Redbridge residents are being asked what services are their biggest priorities as the council's deputy leader warned it faces a predicted budget gap of £20million next year.

Kam Rai, the senior councillor overseeing the council’s yearly budget, says this year is his “toughest” in the role so far.

Cllr Rai said this is mainly due to the growing impact of inflation on the cost of council services and the loss of about £100m in core spending from the government since 2010.

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This poses a problem for senior councillors, who are legally required to approve a “balanced” budget before April each year.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he said: “We know what services are costing us in the current financial year and know what changes can be made – but that would still leave a gap. If we carry on as we are then we need to find an extra £20m.

“The problem this year, more than any other year, is inflation. We know that is affecting every resident but it’s also affecting the council and isn’t being covered by the government.

“If it was a normal year then we’d find a way, we’ve always found a way.”

Although no specific cuts have been outlined yet, the council is asking residents what priority should be given to its 400 services.

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These include weekly bin collections, cleaning parks, keeping libraries open, investing in high streets or building more leisure centres.

Cllr Rai said the council is also asking residents to sign a letter to the Prime Minister asking for fairer funding to councils “across London”.

Cllr Rai believes that if Redbridge received the average funding per resident for all London boroughs, it would have an extra £51m per year.

As the council is forecasting a gap of £80m over the next five years, that additional funding could make a difference to future spending decisions.

To fill in the survey and sign the letter to the Prime Minister, visit redbridge.gov.uk/budget-202324/tough-times-mean-tough-choices/.