Agenda and minutes

1.1  Apologies for absence from Suzanne Johnson from London Borough of Hackney and Rebecca Newsom from Greenpeace.

1.2  Apologies for lateness from Cllr Billington and Cllr Pallis, Members of the Commission.

1.3  Apologies for lateness from Tim Page from the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

2.1  There was no urgent items or changes to the order of business.

3.1  Cllr Billington declared an interest in relation to her being the vice chair of the advisory board of the Place Based Climate Action Network and secretariat of the APPG on sustainable finance. Both organisations work closely with Professor Robins and the London School of Economics Grantham Institute.

4.1  The minutes of the previous meeting held on 6^th January 2020 were approved.

5.1  The Chair welcomed to the meeting Nick Robins, Professor in Practice - Sustainable Finance from London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE); Cllr Jon Burke, Cabinet Member for Energy, Waste, Transport and Public Realm; Sonia Khan, Head of Policy and Strategic Delivery; Laura Parry, Senior Transport Planner representing Hackney Zero Emissions from London Borough of Hackney and Tim Page, Senior Policy Advisor, from the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

5.2  The Chair introduced the item by explaining that the Skills, Economy and Growth Scrutiny Commission (SEG) will be commencing a scrutiny review to look at Just Transition to achieve a fairer greener economy. 

5.3  This discussion item was an introduction to the topic to help the Commission to identify the areas of focus for the scrutiny review.

5.4  The Chair asked all guests, to include in their presentation suggestions on the areas to focus for the Commission’s review.

5.5  Each guest was given 10 minutes to present information in response to the questions sent out in advance of the meeting.  This presentation supplemented the information provided in advance in the agenda.

5.6  In response Professor Nick Robins from the LSE provided background information about his work and in response to the questions made the following main points below.

5.6.1  The LSE has been working on just transition for the last 3-4 years.

5.6.2  The focus of his work for just transition has been on financing.  They have been working with investors in relation to quality corporate pension plans and the role of banks.  Looking through the lenses of finance and the role finance can play in a just transition.  This work takes into consideration the UK system is very centralised and a disconnected financial system. 

5.6.3  They have partnered with the TUC and produced a report called Investing in a just transition in the UK - How investors can integrate social impact and place-based financing into climate strategies.

5.6.4  The LSE is in a partnership called Place Based Climate Action Network.  The work covers 3 cities Leeds, Belfast and Edinburgh.

5.6.5  Just Transition is in the Paris agreement.  Therefore how this is achieved and the impact on workers is important.

5.6.6  For the LSE a just transition is making sure no one is left behind, vulnerable communities are protected and considering how they can deliver climate action with positive social impacts.  Considering how the process and design of the transition can be in a way that addresses many of the social problems in our society.

5.6.7  The involvement starts with the interest of the workers.  Thinking about industrial clusters and the impact on communities.

5.6.8  There needs to be consideration about the issues for consumers too, in terms of affordability and the wider issues for citizens.

5.6.9  There are also questions about small businesses who may be vulnerable to the transition but have limited access to finance.

5.6.10  In summary a just transition is about workers, communities, consumers, citizens and small businesses.  All of whom often have limited  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.1  The Chair introduced this item and advised the last meeting for the Commission would be 25^th March 2020.  The Chair pointed out the Council would be entering purdah on 23^rd March 2020 for the GLA elections.  However the Commission will still meet to discussion and agree the Commission’s draft report ‘Making the Local Economy Work for Hackney’.  The Chair advised the report would be circulated to the commission Members for comment prior to the meeting.

6.2  The second item for discussion would be a recap of the night time economy discussion to consider the information gathered and agree the next steps.

7.1  None.