This week in Hackney:

Urgent Action Needed to Support Rough Sleepers as Council Plans New Outreach Service

Hackney Council is moving to procure a new Street Outreach Response Team (SORT) service to support rough sleepers, a critical step given the rising numbers and the devastating impact of life on the streets. The Officer Executive Decisions meeting on Wednesday, September 2nd, was set to consider a recommendation to approve the procurement of a contract valued at £1.8 million over three years.

This service is vital. The report highlighted that in 2024-25, nearly 300 individuals were found to be rough sleeping in Hackney, an increase from the previous year. The council rightly points out the severe consequences: rough sleeping drastically reduces life expectancy, with average lifespans for homeless men and women estimated at just 47 and 43 respectively. Furthermore, rough sleepers are around 17 times more likely to be victims of violence.

The SORT team acts as the first point of contact, crucial for engaging with individuals, connecting them to support, and helping them find accommodation. The council's commitment to ending rough sleeping is a core part of its homelessness strategy, which has been in place since 2002. The proposed procurement will use an open tender process, adhering to the Procurement Act 2023. A significant aspect of the evaluation will be social value, with 15% of the score dedicated to sustainability and social value commitments, including paying the London Living Wage and employing individuals with lived experience.

The report also considered insourcing the service but rejected it due to budgetary and staffing implications. This decision underscores the council's ongoing efforts to provide essential support to its most vulnerable residents, a commitment that directly impacts lives and safety within the borough.

Read the summary of the Officer Executive Decisions meeting

New Venues Granted Licences Amidst Resident Concerns

The Licensing Sub Committee A met on Wednesday, September 2nd, to consider applications for premises licences, highlighting the ongoing tension between business development and resident concerns about noise and nuisance.

Corgi UK Café Limited Secures Licence for Great Eastern Street

An application for a premises licence for Corgi UK Café Limited at 74 Great Eastern Street, London, EC2A 3JL was approved. The café sought authorisation for late-night refreshment between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM daily.

However, the application faced objections from Environmental Health, the Police, and local residents. Concerns centred on public nuisance, citing existing issues with noise, litter, and anti-social behaviour in the area. Residents also worried about the premises operating outside its established planning permission hours.

To address these concerns, the applicant proposed a robust set of conditions, including CCTV, employing licensed security during peak hours, and a direct contact line for neighbours. The committee, in approving the licence, deemed these measures sufficient to uphold the licensing objectives.

The Stags Head Gains Extended Hours with New Conditions

A variation to the premises licence for The Stags Head, located at 55 Orsman Road, London, N15RA, was also approved. The variation sought to extend terminal hours for alcohol sales, live and recorded music, and late-night refreshment on Fridays and Saturdays.

Environmental Health and the Licensing Authority raised concerns about public nuisance, referencing historical complaints about noise from amplified music, customer behaviour in the garden, and dispersal issues.

The applicant responded by strengthening conditions, including closing the rear garden to customers at 1:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, prohibiting amplified music in the garden, and implementing a written dispersal policy. The committee approved the variation, incorporating these additional measures to ensure the licensing objectives were met.

The committee also agreed the minutes of previous Licensing Sub-Committee A meetings.

Read the full report on the Licensing Sub Committee A meeting

New Sauna Proposed for Castle Climbing Centre

The Planning Sub-Committee met on Wednesday, September 2nd, to consider a planning application for a new sauna at The Castle Climbing Centre, Green Lanes. The proposal involves demolishing an existing shelter and constructing a temporary timber sauna.

The application, which is for a five-year period, aims to enhance the facilities at the popular climbing centre. The proposed structure would increase the footprint of an existing concrete slab from 32 to approximately 40 square metres and include a shower, storage, and staff area. The sauna would be timber-built with a green roof and planting on its side walls, standing at approximately 2.2 metres high.

The site is designated as Metropolitan Open Land and is within the Stoke Newington Reservoir Filter Beds and New River Conservation Area, adjacent to a Grade 2 star listed building. Planning officers presented the application, noting an update to the National Planning Policy Framework that did not alter their recommendation to grant planning permission.

Concerns were raised by local residents regarding noise, layout, and lighting. The applicant, Community Sauna CIC, explained that the sauna would accommodate a maximum of 16 people, require bookings, and have a supervisor on site. They stated that the enclosed side would face south, away from residential properties, and lighting would be directed inwards and downwards. Operating hours would match the climbing centre's, from 8 AM to 10 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 8 PM on weekends.

Councillor Jas Crowe raised questions about the accessibility of the access route, noting its steep gradient. The applicant explained that while the sauna itself would be accessible, the existing path's gradient could not be fully DTA compliant¹ without significant excavation due to protected tree roots. A condition was agreed to provide further details for approval regarding a future accessible path strategy.

The meeting was scheduled to continue with further discussion and a vote on the application.

Read the summary of the Planning Sub-Committee meeting

This week in Hackney:

Licensing Sub-Committee C Meeting Cancelled, Leaving Key Policy Discussions Unresolved

The Licensing Sub Committee C meeting, scheduled for Thursday, August 27th, was cancelled. This cancellation means that several important discussions regarding licensing procedures and policies have been postponed, potentially impacting how the council handles applications for venues and events.

The committee was due to review the established procedure for Licensing Sub-Committee hearings, which governs how applications for premises licences, temporary event notices, and other licensing matters are handled. This procedure details how hearings are conducted, including the use of remote platforms and live-streaming.

Furthermore, the agenda included a review of Temporary Event Notices (TENs), which are used for small-scale events. Any objections to TENs from the Police or Environmental Protection services would have been considered. The council's Statement of Licensing Policy outlines how such objections are assessed, taking into account complaint history and proposed control measures.

A significant portion of the meeting was also dedicated to considering extracts from Hackney's Statement of Licensing Policy 2023-2028. This policy is crucial for guiding the council's approach to licensing, aiming to uphold the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. Key areas covered include policies on alcohol sales, outdoor events, and special measures for areas with cumulative impact.

The cancellation means that decisions on these procedural and policy matters have been delayed. The committee members were Councillor Nicholas Blincoe, Councillor Ben Lucas, and Councillor Bettina Maidment.

Read the summary of the Licensing Sub Committee C meeting

This week in Hackney:

Beis Yaakov Girls School Secures Temporary Home Amidst Eviction Crisis

Hackney Council's Officer Executive Decisions meeting, held on Tuesday, August 18th, was scheduled to address an urgent matter concerning the Beis Yaakov Girls School (BYGS). The school, which had been evicted from its previous premises in July, faced the immediate threat of closure, leaving over 100 primary pupils without a place to learn.

Ensuring Educational Continuity

The meeting was set to consider a proposal for a temporary Licence to Occupy for BYGS on a portion of the former Oldhill Community School site. This arrangement, intended to run from September to December 2026, aims to provide a stable learning environment for the displaced pupils and prevent the school's immediate closure. The plan involves minor site-separation works to allow BYGS to coexist with the existing Oldhill Children's Centre.

This decision is critical for upholding the Council's statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places and aligns with its commitment to effective asset management. The school would be responsible for rent payments covering the building's operating costs, ensuring the council mitigates vacancy costs. This intervention also supports the Council's broader Education Strategy, which seeks to raise standards within Charedi independent schools and provide equitable services for all local families.

An Equality Impact Assessment was conducted to ensure compliance with the Equality Act 2010, considering potential impacts on protected groups. The assessment recognised the urgent need to maintain educational continuity for the pupils and the positive impact of providing a stable learning environment.

The report highlighted that this is a time-limited arrangement and does not alter long-term plans for the site. The alternative of Do Nothing would have resulted in the immediate closure of the school and the loss of educational provision for over 100 children.

Read the summary of the Officer Executive Decisions meeting

Licensing Sub-Committee D Meeting Cancelled

The Licensing Sub Committee D meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, August 19th, was cancelled. The committee was due to consider licensing matters, including Temporary Event Notices, and review its hearing procedures.

The committee was also scheduled to review Hackney's Statement of Licensing Policy 2023-2028, which guides the council's approach to licensing, focusing on the four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm.

Read the summary of the Licensing Sub Committee D meeting

Hackney Procurement Board Meeting Cancelled

The Hackney Procurement Board meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, August 18th, was cancelled.

Read the details of the Hackney Procurement Board meeting

This week in Hackney:

Late-Night Venues Face Scrutiny as Council Weighs Business Needs Against Resident Concerns

Hackney Council's Licensing Sub Committee B met on Tuesday, August 11th, to consider two licensing applications that highlight the delicate balance between supporting local businesses and protecting residents from potential noise and disorder. One venue secured an extended licence with new conditions, while another had its temporary event notice refused due to ongoing concerns.

The Black Eel Gains Extended Hours with Stricter Rules

The committee approved an application to vary the premises licence for The Black Eel, located at 41 Kingsland High Street, London, E8 2JS. The venue, which offers food, games, and events, successfully argued for extended late-night refreshment hours until 1:30 AM and alcohol sales until 1:00 AM on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

However, this approval came with a raft of new conditions designed to address potential impacts on the neighbourhood. These include:

• Enhanced Staff Training: All relevant staff must undergo mandatory Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) and Ask Angela scheme training every six months.
• Waste Management: Stricter protocols for waste disposal, including ensuring contracts are appropriate in size and waste is properly contained and collected outside of designated times.
• Public Highway Protection: A commitment to regular checks of the area immediately outside the premises to remove litter and prevent obstruction.
• Designated Smoking Areas: Provision of a safe receptacle for cigarette ends, placed to avoid obstruction.
• Visible Waste Contracts: The trade waste agreement must be displayed prominently in the premises window.

The applicant, Reach For The Oars Limited, argued that the extended hours were necessary to remain competitive and cater to customer demand. While one resident objected on grounds of potential crime, disorder, and public nuisance, particularly within the Dalston Special Consideration Area, the committee found the applicant's commitments sufficient. The applicant also highlighted their participation in the Hackney Nights Scheme and their existing dispersal policy.

Bar A Bar's Temporary Event Notice Refused Amidst Police Concerns

In contrast, a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for Bar A Bar, located at 133-135 Stoke Newington Road, London, N16 8BT, was refused. The Metropolitan Police objected to the notice on grounds of preventing crime and disorder, public safety, and preventing public nuisance.

The police raised serious concerns about an ongoing investigation into allegations that the venue had been operating beyond its licensed hours. They also expressed a lack of confidence in the venue's management and its ability to uphold licensing objectives. The quality and timeliness of CCTV evidence submitted by the premises user were deemed insufficient by the police.

The premises user, Kyriakos Polos, argued for their good track record with previous TENs. However, the committee found the management structure and operational details unclear, concluding that the applicant had not sufficiently demonstrated why the event should proceed. This refusal underscores the importance of transparency and robust management practices when seeking temporary licences, especially when responsible authorities have expressed significant concerns.

Read the full report on the Licensing Sub Committee B meeting

Council Awards Contract for Essential Children's Speech and Language Therapy Services

The Hackney Procurement Board met on Tuesday, August 11th, to award a significant contract for the delivery of Children's Integrated Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Services. This decision ensures continued support for children with communication needs, a vital service that underpins their educational and social development.

Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Secures £2.2 Million Contract

The Board resolved to award a contract valued at £2,202,101 to Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. This contract will initially run for six months, from October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, with the possibility of two further six-month extensions. The decision was made under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR), allowing for a direct award to the incumbent provider due to the existing contract nearing its expiry and the provider meeting its current obligations.

This service is critical for identifying and supporting children with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN), as well as those with eating, drinking, and swallowing difficulties. It is also essential for Hackney's legal obligations under the Children and Families Act 2014, particularly for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) who have an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP).

While the current contract has faced some challenges with data reporting, the provider has generally met or exceeded Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). A competitive process will be used to recommission the service from April 2027, with a new specification focusing on early intervention and prevention, in line with recent SEND reforms. The funding for this contract is fully budgeted within the Children and Education directorate, sourced from the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).

Other Matters

• The minutes of the previous Hackney Procurement Board meeting, held on July 22, 2026, were confirmed as an accurate record.
• An item concerning a framework for accommodation for individuals with no recourse to public funds was withdrawn from the agenda.

Read the full report on the Hackney Procurement Board meeting