The Constitution Committee of Hackney Council met on Tuesday 14 April 2026 to consider proposed changes to the remits of the council's scrutiny commissions. The meeting also included a review of the minutes from the previous meeting.

Proposed Changes to Scrutiny Commissions Remits

A significant item on the agenda was the consideration of proposed changes to the names and remits of the council's Scrutiny Commissions. This proposal stems from an independent review of the overview and scrutiny function conducted by the Centre for Governance & Scrutiny (CfGS) in 2024, which suggested that the function could be more focused and effective if its work better aligned with the Council's Strategic Plan and delivery plans. The review also followed a commitment made after the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge in 2024 to review performance management and strengthen member-led assurance structures. Additionally, a report from the Housing Ombudsman highlighted issues with the structure and support for scrutiny and oversight in relation to housing services.

The report outlined that since the last review in 2016, the Council has faced new challenges including post-pandemic recovery, digital transformation, the housing crisis, climate change, rising social inequality, and financial constraints, alongside shifts in national policy and the legislative landscape.

The proposed changes aim to reflect the current operating context, align work programmes with the Council's organisation and strategic priorities, and address issues of importance to local communities.

Proposed Name Changes:

• The Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commission is proposed to be renamed the Housing & Homelessness Scrutiny Commission .
• The Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission is proposed to be renamed the Adults, Health & Integration Scrutiny Commission .
• The Skills, Economy & Growth commission is proposed to be renamed the Skills, Place & Economy Scrutiny Commission .
• There are no proposed name changes for the Children & Young People Scrutiny Commission or the Scrutiny Panel .

Proposed Remit Changes:

• The Housing & Homelessness Scrutiny Commission would adopt a revised remit covering: housing strategy and development; council housing (including asset management and services for tenants and homeowners); housing delivery (including estate regeneration); private sector housing and housing affordability; relationships with registered providers; rough sleeping and homelessness prevention (including temporary accommodation); and planning (residential).
• The Skills, Place & Economy Commission would adopt a revised remit encompassing: community safety; economy and economic regeneration; adult learning and skills; transport; environment (including public realm & streetscene, waste & recycling, energy & sustainability); parking and markets; parks and leisure; arts, culture and libraries; voluntary and community sector; corporate property; licensing; and planning (businesses).

A key change proposed is the transfer of the statutory duty to scrutinise the local Community Safety Partnership from the Housing & Homelessness Scrutiny Commission to the Skills, Place & Economy Scrutiny Commission. No remit changes are proposed for the Children & Young People Scrutiny Commission or the Adults, Health & Integration Scrutiny Commission. The membership size of the Scrutiny Panel and Commissions would remain unchanged.

The report indicated that these changes would not require additional officer resources, nor do they have direct financial, HR/OD, or immediate sustainability and climate change implications. The report also noted that members have a duty under the Equality Act 2010¹ to have regard to the need to eliminate discrimination and promote equality, but no particular equalities implications were identified from these proposed changes.

The Constitution Committee was asked to recommend these proposed name and remit changes to Full Council, and for the Monitoring Officer² to draft the necessary amendments to the Council's Constitution.

Consideration of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The Committee was scheduled to consider the minutes of the previous meeting held on 28 October 2025. The minutes from that meeting noted that the Constitution Committee had recommended to Corporate Committee that the new Planning Code of Conduct for members should replace the Planning Code of Practice. This recommendation was made following a discussion where it was highlighted that while there was no breach of law if the Constitution Committee did not recommend the change, there was an increased risk of judicial challenge. The report had emphasised the strong recommendation for councils to have a Planning Code as part of their regulated decision-making process to minimise the potential for judicial review and potential financial and reputational damage.