The Standards Committee of Hackney Council met on Tuesday 29 September 2026 to discuss the appointment of its Chair and Vice-Chair, note its Terms of Reference, and consider a dispensation request for Councillor Jacob Cable. The committee granted Councillor Cable a dispensation to participate in discussions and votes concerning LondonEnergy Limited, despite his proposed paid directorship of the company.

Appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair

The committee noted the confirmed appointments of Councillor Rolf Dekker as Chair and Councillor Zoe Holman as Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee for the Municipal Year 2026-27. These appointments had been agreed by Full Council at its Annual Meeting on 28 May 2026.

Terms of Reference

The committee formally noted the Standards Committee Terms of Reference for the Municipal Year 2026-27, as set out in Appendix 3 of the Council's Constitution. These terms of reference outline the committee's responsibilities, which include promoting and maintaining high ethical standards, overseeing the conduct of councillors, and hearing complaints made against councillors under the Code of Conduct. The committee also has two sub-committees: the Standards Assessment Sub-Committee and the Standards Hearing Sub-Committee.

Grant of Dispensation for Councillor Jacob Cable

A significant decision made by the committee was to grant Councillor Jacob Cable a dispensation to allow him to participate in debates and votes on matters relating to LondonEnergy Limited (LEL). This dispensation is necessary because Councillor Cable is proposed to become a paid Director of LEL, a role that constitutes a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) under the Localism Act 2011. Without this dispensation, Councillor Cable would be prohibited from participating in any Council business concerning LEL.

The report presented to the committee explained that LEL is a company solely owned by the North London Waste Authority (NLWA), of which Hackney Council is a constituent member. LEL operates an energy-from-waste facility and other waste management services. Councillor Cable is Hackney's representative on the NLWA. The proposed directorship of LEL carries an annual remuneration of £17,682.

The Standards Committee considered that granting the dispensation was in the interests of persons living in the Council's area. This decision allows Councillor Cable to participate in relevant Council business, ensuring effective democratic oversight and engagement in waste disposal and associated services that affect Hackney residents. The dispensation will take effect from 1 October 2026 and will remain in force until Councillor Cable ceases to be an elected member of Hackney Council or his appointment to LEL ends, not exceeding four years.

It was noted that this dispensation is specific to LEL and does not constitute a general dispensation for Councillor Cable's membership of the NLWA. The dispensation will apply to NLWA business only where that business directly concerns LondonEnergy Limited and engages Councillor Cable's interest arising from his directorship. Councillor Cable will still be required to declare his interest in accordance with the Members' Code of Conduct. The dispensation does not waive the common law position regarding bias and predetermination, and Councillor Cable is advised to seek advice from the Monitoring Officer if any such concerns arise.

Other Business

The committee noted that an update on members' engagement in Code of Conduct training, Disclosure Barring Service checks, and Registers of Interests would be raised as an agenda item for a future meeting of the Standards Committee.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Anna Lynch and Louise Humphreys, the Monitoring Officer. Councillor Florence Cullen Davis had been granted a dispensation and was therefore not required to attend. Councillor Florence Schechter declared that she is appointed to the North London Waste Authority. There were no questions from the public to the committee, and the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 July 2025 were noted.