At a meeting of the Waltham Forest Council, councillors approved an updated Local Development Scheme and declared a Nature Emergency in the borough. The council also paid tribute to former Councillor Mohammad Asghar, father of Councillor Naheed Asghar, Portfolio Lead Member - Inclusive Economy, who had recently passed away.

Declaration of a Nature Emergency

The council voted to declare a Nature Emergency in Waltham Forest, acknowledging the critical importance of nature and the need to take action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. Councillor Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader (Climate and Air Quality) moved the motion, which was seconded by Councillor Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader (Housing and Regeneration).

The declaration commits the council to:

1. Secure resident support in achieving more ‘nature positive outcomes’ across every ward.
2. Convene residents and local partners to accelerate collective action, including hosting public webinars, working with the Waltham Forest Nature Recovery Expert Panel[^2], and reactivating the Waltham Forest Climate Residents Panel. [^2]: The Waltham Forest Nature Recovery Expert Panel includes representatives from the City of London Corporation, Walthamstow Wetlands, and Lea Valley Park.
3. Mainstream nature recovery considerations in council decision making by undertaking a Local Nature Recovery Plan and reviewing council landholdings for habitat creation and restoration opportunities.
4. Embed Nature Recovery as a strategic priority in planning and design guidelines for new developments, including implementing Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements[^1] and applying the Urban Greening Factor[^3]. [^1]: Biodiversity Net Gain is an approach to development that leaves the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was beforehand. [^3]: The Urban Greening Factor is a tool used in urban planning to quantify and regulate the amount of green space in new developments.

During the debate, Councillor Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader (Climate and Air Quality) exercised his right of reply, and councillors Sally Littlejohn, Catherine Saumarez, Yusef Patel, Marsela Berberi, John Moss, Tony Bell, and Emma Best all spoke.

The motion was carried with 43 votes in favour and 11 abstentions.

Waltham Forest Local Development Scheme Update

The council approved the updated Waltham Forest Local Development Scheme (LDS) 2025-2028, which outlines the council's planning policy framework and timetable for preparing Development Plan Documents (DPDs). Councillor Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader (Housing and Regeneration) moved the motion, seconded by Councillor Andrew Dixon.

The LDS sets out the programme for preparing documents such as the Local Plan Part 2 – Site Allocations, a review of Local Plan Part 1, and a suite of Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs).

The report notes that:

Following publication of the revised National Planning Policy Framework (“NPPF”) in December 2024, all Local Planning Authorities have been asked by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to produce an updated LDS. The updated LDS should include clear, realistic, and specific dates for consultation and submission of the Local Plan.

During the debate, Councillor John Moss spoke and Councillor Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader (Housing and Regeneration) exercised his right of reply.

The motion was carried with 43 votes in favour and 11 abstentions.

Public Statements

Gail Penfold, representing Robert Burns Humanitarian, addressed the council to propose improvements to Waltham Forest’s Dog Warden service, including renaming it Animal Wardens, adding a microchipping service, improving staff identification, and increasing transparency. Councillor Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader (Climate and Air Quality) agreed to meet with her to discuss the proposals.

Saira Begum Mir, founder of the PL84U AL-SUFFA food bank at the Epicentre in Leytonstone, requested council support to find a new venue after being asked to relocate. Councillor Grace Williams, Leader of the Council, expressed support and promised ongoing assistance.

Members' Questions

During the meeting, members posed questions to cabinet members on various topics.

Councillor Emma Best asked Councillor Paul Douglas, Portfolio Lead Member - Finance and Resources, about compliance with the Local Government Transparency Code and whether the authority would have an external audit to look at what she described as a catastrophic failure to comply with the code. Councillor Douglas agreed to provide a written response.

Councillor John Moss questioned Councillor Paul Douglas, Portfolio Lead Member - Finance and Resources, about council tax bills and whether adequate checks are made before revised bills are issued, particularly when someone is coming off the Support Scheme. Councillor Douglas responded in the affirmative.

Councillor Catherine Saumarez asked Councillor Kizzy Gardiner, Portfolio Lead Member - Children and Young People, about support for parents fighting tribunals for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)¹ and whether it was time to change approach and work harder with families to get their EHCPs. Councillor Gardiner acknowledged the challenges with SEND services and outlined action being taken to work with families. Councillor Catherine Saumarez asked Councillor Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader (Climate and Air Quality), about a BBC report suggesting that the Suffield Hatch allotment site is designated a high risk of contamination. Councillor Loakes stated that the site was not considered a high risk site and he would look at the question again and clarify if need be.

Councillor Afzal Akram asked Councillor Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader (Housing and Regeneration), about a homeless person who complained to the Ombudsman and was awarded compensation. Councillor Khan clarified the governance process for dealing with ombudsman cases and noted that reports are made to the Housing Scrutiny Committee, Cabinet, and the Leaders’ Board.

Councillor Jemma Hemsted asked Councillor Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader (Climate and Air Quality), about a report titled “Climate Action within Procurement” and whether a cost-benefit analysis had been carried out to ensure such measures provide best value for council tax payers. Councillor Loakes stated that value for money was always a key consideration and that the council remained committed to placing the climate emergency at the core of all decision-making.

Appointments

The council re-appointed Councillor John Moss, Councillor Terry Wheeler and Colette McCann as the council’s nominated trustees for the Walthamstow & Chingford Almshouse Charity for another 4 year term ending 1 May 2029.

Other Announcements

Councillor Rosalind Doré, Portfolio Lead Member for Libraries, Culture and Sports & Leisure, announced the upcoming grand opening of Soho Theatre Walthamstow, a 900-seat venue set to boost the local economy and contribute to Walthamstow’s nighttime economy.