The Council of Waltham Forest was scheduled to meet on 11 December 2025 to discuss several topics, including the council tax support scheme, fees and charges for 2026/27, and a proposed new smoke control order. Councillors were also scheduled to discuss the Corporate Parenting Board annual report and a protocol for honorary alderpeople.

Proposed New Smoke Control Order

A report in the public reports pack considered a proposal to consolidate existing Smoke Control Orders (SCOs) into a single order covering the entire borough. The report noted that air pollution is a significant public health issue, and that domestic wood burning has contributed to increased emissions of particulate matter.

The report stated that the council's existing SCO documentation was incomplete, making enforcement problematic. The council was asked to approve:

• The consolidation of existing SCAs into a single SCA.
• The publication of a notice regarding the revocation of existing SCOs and the creation of a new one.

The report pack included a draft of the Smoke Control Revocation Order and the proposed new Smoke Control Order. An Equality Impact Assessment Screener noted that while the new order would apply equally to all residents, it was expected to have a positive impact on age groups more susceptible to air pollution, people with disabilities, and pregnant women.

Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27

A report in the public reports pack recommended that the council continue its income banded Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme, which helps low-income households pay council tax. As of 10 September 2025, 9,025 working-age households were receiving support under the scheme. The report pack included an Equality Analysis which stated that the scheme was likely to disproportionately affect women, those with disabilities, and people from BME backgrounds. The report recommended that the council:

• Continue with the income banded CTS scheme, with a maximum award of 85% for the 2026/27 billing year.
• Make £750,000 available for a Discretionary Hardship Fund.
• Delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Resources to make minor changes to the scheme.

The report also noted that the projected cost of the scheme was £19.53 million, £0.93 million more than the existing scheme. The report pack included the council's Discretionary Housing Payment and Discretionary Council Tax Support Policy, and a Sustainability Impact Matrix.

Fees and Charges 2026/27

A report was prepared regarding proposed fees and charges for 2026/27. The report in the public reports pack noted that fees and charges would be uplifted to ensure full cost recovery and align with market rates, with some fees set by statute. The council was asked to agree to the schedule of fees and charges, and to uplift them by 1 February 2026, or at the latest 1 April 2026, with the exception of academic-related charges. The report pack included an analysis of income budgets and an equalities screener.

Specific proposals included:

• Communications: Increasing fees and charges for Waltham Forest News by 3.8%, while maintaining the income target.
• Culture: No increases in fees for venue hire, licensing, and retail at the William Morris Gallery, but a review of hire packages to maximise financial returns. Fees for the Archives service, now based in Chingford Assembly Hall, would be increased in line with other London archives.
• Registrars and Ceremonies: Increases of 1-25% on non-statutory fees and charges for the Registrar's service, and 14-30% for the Citizenship service.
• Queens Road: Charges to increase by 7.5% in line with market value.
• Libraries and Adult Learning: A 10% increase on lettings fees and charges for libraries, and a 10% average increase in fees for Adult Learning.
• Adults Social Care: Increasing maximum fees by around 7% for in-house residential care homes (Alliston House, George Mason Lodge and Mapleton Road), and a 5% increase for Community Alarms and telecare.
• Education Music: A 5% increase in fees and charges for Waltham Forest Music, implemented from September 2026.
• Education Welfare: £80 fine if paid within 21 days, dependent on the number of penalties issued.
• Regeneration, Planning and Delivery: Development Management Charges being increased by 5 – 10%. Building Control fees to increase by 10%. Land Charge fees to increase by 3%.
• Commercial Property Investment: No increase to the property services lettings service fee.
• Place – Housing: Administration charges for the Homelessness Service to recover the cost of relocating the possessions of homeless households have been removed. Fees and charges within the Housing Revenue Account to increase by an average of 5.5%.
• Regulatory Services & Contingency Planning: A 2% increase for permanent market traders, and a 5% increase for casual traders and other discretionary services. Housing Act notice fees to increase by 6%, and other administration fees by 10%.
• Neighbourhood Services: Cemeteries 3.2%, Green Space 4%, Pastures 4%, Sports pitches and Open Spaces 1.6%, Leyton sports 3.5%. Waste replacement Bins service (where applicable) 3.6% , Parking Fees 5.6%, Highways 1.5%.
• The Hive: Fees and charges to increase by an average of 4%.
• Revenues and Benefits: Council Tax court costs would increase by £13.00 to £133.50 and Business Rates rising by £24.00 to £223.50 to take effect from 1st April 2026.
• Governance and Law (Mortuary): Charges for the mortuary to remain comparable with other London mortuaries.

Corporate Parenting Board Annual Report 2024/25

The council was scheduled to consider the Corporate Parenting Board's annual report for 2024/25. The report provided an overview of the board's work in championing the rights and welfare of children in care and care leavers. Key priorities for the board included:

• Ensuring children and young people can meaningfully participate in decisions affecting them.
• Promoting physical, emotional, and mental health.
• Supporting educational attainment, skills development, and employment opportunities.
• Facilitating stable living arrangements and positive transitions.
• Equipping care leavers with the skills and support needed for independent living.

The report also highlighted the importance of listening to the experiences and aspirations of children and young people. The council was asked to agree to the contents of the report and support the board's strategic priorities. The report pack included the Corporate Parenting Board Strategy 2025 - 2026.

Protocol for Honorary Alderperson

The council was scheduled to consider a report regarding the adoption of a protocol for honorary alderpeople¹. The report noted that the Local Government Act 1972 gives principal councils the power to confer the title of 'Honorary Alderman' (or 'Honorary Alderwoman') on persons who have rendered eminent services to the council as past members. The council was asked to:

• Adopt the protocol outlined in Appendix 1.
• Amend the constitution to make explicit that decisions to make awards under that protocol are reserved to the Full Council.
• Note the addition of a title of Honorary Alderperson in accordance with the Council's equality commitments.

Long and Distinguished Service Awards

The council was scheduled to consider a report recommending that Long and Distinguished Service awards be conferred on councillors who have accrued 20 years' service to the council. The report identified Councillor Marie Pye as meeting the criteria for the award.

Other items

The agenda frontsheet also included the following items:

• Apologies for absence
• Declarations of interest
• Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting
• Announcements from the Mayor, Council Leader, Cabinet Members and Chief Executive
• Public statements
• Members' questions
• Notices of motion, including a Labour Group Motion on Gambling Harms, which called for urgent reforms to tackle the harms caused by gambling and to restore decision-making powers to local authorities.
• Appointments, details of which were to be set out in the Order Paper for the meeting.

The order paper also included the minutes of the previous meeting, and a Labour Group Motion on Gambling Harms.