The Cabinet of Hackney Council met on Monday 27 April 2026 to discuss the council's overall financial position, updates to enforcement and civil penalty notice policies, and the establishment of a management company for the Britannia Project. The meeting also included a nomination for a Local Authority Governor at All Saints Catholic High School.

2025/26 Overall Financial Position Report - February 2026

Councillor Robert Chapman, Cabinet Member for Finance, Insourcing and Customer Service, presented a report on the council's financial position as of February 2026. The report indicated a forecast overspend of £8.342 million, which was a reduction of £1.325 million from the January forecast. Significant reductions in net expenditure were noted in the Housing, Climate and Economy service, moving it into an underspend position. However, the Children and Families forecast overspend had increased. The report highlighted continuing pressure on the Adult Social Care budget. Initiatives to mitigate the overspend included the ongoing focus of the refreshed Budget Recovery Board, the establishment of a Resources Approval Panel to oversee recruitment and enhanced payment arrangements, and a Housing Revenue Account Finance Improvement Panel to address cost pressures within that service. The report also detailed agency staff expenditure across directorates, with a focus on reducing reliance on agency staff and transitioning to permanent roles. The cost of living response, including the Here to Help scheme, was also discussed, with figures showing significant discretionary funds distributed and increased incomes achieved through benefits uptake work.

Updates to Enforcement and Civil Penalty Notice Policies

Mayor Caroline Woodley presented a report on proposed updates to the council's Enforcement and Civil Penalty Notice Policies. These updates are necessary due to legislative changes, including the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and the Hackney Selective Licensing Scheme 2026, which impose new duties on the council to enforce standards in the private rented sector. The proposed policies, based on model policies from the Association of Chief Environmental Health Officers in England, aim to provide a clear, transparent, and up-to-date framework for officers to investigate and enforce these new legislative requirements. The report detailed the council's investigatory powers, approach to enforcement, and the range of formal actions available, including improvement notices, prohibition orders, and civil financial penalties. The policies also outlined the process for imposing civil penalties, including a matrix for determining penalty amounts based on the severity of the breach, landlord type, mitigating and aggravating factors, and financial considerations. The report included detailed appendices outlining the model enforcement policy, the civil penalty notice policy, and an equality impact assessment.

Britannia Project - Set up of a Management Company

Councillor Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing Management and Regeneration, presented a report concerning the establishment of a management company for the final residential phase of the Britannia masterplan. This phase includes homes for outright sale and shared ownership. The report proposed the incorporation of a Council-owned Management Company, limited by guarantee, to manage services for leaseholders. This approach is considered best practice and aims to ensure clear accountability and transparency in service charge costs. The recommended option involves granting a lease of the common parts and structure of the building to the Management Company after the last private apartment sale. The report detailed the business case, objectives, investment, financial results, and risks associated with setting up the company, including its role as an Accountable Person under the Building Safety Act 2022.

Nomination for Appointment of Local Authority Governor - All Saints Catholic High School

Councillor Anntoinette Bramble, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Young People, presented a report proposing the nomination of Naa-Odoley Ntodi as a Local Authority Governor at All Saints Catholic High School. The report outlined that the nomination is in accordance with the School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2012, and that the Governing Body supports the nomination. Ms. Ntodi's background as a Business Consultant with expertise in strategic leadership, finance, and data analysis was highlighted. The Cabinet's approval would constitute a nomination, with the final appointment remaining with the Governing Body.