The Budget Scrutiny Committee of Waltham Forest Council was scheduled to consider several key financial reports and updates. Discussions were planned around the council's budget for fees and charges, the summary of its reserves for the upcoming financial year, and an overall scrutiny report.

Budget Review – Fees and Charges 2026/27

A significant portion of the meeting was allocated to reviewing the proposed fees and charges for the 2026/27 financial year. This agenda item, detailed in documents such as Fees and Charges 2026-27 Budget Scrutiny Nov 25 and its appendices Appendix 1 Fees and Charges 2026-27 and EqIA screener template 2026-27, would have provided an opportunity for the committee to examine the council's plans for income generation through service fees.

Reserves Summary 2025/26

The committee was also scheduled to review the council's financial reserves for the 2025/26 period. This would have involved looking at the Reserves Summary 2025-26 and associated documents, including the Reserves Strategy and Reserves and Provisions 31st March 2025. Understanding the council's reserves is crucial for assessing its financial resilience and its capacity to manage unexpected expenditures.

The Scrutiny Report

A comprehensive Scrutiny Report was also on the agenda. This report likely encompasses a broader review of the council's financial performance and practices. It would have been accompanied by supporting documents such as the Draft Forward Plan 25-26, the Budget Scrutiny Action Tracker November 2025, and responses to previous actions, including Action ResponseLA with EFSBudget Scrutiny Sep and Action ResponseSocial Care Indp ReviewBudget Scrutiny Sep.

Update on MTFS Position

The committee was also scheduled to receive an update on the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) position. The MTFS is a key document that outlines the council's financial plans and priorities over a three-to-five-year period, ensuring financial sustainability and alignment with strategic objectives.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Miriam Mirwitch, with Councillor Zafran Malik serving as Vice-Chair. Other councillors in attendance were Councillor Afzal Akram, Councillor Shumon Ali-Rahman, Councillor Kastriot Berberi, Councillor Tim James, and Councillor Marie Pye. Rob Manning, Ursula Gamble, and Linda Murray were also listed as attendees.