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Summary
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The Council of Waltham Forest Council convened for its annual meeting on Thursday, 21 May 2026. Key decisions included the election of a new Mayor and Leader of the Council, the approval of the council tax for the upcoming year, and the appointment of committees and representatives for the municipal year 2026-27.
Election of Mayor and Leader
Councillor Marcelo Hart-Camus was elected as the new Mayor of the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Councillor Paul Perkins was appointed as the Leader of the Council for a term of four years.
Council Tax and Budget Approval
The Council approved a 4.99% increase in council tax for 2026/27, bringing the total for a Band D property to £2,386.96. This increase comprises a 2.99% rise for general services and a 2% increase for Adult Social Care, which does not require a referendum. The projected budget for 2026/27 was set at £611.072 million. Several amendments proposed by opposition groups, aiming to reduce spending in various areas or reallocate funds for specific purposes such as CCTV cameras or a review of bin collection services, were all defeated. The Council also agreed to maintain the maximum percentage allowed for the empty homes premium and a 100% premium on dwellings empty for one year or those that are substantially furnished
but without a resident, in line with the Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Act 2018 and the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. The Capital Programme for 2025/26 to 2035/36 was also approved, alongside the reserves strategy and the flexible use of capital receipts policy.
Appointment of Committees and Representatives
The Council appointed standing committees for the municipal year 2026-27, determined the number of seats on each, and allocated these seats according to political balance rules. Councillors were appointed to these committees, as well as to various other council bodies and outside organisations, based on nominations from Group Whips. The terms of reference for standing committees were agreed to align with the Council's constitution. A scheme for supernumerary members to substitute for absent committee members was also agreed, with specific rules for the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Coordinating Scrutiny Committee.
Scheme of Delegation and Meeting Programme
The Council agreed to delegate non-executive functions to officers, as outlined in the Council's Constitution and the General Scheme of Delegation. This includes the power for officers to further delegate these powers. The Director of Governance and Law was delegated the authority to make necessary changes to the Constitution and Scheme of Delegation. The Programme of Meetings for 2026/27 was approved, with the Chief Executive authorised to make minor adjustments in consultation with party Whips to resolve any membership clashes. Specific dates for the Planning Committee, Audit and Governance Committee, and the Inclusive Growth and Housing Scrutiny Committee were rescheduled.
Other Decisions
The minutes of the previous Council meeting held on 26 February 2026 were agreed and signed. The Returning Officer's results of the Local Election 2026 were received. The Council also adopted the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27 and agreed that the Members' Allowances Scheme from February 2025 would remain in effect until at least 31 March 2027. Additionally, the Budget Scrutiny Committee was merged with the Scrutiny Coordinating Committee. The Council noted its current political balance and agreed to vary proportionality arrangements for committees. The Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy Report for 2026-27, along with the MRP Policy and Prudential Indicators, were approved.
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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Leader's Report
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest Council received the Leader's report on 21 May 2026.
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Election of Leader of the Council
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest Council agreed that Councillor Paul Perkins is appointed as Leader of the Council for a term of four years on 21 May 2026.
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Returning Officer's Results of Local Election 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest Council received the Returning Officer's Report on Local Election Results on 21 May 2026. The report noted the persons elected as Councillors on 7 May 2026. The report included a breakdown of elected members by party and detailed results per ward.
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Leader's Report
Recommendations ApprovedPortfolio Lead Member - Adults and Health resolved that Councillor Marcelo Hart-Camus be elected to the office of Mayor of the London Borough of Waltham Forest until their successor is appointed. This decision was made on 21/05/2026.
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Appointment of Committees and other Council Bodies in 2026/27 and Related Decisions
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest Council on 21 May 2026 appointed standing committees for the municipal year 2026-27. The Council determined the number and allocation of seats on all committees to party groups, appointed councillors to committees based on nominations, and appointed chairs and vice-chairs. The Council also agreed that all councillors would be appointed as supernumerary members to substitute when a named member is unable to attend a meeting, with specific substitution rules for the Health and Wellbeing Board, Coordinating Scrutiny Committee, and other Scrutiny Committees.
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Election of the Mayor
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest Council on Thursday 21 May 2026 resolved that Councillor Marcelo Hart-Camus be elected to the office of Mayor of the London Borough of Waltham Forest until their successor is appointed.
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Returning Officer's Results of Local Election 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council received the Returning Officer's Report on the results of the Local Election 2026 on 21/05/2026. The Council noted the persons elected as Councillors on 7 May 2026.
The Portfolio Lead Member for Adults and Health approved the award of a contract to Citizens Advice Waltham Forest (CAWF) from 1 April 2025 for the provision of information and advice services on 26/02/2025. This contract will be for three years with an option to extend for up to a further two years, with a value of £393,975 a year.
The Council approved the programme of meetings for 2026-27 on 21/05/2026. The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Party Whips, is authorised to agree any subsequent changes to the programme.
The Council is asked to approve the appointment of Council representatives to outside bodies/organisations in 2026-27 and beyond on 21/05/2026. Appointments are discretionary and made with regard to the suitability of the appointee for the role.
Cabinet is recommended to approve the proposed commissioning approach for the Healthy Child Programme (0–19), Best Start Service (0-5) and Universal and Targeted Services for Children (0-5) and their Parents on 02/06/2026. This includes approval of the preferred delivery model, contract term, and contract value of £75,835,000 across all three lots.
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Returning Officer's Results of Local Election 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Portfolio Lead Member - Adults and Health received the Returning Officer's Report on Local Election Results on 21 May 2026. The report noted the persons elected as Councillors on 7 May 2026.
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Scheme of delegation
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest Council agreed to delegate non-executive functions to officers as set out in the Council's Constitution and the General Scheme of Delegation on 21 May 2026. They also agreed that officers with delegated powers can further delegate these to other officers and may agree a scheme of delegation for their service areas. The Director of Governance and Law was delegated the power to make and publish necessary changes to the Constitution and Scheme of Delegation.
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Election of Leader of the Council
Recommendations ApprovedThe Chief Executive decided to appoint Temitope Ademosu as interim Strategic Director Stronger Communities and Ian Billham as interim Corporate Director Community Safety and Resilience on 02/09/2024. This decision was made under the Council's Urgency Provisions.
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Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 26 February 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Deputy Leader (Housing and Regeneration) approved recommendations on 21 May 2026. The minutes of the Special Council meeting held on 26 February 2026 were agreed and signed by the Mayor.
The Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee granted a premises licence for Scorpion Bar & Lounge on 23 January 2025. The licence was granted with revised hours and conditions agreed with the police and other responsible authorities.
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Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 26 February 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest agreed the minutes of the Special Council meeting held on 26 February 2026. The Council also agreed to increase the basic council tax by 2.99% and the Adult Social Care precept by 2%, resulting in a total increase of 4.99% for a Band D property. The Council agreed to maintain the maximum percentage allowed for the empty homes premium and a 100% premium on dwellings empty for one year or substantially furnished but without a resident.
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Programme of Meetings for 2026/27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest Council approved the Programme of Meetings for 2026/27 on 21 May 2026. The Chief Executive, in consultation with party Whips, was authorised to agree subsequent changes to the programme. The Planning Committee meeting on 7 October 2026 was moved to 13 October 2026, the Audit and Governance Committee on 13 October 2026 to 14 October 2026, and the Inclusive Growth and Housing Scrutiny Committee on 14 October 2026 to 15 October 2026.
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Leader's Report
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet approved in principle the acquisition of new build homes at Fellowship Square and the utilisation of Right to Buy receipts and borrowing. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with others, to review financials and enter into legal agreements for the acquisition. This decision was made on 14 April 2026.
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Appointment of Representatives to Outside Bodies/Organisations in 2026/27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest agreed to appoint representatives to outside bodies and organisations on 21/05/2026. Recommendations for these appointments, made by Party Whips, were approved.
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