Councillor Paul Donovan – who will not be seeking re-election for Labour in May – reflects on what has been good, bad or indifferent over the past eight years of serving as a Wanstead Village councillor
On the plus side has been the efforts to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises. Councillor Jo Blackman and myself brought the Climate Emergency Motion to the council in 2019. This was duly passed, leading to a new climate policy. On biodiversity, we were both on a Nature and Environment Scrutiny Task and Finish Group that set out a number of measures. Slowly, things have advanced on the environmental agenda. Things like tree pit adoption, grow zones and work around the River Roding have been encouraging.
Transport has been a thorny area. The extension of ULEZ and School Streets schemes have improved air quality for everyone. Controlled parking zones have handed streets back to the residents. Electric car charging provision has improved. The extension of cycle lanes has been encouraging, but Redbridge does lag behind neighbouring boroughs on things like cycle networks. And it has been frustrating looking back at how slow progress has been on transport.
We have not been bold enough with schemes like Low Emissions Neighbourhoods, restricting car movements and improving daily life. The rapid withdrawal of the few schemes deployed during the Covid crisis has to be a regret. It would be good to see more pedestrianisation of shopping areas, as has been seen with the Mini-Holland schemes in Waltham Forest. Redbridge does now have an active travel policy, but it has been slow to arrive. And things have not been made easier by TFL’s reordering of local bus provision.
Running local councils, though, is not easy, especially in these cash-strapped times. Redbridge has had more than £100m taken away by national government over the past decade. It is one of the worst-funded authorities per head in terms of the demands that now exist. Statutory duties like adult and children’s care swallow up over 75% of the budget. Dealing with homelessness is another growing statutory demand. So, life is not easy, constantly trying to deliver more for less. It is something there could be a little more public understanding of when the council is looking for innovative ways to address the shortfalls.
Mostly, people become councillors for the right reason: to serve the community. They should not be expected to become lightning rods for people’s frustrations and anger. Yes, things go wrong or could be done better. People have the right to protest. But it increasingly feels like people just need something to get angry about. The rapidity with which a lynch mob mentality can develop via social media is alarming.
It has been great to serve the people of Wanstead for the past eight years. Much has been achieved but, given the resources, much more could be done. Above all, though, moving forward, let’s be nicer to each other.
Paul is a Labour councillor for Wanstead Village ward. Visit wnstd.com/donovan
