Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: June 23, 2025

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED:   1.  The scheme for Climate, Homes & Economy Directorate as set out in section 11 was approved as follows:   Reimagining Hackney Museum: Empowering Communities with Collections: Resource and spend approval of £1,345k (£375k in 2025/26, £844k in 2026/27, £113k in 2027/28 and £13k in 2028/29) and spend approval of £350k (£89k in 2025/26, £239k in 2026/27 and £23k in 2027/28) is requested to go towards the reconfiguration and refurbishment of the Hackney Museum.   Hackney Town Hall Audio Visual Equipment: Resource and spend approval of £94k in 2025/26 is requested to purchase portable Audio Visual equipment for Hackney Town Hall for both internal and larger-scale events.   2.  The scheme for Children & Education Directorate as set out in section 11 was approved as follows:   School Site Rationalisation: Resource and spend approval of £880k (£500k in 2025/26 and £380k in 2026/27) is requested to fund the project work required as part of the Council's decision to take forward a proposal to close school sites as part of the Phase 2 of the School Estate Strategy (September 2024 Cabinet Key Decision No CE S366).   3.  It was agreed to accept additional grant funding of £1,016,193.00 from the Greater London Authority (GLA) UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Programme and delegate to the Group Director Finance and the Director Legal, Democratic and Electoral Services authority to agree the final grant funding agreement terms. This funding will go toward the expenditure on the improvements to Ridley Road Market and public realm improvements to Gillett Square and Hackney Wick as well as support for local businesses, town centres and high streets.   4.  The S106 scheme set out in section 12 was approved:   S106 2025/26 £'000 2026/27 £'000 Total Revenue 210 210 420 Total S106 Revenue for Approval 210 210 420   5.  The S106 scheme set out in section 13 was noted:   Project Description 2025/26 £'000 Capital 94 Total S106 Capital for Noting 94     REASONS FOR DECISION   The decisions required are necessary in order that the schemes within the Council’s approved Capital programme can be delivered and necessary to approve the property proposals as set out in this report.   In most cases resources have already been allocated to the capital schemes as part of the budget setting exercise but spending approval is required in order for the scheme to proceed. Where, however, resources have not previously been allocated, resource approval is requested in this report.   To facilitate financial management and control of the Council's finances.   UK Shared Prosperity Fund GLA £1m Grant Funding: In London, the Greater London Authority (GLA) administers the UKSPF on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Between 2023-25, Hackney received £1.8m of UKSPF funding which has, and is being used to fund public realm improvements in Dalston and Hoxton and deliver refurbishments and a new kiosk in Fairchild's Garden. The programme also supported local businesses through funding the Hackney Impact consortium to deliver a range of business support across the borough, including cost crisis support, capacity building, start-up and scale-up advice and training and advice on transitioning to net zero.   The UKSPF funding has been extended for an additional year, 2025-2026. The intention is that funding will be used to support the delivery of the London Growth Plan, which was published in February 2025 by the GLA and London Councils.   For the investment priorities of Community and Place and Supporting Local Business, Hackney received an allocation of £1,016,193 from the GLA for 25/26.   Hackney’s allocation consists of £678,533 capital and £337,660.00 revenue. Capital expenditure of £550,033 will be used to repurpose the Gillett Square car park to facilitate improvements for the public and better use of the space. In addition, £91,360 will be used to fund improvements to lighting and security for Ridley Road Market’s compound. This will deliver local environment and safety improvements for traders and officers. Capital funding of £10,000 has also been allocated to restore street furniture in Hackney Wick, which was installed in 2011 as a wayfinding trail from Victoria Park to the Olympic Park. Finally, £27,140 of capital will be used to cover the project management costs for the programme.   The capital projects are expected to deliver the following benefits:   ·  High impact public realm improvements at Gillett Square and, where possible, link public realm improvements into wider town centre public realm improvements through a consistent use of materials to create a coherent sense of identity. ·  Improve Dalston’s green infrastructure. ·  Deliver safety improvements for Ridley Road market traders and officers.   Revenue allocation of £247,700 will be used to fund the business support programme across the borough. As part of this programme, £50k has been allocated to deliver a grant scheme to support businesses to implement energy efficiency measures. The remaining £14,960, revenue will be used to support marketing and branding of the ‘Hackney Responsible Business Charter’ and ‘Love Hackney’ campaigns/events.   Additionally, £25,000 of revenue has been allocated towards the Communities and Place programme and will be used to fund town centre and high streets events and activation, including some revenue related Christmas activities. The Council will generally have an enabling role and not a direct delivery role in the expenditure of this funding and will work closely with local business groups to identify relevant projects and initiatives.   The funding will be required to deliver community activities, support businesses, town centres and high streets, drive additional footfall into the town centres and help to deliver an economic uplift to businesses.   The revenue funded supporting business programmes are expected to deliver the following outputs:   Deliverables Beneficiaries Number of low or zero carbon energy infrastructure installed 2 Number of enterprises receiving grants 4 Number of businesses receiving non-financial support 15 Number of potential entrepreneurs assisted to be enterprise ready 5 Number of local events or activities supported 3 Number of new enterprises created as a result of support 3 Number of enterprises adopting new or improved products or services 3   DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED   UK Shared Prosperity Fund GLA £1m Grant Funding: Do nothing - do not accept the UKSPF funding allocation:   ·  The improvements to Dalston’s public realm, landscaping and biodiversity would not be realised. ·  There would be a risk to the Council’s reputation for not accepting external funding to deliver the projects/programmes identified following the extensive work with local residents and stakeholders and the expectation within the community via the Dalston Conversation, Dalston Plan and Gillett Square co-design with local stakeholders. ·  Opting not to establish a programme to deliver business support would also be a considerable missed opportunity to support local businesses and deliver the Council’s inclusive economy commitments at a time when businesses are in great need of support.   The above option has therefore been rejected.