 and will often be seen quicker by visiting their local pharmacy or a GP, even during the holiday season.
 The Snow Queen is showing at Redbridge Drama Centre this Christmas.
Join us for a festive adventure packed with magic, mystery, and plenty of laughs. But hurry, performances are only until Tuesday, 31 December.
Step into the world of Kai and Gerda, two best friends whose bond is tested when Kai mysteriously disappears. Join Gerda on her emotional and magical journey to find her friend as she overcomes thrilling challenges, meets fascinating characters, and learns the true power of friendship.
Book your tickets online, starting from just £15 per person. Don't miss out on this magical adventure.
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