Agenda, decisions and minutes

1.1  Apologies were received from Cllr Moema.

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

2.1  There were no declarations of interest.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of Urgent Unrestricted Business which will be considered under the agenda item where they appear.

3.1  There was no urgent business for consideration.

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.

4.1  No representations were received.

At the  time of the agenda publication, no questions or deputations have been received.

5.1  No questions or deputations were received.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting of Cabinet held on 26 February 2024 as a correct record.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 26 February 2024 be agreed as a true and accurate record of proceedings.

To note the minutes of the Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee (CPIC) held on 5 February 2024.

RESOLVED: To note the minutes of the Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee (CPIC) held on 5 February 2024.

RESOLVED:

That the overall financial position of the Council as at January 2024 as set out in this report, be noted.

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.

8.1  Mayor Caroline Woodley thanked Officers who had prepared the report, which helped provide transparency about the Council’s finances.  The Mayor noted that local authorities continued to receive little assistance from the Government, but welcomed the recent announcement of a six month extension to the Household Support Fund.

8.2  Cllr Robert Chapman, Cabinet Member for Finance, Insourcing and Customer Service, highlighted the forecast deficit of £7.33m, which was a reduction from the previous month as a result of one-off savings, and noted that Hackney faced the same pressures as similar local authorities, with a lack of funding from the Government and increased costs, particularly in relation to Adult’s and Children’s social care, and the prevention of homelessness.

RESOLVED:

That the overall financial position of the Council as at January 2024 as set out in this report, be noted.

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:

1.  That the Quarter 3 Capital Monitoring in section 11 be noted.

2.  That the Capital Adjustments of the budgets as set out in Appendix 1 and summarised below be approved.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The decisions required are necessary in order that the schemes within the Council’s approved Capital programme can be delivered and to approve the property proposals as set out in this report.

In most cases, resources have already been allocated to the schemes as part of the budget setting exercise but spending approval is required in order for the scheme to proceed. Where, however, resources have not previously been allocated, resource approval is requested in this report.

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

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

None.

9.1  Introducing the report, Cllr Chapman confirmed that the report sought minor changes to the in-year budget, and highlighted the totality of the capital programme, including that the overall four year plan was budgeted at close to £1.5bn.  Just over £1bn was planned to be spent on housing with the majority of that allocated to the programme to build 1000 Council homes.  The remaining c£500m was allocated to a wide range of important projects, including schools, streetscene, leisure and parks, libraries, and decarbonisation.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Quarter 3 Capital Monitoring in section 11 be noted.

2.  That the Capital Adjustments of the budgets as set out in Appendix 1 and summarised below be approved.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The reasons for the decision were included in the printed decisions, published on the 19 March 2024, and can be found here.

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

None.

RESOLVED:

That the draft Ash Grove SPD (Appendix 1) be approved for public consultation.

REASONS FOR DECISION

Continuous consultation and engagement with stakeholders and the public is integral to producing local plan documents. Consultation on the draft SPD is required in accordance with Regulation 12 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 and will help inform and influence the final version of the SPD.

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

There are no alternative options. Consultation on a draft Ash Grove SPD is required to comply with the Regulations.

10.1  Mayor Woodley welcomed the proposed delivery of a significant new net zero mixed use neighbourhood in London Fields ward, and welcomed the collaboration across the Council, from Planning to Regeneration, as a great example of Hackney seeking to deliver a sustainable future for all residents.

10.2  Cllr Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor for Delivery, Inclusive Economy and Regeneration, introduced the report by noting the work that had been undertaken by the Council’s Planning Policy and Regeneration teams, and provided background to the proposed draft guidance, including the Mayor of London’s commitment to electrify London’s bus fleet by 2030.  The proposed guidance to be consulted on would advocate for one of the first Net Zero neighbourhood developments in the city with mixed usages including a newly redeveloped bus garage, living space, work space, and new public realm and open space.  The consultation was planned to begin after the upcoming elections in May.

10.3  Deputy Mayor Anntoinette Bramble, Cabinet Member for Education, Young People and Children’s Social Care, welcomed the announcement of the proposed consultation.

RESOLVED:

That the draft Ash Grove SPD (Appendix 1) be approved for public consultation.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The reasons for the decision were included in the printed decisions, published on the 19 March 2024, and can be found here.

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

There are no alternative options. Consultation on a draft Ash Grove SPD is required to comply with the Regulations.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet Approved to the:

1.  Changing the operational hours to Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 6:30 pm and Saturday 8:30 am to 1:30 pm in all roads within Zone F.

2.  Proposals to convert all existing resident and business permit bays to general permit bays.

3.  Implementation of the parking design changes for Zone F.

REASONS FOR DECISION

Although Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 6:30 pm, was the most popular option, the widespread support for extended hours across the zone, coupled with the independent stress survey indicating significant weekend stress, led to the conclusion that reducing operational hours would not benefit residents and businesses.

Although there was notable support (15%) for Monday to Sunday controls, this level was deemed insufficient to justify implementing this option independently. The parking stress survey revealed increased parking stress in the evenings compared to controlled hours; however, this increase was not significant enough to warrant extending control hours.

Converting all business and resident bays to general permit bays will standardise parking bay types and signage throughout the zone.

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

An alternative was to forgo a review consultation and maintain current parking controls in Zone F. However, this would conflict with the Council's parking policies and consultation charter, as it would ignore the needs of residents and businesses. Delaying the review and consultation was an option but contradicted the Council's policies, and there were compelling reasons to proceed with a review.

Regarding operational hours, maintaining the existing schedule was not an option. This aligns with Council policies, which advocate for standardising parking zone hours wherever possible to minimise confusion for motorists parking in different zones.

Parking Services explored creating a split zone with varying operational hours in different sections. However, this approach was deemed unviable upon reviewing the distribution of support for the three most popular operational hours options, as it was found that support for each option was evenly spread across the entire zone.

11.1  Noting that car ownership was declining across the borough, but that demand for parking space remained, Mayor Woodley confirmed that the Council would take a balanced approach which attempted to increase access to parking for those who need it, whilst also encouraging a shift towards more sustainable forms of transport.

11.2  Cllr Mete Coban, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, highlighted that the consultation was planned to better understand the parking needs in Zone F, including cycle hangers, additional EV charging infrastructure, and areas of parking stress.  There was a proposed small increase in parking spaces, but the Council was still committed to removing parking spaces overall, to make the Borough more people-friendly and child-friendly. 

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet Approved to the:

1.  Changing the operational hours to Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 6:30 pm and Saturday 8:30 am to 1:30 pm in all roads within Zone F.

2.  Proposals to convert all existing resident and business permit bays to general permit bays.

3.  Implementation of the parking design changes for Zone F.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The reasons for the decision were included in the printed decisions, published on the 19 March 2024, and can be found here.

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

An alternative was to forgo a review consultation and maintain current parking controls in Zone F. However, this would conflict with the Council's parking policies and consultation charter, as it would ignore the needs of residents and businesses. Delaying the review and consultation was an option but contradicted the Council's policies, and there were compelling reasons to proceed with a review.

Regarding operational hours, maintaining the existing schedule was not an option. This aligns with Council policies, which advocate for standardising parking zone hours wherever possible to minimise confusion for motorists parking in different zones.

Parking Services explored creating a split zone with varying operational hours in different sections. However, this approach was deemed unviable upon reviewing the distribution of support for the three most popular operational hours options, as it was found that support for each option was evenly spread across the entire zone.

Note from the Governance Team Leader:

Item 15 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.

12.1  The Cabinet agreed that the exclusion of the press and public was not required to consider exempt item 13.

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

13.1  There were no new exempt items for consideration.