Susan Fajana-Thomas OBE

Susan Fajana-Thomas OBE's extensive council service, spanning 17 years up to 2026, reveals a consistent dedication to community safety, regulatory oversight, and the well-being of residents, with a pronounced and evolving focus on these areas in recent years.

Recent Focus (2024-2026):

In the most recent years, Fajana-Thomas OBE's activities have been heavily concentrated in her role as Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services. Her 2026 activities, though limited in documentation, show her continued presence at Cabinet meetings, indicating ongoing involvement in strategic decision-making. While she sent apologies for a specific Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commission meeting in January 2026, her scheduled item on Joint Social Tenancies & Domestic Abuse underscores a persistent concern for vulnerable residents.

Her 2025 activities highlight a broad and deep commitment to Hackney's residents. She was instrumental in launching Hackney's Evening and Nighttime Economy Strategy, aiming to balance growth with community safety, and demonstrated a strong focus on tackling poverty and racism through economic growth. Her advocacy for vulnerable groups, including support for the Children and Families Service and improved SEND provision, is a significant theme. Fajana-Thomas OBE also played a crucial role in financial discussions, navigating budget proposals amidst ongoing challenges, and actively championed community safety initiatives, including efforts to enhance women's safety and address street tree vandalism. Her engagement with health and wellbeing, including maternity services and LGBTQIA+ support, alongside her championing of the Youth Justice Strategic Partnership Plan with a 'child first' approach, demonstrates a holistic view of community welfare.

In 2024, her role as Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services was central. A significant priority was combating hate crime, antisemitism, and Islamophobia, particularly in the context of the Gaza conflict, through initiatives like the No Place for Hate campaign. She also prioritized tackling serious violence and violence against women and girls, advocating for a public health approach to youth violence. Fajana-Thomas OBE was actively involved in licensing and regulatory matters, including the Hackney Nights model for managing the nighttime economy. Her engagement extended to health and social care, where she discussed strategies for tackling obesity, the needs of rough sleepers, and the importance of an autistic friendly approach. She also championed green initiatives and emphasized the critical importance of community engagement and co-design in council projects, stating,

I think for me, it's really important that this succeeds as a co-design process because we are going through so many tough challenges. If we don't have a good model for working with the community, then, you know, we're really up against it.

Evolution of Focus and Consistent Interests:

Fajana-Thomas OBE's early years of council service (2010-2013) show a strong foundation in planning matters and housing. She consistently participated in Planning Sub-Committee meetings, scrutinizing development proposals and raising concerns about their impact on residents and communities. Her involvement with the Hackney Homes Board during this period highlights an early commitment to housing services and tenant welfare.

From 2014 onwards, her role in governance deepened, with increasing leadership positions such as Vice Chair of the Corporate Committee. Her focus began to broaden, encompassing scrutiny, policy development, and integrated planning and licensing for the night-time economy. A significant moment in 2017 was her direct questioning of the Cabinet Member for Housing regarding cladding tests and fire risk assessments following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, demonstrating a proactive and resident-focused approach to safety concerns:

Can the Lead Member for Housing reassure residents living in social housing blocks, that tests on cladding have been carried out and all fire risk assessments are up to date now we know that cladding appears to have allowed the fire to spread in the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

The period from 2018 to 2023 saw a more pronounced and consistent emphasis on community safety and regulatory services, culminating in her Cabinet Member role. Themes of combating anti-social behaviour, improving police accountability (particularly concerning stop and search), and addressing public health issues became more prominent. Her work on Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) and licensing matters, including the management of the nighttime economy, became a recurring feature.

Key Themes and Priorities:

• Community Safety: This has been a perennial focus, evolving from addressing petty crime and anti-social behaviour in earlier years to tackling serious violence, hate crime, and violence against women and girls in recent times.
• Regulatory Services: A consistent area of responsibility, encompassing licensing, planning, and ensuring adherence to regulations.
• Resident Well-being and Vulnerable Groups: A growing emphasis on supporting vulnerable residents, addressing inequalities, tackling poverty and racism, and improving services for children, families, and those with special educational needs.
• Housing: An early and ongoing interest, evolving from scrutiny of repair processes and tenant engagement to broader concerns about social housing safety.
• Governance and Accountability: A commitment to robust risk management, council accountability, and effective service delivery.
• Community Engagement and Co-design: Increasingly highlighted as crucial for successful council initiatives, particularly in recent years.

Most Significant Contributions (Recent Years):

• Launching Hackney's Evening and Nighttime Economy Strategy (2025): Demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to balancing economic development with community safety.
• Championing No Place for Hate and related initiatives (2024): A strong stance against hate crime and discrimination.
• Advocating for a public health approach to youth violence (2024): A progressive and comprehensive strategy for tackling a complex issue.
• Emphasis on community engagement and co-design in projects (2024): Recognizing the vital role of residents in shaping their community.
• Holistic approach to health and wellbeing (2025): Engaging with diverse health services and support systems.

Patterns and Consistent Areas of Interest:

Fajana-Thomas OBE has consistently demonstrated a meticulous approach to council business, often seeking detailed clarifications and scrutinizing officer recommendations. Her commitment to ensuring that council policies and actions benefit all residents, with a particular eye towards those who are most vulnerable, is a clear and enduring pattern. Her evolution from a focus on planning and housing to a broader remit encompassing community safety and regulatory services, with an increasing emphasis on social justice and equity, reflects a dynamic and responsive leadership style.