The Hackney Council meeting on 23 July 2025 addressed violence against women and girls, community consultation, youth justice, members' allowances, and various reports. Councillors approved the Youth Justice Strategic Partnership Plan 2025-28, the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2025-26, and a motion to work together against violence towards women and girls. They also noted the Strategic Plan Update Report 2024/25, the Audit Committee Annual Report 2024-25, and the Licensing Committee Annual Report 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.

Violence Against Women and Girls

The council unanimously passed a Labour motion to strengthen its commitment to tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG). The approved motion includes a review of current commissioning practices for VAWG services to ensure they align with statutory guidance, working to prevent the erosion of vital services, ensuring comprehensive education on healthy relationships in all Hackney schools, and working with survivors and local specialists to understand the impact of VAWG and domestic abuse in Hackney as the council develops its next strategy to address these issues. Joint amendments from the Green and Hackney Independent Socialist Groups were not carried.

Community Consultation and Engagement

Councillor Penny Wrout of the Hackney Independent Socialist Group, raised concerns about Hackney Council's community consultation and engagement, arguing that the council has a poor reputation for listening to residents and lacks transparency in decision-making. She proposed a motion calling for the council to face up to the deep cynicism felt by many residents about its consultation processes and to take a strategic approach to consultations across its remit. Cllr Wrout also suggested that the council should move above and beyond relevant statutory requirements for consultation, ensure maximum input from residents, staff and other stakeholders, and set minimum participation targets. The council ultimately voted to approve amendments to the Council Procedure Rules and the associated Council Petition Scheme.

Youth Justice Strategic Partnership Plan 2025-28

The council approved and adopted the Youth Justice Strategic Partnership Plan 2025-28, as required by the Youth Justice Board. The plan was developed with input from members of the Safer Young Hackney Partnership Board, including representatives from the police, probation services, education, health, children's social care, community safety, housing, the courts, and the voluntary and community sector, as well as feedback from young people and parents. Once approved, the plan will be published, and an annual review and update will be conducted every 12 months to monitor progress and update actions.

Members’ Allowances Scheme 2025-26

The council adopted the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2025/26. The scheme is based on the independent report and recommendations of Sir Rodney Brooke CBE DL, Chair of London Councils Independent Remuneration Panel, and takes into consideration London Council's report, The Remuneration of Councillors in London 2023. The Members Allowances Scheme historically takes account of the officer national pay settlement. As there is no agreed settlement in place yet for April 2025, the 2024/25 Scheme rates are being rolled forwards for 2025/26 to meet legal obligations until the national pay settlement for local government negotiations are concluded.

Appointments to Committees

The council agreed to appoint Councillor Margaret Gordon to the position of Vice Chair of the Constitution Committee for the municipal year 2025/26.

Questions from Members of the Public

Members of the public submitted questions to the Mayor and cabinet members on topics such as youth viewpoints, support for rough sleepers, housing registration, solar panels for council tenants, and participatory budgets.

Questions from Councillors

Councillors posed questions to cabinet members regarding benefits uptake, community centres, A-level courses at BSix College, rent controls, St Mary's Secret Garden, school sites, Amazon Cloud Services, transport network improvements, council tax proceedings, lifts capital modernisation programme, glyphosate use, and the Child Q police misconduct hearing.

Strategic Plan Update Report 2024/25

The council noted the third and penultimate annual update of the Strategic Plan. The report outlines the achievements made over 2024-25 and provides an overview of what the next year might look like for the borough. It also provides detailed updates on the objectives and activities related to the Mayoral priorities of Housing & Homelessness, Poverty & Inequality, and Climate Change.

Audit Committee Annual Report 2024-25

The council noted the contents of the Audit Annual Report 2024-25 and Appendices 1-9. The report provides details of the performance of Internal Audit during 2024/25 and the areas of work undertaken, together with an opinion on the soundness of the control environment in place to minimise risk to the council.

Licensing Committee Annual Report 2023-2024 and 2024-2025

The council noted the contents of the Licensing Service Annual Report 202324 and 202425 2 and Appendix 1 - Licensing Service Annual statistics for years 202324 and 202425 1 1. The report informs the Licensing Committee of the activities and performance of the Licensing Service during the years 2023/24 and 2024/25 and shows aims and targets for the forthcoming year.