Please also see our press releases, information about Waltham Forest Magazine (wfm) and what's on in Waltham Forest.

June

Crimewatch appeal to help catch murderer

BBC Crimewatch has screened an appeal for information relating to the murder of Michele Samaraweera in Walthamstow.

» More on Crimewatch appeal

Nuisance tenant evicted in ASB blitz

Police and council officers have evicted a tenant whose anti social behaviour was making life a misery for their neighbours.

» More on eviction of tenant

Pupils get MoneySense

Students from Tom Hood School, Leytonstone, are now spending smarter thanks to a project with NatWest Bank.

» More on MoneySense

Young talent wows at classical concert

More than 20 talented musicians, aged from ten to 16 years old, took to the stage with the London Symphony Orchestra in June, to wow a packed crowd at the Barbican Centre, Moorgate.

» More on classical concert

Armed Forces Day

The first Armed Forces Day, an annual event to celebrate the work of the Armed Forces community, will be marked by two events at the Walthamstow Town Hall including a flag-raising ceremony on Monday, 22 June 2009 at 10.30am and a parade on Saturday, 27 June 2009 at 10.30am.

» More on Armed Forces Day

Mock Trials

Young people stepped effortlessly into the shoes of prosecutors, judges and defence lawyers during the Criminal Justice Challenge earlier this month.

» More on order in the court

Tour de Waltham Forest

Following the success of last year’s Tour de Waltham Forest, the cycling extravaganza is back!

With the 2012 Games just three years away, the Tour is the perfect way for residents to get in the Olympic spirit and flex a bit of pedal power.

» More on Tour de Waltham Forest

New housing development partners chosen

Five new housing association partners have been selected to build affordable housing developments in the borough over the next four years.

» More on new housing partners

Adopt an orphan site

The latest project under the “Wiping Out Enviro-Crime” campaign is now underway, and the focus has shifted to those random patches of land around the borough that no-one seems to look after.

» More on adopting an orphan site

New housing development partners chosen

Five new housing association partners have been selected to build affordable housing developments in the borough over the next four years.

» More on new housing partners

Enviro crime costs

A fly-tipper has been ordered to stump up £2,390 after pleading guilty to fly tipping.

» More on enviro crime costs

European Parliamentary elections

The results of the European Parliamentary elections are now available.

» More on the European elections

Young Londoners get musical

Local talent is set to take the capital by storm this summer, thanks to a new music initiative.

» More on new music initiative

May

Epping Forest comes to Walthamstow

A new exhibition featuring works inspired by Epping Forest has opened at the William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow.

» More on Epping Forest exhibition

European elections

On Thursday 4 June Waltham Forest voters get to have their say on who represents them in the European Parliament.

» More on European elections

Fi-dos and Fi-don’ts

A new scheme to encourage responsible dog ownership has been launched in Waltham Forest aiming to ensure man’s best friend doesn’t end up becoming a pedigree chump.

» More on BARK launch

Challenging misconceptions

The Council is launching a series of short films made by young Muslims in the borough to examine the portrayal of their religion in the media.

» More on Challenging misconceptions

Mind your own business!

Owners of small and medium-sized businesses are being encouraged to get in touch with the Council for a new ‘business continuity’ card which aims to help them in case of emergency.

» More on Mind your own business

Crime fighting pilot scheme

Residents will have more say in how justice is delivered in their neighbourhood in a pilot scheme being run in Waltham Forest.

» More on Crime fighting pilot scheme

April

Waltham Forest News redesign: Tell us what you think and win a £100 Sainsbury’s gift card

We are re-launching wfm and want your feedback on its design. Your comments will help us decide how the new Waltham Forest News will look.

» More about the WFN redesign

March

Council commended for community involvement

Forest Flava (the Borough's website for 11-19 year olds) has receieved a 'high commendation' from the LGC awards.

» More on the LGC awards

February

Lowest council tax rise for decade

Waltham Forest Council agreed their 2009/10 budget this evening, confirming residents will have the borough’s lowest council tax increase in a decade.

An increase of 1.9 per cent in the authority’s part of council tax was agreed, alongside additional investments of £5.7million.

» More on lowest council tax rise

Don’t kick us in the crunch!

Waltham Forest Council has launched a campaign to persuade the Government to lower rent increases this year.

The Council is facing the choice of raising rents by 5.8% or finding £2.2million from another place, like the housing repairs budget.

» More about the Rent Rise campaign and getting involved

Filthy café closed down

Café Cirta, branded as having the worst cockroach infestation ever seen by Environmental Health Officers, has been closed by the Council.

» More on the Filthy Café closure

January

Filthy rat infested restaurant ordered to close

A filthy rat infested restaurant has been closed down by environmental health officers who found a rat infestation and poor standards of food hygiene.

» More on Filthy Chill Grill is closed down

December

Council issues noise abatement notice to KICC

Waltham Forest Council has issued Kingsway International Christian Church with a noise abatement notice to reduce the risk of residents’ lives being disrupted by the services it plans to hold at Walthamstow Stadium over the Christmas period.

» More details about the noise abatement notice

» More on Information for residents regarding Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) events

Vote to give Marsh Lane a £400,000 makeover

The Mayor of London is giving ten lucky London parks up to £400k each to make them cleaner, safer and greener. Marsh Lane in Leyton has been shortlisted, and your vote could help to secure the funding.

» More on the Marsh Lane makeover

November

Valley Ward by-election results

Jemma Louise Hemsted (Conservative party) has been duly elected to serve as Member for the Valley Ward at the by election held on the 6 November 2008.

» More on by-election results

Diwali celebrations 15 November

Come and celebrate Diwali at Walthamstow Assembly Hall on Saturday 15 November. Doors open 6pm and show time is at 7pm. Tickets are available from all Waltham Forest Direct shops.

Islam Awareness Week 17-23 November

Islam Awareness Week (IAW) is a national initiative which aims to raise awareness and remove misconceptions surrounding Britain’s second largest faith group. A number of events will take place across the Borough.

» More on Islam Awareness Week

WFD Shop opening in Chingford

The Waltham Forest Direct Shop in Chingford Mount Road will open to the public on Friday 5 December.

» More on WFD Shop opening

Customer Services Award

If you’ve received excellent service from a member of Waltham Forest Council's staff nominate them for a Customer Service Award.

» More on the Customer Service award

Higham Hill Matters

Our Area Matters want to know what environmental and anti-social behaviour crimes need to be tackled in Higham Hill ward.

» More on Our Area Matters

October

Chingford Hall Children Centre opens

Staff and children at Chingford Hall Children Centre celebrated earlier this month, as the new £1million facility officially opened its doors
» More on the opening of the new Children Centre

Annual canvass

The Council's Electoral Services Office will publish a new Register of Electors on 1 December 2008. To make sure you are on the Council's new Electoral Register find out more here.

More on the annual canvass

Hale End and Highams Park Ward by-election

There will be a by-election in the Hale End and Highams Park ward on 4 December.

» More about the by-election

Have your say on planning guidelines to restrict new takeaways in Waltham Forest

New planning guidelines to make it harder to open fast food restaurants in Waltham Forest have been unveiled by the Council.

Residents have six weeks to have their say on the proposals which were drawn up after the Sustainable Community Strategy consultation earlier this year found many people disliked the noise, litter and anti-social behaviour associated with the outlets.

» More on takeaways consultation

Council declares war on fly-tippers

Fly-tipping residents and traders who treat Waltham Forest like a dustbin have been warned they face huge fines and up to five years in prison when they are caught.

» More on war on fly-tipping

Alert over counterfeit vodka

Residents are being warned to avoid potentially harmful counterfeit vodka after 30 bottles were seized from three traders in the Borough.

» More on counterfeit vodka

Museum and Gallery opening hours extended

Opening hours have been extended at Vestry House Museum and The William Morris Gallery.

» More on Museum and Gallery open hours