Waltham Forest to Increase Fees for Services in 2026/27

Waltham Forest Council is set to increase fees for a variety of services in the 2026/27 financial year, impacting everything from council tax collection to cultural events. The decision was made at a Council meeting held on 11 December 2025, where councillors reviewed and approved a series of proposed changes aimed at ensuring full cost recovery and alignment with market rates, according to the fees and charges 2026-27 council report.

The increases, detailed in the public reports pack, will affect a wide range of council services, with some fees set to rise as early as February 2026. The move is part of the council's broader strategy to address financial challenges and maintain essential services.

Specific Fee Increases

The approved changes include:

• Communications: Fees for advertising in Waltham Forest News will increase by 3.8%.
• Culture: While venue hire at the William Morris Gallery will remain unchanged, fees for the Archives service, now based in Chingford Assembly Hall, will increase to match other London archives.
• Registrars and Ceremonies: Non-statutory fees for the Registrar's service will see increases of 1-25%, and Citizenship service fees will rise by 14-30%. The Registrar's service has proposed these increases, with some fees remaining unchanged, and the overall income target reflecting a modest uplift of 2.35 percent. Statutory fees remain unchanged in accordance with General Registry Office guidance.
• Libraries and Adult Learning: Lettings fees for libraries will increase by 10%, and Adult Learning fees will see an average increase of 10%.
• Adult Social Care: Maximum fees for residential care homes like Alliston House, George Mason Lodge, and Mapleton Road will increase by around 7%, with a 5% increase for Community Alarms and telecare.
• Education Music: Fees for Waltham Forest Music will increase by 5% starting in September 2026.
• Regeneration, Planning and Delivery: Development Management Charges will increase by 5-10%, Building Control fees by 10%, and Land Charge fees by 3%.
• Neighbourhood Services: Increases include 3.2% for cemeteries, 4% for green spaces and pastures, and 1.6% for sports pitches and open spaces.
• Revenues and Benefits: Council Tax court costs will rise by £13.00 to £133.50, and Business Rates will increase by £24.00 to £223.50.