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Summary
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The Council met on Thursday, 21 May 2026, to elect a new Mayor and Leader of the Council, and to establish committees and other council bodies for the upcoming municipal year. Key decisions included the appointment of Councillor Marcelo Hart-Camus as Mayor and Councillor Paul Perkins as Leader of the Council.
Election of the Mayor
Councillor Tony Bell, the Outgoing Mayor, presented his report. The Council then resolved to elect Councillor Marcelo Hart-Camus as Mayor of the London Borough of Waltham Forest until their successor is appointed. Councillor Hart-Camus announced that the theme for their mayorship would be togetherness
and that their chosen charities would be the East London Out Project (ELOP) and Waltham Forest Migrant Action. They also stated a personal goal to protect those at risk from economic disparity, climate collapse, and attacks on vulnerable groups.
Election of Leader of the Council
Councillor Paul Perkins was appointed as Leader of the Council for a term of four years. Following this, Councillor Perkins presented his Leader's Report, outlining his priorities and policy directions for his term. The Leaders of the Green Group, Councillor Kitzzy Gardiner, and the Conservative Group, Councillor Emma Best, responded to the report.
Appointment of Committees and Other Council Bodies
The Council appointed standing committees for the municipal year 2026-27, determined the number of seats on all committees, and allocated these seats to party groups in accordance with political balance rules. Councillors were appointed to sit on these committees based on nominations from the Group Whips, and the chairs and vice-chairs for each committee were also appointed. The Council also noted the memberships of the Boards of Directors of the Local Authority Trading Companies and agreed that the terms of reference for standing committees would remain as set out in the Council's constitution. A scheme for supernumerary members to substitute for absent committee members was also agreed, with specific provisions for the Health and Wellbeing Board, the Coordinating Scrutiny Committee, and other Scrutiny Committees.
Appointment of Representatives to Outside Bodies/Organisations
The Council agreed to appoint representatives to serve on various outside bodies and organisations, following nominations made by the Party Whips.
Scheme of Delegation
The Council agreed to the delegation of non-executive functions to officers, as detailed in the Council's Constitution and the General Scheme of Delegation. It was also agreed that officers with delegated powers could further delegate these to other officers, and the Director of Governance and Law was delegated the power to make and publish necessary changes to the Constitution and Scheme of Delegation.
Programme of Meetings for 2026/27
The Programme of Meetings for 2026/27 was approved. The Chief Executive, in consultation with the party Whips, was authorised to agree any subsequent changes to the programme. Specific adjustments were made to the dates of the Planning Committee, the Audit and Governance Committee, and the Inclusive Growth and Housing Scrutiny Committee.
Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 26 February 2026
The minutes of the Special Council meeting held on 26 February 2026 were agreed and signed by the Mayor.
Returning Officer's Results of Local Election 2026
The Council received the results of the local election held on 7 May 2026, which indicated a significant shift in the political composition of the Council, with the Green Group securing the majority of seats. The notification of party groups, leaders, and the schedule of motions for the year were also presented.
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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Election of the Mayor
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest Council resolved on 21 May 2026 that Councillor Marcelo Hart-Camus be elected Mayor until their successor is appointed.
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Appointment of Committees and other Council Bodies in 2026/27 and Related Decisions
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest Council decided on 21/05/2026 to appoint standing committees for the municipal year 2026-27, determine committee seat numbers and allocations, appoint councillors to committees and chairs/vice-chairs, and note memberships of Local Authority Trading Company Boards. The Council also agreed that all councillors would be appointed as supernumerary members for substitutions, with specific rules for the Health and Wellbeing Board, Coordinating Scrutiny Committee, and other Scrutiny Committees.
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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 held on 7 May 2026. The report noted the persons elected as Councillors.
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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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Leader's Report
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest Council received the Leader's report on 21 May 2026.
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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 agreed to increase the basic amount of council tax by 2.99% and the Adult Social Care precept by 2%, bringing the total increase to 4.99% for 2026/27. 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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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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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 any subsequent changes to the programme. Specific meeting dates were moved, including the Planning Committee from 7 October 2026 to 13 October 2026.
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Scheme of delegation
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Waltham Forest Council agreed to delegate non-executive functions to officers and allow further delegation of these powers. 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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Leader's Report
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council decided to appoint standing committees, determine their seat allocations, appoint councillors to committees and chairs, and note memberships of trading company boards. The Council also agreed to appoint councillors as supernumerary members for substitutions on committees, with specific rules for the Health and Wellbeing Board, Coordinating Scrutiny Committee, and any Scrutiny Committee. This decision was made on 21/05/2026.
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