Subscribe to updates
You'll receive weekly summaries about Waltham Forest Council every week.
If you have any requests or comments please let us know at community@opencouncil.network. We can also provide custom updates on particular topics across councils.
Summary
Open Council Network is an independent organisation. We report on Waltham Forest and are not the council. About us
The Cabinet of Waltham Forest Council met on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, to discuss a range of significant issues including the regeneration of the Avenue Road Estate, a Deed of Variation to the Fellowship Square Development Agreement, and the Waltham Forest Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Strategy 2025-2028. Key decisions made included the approval of revised delivery proposals for the Avenue Road estate regeneration, the agreement to renegotiated Heads of Terms for the Fellowship Square Development Agreement, and the adoption of the Waltham Forest SEND Strategy 2025-2028.
Avenue Road Regeneration Delivery Route
The Cabinet approved revised delivery proposals for the Avenue Road Estate regeneration, agreeing to progress due diligence with an institutional investment partner for Phase 1. Authority was delegated to enter into Heads of Terms with this partner and to approve a Cost Underwrite Agreement. A demolition notice is to be served on the estate in July 2026, and residents will be informed of the revised proposals through a comprehensive engagement exercise. Cabinet also noted the proposals for delivering Phase 2 of the regeneration.
Deed of Variation to Fellowship Square Development Agreement
Cabinet agreed to renegotiated Heads of Terms for a Deed of Variation to the Fellowship Square Development Agreement. This agreement will see the land payment for the Fellowship Square site and Willow House split, with an associated risk of a reduction in the land receipt for Willow House. The tenure for Willow House will change to a 100% Build To Rent scheme, with previously assumed affordable housing swapped to Block H at Fellowship Square, utilising secured GLA grant. This will result in 46% Affordable Housing across the entire scheme. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with relevant officers, to enter into the Deed of Variation.
Waltham Forest Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Strategy 2025-2028
Cabinet noted and approved the final version of the Waltham Forest SEND Strategy 2025–2028. This strategy, co-produced with young people, their parents, and carers, sets out the borough's vision and priorities for improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND. It addresses key priorities such as early identification and intervention, strong communication and co-production, improving the quality of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), strengthening educational settings, and ensuring smooth transitions into adulthood.
Schools Capital Programme 2025-2029
Cabinet approved the allocation of £49.64 million to the Schools Capital Programme for the financial years 2025/26 to 2028/29. This funding will support projects identified in the programme, including the expansion of Kelmscott School and Willowfield School, as well as maintenance and improvement works. Cabinet also noted the total resource of £24.74 million currently committed to previously approved projects and noted proposals for school estate rationalisation to meet SEND needs. Authority was delegated to finalise the programme, proceed with procurement, and award contracts.
Budget Review - Fees and Charges
Cabinet agreed to the schedule of Fees and Charges, with uplifts proposed to take effect from 1st February 2026 at the latest, aligning with the academic year for academic-related charges. This review ensures that all relevant services cover their costs in full and that chargeable services are not at a cost to the Council.
Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2026-2027
Cabinet recommended to Full Council the continuation of the existing income-banded Council Tax Support scheme for working-age residents into the 2025–2026 financial year. This scheme maintains the maximum award at 85% for working-aged people. Additionally, Cabinet recommended the retention of a discretionary fund of £750,000 to support households experiencing exceptional hardship.
Housing Asset Management Strategy 2026-2031
Cabinet approved the proposed Housing Asset Management Strategy 2026-31. This strategy, built on the work of the Housing Transformation Programme and regulator feedback, aims to provide safe and comfortable homes through strong governance and a risk management focus. Authority was delegated to amend the strategy as new regulatory requirements arise.
Physical Activity Mission - 'Getting Waltham Forest Active: A million more days to do the things we love'
Cabinet approved the proposed five-year Physical Activity Strategy and Council mission: ‘Getting Waltham Forest Active: A million more days’. This mission aims to support inactive residents to become more physically active, focusing on low-income residents, women aged 45-55, and older residents at risk of falls. Cabinet also endorsed the ongoing commitment to addressing inactivity as a driver of health inequalities and noted the upcoming borough-wide communications campaign 'Never in a Million Years'.
Budget Monitoring - Month 6
Cabinet noted the forecast outturn position for Revenue, HRA and DSG as at month 6. They also noted the revised capital programme forecast for 2025/26 and to 2034/35, as well as slippages, accelerations, additions, deletions and virements into future years. Cabinet approved budget additions and virement changes to the Capital programme since February 2025, and approved £0.331 million from contingency to fund the Financial Sustainability team.
Mission Waltham Forest Delivery Update
Cabinet noted the content of the report, which provides an update on the early successes of Mission Waltham Forest delivery over the past 18 months. They also noted the ambition to build on this progress in the next phase and reaffirmed the commitment to the missions set out in Mission Waltham Forest, focusing on tackling inequality, delivering together, and prioritising impact for residents.
Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024/2025 and Infrastructure Planning Update
Cabinet approved the Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) (2024/25) and the incorporated Infrastructure List. They delegated authority to make any minor amendments necessary to the IFS before its publication. Cabinet also noted the changes to the Neighbourhood CIL funded programme and additions to the Carbon Offset Fund programme.
The meeting concluded with the exclusion of the press and public for the consideration of exempt appendices related to schools capital programme, Avenue Road regeneration, and the Fellowship Square Development Agreement.
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.
-
Deed of Variation to Fellowship Square Development Agreement
Recommendations Approved...to enter into a Deed of Variation to the Fellowship Square Development Agreement, agreeing to renegotiated terms that include splitting land receipts, guaranteeing a Fellowship Square land payment date, progressing Willow House as a 100% Build To Rent scheme, and reallocating affordable housing to Block H, aiming for 46% affordable housing across the program.
-
Waltham Forest Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Strategy 2025 - 2028
Recommendations Approved... to adopt the Waltham Forest Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Strategy 2025-2028 following a public consultation, aiming to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND in the borough.
-
Avenue Road Regeneration Delivery Route
Recommendations Approved... to approve the revised delivery proposals for the Avenue Road estate regeneration, including progressing due diligence with an institutional investment partner for Phase 1, delegating authority to enter into Heads of Terms, approving a Cost Underwrite Agreement, serving a demolition notice in July 2026, noting resident engagement proposals, and noting proposals for Phase 2.
-
Schools Capital Programme 2025 - 2029
Recommendations Approved... to support the Council's statutory duty to provide sufficient school places and maintain school buildings, the Cabinet approved the allocation of £49.64m to the Schools Capital Programme for financial years up to 2028/29 and delegated authority to relevant officers for finalising the program, procuring projects, and awarding contracts.
-
Budget Monitoring - Month 6
Recommendations Approved...the Cabinet of Waltham Forest noted the month 6 forecast outturn position for Revenue, HRA and DSG, the revised capital programme forecasts for 2025/26 and to 2034/35, approved budget additions and virement changes to the Capital programme since February 2025, and approved £0.331 million from contingency to fund the Financial Sustainability team.
-
Mission Waltham Forest Delivery Update
Recommendations Approved...noted the progress and future direction of Mission Waltham Forest, reaffirming its commitment to tackling inequality and prioritizing community impact.
-
Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024/2025 and Infrastructure Planning Update
Recommendations Approved... the Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) for 2024/25, including the Infrastructure List, was approved, and authority was delegated for minor amendments before publication, while changes to the Neighbourhood CIL and Carbon Offset Fund programs were noted.
-
Budget Review - Fees and Charges
Recommendations Approved...the Cabinet of Waltham Forest agreed to a schedule of Fees and Charges, excluding those reserved for Council decision, and approved a proposal to uplift these fees between 1st February 2026 and 1st April 2026, with academic-related charges being uplifted in line with the academic year.
-
Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2026-2027
Recommendations Approved...that the Cabinet recommended to Full Council the continuation of the existing income-banded Council Tax Support scheme for working-age residents into the 2026-2027 financial year, maintaining the maximum award at 85%, and the retention of a £750,000 discretionary fund for households experiencing exceptional hardship.
-
Housing Asset Management Strategy 2026-2031
Recommendations Approved...the Housing Asset Management Strategy 2026-2031 was approved, outlining the council's approach to managing, maintaining, and investing in its housing stock, and authority was delegated to the Strategic Director of Place to amend the strategy for new regulatory requirements.
-
Physical Activity Mission - 'Getting Waltham Forest Active: A million more days to do the things we love'
Recommendations Approved...the Cabinet approved a five-year Physical Activity Strategy and Council mission called "Getting Waltham Forest Active: A million more days" to address inactivity and health inequalities in the borough.
Attendees
Topics
No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.
Meeting Documents
Reports Pack
Additional Documents