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Summary
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The Hackney Council Cabinet met on Monday 29 June 2026 to discuss a range of financial, regeneration, and governance matters. Key decisions included approving significant capital investments for children's homes and regeneration projects, extending grants to voluntary sector organisations, and approving the publication of the new Local Plan timetable.
Overall Financial Position and Grant Extensions
The Cabinet noted the overall financial position of the Council as at March 2026, which indicated an overspend of £2.8 million on the General Fund. Despite this, the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) managed to remain within budget through significant draws on reserves. A key decision was made to approve the extension of existing grants to three Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Infrastructure organisations and the VCS Infrastructure Black & Global Majority pilot. This extension, totalling £300,000, is intended to provide stability for these organisations and ensure continuity of support until a new grants programme can be launched in April 2027. This decision was made to facilitate financial management and control of the Council's finances and to approve the grant extension proposal.
Capital Investments and Regeneration Projects
Significant capital investments were approved, including an additional £350,000 for the refurbishment and repurposing of two council-owned assets at 38 Firsby Road and 15 Triangle Road to create two children's homes. This brings the total investment in this project to £1.35 million. The Cabinet also approved the allocation of £1.9 million in Section 106 funding for various Net Zero and public realm projects, including improvements in Hackney Wick and Red Path to the Canal (£0.5 million), public realm enhancements in Shoreditch (£0.4 million), expanding residential solar across council homes (£0.5 million), and funding for the Community Energy Fund Rounds 4 and 5 (£0.5 million). Furthermore, £800,000 in Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) revenue was approved for the Council's cultural programme in 2026/27.
A major decision was made regarding the Woodberry Down regeneration scheme. The Cabinet approved the appropriation of land for planning purposes at Woodberry Down Phase 4 and authorised a 999-year lease of this land to Berkeley Homes. This paves the way for the construction of 511 new homes, of which 43% will be affordable. Additionally, the Cabinet authorised the commencement of the re-housing process for residents in Phase 5 of Woodberry Down, including the service of Initial Demolition Notices to suspend Right to Buy applications, the award of 'Decant Status' to secure tenants, and the preparation of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for Phase 5. This is a crucial step to ensure vacant possession of the land for the regeneration of approximately 800 new homes. The Cabinet also approved the payment of home loss and disturbance payments to secure tenants in Phases 6-8 who may need to move into newly built homes in earlier phases of the redevelopment.
Local Plan and Governance Appointments
The Cabinet approved the publication of the Hackney Local Plan Notice of Intention and Local Plan Timetable. This marks the first stage in developing a new Local Plan, which will guide development across the borough for the next 10-15 years. The timetable sets out a 30-month process for plan preparation, with a scoping consultation planned for September 2026. Minor amendments to the timetable will be delegated to the Assistant Director of Planning and Building Control.
Several nominations for Local Authority Governors at maintained schools were approved. These included Jo Larkin for Harrington Hill Primary School, Penny Smith for London Fields Primary School, Howard Pallis for Simon Marks Jewish Primary School, Rabbi Nessanel Lieberman for Yesoday Hatorah Senior Girls School, Gill Brady for Primary Advantage Federation, and Ian Rathbone for the Viridis Schools Federation. These nominations are subject to final appointment by the respective Governing Bodies.
Finally, the Cabinet noted the Elected Mayor's nominations for appointments to Outside Bodies for 2026/27, ensuring the Council is appropriately represented on various external organisations and partnership bodies. These appointments relate to executive functions and strategic objectives within the borough.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Exclusion of the Press and Public
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Hackney Council on Monday 29 June 2026 resolved to exclude the press and public from discussing agenda items. This exclusion was based on the likely disclosure of exempt information under Paragraph 3, Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.
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Exempt appendix 1 Disposal of the Freehold of 59 Penshurst Road, London, E9 7TD
Recommendations Approved -
Unrestricted Minutes of the Previous Meeting of Cabinet
Recommendations ApprovedCabinet decided to approve the unrestricted minutes of the previous meeting of Cabinet held on 27 April 2026. The decision was made on 29 June 2026.
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Unrestricted Minutes of the Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee met on 13 April 2026. The committee noted the minutes of the Hackney Procurement Board held on 10 February 2026 and approved the minutes of their previous meeting on 2 March 2026. They awarded a contract for a Technology Enabled Living Service to Provider E for up to £5.5m over six years, approved the award of an External Variable Data Print Services Contract to Bidder 1 for up to £20m over ten years, and delegated authority to the Group Director, Finance and Corporate Resources to award the contract for the refurbishment of Ridley Villas Hostel. The committee also approved the procurement of Planned External Works for Council-owned residential properties through an existing framework for up to £30m over two years and delegated authority for its implementation. Finally, they noted an update briefing on External Fire Safety Remedial Works.
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Nomination for Appointment of Local Authority Governor - Viridis Federation
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Hackney Council approved the nomination of Ian Rathbone as Local Authority Governor for The Viridis Schools Federation on 29 June 2026. The decision was a nomination only, with the Governing Body responsible for the final appointment. The Governing Body will confirm the nominee meets eligibility criteria and obtain an enhanced DBS check.
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The Cabinet of Hackney Council decided to approve nominations for Local Authority Governors at five schools and one federation on 29 June 2026. The Cabinet approved the nominations of Jo Larkin, Penny Smith, Howard Pallis, Rabbi Nessanel Lieberman, and Gill Brady. The Governing Bodies will be responsible for confirming that nominees meet all mandatory eligibility criteria.
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FS 717 2025/26 Overall Financial Position Report - March 2026
For DeterminationThe Cabinet of Hackney decided to note the council's overall financial position as at March 2026. They also authorised the extension of existing grants to three VCS Infrastructure organisations and the VCS Infrastructure Black & Global Majority pilot. This decision was made on 29/06/2026.
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HCE S708 Woodberry Down Regeneration - Phase 4 Appropriation and bringing phase 5 ‘in phase’
For DeterminationThe Cabinet of Hackney Council decided to approve the appropriation of land for planning purposes for Woodberry Down Phase 4 and to authorise a 999-year lease of this land to Berkeley Homes. They also approved the service of demolition notices for Phase 5, awarded Decant Status to secure tenants in Phase 5, and authorised the preparation of a Compulsory Purchase Order for Phase 5. The decision was made on 29/06/2026.
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Hackney's Cabinet decided to approve the publication of the Local Plan Notice of Intention and Local Plan Timetable on 29 June 2026. They also approved delegating any subsequent minor amendments to the Local Plan Timetable to the Assistant Director of Planning and Building Control.
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Mayor’s Executive Appointments to Outside Bodies
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Hackney Council decided to note the Elected Mayor's nominations for appointments to Outside Bodies for 2026/2027 on 29 June 2026. The nominations ensure the Council is represented on external bodies supporting its executive functions and strategic objectives.
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The Cabinet of Hackney Council decided to approve a scheme for the Children and Education Directorate, including virements and spend for children's homes, and to approve LLDC S106 and S106 schemes. They also approved Neighbourhood CIL schemes and noted S106 schemes and external funding for a basketball court refurbishment. The decision was made on 29/06/2026.
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Appendix 1 - Schedule of Mayoral Appointments to Outside Bodies
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Hackney Council approved recommendations on 29 June 2026. The decision concerned the schedule of mayoral appointments to outside bodies. This included appointing councillors to various partnership boards, trusts, and committees.
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