This week in Hackney:

Council Moves to Secure New Homes for Vulnerable Children

Hackney Council is taking a significant step to improve the lives of its looked-after children by awarding a contract to provide new residential homes. The Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee met on Monday, June 1st, to approve the commissioning of two new children's homes, Blossom House and Starbright House, which will offer vital support to young people aged 11-17.

Investing in Our Youngest Residents

This decision is crucial for ensuring that children in the council's care have safe, stable, and nurturing environments. The new homes will be managed by a partner provider, Provider B, under a five-year contract with an option to extend for a further two years. This approach aims to keep children connected to their communities and minimise disruption to their education and social lives.

The procurement process involved extensive consultation with care-experienced young people, whose feedback directly shaped the design of the homes. Key priorities included personalising rooms and maintaining connections with friends and family. This human-centred approach is vital for the well-being of these vulnerable children.

The council rejected options to do nothing or to bring the service in-house, citing significant financial, regulatory, and operational risks associated with insourcing at this time. The chosen commissioning model allows Hackney to leverage the expertise of specialist providers while ensuring improved outcomes for children and financial efficiency.

The contract, valued at up to £15.1 million over seven years, is expected to deliver cost savings of approximately £2.1 million. The council will retain ownership of the properties, which will be leased to the provider. The successful provider is committed to social value, including local employment and paying the London Living Wage, and will operate under Hackney's STAR practice model, which focuses on trauma-informed and anti-racist care.

This initiative directly supports the council's commitment to providing a bright future for every child and young person, a key pledge in the Mayor's Manifesto.

Read the full report on the Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee meeting

Council Strengthens Enforcement Powers for Safer Streets

Hackney Council is bolstering its enforcement services to tackle issues like fly-tipping, obstructions, and noise nuisance across the borough. The Corporate Committee met on Tuesday, June 2nd, to review the Enforcement Service Annual Performance Report for 2025-26 and to approve the establishment of the Planning Sub-Committee for the upcoming municipal year.

A More Proactive Approach to Community Safety

The Enforcement Service plays a vital role in maintaining the quality of life for residents by addressing a wide range of environmental and antisocial behaviour issues. The service is structured into north and south teams, supported by ward-based principal officers and uniformed enforcement officers. These teams investigate complex cases, respond to complaints, and take appropriate action to ensure compliance with council regulations.

The annual performance report highlighted the service's management arrangements, resources, and key targets. The integrated approach, which includes environmental enforcement and dealing with highway obstructions and littering, is designed to be responsive to community needs. For residents, this means a more visible and effective response to issues that can significantly impact their neighbourhoods.

The committee also approved the establishment and membership of the Planning Sub-Committee, which will be responsible for determining planning applications. This ensures that the council has the necessary structures in place to manage development in a way that benefits the community.

The Corporate Committee also noted the terms of reference for the municipal year 2026-27, reaffirming its oversight of the council's regulatory functions. Councillor Ülgen Semerci was confirmed as Chair and Councillor Nisa Sharif as Vice-Chair, leading the committee's work in these critical areas.

Read the full report on the Corporate Committee meeting

Tennis Facilities Set for New Management Contract

Hackney Council is moving forward with a new concession contract for the management and development of its tennis facilities. The Officer Executive Decisions meeting on Monday, June 1st, considered the procurement of a new contract for tennis facilities management and community tennis development.

Enhancing Access to Sports and Recreation

This contract, estimated at £6.72 million over seven years, will cover the management of tennis facilities across several key locations, including Clissold Park, London Fields, and Hackney Downs. The aim is to ensure these facilities are well-maintained and actively promoted to encourage greater participation in tennis.

The new provider will operate on a concession basis, collecting income from users and paying a fee to the council, alongside a share of any surpluses. This model has proven successful in increasing bookings and participation under the current operator, Hackney Tennis. User satisfaction has remained high, indicating the value residents place on these facilities.

The proposed procurement aligns with the council's commitment to fostering healthy, active residents and promoting community cohesion, as outlined in its Community Strategy and Health and Wellbeing Strategy. By investing in these facilities, the council is making sports and recreation more accessible to all residents, contributing to a healthier and more vibrant borough.

The council rejected options to bring the service in-house due to a lack of internal expertise and potential cost increases. The chosen approach ensures that residents continue to benefit from professionally managed and developed tennis facilities.

Read the full report on the Officer Executive Decisions meeting

Other matters

• The Licensing Committee met on Wednesday, June 3rd, to formally note its terms of reference for the upcoming municipal year and to establish five licensing sub-committees. Councillor Kwame Otiende was confirmed as Chair and Councillor Nicholas Blincoe as Vice Chair. These sub-committees will be responsible for considering a range of licensing applications, ensuring adherence to the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. Read the full report on the Licensing Committee meeting

This week in Hackney:

Urgent Action Needed on Electrical Safety as Council Faces Regulator Scrutiny

Hackney Council is facing intense pressure to address a significant backlog in domestic electrical safety testing, with a critical meeting of the Hackney Procurement Board on Tuesday, May 26th. The board considered a general exception notice to award a contract for electrical testing and inspections, a move necessitated by the urgent need to comply with safety regulations and avoid potential penalties from the Housing Regulator.

Millions in Contracts to Clear Electrical Testing Backlog

The council has approved the award of a contract worth up to £2.2 million over two years to tackle an estimated backlog of electrical inspections. This situation arose after Hackney Council self-referred to the Housing Regulator in 2024 due to concerns about its consumer standards, specifically its electrical testing programme.

The council's direct labour organisation (DLO) currently conducts only about 1,300 electrical tests annually, a capacity far too low to manage the existing backlog and ensure ongoing compliance. The plan is to increase the DLO's output to 7,000 tests per year, with an additional 11,000 tests to be outsourced. This new contract will cover 5,000 of those external tests, with the council committing to the Regulator to clear the entire backlog within three years.

The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. The report explicitly warns that failure to demonstrate significant progress could lead the Regulator to conclude that the Council placing residents at higher risk due to a larger percentage of non-compliant properties. This could result in fines and trigger a wider investigation into the council's compliance areas.

The decision to use a general exception notice was made to allow the contract to be awarded before a crucial meeting with the Regulator on May 28th. The next scheduled Hackney Procurement Board meeting would have occurred after this date, making this extraordinary meeting essential.

The procurement process involved a mini-competition on the Fusion 21 - Heating, Renewables and Electricals Framework. Supplier A was the highest-scoring bidder, demonstrating strong quality and social value proposals, and the lowest commercial cost. The report highlighted that Supplier A has 40 years of experience in social housing and currently delivers fire safety work for Hackney Council, with a proven track record of good performance.

The contract includes provisions for sustainability, aiming to minimise environmental impact through measures such as efficient vehicle use and waste management. Social value benefits include commitments to hiring local operatives, delivering mentoring sessions for young people, and donating time and equipment to local community initiatives. The contractor will also be required to pay the London Living Wage.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will be monitored throughout the contract, including customer satisfaction, client handover pass rates, safety inspections, and social value delivery. The contract management will be overseen by the Electrical Contract Manager.

This decision is classified as a Key Decision and will come into force five clear working days after publication, unless called in by at least five non-executive members.

Read the full report on the Hackney Procurement Board meeting Read the full report on the General Exception Notices meeting

Council Convenes for New Municipal Year: Speaker Elected and Election Results Noted

Hackney Council held its annual meeting on Thursday, May 28th, to formally mark the start of the new municipal year. The meeting focused on organisational matters, including the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, and the noting of the results from the recent Mayoral and Council elections.

Zoë Garbett Elected Mayor of Hackney

A significant outcome of the recent elections, noted at the meeting, was the election of Zoë Garbett as the new Mayor of Hackney. The meeting also formally noted the election results for councillors across all wards, including Brownswood, Clissold, Cazenove, Dalston, De Beauvoir, Hackney Central, Hackney Downs, Hackney Wick, Haggerston, Homerton, Hoxton East & Shoreditch, Hoxton West, King's Park, Lea Bridge, London Fields, Shacklewell, Springfield, Stamford Hill West, Stoke Newington, Victoria, and Woodberry Down.

New Speaker and Deputy Speaker Appointed

The council began the municipal year with the election of its Speaker and Deputy Speaker. These roles are crucial for presiding over council meetings and ensuring the smooth conduct of business. The meeting also included a vote of thanks to the outgoing Speaker and a presentation of the Incoming Speaker's Programme for the upcoming year.

Cabinet and Committee Structures Confirmed

The meeting also addressed the composition of the Cabinet and the appointment of Cabinet Members and Deputy Cabinet Members for the 2026/2027 Municipal Year. This included the establishment of Cabinet Committees and the Mayor's Scheme of Delegation. Furthermore, the council confirmed the establishment and composition of its various Committees, Commissions, Panels, and Boards for the upcoming year, ensuring political balance in line with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. The proposed calendar of meetings for the 2026/2027 Municipal Year was also presented for approval.

Read the full report on the Council meeting

Other matters

• The Hackney Procurement Board met on Tuesday, May 26th, to approve the award of a contract for domestic electrical testing and inspections. This contract, valued at £2.2 million, is crucial for addressing a backlog of essential safety checks in residents' homes and ensuring compliance with statutory safety regulations. The board approved the contract to Supplier A, who was the highest-scoring bidder in a mini-competition on the Fusion 21 framework. The contract includes social value commitments such as local recruitment and paying the London Living Wage. Read the full report on the Hackney Procurement Board meeting

This week in Hackney:

Urgent Action Needed on Electrical Safety as Council Faces Regulator Scrutiny

Hackney Council is facing intense pressure to address a significant backlog in domestic electrical safety testing, with a critical meeting of the Hackney Procurement Board scheduled for Tuesday, May 26th. The board will consider a general exception notice to award a contract for electrical testing and inspections, a move necessitated by the urgent need to comply with safety regulations and avoid potential penalties from the Housing Regulator.

Millions in Contracts to Clear Electrical Testing Backlog

The council is proposing to award a contract worth up to £2.2 million over two years to tackle an estimated backlog of 15,000 electrical inspections. This situation arose after Hackney Council self-referred to the Housing Regulator in 2024 due to concerns about its consumer standards, specifically its electrical testing programme.

The council's direct labour organisation (DLO) currently conducts only about 1,300 electrical tests annually, a capacity far too low to manage the existing backlog and ensure ongoing compliance. The plan is to increase the DLO's output to 7,000 tests per year, with an additional 11,000 tests to be outsourced. This new contract will cover 5,000 of those external tests, with the council committing to the Regulator to clear the entire backlog within three years.

The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. The report explicitly warns that failure to demonstrate significant progress could lead the Regulator to conclude that the Council placing residents at higher risk due to a larger percentage of non-compliant properties. This could result in fines and trigger a wider investigation into the council's compliance areas.

The decision to use a general exception notice is to allow the contract to be awarded before a crucial meeting with the Regulator on May 28th. The next scheduled Hackney Procurement Board meeting would occur after this date, making this extraordinary meeting essential.

The procurement process has already involved pilot programmes with external contractors, which have validated the operational viability and financial efficiency of a hybrid model. The recommended bidder for the contract scored highly on quality, social value, and commercial aspects. Their social value offer includes commitments such as sustaining local jobs, employing operatives from the Hackney area, mentoring students, and providing employability advice.

This situation highlights the critical importance of proactive contract management and the significant consequences of falling behind on essential safety compliance. The council's commitment to the Housing Regulator to recover the electrical testing programme within three years underscores the seriousness of the issue.

Read the full report on the General Exception Notices meeting Read the full report on the Hackney Procurement Board meeting

Hackney Museum Set for £1.25 Million Refurbishment

Hackney Museum, a vital cultural hub at 1 Reading Lane, Hackney E8 1GQ, is set to undergo a significant refurbishment following approval by the Hackney Procurement Board. The board approved a contract award of £1,256,634.88 (excluding VAT) to Supplier E for the refurbishment, service improvements, and adaptations to the museum.

A More Engaging Cultural Space

This project, scheduled for completion by the end of 2028, aims to transform the museum into a more welcoming and engaging cultural asset for the borough. The refurbishment is significantly funded by a £2.24 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), supplemented by a £350,000 capital contribution from the council.

The procurement process involved a restricted competition due to the specialised nature of the works. Alternative options, such as using an existing framework or an open tender, were rejected due to unsuitability or significant resource implications. The option to do nothing was also ruled out as it would jeopardise the NLHF grant.

Supplier E emerged as the highest-scoring tenderer, demonstrating strong commitments to sustainability and social value. Their plans include:

• Using renewable materials and reducing waste.
• Sourcing from local supply chains and offering work placements.
• Supporting local recruitment through initiatives like Hackney Works.
• Committing to paying the London Living Wage and adhering to equal opportunities policies.

This investment in Hackney Museum is a testament to the council's commitment to preserving and enhancing its cultural heritage, ensuring it remains a vibrant space for learning and community engagement.

Read the full report on the Hackney Procurement Board meeting

Adult Skills Courses to Continue Through Existing Framework

The Hackney Procurement Board also agreed to use the existing Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Adult Learning Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the 2026/2027 procurement cycle for adult skills funding. This interim arrangement, lasting for one year with a potential one-year extension, will ensure that Hackney residents can continue to access adult skills courses.

Bridging the Gap for Essential Training

This decision was made because the establishment of the council's own 4-year Adult Skills Open Framework has been delayed. The CCS DPS offers immediate usability and is already used by other adult learning providers, ensuring a timely procurement process for the upcoming academic year.

While the council's own framework remains a long-term necessity, the CCS DPS provides a crucial stopgap. The report highlights that the CCS DPS is set to expire in October 2028 and will not be permitted under the Procurement Act 2023.

The Adult Learning Service is part-funded by the Greater London Authority (GLA) through the Adult Education Budget (AEB) grant. The use of the CCS DPS is permitted under Regulation 37 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

The council has developed an engagement and communications plan to encourage local providers to register on the CCS DPS, offering support to simplify the application process. This ensures that a diverse range of training opportunities remains available to Hackney residents, supporting their personal and professional development.

Read the full report on the Hackney Procurement Board meeting

Other matters

• The Officer Executive Decisions meeting on Friday, May 15th, was scheduled to discuss the submission of Hackney Council's final Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) for 2026-2030 to the Mayor of London for approval. This plan is a crucial document outlining the council's strategy for improving air quality within the borough, a key priority for public health and environmental well-being. The plan aims to reduce concentrations of NO₂, PM₁₀, and PM_2.5, acknowledging the ongoing challenges posed by traffic, construction, and domestic heating. Read the full report on the Officer Executive Decisions meeting

This week in Hackney:

Council to Award £6 Million Contract for School Cleaning Services

Hackney Council is set to award a significant contract for cleaning services across its schools and children's centres, a decision that will impact the daily environment for thousands of young people and staff. The Officer Executive Decisions meeting on Thursday, May 7th, considered a framework contract valued at up to £6 million over four years.

Ensuring Clean and Safe Learning Environments

The proposed framework aims to provide a consistent, high-quality cleaning service for Hackney's educational institutions. By consolidating services, the council anticipates achieving economies of scale and reducing administrative burdens for individual schools. Crucially, the framework includes a commitment to paying staff at least the London Living Wage, ensuring fair working conditions for those providing essential services. This aligns with the Mayor's Manifesto pledge for a bright future for every child and young person, by fostering a clean and safe learning environment.

The procurement process involved a competitive tendering exercise, with three organisations submitting bids. The recommendation was to appoint Supplier B, identified as the Most Advantageous Tenderer, based on their extensive experience in cleaning educational establishments.

Beyond basic cleaning, the framework prioritises social value and sustainability. The successful supplier is committed to:

• Creating new roles for Hackney residents, particularly from under-represented groups.
• Offering at least one apprenticeship for every £2 million of contract value.
• Providing volunteering hours and financial donations to local charities.
• Delivering career talks and workshops for students.

The report also noted that an alternative option of insourcing cleaning services was considered, but this in-house service would require further development. The framework contract is funded by individual schools from their delegated budgets, with the council earning a 1.5% annual fee from the supplier to cover management costs.

Read the full report on the Officer Executive Decisions meeting

Planning Sub-Committee Meets Amidst Ongoing Development Discussions

The Planning Sub-Committee met on Wednesday, May 6th, to discuss planning applications. While the details of specific decisions made at this meeting are not yet available, the committee's role is crucial in shaping the borough's physical landscape and ensuring that new developments meet the needs of the community.

Planning applications often involve complex considerations, including the impact on local infrastructure, housing supply, environmental factors, and the character of existing neighbourhoods. Decisions made by the Planning Sub-Committee can have long-term consequences for residents, affecting everything from traffic and public transport to the availability of green spaces and community facilities.

Read the full report on the Planning Sub-Committee meeting

Other matters

• The Officer Executive Decisions meeting on Thursday, May 7th, also discussed the proposed award of a framework contract for cleaning services for Hackney Schools and Children Centres. This decision is considered a Key Decision due to its significant impact across multiple wards. The framework is for a maximum of four years, with an estimated value of up to £6 million, excluding VAT. The report detailed the procurement process, the evaluation of bids, and the social value commitments included in the proposed contract. Read the full report on the Officer Executive Decisions meeting