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Council - Thursday, 22nd October, 2026 7.30 pm
October 22, 2026 at 7:30 pm Council View on council websiteSummary
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The Council meeting on Thursday, 22 October 2026, saw members agree to a motion supporting young people's potential and to confer the Freedom of the Borough on Mr Gordon Turpin. The meeting also included updates on the council's financial position and scrutiny reports.
Supporting Young People's Potential
Council agreed a motion to support every young person in Waltham Forest to fulfil their potential. The amended motion, brought forward by Councillor Chanté Johnson and seconded by Councillor Miriam Mirwitch, outlines a commitment to providing opportunities, support, and investment for young people. Key resolutions include launching a Youth Opportunity Charter and a borough-wide Skills and Jobs Partnership, aiming to create at least 1,000 new opportunities by 2030. The council also pledged to strengthen its careers service and youth support networks, ensuring young people have access to guidance, employability skills, and connections with local employers. Furthermore, the motion calls for youth workers employed or commissioned by the council to be paid at least the London Living Wage, and for a local youth work career pathway to be developed. The council will also write to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Mayor of London to advocate for long-term funding certainty for youth programmes and sustained funding for youth provision.
Freedom of the Borough Nomination
Council agreed to consider conferring the Freedom of the Borough on Mr Gordon Turpin in recognition of his eminent services to the Borough of Waltham Forest.
The nomination, moved by Councillor Tony Bell and seconded by Councillor John Moss, highlighted Mr Turpin's significant contributions to the Hyams Park community, including his involvement in the annual Spring Festival, Arts Trail, Christmas Fair, and the creation of Brookfield Meadows. A special meeting will be scheduled to formally confer the honour.
Financial and Scrutiny Updates
The Council noted the Treasury Management Mid-Year Review 2026-27, the Audit & Governance Committee Annual Report 2025-26, and the Scrutiny Annual Report 2025-26. These reports provided an overview of the council's financial activities, governance arrangements, and the work undertaken by scrutiny committees throughout the year. The Treasury Management report indicated that all activities had remained within approved limits and prudential indicators. The Audit and Governance Committee's report detailed their oversight of risk management, financial reporting, and audit assurance, while the Scrutiny Annual Report summarised the work of various scrutiny committees, including the Budget, Children and Families, Climate, Communities and Public Protection, Health and Adult Social Care, and Housing and Inclusive Economy committees.
Appointments
Council agreed a series of appointments to various committees and outside bodies, including changes to the Communities and Public Protection Scrutiny Committee, Children and Families Scrutiny Committee, Planning Committee, Public Transport Consultative Group, Adoption and Permanency Joint Panel, Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE), North London Waste Authority, and the Walthamstow Almshouses and General Charity. Councillor Luke Glazzard was appointed as Chair of the Planning Committee.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Appointments
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest Council on 22 October 2026 approved appointments to various committees and groups. Councillor Demetrius Williams, Councillor Rose Mary Warrington, Councillor Simone McNichols-Thomas, Councillor Luke Glazzard, Councillor Anna Rose Kerr, Councillor Rob Gardner, Councillor Peter Richardson, Jackie Kearns, and Surinder MacNulty were appointed to specific roles.
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Freedom of the borough nomination
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest Council on Thursday 22 October 2026 resolved to approve recommendations regarding the Freedom of the Borough nomination. It was noted that persons rendering eminent services to the Borough may be admitted as honorary freemen and that Mr Gordon Turpin's services merit this honour. A special meeting will be held to confer the Freedom of the Borough on a date to be confirmed.
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Audit & Governance Committee Annual Report 2025-26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest noted the Audit and Governance Committee Annual Report 2025-26 on 22 October 2026. The report summarised the committee's work on governance, risk management, financial reporting, treasury management, and audit assurance.
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Treasury management mid-year review 2026-27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest approved the treasury management activities from 1st April 2026 to 30th September 2026. This decision was made on 22nd October 2026. The council noted the treasury management activities as detailed in the 2026-27 Treasury Management Strategy Mid-Year Report.
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Scrutiny Annual Report 2025-26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest approved the Scrutiny Annual Report 2025-26 and endorsed the proposed 2026-27 work programmes on 22 October 2026. The Council noted the report and appendices, which summarised committee activity and outlined forward plans.
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Minutes of the council meeting held on the 16th July 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest Council agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 16th July 2026. The Council agreed to reaffirm its commitment to trans, non-binary, and intersex inclusion, commission a review of council policies, and ensure trans awareness training for staff. They also resolved to update HR policies, commit to self-identification for service access, include non-gendered facilities in new buildings, address healthcare barriers for trans residents, and write to the Minister for Women and Equalities.
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Labour Group Motion: Supporting every young person to fulfil their potential
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest Council approved recommendations on 22/10/2026. The Council agreed to launch a Youth Opportunity Charter and a borough-wide Skills and Jobs Partnership, strengthen the borough's careers service, and ensure youth workers are paid at least the London Living Wage.
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