The Cabinet of Waltham Forest Council met on Thursday 22 February 2024, approving a significant restructure of senior management and a substantial budget for the upcoming financial year. Key decisions included the adoption of the Waltham Forest Local Plan (Part 1) and an increase in Council Tax.

Budget and Council Tax Setting 2024/25

The Cabinet approved a series of recommendations for the 2024/25 budget and Council Tax, which will be put forward to Full Council. This includes a 2.99% increase in the basic Council Tax, with an additional 2% for Adult Social Care, bringing the total increase to 4.99%. This will result in a Council Tax of £1,702.32 per Band D property. The Greater London Authority's precept will add a further £471.40, making the overall Council Tax for a Band D property £2,173.72. The projected budget for 2024/25 is £474.969 million.

During the discussion, Councillor Paul Douglas, Portfolio Lead Member for Finance and Resources, thanked officers for their work on the budget, acknowledging the challenges posed by the cost of living crisis and a significant decrease in central government funding. He highlighted that local authorities, unlike the private sector, must get things right first time.

Concerns were raised by Sonia McKenzie, representing tenants of Fred Wigg & John Walsh Towers on the Montague Road Estate in Leytonstone. She stated that the Council had misled tenants regarding the urgency of removing insulation and that funding for planned works, including new kitchens and bathrooms, was no longer available. Ms McKenzie requested a second opinion on necessary works, the installation of fire detection systems, improved ventilation, and consultation on proposed works.

Councillor Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader (Housing and Regeneration), responded to these concerns, explaining that there were no easy choices regarding the Montague Road Estate. He outlined plans for a ballot process for tenants, offering options for estate regeneration or a maintenance programme focused on fire and building safety. He acknowledged that the decent homes works had been paused to prioritise safety and that the project's viability was impacted by market conditions. Councillor Khan assured residents that their safety would not be compromised and committed to working collaboratively with them, improving communication and offering drop-in sessions.

Councillor Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader (Climate and Air Quality), spoke about the sustained cuts to public services over 14 years and the deliberate political attempt to undermine public services. He noted that many councils were in difficult situations, often worse than Waltham Forest.

Councillor Louise Mitchell, Portfolio Lead Member for Adults and Health, highlighted that adult services accounted for approximately a third of the Council's total spend. She expressed gratitude for the 2.99% precept for adult social care but noted the uncertainty of future funding from central government.

The Leader, Councillor Grace Williams, stated that the government was failing in its social contract with residents and pointed to the rising complexity and demand for services, exacerbated by the pandemic. She also noted that Waltham Forest had not been considered an inner London borough for many years, impacting recruitment and retention.

The Cabinet also agreed to continue to maintain the maximum percentage allowed for the empty homes premium from 1 April 2024 and to charge a 100% premium on dwellings empty for one year from the same date. Furthermore, a 100% premium will be charged on substantially furnished dwellings with no resident from 1 April 2025. War disablement pensions and war widow's/widower's pensions will be disregarded in their entirety for Housing Benefit calculations. The Cabinet also agreed to include collection fund surpluses and deficits within the budget from 1 April 2024 and approved the Capital Programme for 2023-2034. Funding of £2.518 million was agreed as initial mobilisation investment for 12 identified transformation areas. Finally, the Cabinet reconfirmed that upon the winding up of the Mears JV (More Homes Waltham Forest LLP), any outstanding debt financing would be cleared, and the balance of the Capital Return Allocation would be transferred to the London Borough of Waltham Forest Pension Fund.

Senior Management Restructure

The Cabinet approved a significant restructure of the Council's senior management. This includes the creation of a new directorate, 'Stronger Communities', within the Deputy Chief Executive's portfolio. Key changes to the Senior Management Structure involve the deletion of the Strategic Director People (DCS/DASS) position and the creation of separate Strategic Director roles for Children Services (DCS) and Adult Services (DASS). Additionally, new Corporate Director posts for Strategy and Change, Communications and Campaigns, and Culture & Workforce Development will report directly to the Chief Executive. The alternative of retaining the existing structure and recruiting to the vacant Strategic Director People role was considered but deemed insufficient to provide the necessary strategic and leadership capacity for future challenges.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget Including Tenants Rents and Service Charges 2024/25

A HRA dwelling rent increase of 7.7% was agreed, in line with The Social Housing Regulator's Rent Standard. This equates to an average weekly rent increase of £9.10, from £118.19 to £127.29, effective from 1 April 2024. Tenant service charges were also agreed to recover costs from those receiving the services. Garage rents will increase by 10% for residents (£1.55) and 20% for non-residents (£3.10) from 1 April 2024. Shared ownership rents will increase in line with lease provisions. Rents for sheltered accommodation and travellers' sites will also increase by 7.7%, aligning with general needs council housing rents. Temporary accommodation rent charges will continue to be linked to Local Housing Allowance (LHA) levels.

Capital Investment Strategy 2023/24 - 2033/34

The Cabinet agreed to the Capital Investment Strategy for 2023/24 to 2033/34. This ambitious strategy focuses on affordable housing and prioritises legal and health and safety statutory obligations. The strategy will be reviewed and refreshed annually. The Capital Prioritisation Framework within the strategy will be managed by the officer-led Capital Strategy and Asset Management Group (CSAMG) and Senior Leadership Team (SLT). No financing sources will be ringfenced unless stipulated by regulations, and the financing of the capital programme is delegated to the Strategic Director of Resources for flexibility.

Adoption of the Waltham Forest Local Plan (Part 1)

The Cabinet endorsed and recommended that Full Council adopt the Waltham Forest Local Plan (Part 1) (LP1). This follows the Inspectors' Final Report, which concluded that the Plan is sound, legally compliant, and capable of adoption, subject to Main Modifications. The adoption of LP1 will lead to the revocation of the Council's 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) from 12 April 2024, provided no legal challenge is lodged. The Corporate Director Regeneration, Planning & Delivery, in consultation with the Portfolio Lead Member for Housing and Regeneration, will be authorised to finalise and publish an Adoption Statement, Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement, and an updated Policies Map. The Waltham Forest Local Development Scheme (LDS) was also approved to take effect immediately. Councillor Ahsan Khan described the plan as one of the most ambitious Local Plans in London, noting that the Council had progressed with it despite the removal of national housing targets by central government.

Mission Waltham Forest

The Cabinet agreed to Mission Waltham Forest: our plan for a more equal borough and recommended it to Full Council for final adoption as part of the Council's Policy Framework, replacing 15-Minute Neighbourhoods: Our Corporate Framework. The Leader, Councillor Grace Williams, emphasised the need to address challenges such as climate change and community safety in consultation with residents, whose voices are paramount. She highlighted that the Council needed to change its operational approach to improve the resident experience and that staff are the Council's greatest asset. Councillor Khevyn Limbajee, Portfolio Lead Member for Community Safety, referred to the Citizen's Assembly as an innovative way to engage residents and partners and noted the Safe Streets pilot as a means to build upon learning. Councillor Paul Douglas stated that the budget underpins this report, requiring clever use of resources. The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, will be delegated authority to approve minor changes to the plan before its recommendation to Full Council.

Financial Monitoring Month 9 (December)

The Cabinet approved the transfer of £0.078 million from the contingency fund to Housing for the Housing Transformation Project.