Agenda item
Questions from Members of the Council
7.1 From Cllr Binnie-Lubbock to the Mayor
Beloved soft-play small business Kidzmania has served Hackney children for over two decades. Before dropping objections to development of their Powell Road site, they were told they could return to a like-for-like space when completed. Will you work with Peabody to ensure a proper fit-out to accommodate this Hackney institution?
7.2 From Cllr Patrick to the Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture
Following years of Tory cuts on Adult Social Care and an increase in demand, can the Cabinet Member give examples of the challenges the Council is facing because of this, highlighting the overall effect of the past 13 years?
7.3 From Cllr Garbett to the Cabinet Member For Employment, Human Resources and Equalities
The UK has some of the longest working hours in Europe but one of the least productive economies. Does the administration agree with the data that suggests a four-day, 32 hour working week with no loss of pay would benefit Hackney Council, its employees, our local economy, society and environment?
7.4 From Cllr Lufkin to the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport
The Council's Community Energy Fund has initiated the second round of funding to assist community organisations transition to net zero. Could the Cabinet Member confirm how community energy aligns with the overall energy and environmental objectives of the borough?
7.5 From Cllr Binnie-Lubbock to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services
Following several incidents of serious violence and tragic fatalities in the borough over the last months, what measures are the Council and its partners taking to ensure residents feel safe?
7.6 From Cllr Laudat-Scott to the Cabinet Member for Employment, Human Resources and Equalities
Does the Council have plans to transition from celebrating Black History Season to integrating Black history consistently into the year-round curriculum, events, and discussions, emphasising the importance of recognising Black contributions and experiences throughout the year?
7.7 From Cllr Garbett to the Mayor
To consolidate its first-in-the-country scheme for community parklets, can the Council confirm how many parklets have been constructed to date, and whether there are plans to make the process less onerous on applicants - to allow more diverse communities to participate?
7.8 From Cllr Turbet-Delof to the Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture
This year is Hackney Carnival, one of the most anticipated, inclusive, culturally diverse and vibrant events in the country. Can we hear updates on how communities, businesses and residents will be able to participate, apply for available funds and make this another amazing year for our borough's carnival?
7.9 From Cllr Rathbone to the Deputy Mayor for Delivery, Inclusive Economy & Regeneration
Could the Deputy Mayor please let us know what is happening about The Tram Depot in Upper Clapton Road which has recently been put up for auction, and what the Council intends to do to ensure it is preserved, along with 25 businesses and 50 jobs?
7.10 From Cllr Joseph to the Cabinet Member for Finance, Insourcing and Customer Service
Following pressure from Hackney Council and London Councils, the Government uplifted Local Housing Allowance in the Autumn Statement. What is the Council doing to ensure the Government funds social housing and provides local authorities with the resources to ensure that local families can afford to stay in Hackney?
7.11 From Cllr Adejare to the Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture
As we continue to work to ensure the voices of our communities are amplified, can the Cabinet Member please advise how our grants funding ensures all communities, especially minoritised groups are supported in terms of accessing these funding streams to ensure their needs are reflected in Council activities?
7.12 From Cllr Premru to the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport
Following the disruption and damage done to canal dwellers, homes, businesses and arts institutions following the heavy rain and flooding in Hackney Wick, can you confirm what support the Council provided for residents and what further measures we need to put in place to deal with future extreme weather conditions?
Minutes:
The Speaker noted that the Monitoring Officer had advised that question 7.1 had been withdrawn as there was a current live planning application with respect to the site accommodated by Kidzmania.
7.2 From Cllr Patrick to the Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture
Following years of Tory cuts on Adult Social Care and an increase in demand, can the Cabinet Member give examples of the challenges the Council is facing because of this, highlighting the overall effect of the past 13 years?
Response from the Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture
Cllr Kennedy explained that several councils across the country had issued S114 Notices, which effectively declared authorities bankrupt; all authorities had cited Adult Social Care (ASC) cost pressures as one reason for issuing the Notice. The ASC pressures had been as a result of many factors which included people living longer, more complex needs, and increased unit costs per patient. The average weekly cost of a week in a nursing home had risen from £766 in 2019/20 to £1,172 4 years later, an increase of over 50%.
In addition, the Council had lost 40% of central government funding since 2010 and government funding had moved to one-off payments with no guarantee of continued funding year-on-year. Funding available was insufficient to bridge the gap in funding required.
7.3 From Cllr Garbett to the Cabinet Member for Employment, Human Resources and Equalities
The UK has some of the longest working hours in Europe but one of the least productive economies. Does the administration agree with the data that suggests a four-day, 32 hour working week with no loss of pay would benefit Hackney Council, its employees, our local economy, society and environment?
Response from Cabinet Member for Employment, Human Resources and Equalities
Cllr Williams noted the Council aspired to be an employer of choice with established procedures for flexible working requests which included compressed hours, hybrid working, and term time only working, regardless of the length of service. The policies included statutory safeguards such as a robust reason required to decline requests for flexible working and for decisions within a reasonable timescale.
There had been significant changes in working patterns since the pandemic. Staff working from home one day a week or more increased from 30% to 81% over the last 5 years. The Council had no plans to undertake trials of a four day working week in the Council. The Council had participated in the Timewise Fair and Flexible Council Programme that supported flexible working.
The Council had currently undertaken an engagement survey with staff to reflect on what worked well and what improvements had to be made to support staff.
Supplementary Question:
Would the Cabinet Member agree for the appropriate Cabinet Member and senior officers to meet with the 4 Day Working Week campaign group to explore how the four day working week would benefit the Council and taxpayer?
Cllr Williams advised that advice was taken from employment law professionals. It was important to ensure best service delivery to residents. As a result, she was reluctant to consider any changes and did not accept the request.
7.4 From Cllr Lufkin to the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport
The Council's Community Energy Fund has initiated the second round of funding to assist community organisations transition to net zero. Could the Cabinet Member confirm how community energy aligns with the overall energy and environmental objectives of the borough?
Response from the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport
Cllr Coban noted that clean solar energy that had cut bills for local community organisations had happened in Hackney. It was important that overall energy and environmental objectives not be seen in isolation and it was noted the significant economic opportunities a positive environmental agenda unlocked. London had responded to the climate emergency and had increased community energy across the capital. Community Energy London had pledged 1000 projects in the next few years and Hackney Council had committed to 50 projects with 30 initiatives achieved so far.
It was noted that community groups often look to the Council for support, advice, and collaboration. The Council had hosted a meeting that brought together a range of different organisations to take action on what could be achieved. The Council had control of 45% of the borough emissions and recognised the need to strategise with local organisations and businesses to achieve the Council’s net zero ambitions. As part of this approach, the Council proposed to bring forward a net zero partnership with local organisations and businesses.
Hackney Light and Power Community Energy Fund had accelerated the development of community-led energy and carbon reduction projects and had been recognised in the UK as a leader in this work. The role of the local authority had been critical to the success of developing community energy projects. The Community Energy Fund had also unlocked other funding opportunities which brought additional capital funding to the borough. The first round of the Community Energy Fund delivered a range of projects at Hackney Empire, Mildmay Club, and Parkwood Primary School which provided funding for solar panels.
A key metric for successful projects was the lifetime carbon saving which the measures achieved. Cllr Coban noted a residential solar power proposal had been agreed at Cabinet earlier that week which provided for support to 500 council properties across the borough which helped reduce tenants bills and created jobs.
Supplementary Question:
How is Hackney doing in relation to other boroughs?
Cllr Coban noted that Hackney is one of few boroughs in London with a community energy fund. He reported that he had attended the Greater London Authority (GLA) Environment Committee this week and the GLA had visited the Leaside Trust to see the solar panel installation funded by the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC). It was noted that Hackney was recognised at a national level in leading on community energy.
7.5 From Cllr Binnie-Lubbock to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services
Following several incidents of serious violence and tragic fatalities in the borough over the last months, what measures are the Council and its partners taking to ensure residents feel safe?
Response from the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services
Cllr Fajana-Thomas offered condolences to the families and loved one of the victims, following three unconnected murders in the borough in December 2023. The Council had supported the police through CCTV with their investigations and suspects for each of the three murders had been charged and remanded into custody.
Cllr Fajana-Thomas informed the Chamber that the Council was due to implement the Serious Violence Duty Strategy 2024-2027 which included analysis that identified trends and patterns in serious violence and informed the community safety partnership response. A Serious Violence Action Plan, to be published in February 2024, brought together all the commitments which included support for survivors of violence against women and girls and hate crime. In addition, the Council worked with the police and the Public Health Team and had increased patrols in communities affected by the tragic events.
It was reported that a temporary CCTV camera was installed in one of the areas and Cllr Fajana-Thomas had sent letters of reassurance to residents in the affected areas. The Community Safety Team, police, Ward Councillors, and residents held a meeting this week, linked to one of the murders, and heard concerns and worked to develop a multi-agency action plan.
The Council had the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (VAWG), with action plans, to address domestic violence. The Community Gangs Team had undertaken initiatives, with young people at risk from gang exploitation. The team had raised funds and refurbished 2 football pitches in known gang territories. These pitches, with support from Arsenal FC and Orient FC, provided regular coaching sessions free to users. Training was underway for care home supervisors in 40 homes which helped to identify gang issues. Three knife bins had been deployed around the borough that had resulted in the recovery of 180 weapons. The team had worked with DWP and the Youth Offending Team (YOT) to promote vulnerable young people into education, training and employment. The team had negotiated short term truces between gangs in the borough.
Through the Hackney Nights initiative there had been reductions in serious violence in the Shoreditch night time economy. There had been a marginal increase of 0.5% in violence with injury in Hackney over the last year, however, the commitment from community safety partners through the Serious Violence Duty Strategy was anticipated to make a positive difference to make Hackney safer.
Supplementary Question:
Does the current investment in violence prevention represent good value for money and where is further investment needed?
Cllr Fajana-Thomas was confident that the Community Gangs Team and Young Hackney provided value for money. Hackney had seen a reduction in crime across all measures before the incidents in December 2023 which was due to the work of the teams. The Community Gangs Team had a model that was promoted to other boroughs by the Metropolitan Police and the Greater London Assembly Violence Reduction Unit. Hackney used the public health model to respond to youth violence working in educational and youth settings and with parents. This approach had worked whilst it was noted that more had to, and was being done.
7.6 From Cllr Laudat-Scott to the Cabinet Member for Employment, Human
Resources and Equalities
Does the Council have plans to transition from celebrating Black History Season to integrating Black history consistently into the year-round curriculum, events, and discussions, emphasising the importance of recognising Black contributions and experiences throughout the year?
Response from the Cabinet Member for Employment, Human Resources and Equalities
Cllr Williams noted the Council had marked Black History Month in October. For the past 10 years the Council had Black History Season which extended to include September, November and December. This year the Council had moved to Black History 365 with year round events in schools and Hackney Museums aimed at everyone in the community to celebrate Hackney’s diverse cultures.
Hackney was proud to be home for many African and African Caribbean communities and outside the dedicated season; departments across the Council acknowledged the heritage, culture and creativity of these communities. The Culture, Libraries, and Heritage Teams hosted a programme of activities which last year included the Windrush Generations Festival.
Hackney schools had the diverse curriculum named ‘The Black Contribution ’curated by Hackney teachers which provided teaching resources for different age ranges including early years. Education was a core function of Hackney Museum which had a schools programme designed to be inclusive with diverse histories. The Black History collections had been the most popular schools programme and thousands of pupils visited each year.
Hackney Archives Team actively collected materials, including photographs, oral histories, and personal objects, since the 1990s. The Council had addressed underrepresentation of African and African Caribbean communities in the public realm and the Culture Team had led nationally significant projects that included the installation of the Windrush Sculptures.
Cllr Williams thanked all the teams that supported the work which acknowledged African and African Caribbean culture and history. She also thanked Mayor Woodley who had agreed to embed Black History into a 365 days a year programme
The Speaker noted that the meeting had come to the end of the 30 minutes allocated time frame and those questions that had not been answered, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 7.10, 7.11, and 7.12, would receive a written response included at Appendix A