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Cabinet - Tuesday, 8 September 2026 - 2.00 pm
September 8, 2026 at 2:00 pm Cabinet View on council websiteSummary
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The Cabinet of Waltham Forest Council met on Tuesday 8 September 2026, approving significant budget monitoring and capital programme forecasts, alongside funding for temporary accommodation conversions and a new agency procurement platform. Key decisions included noting the month 3 budget monitoring position, approving the capital programme forecast, and allocating substantial funds for temporary accommodation conversions and agency worker procurement.
2026-27 - Month 3 Budget Monitoring
Cabinet noted the forecast outturn position for Revenue, HRA, and DSG as at month 3. They also approved the 2026/27 forecast for the Capital Programme, which includes additions of £16.521m, net of deletions/virements of £9.408m, and slippage/accelerations of £34.310m to future years. The total Capital Programme forecast was noted at £612.520m compared to the budget. Several funding requests were approved, including £0.058m for an additional political officer, £0.150m for three additional posts in the debt team, £2.055m for housing incentives, and £0.070m for temporary posts in the Communications team. Change control requests for savings for PL01, relating to a 10-year lease for temporary accommodation, were also approved, reducing the saving from £3.000m to £2.109m.
Temporary Accommodation Conversions - Main Works Budgets
Cabinet approved a revised gross capital budget of up to £18,084,330 for four temporary accommodation conversion schemes. These schemes aim to convert vacant council assets into temporary homes, with a net Council funding requirement of £17,597,879 expected to be met from General Fund borrowing. This revised budget represents an increase of £2,723,330 (17.7%) above the previously approved total budget of £15,361,000. The financial case for these conversions is based on replacing higher-cost external temporary accommodation, projected to reduce General Fund expenditure by approximately £800,000 per annum. A two-package, single-stage Design and Build procurement strategy was approved, delegating contract award to the Strategic Director of Place. The packages are: Package 1: Rowan House and 130 Trumpington Road; and Package 2: Cedar Wood House and 90 Crownfield Road.
Contract Award: Agency Procurement Platform
Cabinet approved the direct award of a Call-Off contract to Matrix SCM for the provision of temporary agency workers. This contract will be utilised through the MSTAR4 (Managed Services for Temporary Agency Resources) framework agreement – London Collaboration, established by the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO). The new contract is set to commence on 1 December 2026 for an initial two-year term, with the option to extend for two further periods of two years each, subject to satisfactory performance and alignment with the Council's workforce and commercial priorities.
Housing Strategy Delivery Update
Cabinet noted the progress and delivery of the Housing Strategy over the 2025-26 period. They also noted plans to review this strategy in consultation with residents, members, and other stakeholders. The report highlighted the ongoing housing crisis in the borough, driven by escalating private rents, a shortage of housing stock, and rising homelessness. Improvements have been made in housing quality, complaints handling, and resident engagement. The council acknowledged that ceasing the monitoring of the Housing Strategy was not recommended, as it would risk a return to a business as usual
approach during a critical time for housing needs. Ongoing monitoring ensures accountability and supports informed decision-making.
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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2026-27 - Month 3 Budget Monitoring
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Waltham Forest approved the 2026-27 Month 3 Budget Monitoring report on 8 September 2026. They noted the forecast outturn position for Revenue, HRA and DSG and approved the current forecast for the Capital Programme. The Cabinet approved funding for an additional political officer, three additional posts for the debt team, and additional budget for housing incentives.
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Temporary Accommodation Conversions - Main Works Budgets
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Waltham Forest Council approved a revised gross capital budget of £18,084,330 for the conversion of four council assets into temporary accommodation on 08 September 2026. The Cabinet also approved a two-package, single-stage Design and Build procurement strategy and delegated contract award to the Strategic Director of Place. The decision noted progress on the schemes and that the net Council funding requirement is expected to be met from General Fund borrowing.
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Contract Award: Agency Procurement Platform
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve a direct award call-off contract to Matrix SCM for temporary agency workers on 08/09/2026. The contract will commence on 1st December 2026 for an initial two-year term, with options to extend.
The Cabinet approved the Annual Procurement Plan 2026/27 on 14/04/2026. The plan details proposed procurement projects over £172,000 for supplies and services or £1,000,000 for works.
The Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee decided to grant a premises licence to Sainsbury's at 433-443 High Road, Leytonstone on 12/06/2026. The licence permits the supply of alcohol for off-premises consumption from 07:00 to 23:00 daily.
The Planning Committee decided to grant planning permission for the installation of a ventilation duct, shopfront painting, and new signage at 41 Orford Road on 07/07/2026. The decision was made subject to conditions and informatives.
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Contract Award: Agency Procurement Platform
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve a direct award call-off contract to Matrix SCM for the provision of temporary agency workers. This contract will commence on 1st December 2026 for an initial two-year term, with options to extend.
The Planning Committee granted planning permission for a change of use from an Early Years Centre to a Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) school. This decision was made on 7th July 2026.
The Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee considered an application to vary a premises licence for Endri's, 54-56 Wood Street. The committee decided to grant the application in part, subject to conditions.
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Temporary Accommodation Conversions - Main Works Budgets
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Waltham Forest decided on 08 September 2026 to approve a revised gross capital budget of £18,084,330 for temporary accommodation conversions. The Cabinet approved a two-package, single-stage Design and Build procurement strategy and delegated contract award.
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Temporary Accommodation Conversions - Main Works Budgets
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Waltham Forest approved a revised gross capital budget of £18,084,330 for temporary accommodation conversions on 08 September 2026. The Cabinet also approved a two-package, single-stage Design and Build procurement strategy, delegating contract award to the Strategic Director of Place. This includes approving the main capital works budgets for the conversion of Rowan House, 130 Trumpington Road, Cedar Wood House, and 90 Crownfield Road.
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Housing Strategy Delivery Update
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Waltham Forest Council decided on 08 September 2026 to note the progress of the Housing Strategy over 2025/26 and plans to review it. This review will be conducted in consultation with residents, members, and other stakeholders.
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2026-27 - Month 3 Budget Monitoring
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve recommendations regarding financial monitoring. The decision was made on 08/09/2026. The Cabinet approved funding for an additional political officer, three additional posts for the debt team, and additional budget for housing incentives.
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Contract Award: Agency Procurement Platform
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve the direct award call-off contract to Matrix SCM for temporary agency workers on 8th September 2026. The decision was to award the contract for an initial two-year term with options to extend. The contract will use the MSTAR4 framework agreement through the London Collaboration established by ESPO.
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Temporary Accommodation Conversions - Main Works Budgets
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve the temporary accommodation conversions main works budgets. The decision was made on 08/09/2026. The council will commence a two-package, single-stage Design and Build procurement strategy and delegate contract award.
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