Agenda and decisions

This is the time for Members to declare any disclosable pecuniary or other non-pecuniary interests they may have in any matter being considered at this meeting having regard to the guidance attached to the agenda.

Members are reminded that, under Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, any Member who is in arrears of two or more months Council Tax must declare it at the meeting and abstain from voting on agenda item 9.

Slow Down Victoria Park Road

1.  Install measures to reduce the speeding on Victoria Park Road and keep vehicles on or below the 20mph limit e.g. speed cameras, average speed check zone, more prominent signage.

2.  Add a vehicle weight restriction to Victoria Park Road to stop HGVs using it as a thoroughfare.

3.  Change the layout of the road to actively stop vehicles speeding e.g. chicanes.

4.  Build a cycle path to allow cyclists two-way access to the road – contra-flow cycle way.

The Deputation will be introduced by Councillor Penny Wrout.

The Deputation spokesperson is Romney Taylor.

6.1  Question from John Anthony to the Mayor:

Referring to the unfair ban on breast stroke swimming in Lane four at the Lido. A lane four swimmer can swim in lane three when this lane has most room but not vice versa. Why is there a greater likelihood of an accidental clash of heads in the latter case?

7.1   Question from Councillor Rathbone to the Cabinet Member for Planning, Business and Investment:

What progress is being made to help local businesses - shops and markets - to survive the current 'austerity' period following a downturn in the retail market this last Christmas, following our manifesto pledge to support our high streets and markets to thrive and prosper?

7.2    Question from Councillor Joseph to the Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Young People and Children’s Social Care: 

The NEU reports a projected loss of £15,283,365.06 in Hackney 2015-2020 and £610.10 in per pupil funding over the same period.  Could the Deputy Mayor update us on the real impact on schools of the current funding arrangements and will the Council join the NEU in calling on the Government to properly fund schools?

7.3    Question from Councillor Billington to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing Needs:

What progress has been has been made in our manifesto commitment to invest in and develop temporary accommodation for those who through no fault of their own find themselves homeless in our borough?

7.4    Question from Councillor Smyth to the Cabinet Member for Energy, Sustainability and Community Services:

What progress has been made to reduce use of single use plastics in the council and what policies is the council putting in place to enable residents and business to reduce their use of single use plastics across Hackney.

7.5    Question from Councillor Fajana Thomas to the Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Young People and Children’s Social Care:

We have pledged to give all our young people the best start in life. There have been stories in the media about headteachers callously excluding  and off - rolling under achieving children to make their school’s results improve. Can you tell us whether this is happening in Hackney, and whether there is any statistics available in Hackney, in particular on BAMER students?

7.6    Question from Councillor Patrick to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing Needs:

What effect is universal credit having on the residents of Hackney? What has the council put in place to assist residents who are struggling?

7.7    Question from Councillor Race to the Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Young People and Children’s Social Care:

The Cabinet member will have noted media coverage of a case in which a man found guilty of rape sought access to his child through the local council’s care services. Can the cabinet member confirm that Hackney Council has strict policies in place that, while complying with the law, have a bias against putting children and women in a situation whereby they are contacted by the perpetrator of a crime such as this?

7.8   Question from Councillor Hercock to the Cabinet Member for Planning, Business and Investment:

What can the council do for the residents of Denman Court who have historically been able to access Church St via Barn Street but who are no longer able to  ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

RESOLVED to agree:

1  That  in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Hackney Council as its Council Tax Base for 2019/20 shall be 72,552 Band D equivalent properties adjusted for non- collection. This represents an estimated collection rate of 95.0%.

2  That in accordance with The Non-Domestic Rating (Rates Retention) Regulations 2013 Hackney’s non-domestic rating income for 2019/20 is £145,674,832 subject to completion of the NDR1. This comprises three elements.

·  £40,105,924 which is payable in agreed instalments to the Greater London Authority

·  £75,309,327 which is retained by Hackney Council and included as part of its resources when calculating the 2018/19 Council Tax requirement.

·  £30,259,581 which is payable in agreed instalments to Central Government

3  No changes are made to the current CTRS scheme in 2019/20.

4  The Council Tax Empty Property Premium on properties that have been empty for 2 years or more is increased from 50% to 100%.

RESOLVED to agree the report and the amended Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2018/19 attached at Appendix 2.

RESOLVED to note the Commission’s report and the response to it from the Executive.

Brexit

Hackney Council celebrates the borough’s long history of being a diverse and inclusive place, which remains proudly outward looking and internationalist, welcoming refugees and migrants from all over the world, including the European Union. The borough has been enriched culturally, economically and socially by migrants who have made Hackney their home.

Hackney Council welcomes that Hackney had the second highest Remain vote in the UK (after Lambeth), with 78.5% of people voting to stay in the EU.

Hackney Council notes that cultural diversity is integral to our community and our way of life and that around 15% of our citizens -- 41,500 residents -- are EU citizens from other member states. These European citizens help sustain our public services and make an enormous contribution to the civic, economic and cultural life of this Borough.

Hackney Council acknowledges the negative impact that the uncertainty caused by Brexit poses to the local economy and public services in Hackney, already damaged by austerity, as well as EU citizens from other member states who are residents of Hackney.

Hackney Council expresses its concern that a Parliament in deadlock, thanks to no Party having an outright majority, is being forced into choosing between a ‘bad deal’ or a ‘no deal Brexit’ by the Prime Minister and this Government.

Hackney Council is concerned with the impact that no deal could have on our borough and this Council, its workforce and its capacity to deliver services for its residents and businesses.

This motion recognises the work Hackney Council has undertaken to plan ahead in an attempt to ensure service continuity and provide reassurance and support for Council employees, residents and businesses at a time of great national uncertainty.

This includes:

·  Creating the ‘Hackney Loves You’ campaign to recognise the contribution of EU citizens from other member states to Hackney.

·  Communicating with EU residents about how they can get advice and support about their status, including holding an open meeting with the support of the EU commission. 

·  Supporting and signposting employees of the Council who are EU citizens from other member states to advice on citizenship rights and the application procedures required to remain in the UK post March 2019.

·  Covering the cost of the settled status fee for Council employees.

·  Signposting local businesses to advice on international trade, employment rights and regulatory requirements post March 2019.

·  Ensuring the Council’s existing supply chains suffer minimal disruption and that the Council can respond swiftly and adeptly to changing supply chains post March 2019.

·  Preparing for changes in the lead up to and post March 2019 to a range of UK law and regulatory regimes which are currently governed by the EU.

The Council firmly rejects a ‘no deal Brexit’ which will not just affect the Council’s ability to provide services but it will also affect the Borough’s local economy and the wellbeing and prosperity of residents, both EU and UK citizens, living in the Borough. 

Those who champion the UK crashing out of the European Union still remain  ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

RESOLVED:

Hackney Council celebrates the borough’s long history of being a diverse and inclusive place, which remains proudly outward looking and internationalist, welcoming refugees and migrants from all over the world, including the European Union. The borough has been enriched culturally, economically and socially by migrants who have made Hackney their home.

Hackney Council welcomes that Hackney had the second highest Remain vote in the UK (after Lambeth), with 78.5% of people voting to stay in the EU.

Hackney Council notes that cultural diversity is integral to our community and our way of life and that around 15% of our citizens -- 41,500 residents -- are EU citizens from other member states. These European citizens help sustain our public services and make an enormous contribution to the civic, economic and cultural life of this Borough.

Hackney Council acknowledges the negative impact that the uncertainty caused by Brexit poses to the local economy and public services in Hackney, already damaged by austerity, as well as EU citizens from other member states who are residents of Hackney.

Hackney Council expresses its concern that a Parliament in deadlock, thanks to no Party having an outright majority, is being forced into choosing between a ‘bad deal’ or a ‘no deal Brexit’ by the Prime Minister and this Government.

Hackney Council is concerned with the impact that no deal could have on our borough and this Council, its workforce and its capacity to deliver services for its residents and businesses.

This motion recognises the work Hackney Council has undertaken to plan ahead in an attempt to ensure service continuity and provide reassurance and support for Council employees, residents and businesses at a time of great national uncertainty.

This includes:

·  Creating the ‘Hackney Loves You’ campaign to recognise the contribution of EU citizens from other member states to Hackney.

·  Communicating with EU residents about how they can get advice and support about their status, including holding an open meeting with the support of the EU commission. 

·  Supporting and signposting employees of the Council who are EU citizens from other member states to advice on citizenship rights and the application procedures required to remain in the UK post March 2019.

·  Covering the cost of the settled status fee for Council employees.

·  Signposting local businesses to advice on international trade, employment rights and regulatory requirements post March 2019.

·  Ensuring the Council’s existing supply chains suffer minimal disruption and that the Council can respond swiftly and adeptly to changing supply chains post March 2019.

·  Preparing for changes in the lead up to and post March 2019 to a range of UK law and regulatory regimes which are currently governed by the EU.

The Council firmly rejects a ‘no deal Brexit’ which will not just affect the Council’s ability to provide services but it will also affect the Borough’s local economy and the wellbeing and prosperity of residents, both EU and UK citizens, living in the Borough. 

Those who champion the UK crashing out of the European Union still remain  ...  view the full decision text for item 12.

RESOLVED to

1.  Approve the appointment of Cllr Wrout to the Living in Hackney Scrutiny commission

2.  Approves the appointment of Cllr Wrout to the Licensing Committee to fill the current vacancy