Agenda item
Elected Mayor's Statement
Minutes:
8.1 Mayor Woodley welcomed everyone to the first Full Council of 2024 with special recognition to Cllr Ian Sharer following his election at the recent by-election. It was noted that he had previously served Hackney as both a Labour and Liberal Democrat Councillor. The Mayor thanked staff who had worked during the festive period to deliver essential services. She highlighted the importance of intentional rest, respite and wellbeing in order to continue working in a sustainable and healthy way.
8.2 The Mayor highlighted that the safety of residents remained a priority. She expressed sadness concerning three recent unconnected fatalities in the borough. Condolences were offered to the families of Lianne Gordon, Michael Murphy and Kobi Macharia Dooly, whose families were being supported by the Council’s teams and partners. The Mayor thanked Cllr Fajana-Thomas OBE, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services for demonstrating excellent leadership as well as Council officers who had acted with compassion and professionalism.
8.3 Mayor Woodley reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to making the borough safe and outlined a number of steps that would be undertaken to achieve this. The Serious Violence Duty Strategy, approved by Cabinet on 22 January was an integral part of this work. Mayor Woodley emphasised the importance of politicians standing in solidarity against violence and hate and their responsibility to protect and bring communities together. She proceeded to outline various motions that the Council had passed in recent years in support of Hackney’s diverse communities.
8.4 In reference to the Conservative Government’s decade plus of austerity measures, cuts to public services and the ongoing cost of living crisis, the Mayor acknowledged the financial pressures and hardships faced by local residents. As well as the challenges faced by the Council to address these in light of no sign of a sustainable financial settlement. Mayor Woodley pledged to do all in her power to protect services for those most in need. Members were informed that the Government had so far failed to renew the Household Support Fund after March 2024. This was worth £5.6m to Hackney in 2023/24 and had been used to help fight food poverty and provide vital advice to residents in financial difficulty.
8.5 Mayor Woodley reported that she and Cllr Chapman had written a letter condemning among other things, the underfunding of social care. She was pleased to advise that the Secretary of State had backtracked and allocated more money for this area; however a long term solution was still awaited. Despite the financial challenges, the Mayor was pleased to announce that the Council would be able to balance its books and continue to provide many services alongside local partners.
8.6 In reference to the housing crisis, Mayor Woodley informed the Chamber that the Hackney Homeless and Rough Sleeping Strategy had been approved by Cabinet. The Council would continue to look for opportunities to bring in additional funding for this area. Work would also extend to working with the Private Rented Sector. The Council had recently secured £4.22m from the national Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme. This would help to deliver much-needed homes and support for people sleeping rough with complex needs. Work to improve the Council’s housing stock continued at a time where damp and mould was especially of concern during the winter months. She thanked Cllr McKenzie, Cabinet Member for Housing Services and Resident Participation for leading on this as well as Members across the parties for raising casework on behalf of residents.
8.7 Concluding, Mayor Woodley stated the importance of standing in solidarity in support of residents; standing against hate and violence; being unified in ensuring the safety of all in the borough and working together for a better Hackney.
Conservative Group Response
8.8 Cllr Steinberger gave apologies that he and other Conservative group Members would be leaving the meeting early as they were observing the Jewish Festival Tu BiShvat. He paid tribute to Donna Anthony from the Special Educational Needs and Disability Team who had recently passed away.
8.9 In reference to the earlier public disturbance at the meeting, Cllr Steinberger commended the Speaker, officers and security staff for their efficient and orderly handling of the situation.
8.10 Cllr Steinberger welcomed Cllr Ian Sharer to the Conservative group and the Chamber. He stated that the campaign was won almost on the single issue of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and the election of Cllr Sharer represented the electorate’s direct opposition to them. He implored the administration to listen to the voice of local residents with regard to LTNs which he believed were not wanted in certain parts of the borough.
8.11 Cllr Steinberger welcomed the announcement made earlier that day by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities of a £600 million support package, primarily for social care.
8.12 Concluding, Cllr Steinberger solicited the Council to provide premises as a hub from which Shomrim Stamford Hill (volunteer responders made up from members of the local community) could operate. He also expressed dismay at the ongoing issues raised to him by local residents in relation to housing, Council Tax and Housing Benefit.
Green Group Response
8.13 Cllr Garbett welcomed Cllr Ian Sharer to the Chamber following the Cazenove by-election, referencing his previous stints as a Labour and Liberal Democrat Councillor She thanked Tamara Micner, the Green Party candidate and all those who voted for her. Cllr Garbett was disheartened at the reinstatement of the Labour Party candidate following the lack of a meaningful apology after expressing transphobic views. She emphasised the importance of challenging all forms of transphobia and requested the Mayor restate her commitment to the trans-community.
8.14 Cllr Garbett informed the Chamber that prior to the Council meeting the Green group had joined residents outside the Town Hall in a plea for all elected Members to do everything within their power to call for a ceasefire to the Israel Gaza conflict. She urged Members to continue to pressure the government and international community as the impact of the conflict had been felt by residents. Disappointment was expressed that it had taken the Mayor 50 days to send a letter to Central Government following her response to a public question on the Israel Gaza conflict at the Council meeting on 29 November.
8.15 Concern was expressed relating to the earlier events during the public questions segment. It was believed that the ordeal of adjourning the meeting could have been avoided had the supplementary question been responded to.
8.16 In reference to the Independent Governance Review, the Green group welcomed the recommendations but stated that they still had questions pertaining to who knew what and safeguarding issues. Cllr Garbett looked forward to hearing from the Monitoring Officer regarding whether their motion could be heard following its referral at November’s Council meeting.
8.17 Cllr Garbett stated that during the consultation and the subsequent Cabinet decision to close four primary schools, the Green group had engaged with parents, carers and teachers. Learning of the impact on staff and children; it was hoped that going forward, any consultation processes would be genuine and transparent and those impacted would be included at an early stage of decision making. Concerns were raised regarding the introduction of a last minute consultation relating to the closure of Children’s Centres which was considered by Cabinet a few days prior.
8.18 Cllr Garbett stated that following her question at the last Council meeting regarding the action the Council was taking to address vulnerability in areas of the borough at risk of heatwave, there had been flooding in Hackney Wick as well as storms. She reported that the GLA Climate Resilience Report highlighted that the city of London was unprepared for severe weather events. She believed that residents were already seeing the impact of this with damage to their homes and businesses and immediate action necessary.
8.19 Concluding, Cllr Garbett stated that over a decade of Conservative austerity had decimated local authority budgets, with local authorities across the country facing bankruptcy. She questioned the Mayor on what would be done to advocate for local residents in support of ending austerity and ensuring a good deal for local authorities is at the centre of any Labour Party manifesto. The Green group advised that they would be bringing suggestions to the forthcoming budget meeting and would be willing to meet with the Mayor beforehand to discuss these. It was hoped that the additional perspective would be welcomed.
The Mayor’s reply
8.20 Exercising the right of reply, Mayor Woodley stated the following:
· Echoing the sentiments of Cllr Steinberger, the Mayor paid tribute to Donna Anthony who had worked in the SEND and Early Years departments within the Council for several years.
· The Council was challenged with regard to implementing ways to reduce traffic and ensure cleaner air. LTNs were very much wanted in some parts of the borough with pressure from residents for their introduction. There were 3 new LTNs in the pipeline.
· 13 years of Conservative austerity had profoundly impacted the borough and residents.
· The issue relating to Shomrim was discussed at the recent Springfield Ward Panel meeting and Cllr Fajana-Thaoms would be looking into this. The work undertaken by Shomrim, in partnership with the police, especially in relation to hate crimes was of great value to the local community.
· The housing casework Members were receiving directly reflected the housing crisis. The Conservatives were encouraged to support the administration in lobbying Central Government to build more homes.
· Trans rights were recognised by the Council. There was no place for hate in Hackney. There was acknowledgement that comments made had complicated the Cazenove by-election, but it was noted that the management of candidates was not a Council responsibility as they were managed by the regional parties they represent.
· The delay in writing to Central Government was owing to the festive period and wanting the letter to be considered at the Labour Group meeting to ensure a balanced view.
· Hopefully, John Henderson’s extension of the terms of reference and the forthcoming consideration by Scrutiny, would resolve any uncertainties and unanswered questions relating to safeguarding.
· Every effort was made with regard to the delay of the Cabinet report on the proposed closure of Children Centres. The option to delay to February was explored but it would have been impractical to delay the consultation. The decision was taken in consultation with the Monitoring Officer.
· It was important to develop resilience in relation to the climate crisis. The work that Cllr Coban, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, was doing in this area was commended.