The Skills, Place and Economy Scrutiny Commission of Hackney Council met on Thursday 10 September 2026 to review progress on the Hackney Parks and Green Spaces Strategy and to discuss the commission's work programme for the upcoming year. Key discussions included the implementation of the Parks and Green Spaces Strategy, with a focus on environmental sustainability, community engagement, and the creation of welcoming spaces. The commission also provisionally agreed on its draft work programme for 2026-27, which will include a range of topics such as waste services, transport, community safety, and emergency planning.

Hackney Parks and Green Spaces Strategy Update

The commission reviewed the progress of the Hackney Parks and Green Spaces Strategy 2021-2031, a ten-year plan designed to manage the borough's parks and green spaces. Officers presented an update on the strategy's delivery halfway through its cycle, highlighting achievements in working with communities, creating more welcoming spaces, and enhancing environmental sustainability.

Key achievements and discussions included:

• Environmental Sustainability: Significant progress has been made in reducing the use of glyphosate, with the service now only using it for invasive species. Investment in battery-powered equipment is increasing, and efforts are underway to decarbonise park buildings through air source heat pumps and solar arrays. The strategy also aims to increase biodiversity through initiatives like wildflower meadow creation and the rewilding of the River Lea.
• Community Engagement: The strategy emphasizes working with communities, with examples including the Housing Service's engagement with estates on play and sports area improvements, and the Parks and Green Spaces Service's extensive consultation on play area refurbishments. A dedicated Volunteering Officer is to be appointed to oversee a comprehensive volunteering programme, aiming for greater representation from diverse communities.
• Creating Welcoming Spaces: The council has refurbished all public toilets in parks and green spaces and introduced new facilities, including Changing Places toilets. Improvements to play areas and sports facilities have been made across the borough, and there is an ongoing effort to expand food and drink opportunities in parks.
• Resident Concerns: Councillors raised concerns about various issues, including the consistent application of environmental sustainability themes on housing estates, the management of green waste, and the accessibility of play areas for disabled residents. Discussions also touched upon the challenges of maintaining green spaces during extreme weather events and the resilience of areas like Hackney Marshes.
• Commercial Use and Safety: The use of green spaces for commercial festivals was discussed, alongside concerns about park safety and the impact of maintenance practices on wildlife. The commission also addressed the issue of cyclists' speed in parks, with measures such as geo-fencing for e-bikes and speed awareness signs being implemented.
• West Reservoir Improvement Project: The recent improvements to West Reservoir were discussed, with some residents feeling that changes, particularly the fencing of the beach area, were not adequately communicated during the public consultation. Officers clarified that the scheme was built according to planning permission and that new public access to the East Bank of the reservoir had been created.
• Toilet Provision: The council acknowledged budget constraints limiting the expansion of standalone public toilet blocks in parks. The focus is on introducing new facilities where cafes or food outlets are developed, as seen at Abney Park and Shoreditch Park.
• Apprenticeships and Work Experience: The strategy includes commitments to apprenticeships and work experience. While there has been success in offering placements, challenges remain in retaining staff due to slow vacancy turnover. Plans are in place to create more apprentice roles as part of a service restructure.

Skills, Place and Economy Scrutiny Commission Work Programme 2026-27

The commission reviewed and provisionally agreed on its draft work programme for the 2026-27 municipal year. The revised remit of the commission now includes community safety, public realm, waste and recycling, arts and culture, and parks and leisure.

Proposed discussion items for the work programme include:

• October 2026: Waste services, focusing on street cleaning and fly-tipping, and a progress review of the Market Strategy 2023-2028.
• November 2026: Transport, with a focus on e-bikes and cycling, including engagement with Transport for London. The transport strategy, parking, manifesto commitments, and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) will also be discussed.
• December 2026: Community Safety Partnership.
• January 2027: Emergency planning, including the borough's resilience and flood management.
• March 2027: Procurement.
• April 2027: Engagement with planning regarding the Local Plan, in partnership with the Housing and Homelessness Scrutiny Commission.

Councillor Jasmine O'Connor suggested including arts and culture as a specific theme, while Councillor Noah Birksted-Breen proposed accessibility as a central theme and inquired about the inclusion of driverless cars within the commission's remit.