Hello and welcome to the Building a better Waltham Forest newsletter, where you can find out all about the work we're doing across the borough to improve the lives of residents.
Over the past few months, we've seen major changes in the new government's approach to planning and housebuilding. Last week, the government announced a new housing package as part of the Chancellor’s first budget. It includes half a billion pounds of new funding for the Affordable Homes Programme, a five-year social housing rent settlement, and a rule change that allows us to keep 100 per cent of the money generated through Right to Buy sales while removing some of the discount for buyers.
However, the council is facing significant financial challenges with an increasing demand on our services including social care and continuing pressure on temporary accommodation. For years now, councils across London have called for more government support to build new houses. The cross-party group London Councils declared a housing emergency in October after research found that local authorities in the capital collectively spend £4m per day on temporary accommodation. This is simply unsustainable meaning that whilst the budget announcements are good news, we ask the government to go further still to fix this problem for good.
Waltham Forest was placed fifth in Inside Housing’s national league table of local authorities for building new homes in 2024. This shows that we have the will and determination to deliver what our residents need. The budget announcements will help us maintain this track record of success as we continue to tackle the housing crisis head on.
We're not just building homes, we're building places that support residents at every stage of their lives. Scroll down and read some of the highlights from the life changing projects we're delivering. Because together, we can truly make a difference by building a better future for everyone.
Councillor Ahsan Khan
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration
 Are you a Waltham Forest Council tenant, leaseholder or shared owner living in a council managed property? Then we’d like to hear from you.
Here’s your opportunity to give your feedback, share your views and help shape some housing policies we are currently working on, they are:
Our consultation for these policies will close on Monday 11 November. So be quick and let us know your thoughts.
 Walthamstow Bus Station will be closed for six weeks between Friday 8 November and Friday 20 December while Transport for London (TfL) carries out essential safety works following the tragic death of a pedestrian in 2023.
During the closure, the road will be resurfaced and essential maintenance works will be carried out to improve the bus station. The train station will remain open, with access available from the Selborne Road entrance. Please note the lifts will be unavailable.
There will be temporary changes to many bus routes and stopping arrangements. Please visit the TfL information page where detailed information for each route affected and a map with locations of temporary stops are available.
 Click on the image: Watch Cristian as he explains what he does on a communal estate inspection and how you can get involved?
Our council managed estates are regularly inspected by Place Officers, Surveyors and resident representatives.
We really value residents being part of our council managed estate inspections. So, if you are interested in taking part in one of these inspections, please register your interest by emailing the Housing Place Team on placemanagement@walthamforest.gov.uk. Remember to include your name, contact details and the name of the estate you live on.
 High Road Leytonstone has gained a brand-new Aldi store which is a welcomed retail investment into the area, offering affordable and budget-friendly options for local residents.
Aldi officially opened its doors on Thursday 3 October with a little help from George Tomlinson Primary School pupils, and Team GB sprinter Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake. The opening of the store has also created 35 jobs, giving local people access to local employment and training opportunities close to home.
 The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors UK (RICS UK), the leading professional body for land, real estate, construction, and infrastructure professionals worldwide, has awarded Waltham Forest Council with a RICS UK 2024 award in the Residential Development category, for our Juniper House development in Walthamstow.
The development features 91 new homes, a nursery, and the University of Portsmouth (Uop) London Campus. Juniper House has been designed by Pollard Thomas Edwards and built together, with Hill Group UK.
 Join us for the grand opening of The New Score Centre on Thursday 28 November 2024.
The New Score Centre in Coronation Square, Leyton, opened to the public on Thursday 17 October, with the grand opening ceremony taking place later this month. Residents are invited to come and tour the leisure centre, take part in free taster sessions, and even watch the London Pulse HUB programme showcase tournament.
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Date: Thursday 28 November 2024
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Time: 2pm to 4pm
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Location: The New Score Centre, 2 Coronation Square, Leyton, E10 5UN
Image: Housing Compact partners visiting the CCTV Operations Centre
One of our borough missions is to tackle the housing crisis head on and through our Housing Compact we are working with over 30 housing associations to improve the supply, quality and service standards of social landlords in Waltham Forest.
Earlier this month our Housing Compact partners visited the council's CCTV Operations Centre. The visit provided the opportunity for partners to see how we are maximising the impact of this service in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, a key focus for the Housing Compact.
Following the visit, a meeting was held to discuss how this service could be utilised by Housing Associations operating within the borough. It's hoped that by joint working in this area we can provide a more comprehensive approach to reducing crime and the fear of crime, which our residents have raised as one of their top concerns.
 You can now comment on the planning application for the proposed new Crematorium in Chingford Mount Cemetery through Waltham Forest’s Planning Portal.
It follows ongoing engagement over the past year to make sure the new crematorium meets the needs of the community and it’s another opportunity to share your views.
Chingford Mount Cemetery is Waltham Forest Council’s only operational cemetery, and it is anticipated that it will run out of available burial space within the next eight years.
It is also a much-loved space for locals to visit, and a new crematorium would help secure its future for generations to come.
Click on the image: Meet Andy, a Gas Engineer from Aston Group, who guides us through what he does on a gas safety check.
With the weather turning colder, there's never been a better time to get your gas appliances serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
The council's Housing service has 13 consecutive years of 100% gas safety compliance across 8,109 properties in Waltham Forest. This is thanks to our partnership with Aston Group, who service our domestic and commercial gas appliances. We caught up with Andy, a Gas Engineer from Aston Group, to guide us through a gas safety check.
Click on the image: To watch a video about Southfield Court retrofit programme
Leytonstone’s Southfield Court – a 1970s four storey hostel with 40 flats – recently completed a state-of-the-art retrofit courtesy of contractors Aston Group, resulting in a major energy efficiency upgrade.
Interim tests indicate Southfield Court will provide:
- An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of B.
- Up to 60% less energy use, saving 74.5 tonnes of carbon emissions per annum.
- Estimated to save over £17,000 per annum on the council’s energy bills.
Use the link below to find out more about about this energy saving scheme, how we are tackling the climate emergency and leading the way for a net zero borough.
 November marks International Fraud Awareness Week. Throughout the year our Tenancy Officers and the council’s Corporate Anti-Fraud Team (CAFT) are working together to prevent and detect housing fraud that happens at the expense of the council, borough and the wider community. This is to make sure public funds go to those who genuinely need it.
Between April 2024 and October 2024, the council has achieved the following:
- Recovered 32 council properties, of which eight were housing succession applications.
- 43 properties are awaiting civil legal court action, including 9 awaiting evictions.
- Prevented three Right-To-Buy fraudulent application, with a total discount value of £409,200.
Every unlawfully sub-let council property deprives a genuine Waltham Forest housing applicant of the chance of a home. Help us stamp it out. If you have a genuine suspicion that a council property is being used for fraudulent activity, report it anonymously to our Fraud Team.
Weekly food waste collections for kerbside properties in Waltham Forest are now live.
If you live in a kerbside property, you should have already received a caddy pack but if you haven’t, please send an email to wasteteam@walthamforest.gov.uk including your address so that the team can get one sent to you as soon as possible.
For residents living in communal properties, the Council are now half-way through rolling out caddy packs, and all communal properties will be able to recycle food waste by March 2025.
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Find a job, apprenticeship roles, work experience, volunteering and other opportunities in the borough.
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Waltham Forest Council have a WhatsApp Channel, where we promote key information including news and events, crime and safety updates and much more.
You can follow our channel by following the below link. See you there!
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We have a variety of social media channels, which we use to communicate with residents about a variety of topics. Our communications team run these channels, tailoring content for each channel in an engaging and creative way. |
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If you are a council tenant and need to report a repair please call us on 020 8496 4197. Remember to save this number in your phone just in case you're not at home when you need to contact us. How to report a repair
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All our residents should feel safe, whether at home or in public spaces. We know anti-social behaviour is a serious problem, and can cause harassment, distress or alarm. Report anti-social behaviour (ASB)
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Contact us to remove your bulky items. If you have any bulky items which you would like us to remove and dispose of, please visit our website to arrange for collection. Book a large item collection.
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We take fly tipping very seriously. If you see someone dumping rubbish on public land, or if you see rubbish, please report it to us. Report fly tipping.
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We regularly clean all public streets in the borough, including the pavements. This helps keep the borough a tidy and safe place for residents and visitors. Report street cleaning.
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If you see someone let their dog foul on a public street without removing it, please report it to us. We'll try to identify the dog owner and fine them. We'll also clean up the mess. Report dog fouling
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