Minutes:
12.1 Mayor Glanville congratulated Cllr Garasia on her election as Speaker and welcomed all guests present. He acknowledged the newly elected Councillors from all parties, following the election on 5 May 2022. Tribute was paid to staff and all candidates who took part in the elections. The Mayor gave a special mention to Labour colleagues and former Councillors Peter Snell and Anna-Joy Rickard who were unsuccessful in their bid for re-election. The Mayor highlighted their various areas of advocacy and achievement since they were elected in 2014.
12.2 The Mayor stated that he was eagerly anticipating working with Labour Group colleagues, who he believed to be representative of the rich diversity of the borough to which they were elected.
12.3 The Mayor paid tribute to former Councillors Vu Khanh Thanh and Brian Marsh who had recently passed away. He also paid tribute to Steve Douglas, CEO of St Mungo’s and former interim Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Regeneration between 2009 and 2012 at the Council. Condolences were also offered to the family and friends of the runner who passed away whilst participating in the Hackney Half Marathon on Sunday, 22 May 2022.
12.4 Mayor Glanville informed Council of the steps his administration had made in meeting the pledges made in its manifesto. In summary, these included: the commemoration of Europe Day, Council Tax Rebate paid to almost 38 million households, nearly £2m allocated to support low income households and the closure of 70% of the housing repairs backlog with all outstanding repairs to be completed by the end of July 2022. Mayor Glanville further reported on forthcoming plans in the area of tackling the shortage of social housing and homelessness. He also highlighted his administration’s commitment to promoting: greater opportunities and outcomes for residents in the borough through lifelong learning, anti-racism and challenging the culture of the Council and its partners.
12.5 Referencing the forthcoming Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Mayor welcomed and encouraged the opportunity to reconnect through various community events in the borough.
12.6 Cllr Steinbeger responded to the Mayor’s statement on behalf of the Majority Opposition Group. He congratulated and welcomed the new Conservative Member to the Council and paid tribute to former Cllr Odze for his contributions, in particular the efficient running of Council meetings. He welcomed newly elected Green Party Councillors and their formation as the Minority Opposition Group. Looking ahead, he challenged the Mayor and his administration to support the most vulnerable residents in the borough.
12.7 The Minority Opposition Group Leader, Cllr Garbett, responded to the Mayor’s statement. She thanked Councillors and officers for their warm welcome and assistance following the recent election. Cllr Garbett looked forward to being part of the Green Group representing the 23% of the electorate across Hackney who voted Green. She anticipated bringing the necessary scrutiny and challenge and urged that this was not a time for complacency. The existential climate and ecological crisis, the ongoing impact of Brexit and the pandemic, the cost of living crisis, the crisis of greed, widening inequality and socially unjust and racist policing following recent events in Dalston were cited as some of the pressing issues that required urgent action.
12.8 In response, Mayor Glanville condemned the recent incident in Dalston and emphasised the administration's desire to co-produce solutions that work for the community. The Mayor set out the areas of work which would shortly commence. In summary, these included: setting up the affordable child care commission and supporting families through the cost of living crisis, a peer review of integrated gangs work, £50m investment in the green new deal, further work on libraries and the development of a strategic plan. The Mayor pledged his commitment to deliver on the manifesto on which it was elected and to work with Opposition Groups and residents.