Agenda and minutes

1.1  The first order of business was confirmation of the Chair and Vice Chair for the Skills, Economy and Growth Scrutiny Commission.  The position of Chair and Vice Chair was agreed by Full Council at its Annual Meeting on 17 May 2023.

1.2  The Chair asked Members to note the confirmation of Cllr Polly Billington as Chair and Cllr Clare Potter as Vice-Chair.

2.1  Apologies for absence from Cllr Smyth. 

2.2  Virtually in attendance for the meeting was Cllrs Turbet-Deloff and Cllr Young.

2.3  The Chair reminded attendee that although the meeting provided the opportunity for hybrid attendance.  In relation to recorded attendance Cllr Turbett-Deloff would not be counted as being in attendance for this meeting. 

2.4  The Chair asked for this to be formally noted because although the public meetings are accessible via technology (through the pandemic) this is not supported by national government.

2.5  It was noted that Cllr Turbet-Delof will participate in the meeting as normal.

2.6  Officer apologies were noted from Gerry McCarthy, Head of Community Safety, Enforcement and Business Regulations.

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

4.1  In respect of item 5 on the agenda Cllr Wrout and Cllr Walker declared they were members of the Licensing Committee.

5.1  The Chair recapped and informed the Commission that in the last municipal the Commission made enquiries about the Council’s approach to exploring the levers for sustainability in relation to single use plastic through the licensing for local businesses.

The Commission received an update last municipal year but wanted to explore further the potential for the Council to use its licensing powers, to prepare and drive behaviour change for local businesses to support the climate action plan objectives and reduce the use of single use plastic.

5.1.1  The Chair welcomed to the meeting Cllr Susan Fajana – Thomas, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services; Rickardo Hyatt, Group Director Climate, Homes and Economy; David Tuitt, Business Regulation Team Leader (Licensing & Technical Support) and Samantha Mathys, Late Night Levy Manager.

5.2  The Team Leader (Licensing & Technical Support) from LBH commenced the presentation and made the main points below.

5.2.1  The officer highlighted the Licensing Act 2003 is an integrated scheme for the authorised licensing of premises to sell / supply alcohol, provide regulated entertainment, or provide late night refreshments.  Also licenses to sell hot food late at night between the hours of 11pm and 5am.

5.2.2  The Licensing Act seeks to promote 4 licensing objectives:

·  Prevention of crime and disorder

·  Public safety

·  Prevention of public nuisance

·  Protection of children from harm.

5.2.3  There are four types of authorisations under the Act they are:

·  Premises licences

·  Club premises certificates

·  Temporary event notices

·  Personal licences.

5.2.4  The officer explained that as an authority (those who have the powers to make representations) they are limited to making representation or comments and this must be “relevant” to one or more of the licensing objectives. 

5.2.5  For example, in Section 18 of the Licensing Act (determination of premises licences), this outlines the relevant representation should be to the likely effects of the grant of the premises license on the promotion of the licensing objectives.  Under Section 35 for the variation of a license.  Any representations or conditions attached to the license should be relevant to the promotion of the licensing objectives.

5.2.6  In relation to the Council’s Licensing Policy this is a document that set out the principles that will be applied when they consider applications.  The revised Licensing Policy is currently out to consultation.  This policy is prepared in accordance with the guidance published by the Home Office and must seek to promote the four licensing objectives referenced earlier in the presentation.

5.2.7  The Licensing Policy will provide an opportunity for the council to set out its aspirations in the draft policy and makes reference to the climate action plan as well as other council strategies.

5.2.8  It was pointed out that the final version of the Licensing Policy could include a reference to the council’s ambition to reduce the use of single use plastics.

5.2.9  In reference to the number of businesses in the borough - the Licensing Team have been informed by the Regeneration Team that there are 24405 in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.1  The Chair introduced the item and explained the purpose of this item was to understand the work and actions taken by Hackney Council to maintain and sustain the Borough's markets during and post pandemic.

6.2  The information presented covered the performance of Hackney's markets pre pandemic, during the pandemic and post pandemic.  The data would cover the impact of lockdowns on consumers and cashless transactions. 

6.3  The Chair welcomed to the meeting Cllr Fajana – Thomas, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services; Rickardo Hyatt, Group Director Climate, Homes and Economy; Kevin Keady, Head of Parking and Markets and Daniel O’Sullivan,Service Area Manager Markets, Shop Fronts & Street Trading.

6.4  The Head of Parking and Markets commenced the presentation and made the main points below.

6.4.1  The Markets Service was restructured in 2016 following the approval of a new Market’s Strategy for Hackney.

6.4.2  Previously the Markets Service operated primarily as a licensing and regulatory function of the council, and they struggled to break even financially which resulted in income shortfalls.  The income shortfalls were funded by the Council’s general fund.  The largest deficit was £1.1 million.

6.4.3  To commence the service transformation, they rebuilt the team to have the right skills, knowledge and experience to deliver exceptional customer service; build meaningful relationships with stakeholders; simplify internal processes and implement sound financial management practices.

6.4.4  This transformation led to a successful service delivering the objectives set out in the 2016-2021 Markets Strategy. 

6.4.5  The performance of the service achieved the financial objectives and they have won numerous industry awards.  The Markets Service now operates and identifies as a business and following up in growth opportunities. 

6.4.6  This service transformation has benefited market traders with increased customer footfall and sales; in addition to protecting Hackney’s much-loved markets as community assets.

6.4.7  The Markets Service navigated the pandemic by maintaining great relationships with traders to help keep them afloat.  Having the agility within the team to keep abreast of the changes in government restrictions and finding solutions to help keep the market open has been an achievement.

6.4.8  This allowed Hackney to rapidly recover and continue growing.  This put the Markets Service in a very strong position to deliver the new Market Strategy that is scheduled for public consultation.

6.4.9  The Service Area Manager Markets, Shop Fronts & Street Trading from LBH continued the presentation and made the following main points.

6.4.10  The service employs 51 officers and operatives.  The officers manage 10 outdoor markets, 1 indoor market, 32 street trading sites across the borough and 507 shop front trading sites.

6.4.11  In relation to performance Pre pandemic the service had a consistent incline for growth from 2017/18 of approximately 3%.  In 2018/19 this increased to 15%.  However, the pandemic had a significant impact resulting in a -72% across 2020 -and 2021.

6.4.12  During this period the team was able to analyse legislation and prioritised community needs across the borough and focused efforts across key sites.

6.4.13  Open air markets  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.1  The Chair referred to the minutes in the agenda for the previous meeting on 8^th March 2023 and asked Members to agree the minutes.

Members agreed the minutes.

8.1  The Chair referred to the work programme documents on pages 133-138 of the agenda.  The Chair informed the Commission that the remit report in the agenda had incorrect information about:

a)  The work the commission had carried out last year

b)  The cabinet question time session topics. 

c)  The remit areas of the Commission.

8.2  The Chair reminded Members that an amended report was circulated to the Commission on 16^th June 2023 and that the updated version would be published in the next agenda under matters arising.

8.3  The Chair informed the Commission that the discussion items for the next 2 meetings were already scheduled.  These would be:

1.  Voluntary and Community Sector, in July

2.  Climate Action Plan – the engagement with local businesses, in July.

8.4  The Chair pointed out that from September onward the Commission needed to added discussion items to the work programme.  These would be in addition to their standing items such as Cabinet Question Time.  The Chair recapped on the remit areas of the Cabinet Members relevant to SEG.

8.5  The Chair referred to the list in the report of the work they covered last year and read it out.  (This is on pages 135-137 of the agenda).  The Chair explained to the Commission that they may make suggestions that builds on their previous work or choose to suggest a new topic area.

8.6  The Chair also informed the Commission that there has been a slight amendment to the remit of the commission.  The Commission had acquired the remit of energy and sustainability.

8.7  The Chair also informed the Commission that there was an open public consultation survey with residents.  To date 88 responses had been received.  The Chair informed the Commission that they would take the public suggestions into consideration before finalising the work program at their next meeting.

8.8  In the discussions with the commission Members and previous discussion held by the Chair and Vice Chair with stakeholders the following suggestions was noted.

1)  AI and the accompanying regulation.  To look at how AI might impact on businesses and how they can upskill to respond to AI in the future.

2)  Levelling up Fund linked to Hackney Central.  A look at the council’s plans for spend and the plans to acquire match funding.

3)  UK Shared Prosperity Fund.  A look at how this links to skills and employability.  A look at the GLA’s funding pot and how the council would maximise access to this funding pot for local businesses or the council.

4)  Hackney Wick Fish Island.  A look at this creative enterprise zone and its future.

5)  The Re-London report on the circular economy and jobs.  A presentation about their work.

6)  Planning policy, Climate Action Plan (CAP) and heritage buildings.  A look at the planning levers and controls of the council in relation what they can and should do taking into consideration the Council’s commitments in the CAP and Executive’s manifesto.

7)  Hackney Light and Power.  A  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.1  None.