Jul/Aug 2023

50
South Woodford Village Gazette
Leader’s reply
The Leader of Redbridge Council, Councillor Jas Athwal, responds to
residents’ concerns over the future of Wanstead Youth Centre and
addresses the council’s budgeting for leisure facilities in the borough
Redbridge is our home; it’s where many
of us chose to live, raise our families
and put down roots. I’ve lived in
Redbridge for over 50 years now with my
family, and as Leader of Redbridge Council,
my motivation has always been to make
our borough better for people to enjoy
now and for generations to come. That’s
why, despite punishing government cuts,
a decade of austerity and the rising cost
of living, our council is still investing in
Redbridge. Over the coming years, we are
investing £14m in brand-new community
facilities for local people.
I understand there is concern about Wanstead
Youth Centre, and I want to stress that no final
decision has been taken; we are exploring all
options to keep providing the best services
while setting a balanced budget in the face of
over 60% government budget cuts.
Wanstead Youth Centre, unfortunately, in its
current condition is no longer suitable for
long-term use due to the extensive repairs
needed to make it fit for purpose. Since
January, our council has undertaken an online
consultation, arranged meetings with hirers
and answered questions at various council
committees. In addition, our councillors
attended a public meeting organised at the
centre and met with users. In order to allow
further time to explore options for the future
use of the building, the council has now
scheduled the full report on Wanstead Youth
Centre to come forward for decision at the
Cabinet meeting in September. Business as
usual will continue until that decision is taken.
As a council, it is essential we ensure
taxpayers’ money provides value-for-money
services and benefits to the wider community.
We are one of the lowest-funded boroughs in
London and have been forced to make huge
savings of £236m because of government cuts
over the past decade. Despite this, we always
rise to the challenge of keeping vital services
running and investing in what matters most to
our neighbours.
Like all councils suffering from government
cuts, we must be innovative, making the best
use of existing facilities and spending public
money wisely. Take South Woodford Library
and Woodford Green Library, where we have
delivered new gyms. By using existing space,
we have saved money and created services
that pay for themselves, right in the heart of
local communities. We are investing in leisure
facilities across the borough, but we have to
ensure these don’t drain council resources. A
great example is Valentines Park lido, which
we are rebuilding 30 years after the old lido
was shut. The new lido will be built sustainably
and cover its own costs.
As a council, we are committed to investing in
services that matter most to the people who
live across our borough, but we do need to
spend our limited funding wisely.
To contact Councillor Jas Athwal, email
jas.athwal@redbridge.gov.uk
To advertise, call 020 8819 0595 or visit swvg.co.uk