Each year, the council elects a councillor to serve as Mayor for twelve months.

The Mayor is the borough's civic and ceremonial head for a year and during that time acts as chair of full council meetings.

The Mayor represents Waltham Forest at public, civic and ceremonial events. The Mayor's role extends to include events and organisations that support the community. The Mayor also entertains guests in the Mayor's parlour for both formal and informal events.

Together with the King’s representative, the deputy lieutenant, the Mayor receives members of the royal family and VIPs during official visits to the area.

In 2026 to 2027, the Mayor of Waltham Forest, Cllr Marcelo Hart-Camus, will fundraise and raise awareness in support of two local charities: ELOP (East London Out Project) and Waltham Forest Migrant Action.  

Cllr Marcelo Hart-Camus explained: 

I will be championing two charities this year as Mayor; ELOP (East London Out Project) and Waltham Forest Migrant Action. ELOP is a community-led LGBTQIA+ mental health charity promoting the wellbeing, empowerment and equality of LGBTQIA+ communities through counselling, advocacy and peer support. Waltham Forest Migrant Action is a local charity providing free immigration and welfare advice to people seeking safety, refugees and migrants in Waltham Forest. They also advocate and campaign for migrant justice. 

Part of my personal goal in life and now my role as Mayor is to always ensure that we look towards those who are most vulnerable and at risk. As Mayor and as a human being deeply committed to care and community I will go out of my way to ensure that people are listened to and heard and that we are communicating a new era of transparency and participation. This will be a cornerstone of my mission in this role, and why I offer as my Mayoral theme for the year: Togetherness. 

To donate to the Mayor’s Charity, please use the button below.

To invite the Mayor of Waltham Forest to your event, please email the Mayor’s office: mayor@walthamforest.gov.uk.  

All invites for the Mayor require the completion of a Protocol Form.

The Mayor is eager to support appropriate public events, so to invite him, please complete and return:

• Attend in person protocol form (Word file)
• Participate virtually protocol form (Word file)

If staff members are unavailable for any reason at 020 8496 4399, you may leave a telephone message.  Phone messages will usually be answered within one working day, or the next working day if left after 5.30pm or over the weekend.

Young people aged 14–25 with ideas, passion, and community spirit. Work alongside Mayor Marcelo Hart-Camus, lead projects, represent young people, and attend borough events. No experience needed, just enthusiasm and drive!

How to apply

If togetherness means something to you then answer these questions: 

What do you care most about the people around you? (your friends, your neighbourhood, your school) 

• What do you imagine the future holds in store for us?
• What would you change and what would you champion?
• Why are you excited about being the new Youth Mayor of Waltham Forest? 

You must submit either a cover letter no more than 1 page with answers to the questions above, or a video no more than 5 minutes. Maybe you think differently and want to make an artwork or play some music or a poem or a rap. Whatever is the way you want to answer the above works for us, as long as you feel that what you send is really communicating answers to those questions, we are here for it. 

Closing date: Sunday 5 July

Please note, if you are under the age of 18, parental or guardian consent will be required prior to taking up the post of Youth Mayor. 

Your submission should be made directly by email to mayor@walthamforest.gov.uk or by post to the address above. If you would like an informal conversation about the role of Youth Mayor, please do not hesitate to contact my office and the team will be happy to answer any questions you may have. 

Please note this is a voluntary unpaid position