The Hackney Council meeting on 17 September 2025 included discussion of climate change initiatives, scrutiny reports, and a motion regarding the two-child benefit cap, which was ultimately rejected. Councillors also approved the annual update on decarbonisation commitments, the Overview and Scrutiny annual report, the Standards Committee annual report, and noted decisions taken under special urgency provisions.

Climate Change Initiatives

The council discussed the Year 2 Annual Report on the Council Climate Implementation Plan 2023-2026, a key document in Hackney's commitment to decarbonisation¹. Councillor Sarah Young, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, introduced the report, highlighting Hackney's progress and ambition in becoming a greener borough. Key achievements noted in the report (Annual Report on Council Climate Implementation Plan 2023 - 2026) included:

• Community Energy Projects: The Hackney Community Energy Fund, supported by Hackney Light and Power, has enabled 46 projects with over £1 million in grants.
• Residential Solar Project: Installation of 1 megawatt of solar panels across 27 council-owned blocks, aiming to save residents 15% on energy bills.
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Point Programme: Aiming for 2,500 new public charging points by 2026, with 1,351 currently installed.
• Sustainability in Transport: Recognition via the National Transport Award for initiatives reducing motor traffic and promoting greener vehicles.
• Kerbside Policies and Parking: Reduction of high-polluting vehicles and increased permits for electric vehicles.
• Circular Economy: Initiatives such as the electrical repair voucher scheme and the Hackney Fixing Factory, alongside the Zero Plastics Markets project.
• Parks and Green Spaces: 33 green flags awarded to Hackney parks.

The council approved a recommendation to note the annual update on progress with decarbonisation commitments (Decisions).

Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report

The council reviewed the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2024/2025, presented by Councillor Margaret Gordon, Chair of the Scrutiny Panel. The report (OS Annual Report 2025) summarised the activities of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel and Commissions, highlighting resident engagement and contributions to council services.

Key areas of scrutiny included:

• Budget scrutiny and financial management
• The Council's budgetary situation
• Complaints and Enquiries Annual Report 2023/24
• Progress on the Net Zero Review
• Safer Schools Partnerships
• SEND Area Action Plan
• Children's Social Care Ofsted Inspection Action Plan
• Unregistered educational settings
• Housing repairs and maintenance performance
• Hackney Carnival's future

The council approved a recommendation to note the annual report of the Overview and Scrutiny Function (Decisions).

Standards Committee Annual Report

The council reviewed the Standards Committee Annual Report 2024/2025, presented by Councillor Anntoinette Bramble, Chair of the Standards Committee and Deputy Mayor. The report (Standards Committee Annual Report 2024_25) outlined the committee's work in promoting and maintaining high ethical standards, including adherence to the Councillor Code of Conduct.

The report noted a reduction in complaints received compared to the previous year and highlighted the importance of ethical governance training for members.

The council approved a recommendation to note the Standards Committee Annual Report (Decisions).

Use of Special Urgency Provisions

The council reviewed a report from Mayor Caroline Woodley regarding the Use of Special Urgency Provisions in Executive Decision Making. The report (Special Urgency Report) detailed one decision taken under the Council's Special Urgency Provisions during the 2025/2026 municipal year, relating to the Youth Justice Strategic Partnership Plan 2025-28.

The council approved a recommendation to note the decisions taken under the Council’s Special Urgency Provisions (Decisions).

Two Child Benefit Cap Motion

The council debated a Conservative motion demanding an immediate end to the Two Child Benefit Cap, proposed by Councillor Simche Steinberger and seconded by Councillor Benzion Papier. The motion was not carried (Decisions).

The motion stated that the policy:

• Had not increased employment among benefit recipients.
• Pushed larger families further into poverty.
• Disproportionately affected minority ethnic households.

The motion also noted that over a third of Hackney households had three or more children and that almost a third were deprived in education, employment, health, or housing.

The Labour Group proposed amendments to the motion, which were not accepted by the proposer and seconder. The proposed amendments (Labour Group Proposed Amendments to Conservative Motion) included acknowledging that the current Labour government had established a taskforce to develop a child poverty strategy and emphasising the need for urgent action to abolish the Two Child Benefit Cap. The motion as amended was carried (Decisions).

Other Matters

• Minutes Approved: The minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 July 2025 were approved (Decisions).
• Speaker's Welcome and Announcements: Councillor Sharon Patrick, Speaker of Hackney, welcomed attendees and paid tribute to the late former Councillor Mr Shuja Shaikh and James Cook MBE.
• Deputation: The council received a deputation regarding plant-based catering and the Plant Based Treaty.
• Public Questions: The council addressed questions from members of the public on various topics, including youth services, post-16 education, support for voluntary organisations, and housing.
• Members' Allowances Scheme: The council adopted the Members' Allowances Scheme 2025/26 (Members Allowances Scheme Report 2025_26).
• Committee Appointment: Councillor Margaret Gordon was appointed Vice Chair of the Constitution Committee (Decisions).
• Members' Questions: Councillors posed questions to Cabinet Members on topics such as benefits uptake, community centres, A-level courses, rent controls, and St Mary's Secret Garden.
• Hackney's Poor Record on Community Consultation and Engagement: Councillor Wrout raised concerns about community consultation and engagement, leading to a debate among councillors.
• Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG): Councillor Ross introduced a motion on VAWG, which was unanimously carried.