The Cabinet of Hackney Council met on Monday 19 February 2018, approving the council's budget and council tax for the upcoming financial year, and agreeing to implement measures to protect commercial areas from office-to-residential conversions. The meeting also saw decisions made regarding capital investment, leaseholder services, and the designation of a new conservation area.

2018/19 Budget and Council Tax Report

The Cabinet agreed to recommend the 2018/19 General Fund budget and a 3% increase in the Hackney element of Council Tax to the full Council for approval. This decision includes bringing forward projected General Fund balances of £15.0m and noting Housing Revenue Account (HRA) balances of £10.2m. The budget is designed to reflect the priorities set out in the Corporate Plan. The report also detailed the council's financial position, including the adequacy of its reserves and the robustness of its General Fund estimates. A corporate contingency of £2m was set. The Cabinet approved the proposed General Fund fees and charges for implementation from 1st April 2018 and authorised the Group Director, Finance and Corporate Resources to manage any necessary virements to allocate provision for demand and growth pressures.

Key financial decisions included:

• Approval of the allocation of resources to the 2018/19 Non-Housing and Housing indicative capital programmes.
• Agreement on prudential indicators for Capital Expenditure, the Capital Financing Requirement, the Authorised Limit and Operational Boundary for External Debt, Affordability, and Treasury Management for 2018/19.
• Confirmation of the authorised limit for external debt at £600m for 2018/19, which will serve as the statutory limit.
• Agreement to continue using reserves to manage emerging risks and liabilities.
• Noting that the Council agreed its Council Tax Base for 2018/19 as 71,145 properties.
• Setting the Council Tax requirement for 2018/19 at £76.868m, resulting in a Band D Council Tax of £1,080.44 for Hackney purposes, and a total Band D Council Tax of £1,374.67 including the Greater London Authority (GLA) precept.
• Agreement that the increase in the Council's Council Tax requirement for 2018/19 is not excessive and does not require a referendum.
• Approval of the Treasury Management Strategy for 2018/19 to 2020/21, including lending criteria, financial limits, and the MRP statement.

A recorded vote was taken on these recommendations, with all members present voting in favour.

Capital Update Report

The Cabinet approved schemes for Finance and Corporate Resources, including a £2.787m investment in end-user and meeting room devices to refresh ICT equipment for staff, members, and meeting rooms. This investment aims to improve efficiencies and the way the Council works. Additionally, S106 schemes were approved for resource and spending, with £392,000 allocated for Capital in 2017/18. The report also detailed the re-profiling of budgets for 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, and 2021/22, and approved capital programme adjustments across various directorates, including Children, Adults and Community Health, and Finance and Corporate Resources.

Major Works Repayment Options for Council Leaseholders

Councillor Clayeon McKenzie introduced a report aimed at improving satisfaction levels for leaseholders, which had previously lagged behind those of council tenants. The Cabinet agreed to offer all leaseholders a 5% prompt payment discount and extend the payment period from six to eight weeks. Resident leaseholders will benefit from an enhanced range of payment options, including interest-free repayment periods, interest-bearing loans, deferred payment agreements, equity release, and buyback schemes. Non-resident leaseholders will have access to interest-free repayment periods, interest-bearing loans, and deferred payment agreements. Leaseholders on regeneration estates facing major works will receive additional terms. The Cabinet also agreed to permit leaseholders and freeholders to buy into Council works programmes to benefit from economies of scale in procurement and to better secure the health and safety of all residents.

Hackney Voluntary and Community Sector Small Grants 2018/19 – First Round

Councillor Jonathan McShane introduced the report, and the Cabinet resolved to approve the small grant awards recommended in Appendix One of the report. These grants are part of the 2018/19 Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Grants Programme.

Non-Immediate Article 4 Direction to Remove Permitted Development Rights for Change of Use from Office to Residential

Councillor Guy Nicholson presented a report concerning the current Exemption Area, which was due to expire in May 2019. The Cabinet approved the making of a non-immediate Article 4 Direction to withdraw permitted development rights for the change of use from B1(a) (offices) to C3 (dwelling houses) within this area. This measure is intended to ensure the Council can continue to support businesses and protect strategically important employment areas. Mayor Philip Glanville congratulated Councillor Nicholson on the success in protecting Hackney's commercial base.

Designation of Shacklewell Green Conservation Area

Councillor Nicholson also introduced a report regarding the Shacklewell Green area. The Cabinet approved the designation of the Shacklewell Green Conservation Area, including its appraisal and boundary map. Additionally, they approved the making of a non-immediate Article 4 Direction over part of the conservation area to withdraw specific permitted development rights under the General Permitted Development (England) Order 2015. Mayor Glanville noted that the area contains historic council housing and is frequently used as a filming location.

Executive Response to Scrutiny Review: Reach and Accessibility of Council Services for Vulnerable Migrants

Councillor Carole Williams introduced this report, highlighting it as a collaborative effort across several portfolios. The Cabinet resolved to approve the content of the executive response to the scrutiny review.

There were no other significant decisions made during the meeting, with no declarations of interest, urgent business, questions, deputations, or petitions raised. The unrestricted minutes of the previous Cabinet meeting held on 22 January 2018 were confirmed as an accurate record. There were also no unrestricted minutes from the Cabinet Procurement Committee to be agreed, nor any exempt business or minutes to discuss.