Content

Labour Motion: Right
to Grow
 
This Council notes:
 
1. 
Hackney puts the health and well-being of residents at the heart of
all we do;
2. 
The cost-of-living crisis is creating real hunger, reinforcing the
need for healthy fresh food at an affordable price;
3. 
Hackney declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and local food growing
contributes to our response to the climate emergency for those in
greatest need;
4. 
Social justice remains at the heart of Hackney’s Climate
Action Plan, which prioritises “inclusive decision-making,
prioritising accessible and affordable solutions, and tackling
systemic issues, the Council aims to create a fair, equitable, and
inclusive environment.”
5. 
The powerful evidence demonstrates the link between people’s
health and wellbeing and the availability of fresh food, fruit and
vegetables. Communities coming together to grow food can improve
health and reduce the demands on public services including the NHS
and social care budgets, by reducing social isolation and providing
healthy food;
6. 
The Council has already established the Right to Food and an
ambitious Green Infrastructure Strategy and Nature Recovery Plan.
Food grown locally supports this work;
7. 
Food growing supports our Healthy Weight Strategy and the aims of
Hackney’s Food Network;
8. 
Community food growing is an intergenerational activity, enabling
young and old to enjoy learning cultivation skills for life and
strengthening food security;
9. 
There is land in Hackney which could be used for growing food.
 
This Council
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVES to:
 
10.Adopt the principle of
“right to grow” on council-owned land that is
considered suitable in agreement with the Council;
11.Work with local resident groups
and external partners (such as Hackney Food Network, Incredible
Edible, Sustain Hackney, Made in
Hackney, Hackney School of Food and others) to identify land
suitable for community cultivation, and to make that land
available;
12.Work with local resident groups
and external partners to embed the principles of Right to Grow
across the borough and share good practice;
13.Work with the Hackney Food
Network as a platform to promote the work around the “right
to grow” developing the opportunities for shared learning and
support for future
 
 
Proposer: Cllr Troughton
Seconder: Cllr Smyth