Council funding is broken: we need the government to act now
On Wednesday, 6 March the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, presented his latest budget.
Sadly, it offered very little to local authorities, who have been struggling with weathering a perfect storm of increased demand on essential services, combined with sweeping cuts in Government support. In 2013, 57 per cent of our funding came from central government. Today, that has fallen to 34 per cent.
In the last week alone, government bailout agreements for councils across the country totalled £2.5bn, forcing them to increase the burden on everyone in those areas who pay Council Tax even more. It was an admission that the current funding of local authorities after years of austerity and a cost-of-living crisis is broken. We need the government to act now.
Thank you to everyone who signed our petition to save the Household Support Fund (HSF) and helped persuade the government to keep this vital lifeline going. While I welcome the Chancellor's announcement that the HSF will continue, it is only for six months rather than the two years charities and others have called for.
The HSF has helped us support over 11,000 families with free school meal vouchers and make over 5,000 direct targeted payments to vulnerable households, among other things. Those needs won't go away in the next six months, so our fight for a long-term government commitment to giving us the funding we need continues.
The last few years have seen increased investment coming into our borough. This is already creating more jobs and opportunities for residents and businesses, but I know the benefits haven't been felt by everyone and we need to do more.
Our new Mission Waltham Forest plan will help us tackle the issues that are important to you, such as the housing crisis and fear of crime, and make living here the positive experience you all deserve. It will address the areas where we need to do better, from improving our services to making sure every contact with us meets the high standards you rightly expect.
We are always looking at ways to make our resources work harder for all residents in Waltham Forest, so please continue to let us know how we can support you and make life in the borough better for everyone.
Finally, I’d like to mention the brilliant video that some of our young residents have made about their lives in Walthamstow. I was blown away by the creativity in the video and so impressed with the way they articulate their experiences. You can watch it here.
Grace
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
 Mission Waltham Forest is our plan to ensure all our residents benefit from improvements to the borough.
In recent years, investments and developments in Waltham Forest have contributed to the growth of our local economy, and created better opportunity for people living here. We've seen 10,000 new homes built, 34 miles of bike lanes to help people travel cheaply and safely, and will soon benefit from the brand-new University of Portsmouth London campus near Walthamstow Central train station, bringing jobs and world class learning to the heart of the borough.
All of this is helping to make our borough an exciting destination in which to live, work, study, and visit but we know that not everyone is benefitting from these improvements. Mission Waltham Forest's aim is to ensure that the progress we're making in the borough is inclusive, and enjoyed by every single person who lives here.
We are prioritising six main areas to tackle the housing crisis, reduce fear of crime and make living here the positive experience you deserve:
- to ensure every family and every child is given every opportunity
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to build an economy that works for everyone
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to make Waltham Forest a great place to live in and age well
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to tackle the housing crisis head on
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to lead the way for a net-zero borough
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to create safe, green neighbourhoods where everyone can thrive
Click the postcode nearest you to find events coming up around the borough.
 How the revamped Regal could look
A new planning application has been submitted by Mammoth Capital for the Regal Cinema in Highams Park. The application includes:
- a two screen cinema and a café bar on the ground floor level
- the retention and restoration of street frontage historical façade
- the construction of a part two, part six storey building
- 33 residential apartments on the floors above.
Mammoth has been working on the new proposal, taking into account previous feedback from engagement with residents and stakeholders.
You can have your say on the updated proposals until Monday 25 March 2024 on the Waltham Forest Council planning website.
Although the consultation will be running for 21 days, we will continue to accept and consider consultation comments right up until the application goes to the Planning Committee later this year.
 Our first Reuse and Repair Fair of the year is rolling into George Mitchell Secondary School in Leyton this Saturday, 9 March from 11am to 3pm.
Bring along clothing to alter and mend, household items for repair and your bike for maintenance. Or be inspired by new ways to recycle, upcycle and repurpose everyday items with a host of fun activities for all ages.
 A sensory room at Lester House respite centre
The final stage of the innovative Leyton Green Partnership has been completed. It sees a new respite centre for young disabled people and school improvements, funded by the building of 47 high-quality homes for local people nearby.
On Monday 26 February 2024, councillors and council officers went to Belmont Park School to celebrate the completion of the project with a tour of the new social care and educational facilities and new homes.
Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service is excited to announced that millinery (hat making) is back on the menu with our new tutor, Georgina Abbott.
Georgina is a Walthamstow-based milliner who has been designing and making headwear for everyday and special occasions as well as for film and TV for over 20 years.
Learn how to use a variety of materials to make creative headwear for your collection. These courses also make a great gift for Mother’s Day, and as our gift to you we are giving you 20 per cent of all our courses until Monday 11 March 2024.
 Age UK Waltham Forest runs a variety of social events for veterans. Sessions take place in Chingford and Leyton on:
- the first Saturday of every month, from 9am for Breakfast Club at The Greene Man pub, Old Church Road, E4 6RB
- the second and fourth Mondays of each month, 2pm for Coffee Club at the Age UK hub, 58 Hall Lane, E4 8EU
- the last Wednesday of every month, noon at Leyton Orient Football Club. Come to the club reception in Oliver Road, E10 5NF
For further details contact Dave Hale on 07519 377 599, Alistair Martin on 07519 377 592 or email veterans@ageukwalthamforest.org.uk
 Join us as The Hive (formerly Suntrap) takes over Fellowship Square during the Easter holidays for a day of fun and education about all things nature and sustainability. There’ll be something for everyone with animal handling, bushcraft, DIY bug hotels and nature-based wellbeing activities. Let’s Get Out will be delivering orienteering and other interactive practical outdoor skills and Plant Compassion will be doing crafts promoting oneness with nature and climate change awareness.
Entry is free, with some activities ticketed with a small fee. This special one-day event is taking place on Wednesday 3 April and is guaranteed to be a fun-filled family day out – come, have fun and learn new skills along the way.
 It’s your last chance to get an application in to the Community Walking and Cycling Fund as the deadline is this Sunday, 10 March.
We want to hear from you if you have a project that could help people in Waltham Forest get more active, make social connections or travel more sustainably.
 At the top of the newsletter, we talk about Mission Waltham Forest – our plans for a fairer, more equal borough for all.
This involves tackling the biggest challenges we face as a community head on. Some of these were highlighted as a recent screening at Fellowship Square of Where We Live, a short film from the Digital Story Company, working with young people about the highs and lows of living in Walthamstow. It features young residents' words and voices and was brought to life by an amazing creative team, including local residents Shakira, who co-produced the project, and Kaleem, who worked with the young residents and provided the avatars for the animations. Both have gained experience of working in the creative industries through our Future Formed programme.
The video highlights the importance of safe spaces for our young people to meet in. We agree, and are working with community organisations like Project Zero and Break Tha Cycle on our Space4All youth spaces across the borough.
 This Easter, Waltham Forest Holiday Activity Programme will be running free activities for school-age children who are in receipt of benefit-related free school meals, from Tuesday 2 to Friday 12 April. The programme provides children and young people with a free, fun range of enrichment and sporting activities and a daily meal.
Booking is essential for all eligible children on all activities, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Last chance to have your say on our property licensing schemes
Over the last few weeks, we've been asking for your views on our selective property licencing and additional HMO licensing schemes. They have been effective in improving housing conditions in the private rental sector and we believe that property licensing is the best way to continue to do this.
We’ve been asking for the views of residents, landlords, tenants, and businesses. The consultation closes this Sunday 10 March – please spare a few minutes to take part before it closes.
Current council vacancies and other local jobs
We regularly update the vacancies and local jobs listing on our Waltham Forest Jobs website. Explore available job opportunities and apply for roles that suit you.
You can find the latest Waltham Forest Council jobs online on our website, and check out our LinkedIn.
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