Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2022

The minutes of the previous meeting of Council held on 23 November 2022 were agreed as a true and accurate record of proceedings.

The deadline for questions from members of the public is 12 noon, four clear working days before the meeting (Wednesday, 18 January). If you wish to submit a question you can do so by emailing governance@hackney.gov.uk or via the Council’s website.

A supplementary agenda setting out any public questions received after the publication of the main agenda will be circulated shortly after this deadline.

5.1  To the Mayoral Adviser for Private Rented Sector and Housing Affordability from Raluca Beznea

Residents in Hackney who privately rent their homes are facing large increases in their monthly rents, in some cases by over 23%. Is there any restriction on the amount by which private landlords can increase rent charges, particularly where no improvement has been made to the property?

5.2  To the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport from Reiner Tegtmeyer

I appreciate the Council’s efforts to draft a Climate Action Plan and having sought the feedback from Hackney citizens. Can you give an outline of the major comments and probable suggestions, if any,  for improvements and when, the Council is intending to publish the results and how?

5.3  To the Mayor from Anthony Burton

Following your attendance at a freeholder’s meeting on the Regents Estate on 13 July 2021, can you update me on the commitments you made to:

·  explore resident compensation for extended periods of CCTV outages; and

·  speak to the Estate Manager regarding informing residents of planned works and service charge spends?

5.4  To the Mayoral Advisor for Housing Needs and Homelessness from Eleanor Tate

As a result of the cost-of-living crisis we've seen an increase in Hackney residents being made homeless; is the Council able to identify residents at risk of homelessness and what support is available in terms of temporary accommodation in the borough?

6.1  From Cllr Zoë Garbett to the Mayoral Adviser for Private Rented Sector and Housing Affordability

Can the Cabinet Member explain why only 9 Hackney landlords have been submitted to the London Rogue Landlord checker since 2017?

6.2  From Cllr Eluzer Goldberg to the Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture

Can the Cabinet Member provide an update on the Council’s efforts to make Hackney smoke free by 2030?

6.3  From Cllr Alastair Binnie-Lubbock to Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport

During recent snowfall and cold snap, many pavements remained treacherous for days, limiting people's mobility while roads were fully gritted with environmentally damaging salt based grit. What has the Council learned from this about giving pavements and paths equal priority to roads?

6,4  From Cllr Grace Adebayo to the Mayor

In June 2020, Barratt Developments embarked on the  journey of replacing the cladding in Dalston Square in line with the new standard set out by the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government; residents were told that the cladding replacement would be completed within 18 months. 30 months down the line, the scaffolding is still up and cladding work uncompleted, not to mention the emotional and psychological impact on residents. Can the Mayor or the Cabinet Member kindly tell us the reason for the delay?

6.5  From Cllr Zoë Garbett to the Deputy Mayor for Delivery, Inclusive Economy & Regeneration

Currently, only 25% of the Council's contracts go to local businesses which means 75% of contracts – and so profits – flow out of the borough, when will you increase this to a much more meaningful 50%?

6.6  From Cllr Sarah Young to the Cabinet Member for Housing Services and Resident Participation

What is the Council doing to improve its responses to damp and mould, both short term and in the medium-longer term, especially on regeneration estates like Woodberry Down where the homes are older, colder and not up to modern standards?

6.7  From Cllr Alastair Binnie-Lubbock to the Deputy Mayor for Delivery, Inclusive Economy & Regeneration:

British Trust for Ornithology estimates up to 100,000,000 birds crash into windows of buildings in the UK each year, with one-third dying as a result, London Plan Policy D9 suggests impacts of tall buildings on birds "may need to be taken into consideration" in development. Will Hackney create planning policy guidance?

6.8  From Cllr Midnight Ross to the Mayoral Adviser for Housing Needs and Homelessness

With the cost of living and increase in homelessness, how is the council supporting vulnerable women through temporary accommodation?

6.9  From Cllr Lee Laudat-Scott to the Cabinet Member for Families, Parks and Leisure

Could the Cabinet Member provide an update on the London Fields Lido project?

6.10  From Cllr Ali Sadek to the Cabinet Member for Housing Services and Resident Participation

Could the Cabinet Member please update the Council on progress with improving the turnaround time for addressing water ingress to Council homes?

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance, Insourcing and Customer Service: To Follow

This report is late because of the need to reflect the decision on the localised business rates pooling scheme which will not be made available until after publication date of this agenda. There have also been delays in preparing the business rates section of the report due to hold ups in the required software releases.

RESOLVED:

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 2023/24 shall be 77,108.86 Band D

equivalent properties adjusted for non-collection. This represents an estimated collection rate of 92.5%

2.  That in accordance with The Non-Domestic Rating (Rates Retention) Regulations 2013, Hackney’s non-domestic rating income for 2023/24 is £161,803,507 subject to completion of the 2023-24 NNDR1 return. This comprises three elements.

§  £59,639,165 which is payable in agreed instalments to the Greater London Authority

§   £48,972,654 which is retained by Hackney Council and included as part of its resources when calculating the 2023/24 Council Tax requirement.

§   £53,191,688 which is payable in agreed instalments to Central Government

3.  To note that no changes are proposed to the current CTRS scheme in

2023/24.

Report of the Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Young People and Children’s Social Care: Enclosed

RESOLVED: To note the contents of the report.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Employment, Human Resources and Equalities: Resolved

RESOLVED: To note the Gender and Ethnicity Pay Gap 2022

Report of the Cabinet Member for Employment Human Resources and Equalities : Enclosed

RESOLVED: To approve the Pay Policy for Chief Officers for 2023/2024, as recommended by the Corporate Committee.

Group Director - Chief Executive : Enclosed

RESOLVED: To agree the report and the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2022/23 (Updated January 2023)  at Appendix 1 of the report.

Report of the Director of Legal,  Democratic and Electoral Services : Enclosed

RESOLVED: To agree the following appointments:

1.  Cllr Claudia Turbet- Delof to the Skills, Economy & Growth Scrutiny Commission.

2.  Cllr Kam Adams (the Mayor’s nominee) to the Appointments Committee.

Report of the Director of Legal,  Democratic and Electoral Services : Enclosed

RESOLVED: To agree the nomination of Cllr Clare Potter and Cllr Soraya Adejare to the  Hornsey Parochial Charity.

This Council notes:

·  Fireworks can be a source of significant problems, fear and distress for many animals. They can cause psychological distress and injuries as animals attempt to run away or hide from the noise.

·  The noise generated by fireworks has been found to be the most common cause for fear responses in dogs. The loud and sudden noise can also be a trigger for PTSD-related symptoms in humans. The debris can also pose a hazard to other animals.

·  The short-lived nature of firework noise can make it difficult for the police or local authority officers to pinpoint locations and take action.

·  Fireworks can be a risk to public safety when lit in small garden spaces in which people of all ages including children can be injured and there is a risk to fire safety for private and public property.

·  In October 2022, fireworks were let off into a large crowd of people at Stratford shopping centre. Over the years, there have been a number of incidents involving fireworks in Hackney including a two year old sustaining burns. 

·  Fireworks and sparklers are only permissible for purchase from registered sellers for private use on selected dates of the year including: 15th October to 10th November, between 26th to 31st December, 3 days before Diwali and 3 days before Chinese New Year. It is possible to purchase fireworks outside of the dates above but only from retailers with a specific licence.

·  An estimated 200,000 sky lanterns are released every year in the UK. As the popularity of sky lanterns increases, so too does the risk to animals and the environment.

·  Sky lanterns are a danger to animals, a fire risk, an aviation hazard and a litter nuisance. When ingested, sharp parts can cause internal bleeding in animals. Animals can become entangled in fallen lantern frames and suffer from injury or stress trying to free themselves, and sometimes starve to death from being trapped.

·  In Wales, sky lantern releases are banned on council-owned land and property. In other countries, sky lantern release is considered environmentally irresponsible and classed as a crime. In England, although almost 200 councils have voluntarily banned sky lanterns on council-owned land, it remains legal to release paper lanterns.

Hackney Council therefore resolves:

·  To require the advertisement of all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries well in advance of the event.

·  To actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people and measures to mitigate the risks. (As examples of possibilities: a public campaign of Rocket 'o'Clock having people fire them at the same time so the impact is shorter. It could even be a campaign on sharing food rather than sharing fireworks (The council may have other ideas and is not expected to use these examples if a better resolution is found)

·  To encourage local firework suppliers to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks (less than 70 dB) for public and private display.

·  To only use ‘quieter’ fireworks (less than 70  ...  view the full agenda text for item 15a

RESOLVED:

To note:

·  That this Council abhors the misuse of fireworks that can cause distress and harm to persons, domestic pets and wildlife.

·  That the Council’s CCTV team and Enforcement Officers continue to monitor the illegal setting off of fireworks in public spaces and report them to the Metropolitan Police, who have the authority to act on the information provided to prosecute individuals who misuse fireworks in public spaces.

·  The Council notes that the current legislation allows a retailer to apply for an all year licence to trade in fireworks and sparklers. Otherwise, fireworks and sparklers are only permissible for purchase from registered sellers for private use on selected dates of the year from the 15th October to 10th November, between 26th to 31st December, 3 days before Diwali and 3 days before Chinese New Year.

·  In Hackney, no all year licences have been issued for the sale of fireworks outside of the dates above.

·  The Council notes that under current legislation, a local authority can only refuse to grant a licence, including an all year licence, if the applicant has previously committed offences under related pieces of legislation.

·  The Council notes that Hackney Trading Standards apply the powers that current national legislation enables them to enforce. In addition, the team also carry out on-site inspections to ensure fireworks are stored safely and are being sold in line with the law.

·  Hackney Trading Standards Officers work with the Metropolitan Police to tackle the illegal sale of fireworks to under 18s and advisory visits are made to retailers prior to the fireworks season to ensure that they are fully aware of the law.

·  Hackney Council already uses quieter fireworks for council-run fireworks displays to ensure minimum disturbance to local wildlife and domestic pets. 

·  There is no evidence that in Hackney there is an overuse or misuse of sky lanterns.

·  The Council notes that there is a lack of national legislation enabling the Council to control the use of sky lanterns on public or private land. However, Hackney Council uses its available powers around littering and refusing permission for formal public events which plan to release sky lanterns.

Hackney Council therefore resolves:

·  To  continue to ensure that residents are notified by the Council in advance of all public firework displays within the Local Authority’s boundaries.

·  To continue to promote alongside the London Fire Brigade, a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on environmental pollution, animal welfare, vulnerable residents and the measures to mitigate the risks of injury and stress from the use of fireworks on residents, domestic pets and wildlife.

·  To advise local firework suppliers to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks and fireworks for safe use in small outdoor spaces for private domestic use.

·  To encourage the use of sky lantern alternatives, as advised by the RSPCA.

·  That the Mayor and Cabinet member write to the Secretary of State about the need to enhance the legislation that enables the Council to enforce the safe use of fireworks and sky lanterns.

Proposer: Cllr  ...  view the full decision text for item 15a

This Council notes:

·  A government report published in 2014 stated that with investment and legislative change, the community energy sector could deliver 3,000 megawatts (MW) of energy by 2020.

·  Evidence to the Parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee’s recent ‘Technological Innovations and Climate Change: Community Energy’ inquiry states that “by 2030 the community energy sector could grow by 12-20 times, powering 2.2 million homes and saving 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions every year…”

·  But the same inquiry also noted that as of 2020, community energy contributed just 278 MW of renewable energy.

·  Local renewable energy generators, such as community energy groups, are unable to sell the energy that they generate to local people because the current energy market and licensing rules lead to unmanageable local supply costs.

·  Power for People is a not-for-profit organisation campaigning for the Local Electricity bill that would kick start a community energy revolution.

·  Power for People estimates a Local Electricity Act would result in a twenty-fold increase in renewable community energy generation over 10 years, preventing 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.

·  The Co-operative Party is calling for a £90 million National Community Energy Fund to help deliver 150,000 new community energy owners.

·  Hackney Council is supporting community energy generation schemes through its £300k Community Energy Fund.

This Council believes:

·  That the Local Electricity Bill would help local authorities, like Hackney, sell locally generated renewable energy installed by Hackney Light and Power.

·  Revenue generated from Hackney Light and Power could be re-invested into a local decarbonisation scheme.

This Council resolves to:

·  Write to Power for People to inform them of the Council’s support for their campaign.

·  Write to the local Members of Parliament to inform them that the Council has passed this motion and supports the Local Electricity Bill.

·  Write to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and the Minister for Energy and Climate, calling on the Government to:

Support the Local Electricity Bill;

·  Follow Hackney Council’s lead by setting up a National Community Energy Fund

Proposer: Cllr Gilbert Smyth

Seconder: Cllr Margaret Gordon

RESOLVED:

Hackney Council notes:

·  A government report published in 2014 stated that with investment and legislative change, the community energy sector could deliver 3,000 megawatts (MW) of energy by 2020.

·  Evidence to the Parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee’s recent ‘Technological Innovations and Climate Change: Community Energy’ inquiry states that “by 2030 the community energy sector could grow by 12-20 times, powering 2.2 million homes and saving 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions every year…

·  But the same inquiry also noted that as of 2020, community energy contributed just 278 MW of renewable energy.

·  Local renewable energy generators, such as community energy groups, are unable to sell the energy that they generate to local people because the current energy market and licensing rules lead to unmanageable local supply costs.

·  Power for People is a not-for-profit organisation campaigning for the Local Electricity bill that would kick start a community energy revolution.

·  Power for People estimates a Local Electricity Act would result in a twenty-fold increase in renewable community energy generation over 10 years, preventing 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.

·  The Co-operative Party is calling for a £90 million National Community Energy Fund to help deliver 150,000 new community energy owners.

·  It is recognised that Hackney Council is already working on encouraging local renewable energy projects along with the innovation of setting up Hackney Light and Power, which is pioneering a programme of solar panels on roofs.

·  Hackney Council is supporting community energy generation schemes through its £300k Community Energy Fund.

·  That making costs proportionate to the scale of a renewable electricity supplier’s operation would create significant opportunities for local companies and community groups to be providers of locally generated renewable electricity directly to local people, businesses, and organisations which in turn could help lower energy bills for local people to help them cope with the rising cost of living;

Hackney Council believes:

·  That the Local Electricity Bill would help local authorities, like Hackney, sell locally generated renewable energy installed by Hackney Light and Power.

·  Revenue generated from Hackney Light and Power could be re-invested into a local decarbonisation scheme.

Hackney Council resolves to:

·  Write to Power for People to inform them of the Council’s support for their campaign.

·  Write to the local Members of Parliament to inform them that the Council has passed this motion and supports the Local Electricity Bill.

·  Write to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and the Minister for Energy and Climate, calling on the Government to:

o  support the Local Electricity Bill;

o  follow Hackney Council’s lead by setting up a National Community Energy Fund

Proposer: Cllr Gilbert Smyth

Seconder: Cllr Mete Coban

This Council notes that:

·  The last decade has seen a staggering rise in food poverty across the UK, with millions of people going hungry in the UK and food bank use spiking since the start of the pandemic.

·  In April 2020 alone, Hackney's food bank fed 1,803 people (an 186% increase on the previous year) with over 400 of them being children.

·  During the height of the pandemic and first lockdown, the Council was delivering 1,500 food parcels per week, on average.

·  During school holidays and half terms, Hackney Council supports families of more than 20,000 children on low incomes with help to buy food and pay bills.

·  Some data suggests that as many as 56,000 adults are missing meals and 22,000 using a food bank in Hackney as a result of the cost of living crisis.

·  Department of Work and Pensions statistics show that the number of people in Hackney dependent on Universal Credit has risen from 13,000 in 2020 to 32,000 in 2022.

·  Poverty in our borough and across London has been exacerbated by the pandemic and this Conservative Government’s failure to tackle the current cost of living crisis and target support to those who most need it.

·  The ‘Right to Food’ campaign argues that the millions pushed into food poverty should be central to this strategy.

·  The establishment of a council-wide Free School Meals task force, aimed at providing a hot meal to as many children in poverty as possible.

Council believes that:

·  These figures are devastating for a rich country like the UK and reflect the fact that twelve years of Tory austerity have left too many people below the breadline.

·  Enshrining the Right to Food in law would clarify government obligations on food poverty and would introduce legal avenues to hold public bodies accountable for failing to prevent people from going hungry in the fifth largest economy in the world.

Council resolves to:

·  Declare Hackney a Right to Food borough and campaign for the Right to Food to be adopted at a national level.

·  Ask the Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs urging the Government to:

o  Bring forward legislation to enshrine the Right to Food in law, clarifying the government’s obligation to protect people from food poverty and introducing legal avenues to hold government bodies accountable for violations.

o  Create a national network of community kitchens including community use of school kitchens.

o  Implement a policy of Universal Free School Meals.

o  Promote access to public land suitable for community food growing.

o  Strengthen Hackney’s Food Poverty and Insecurity Action Plan to address the worsening impact of the cost of living crisis to support the borough’s poorest and most vulnerable families.

Proposer: Cllr Jon Narcross

Seconder: Cllr Sheila Suso-Runge

RESOLVED:

To note that:

·  The last decade has seen a staggering rise in food poverty across the UK, with millions of people going hungry in the UK and food bank use spiking since the start of the pandemic.

·  In April 2020 alone, Hackney's foodbank fed 1,803 people (an 186% increase on the previous year) with over 400 of them being children.

·  During the height of the pandemic and first lockdown, the Council was delivering 1,500 food parcels per week, on average.

·  During school holidays and half terms, Hackney Council supports families of more than 20,000 children on low incomes with help to buy food and pay bills.

·  Some data suggests that as many as 56,000 adults are missing meals and 22,000 using a food bank in Hackney as a result of the cost of living crisis.

·  Department of Work and Pensions statistics show that the number of people in Hackney dependent on Universal Credit has risen from 13,000 in 2020 to 32,000 in 2022.

·  Poverty in our borough and across London has been exacerbated by the pandemic and this Conservative Government’s failure to tackle the current cost of living crisis and target support to those who most need it.

·  The ‘Right to Food’ campaign argues that the millions pushed into food poverty should be central to this strategy.

·  The establishment of a council-wide Free School Meals task force, aimed at providing a hot meal to as many children in poverty as possible.

Council believes that:

·  These figures are devastating for a rich country like the UK and reflect the fact that twelve years of Tory austerity have left too many people below the breadline.

·  Enshrining the Right to Food in law would clarify government obligations on food poverty and would introduce legal avenues to hold public bodies accountable for failing to prevent people from going hungry in the fifth largest economy in the world.

Council resolves to:

·  Declare Hackney a Right to Food borough and campaign for the Right to Food to be adopted at a national level.

·  Ask the Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs urging the Government to:

o  Bring forward legislation to enshrine the Right to Food in law, clarifying the government’s obligation to protect people from food poverty and introducing legal avenues to hold government bodies accountable for violations.

o  Create a national network of community kitchens including community use of school kitchens.

o  Implement a policy of Universal Free School Meals.

o  Promote access to public land suitable for community food growing.

o  Strengthen Hackney’s Food Poverty and Insecurity Action Plan to address the worsening impact of the cost of living crisis to support the borough’s poorest and most vulnerable families.

Proposer: Cllr Jon Narcross

Seconder: Cllr Sheila Suso-Runge