The Hackney Council's Corporate Committee convened on 14 April 2025, to discuss the annual performance of the Noise Service, the Healthier Catering Commitment, and the committee's work programme. The committee reviewed the minutes of previous meetings and discussed ongoing actions.

Annual Performance of the Noise Service

The committee reviewed the annual performance report for the Noise Service, covering 1 January to 31 December 2024. The report detailed how the council addresses noise nuisance, including both statutory noise nuisance and noise arising from anti-social behaviour.

Key aspects of the Noise Service's operations include:

• Integrated Enforcement: The service combines various enforcement services to address noise issues, allowing for better resource allocation and collaboration.
• Categorisation of Noise Reports: Noise complaints are divided into those concerning commercial operations and those related to residential premises, with residential issues often managed as anti-social behaviour.
• Specialised and Generalist Staff: Trained Environmental Protection Officers (EPOs) focus on commercial noise, while uniformed officers handle residential noise, with ongoing training provided to generalist staff.
• Out-of-Hours Service: The service operates an out-of-hours noise nuisance response on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

• NoiseWorks System: The NoiseWorks system, launched in January 2022, provides a centralised case management solution for noise reports, benefitting residents by enabling more efficient service and easy access to case information. [^1]

  [^1]: Society Works is a registered charity that worked with Hackney Council to develop NoiseWorks.

• Temporary Event Notices (TENs): The report noted that 1902 temporary event notices were received during 2024, and that Hackney receives the second highest number of TENs in London after Westminster.

• Construction Site Noise: The council issued 206 prior consents for construction sites under Section 61 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, and only one enforcement notice under Section 60.

The report included data on the types and locations of noise complaints, highlighting hotspots and trends in both commercial and residential areas. Shoreditch was used as an example to illustrate the number of commercial noise reports received since January 2022.

The report also highlighted the Night Time Economy (NTE) Tasking meeting, where key stakeholders, including the Environmental Protection Team, are tasked to intervene to reduce commercial noise.

Healthier Catering Commitment (HCC)

The committee received a report on the Healthy Catering Commitment (HCC), a London-wide scheme supported by organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and the Mayor of London. The HCC aims to encourage businesses to offer healthier food options.

Key aspects of the HCC in Hackney:

• Objectives: The HCC aims to reduce saturated fat, salt, and sugar in foods offered by local businesses, promote healthier options, and provide smaller portion sizes.
• Target Areas: The project primarily targets businesses in areas of high deprivation, where residents are disproportionately affected by obesity.
• Sustainability Section: In April 2024, Hackney introduced a sustainability section to the HCC, focusing on reducing food waste, improving food sustainability, and reducing plastic in packaging.
• Business Engagement: As of the report, 88 businesses in Hackney were signed up to the HCC project. The council aims to support and encourage more local food businesses to participate.
• Collaboration: The Hackney lead has also taken the lead with regards to the London wide social media for the project.

The report noted that there are 267 takeaways and 525 retail shops in Hackney. The HCC service works to support and encourage local food businesses to sign up and implement healthier catering principles.

Corporate Committee Work Programme 2024/25

The committee noted the latest version of their work programme.