Hackney Council's Full Council met on Wednesday 23 September 2026, where key decisions were made regarding the Council's constitution and appointments to various bodies. The meeting also addressed a Labour motion concerning promises made to residents of the Woodberry Down Estate.

Constitution Update: Changes to Planning Committee Terms of Reference

Full Council adopted new Planning Committee Terms of Reference, which will come into effect on 31 October 2026. This change elevates the Planning Sub-Committee to a committee in its own right, separating it from the Corporate Committee. Full Council delegated authority to the Monitoring Officer to finalise these Terms of Reference and make any consequential amendments to the Planning Code of Conduct, as well as to amend the Corporate Committee's Terms of Reference to remove planning functions, conditional on the publication of enacted regulations and the progression of secondary legislation through Parliament. These changes are necessary to comply with new legislation introduced by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, which reforms how planning committees operate. The new framework aims to provide a clearer and more transparent process for determining planning applications, with specific categories of applications now being delegated to officers unless they meet certain criteria or involve a conflict of interest.

Appointments to Outside Bodies

The Council agreed to the appointments and nominations of Councillors to various Outside Bodies, on behalf of the Council. These appointments are crucial for the Council's engagement with external organisations and partnerships, contributing to its strategic functions and community leadership roles. The list of appointments, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, covers a wide range of organisations, including trusts, associations, centres, and charities.

Appointment to the Children and Young People's Scrutiny Commission

Full Council agreed to the appointment of Madeline Levy as an Orthodox Jewish Representative (non-statutory co-optee) to the Children and Young People's Scrutiny Commission. This appointment is part of the Council's process for establishing overview and scrutiny committees and ensuring diverse representation.

Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2025/26

Full Council resolved to note the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Function for 2025/26. This report provides a retrospective overview of the function's activities, highlighting its role in challenging the Council's services, making recommendations for change, and ensuring accountability. The report details the work undertaken by various scrutiny panels and commissions throughout the year, covering a broad spectrum of council services and issues affecting local residents.

Use of Any Special Urgency Provision in Decision Making

Full Council resolved to note an officer key decision taken under the Council's Special Urgency Provisions. This decision related to domestic electrical test and inspections and was made on 26 May 2026. The decision was taken under urgency to ensure the Council demonstrated significant progress against its agreed improvement commitments to the Regulator regarding compliance levels within the Domestic Electrical Testing programme, thereby minimising risk and avoiding potential fines or a full investigation.

Labour Motion - Keeping Our Promises to People on Woodberry Down Estate

A Labour motion concerning promises made to residents on the Woodberry Down Estate was debated and, following a vote, was not carried. The motion raised concerns about potential double decants for secure tenants, where residents might have to move twice before being offered a new home on the estate. The motion called for a commitment that no secure tenant would be required to undertake a double decant, and for a costed plan to prevent this, along with transparency on additional costs and resident engagement. The Council's response, detailed in the Executive Director's comments, outlined that eliminating double decants entirely would be unviable due to significant financial, contractual, and programmatic risks, including substantial direct development cost increases and potential breaches of the Principal Development Agreement. The Council stated that while minimising disruption is a priority, the proposed resolutions in the motion were considered unviable within the existing framework.