This week in Waltham Forest:

Late-Night Popeyes Gets Green Light, But With Curbs

A new Popeyes fast food restaurant at 259 High Street, Walthamstow has been granted a premises licence, but not without some restrictions aimed at minimizing disruption to local residents. The Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee heard concerns about potential noise and anti-social behaviour from delivery drivers in the early hours.

• The application sought permission for late-night refreshment until 4:00 AM daily.
• 52 local residents and the council's Anti-Social Behaviour team submitted objections, citing concerns about public nuisance and crime.
• Following discussions with the police, the applicant, PLK Chicken UK Limited, agreed to close the venue to the public from 11:00 PM and operate delivery services only through an external hatch until 2:00 AM.

Despite these concessions, the Sub-Committee decided to further limit the hours, granting permission for late-night refreshment (deliveries only) from 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant must close to the public from 11:00 PM every night.

The Sub-Committee also imposed additional conditions, including:

• Staff must manage delivery drivers to prevent nuisance, with regular checks at the boundary of the premises.
• Drivers without an order must wait inside the premises or leave the residential area.
• The Order Ready button must be used to prevent drivers from congregating.
• Sustainable transport by delivery drivers must be promoted.
• Drivers must dismount before stepping onto the pavement.

This decision highlights the tension between supporting local businesses and protecting the quality of life for residents. The council will need to carefully monitor the situation to ensure that the conditions are enforced and that the restaurant does not become a source of disturbance.

Link to the Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee meeting

Planning Committee Meeting Cancelled

The Planning Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday 05 August 2025 has been cancelled. The meeting was set to discuss various planning applications in the borough.

Upcoming Meetings

• Executive Decision - Monday 18 August 2025 - Agenda to be confirmed. Link to the Executive Decision

This week in Waltham Forest:

Pension Board Meeting Postponed

The Pension Board meeting scheduled for Monday 21 July 2025 has been postponed. The meeting was set to cover important updates and reviews related to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

What Was on the Agenda?

The board was expected to discuss several key issues:

• LGPS Consultations: Updates on the Fit for the Future consultation outcome and the LGPS Access and Fairness consultation, both of which could impact the future of pension investments and access for members.
• Risk Management: A review of the Pension Fund Risk Register, which identifies potential risks to the fund's assets and liabilities. The register currently lists 11 yellow risks, including concerns about asset climate risk, governance, and data quality.
• Training Report: An update on training undertaken by board members and officers, with a request for members to complete their Training Needs Assessments.
• General Code of Practice: An update on the pension fund's compliance with The Pensions Regulator's (TPR) General Code of Practice, which came into force on 27 March 2024.
• Pension Administration Service: A report on the performance of the Pension Shared Service (PSS), including statistics on complaints and quality questionnaires. The report also included an update on pension dashboards¹, noting that the council had chosen Heywood as its software supplier to connect to the dashboards.

The postponement means that these important discussions will be delayed, potentially impacting the timely management and oversight of the pension fund.

Upcoming Meetings

There are no upcoming meetings scheduled in the next 7 days.

This week in Waltham Forest:

Council Restructure Could Impact Services for Vulnerable Residents

Waltham Forest Council is moving forward with a senior management restructure, a decision that could have far-reaching consequences for residents, especially those who rely on council services. The Cabinet discussed the proposals, which aim to save money by cutting senior management positions.

• The restructure involves deleting 34 full-time equivalent posts and creating 25 new ones, a net reduction of 9 positions.
• The council claims the changes will streamline management and improve accountability, but unions and some staff members fear the cuts will lead to increased workloads and reduced service quality.
• An Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA) was conducted, but concerns remain about the potential impact on staff with protected characteristics.

The council insists the restructure is necessary to address financial pressures, but critics argue that cutting senior management could ultimately harm the services that vulnerable residents depend on.

Council to Invest £50,000 in Play Initiatives

The Council has committed to investing £50,000 in play initiatives across the borough, following a motion presented by Councillor Kizzy Gardiner and Councillor Rosalind Doré. The Council agreed to establish a Together We Play fund, enabling residents and community stakeholders to access funding for play-based activities.

• The motion recognizes that play and creativity are an integral part of childhood and fundamental to the way all children learn, develop, and grow.
• The council will also support a national campaign to protect play space and scrap 'No Ball Games' signs on council estates.
• A new online family-friendly play directory will be created to help residents find play opportunities in their local area.

This investment in play is a positive step for children and families in Waltham Forest, providing much-needed opportunities for recreation and development.

Health Board Focuses on Long-Term Conditions and Romanian Community

The Health and Wellbeing Board discussed strategies for managing long-term health conditions and engaging with the Romanian community in Waltham Forest. The Health and Wellbeing Board considered a draft Long-Term Conditions (LTC) Strategy, focusing on respiratory diseases, cardiometabolic conditions, and comorbidity¹.

• The strategy proposes four key areas of strategic priority: prevention and early detection, improved treatment and management, pathway development and integration, and proactive care and self-management.
• The board also discussed engaging with the Romanian community, which has grown significantly in recent years.
• Initial insights revealed persistent health inequalities and access barriers affecting the Romanian community, including language barriers, precarious housing, and challenges navigating the NHS.

Addressing long-term conditions and engaging with diverse communities are crucial for improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities in Waltham Forest.

Other Matters

• The Audit and Governance Committee was scheduled to discuss a range of reports related to the council's financial management, risk, and governance, including the external audit plan, the draft statement of accounts, contract waivers, risk management, treasury management, anti-fraud measures, and data protection. No video was provided. Link to the Audit and Governance Committee meeting
• The Scrutiny Coordinating Committee was scheduled to discuss corporate performance, the Waltham Forest Max programme, and the upcoming scrutiny annual report. No video was provided. Link to the Scrutiny Coordinating Committee meeting
• The Shareholder Committee was scheduled to meet to discuss the Evolve Norse business plan and company performance. No video was provided. Link to the Shareholder Committee meeting

Upcoming Meetings

• Pension Board - Monday 21 July 2025 - Risk management, training, updates on consultations and pension administration, and compliance with the General Code of Practice. Link to the Pension Board meeting

This week in Waltham Forest:

Council Proposes Senior Management Shake-Up to Save Cash

Waltham Forest Council is planning a major restructure of its senior management team, aiming to save £23.3 million for 2025/26 and an additional £10.6 million by 2027/28. The Cabinet is set to discuss the proposals, which could see a 14% reduction in senior management positions.

• The council says leadership positions account for nearly 17% of its staffing budget, and that senior management headcount has grown by 23% since March 2022.
• The proposed changes involve deleting 34 full-time equivalent posts and creating 25 new ones, with a focus on streamlining management and improving accountability.
• Two vacant Corporate Director roles, including those for Climate & Behaviour Change and Destinations & Culture, are proposed to be scrapped.
• The council claims an Equalities Impact Assessment found no significant negative impact on protected characteristics, though some disproportionalities were noted in age, disability, and race.

The restructure could lead to significant savings, but raises questions about the potential impact on council services and the loss of expertise in key areas like climate change.

Marmot Review: Council Highlights Progress on Health Inequalities

The Cabinet will receive an update on the first year of Waltham Forest's response to the Marmot Review, which examined health inequalities in the borough. The Cabinet will discuss a report highlighting progress against commitments made in response to the review, focused on employment, housing, and local places.

• The council says its work on the Marmot Review has led to a strategic shift towards prevention, aiming to build resilience in communities and reduce pressure on acute services.
• Key initiatives include targeted support for residents with disabilities and South Asian women, efforts to improve housing conditions for private renters and older residents, and projects to create greener and healthier spaces in deprived areas.
• The council's new Local Plan includes a focus on health equity, requiring Health Impact Assessments for all major developments.

While the council touts its progress, it remains to be seen whether these initiatives will translate into tangible improvements in health outcomes for the borough's most vulnerable residents.

Council to Review Evolve Norse Performance Amid Financial Pressures

The Shareholder Committee is scheduled to discuss the business plan for Evolve Norse Ltd, a joint venture between Waltham Forest Council and the Norse Group, and to review the company's performance in 2024/25. The Shareholder Committee will also be asked to endorse the Evolve Norse business plan for 2025/26.

• Evolve Norse is a key delivery agent for the council's capital investment strategy, with a particular focus on the schools capital delivery programme, which aligns to the priorities established in Mission Waltham Forest.
• The previous business plan for 2024/25 had three primary objectives: supporting the delivery of the council's capital investment strategy, enhancing service delivery outcomes through continuous improvement, and ensuring the JV remains commercially successful while delivering value-for-money services.
• The company provided the council with a forecast profit share (volume discount) of £66,000 for 2024/25, and delivered an overall gross operating profit of £126,000.
• The Evolve Norse business plan for 2025/26 forecasts a net operating profit of £86,000.

With the council facing significant financial challenges, the performance of Evolve Norse will be under close scrutiny.

Other Matters

• The Audit and Governance Committee is scheduled to meet on 15 July 2025 to discuss the external audit plan, review treasury management, and receive updates on anti-fraud measures, risk management, and data protection compliance. Link to the Audit and Governance Committee meeting
• The Scrutiny Coordinating Committee will meet on 16 July 2025 to review corporate performance, workforce and culture updates, the Waltham Forest Max programme, and the scrutiny annual report. Link to the Scrutiny Coordinating Committee meeting
• The Health and Wellbeing Board is scheduled to meet on 14 July 2025, to discuss a range of health and wellbeing issues in the borough, including updates on promoting wellbeing, community engagement with the Romanian community, a long-term conditions strategy, and the Better Care Fund. Link to the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting
• The Council is scheduled to meet on 17 July 2025. The agenda includes a Labour Group motion on the importance of play, and the approval of minutes from the previous meeting. Link to the Council meeting
• The Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee meeting scheduled for 11 July 2025 has been postponed. Link to the Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee meeting
• The Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee met on 8 July 2025 to discuss integrated neighbourhoods, a health update from NHS providers, and a proposed Superloop bus route. No transcript was provided. Link to the Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting
• The Budget Scrutiny Committee met on 9 July 2025 to review the 2024/25 capital and revenue outturn, receive an update on local government funding reforms, and discuss the scrutiny report. No transcript was provided. Link to the Budget Scrutiny Committee meeting
• The Planning Committee met on 8 July 2025 to address several planning applications, including residential developments and infrastructure projects. No transcript was provided. Link to the Planning Committee meeting
• The Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny met on 10 July 2025 to discuss the first year of the council's response to the Marmot report, a health protection, vaccination and screening update, and the scrutiny report. No transcript was provided. Link to the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny meeting

Upcoming Meetings

• Audit and Governance Committee - Tuesday 15 July 2025 - External audit plan, treasury management, anti-fraud measures, risk management, and data protection compliance. Link to the Audit and Governance Committee meeting
• Scrutiny Coordinating Committee - Wednesday 16 July 2025 - Corporate performance, workforce and culture updates, the Waltham Forest Max programme, and the scrutiny annual report. Link to the Scrutiny Coordinating Committee meeting
• Health and Wellbeing Board - Monday 14 July 2025 - Promoting wellbeing, community engagement with the Romanian community, a long-term conditions strategy, and the Better Care Fund. Link to the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting
• Cabinet - Tuesday 15 July 2025 - Senior management restructure, Marmot Review update, Housing Compact annual report, procurement policy update, and capital and revenue outturn. Link to the Cabinet meeting
• Council - Thursday 17 July 2025 - Labour Group motion on the importance of play, and approval of minutes from the previous meeting. Link to the Council meeting
• Shareholder Committee - Tuesday 15 July 2025 - Evolve Norse business plan and performance. Link to the Shareholder Committee meeting