The meeting included information about a new Cultural Action Plan, the adoption of a Private Rented Sector Strategy, and an update on how the council has been preparing to comply with the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023.

Cultural Action Plan

The meeting included an item on the Cultural Action Plan, which was scheduled for consideration by the Cabinet in December 2024. The report described the Cultural Action Plan as replacing the Arts for All cultural strategy, published in 2015. The action plan was described as being developed in part to, > adapt and shape a cultural vision and objectives closely aligned with Mission Waltham Forest, the preventative agenda and the new Stronger Communities Directorate.

The meeting included a presentation that summarised the action plan. This included the plan's vision to create > A vibrant corner of London where culture, creativity and community converge. Whether for a day or a lifetime, we welcome everyone to Waltham Forest.

The presentation included plans to deliver > the best conditions for equitable cultural opportunities and inclusive growth in the creative sector, whilst attracting visitors and creating impact for the borough.

The presentation listed the six themes of the action plan:

1. Community powered culture
2. Creative health and wellbeing
3. Creative education, skills and jobs
4. Cultural infrastructure and creative economy
5. Creative neighbourhoods
6. Culture and climate

The meeting included an Equalities Impact Assessment screener that had been undertaken for the action plan. The report states that > The findings show that the Cultural Action Plan will have a positive impact on advancing equalities and fostering good relations.

The report stated that the action plan had been reviewed and received approval at the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) meeting on 10 September, and was presented at the informal cabinet meeting on 26 September.

Private Rented Sector Strategy

The meeting was scheduled to include a discussion of a new Private Rented Sector Strategy. The strategy was described as a key element of the overarching Housing Strategy for the borough. The report highlighted that, > Private renters are disproportionately impacted by the housing crisis.

The report highlighted several challenges facing residents in the Private Rented Sector, including rising rents and the fact that > Rents in London have increased much faster than earnings meaning the capital is amongst the least affordable places in the country to rent.

The report also described the growth of the private rented sector in the borough, stating that > Waltham Forest has an estimated 28,500 privately rented properties in the borough, making up 28% of all housing. In comparison to 2013, there were an additional 3,500 households living in the private rented sector as of June 2023.

The meeting was scheduled to include a proposed vision for the private rented sector, which is > that Waltham Forest has a well-managed and equitable Private Rented Sector, with good quality, safe and secure homes, where landlords and tenants are all aware of their rights and responsibilities and are properly supported by the Council.

The meeting included a draft delivery plan for the new strategy, the Waltham Forest Private Rented Sector Strategy Delivery Plan. It also included an Equality Impact Assessment of the new strategy.

Infrastructure Delivery Plan and Infrastructure Funding Statement

The meeting included a report on the progress of a review of the Infrastructure Delivery Plan, which was produced in 2020. The report explained that the Infrastructure Delivery Plan had been designed to support the implementation of the Local Plan.

The report described the purpose of the plan as identifying, > What infrastructure is required; When it will be needed; How much is it likely to cost; How will it be funded; Who is responsible for providing it; and Any predicted funding gaps.

The report stated that the plan was being reviewed and was expected to be updated and republished in 2025.

The meeting was also scheduled to include discussion of the draft Infrastructure Funding Statement for 2023/24, which detailed what the council planned to spend the Community Infrastructure Levy on. The report highlighted several large schemes that were being funded by the Levy, including the £9 million Leyton tube station improvement project, and the £2.6 million Walthamstow Central Station improvements project.

The report described the challenges the council faces in meeting demand for infrastructure through developer contributions, noting that, > The IDP acknowledges the existence of a ‘funding gap’ between the known funding available and the total estimated cost of the delivery of infrastructure necessary to support inclusive growth.

Social Housing Regulation Update

The meeting included a report on the council's progress in implementing the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023. The report described how the council had commissioned the Housing Quality Network, > to support our preparation for the new act and regulatory changes and achieve a position of confident assurance in relation to our compliance with new regulatory standards.

The report included an update on the council's Tenant Satisfaction Measures. The council was reported to have completed just 85% of the required communal passenger lift safety checks during 2023/24. The report explained that, > Performance declined during a change of contractor. A recovery plan is in place to return to 100% compliance under the new contractor.

The report also stated that the council had only responded to 46% of its Stage 2 complaints on time, explaining that > We have implemented a new corporate complaints improvement plan to improve how we handle and manage Stage 2 complaints.

Internal Analysis of a Housing Ombudsman's Severe Maladministration Determination

The meeting included a report on a Housing Ombudsman determination of severe maladministration that the council had received on 10 June 2024. The report described the Ombudsman's investigation as covering the council's response to > Reports of a leak entering the complainant’s property [...] from a neighbouring property which is leasehold.

The Ombudsman found severe maladministration on three aspects of the case:

1. Handling of repairs
2. Complaint handling
3. Record Keeping

The Ombudsman ordered the council to pay £2,075 in compensation to the resident.

The meeting was to include a discussion of the lessons learned from the Ombudsman's findings. The report included details of service improvements already being made to address the failings identified by the Ombudsman, including the introduction of a new no access protocol to improve the process of gaining access to properties for repairs, and the implementation of the NEC Transform system. The NEC Transform system was described as requiring, > that all interactions with residents are logged.

The Scrutiny Report

The meeting included an item on the Scrutiny Report, which detailed the committee's work programme, and its actions and recommendations. The meeting included a draft Forward Plan for the committee's activities for the rest of the year. The Forward Plan included an update on the council's Corporate Plan, which had been approved by Cabinet on 17 July 2024.