Councillor Afzal Akram
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Positions, Voting Record & Activity Summary
Councillor Paul Douglas's recent activity in 2025 highlights a strong focus on financial oversight and proactive lobbying efforts. In September, he assured the Budget Scrutiny Committee that spending was under control and financial pressures were being actively monitored. He also provided a detailed overview of the council's lobbying strategy, emphasizing the involvement of Councillor Grace Williams through the London Councils Leaders Committee and direct engagement with local MPs by individual Cabinet members to advocate for parliamentary support.
This recent emphasis on financial prudence and strategic advocacy builds upon a foundation of consistent engagement in council proceedings observed in 2024. During that year, Councillor Grace Williams was a key figure in discussions on governance, financial management, and resident welfare. Her contributions in July addressed concerns for vulnerable children, procedural clarity for public speakers, and motions on civility. Later in the year, her work within the Budget Scrutiny Committee underscored the importance of the Corporate Peer Review for assessing progress and financial health. Councillor Williams consistently advocated for transparent communication regarding consultation rationale and stressed the council's commitment to finding savings while safeguarding resident feedback and the impact on protected groups. A significant and ongoing priority for her has been reforming funding utilization to better support those with acute needs, including initiatives like income maximization and the Discretionary Hardship Fund, informed by the Local Council Tax Support Scheme consultation. She also affirmed the council's housing responsibilities and presented the growth strategy, highlighting investments in cultural sectors, council-run businesses, and housing.
While Councillor Douglas's 2025 activities are specifically detailed around financial scrutiny and lobbying, Councillor Williams' 2024 work provides a broader context of her dedication to resident welfare, financial management, and strategic growth. The 2025 focus on financial oversight by Councillor Douglas, coupled with the detailed lobbying efforts, suggests a strategic approach to securing resources and ensuring fiscal responsibility. Councillor Williams' earlier work on resident welfare and funding utilization for acute needs indicates a consistent commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, which may be indirectly supported by the financial oversight and lobbying efforts in 2025.
Key themes across both years include financial management and resident welfare. Councillor Douglas's recent focus is heavily on financial oversight and lobbying, while Councillor Williams' earlier work encompassed a wider range of governance, resident welfare, and strategic growth. The evolution of focus appears to be a deepening of financial scrutiny and advocacy in the most recent year, potentially to support the broader council objectives outlined in previous years. Councillor Douglas's most significant recent contributions lie in his assurance of financial control and his detailed explanation of the lobbying process. Councillor Williams' significant contributions in 2024 include her advocacy for vulnerable children, her emphasis on transparent consultation, and her strategic vision for council growth and funding utilization. A consistent area of interest for Councillor Williams has been ensuring adequate support for those with acute needs and advocating for fair financial practices.
Yearly Activity Timeline
In 2025, Councillor Paul Douglas focused on financial oversight and lobbying efforts. During a September Budget Scrutiny Committee meeting, he assured the committee that spending was under control and financial pressures were being monitored. He also detailed the lobbying process, noting Councillor Grace Williams' participation through the London Councils Leaders Committee and individual Cabinet members' engagement with local MPs to advocate for parliamentary lobbying.
Councillor Jemma Hemsted was active in October, proposing a motion to bolster support for local businesses. Her concerns included rising employer's national insurance, new parking controls, unfair rent increases, uneven police resource distribution, road closures, and business rate reform. The motion called for specific actions such as writing to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, reverting parking controls, ensuring fair rent practices, discussing police resource allocation, considering road closure impacts, and lobbying for a fair business rate deal. She also sought information on preventing business closures on Cherrydown Avenue.
Monthly Activity in 2025
During October 2025, Councillor Jemma Hemsted was active in one council meeting. She proposed a motion to increase support for local businesses, citing concerns about rising employer's national insurance, new parking controls, unfair rent increases, uneven distribution of Metropolitan Police Service resources, road closures, and the impact of business rate reform. The motion called for specific actions, including writing to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to oppose the NI increase, reverting parking controls, ensuring fair rent practices, discussing resource allocation with the MPS, considering business impacts of road closures, and lobbying for a fair business rate deal. Councillor Hemsted also inquired about measures to prevent business closures on Cherrydown Avenue.
Meetings in October 2025
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During the September 3rd, 2025 Budget Scrutiny Committee meeting, Councillor Paul Douglas, Portfolio Lead Member for Finance and Resources, addressed concerns about spending, reassuring the committee that it was under control and financial pressures were being closely monitored. He also elaborated on the lobbying process, explaining that London Councils typically lobbies the Government on behalf of London Boroughs. Councillor Douglas highlighted that Councillor Grace Williams participated in this lobbying through the London Councils Leaders Committee, and that individual Cabinet members were contacting local MPs for Waltham Forest to advocate for parliamentary lobbying on behalf of the authority.
Meetings in September 2025
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Councillor Afzal Akram attended the Council meeting on July 17, 2025. He participated in the debate on the Labour Group Motion, voting in favor of an amendment proposed by Councillors Best and Saumarez, though it was unsuccessful. He also inquired about signage on Cherrydown Avenue, asking:
Can the size of the signage on Cherrydown Avenue be increased due to the high numbers of PCNs and that any money from the fines were ringfenced for roads and pavements in the area?
Meetings in July 2025
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In May 2025, Councillor Afzal Akram's activities included abstaining from votes and questioning council leadership. He abstained from voting on the Declaration of a Nature Emergency and the Waltham Forest Local Development Scheme Update. He also questioned Councillor Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader (Housing and Regeneration), about a reported case of a homeless person receiving compensation after complaining to the Ombudsman, asking:
It was reported in the local press, that a homeless person complained to the Ombudsman and was awarded compensation. Could the Portfolio Holder tell us how many other cases are with the Ombudsman the moment, and also what changes the service has made subject to this ruling so it does not happen again. Also, as custodians of this authority, we should be notified and not left to read in the local press.
Apologies for absence from Cllr Afzal Akram were recorded at the Whipps Cross Joint Health Overview Scrutiny Committee meeting on May 1st, 2025, although it is unclear if this refers to the current meeting or a previous one.
Meetings in May 2025
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In April 2025, Cllr Afzal Akram attended the Council meeting on April 24th. He was absent from the Budget Scrutiny Committee meeting on April 23rd, for which Cllr Emma Best substituted. During the Council meeting, Akram actively participated in budget discussions, seconding Amendment B to the budget and council tax setting motion, speaking during the debate, and voting in favor of Amendment B while voting against Amendment A and the substantive motion. He also voted against amending the Scheme of Members' allowances and abstained from voting on the Treasury management strategy, the Declaration of a Nature Emergency, and the Waltham Forest Local Development Scheme Update. Akram questioned Councillor Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader (Housing and Regeneration), regarding a reported case of a homeless person receiving compensation from the Ombudsman, stating: > It was reported in the local press, that a homeless person complained to the Ombudsman and was awarded compensation. Could the Portfolio Holder tell us how many other cases are with the Ombudsman the moment, and also what changes the service has made subject to this ruling so it does not happen again. Also, as custodians of this authority, we should be notified and not left to read in the local press.
Meetings in April 2025
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During February 2025, Councillor Afzal Akram attended both the Budget Scrutiny Committee meeting and the Special Council meeting on the Annual Budget and Council Tax Setting. While present at the Budget Scrutiny Committee, no specific contributions from him were recorded. At the Council meeting, he actively participated in the budget and council tax setting process, seconding Amendment B, speaking during the debate, and voting in favor of Amendments A and B. He voted against the substantive motion regarding the budget and council tax setting and against the motion to amend the Scheme of Members' allowances. He abstained from the vote on the Treasury management strategy. In a debate on on-street parking controls, he seconded a further amendment proposed by Councillor Emma Best, voted for the amendment, and abstained on the motion as amended.
Meetings in February 2025
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Activity Timeline
Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.
147 meetings · Page 1 of 30
Budget, Performance and Coordinating Committee - Wednesday, 25 November 2026 - 7.00 pm
Budget, Performance and Coordinating Committee - Wednesday, 23 September 2026 - 7.00 pm
Council - Thursday, 16 July 2026 - 7.30 pm
The Council meeting on Thursday, 16 July 2026, saw the approval of a significant motion reaffirming the council's commitment to trans, non-binary, and intersex inclusion, alongside the adoption of amendments to the council's constitution and the approval of the annual treasury management review. Key decisions also included the agreement on the scheme of members' allowances for 2026-27 and various appointments to council committees and outside bodies.
Budget, Performance and Coordinating Committee - Thursday, 9 July 2026 - 7.00 pm
The Budget, Performance and Coordinating Committee of Waltham Forest Council met to review the Council's financial outturn for the 2025-26 period, including capital and revenue expenditure, the Housing Revenue Account, and the Dedicated Schools Grant. The committee also received an introduction to the Corporate Impact Framework, a tool designed to provide a high-level overview of council performance and resident experience. Additionally, the draft Scrutiny Annual Report for 2025-26 was presented for review, alongside the committee's forward plan for the upcoming municipal year.
Decisions from Meetings
71 decisions · Page 1 of 15
Minor Amendments to the Constitution
From: Council - Thursday, 16 July 2026 - 7.30 pm - July 16, 2026
The Council of Waltham Forest approved changes to the Constitution on 16 July 2026. These changes included amendments to the Employment Procedure Rules, Staffing Committee Terms of Reference, Committee Procedure Rules, and Scrutiny Committee Terms of Reference. The approved changes aim to ensure clarity and consistency within the Constitution.
Recommendations Approved
Amendments to the Constitution: Planning Committee Terms of Reference and Planning Code of Practice
From: Council - Thursday, 16 July 2026 - 7.30 pm - July 16, 2026
The Council of Waltham Forest approved amendments to the Planning Committee Terms of Reference and the Planning Code of Practice on 16 July 2026. These changes align the council's constitution with new national planning delegation regulations. The amendments specify which planning applications are delegated to officers and which require committee determination.
Recommendations Approved
Scheme of Members' allowances 2026-27
From: Council - Thursday, 16 July 2026 - 7.30 pm - July 16, 2026
The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, agreed to make interim appointments to two senior positions. Temitope Ademosu was appointed interim Strategic Director Stronger Communities, and Ian Billham was appointed interim Corporate Director Community Safety and Resilience. These appointments were made under the Council's Urgency Provisions on 2 September 2024.
The Council, on 21 May 2026, noted the persons elected as Councillors on 7 May 2026.
Cabinet, on 2 June 2026, agreed a procurement strategy to re-tender two housing repairs partner contracts. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Resources and the Housing Portfolio Lead Member, to agree the final terms and conditions of these contracts.
Cabinet, on 2 June 2026, adopted the Residential Alterations and Retrofit Supplementary Planning Document. Authority was given to the Corporate Director of Regeneration, Planning & Strategic Property to make any necessary typographical or graphic amendments prior to publication. The existing Residential Extensions and Alterations Supplementary Planning Document was revoked upon adoption.
Recommendations Approved
Scheme of Members' allowances 2026-27
From: Council - Thursday, 16 July 2026 - 7.30 pm - July 16, 2026
The Council of Waltham Forest approved the Scheme of Members' allowances for 2026-27 on 16 July 2026. The scheme agreed in February 2025 and February 2026 will remain in effect until at least 31 March 2027. This includes changes to Opposition Group Special Responsibility Allowances.
Recommendations Approved
Minutes of the Council meeting held on 21st May 2026
From: Council - Thursday, 16 July 2026 - 7.30 pm - July 16, 2026
The Council of Waltham Forest agreed the minutes of the Annual meeting of Council held on 21 May 2026. The Council agreed the minutes on 16 July 2026.
Recommendations Approved
Summary
- Meetings attended
- 147
- Average per month
- 0.7
- Decisions recorded Not all decisions are recorded, so this may significantly underestimate the number of decisions actually made.
- 71