Agenda and decisions

Members are invited to consider the guidance which accompanies this agenda and make declarations of interest as appropriate.

An urgent item of unrestricted business, F S349 Decarbonisation of Property Assets (Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Phase 3 Grant), has been submitted for consideration at agenda item 3.

The report is being considered under Special Urgency provisions as set out in Regulation 11 of The Local Authority (Executive Authority) (Meeting and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 and in accordance with the Council’s Special Urgency Procedure Rules at Part 6C Paragraph 11.8 to 11.10 of the Council’s Constitution. 

28 clear days’ notice of this decision was not provided on the Council’s Forward Plan and additionally, five clear working days’ notice of this decision to be considered at this meeting of Cabinet has also not been possible. Reasons for the urgency are included in the report.

With the permission of the Chair, pursuant to Regulation 11 of The Local Authority (Executive Authority) (Meeting and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 and under Special Urgency in accordance with the Council’s Special Urgency Procedure Rules set out at Part 6C Paragraph 11.8 to 11.10 of the Council’s Constitution, F S349 Decarbonisation of Property Assets (Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Phase 3c Grant) was accepted to be considered as Urgent Unrestricted Business.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1.  Authorised the Council to accept Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS3c) grants of up to £12.9m from Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and sign the relevant and ancillary documentation for the acceptance of the grant sums.

2.  Approved undertaking Capital projects of £28.6m to decarbonise heating systems in 17 buildings, including 10 schools, to be implemented over 2 years.

3.  Approve the investment of £15.7m from the Capital Programme in undertaking the projects in paragraph 2.2, of which £5.5m is repurposed from other works and £10.2m is additional Capital to be added to the Capital Programme.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Council has declared a Climate Emergency and is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions in Council operations by 2030. An important part of achieving this commitment will be to decarbonise heat in Council operated buildings.

The Climate Action Plan (CAP) adopted in 2023 included specific action on decarbonisation of heat which is partially fulfilled by the current PSDS3b project that will save 1,560t CO2e across 9 buildings including 3 leisure centres. Implementing a further PSDS project will represent a further step to implementing the CAP.

The proposed PSDS3c project was split into two parts to target different funding availability within the 3c round of the PSDS grant offer. Three sectors were targeted with soft funding caps within the scheme, NHS, Schools and Other. The Council bid for £8.7m within the Corporate Sector and £4.25m within the Schools sector.

CO2 heat pumps have been deployed effectively around the world for 20 years in applications that require higher temperature than other heat pumps. Successive improvements in performance has meant that they are now as efficient as other systems, whilst generating higher temperatures with chilled water available from the same cycle. Using natural refrigerants also has the advantage of displacing CFCs which are recognised as more damaging to climate than CO2.

Within the Corporate bid are several key buildings representing major consumers of gas where key equipment is also due for replacement:

1.  Hackney Service Centre (HSC) and Town Hall: The current chiller has reached end of life and currently requires significant maintenance each year. It is proposed to replace the chiller with an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) using CO2 as a refrigerant capable of producing high temperature heating water in the same cycle as chilled water for cooling. The ASHP will therefore replace both the chiller and the boilers. The installation will be sized to also support the Town Hall, connected using pipes under the road between the buildings, decarbonising heat in  ...  view the full decision text for item 3.

On occasions part of the Cabinet meeting will be held in private and will not be open to the public if an item is being considered that is likely to lead to the disclosure of exempt or confidential information. In accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 (the “Regulations”), members of the public can make representations about why that part of the meeting should be open to the public.

This agenda contains exempt items as set out at the Exclusion of the Press and Public agenda item.  No representations with regard to these have been received.

This is the formal 5 clear day notice under the Regulations to confirm that this Cabinet meeting will be partly held in private for the reasons set out in this Agenda.

5.1  To the Mayor from Yuliya Keselman

The EY Summary Report offers seven ways to increase income and reduce expenditure that have yet to be fully explored or implemented, and there is no mention of these in the consultation survey. Why have Council Officers not explored these alternatives before consulting on the option of Children’s Centre closures?

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting of Cabinet held on 18 Match 2024 as a correct record.

To note the minutes of the Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee (CPIC) held on 4 March 2024.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet noted the overall financial position of the Council as at February 2024 as set out in this report.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

To facilitate financial management and control of the Council's finances

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED:

This budget monitoring report is primarily an update on the Council’s financial position.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

·  Agreed to the adoption of the policy to cover when and how a public health funeral will be provided.

·  Agreed to the name of the policy and provision of such funerals to be called Public Dignity Funerals.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The government guidance on public health funerals recommends a local policy be implemented to cover when and how these funerals will be provided. Although Hackney council provided these funerals there was no written policy to provide guidance as to when and how these will be provided.

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED:

Not to have a local policy- this will continue to lead to potential delays in determining when a funeral should be provided by the council which is contrary to the legal requirement for the deceased to be treated with dignity and respect.

To maintain the name public health funerals - although these funerals are provided in order to comply with the Public Health Act it was felt that the term Public Dignity Funeral better described the nature of the arrangements being made and the council’s commitment that all residents be treated with dignity and respect irrespective of their circumstances.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agreed to alter the Council’s Allocations Policy in line with the recommendations contained within the report, and as set out in Appendix 1, with effect from 1 May 2024.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Hackney Council is statutorily required to have in place a published allocation scheme as set out in Part VI of the Housing Act 1996 as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002 and the Localism Act 2011.

The context in which the allocations policy operates is increasingly complex and the allocations of properties are inevitably about distributing scarce resources against huge demand.  The proposed changes set out in this report seek to address the potential for misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the Council's allocation policy, and to restore the clear policy intent.

In accordance with legal advice the policy is amended at paragraphs 2.1, 2.5.4, 2.7.4, 2.7.8 & 3.2.3 to reflect compliance with the Housing Act 1996.

The Children and Social Work Act 2017 defined for the first time in law the responsibility of corporate parents to ensure, as far as possible, secure, nurturing and positive experiences for looked-after children and young people, and care leavers.  This means the Council has a responsibility to:

·  act in the best interests, and promote the physical and mental health and wellbeing, of those children and young people

·  encourage them to express their views, wishes and feelings, and take them into account, while promoting high aspirations and trying to secure the best outcomes for them

·  make sure they have access to services

·  make sure that they are safe, with stable home lives, relationships and education or work

·  prepare them for adulthood and independent living.

The Living in Hackney & Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission 2022 review of the housing needs of care leavers in Hackney made a detailed report setting out its recommendations.

The Allocations Policy is changed at paragraphs 2.1 and 2.7.6 to reflect the Scrutiny Commission’s recommendations regarding care leavers. 

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED:

Care Leavers:

·  Do not amend policy: This would undermine the Council’s corporate parenting role to Care Leavers and limit the options available.  This has the effect of shifting the focus for housing outcomes for this cohort from the Care Leavers Team to the Benefits and Housing Needs Service. However, this support will almost certainly be to relieve homelessness rather than prevent it, as without earlier engagement with care leavers, the service will not have had the opportunity to work with them on the options available prior to the critical need for a resolution arising. As the housing crisis continues and potentially deepens, the Benefits and Housing Needs service are already finding immediate sustainable solutions extremely difficult to source, and the potential for a placement in temporary accommodation increases.

·  Increase the quota - The paucity of social housing lets becoming available, means that increasing the number of quota properties would not necessarily result in an increase in care leavers achieving a social tenancy.  Fulfilling the quota relies on the properties becoming available as we  ...  view the full decision text for item 10.

Note from the Governance Team Leader:

Item 12 allows for the consideration of exempt information.

Proposed resolution:

That the press and public be excluded during discussion of the remaining items on the agenda, on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of Urgent Exempt Business