A message from Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
The summer should be our chance to enjoy good weather and spend more time with loved ones. However, this summer will be different for many as the cost-of-living crisis impacts their ability to enjoy holidays, cultural events and other leisure activities.
Alongside our fantastic Free Summer Starts Here activity programme, which all residents can enjoy, we have taken the decision to extend extra support to those who are struggling most in our community.
This week, I announced a new scheme that will see those in receipt of Council Tax support who do not receive the full relief, benefiting from a one-off £75 reduction in their bills this summer. We hope this money will make a real difference at a time when it is needed most, and will take the pressure off families, who should have every opportunity to enjoy some well-deserved relaxation. Please keep an eye out for more details about this scheme in the near future. We are also continuing our work with Citizens Advice, offering one-off payments to those in the most need.
If you are struggling, please don’t suffer in silence. From debt advice to help with bills and getting a job, support is available.
I would also like to introduce your new cabinet, who will work over the next four years to tackle the issues most important to you.
Thank you,
Grace
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Friday 27 May to Thursday 2 June 2022:
Discover more Free Summer Starts Here events on our website
Back row, left to right: Cllr Kizzy Gardiner; Cllr Khevyn Limbajee; Cllr Louise Mitchell; Cllr Ahsan Khan; Cllr Clyde Loakes; Cllr Alistair Strathern; Cllr Paul Douglas. Front row, l-r: Cllr Sharon Waldron; Cllr Naheed Asghar; Cllr Grace Williams; Cllr Vicky Ashworth; Cllr Elizabeth Baptiste
Waltham Forest Cabinet 2022
At a Full Council meeting on Wednesday 25 May, the new Cabinet for 2022-2026 was announced. Here is a list of of members and their responsibilities.
- Leader: Cllr Grace Williams
Responsible for strategy and policy, budget, communications and public affairs.
- Climate and Air Quality, Deputy Leader: Cllr Clyde Loakes
Overseeing the local response to the Climate Emergency and behaviour changes, waste and recycling, highways and parking, and flood resilience.
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Housing and Regeneration, Deputy Leader: Cllr Ahsan Khan
Responsible for Waltham Forest Housing, private housing, homelessness prevention, and regeneration and planning.
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Community Safety: Cllr Khevyn Limbajee
Overseeing planning enforcement, safety and crime prevention, neighbourhood teams, anti-gangs work, and landlord licensing.
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Jobs, Social Inclusion and Equalities: Cllr Vicky Ashworth
Responsible for revenues and benefits, cost-of-living, equalities, and the voluntary sector.
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Public Service: Cllr Paul Douglas
Overseeing libraries, commercial operations, and traded services.
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Health and wellbeing: Cllr Naheed Asghar
Responsible for public health, Whipps Cross redevelopment, sports and leisure, and parks.
- Children and Young People: Cllr Alistair Strathern
Overseeing Children’s social care, the youth Offending Service, schools, and Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) services.
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Adults: Cllr Louise Mitchell
Responsible for Adult Social Care, quality assurance, and poverty reduction.
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Shaping Places Commissioner: Cllr Elizabeth Baptiste
Overseeing improvements in housing estates.
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Customer Experience Commissioner: Cllr Sharon Waldron
Responsible for customer service.
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Culture Commissioner: Cllr Ros Doré
Overseeing cultural development, heritage, and destinations.
- Youth Hubs and Engagement Commissioner: Cllr Kizzy Gardiner
Responsible for youth hubs and engagement.
During the Council meeting Cllr Karen Bellamy was elected as the new Mayor of Waltham Forest to follow Cllr Elizabeth Baptiste, who raised money for the Sickle Cell Society, the Alzheimer’s Society, and Age UK Waltham Forest during her year as Mayor.
People of Waltham Forest, we need you!
Our free Mile Long Street Party along Walthamstow Market takes place on Sunday 5 June between 1-7pm – and we need some amazing volunteers to come along and welcome people to the event.
On the day, you could be giving directions, helping manage queues and participants, or informing attendees of all the exciting games, performances and stalls available.
To get involved with this rewarding opportunity, sign up here or email volunteer@artillery.org.uk.
And remember our other FREE Jubilee events throughout the borough:
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Thursday 2 June (5pm-10pm) Head to Fellowship Square, Walthamstow for an evening of entertainment and the lighting of the Jubilee beacon as the weekend gets under way.
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Friday 3 June (1pm-5pm) Bring a picnic to Ridgeway Park, Chingford, and eat while you meet new friends and neighbours.
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Saturday 4 June (1pm-5pm) Join the fun in Leytonstone's St John's Churchyard, where you’ll be able to enjoy great music and stalls from local traders.
Congratulations to our new No Space for Hate ambassadors, who completed their Bystander Intervention Training this week.
As newly trained ambassadors, these great residents will play a positive role in stopping hate and making #WalthamForest an equally safe and welcoming place for everyone.
Want to learn more or find out about future training? Sign up to our No Space for Hate newsletter.
As part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, this year’s Waltham Forest Tree Giveaway will see every resident in the borough offered the chance to plant their very own tree as Waltham Forest Council responds to the climate and ecological emergency.
‘Plant a tree for the Jubilee’ is part of the Queen’s Green Canopy, a tree planting initiative. Waltham Forest will be part of a wider network of tree avenues, copses and entire woodlands being created throughout the country to honour the Queen’s service and legacy.
Thousands of trees are expected to be planted across Waltham Forest by local people in private and communal gardens and green spaces (with permission), giving all residents the chance to plant a young tree. It follows our hugely successful tree giveaway of almost 2,000 trees planted in 2021.
Register to plant a tree.
William Morris Gallery recently hosted 20 young people aged 16-18 for a five-day textile design programme, inspired by its current exhibition, Althea McNish: Colour Is Mine. The course was led by contemporary textile artist Yemi Awosile, who worked with students to develop their own portfolio of print patterns inspired by McNish’s work.
The programme was made possible thanks to the exhibition's £60,000 sponsorship deal with Liberty Fabrics. Liberty has always had a special connection with the work of Althea McNish, after commissioning designs from her graduate collection. Althea went on to design over 60 silk scarves, dress and furnishing fabrics for Liberty. A capsule collection of her designs has been issued to coincide with the exhibition, available through Liberty and at the gallery when you visit. The exhibition runs until September.
Althea McNish: Colour is Mine
This weekend sees the return of RIDE London! The UK’s largest festival of cycling will see cyclists hit the streets across Essex and north London, and aims to inspire more people to cycle to improve their physical and mental health and to showcase the bicycle as a sustainable mode of transport.
Established under the previous Mayor in 2013 as part of the London 2012 Olympics legacy, the event did not take place in 2020 or 2021 because of the pandemic. However, it’s back better than ever for 2022 – and you are invited to watch the spectacle!
Viewing points and details of road closures in our area.
Are you a young person aged 16-21 in Waltham Forest who would like to learn more about the climate and ecological emergency? Then check out the free four-day course from Suntrap Forest Centre, the borough’s environmental education centre in the middle of Epping Forest. It runs from Monday 25 July to Thursday 28 July.
Through a mixture of classroom-based learning and practical, outdoor activities; areas covered include carbon literacy, leadership skills, ecology techniques and green careers advice. There will be lots of opportunities for discussion and sharing ideas, as well as time exploring the forest.
Sign up by the 5 June deadline.
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Help with the cost of living crisis
Do you feel weighed down by the rising cost of living? Are the pressures of keeping up with your finances affecting your mood or your ability to manage everyday life?
Don’t go at it alone – there is help available with your mental health and wellbeing, as well as your finances. The sooner you get in touch, the sooner you can get some support. More information on cost of living support.
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Grab a jab this half-term
In the upcoming half-term break, vaccination clinics in Waltham Forest will increase access for children and young people to get their first or second vaccine doses. You can check days, times and ages for each clinic, including where our vaccine bus will be next. Simply turn up on the day and bring the whole family too! Find a vaccine clinic.
Free digital skills and employability event
Are you looking for a job, want to start your own business or want to know how to keep yourself and your family safe whilst online? Then join us at our free digital skills and employability event.
We will be running lots of workshops including, Staying safe online, Using a tablet, Improving your interview skills and lots more. You will also get to speak with our employment advisors to help you with your job hunt. Secure your free place.
Where: Walthamstow Library, High Street, E17 7JN.
When: Tuesday, 7 June 2022, 11am-3pm.
Current council vacancies and other local jobs
We regularly update the vacancies and local jobs listing on our Adult Learning website. Explore available job opportunities and apply for roles that suit you.
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