Investing in a more equal borough
Last year, we published our Mission Waltham Forest plan outlining how we are building a fairer, more equal borough, where everyone has access to the opportunities they need to thrive.
Building the right developments in the right places is a key part of Mission Waltham Forest. Our Capital Investment Strategy contains details of how we will invest over £710m in the next ten years for new homes, health facilities, and neighbourhood improvements and at the same time creating hundreds of new jobs, apprenticeships, and training placements.
The majority of our projects are paid for through a combination of developer contributions and government grants, or dedicated funds to invest in building new affordable housing or improving existing council homes. These projects do not rely on the money that funds essential services for you and your family.
Earlier today, Thursday 20 February, the Cabinet met to review the Capital Investment Strategy and the progress that’s been made. Despite the construction industry being hit hard by high inflation and rising costs, our investment projects have been able to continue.
These improvements so far include opening a new nursery and leisure centre at Coronation Square, Leyton, and building 67 new affordable homes alongside a place for residents to access vital services at Precision House, Wood Street. Work is already underway on upgrading Leyton Tube Station in a partnership project with TfL and the government that will create step-free access for the first time alongside an improved ticket hall. Later this year, the new Soho Theatre Walthamstow will open its doors for the first time.
The planned Chingford Mount Crematorium will serve our community for generations to come, providing a peaceful and tranquil place to remember loved ones. It will be the only such facility in the borough, and will make the process easier for grieving families. These are just some of the projects across the borough that we are working to deliver.
All in all, the Capital Investment Strategy aims to build 3,149 new homes, with 60 per cent available for below market rates, and create 1,267 jobs for local people as well as 672 apprenticeships or work placements.
These opportunities are vital to help us meet our Mission Waltham Forest aims of building an economy that works for everyone in our community and tackling the housing crisis head on. We are determined to ensure that Waltham Forest continues to be a great place to live and age well.
Grace
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
Please note, if your postcode is IG8, your nearest events will appear under E4. If you live in E7 or E15, check out E11. You can also find online events on our website.
 Black bin collections will be changing soon for kerbside properties. From March, they will be collected every two weeks instead of every week – for some people this change will start the week beginning 24 March, for others the week beginning 31 March.
This change brings us into line with the majority of other councils across London and the country, where figures show that 259 out of 295 councils collect residual waste fortnightly or every three weeks.
We have an FAQs page on our website which answers questions around ordering larger bins, concerns around vermin, and why we’re making these changes to the service.
 Community Chest offers funding for local community and voluntary sector organisations to run services and activities which support the health and wellbeing of Waltham Forest residents.
Small to medium-sized community groups, active locally, can apply for between £1,000- £9,999 for projects for adults and families. They must be addressing either the cost of living emergency, mental wellbeing and loneliness, digital exclusion, learning disabilities, or increasing community access to health services and health information.
Interested in applying? Join us for the Community Chest Launch event in Leytonstone Library on Tuesday 25 February, from 12pm to 3pm. We’ll share more details about how to apply next week.
 This summer, a team of 16 to 18-year-olds will collaborate to design and construct a public pavilion at William Morris Gallery during its 75th anniversary year.
Set in the green space outside the Gallery, the pavilion will host workshops, talks and creative events inspired by the upcoming Morris Mania exhibition - exploring craft, sustainability and design. Now in its third iteration, this marks the second time Waltham Forest has hosted this groundbreaking initiative organised by Beyond the Box, following the successful 2023 collaboration with Lea Bridge Library.
 We are celebrating LGBTQI+ History month and the role that our LGBTQI+ community plays in Waltham Forest. We want to raise awareness and encourage LGBTQI+ people who may be considering fostering.
Speak to one of our amazing Local Community Fostering advisors on 020 8496 3437. Alternatively, why not join one of our online fostering information sessions? Next one is on Tuesday 11 March from 11am to 12noon, you can register online via Eventbrite.
 Across Waltham Forest there are thousands of people giving unpaid support to a loved one. If you help a family member, a friend or neighbour with everyday tasks, then you might be a carer.
Life as a carer can be a juggling act and you may find you don’t get time for yourself to do what you want to do. You might get tired and run down, and your own health may suffer. We want you to know that there is a range of support available to you, including emotional and financial support or benefits.
 Did you know that by taking a few simple actions you could increase the protection of your home by up to fifty times?
Most domestic burglaries are committed by opportunists, who will look for homes that seem unoccupied, have doors or windows left open, or where they think they can hide, for example behind a hedge or fence.
Neighbourhood Watch recommends the WIDE(N) method:
- Windows: lock your windows
- Interior: Put your interior lights on a timer
- Doors: Double or deadlock your doors
- Exterior: Put your exterior lights on a sensor
- (Neighbours): Keep an eye out for neighbours
 Leytonstone Leisure Centre’s recent refurbishment has thoroughly impressed local residents. The refurbishment included installing a new roof (including solar panels), improving the interior and upgrading the swimming pools.
Leytonstone Leisure Centre is run by our partners Better, who have also recently launched the New Score Centre nearby in Leyton.
 Based on feedback from local residents, the Council's Community Safety Team has secured funding for free creative therapy sessions for Waltham Forest residents, including drop-in sessions for all ages and group therapy aimed at people who have been impacted by violence against young people locally.
All sessions will last for 30 minutes and they will run for the next three months on Saturdays, with the last one on Saturday 3 May. All sessions will take place at Lea Bridge Road library, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, E10 7HU and are facilitated by a qualified mental health professional.
 Music and community cohesion charity WIILMA are hosting an uplifting pop-up event at Karak Chai Leyton, 684 Leyton High Rd, E10 6JP on Thursday 27 February in response to a recent spate of anti-Muslim graffiti incidents across London in recent weeks.
The drop-in workshop gives residents the chance to make Eid cards and write messages of solidarity.
 Norlington School's Head Teacher, Juan Hernandez, us planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania later this year to raise money and awareness for Cancer Research UK.
Over the coming months the school will be looking to raise at least £7000 for this worthwhile charity. We welcome any contribution to the fund-raising total. All money raised will go to Cancer Research UK.
A special LATE event at William Morris Gallery
In celebration of William Morris & Art from the Islamic World's final week, William Morris Gallery is screening Three Colours Green - a cinematic journey into the Muslim imagination of Waltham Forest - accompanied by a conversation with the filmmakers Shahed Saleem and James Wainman on Thursday 27 February, 6pm to 9pm.
Alongside the screening, the Gallery will come alive with live music, arts and crafts workshops and conversations curated by the Gallery’s Young Creatives, who helped shape the exhibition. The event is free, just drop in!
Pathways to Resilience: Empowerment Through Culture and Wellbeing
Mile Rainbow CIC is launching a new project to empower underserved communities through group workshops on mental resilience, emotional intelligence and practical skills. It will run from February to March 2025, with limited spaces available. Booking is essential—please email enquiries@mrcic.co.uk to secure your spot today!
Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels charge
The new Silvertown Tunnel under the Thames will open on Monday 7 April 2025, linking Silvertown in east London to the Greenwich Peninsula. The new tunnel will help to reduce congestion in and around the Blackwall Tunnel, help make peak time journeys faster and allow for better public transport links between both sides of the river. Charges will apply.
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.
|
