Agenda, decisions and minutes

1.1  Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Laudat-Scott, Maxwell, Moema, Race, Samatar, Selman.

1.2  Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors Conway, Papier and Patrick.

2.1  Citing the importance of public standards, expectation and hope, the Speaker challenged all present to consider how they could contribute to kinder and more compassionate politics.

2.2  The Speaker informed Full Council of recent and upcoming civic visits which Included:

·  Dalston Curve Garden - A neighbourhood garden which provided an oasis of plants, and a community gathering place.

·  SWAPA (Shakespeare Walk Adventure Playground) Stoke Newington - A free playground which encouraged children to discover themselves through play

·  Made in Hackney carer’s cooking class - A vegan community cookery school and charity, that taught food growing and cooking skills.

·  Hackney Migrant Centre celebration at St Mary’s Church - A free support and advice centre for migrants, asylum seekers and other immigrants.

Forthcoming events included:

·  Silver Sunday Event 1st October (Celebrating Older People) - Intergenerational Biography & Reflection Event

·  Local Democracy week events at Hackney Town Hall

·  Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) art event

·  George Orwell’s 1984 an immersive experience at Hackney Town Hall

·  Hackney Legal Walk, Saturday 30 September - a 10km sponsored walk to raise vital funds for the provision of free legal advice in Hackney. The Speaker, Labour colleagues and officers in Legal, Democratic and Electoral Service would all be participating.

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

3.1  There were no declarations of interest.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2023

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2023, be agreed as a true and accurate record of proceedings.

Victoria Park - A solution to South Hackney’s Traffic Problems

As long-term residents of Victoria Park Road (VPR), we live with an inexorable increase in traffic related problems, including high pollution levels, noise, and danger to vulnerable road users (pedestrians and cyclists).

With the advent of Sat-Nav, this mile-long stretch of road has become a short-cut from the A12 for heavy goods vehicles and cars. VPR was neither designed for lorries nor for this quantity of vehicles. Most are not local.

Our ideas could remedy the situation and not for the first time, we respectfully ask Hackney Council to work with Tower Hamlets, Transport for London(TfL) and the Department for Transport, to implement some, or all, of the following:

1.  Reduce commercial and heavy goods vehicles, by implementing a weight restriction with an exemption for TfL buses like the 388.

2.  Monitor air quality where queues regularly form.

3.  In the morning rush hour, adjust the phasing of the traffic lights at the junction of Cambridge Heath/Hackney Road to improve traffic flow and reduce tailbacks.

4.  Enlarge the yellow boxes at the Mare St/VPR junction to protect the pedestrian crossings.

5.  Enforce the 20mph speed limit and yellow box restrictions, either with average speed check cameras or CCTV at key locations.

Deputation Leader: Christine Jackson

Introduced by: Cllr Penny Wrout

RESOLVED:

To note the deputation.

Submitted deputation included in the agenda

As long-term residents of Victoria Park Road (VPR), we live with an inexorable increase in traffic related problems, including high pollution levels, noise, and danger to vulnerable road users (pedestrians and cyclists).

With the advent of Sat-Nav, this mile-long stretch of road has become a short-cut from the A12 for heavy goods vehicles and cars. VPR was neither designed for lorries nor for this quantity of vehicles. Most are not local.

Our ideas could remedy the situation and not for the first time, we respectfully ask Hackney Council to work with Tower Hamlets, Transport for London (TfL) and the Department for Transport, to implement some, or all, of the following:

1.  Reduce commercial and heavy goods vehicles, by implementing a weight restriction with an exemption for TfL buses like the 388.

2.  Monitor air quality where queues regularly form.

3.  In the morning rush hour, adjust the phasing of the traffic lights at the junction of Cambridge Heath/Hackney Road to improve traffic flow and reduce tailbacks.

4.  Enlarge the yellow boxes at the Mare Street/VPR junction to protect the pedestrian crossings.

5.  Enforce the 20mph speed limit and yellow box restrictions, either with average speed check cameras or CCTV at key locations.

Deputation Leader: Christine Jackson

Introduced by: Cllr Penny Wrout

5.1  Cllr Wrout introduced the deputation, highlighting that Victoria Park Road (VPR) had become the preferred route of choice for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) that were headed to the City, Islington and Camden. Subsequently this resulted in heavy polluting traffic on the Low Traffic Neighbourhood boundary routes of Hackney Road and Graham Road.

5.2  Christine Jackson addressed the chamber. She had been a resident of VPR for over 40 years during which there had been a steady increase in traffic levels, in particular HGVs. This had led to severe congestion at two pinch points; at Lauriston Road and the junction with Mare Street, which experienced daily tailbacks and polluting traffic from lorries. Residents had been significantly impacted by this as they were unable to open their windows at certain times of the day due to idling traffic which caused pollution. Pedestrians were also significantly impacted as they were unable to safely cross the road at the Mare Street Junction; the main crossing used by visitors, staff and patients of St Joseph’s Hospice.

5.3  It was reported that VPR had approximately 1000 residents and consisted of accommodation for the elderly, two homes for people with complex medical needs, and a secondary school. Nearby were two nurseries and two primary schools. The road attracted a high percentage of families, cyclists and runners due to its close proximity to Victoria Park, all of whom were subjected to the daily traffic conditions and emanating pollution.

5.4  Following a monitoring exercise of VPR and the A11 Mile End Road, 9 HGVs were counted on VPR which experienced gridlock traffic in comparison to 2 HGVs on Mile End Road where traffic was flowing freely. It  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The deadline for questions from members of the public is 12 noon, four clear working days before the meeting (Wednesday, 20 September). 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.

1.  To the Deputy Cabinet Member for Housing Needs and Homelessness From Mr Stephen Sartain

Could the Council please outline its efforts to prevent homelessness, especially long term solutions explaining how it is assisting rough sleepers and how No Fault Section 21 Notices and Government cuts in funding are impacting  homelessness in Hackney?

2.  To the Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Delivery, Inclusive Economy and Regeneration From Ms Chesca Walton

Research by the Big Issue has revealed that Hackney's total Council Tax debts have tripled in the last 3 years - the second-highest council tax debt per person in the Country. Can the Council outline the impact this has had on council services and any remedial action taken to date?

3.  To the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services From Mr Faruk Tinaz

Last year, approximately 22,000 dog attacks were reported in England and Wales. A recent investigation revealed that the number of attacks has increased by over a third within the last five years. What is the Council doing to ensure that dogs are not a source of harm in Hackney?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64798162.amp

The Speaker decided to vary the order of public questions, giving priority to the questioner present in the chamber.

6.2  To the Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Delivery, Inclusive Economy and Regeneration From Ms Chesca Walton

Research by the Big Issue has revealed that Hackney's total Council Tax debts have tripled in the last 3 years - the second-highest council tax debt per person in the Country. Can the Council outline the impact this has had on council services and any remedial action taken to date?

Response from the Cabinet Member for Finance, Insourcing and Customer Service

Cllr Chapman stated that Council was required to set and collect Council Tax to help pay for vital services for all residents. This however had been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic (when action to enforce debts was suspended) and the criminal cyber-attack, which meant that the Revenues service was unable to process updates to their system while system recovery work took place.

Following work to clear backlogs, the Council Tax team endeavoured  to ensure a return to historic high levels of collection. However, the Council recognised the financial strain that Council Tax put on many residents, in addition to the wider Cost of Living crisis.

Cllr Chapman reported that the Council supported 30,000 residents to pay through its Council Tax Reduction scheme. This  ensured that the Council Tax levied on a household matched its ability to pay. Qualifying residents could get their Council Tax bill reduced by up to 85%. In line with Labour’s manifesto commitment, the Council was consulting on improving the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, which would see qualifying residents get a discount of up to 90% next year.

Cllr Chapman explained that through the  Community Grants Programme, the Council invested £1m in advice and £460k in supporting community organisations that provided vital ongoing support for residents in debt. As well as helping residents to manage debt and advocate on their behalf they also provided help to deal with urgent debt such as rent arrears and Council Tax arrears whilst ensuring that incomes were maximised through advice on benefits take up.

Concluding, Cllr Chapman stated that whilst he was proud of the support offered by the Council and its partners, this was part of a bigger problem which could only be solved by Government action. He condemned the Government’s decision to withdraw the uplift from Universal Credit from October 2021 which took away approximately £35m from Hackney residents who were much in need.

Supplementary Question: Given the Council’s relatively poor track record of ensuring that residents feel heard, how will the Council ensure that the services that residents rely on are protected given the reduced revenue?

Cllr Chapman disputed that the Council had a poor record of listening to residents even amidst the difficult situation of the pandemic and cyber-attack. It was anticipated that Council Tax collection rates would return to what they previously were prior to those events. He advised that the Council would continue to campaign for more  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.1  From Cllr Clare Potter to the Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture

This winter the voluntary sector, faith groups and community hubs are gearing up to provide warm spaces, food and advice to some of our most vulnerable residents during the ongoing cost of living crisis. What kind of support and partnership will the Council be providing residents across the borough?

7.2  From Cllr Ali Sadek to the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport

As we continue to seek to alleviate the financial burden on our residents due to high energy bills, can the Cabinet Member provide an update on the measures and strategies the Council is planning to implement in order to create a more sustainable and affordable energy supply chain within Hackney?

7.3  From Cllr Lee Laudet-Scott to the Cabinet Member for Employment, Human Resources and Equalities

Since 2016, Hackney Works has launched a number of successful employment pathway programmes, including supported Internship programmes and paid work experience including Hackney 100 and Hackney Apprenticeship Network adding huge value to the local job sector. As a result, how many have gone into full time or part time work?

7.4  From Cllr Ben Hayhurst  to the Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture

Please can the Cabinet Member provide an update on the Metropolitan Police announcement that they will stop attending mental health calls from October, whether this is moving ahead and the impact this will have on the local system?

7.5  From Cllr Sarah Young to the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport

Since the introduction of the Sir Thomas Abney school street, signs and cameras have been repeatedly vandalised, and children continue to be at risk from careless and inconsiderate drivers. What steps are being taken to identify and prosecute the offenders and to ensure that the school street serves its function?

7.6  From Cllr Sharon Patrick to the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport

Despite the efforts of the Council's Waste Management service, there has been an increase in the escalation of fly tipping and rubbish being dumped in Kings Park Ward. Could the Cabinet Member inform the Chamber about what actions, including enforcement measures, are being taken to deal with this issue?

7.1    From Cllr Clare Potter to the Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture

This winter the voluntary sector, faith groups and community hubs are gearing up to provide warm spaces, food and advice to some of our most vulnerable residents during the ongoing cost of living crisis. What kind of support and partnership will the Council be providing residents across the borough?

Response from the Cabinet Member for Finance, Insourcing and Customer Service

Cllr Chapman stated that poverty reduction was a priority for the administration, guided by a Poverty Reduction Framework, with partnership being key to the Council’s approach.  It was acknowledged that winter was the toughest time of year with fuel bills and additional costs around Christmas, Hanukkah and the festive break.

It was reported that this was the first year that the government’s household support fund was confirmed for the entire year. Whilst this was welcomed, there was no clarity over future plans beyond March 2024. He believed that government action on a permanent uplift in benefits was needed to give residents the ongoing income boost required.

Cllr Chapman outlined the support delivered by the Council through partnerships such as: The Money Hub Service which offered emergency assistance to maximise benefits and the Council’s Street Outreach Team which worked with residents sleeping rough throughout the winter months with an offer of housing, support and reconnection. As temperatures near freezing, the Severe Weather Protocol would be activated triggering increased welfare checks and the offer of overnight accommodation. Residents would be signposted to warm spaces and the Council would continue working with Night Shelter, Crisis and other voluntary sector partners to maximise the effectiveness of the services offered. Organisations would also be encouraged to work with libraries that offer support such as Winter Coat donations.

Concluding, Cllr Chapman highlighted the investment and financial support made by the Council which included: an investment of £1m in advice services and over £400k in supporting community organisations through the Community Grants Programme; the launch of a £65K hardship support and preventative help scheme for those with no recourse to public funds; and an additional half a million over the next two years into The Money Hub and the Policy service. The Council had also helped partners access funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA), City Bridge Trust and food partners to make the best use of food surplus and co-ordinate emergency food help. The Council had also started investing in schools and community organisations to help tackle food poverty in education. He welcomed the Mayor of London’s Universal Free School Meals programme which would bring a huge benefit to primary school children in the Borough.

Supplementary Question: Would the Cabinet Member commend the support that Brownswood residents and residents in neighbouring wards were receiving throughout the year particularly in the colder months, most notably the warm hubs provided by partner organisations?

Cllr Chapman applauded the work of the organisations and volunteers in Brownswood ward and across the borough  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.1  Deputy Mayor Bramble expressed that she was honoured to have assumed temporary leadership of the Council acting in the capacity of the Elected Mayor in spite of the circumstances. She highlighted her commitment to delivering for residents; the challenges the change in leadership had brought with regard to trust and confidence in the Council: the relentless dedication of staff and the importance of Elected Members remaining focussed on the challenges faced by communities in the borough.

8.2  The Deputy Mayor acknowledged former Elected Mayor Philip Glanville and the Council’s achievements under his leadership. She recognised the opportunity to learn from recent events and welcomed the Interim Chief Executive’s announcement of an independent governance review. The review would examine the decisions made by the Council in response to a notification pertaining to a former Councillor. The review would be independent of politicians and political parties and led by someone not affiliated with the Council. This was to ensure that high standards of transparency and accountability remained paramount. The findings of the review along with any recommendations would be reported at a future Council meeting. Deputy Mayor Bramble highlighted that the Council had always prioritised safeguarding and this would continue.

8.3  Deputy Mayor Bramble thanked Deputy Mayor Nicholson, Cabinet Members and the Corporate Leadership Team for their leadership during this transitional period. Special thanks were relayed to the Interim Chief Executive for her commitment and dedication. It was noted that the Council was being led by two black women both of whom were born in the borough.

8.4  The Deputy Mayor outlined various areas of achievement and forthcoming events. These included: climate action, an increase and investment in the creative sector and the creation of a creative zone, the carnival roadshow, available grants for events to commemorate Black History Season and the borough’s GCSE results. It was reported that in response to the issues raised by residents, the Council would pay up 95 percent of Council Tax instead of the current 85 percent. The Council would continue with its aim of being safer, fairer, greener which was demonstrated in its recent response to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) in relation to the Child Q Case. The Council remained committed to working with and challenging the police, as well as lobbying the government for a change in the culture of policing.

8.5  The Deputy Mayor spoke about the fall in school admissions amidst budgetary pressures which had been discussed at Cabinet a few days prior.  Well wishes were relayed to all those standing in the forthcoming Mayoral elections with special recognition given to the Labour candidate; Cllr Caroline Woodley. Concluding, Deputy Mayor Bramble stated that whilst she had chosen not to stand for the position of Elected Mayor, during her interim role remained resolute in delivering for residents and ensuring a safer, fairer, greener Hackney.

  Conservative Group Response

8.6  Cllr Steinberger expressed his disappointment in the recent comments of local MP Dianne Abbot who questioned whether she would receive a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

- Report of the Statutory Deputy Mayor: Enclosed

RESOLVED:

To note changes to Cabinet portfolios as set out in Appendix 1 as published.

9.1  Deputy Mayor Bramble outlined the changes to Cabinet portfolios as set out in the report. She commended Cllr Nicholson for his leadership as Deputy Mayor as well as other Cabinet colleagues.

9.2  She expressed her thanks for the overwhelming support she had received since assuming temporary leadership of the Council.

RESOLVED: To note changes to Cabinet portfolios as set out in Appendix 1 as published.

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

RESOLVED:

1.  To approve the removal of the name of ‘Aske’ from Aske Gardens and rename the green space, Joe White Gardens.

2.  To approve the installation of an information board, located in a prominent position close to the basketball court (north entrance). This will contextualise the small park’s new name, as well as the removal of the old name.

10.1  Cllr Williams, Cabinet Member for Employment, Human Resources and Equalities introduced the report. This was a result of a commitment made in 2020 following the publication of a report highlighting the disproportionate impact of coronavirus, the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement. The renaming of buildings, street names, parks and other public spaces that were symbolic of racist histories was a pillar of the Council’s anti-racism work.

10.2  Following an explanation of the history of Robert Aske (1619-1689) and the decision to rename the Gardens after Joe White (1962-2002), Cllr Willaims thanked the project steering group for their input and guidance, Joe’s widow, Claire White and Joe for his outstanding contribution to life in the borough.

10.3  Cllr Suso-Runge, Member Champion for Heritage spoke in support and welcomed the approach to a more inclusive public realm. Deputy Mayor Nicholson commended Cllr Williams’ leadership in the wider context of increasing representation and reshaping public spaces; bringing a deeper understanding of the borough’s history, heritage and future. Cllr Binnie-Lubbock spoke in support of the report highlighting that Cllr Garbett had welcomed working with Cllrs Williams and Adebayo on the work around renaming Rhodes Estate. The Green group hoped that the Council would use its influence to encourage the Museum of the Home to remove its slaver statue from above the main entrance as soon as possible.

RESOLVED:

1.  To approve the removal of the name of ‘Aske’ from Aske Gardens and rename the green space, Joe White Gardens.

2.  To approve the installation of an information board, located in a prominent position close to the basketball court (north entrance). This will contextualise the small park’s new name, as well as the removal of the old name.

- Report of the Interim Group Director of Finance: Enclosed

RESOLVED:

To note the Annual Report of the Audit Committee set out in Appendix 1 as published.

11.1  Cllr Robert Chapman, Cabinet Member for Finance, Insourcing and Customer Service introduced the report. He relayed thanks to the Audit Service highlighting their notable achievement of recovering 1000 Council properties which were operating with illegal tenancies, allowing them to be legally let to those who need them.

11.2  Cllr Lynch comended the report, highlighting the importance of the audit function. She welcomed the new Interim Group Director of Finance, Jackie Moylan and applauded the Head of Service, Michael Sheffield. It was noted that this committee operated at full complement with membership from all three political parties. She noted the challenges that lay ahead as a result of reduced Government funding, higher inflation and higher interest rates. Thanks were relayed to officers past and present and to Cllr Chapman and colleagues for their political leadership.

11.3  Cllr Garbett spoke in support adding her thanks to the team who work on Audit and reiterated the importance of the Audit Committee. She highlighted the Anti-Fraud Team's work on illegal subletting of Council properties. Cllr Grabett believed that more could be done to make scrutinising the budget more accessible with an eventual move towards  participatory budgeting.

RESOLVED: To note the Annual Report of the Audit Committee set out in Appendix 1 as published.

- Report of the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny: Enclosed

RESOLVED:

To note the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Function 2022/23.

12.1  Cllr Gordon, Chair of the Scrutiny Panel introduced the report. She highlighted the independent (non party affiliation) and collaborative approach used to represent communities and drive improvements and inclusion. The scrutiny work programme had been energised by the contribution of recently elected colleagues as well as: Hackney Youth Parliament; Hackney of Tomorrow; Hackney Young Futures; Trade Unions and Health Watch. Cllr Gordon highlighted some of the key areas of work undertaken by the various commissions. She referenced the joint meeting of the Children and Young People and Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commissions coming together to scrutinise the Community Safety Partnership response to the assault of Child Q. All parties responsible for safeguarding were brought together to publicly answer questions which reflected community concerns. It was noted that work in this area was ongoing. Cllr Gordon explained that stakeholder and public demands had resulted in fewer large reviews with shorter cross cutting investigations, with an option to return to persistent areas of concern. The impact of investigations had in some cases been immediate and in others  incremental.

12.2  Thirteen years of local government cuts had resulted in the budget scrutiny function being a pivotal part of the work programme; with a more thorough, timely and transparent approach in this area. Cllr Gordon also highlighted work undertaken to address the Climate Emergency, the Cost of Living Crisis and maintaining good governance and public trust.

12.3  Thanks were expressed to Commission Chairs, Vice Chairs, Committee Members, Co-optees, members of the public and officers.

12.4  Cllr Hayhurst, Chair of the Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission highlighted the work the commision had undertaken on air quality. Cllr Conway, Chair of the Children’s and Young People Scrutiny Commission, spoke about the commission’s work on the broader issues which had emanated from the Child Q case. Cllr Adejare, Chair of the Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commission, referenced the commission’s work investigating and challenging the impact of national and local policies on residents.  Cllr Billington, Chair of the Skills Economy and Growth Scrutiny Commission highlighted the commission’s lead on analysing the post pandemic recovery and the Council’s role in addressing the challenges faced by residents and businesses.

12.5  Cllrs Rathbone, Etti and Deputy Mayor Nicholson commended the work of the Scrutiny function. The Public Engagement Protocol was welcomed.  Cllr Binnie-Lubbock spoke in support of the report and scrutiny function. He stated that the Green group had found it to be invaluable in understanding the work of the Council and in assisting to advocate for residents. He encouraged Conservative Councillors to take up their full allocation of seats on the commissions. Cllr Binnie-Lubbock questioned the Cabinet on how they proposed to take forward actions and recommendations of the Scrutiny Panel in a more timely and coordinated way to protect the community from the effects of climate change. He also questioned how the Cabinet planned to use the Council’s convening power to agree solutions across the borough. Welcoming the Public Engagement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

-  Report of the Interim Chief Executive

RESOLVED:

To approve a dispensation for Councillor Samatar from the statutory requirement to attend a meeting of the Council until the Annual Council meeting in May 2024 for reason of ill-health.

13.1  Cllr Steinberger sent best wishes on behalf of the Conservative group to Cllr Samatar.

RESOLVED: To approve a dispensation for Councillor Samatar from the statutory requirement to attend a meeting of the Council until the Annual Council meeting in May 2024 for reason of ill-health.

- Report of the Acting Director of Legal, Democratic and Electoral Services

RESOLVED:

To agree to the membership changes to the appointments to the Committees, Commissions and Outside Bodies set out at paragraph 1.3 of the published report.

RESOLVED: To agree to the membership changes to the appointments to the Committees, Commissions and Outside Bodies set out at paragraph 1.3 of the published report.

Cllr Binnie-Lubbock raised a procedural motion without notice in accordance with Part 4A Rule 15 paragraph 15.1(c) of the Council’s Constitution. He moved to vary the order of business set out in the agenda to bring forward agenda item 15c Green Motion - Call for an Independent Investigation Following the Resignation of the Mayor of Hackney, to be considered as the second motion. He believed that it was important for the motion to be considered in a timely way and to restore trust in the administration. This was seconded by Cllr Garbett and put to the vote without debate.

Following a vote, the Speaker declared the motion NOT CARRIED

This Council notes:

·  That Infertility is defined by the World Health Organisation as a disease of the reproductive system.

·  In the UK, it’s estimated approximately 1 in 6 heterosexual couples will struggle to conceive, or 3.5 million people per year. However, this number does not include same-sex couples, single or trans people who must also be afforded the right to try for a family.

·  Although often seen as a women’s health issue, the reality is that both men and women are just as likely to face fertility problems. Data from the fertility regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, shows that male infertility is the most common reason for a couple to start treatment.

·  We welcome the sector leading work of NHS North East London in consulting on and then committing to more equitable access to treatment for all who need it. As a borough we stand on a long history of campaigning around NHS provision and believe all who face fertility issues must be treated with the same dignity.

·  There is no legal right to time off for fertility treatment. But, if a woman is refused leave, it could be regarded as unlawful sexual discrimination. It can be ruled that a failure to accommodate conditions specific to women are unlawful.

·  The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has asked the Equal Opportunities Commission to recommend leave for fertility treatment in their equality law reform submission.

This Council:

·  Welcomes the sector leading work of NHS North East London in consulting on and then committing to more equitable access to treatment for all who need it. As a borough we stand on a long history of campaigning around NHS provision and believe all who face fertility issues must be treated with the same dignity.

Hackney Council is therefore pleased to announce its commitment to becoming a fully Fertility friendly borough as endorsed by the national charity Fertility Network UK, and resolves:

·  To begin to work towards becoming a beacon of best practice via training for staff and managers, working towards policy implementation and committing to ongoing support for staff facing fertility issues.

·  To campaign for places of work within the London Borough of Hackney to be Fertility friendly, supportive to staff and to join the work of Fertility Networks own Fertility in the Workplace initiative. 

·  To write to the Government to act upon its own recommendations in the women’s health strategy and the recommendations of NICE in fully implementing three cycles of IVF for all who are eligible.

·  To call for the implementation of recommendations in the national Government’s Women’s Health Strategy that same sex couples be afforded the same access to treatment as heterosexual couples.

·  To commit to marking fertility awareness week each year as a Council thereby recognising the need to support and help many of our residents facing this issue.

Proposer: Cllr Sem Moema

Seconder: Cllr Ian Rathbone

RESOLVED:

This Council notes:

·  That Infertility is defined by the World Health Organisation as a disease of the reproductive system.

·  In the UK, it’s estimated approximately 1 in 6 heterosexual couples will struggle to conceive, or 3.5 million people per year. However, this number does not include same-sex couples, single or trans people who must also be afforded the right to try for a family.

·  Although often seen as a women’s health issue, the reality is that both men and women are just as likely to face fertility problems. Data from the fertility regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, shows that male infertility is the most common reason for a couple to start treatment.

·  We welcome the sector leading work of NHS North East London in consulting on and then committing to more equitable access to treatment for all who need it. As a borough we stand on a long history of campaigning around NHS provision and believe all who face fertility issues must be treated with the same dignity.

·  There is no legal right to time off for fertility treatment. But, if a woman is refused leave, it could be regarded as unlawful sexual discrimination. It can be ruled that a failure to accommodate conditions specific to women are unlawful.

·  The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has asked the Equal Opportunities Commission to recommend leave for fertility treatment in their equality law reform submission.

This Council:

·  Welcomes the sector leading work of NHS North East London in consulting on and then committing to more equitable access to treatment for all who need it. As a borough we stand on a long history of campaigning around NHS provision and believe all who face fertility issues must be treated with the same dignity.

Hackney Council is therefore pleased to announce its commitment to becoming a fully Fertility friendly borough as endorsed by the national charity Fertility Network UK, and resolves:

·  To begin to work towards becoming a beacon of best practice via training for staff and managers, working towards policy implementation and committing to ongoing support for staff facing fertility issues.

·  To campaign for places of work within the London Borough of Hackney to be Fertility friendly, supportive to staff and to join the work of Fertility Networks own Fertility in the Workplace initiative. 

·  To write to the Government to act upon its own recommendations in the women’s health strategy and the recommendations of NICE in fully implementing three cycles of IVF for all who are eligible.

·  To call for the implementation of recommendations in the national Government’s Women’s Health Strategy that same sex couples be afforded the same access to treatment as heterosexual couples.

·  To commit to marking fertility awareness week each year as a Council thereby recognising the need to support and help many of our residents facing this issue.

Proposer: Cllr Sheila Suso-Runge

Seconder: Cllr Anna Lynch

It was noted that since the publication of the motion within the agenda, the proposer and seconder had changed.

15a.1  Cllr Suso-Runge introduced the motion highlighting the wide demographic affected by infertility and some of the challenges they faced.  The motion was seconded by Cllr Lynch. Cllrs Young, Rathbone, Sadek, Potter, and Deputy Mayor Bramble contributed to the debate, speaking in support of the motion.

Following a vote, the Speaker declared the motion CARRIED

The Conservative group did not vote.

RESOLVED:

This Council notes:

·  That Infertility is defined by the World Health Organisation as a disease of the reproductive system.

·  In the UK, it’s estimated approximately 1 in 6 heterosexual couples will struggle to conceive, or 3.5 million people per year. However, this number does not include same-sex couples, single or trans people who must also be afforded the right to try for a family.

·  Although often seen as a women’s health issue, the reality is that both men and women are just as likely to face fertility problems. Data from the fertility regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, shows that male infertility is the most common reason for a couple to start treatment.

·  We welcome the sector leading work of NHS North East London in consulting on and then committing to more equitable access to treatment for all who need it. As a borough we stand on a long history of campaigning around NHS provision and believe all who face fertility issues must be treated with the same dignity.

·  There is no legal right to time off for fertility treatment. But, if a woman is refused leave, it could be regarded as unlawful sexual discrimination. It can be ruled that a failure to accommodate conditions specific to women are unlawful.

·  The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has asked the Equal Opportunities Commission to recommend leave for fertility treatment in their equality law reform submission.

This Council:

·  Welcomes the sector leading work of NHS North East London in consulting on and then committing to more equitable access to treatment for all who need it. As a borough we stand on a long history of campaigning around NHS provision and believe all who face fertility issues must be treated with the same dignity.

Hackney Council is therefore pleased to announce its commitment to becoming a fully Fertility friendly borough as endorsed by the national charity Fertility Network UK, and resolves:

·  To begin to work towards becoming a beacon of best practice via training for staff and managers, working towards policy implementation and committing to ongoing support for staff facing fertility issues.

·  To campaign for places of work within the London Borough of Hackney to be Fertility friendly, supportive to staff and to join the work of Fertility Networks own Fertility in the Workplace initiative. 

·  To write to the Government to act upon its own recommendations in the women’s health strategy and the recommendations of NICE in fully implementing three cycles of IVF for all who are eligible.

·  To call for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15a

This Council notes that:

·  Across the UK there is an undeniable Mental Health crisis. In Hackney local mental health services are struggling to keep up with rising demand for the services available. The most recent figures point to nearly a quarter of the borough's population over 16 are suffering from common mental health disorders.

·  Inadequate Government funding for NHS delivered Mental Health services has amounted to 1.6 million people reported on waiting lists in the UK, leaving local mental health services unable to meet demand. Hackney waiting times are now 2-4 weeks for NHS Talking Therapies and up to 6 weeks for the Wellbeing Network, a service for residents with more complex mental health needs. For some specialist secondary care services waiting times can be up to a year.

·  There is an urgent need to place mental health on an equal parity with that of physical health.

·  The lack of parity has led to care and support being wrongfully and inhumanely applied as an option, not as a right.

·  Young people are amongst those who suffer the most whilst waiting for support. Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) has reported across the UK a 109% increase in referrals. Young Minds 2021 survey reported that:

  ? 10% of young people were turned away from support

? 26% have attempted suicide as a result of having to wait for  support and

? 58% said their mental health had worsened during this excruciating wait

Hackney's CAMHS referrals increased sharply following the pandemic from 3,826 across all three local NHS CAMHS services in 2018/9 to 5,502 in 2021/22. In April to June 2018/19 there were 158 young people waiting for an assessment across the three services, in April to June 2022/23 this number has risen to 356.

·  The Office for National Statistics in 2022 reported that there were 5,583 suicides attributable to mental health reasons registered in England and Wales; of those deaths, 74% where male and 26% female. In 2021 17 Hackney residents took their own lives. Mental ill-health one of the most common risk factors for suicide.

·  Suicide remains the biggest cause of death in men under the age of 50 in the UK. Females aged 24 years or under have seen the largest increase in suicide rate since 1981.

·  A combination of Government austerity policies over the last ten years and the COVID pandemic have had a direct impact on individuals and their mental health and wellbeing and exacerbated the already existing crisis in mental health care in the UK.

Council believes that:

·  Access to Mental Health services and support is not an option, it’s a Human Right.

·  The global call made by the Human Rights Council for the United Nations and from the World Health Organisation European Region that identifies mental health as a basic Human Right will bring definition to services and ensure parity with physical health in our care system.

Council resolves to:

1.  Call on the Elected Mayor to lobby Government on behalf of the Council for Mental Health  ...  view the full agenda text for item 15b

RESOLVED:

This Council notes that:

·  Across the UK there is an undeniable Mental Health crisis. In Hackney local mental health services are struggling to keep up with rising demand for the services available. The most recent figures point to nearly a quarter of the borough's population over 16 are suffering from common mental health disorders.

·  Inadequate Government funding for NHS delivered Mental Health services has amounted to 1.6 million people reported on waiting lists in the UK, leaving local mental health services unable to meet demand. Hackney waiting times are now 2-4 weeks for NHS Talking Therapies and up to 6 weeks for the Wellbeing Network, a service for residents with more complex mental health needs. For some specialist secondary care services waiting times can be up to a year.

·  There is an urgent need to place mental health on an equal parity with that of physical health.

·  The lack of parity has led to care and support being wrongfully and inhumanely applied as an option, not as a right.

·  Young people are amongst those who suffer the most whilst waiting for support. Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) has reported across the UK a 109% increase in referrals. Young Minds 2021 survey reported that:

  ? 10% of young people were turned away from support

? 26% have attempted suicide as a result of having to wait for  support and

? 58% said their mental health had worsened during this excruciating wait

Hackney's CAMHS referrals increased sharply following the pandemic from 3,826 across all three local NHS CAMHS services in 2018/9 to 5,502 in 2021/22. In April to June 2018/19 there were 158 young people waiting for an assessment across the three services, in April to June 2022/23 this number has risen to 356.

·  The Office for National Statistics in 2022 reported that there were 5,583 suicides attributable to mental health reasons registered in England and Wales; of those deaths, 74% where male and 26% female. In 2021 17 Hackney residents took their own lives. Mental ill-health one of the most common risk factors for suicide.

·  Suicide remains the biggest cause of death in men under the age of 50 in the UK. Females aged 24 years or under have seen the largest increase in suicide rate since 1981.

·  A combination of Government austerity policies over the last ten years and the COVID pandemic have had a direct impact on individuals and their mental health and wellbeing and exacerbated the already existing crisis in mental health care in the UK.

Council believes that:

·  Access to Mental Health services and support is not an option, it’s a Human Right.

·  The global call made by the Human Rights Council for the United Nations and from the World Health Organisation European Region that identifies mental health as a basic Human Right will bring definition to services and ensure parity with physical health in our care system.

Council resolves to:

1.  Call on the Elected Mayor to lobby Government on behalf of the Council for Mental  ...  view the full decision text for item 15b

15b.1  Cllr Turbet-Delof introduced the motion highlighting the need for parity between mental and physical health and various challenges to optimum mental health.  The motion was seconded by Cllr Kennedy.

15b.2  As there were no amendments to the motion, Cllr Binnie-Lubbock attempted to raise a procedural motion, requesting that the motion in question be moved to the vote.  This was following three consecutive speeches in support of the motion as he believed there to be broad agreement. The request for a procedural motion was denied by The Speaker.

15b.3  Cllrs Gordon, Cllr Joseph, Etti, Wrout, Troughton, Coban and Deputy Mayor Bramble contributed to the debate, speaking in support of the motion.

Following a vote, the Speaker declared the motion CARRIED

The Conservative group did not vote.

RESOLVED:

This Council notes that:

·  Across the UK there is an undeniable Mental Health crisis. In Hackney local mental health services are struggling to keep up with rising demand for the services available. The most recent figures point to nearly a quarter of the borough's population over 16 are suffering from common mental health disorders.

·  Inadequate Government funding for NHS delivered Mental Health services has amounted to 1.6 million people reported on waiting lists in the UK, leaving local mental health services unable to meet demand. Hackney waiting times are now 2-4 weeks for NHS Talking Therapies and up to 6 weeks for the Wellbeing Network, a service for residents with more complex mental health needs. For some specialist secondary care services waiting times can be up to a year.

·  There is an urgent need to place mental health on an equal parity with that of physical health.

·  The lack of parity has led to care and support being wrongfully and inhumanely applied as an option, not as a right.

·  Young people are amongst those who suffer the most whilst waiting for support. Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) has reported across the UK a 109% increase in referrals. Young Minds 2021 survey reported that:

  ? 10% of young people were turned away from support

? 26% have attempted suicide as a result of having to wait for  support and

? 58% said their mental health had worsened during this excruciating wait

Hackney's CAMHS referrals increased sharply following the pandemic from 3,826 across all three local NHS CAMHS services in 2018/9 to 5,502 in 2021/22. In April to June 2018/19 there were 158 young people waiting for an assessment across the three services, in April to June 2022/23 this number has risen to 356.

·  The Office for National Statistics in 2022 reported that there were 5,583 suicides attributable to mental health reasons registered in England and Wales; of those deaths, 74% where male and 26% female. In 2021 17 Hackney residents took their own lives. Mental ill-health one of the most common risk factors for suicide.

·  Suicide remains the biggest cause of death in men under the age of 50 in the UK. Females aged 24 years or under have seen the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15b

This Council notes:

·  The former Mayor of Hackney tendered his resignation on the 15th of September 2023

·  He had misled the public in relation to his actions in the immediate aftermath of being informed by the council of Mr Dewey’s arrest.

·  The former Mayor was under investigation by the Labour Party for his behaviour.

·  The Mayor failed to live up to at least four of the seven Principles of Public Life. He has avoided accountability, failed to act with openness and transparency, been dishonest with the public, and failed to show leadership by exhibiting these principles in his own behaviour.

·  The former Mayor called partying with Mr Dewey after learning about his arrest “an error of judgement” and has apologised and has stated that he takes full responsibility for ”not being as transparent as [he] should have been”.

The Council believes that:

·  An independent investigation is still required into who knew what and when about Mr Dewey’s arrest and what actions they took, both within the Labour Party and within the council.

This Council therefore resolves to:

·  Explore all possible avenues by which an independent investigation can be held into who knew what, when and what actions they took following the raid on Mr Dewey’s home by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the Council.

·  Write to the chair of the Hackney Labour Party to call for them to hold an independent investigation into who knew what, when and what actions they took following the raid on Mr Dewey’s home by the NCA, in the Labour Party.

Proposer: Cllr Zoë Garbett

Seconder: Cllr Alastair Binnie-Lubbock

RESOLVED:

That this motion stand referred, without discussion, to the next ordinary meeting of Full Council to be listed at the relevant agenda item in order received.

RESOLVED:

That this motion stand referred, without discussion, to the next ordinary meeting of Full Council to be listed at the relevant agenda item in order received.

This Council notes:

·  That the Council’s Corporate Advertising and Sponsorship Policy 2022 was adopted by the Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee on 16/01/2023. However, to date, it has not been implemented across sites run by the Council.

·  The policy outlines a number of products and services which will not be accepted on council-owned media, including the promotion of products high in fats, sugars and salts (HFSS), alcohol, knives or weapons and gambling services. These proscribed products and services would undermine the Mayor’s priorities as set out in the strategic plan for a fairer, safer, healthier Hackney working together for every child. However none of the products or services currently banned address the “greener” priority.

·  The policy states that it “will be subject to ongoing updates made by the Council on a regular and reasonable basis.”

This Council believes that:

·  Advertising can be used to induce demand for products and services where there may be no actual need, and where the products and services run counter to the council’s stated policies, aims and objectives.

This Council also notes that:

·  London borough of Hackney declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 committing to reach net zero emissions by 2040. In 2022, the Council passed the Climate and Ecology Bill, declaring its intention to bring forward its net zero target to 2030 so it can join the UK100 network.

·  Hackney’s Climate Action Plan emphasised the Council is only directly responsible for 5% of the borough’s territorial emissions and that the Council must take a leading role in encouraging and supporting behavioural change in individuals, institutions and businesses.

·  Hackney’s Climate Action Plan notes that 15% of Hackney’s emissions are from transport and aviation accounts for 7% of that amount.

·  One of Hackney's Climate Action Plan goals is for goods to be repaired and reused, and for us only to buy what we need.

·  Last year a nationally representative survey of UK public attitudes found that over two-thirds (68%) of UK adults said that they would restrict the advertising of environmentally harmful products.

In addition this Council notes:

·  The legal opinion, as part of the due diligence in addressing the role of advertising in fuelling the climate emergency, of Richard Wald KC of 39 Essex Chambers, commissioned by the New Weather Institute on behalf of Badvertising and Adfree Cities, which provides legal advice to local councils implementing policies to restrict advertising for environmentally-damaging, high-carbon goods and services.

·  Richard Wald KC’s legal opinion outlines how:

o  The adoption of an advertising policy banning ‘high-carbon’ advertising is squarely within the powers available to local authorities and therefore prima facie lawful.

o  The legal risks of adopting a high-carbon advertising ban are limited and the prospect of a successful challenge is low.

o  Councils have broad scope to design a policy according to their discretion, despite a lack of a national definition of ‘high carbon’, with effective precedents already set and working in practice.

·  In broad terms ‘high-carbon’ products and services, are those which are environmentally damaging and which  ...  view the full agenda text for item 15d

RESOLVED:

That this motion stand referred, without discussion, to the next ordinary meeting of Full Council to be listed at the relevant agenda item in order received.

This Council notes that:

·  On 2 May 2023 the final stages of the Public Order Bill passed through the House of Lords, which gives the Police greater powers to restrict people’s democratic right to protest in England and Wales.

·  The Act grants the Police new powers to prevent protests occurring outside of major transport networks, oil and gas and energy supplies, making “locking on” a new criminal offence, expanding Stop and Search to include suspicionless stop and search, and enacts new individual protest bans under ‘Serious Disruption Prevention Orders’.

·  Article 11 of the Human Rights Act 1998 enshrines the Right to Peaceful Assembly into British law, guaranteed by Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)

·  A Legislative Scrutiny Report published by the Joint Committee on Human Rights called for key measures in the Public Order Bill to be amended or removed in order to reverse the “chilling effect” it is likely to have on the right to protest.

·  This report found that these offences have a very wide scope and criminalise those legitimately exercising their Article 10, 11, 8 and Article 6 rights.

This Council also notes that:

·  The Public Order Act 2023 has been criticised by Amnesty International, Liberty, Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), and the UN Human Rights Commissioner.

·  It follows on from the Police, Crime, and Sentencing Act 2022 which was also accused of infringing upon democratic freedoms by human rights organisations.

·  The Government lost a vote in the Lords on the Public Order Bill 2023 to change the interpretation of ‘serious disruption’ of other people’s day-to-day activities to mean ‘anything more than minor’. The Lords opposed this change by 254 votes to 240 in May

·  The government reintroduced the change by Statutory Instrument.

·  Green peer, Jenny Jones, put forward a fatal motion to stop this unprecedented and anti-democratic move by the government. Unfortunately, Labour peers abstained, so it passed.

The Council further notes that:

·  The Right to Protest is a fundamental pillar of democracy.

·  The objective of a protest is to peacefully disrupt and agitate for change. The anti-apartheid and Civil Rights Movement, Women’s Suffrage, Gay Pride, workers’ rights and a government commitment to carbon zero by 2050 have been achieved through protest and public disruption.

·  The Public Order Act is already having a ‘chilling effect’ on our right to protest.

·  The King's Coronation in May saw over 60 people arrested by the Police, many of those on grounds of public nuisance and breaches of the peace for holding signs, chanting, reporting on the protests and standing in close proximity to those protesting.

·  The police initially used the ‘lock on’ ban in the Public Order Act to justify some of these arrests and deployed the largest ever use of live facial recognition technology in the UK

·  Police have written to residents of the Hackney area, warning them that Live Facial Recognition will be deployed at an unknown time and location in September 2023.

·  This technology is over 80% inaccurate according  ...  view the full agenda text for item 15e

RESOLVED:

That this motion stand referred, without discussion, to the next ordinary meeting of Full Council to be listed at the relevant agenda item in order received.

Hackney Council notes that:

·  The pressure on organisations to pay their fair share of tax has never been stronger.

·  Polling from the Institute for Business Ethics finds that “corporate tax avoidance” has, since 2013, been the clear number one concern of the British public when it comes to business conduct.

·  Two thirds of people (66%) believe the Government and local councils should at least consider a company’s ethics and how they pay their tax, as well as value for money and quality of service provided, when awarding contracts to companies.

·  Around 17.5% of public contracts in the UK have been won by companies with links to tax havens.

·  It has been conservatively estimated that losses from multinational profit-shifting (just one form of tax avoidance) could be costing the UK some £17bn per annum in lost corporation tax revenues.

·  The Fair Tax Mark offers a means for business to demonstrate good tax conduct, and has been secured by a wide range of businesses across the UK, including FTSE-listed PLCs, co-operatives, social enterprises and large private businesses.

Hackney Council believes that:

·  Paying tax is often presented as a burden, but it shouldn’t be.

·  Tax enables us to provide services from education, health and social care, to flood defence, roads, policing and defence. It also helps to counter financial inequalities and rebalance distorted economies.

·  As recipients of public funding, local authorities should take the lead in the promotion of exemplary tax conduct; be that by ensuring contractors are paying their proper share of tax, or by refusing to go along with offshore tax dodging when buying land and property.

·  Where councils hold substantive stakes in private enterprises, influence should be wielded to ensure that such businesses are exemplars of tax transparency and tax avoidance is shunned.

·  More action is needed, however, as current and proposed new UK procurement law significantly restricts councils’ ability to either penalise poor tax conduct (as exclusion grounds are rarely triggered) or reward good tax conduct, when buying goods or services.

·  UK cities, counties and towns can and should stand up for responsible tax conduct - doing what they can within existing frameworks and pledging to do more given the opportunity, as active supporters of international tax justice.

·  The following local authorities have approved the “Councils for Fair Tax Declaration” to date: Barnet, Brent, City of Westminster, Enfield Council, Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Lambeth, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Royal Borough of Greenwich, Southwark Council in addition to thirty-nine other Councils across the UK and the London Assembly.

Hackney Council resolves to:

·  Approve, and publicly declare its support for, the Councils for Fair Tax Declaration and enact the Declaration through the points below.

·  Lead by example and demonstrate good practice in our tax conduct, right across our activities.

·  Ensure IR35 is implemented robustly and contract workers pay a fair share of employment taxes.

·  Not use offshore vehicles for the purchase of land and property, especially where this leads to reduced payments of stamp duty.

·  Undertake due diligence to ensure  ...  view the full agenda text for item 15f

RESOLVED:

That this motion stand referred, without discussion, to the next ordinary meeting of Full Council to be listed at the relevant agenda item in order received.