A raft of measures have been proposed to use money saved from the controversial scrapping of area committees.

The committees enabled people to raise concerns and discuss issues affecting their neighbourhoods with councillors, including planning applications.

But they were scrapped when Labour took power in Redbridge from the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition.

Critics said the move was an attack on democracy, but Labour said they were expensive and ineffective.

The council has now suggested using the savings for a variety of measures.

These include free swimming for people entitled to concessions, such as children and pensioners (£35,000), and the lifting of parking restrictions on Bank Holidays in permit-only and pay-and-display areas (£40,000).  

Other proposals include free, first-time bulky waste collection (£82,000) and the reinstatement of a public toilet at The Wash in Cranbrook Road and new toilets in Barkingside (£15,000).

Council leader Jas Athwal said, "The measures announced today are based on what residents have told us matter to them the most. 

"The next few years are going to be tough and we will have to learn to do more with less.

If agreed on Tuesday, projects such as the waste collection would start immediately but initiatives including free swimming at Fulwell Close will slowly be implemented. 

The policy and resource committee will decide on Tuesday whether to approve the expenditure.