Waltham Forest London Borough Council, also known as Waltham Forest Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Waltham Forest in London, England. The council is responsible for providing certain services within the borough. The council has been under Green Party majority control since 2026. The council is based at Waltham Forest Town Hall in Walthamstow.
History The London Borough of Waltham Forest and its council were created under the London Government Act 1963, with the first election held in 1964. For its first year the council acted as a shadow authority alongside the area's three outgoing authorities, being the municipal borough councils of Chingford, Leyton and Walthamstow. The new council formally came into its powers on 1 April 1965, at which point the old districts and their councils were abolished.
The council's full legal name is "The Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Waltham Forest", but it styles itself Waltham Forest Council.
From 1965 until 1986 the council was a lower-tier authority, with upper-tier functions provided by the Greater London Council. The split of powers and functions meant that the Greater London Council was responsible for "wide area" services such as fire, ambulance, flood prevention, and refuse disposal; with the boroughs (including Waltham Forest) responsible for "personal" services such as social care, libraries, cemeteries and refuse collection. As an outer London borough council Waltham Forest has been a local education authority since 1965. The Greater London Council was abolished in 1986 and its functions passed to the London Boroughs, with some services provided through joint committees.
Since 2000 the Greater London Authority has taken some responsibility for highways and planning control from the council, but within the English local government system the council remains a "most purpose" authority in terms of the available range of powers and functions.
Powers and functions The local authority derives its powers and functions from the London Government Act 1963 and subsequent legislation, and has the powers and functions of a London borough council. It sets council tax and as a billing authority it also collects precepts for Greater London Authority functions and business rates. It sets planning policies which complement Greater London Authority and national policies, and decides on almost all planning applications accordingly. It is also the local education authority.
Political control The council has been under Green majority control by the Waltham Forest Green Party since 2026.
The first election was held in 1964, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until it came into its powers on 1 April 1965. Political control of the council since 1965 has been as follows: (Put "Waltham Forest" in search box to see specific results.) Party in control Years 1965–1968 1968–1971 1971–1982 1982–1986 1986–1994 1994–1998 1998–2002 2002–2010 2010–2026 2026–present
Leadership The role of Mayor of Waltham Forest is largely ceremonial. Political leadership is instead provided by the leader of the council. The leaders since 1965 have been:
Councillor Party From To Herbert Palethorpe 1965 1968 Tom Brandon 1968 1971 Bill Pearmine 1971 1982 Gerald King 1982 1986 Neil Gerrard 1986 1990 Clive Morton 1990 1992 Evan Jones 1992 1994 Huw Morgan-Thomas 1994 1998 Tony Buckley 1998 30 Jul 2003 Clyde Loakes 30 Jul 2003 May 2009 Chris Robbins 21 May 2009 May 2017 Clare Coghill 25 May 2017 2 Sep 2021 Grace Williams 2 Sep 2021 May 2026 Paul Perkins 21 May 2026
Composition Following the 2026 election, the composition of the council is:
Party Councillors 31 15 14Total60 The next election is due in May 2030.
Wards The wards of Waltham Forest and number of councillors:
Cann Hall (3) Cathall (2) Chapel End (3) Chingford Green (3) Endlebury (2) Forest (3) Grove Green (3) Hale End & Highams Park South (2) Hatch Lane & Highams Park North (3) High Street (3) Higham Hill (3) Hoe Street (3) Larkswood (3) Lea Bridge (3) Leyton (3) Leytonstone (3) Markhouse (2) St James (3) Upper Walthamstow (2) Valley (3) William Morris (3) Wood Street (2)
Elections
Since the last boundary changes in 2022 the council has comprised 60 councillors representing 22 wards, with each ward electing two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.
Premises The council is based at Waltham Forest Town Hall, formerly Walthamstow Town Hall, which had been completed in 1942 for the old Walthamstow Borough Council.
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