Managing taxpayers’ money wisely
Yesterday, Thursday 27 February, your councillors met to discuss the annual budget and decide how much Council Tax will be over the coming year.
This year, Council Tax will rise by 4.99 per cent. 2 per cent of this is set aside to fund adult social care exclusively - it cannot be used for any other purpose. The rest will be invested in the essential services you and your family rely on, such as improving community safety, upgrading our neighbourhoods and parks, and making sure local people have access to employment, training, and development opportunities.
For the average family in Waltham Forest in a Band C property this is only an extra £1.78 per week - but I want you to be confident that we are managing our funds wisely and carefully, investing in local people and protecting the things that are important to you.
By law we must support homeless families, look after older people, and protect children at risk. We spend 58 per cent of our budget on these three key services.
Following 15 years of reduced government funding we are being asked to provide more services with less money. We are caring for more children and young people than ever before. The cost of providing social care for adults has risen at twice the rate of inflation in two years alone. And an acute housing shortage in London means we are helping more and more households who are facing homelessness and need temporary accommodation.
We know that no-one likes seeing their bills go up. We are already making savings by changing the way we work, including how we use technology and reducing our reliance on agency staff. So far, we have saved nearly £16m in this financial year, and our budget contains proposals for how we aim to save a further £9m over the next.
However, despite these efforts, we have no responsible alternative but to put up Council Tax so we can best protect a full range of essential services for local people. Over the coming year our Mission Waltham Forest plan will address the borough’s most pressing challenges and fundamentally change the way we serve you, while also helping us to make further savings.
As councillors we are sometimes asked how we can afford fund large capital projects when our budget is so difficult. The majority of our capital investment programme - including projects like Soho Theatre Walthamstow, Low Traffic Neigbourhoods and council and social housing - are paid for through a combination of developer contributions and government grants, or dedicated funds from the Mayor of London. They do not rely on the money that funds essential services for you and your family.
Waltham Forest is not immune to the funding challenges that every borough, town, and city right across the UK faces. Unfortunately due to the financial challenge, some councils - including neighbouring boroughs - have had to ask the Government for permission to borrow extra money or raise council tax even further. In Waltham Forest we will continue to make responsible decisions about how we use your money and be transparent with you about our finances.
If you are facing specific challenges and needs, we have a range of cost of living support available. If you have any questions at all about how we spend our money or what the changes will mean for you and your family, please get in touch.
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.
 As part of the revitalisation of Walthamstow Town Centre, the former Granada Cinema building will be re-opening this year. We will be welcoming our new operators Soho Theatre Walthamstow, a local theatre with a national profile - bringing a packed programme of the biggest names in comedy, cabaret and live performances.
We are so pleased to announce that they are looking to recruit up to 100 staff members to join their team. There will be a mix of roles in audience experience and food and beverage teams ranging from full-time, part-time to flexible positions. Pop along to chat to the team at several ‘Meet the team recruitment specials’, starting on Monday 3 March, from 4pm to 6pm at Walthamstow Library.
Soho Theatre is committed to London Living Wage. You must be over the age of 16 to join the team, and anyone selling alcohol is required to be over the age of 18.
Information and applications close on Monday 17 March at 12pm.
 To celebrate the launch of The Leytonstone Entertainment Guide, local businesses will be offering discounts, offers and operating extended operating hours on Saturday 15 March from 10am to 11pm as part of a special open day for the whole family.
Look out for star outside participating businesses and pick up a map and event flyer from around the town centre so you can plan your day.
 Harry from customer services at Leyton Orient Football Club (FC). Photo: Jake Green.
From Saturday 1 March to Friday 4 April, local artist, Jake Green, brings Leyton High Road to life with an exciting trail of artwork in shops and outdoor locations that celebrate the town's rich footballing history.
Having worked as a steward and turnstile operator at Leyton Orient as a teenager, Jake revisits his hometown to reflect on his own memories, catch up with old friends and interview local legends to pull together a visual archive that celebrates the people and the places that make up one of the oldest football clubs in London.
This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
 Do you know someone who struggles with English? ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes can help.
Waltham Forest Adult Learning Services offers friendly and supportive ESOL courses for people at all levels to help learners feel more independent and connected to their community. They offer morning, afternoon, evening and Saturday classes at venues in Walthamstow, Leytonstone and Chingford.
To find out more, text ‘ESOL’ to 07423 502 126 and a team member will get in touch or visit one of their learning centres.
 University of Portsmouth (UoP) are hosting an Open Experience Day at their Walthamstow campus, Hoe Street, E17 9PP on Saturday 15 March from 11am to 1.30pm.
Get a hands-on look at the subject you're interested in, connect with academics, meet future classmates, and access all the information and support you need as you prepare for university life.
This comes ahead of UoP's Open Day scheduled for Saturday 17 May.
 Walthamstow Wetlands want to hear from you!
Taking part in their short 10-minute survey will help them understand how they can improve the visitor experience on their reserves. We hope you enjoyed your latest visits, even if you haven’t been to the Wetlands recently please consider taking the time to give them your feedback. You’ll also be in with the chance to win a £20 shopping voucher by participating.
 Do you live or work in the Dunedin area?
Following the perception survey in summer 2024, we have carefully reviewed your feedback and developed proposals aimed at making the area a safer and more pleasant place to live. We now want to hear what you think of them.
Please take five minutes to share your thoughts on the proposals. The survey closes on 17 March 2025.
 Thinking about switching your contraception type? The copper coil, hormone coil and implant are long-lasting, so you don't have to remember to take something every day. They can also be reversed if you change your mind. Find out more about contraception options on the NHS website and book an appointment for the coil or implant on the All East website.
 In partnership with the council, Signature Brewery on Blackhorse Road, E17 are hosting a free Norwegian cultural heritage festival on Sunday 23 March from 12pm to 5pm.
The family-friendly event will include live Norwegian music, short films, a hygge corner, food and drink and more than 20 local business stalls.
Cold weather
Cold weather is expected across London this weekend.
If you see someone sleeping rough in the borough, you can connect them with local support services via the Streetlink website or by calling 0300 500 0914. We also have our network of Community Living Rooms across the borough for those looking for a warm, friendly community space.
Waltham Forest post 16 prospectus
The Waltham Forest post 16 prospectus brings details of the Waltham Forest schools and colleges together into one place. Get information on the courses available, where you can study and how to apply:
Ramadan Mubarak!
For those fasting for Ramadan, make sure you plan ahead for a healthy Ramadan using the NHS’s advice and tips.
Any smokers observing Ramadan will spend around 12 daytime hours abstaining from cigarettes, which makes it a perfect time to quit smoking altogether.
If you need support quitting, get free advice and support from our service QuitRight Waltham Forest at its weekly drop-in sessions in four locations across the borough. Or book an appointment on the QuitRight website.
Events and marketing placements
Learn how to plan, market and manage your own events through a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience – plus, get a paid week-long placement. Future Formed, our programme connecting residents with the creative industries, is working with UK manga brand mayamada to put on the training course, which has seven slots available for applicants aged 18 and above.
Learn event management, content creation, graphic design and more, and network with potential employers. The deadline: for applications is Thursday 6 March, at 5pm.
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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