Affordable housing should be made a priority in the borough, was the message for cabinet after a report from the scrutiny committee.

Councillors considered a report from the housing scrutiny working group at a meeting at Redbridge Town Hall, High Road, Ilford, on Tuesday.

The group, who met to consider the changes in housing policy, recommended the council should look into providing family-sized accommodation and development opportunities.

Chairman of the group Cllr Gwyneth Deakins said: “We believe the borough has effective resources to do this, including land and finances and it is just a matter of willpower.”

“This is not just the responsibility of the housing department but it involves the whole cabinet, including planning.”