The Council of Waltham Forest met on Thursday, 29 February 2024, to set the budget and council tax for the upcoming year, adopt the Local Plan (Part 1), and approve the Mission Waltham Forest strategy. Key decisions included an increase in council tax and the adoption of the Local Plan, which will replace several existing planning documents.

Budget and Council Tax Setting 2024/25

The council agreed to increase the Waltham Forest basic amount of council tax by 2.99%, with an additional 2% for Adult Social Care, resulting in a total increase of 4.99%. This brings the council tax for a Band D property to £1,702.32 for 2024/25. The projected budget for the year was approved at £474.984 million. The council also agreed to maintain the maximum percentage allowed for the empty homes premium and to charge a 100% premium on dwellings empty for one year from April 2024, and on substantially furnished but unoccupied dwellings from April 2025. The Capital Programme for 2023-2034 and the reserves strategy were also approved.

An amendment proposed by Councillor Emma Best and Councillor Tim James sought to reduce the council tax increase to 0% for the basic amount and 2% for Adult Social Care, resulting in a Band D property tax of £1,653.84. This amendment also proposed reductions to various budget lines, including agency staff, furniture and equipment, office expenses, fees and services, and SRA budgets. However, this amendment was lost.

A further amendment, proposed by Councillor Afzal Akram and Councillor John Moss, suggested using £108,350 from General Fund Balances to purchase an additional CCTV camera for each ward, with ongoing costs to be met by a reduction in the SRA budget. This amendment was also lost.

Councillor Jemma Hemsted and Councillor Sam O'Connell proposed an amendment to use £80,000 from the Leader's Priority Fund to support South Chingford Community Library. This amendment was also lost.

Ultimately, the substantive motion proposed by Councillor Paul Douglas and Councillor Grace Williams was carried, approving the budget and the 4.99% council tax increase.

Local Plan 1 Adoption

The council adopted the Waltham Forest Local Plan (Part 1) (LP1), following the Inspectors' Final Report which concluded the plan was sound subject to Main Modifications. This adoption, effective from 12 April 2024, will revoke the current adopted Core Strategy (2012), the Waltham Forest Development Management Policies (2013), the Walthamstow Town Centre Area Action Plan (2014), and the Blackhorse Lane Area Action Plan (2015), provided no legal challenge is lodged within the six-week period. The council also authorised the Corporate Director Regeneration, Planning & Delivery to finalise and publish an Adoption Statement, a Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement, and an updated Policies Map. The Waltham Forest Local Development Scheme (LDS) was also approved.

Councillor John Moss spoke during the debate, and Councillor Ahsan Khan, Portfolio Lead Member (Housing and Regeneration), exercised his right to reply. A recorded vote was requested by the Conservative Group, and the motion was carried.

Mission Waltham Forest

The council agreed to adopt Mission Waltham Forest: our plan for a more equal borough . Councillor Grace Williams, Leader of the Council, and Councillor Paul Douglas, Portfolio Lead Member (Finance and Resources), proposed the motion. Councillors John Moss and Emma Best spoke during the debate, and Councillor Williams replied. A recorded vote was requested by the Conservative Group, and the motion was carried.

Pay Policy

The council unanimously adopted the Pay Policy Statement 2024/25. Councillor Paul Douglas and Councillor Steve Terry proposed the motion.

Councillor Allowances

The council agreed to increase the basic allowance by 6% to £12,766.64 per annum from 1 April 2024. Special responsibility allowances will increase by 3.88%, with some exceptions. The SRA for the majority group Chief Whip will be re-banded to match that of the Chair of the Coordinating Scrutiny Committee. The proposed amended 2024/25 Scheme of Members' Allowances was adopted for implementation from 1 April 2024. Councillor Jack Phipps and Councillor Zafran Malik proposed the motion. A recorded vote was requested by the Conservative Group, and the motion was carried.

Treasury Management Strategy

The council unanimously approved the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy Report 2024-25, the MRP strategy for 2024-25, and the Prudential Indicators. Councillor Jack Phipps and Councillor Zafran Malik proposed the motion.

Draft Meetings Programme 2024/25

The council unanimously approved the draft meetings programme for 2024-25, with amendments. Councillor Steve Terry and Councillor Mitchell Goldie proposed the motion. The programme will be finalised at the Annual Council Meeting on 23 May 2024.

Senior Management Structure

The council noted, for information, the senior management structure following changes agreed by Cabinet on 22 February 2024. These changes will be incorporated into the council's constitution.

The meeting concluded at 10:02 pm.