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Cabinet - Monday 21 July 2025 6.00 pm
July 21, 2025 View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required) Watch video of meetingSummary
Here's a summary of the Hackney Council Cabinet meeting:
The Cabinet of Hackney Council convened to discuss financial matters, community initiatives, and planning policies, with a focus on sustainability and resident well-being. Key decisions included addressing a budget deficit, approving property transactions, and launching consultations for updated planning guidance.
- Hackney Downs Park Basketball Courts and Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) Refurbishment
- Shacklewell Primary School Roof Replacement and Solar Installation
- Property Disposals
- Lease of 96-98 Leonard Street
- Purchase of 161 Queen's Drive
Capital Programme and Property Management
The Cabinet approved several capital projects and property transactions.
The council approved £105,000 for the Hackney Downs Park Basketball Courts and MUGA refurbishment, supported by external grant funding. Additionally, £120,000 was approved for roof replacement and solar installation at Shacklewell Primary School.
The Cabinet authorised the disposal of several properties deemed surplus to the council's needs: 18-20 London Lane (including 13a Englefield Road), 14 Dalston Lane, and land at Pearson Street. These disposals aim to reduce management costs and generate capital receipts for the council's transformation programme.
A lease was approved for Disco Wheel Ltd at 96-98 Leonard Street to generate income for the General Fund.
To address homelessness, the council authorised the purchase of 161 Queen's Drive, which will provide 34 temporary accommodation units.
Financial Performance and Savings
The Cabinet reviewed the overall financial position, noting a £9.372 million deficit. Councillor Robert Chapman, Cabinet Member for Finance, Insourcing and Customer Service, attributed this to pressures in providing essential services to vulnerable residents.
The Cabinet approved savings proposals for the general fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA), totalling £14 million and £3.5 million respectively, to address a budget gap and reduce reliance on reserves. These savings are to be achieved through efficiencies and income generation measures.
The Cabinet also discussed the Fair Funding Review, expressing concerns about potential resource shifts away from London boroughs.
Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Strategy
The Cabinet adopted the refreshed Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy 2025-2035, following a year-long engagement with community partners. Councillor Walker and Councillor Kendi worked with officers and VCS partners to outline new approaches to working strategically with the VCS in the face of reduced resources. The strategy focuses on resourcing the sector, partnership and collaboration, and devolving power and decision making to the sector.
The Cabinet also discussed the Voluntary and Community Sector Grants Programme Redesign, which accompanies the VCS strategy. The programme will relaunch on 1 August and will move away from project grants towards core funding, particularly for advice, community infrastructure and lunch clubs.
Councillor Binney Lubbock asked how the voluntary sector redesign will improve the lives of disabled residents, and what safeguards are in place to ensure that services for disabled residents by BCS organisations do not deteriorate as the cuts to Council funding and to PIP kick in, as well as the ongoing uncertainty about EHCPs. Councillor Walker responded that the Council takes very seriously the legal, regulatory and our own policy commitments to ensure that our most vulnerable residents are protected.
Councillor Tobit D'Aloft asked if a risk assessment had been conducted on the potential closure or downsizing of small to medium BCS organisations due to the reduced funding and what mitigations are in place. Councillor Walker responded that a comprehensive equalities impact assessment had been done, and that the council's grant programme is just one mechanism of support for the BCS in Hackney and we are not the largest funder in many of those cases.
Housing Improvement Plan and Ombudsman Response
The Cabinet approved the Housing Improvement Plan and Housing Ombudsman response. Councillor Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing Management and Regeneration, stated that the plan is designed to improve the Council's housing service and to improve the lives of tenants and residents on Council estates or those living in homes owned by the Council.
Councillor Binnie Lubbock asked who is accountable for missed milestones and targets, and whether the service has the resources to deliver. Councillor Nicholson responded that the Council as a whole is accountable, and that the service is resourced to deliver.
Councillor Wright asked about the consultant's report and whether the new housing advisory panel is Hackney's response to the recommendation to strengthen the assurance in place for councillors to have oversight of compliance with the regulatory standards. Councillor Nicholson responded that the Hackney panel's composition was indeed developed following a high-level review of other assurance structures adopted by other local authority social landlords.
Local Development Scheme
The Cabinet approved an update to Hackney's Local Development Scheme (LDS) and an agreement for the Group Director for Climate, Homes and Economy to approve minor amendments. Councillor Nicholson stated that the update includes minor adjustments to the Stamford Hill and Future Shoreditch Area Action Plans. The Stanford Hill Area Action Plan update is to do with the planning inspector confirming the dates that the inspector will be holding the examination in public. The Shoreditch Area Action Plan update is because it's a recipient of a central government grant, which is aimed at enhancing local plan delivery.
North London Waste Authority Joint Waste Strategy
The Cabinet approved the North London Waste Authority Joint Waste Strategy for 2025-2040. Councillor Sarah Young, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, stated that the strategy's vision is towards a low waste North London, reducing the impact of waste to meet the challenges of the climate emergency.
Planning Policy Documents
The Cabinet approved the draft Residential Extensions and Alterations Supplementary Planning Document, the draft Commercial Extensions and Alterations Supplementary Planning Document, and the draft Retrofit Supplementary Planning Document for public consultation.
Supported Accommodation for Single Homeless People
The Cabinet noted the executive response to the Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commission review in supported accommodation for single homeless people with complex needs. Councillor Etti stated that the report cuts across three services, which is house management and regeneration, health, adult social care, voluntary sector and culture, and benefit and homeless prevention.
Youth Justice Strategic Partnership Plan
The Cabinet agreed to recommend the Youth Justice Strategic Partnership Plan to full council for approval.
Exempt Business
The Cabinet moved into a private session to discuss exempt business related to the Council Housing Acquisition Programme and the Capital Update and Property Disposals and Acquisitions.
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