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Summary
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The Hackney Cabinet met on Tuesday 6 October 2026, approving plans to extend smoke control orders to waterways and to appropriate land for new homes. The meeting also addressed the council's overall financial position and noted the completion of the Hackney SEND Reform Plan.
Amendment to Smoke Control Order to Include Waterways
The Cabinet approved the proposal to begin the statutory process required to vary the Borough's 2025 Smoke Control Order to include moored vessels. This aims to reduce particulate matter in the air, particularly PM2.5, which is known to have significant impacts on human health. The Environment Act 2021 granted local authorities the power to apply smoke controls to waterways, and Hackney has secured £493,000 in funding from DEFRA to support boaters in upgrading their appliances. The council will also conduct further air quality monitoring and engage with the boating community to address concerns about financial impacts, evidence of harm, fairness, and enforcement. This decision is a key decision and will come into force on 14 October 2026 unless called in.
Appropriation of Land for Planning Purposes at Three New Homes Programme (NHP) Sites
The Cabinet agreed to the appropriation of land for planning purposes at three New Homes Programme (NHP) sites: Orwell & Welshpool (NHP1.1), Regents Court (NHP1.2), and Selman and Wellday (NHP7). This appropriation, under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972, will facilitate the development of new homes, including 90 council social rent homes. Following the completion of these developments, the land will be re-appropriated back to the Housing Revenue Account. This process is designed to minimise delays and uncertainty associated with regeneration projects by protecting developments from third-party injunctions. This decision is a key decision and will come into force on 14 October 2026 unless called in.
Overall Financial Position Report - July 2026
The Cabinet noted the overall financial position of the Council as at July 2026, which indicated a forecast overspend of £6.124 million on the General Fund. The report highlighted cost pressures in children's services, particularly in Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision, and in adult social care, attributing these to increasing demand and rising care costs. The report also noted pressures in Housing, Climate and Economy, primarily within Environmental Operations, due to frontline sickness levels and operational constraints. To address these pressures, the Corporate Leadership Team is implementing mitigation measures, and an Income Generation Group has been established. This decision is a key decision and will come into force on 14 October 2026 unless called in.
Hackney SEND Reform Plan & Post-Inspection Plan
The Cabinet noted the completion of the Hackney SEND Reform Plan & Post-Inspection Action Plan, which is pending approval from the Department for Education (DfE). The plan includes an invest-to-save
strategic financial framework designed to stabilise High Needs Block expenditure growth at 4% annually. It also outlines the development and deployment of the 'Experts at Hand' service model across mainstream settings and providers, and a capital allocation strategy to repurpose underused spaces for Support Base and Specialist Base places. A multi-agency governance framework, including new executive and partnership boards, has been established to ensure transparent monitoring and joint commissioning. The Inspection Action Plan has been integrated into the SEND and Inclusion 3-year Strategy (2026-2029).
Mayor's Executive Appointments to Outside Bodies
The Cabinet approved the Mayor's nominations for appointments to Outside Bodies for 2026/2027. These appointments ensure the Council is appropriately represented on external bodies that support its executive functions and strategic objectives. Notable appointments include Councillor Jacob Cable to the Windrush Coalition of Councils.
Unrestricted Minutes of the Previous Meeting of Cabinet
The Cabinet approved the unrestricted minutes of the previous meetings of Cabinet held on Monday, 20 July and Tuesday, 22 September 2026.
Unrestricted Minutes of the Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee
The Cabinet noted the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee held on Monday, 1 June and Monday, 15 June 2026.
The meeting also resolved to exclude the press and public during the discussion of remaining agenda items due to the likely disclosure of exempt information.
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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Unrestricted Minutes of the Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee
Recommendations approvedThe Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee approved the minutes of previous meetings on 06/10/2026. The committee also approved the appointment of Councillor Rachel Nkiessu-Guifo as Chair and noted the Terms of Reference for the municipal year 2026/27.
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Restricted Minutes of the Previous Meeting of Cabinet
Recommendations Approved -
F S732 September 2026 Capital Update and Property Disposals And Acquisitions Report - Exempt
Recommendations Approved -
Exclusion of the Press and Public
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Hackney Council on Tuesday 06 October 2026 resolved to exclude the press and public from discussion of the remaining agenda items. This decision was made on the grounds of likely disclosure of exempt information.
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HCE S758 New Homes Programme Tranche 1 Sites - Appropriation of Land for Planning Purposes - Exempt
Recommendations Approved -
Mayor’s Executive Appointments to Outside Bodies
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Hackney Council approved the Elected Mayor's nominations for appointments to Outside Bodies for 2026/2027 on 06 October 2026. The decision noted the nominated councillors for various external organisations including the Windrush Coalition of Councils, Central London Forward Employment & Skills Board, and CREATE London Ltd.
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F S731 2026/27 Overall Financial Position Report - July 2026
For DeterminationThe Cabinet of Hackney Council noted the council's overall financial position as at July 2026 on 06/10/2026. The council is forecasting an overspend of £6.124m on the General Fund. The Corporate Leadership Team is taking action to mitigate cost pressures and an Income Generation Group has been established.
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Hackney SEND Reform Plan & Post-Inspection Plan - Non-key decision
For DeterminationThe Hackney Cabinet noted the completion of the Hackney SEND Reform Plan & Post-Inspection Action Plan on 06/10/2026, pending Department for Education approval. The Cabinet also noted the "invest-to-save" financial framework, the 'Experts at Hand' service model, the capital allocation strategy for local Support Base and Specialist Base places, the multi-agency governance framework, and the integration of the Inspection Action Plan into the SEND and Inclusion Strategy.
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HCE S758 Appropriation of Land for Planning Purposes at three New Homes Programme (NHP) sites
For DeterminationThe Cabinet of Hackney decided on 06/10/2026 to note the completion of the Hackney SEND Reform Plan & Post-Inspection Action Plan, pending Department for Education approval. The Cabinet also noted the "invest-to-save" strategic financial framework, the 'Experts at Hand' service model, the capital allocation strategy for local Support Base and Specialist Base places, the multi-agency governance framework, and the integration of the Inspection Action Plan into the SEND and Inclusion 3-year Strategy.
The Cabinet of Hackney decided on 06/10/2026 to agree to the appropriation of land for planning purposes at three New Homes Programme sites. The Cabinet also agreed that the land will be appropriated back to the Housing Revenue Account for housing purposes after development completion. The Executive Director - Housing, Climate and Economy, and Executive Director - Finance & Corporate Resources were authorised to effect these appropriations.
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HCE S739 Amendment to Smoke Control Order to include Waterways
For DeterminationThe Cabinet of Hackney Council decided on 06/10/2026 to approve commencing the statutory process to vary the Borough's 2025 Smoke Control Order. This process will involve seeking public comment on a new draft order that extends smoke control provisions to include moored vessels. The decision includes securing £493k funding from DEFRA for a grant scheme to help eligible boaters upgrade heating appliances and providing financial advice to those not eligible.
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